Due to some health issues, I was unable to get this book read and reviewed in a timely manner. I apologize.

This book started fast out of the gate. I really enjoyed the connection and community of the Laurent. The adventure was capturing and intriguing and there was a lot of foundation to build off with the world building and real history. I found it to be a really interesting premise.

The romance felt natural, and like the rest of the book didn't pull or ebb. You get the sense of real chemistry and a real sense of faith as well.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot! It was interesting and poignant at times. Loved the main character. Was left wishing for more honestly!

Wow! I just finished reading A Warrior's Heart, book one in the new series, Brides of Laurent, by Misty M. Bellar. This book grabbed me from the very beginning. I struggled to put it down for any purpose, to cook, clean, eat or sleep. Brielle and Evan are such strong characters yet each have their vulnerabilities which make them all the more endearing to the reader and to each other.

As with most of Misty's stories there are elements of adventure and danger and a little intrigue thrown in for good measure.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series to come out!

I highly recommend reading this book! Whether you have read and loved Misty's previous books or have never picked up a copy of any of them, this one is a must

I love Historical Fiction, Suspense, Highlander Romance, and Misty M. Beller managed to give me a little bit of everything I love. I also enjoyed the uniqueness of the Laurent settlement, a community living in the Canadian Wilderness, and nobody knows they are there until Brielle captures Evan. Evan, a soldier, tasked to find some explosive materials in the same mountain range, had no idea he was about to meet this secret settlement. I love that Brielle is the one to capture Evan, and we get to see each of the characters from the other person's perspective. The secrets, the second chances, the love, and the adventure make for a great first book in a new series.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely love the premise that a community of people lived and thrived in the northern Canadian wilderness separately from the rest of society. It was fascinating to see real history woven with the author's worldbuilding. The details of the people of Laurent and their history added to the intrigue and adventure. Brielle is the leader of the hunters and has honed skills that provide and protect, but her tough persona is balanced by intuition and thoughtful consideration, especially when she comes to know Evan over time. I liked how she could sense that he was withholding from her, even as she grew to admire him. As always there is a strong faith element as Evan and Brielle come to terms with their pasts and the loyalties they hold. The romance that develops between them despite their roles feels genuine and I enjoyed their chemistry. A strong cast of family and community members brought a foundation that will last through the series.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

I Really Enjoyed This First Book in the Brides of Laurent Series!

This book grabbed me from the moment Brielle pointed her arrow at Evan. From there you see relationships grow, trust built and faith shared. I was drawn in to the working of this hidden place called Laurent. Misty M. Beller draws out characters that allow you to feel with them and transports you to Laurent. Which makes it amazing that there will be at least 2 more books in the series! I look forward to Audrey’s story in book 2.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

I believe that this is my second or third book by Misty M. Beller that I have read, and while it is not my favorite, it was still enjoyable. My only complaint was that not much happened, but that might have to do with the fact that this is the first book in a series and it is setting things up for what happens throughout the rest of the series. 

It was intriguing to learn about the hidden village of Laurent in the Canadian Rockies. However, I wish there had been an author's note about whether or not the village existed or not, or a village similar to it. But it was fascinating to learn how this settlement would have lived. 

I also enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially Brielle and Evan. I love how Brielle was good balance between fierce and feminine and the genuine care she has for her people. And I liked getting to know Evan and how he is a man of integrity who wishes to complete his mission but wants to do so without it causing harm to the people of Laurent. I hope we get more of their story in the next book. I also hope we get to see Audrey have a happy ending too! 

Overall, while this isn't my favorite Misty M. Beller book, it was still an interesting read, so much so that I tried to see if there was any information about the next book in the series (which I couldn't find because it might be too soon). 3.5/5 Stars. 

*I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

The characters in this book are so gripping. The setting is cool, the plot is interesting, but it's the characters that make the book so enjoyable. The internal struggles of each, the relationships that are built or examined. I love Brielle and Evan. They're the type of characters that make you want to stay up past your bedtime to finish the story. (May or may not be speaking from experience here) I've been in a bit of a funk lately and haven't been wanting to read as much, but this story kept me engaged and searching for more. Definitely recommend picking up a copy if you enjoy a great historical romance that is truly character driven. I really am in awe over the way the motivation holds up and the story moves along.

It took me a chapter or two to get into this one, but once the story really started moving, I quickly found I couldn't put it down! A Thrilling tale or love and loyalty, and I loved getting to meet these characters and learn about their lives in this pleasantly surprising Historical Fiction!

Another wonderful historical story by Misty Beller! I love the details in her stories and how she brings the time period alive.

I read Misty M Beller's Hearts of Montana series and really enjoyed it. So I decided to read her next release which is the start of a new series. A Warrior's Heart is book 1 of the Brides of Laurent series. And I was a little disappointed.

