Faith's Mountain Home - Review

Faith's Mountain Home (Hearts of Montana, # 3)

By: Misty M Beller

Expected Publication: January 5th 2021 by Bethany House Publishers

336 pages

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adult

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Nate Long has always watched over his identical twin brother, Aaron, even when it put him on the wrong side of the law. When Aaron is wounded in a shootout, the brothers are taken to Settler's Fort to recover. As Nate works to make reparations for their past, he marvels at the nursing Aaron receives under the care of a woman with all the reason in the world to resent him.

Laura Hannon knows what it is to start over, and she knows Nate's newfound faith is real. What she can't look past is how far he allowed himself to be led astray by his brother's weaknesses.

Have you ever finished reading a book that you enjoyed, but when it was over you find that you don't have much to say about it? Well, that's kind of where I am with Faith's Mountain Home. I enjoyed it. I read it quickly. When I first finished it, I thought I would probably give it 4 stars but the more I was trying to figure out what to write in my review about it the more I began to waver in my rating.

Laura was a very prominent character in the prior book of this series. During that book, she was kidnapped while babysitting her friend's son. Laura went through a lot and she's still emotionally affected by the kidnapping. One of the biggest reasons why is that she shot one of the kidnappers in the leg. She was aiming for the leader but Aaron got in the way. Aaron's twin brother Nate was also a member of the gang, but he was not involved in the kidnapping and worked against the rest of the gang as much as he could once he found out about it. Aaron is now healing at the home of the local doctor who was the main male character from the first book in this series. Laura is also living there and working as a nurse and assistant of sorts. This puts her in the path of Aaron frequently as well as his twin brother Nate.

Between books 2 and 3, Nate has turned his life over to God and is working to become a changed man. He's paying off the debts he owes to those he's stolen from. And he's working hard to build a future for himself and his brother. He's attracted to Laura, but he can't imagine that she would want to have anything to do with him considering his role in the gang that kidnapped her or because his twin brother was even more instrumental in her kidnapping than he was.

As I stated already, I enjoyed Faith's Mountain Home perfectly fine. I liked the characters, the story, the conflict. I was satisfied with all of the pieces. Nothing exactly felt lacking. But at the same time, when all is said and done, I don't find that I have much to say about it. It wasn't exceptional. It was far from bad. I can't imagine that the series will continue as the past pattern has been to set up the characters of the upcoming book within the current book and other than Aaron having the potential to be the leading male of an upcoming book, there was no lady introduced.

Favorite quotes:

-Perhaps living in hopeful ignorance was better than the murder of hope...

-"Choose with your mind first, then your heart will follow."

-"I know you said you've chosen to forgive Aaron. I also know from experience that making the choice can still mean it takes a while to finish the forgiving part. Especially when that person keeps on causing pain."

Faith's Mountain Home was good. I liked it. I read it basically within a day. I didn't want to stop reading when I needed to, and I was always anxious to get back to it. I originally thought I would rate it as 4 Stars, but the more I thought about it after, I realized that I just don't have much to say about it which leaves me feeling like 3.5 Stars is more appropriate for me. Have you read Faith's Mountain Home? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Faith's Mountain Home

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Faith's Mountain Home (Hearts of Montana, # 3)

By: Misty M Beller

Expected Publication: January 5th 2021 by Bethany House Publishers

336 pages

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adult

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Nate Long has always watched over his identical twin brother, Aaron, even when it put him on the wrong side of the law. When Aaron is wounded in a shootout, the brothers are taken to Settler's Fort to recover. As Nate works to make reparations for their past, he marvels at the nursing Aaron receives under the care of a woman with all the reason in the world to resent him.

Laura Hannon knows what it is to start over, and she knows Nate's newfound faith is real. What she can't look past is how far he allowed himself to be led astray by his brother's weaknesses.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Love's Mountain Quest - Review

Love's Mountain Quest (Hearts of Montana, # 2)

By: Misty M Beller

Expected Publication: June 30th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Young widow Joanna Watson is struggling to make a new home for her five-year-old son, Samuel, in the little mountain town of Settler's Fort. When she returns home from work to find Samuel and the woman watching him missing, with no lawman in town, she enlists a man she prays has enough experience in this rugged country to help.

Isaac Bowen wants nothing more than a quiet, invisible life in these mountains, far away from the bad decisions of his past. But he has a strong suspicion of who's behind the kidnapping, and if he's right, he knows all too well the evil they're chasing.

As they press on against the elements, Joanna fights to hold on to hope, while Isaac knows a reckoning is coming. They find encouragement in the tentative trust that grows between them, but whether it can withstand the danger and coming confrontation is far from certain in this wild, unpredictable land.

I was excited to explore Joanna's story in this book. I felt for her in the previous book, Hope's Highest Mountain. Her husband died leaving her a widow and single mother of a very enthusiastic little boy. The journey to Settler's Fort was difficult and Samuel was lost at one point. So to find out that Samuel was once again involved in a tragic event was a little heartbreaking for me. In this case, he and Joanna's friend, Laura, witnessed a murderer and were kidnapped. Joanna enlisted Isaac Bowen's help in rescuing Laura and Samuel from the kidnappers.

Isaac has had his eye on Joanna since he helped rescue Samuel in the first book. Yet he feels unworthy of her due to his past. He spent a year with the very criminals who kidnapped her son before waking up and changing his life. Isaac sees this as an opportunity to redeem himself once and for all and put an end to the gang that he started.

