Love’s Mountain Quest, Misty M. Beller’s second novel in her Hearts of Montana series, isn’t as good as its predecessor but still manages to craft a compelling story. Joanna Watson and Isaac Bowen, both introduced in Hope’s Highest Mountain, embark on another journey when Joanna’s son and friend are kidnapped, and Isaac promises to help them. Especially when he realizes his past may have come back to haunt him.

Beller hasn’t lost her ability to throw you into a setting. She crafts her world carefully, settling you into the mountains just as easily as if you were there.

More time is spent in Joanna’s perspective than Isaac’s, and I found myself craving more of his voice. Isaac is a solid, dependable character, and he is well-paired with hardworking Joanna. I liked his character so much, I wanted a better look inside his head. See what he’s thinking. But the scenes in his perspective give a great glimpse of his character and help define who he is. Beller does a great job of characterizing him.

Laura, the friend, also has a voice in this novel alongside main characters Joanna and Isaac. I can understand the need for her scenes, as Joanna and Isaac’s journey could get potentially boring after a while without something to add suspense. While Laura’s perspective did ramp up the tension, I sometimes felt like too much focus centered on Laura. However, I did become endeared to her, so much so, I hope she’s the main character in a future novel. I would love to see her again.

Overall, Love’s Mountain Quest is a well-written book with an adventure you don’t want to miss. Typical Misty M. Beller book, packed with mountain scenery and a heartwarming romance.

(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

LOVE'S MOUNTAIN QUEST by MISTY BELLER is a Christian historical romance novel which takes place in Montana Territory in 1867. Although it is the second book in the Hearts of Montana series it can easily be read as a stand alone.
Joanna Watson is a young widow who lives in Settler's Fort with her son Samuel. When Samuel and Joanna's friend Laura Hannon are kidnapped,Isaac Bowen comes to the rescue. He has more than one reason to find them, one of which is to try and make up for his ill spent youth, One of the messages that comes out strongly in Isaac and Joanna's search through the mountains is that one should rather trust in the Lord, who is always with us and is all powerful to help us, rather than trust in one's own strength.
The story is tense in parts and hard to put down. It is altogether a most enjoyable read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

'She struggled to believe the Almighty heard her tiny cry.'

When Joanna Watson, a young widow, needs Isaac Bowen's help to rescue her kidnapped son and friend, she finds she must also guard her heard from this quiet, strong man. Isaac just wants to live a quiet life after being delivered from a despicable past. But he is finding it very difficult to stay unaffected by the young widow.

'He'd long ago stopped letting his past rise up to haunt him.'

Misty Beller takes us along on a dangerous trek through the mountains of Montana as Joanna and Isaac follow the kidnappers, men who form a dangerous and deadly gang. We also get glimpses into the outlaws' camp as they terrorize the young son of Joanna and her friend. We feel every emotion as things go from bad to worse, with both hoping and praying for God's protection and deliverance.

Both journeys are harrowing but these folks are relying on God at every turn to see them through. Beller's writing just keeps getting better and better and I never miss a new release.

*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

I may have requested this because the main character's name was the same as mine. Oops, haha. But in all seriousness, I really loved the cover and the blurb associated with this book. The whole name thing was just the icing on the cake for me to request this.

Joanna is a very courageous character who will stop at nothing to save her son. As a mother, it's easy to connect with her on this level because I know I would do anything for my daughter. The bond between a mother and her child is so important and enjoyed seeing it in this book.

She is not the only character that gets a point-of-view. Isaac Bowen is one of those characters and he helps Joanna on the long trek to bring her son back. It was harder to connect or feeling anything for him or the other characters in the book but I liked the plot so it didn't bother me much.

The pacing for this book is not slow in any way. Right within the first 10% we are pushed into the plot and it doesn't stop. I liked that this author didn't hold back on the plot twists. It was also cool to see how both Joanna and Isaac's story wove together. Faith/ religion is also very important to these characters and is talked about throughout the book. It was nice to see and I really enjoyed it.

 It was the first book I have read by this author and besides the connecting with characters, the only other thing I hard a time with was the writing style.

Overall, it was a good book and I'd definitely check out other books by this author.

Feel in love with the characters, I love how they sacrificed for each other. This was an incredible story that keeps you rapidly turning pages. I found myself on the edge of my seat often, so many twist and turns. The author does a great job of reflecting how life’s journey takes us on ups and downs. The forgiveness of God and how he comes after us when we veer off made this story so beautiful. The endurance the characters put up with on this long and hard journey just keeps the reader rooting for them. A sweet clean romance that builds through endurance, forgiveness and sacrifice is a bonus with this clever and mesmerizing story!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Love’s Mountain Quest is a wonderful story..a must read for anyone looking for a good inspirational story. Looking to God instead of yourself and trusting Him. Joanna’s son and friend are kidnapped after witnessing a crime. Isaac is on his way to town when she asks for help getting them back. On the long journey there are setbacks at every turn. The two kidnapped are trying to stay alive and find a way to escape their captures. This is the second book in the Hearts of Montana series...it can be read alone but I would recommend reading the first one as well. They are both wonderfully written and inspirational as well as exciting and of course some romance thrown in!! Like all Misty Beller books the story jumps right into the action and that is just one reason I love her books!!

Misty M. Beller's writing from the very beginning of a book pulls you in and doesn't let you go until the end. The book Love's Mountain Quest does not disappoint! There are so many twists and turns (not just from the mountain trails) in the story and surprises that you have to keep reading. It is difficult to put her books down. Another positive about her writing is God and prayer is always involved in the story lines.
Widow Joanna Watson and her son, Samuel, have made a new life for themselves in Settler's Fort. It is not an easy life for a woman alone but she has a friend, Laura Hannon, who gives her moral support and looks after Samuel to help her out. Isaac Bowen comes by occasionally and leaves food that he has trapped to help her with putting food on the table.
When Samuel and Laura are missing, Joanna finds help from Isaac and they set out following the trail. It turns out to be a longer process than Joanna was hoping for since she is desperate to get her son back. In the process they both learn to trust others and not just always do everything on their own.
Isaac, who had a rough past he left years before, has to face the old demons and put them to rest for good. Through his faith he knows God has forgiven him but he struggles with thinking he is good enough for others. Because of various tragedies in Joanna's life, she has had to rely on herself for survival. It is beautiful the way Misty Beller uses their circumstances to allow God to teach them the trust they need but to also believe in each other.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about people overcoming tragedies in life and learning to fully trust God. It is always amazing to read about the struggles our ancestors went through to settle this country and how their faith in God pulled them through.

A sweet love story that begins as a quest by the main characters to pursue kidnappers. Along the way, Joanna and Isaac are drawn to each other and fall in love. Another well written story by Misty Beller that tugs at your heart and leaves you with a hunger for more of her books.