The characters were fine. Brielle is the head of the guard of this secret village in the mountains. She's worked hard to achieve this position. And it seems that for the most part, her job has actually involved hunting for the tribe. She finds a man getting much too close to the village entrance and shoots him with a sleep potion tipped arrow. Evan is brought into the village and guarded in a storage room until the Brielle can find out what he is doing in the area and if the council deems him safe enough to release. Of course, the two spend time together and eventually open up to each other. In the process of getting to know each other, both find qualities about the other they admire and begin to develop feelings.

Now the romance is always what drives a story in my opinion. And I enjoyed Brielle and Evan's journey. The side characters were interesting and mostly likable when they were supposed to be and despicable when those were supposed to be. But I guess where I struggled most was the whole secret village piece. I've previously read a story with a family that was sequestered high on a mountain alone for a long period of time until they were stumbled upon, and I struggled with that too. I guess for me it's kind of like mermaid stories. I like the sound of the concept, but the execution has fallen flat for me both times. Maybe, I find it a little too unbelievable. That doesn't even feel like the right word. But something I can't put my finger on doesn't appeal to me.

I imagine Audrey will be the next character in the series to take center stage because she was the next most present female character in this book. I liked Audrey. She was sweet and all things good. But I also feel like my overall enjoyment of the concept of the hidden village might prevent me from enjoying her story as much as I would like. So that leaves me wondering if I will attempt to read more of this series when the time comes or not. I'm unsure at this point.

A Warrior's Heart gets 3 Stars from me. I liked Brielle and her strong female character. And I enjoyed the build between her and Evan. But I wasn't blown away by many of the side characters. And the secret village part of the concept left me wanting...but not in a good way. I'm unsure whether I will continue the series at this point. Have you read A Warrior's Heart? What did you think? Let me know!

I'm not the biggest fan of frontier/"Wild West" fiction, but what I appreciate about this is that it's a unique setting with plenty of historical details. I'd enjoy reading more by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley for a eARC of this book. I really enjoyed reading A Warrior's Heart. Its a beautiful love story between Brielle & Evan. They were such a adorable pair. I could see the attraction from when they first met. I felt so many emotions while reading. Misty M. Beller did a fantastic job in writing. I give this a 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this title to anybody. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Warrior’s Heart is a Christian Historical Romance that is written by the talented Misty M. Beller. This is book one of the Brides of Laurent series. I have read several books by this author and I have always loved every single one. In this story, we will travel back to 1814. We are in the Rocky Mountains. I love how the author does such great research. She really knows this time period and this setting. She also chose the Canadian side which was fun to read about.

Brielle Durand still has nightmares about her mothers death during a massacre of her people. She is now a defender for her people. She captures, Evan MacManus, who wandered too close to her people looking for resources. Evan is not completely honest with Brielle to why he was wandering around. Brielle is captivated with Evan. Two people, two different cultures.

You will learn the characters back story and their missions throughout the story. The author has crafted a brilliant intertwining of cultures. Well written characters, intriguing storyline. I hope to see more in this series.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program, all thoughts are my own.

A WARRIOR'S HEART is a good representation of this author's writing where readers find themselves engaged in a story set in a rugged land with likable characters who face challenges and danger while trying not to fall in love. Fans of the author and genre will enjoy this newest for Beller!

I felt like this story read slightly different from this author's other books and this was a good thing. Some of the others started to feel too similar after reading quite a few of them. This one includes characters who are easy to love, a rugged landscape, danger, family dynamics, a spiritual message and romance as I've come to expect from this author. However, this story also felt fresh. Maybe because Brielle isn't from an Native American tribe or a white woman trying to reach a destination or fend for herself. No, Brielle is a fierce warrior trying to protect her people who have a little French settlement in the mountains. The hero, Evan, is also a strong man and a soldier in his own right. They are very well matched each with things in their past that they must work through in order to find their happily-ever-after. I also really enjoyed the touch of humor and contrast between Brielle and other characters. And, of course, the author gives these two plenty of challenges and a bit of danger to make things interesting. The ending is a bit predictable, but I expected it would be and it's why I enjoy stories like this as I get the sweet ending I'm looking for.

In the end, was it what I wished for? An overall enjoyable story with all the things I expect from this author and genre. Definitely a good book to escape into and be left in the end inspired and content from the happily-ever-after conclusion. I'm looking forward to the next book with characters from this settlement.

Content: Some violence, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Misty Beller has quickly become one of my favorite historical romance authors. I would not have thought that an author could pen so many books with similar settings, genres, and themes without falling into a rut or monotonous pattern, but Beller accomplishes this feat with aplomb. Each story is unique and uplifting, a glimpse into the nineteenth century and how romance and faith sustained the characters through hardship and heartache. Her latest novel, “A Warrior’s Heart,” truly stands out to me as one of the most intriguing, and my favorite to date, and it heralds the beginning of the Brides of Laurent series.

Set in the Rocky Mountains in Canada during the War of 1812, “A Warrior’s Heart” presents a world that sounds idyllic until a stranger enters and starts a ripple effect in the lives of its inhabitants. Native Scotsman and American Evan McManus is a man on a mission, looking for a specific mineral that the government believes will help them win this second war against the British, when he unwittingly stumbles upon a clandestine community and into the path of its capable lady warrior, Brielle Durand. With that fascinating premise, readers embark on an adventure of discovery, one which shatters stereotypes while creating a world not so far removed from our own in certain ways.