I loved the build of the relationship between these two characters. They both had regard for the other before this journey. I loved how they slowly exposed themselves to the other through this journey. Every obstacle along the way revealed the character of each. My first reaction to Isaac breaking his leg on the journey was that Misty M Beller was throwing in unnecessary obstacles, but what she really did was provide Isaac (and myself) an opportunity to rely on God instead of Isaac himself. It was something his character needed to grow in and revealed my own faults with assuming Isaac would be the means to rescuing Samuel and Laura rather than having faith that God would provide another way.

Usually I get a little frustrated with additional narrators beyond the two main characters. In this case, Laura provided a perspective we wouldn't be able to witness without her POV. But Laura also provided intrigue for me concerning the next book in the series. I'm assuming she'll be the leading female character. I have some suspicions about who the main male character might be but I'll have to wait to find out. Either way, I'm excited to find out more.

Favorite quote:

-I’m sorry, Father. Sorry for thinking I’m the only one to keep Joanna safe. The only one capable of bringing back her son and Miss Hannon. In truth, there’s no way I can do any of it without you. Go before us, Lord. Make our way straight. Fight the battle before us.

Love's Mountain Quest was so enjoyable. I loved seeing the authentic build of feelings and relationship between Isaac and Joanna. I loved the spiritual battles each had to overcome. I ached for the trauma that Samuel and Laura endured. But I can't wait to see Laura's story. Love's Mountain Quest gets 4 Stars. Have you read Love's Mountain Quest? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Love's Mountain Quest

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Love's Mountain Quest (Hearts of Montana, # 2)

By: Misty M Beller

Expected Publication: June 30th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

336 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Young widow Joanna Watson is struggling to make a new home for her five-year-old son, Samuel, in the little mountain town of Settler's Fort. When she returns home from work to find Samuel and the woman watching him missing, with no lawman in town, she enlists a man she prays has enough experience in this rugged country to help.

Isaac Bowen wants nothing more than a quiet, invisible life in these mountains, far away from the bad decisions of his past. But he has a strong suspicion of who's behind the kidnapping, and if he's right, he knows all too well the evil they're chasing.

As they press on against the elements, Joanna fights to hold on to hope, while Isaac knows a reckoning is coming. They find encouragement in the tentative trust that grows between them, but whether it can withstand the danger and coming confrontation is far from certain in this wild, unpredictable land.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Hope's Highest Mountain - Review

Hope's Highest Mountain (Hearts of Montana, # 1)

By: Misty M. Beller

Publication: October 1st 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

336 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Ingrid Chastain readily agreed to accompany her father to deliver vaccines to a mining town in the Montana Territory. She never could have anticipated a terrible accident would leave her alone and badly injured in the wilderness. When rescue comes in the form of a mysterious mountain man who tends her injuries, she's hesitant to put her trust in this quiet man who seems to have his own wounds.

Micah Bradley left his work as a doctor after unintentionally bringing home the smallpox disease that killed his wife and daughter. But his self-imposed solitude in the wilds of Montana is broken when he finds Ingrid in desperate need of medical attention, and he's forced to face his regret and call on his doctoring skills once again.

Micah can't help but admire Ingrid's tenacious determination despite the severity of her injuries, until he learns the crate she brought contains smallpox vaccines to help quell a nearby outbreak. With Ingrid dead set on trekking through the mountains to deliver the medicine--with or without his help--he has no choice but to accompany her. As they set off through the treacherous, snow-covered Rocky Mountains against all odds, the journey ahead will change their lives more than they could have known.

Hope's Highest Mountain was a quick read for me. It didn't take long for the beginning events to set up what was to come. Ingrid was involved in a wagon accident that resulted in her having a broken leg and rib and losing all of the other occupants of the wagon. Thankfully, Micah came upon the accident and was able to save Ingrid's life.

I expected more of the book to focus on Ingrid and Micah being alone together while she healed from her injuries before continuing the original mission of carrying the smallpox vaccines to a village in Montana. But Ingrid was passionate and determined to continue the journey as quickly as possible so that her father, her maid, and the wagon's driver didn't all die in vain. Micah has a history with the smallpox virus as he lost his wife and daughter to it five years prior. To be able to prevent others from suffering the way that they did is what motivates him to help Ingrid on her journey.

For the first part of their journey, Micah and Ingrid travel alone, but along the way, they run into a mother and son in need. Joanna and Sam really round out the story. I felt for Sam as he's about 4 (I believe) which is the age of my daughter. Traveling isn't very fun for a toddler with a lot of energy. I smiled at all of his interactions because he reminded me of my kids. I love how he was more aware than I think people give kids credit for a lot of times. I also related to Joanna as his mother. She's doing the best she can to survive and protect her son.

I loved the slow build between Micah and Ingrid. They were thrust into a team to accomplish a mission. They needed to lean on each other--granted Ingrid did a bit more leaning physically. Yet she provided a lot of emotional and spiritual strength for Micah. Ingrid was easy to love. She was so strong through all that she endured, both physically and emotionally. And their journey was not an easy one. It was packed with life-threatening situation after situation. Micah had a lot of emotional baggage to work through, but I was impressed with his choices and strength of character.

Hope's Highest Mountain was better than I expected. I enjoyed learning a little more about the smallpox virus and at the risk of incurring the wrath of the anti-vaxers, I'm so thankful for vaccines that ensure my own children don't face this illness. Ingrid and Micah both went through so much and I love to read about strong characters that overcome. And I can't wait to read more about Joanna and Samuel (potentially) as the series continues.Hope's Highest Mountain gets 4 Stars. Have you read Hope's Highest Mountain? What did you think? Let me know!