Book Review: A Sweetwater River Romance by Misty M. Beller

Posted February 19, 2018 by meezcarrie in Christian, historical, Misty Beller, romance / 8 Comments

Taking flight from their quiet Pennsylvania town seems like the only way for Tori Boyd to protect her dearest cousin’s virtue. And the success of their escape may now depend on the man she’s been writing letters to for over a year now in the vast wilds of the Wyoming Territory.

Ezra Reid has finally stepped out from under the shadow of his older brother and sister, now having full responsibility to man the Rocky Ridge Stage Stop through the winter. The success or failure of the stage and telegraph contracts falls squarely on his shoulders, and he’s entirely focused on the work – at least until his mysterious correspondence partner shows up on his doorstep.

As Ezra takes on the search for a proper situation for Tori and her cousin, there seem to be no good options for the ladies. Especially since Tori won’t even discuss the one option that might succeed – marriage. When the danger chasing the women takes on a form none of them anticipated, how far will Ezra have to go to keep the Tori and her cousin safe? It’ll take a lot more than luck to ensure his heart is the sole casualty.

SERIES: Wyoming Mountain Tales #3
GENRE: Inspirational Historical Romance
PUBLISHER: Misty M. Beller, Inc.
RELEASE DATE: June 13, 2017
PAGES: 303

Other Books In This Series

“If I could take the past away, give you a new history, I would.”

A Sweetwater River Romance by Misty M. Beller is exactly what it sounds like it would be – sweet and romantic. It’s not without its harrowing and deeper moments though, making it a well-rounded story that appeals to a variety of readers.

Tori and Ezra know each other only by first initials & last names – and the letters they’ve been exchanging. Yet when Tori needs a safe haven for herself and her cousin Opal, she runs to Ezra. I thought this was a testament both to Tori’s desperation and Ezra’s integrity, something so a part of him that she could sense it just from his letters. She’s been hurt in such depraved ways by men she should have been able to trust that, for Tori to inherently know that Ezra would provide refuge, says a lot about him. I personally love these kinds of heroes – the ones that exude safety and protection and integrity just by being themselves. (There’s something to be said for a reformed bad-boy hero too on occasion, of course. #VanceEverstone) And I love Tori, too! To have overcome what she’s endured and still retain her inner strength and determined spirit is admirable and inspiring.

Her journey to a relationship with God is sweet and gentle – and realistic. She has been through so much ugliness at the hands of other people, things done to her that she didn’t ask for, shame that shouldn’t be hers to wear. How could God allow those things to happen if He, in fact, does love her as Ezra says?? These are questions that needed to be wrestled with for Tori’s story to have authenticity. And Beller accomplishes this without giving pat answers or stopping the story for a sermon.

Bottom Line: A Sweetwater River Romance by Misty M. Beller is a tender story of healing and hope. Tori and Ezra are enjoyable and layered characters, and I’m excited to read Opal’s story too (A Mountain Christmas Romance) when i have time. The romance between Tori and Ezra is just as sweetly done as their own individual stories, and I loved watching them fall in love. While this book is the third in a series, it still reads nicely as a standalone. However, fans of the previous books will enjoy becoming reacquainted with familiar characters.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / Love it!

KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion

Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and daughters now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Writing is a dream come true for Misty. Her family–both immediate and extended–is the foundation that holds her secure in that dream.