If I’m being honest, Laurent sounds like both a bit of a dream come true and a nightmare. I appreciate the detachment from the world at large and find myself wishing for that kind of self-sufficiency and for the well-being to continue. As Evan realizes, “Staying within these walls meant safety. In this land that was more treacherous than any he’d seen, these people had survived, and even thrived, because of the walls.” The thought of living in a space, likely without windows, hewn from rock, is unbearable to me, although I am impressed by the detail and planning of the homes and meeting structure and how everything is interconnected. Brielle notes that “Her people were peace-loving. They only wanted to remain completely on their own, invisible to the world except for the natives they traded with.” More and more in this current age, I find myself in agreement with this!

A few other aspects of the Laurent people captured my attention and stoked my interest, as well. The most obvious is Brielle’s unusual position as Le Commandant, leader of the guards and hunters. Her demeanor is difficult to decipher, and after she begins to reveal her emotions, she feels overwhelmed by all that she must do. When she doubts herself, Evan reassures her: “You excelled where you were gifted. That’s what all people who achieve great things have done. You leaned into your strength and accomplished feats few people would attempt.” The Laurent people’s fluency in three languages also breaks stereotypes of the native people of any land being simple-minded or uneducated.

Most precious of all is the faith element, which shines forth from both Evan and Brielle in spite of their seeming opposite natures early on. While I would have expected one or the other to have a stunted or even nonexistent faith, both characters exhibit faithfulness and godly compassion in their own way, and this bears fruit in their lives as the story unfolds. Just how far this harvest can reach will become evident when readers turn the final page of this inspiring new novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

This is book one of the Laurents Heart series a Christian Historical Read. When Brielle moves her people to the Canadian Mountains to save them from harm. She finds that a foreigner that has stubbled upon the village and she must hold him captive, until she knows he is not an enemy to harm her people. Evan has no idea what he is getting himself into as he stumbles into a village that has the power to help Americans win the war of 1812, he must make choices. Will Brielle be able to trust Evan? Can Evan and Brielle find friendship and hope?

If you like a historical read that keeps you guessing then read this book. It takes you back into time and shows compassion, trust, forgiveness and being able to make the right choices. Good start of a series and can't wait to read the next one.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising About the Book

A secret French settlement in the Canadian mountains – hidden from the world & carefully guarded. A courageous heroine who valiantly protects her people. A Scottish-American hero who can lapse into the brogue of his ancestors upon request (swoon!). I really could stop right there and most of you will be adding it to your shopping cart, am I right?

A Warrior’s Heart kicks off a new historical romance series by Misty M. Beller, and I am so intrigued by this cave-dwelling settlement of Laurent. The people are protected from the dangers of the outside world, yes, but in exchange they are also incredibly sheltered from the progress & knowledge of the same world. This lends their sequestered mountain village an almost magically innocent quality – a sort of Brigadoon, if you will, that stays put. Yet Evan’s mission for the US Army stands in direct opposition to Brielle’s need to protect her people & their way of life. The residents of Laurent (for the most part) are goodhearted and genuine, and I loved seeing them through Evan’s eyes while he is held prisoner. I also enjoyed seeing Evan & his world from Brielle’s perspective, peering over her shoulder as she tries to decide whether he will be friend or foe … or something more. And the kisses. I loved the kisses. (I’m sure you’re all shocked!)

The emphasis on the divine power of prayer – juxtaposed against the human need to be in control, to know the outcome – really touched my heart. In fact, the scene(s) where the only thing a certain character can do is pray brought a few tears to my eyes. That internal battle is one I’m familiar with, though our circumstances are certainly different, and the reminder that fervent & focused prayer isn’t a last resort but the best option is so timely for all we are struggling with in our current world. Beller does a fabulous job of seamlessly integrating these spiritual truths into the framework of the story, without sacrificing the flow of the narrative or weakening the personality of the characters. Rather, it makes the story all the stronger, the romance all the sweeter, and the message all the more sincere.

Bottom Line: A Warrior’s Heart is another gorgeously-rendered novel from Misty M. Beller. You will be intrigued from the very beginning, quickly invested in these characters & their story, as the vividly drawn setting wraps around your senses. The emotional tension between the characters, their seemingly opposing purposes, and even their own internal conflicts keeps the romantic tension high as well (not to mention some extra swooniness to their kisses), and it lays a solid foundation for the truth that Beller weaves naturally through the pages. I cannot wait to see what’s in store for book 2!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

In A Warriors Heart Brielle shoots Evan with an Arrow when he comes close to her property. Evan is then held as a prisoner. Will they figure out if he is a bad guy or good guy? There is a lot of action in A Warriors Heart and of course romance. I enjoyed Evan and Brielle story. The story is set in 1814 in Canada, things were so much different then.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.