Book Review (and a Giveaway!): This Wilderness Journey by Misty M. Beller

SERIES: Heart of the Mountains #2
GENRE: Inspirational Historical Romance
PUBLISHER: Misty M. Beller Books
RELEASE DATE: April 24, 2018
PAGES: 267

He’s been sent to retrieve the new missionary… But she’s not at all who he expects to find.

Joseph Malcom has spent his life protecting those in need, but now that his sister is safely settled with her new family in the Canadian Rockies, his help is no longer required. That is, until he’s asked to safely retrieve the priest’s cousin to help minister to the local Indian tribe. But his passenger is not at all who he expects.

After the death of her mother, Monti Bergeron has nothing to keep her in Montreal. While the prospect of ministering to the Indians out West is daunting, she looks forward to assisting her beloved cousin in his mission work. The life of a nun may be just what she needs to heal her grief, serving her Heavenly Father and fellow mankind, especially if no more pesky suitors are around to ask for her hand in marriage. But the man who’s been sent to guide her through the mountains might make her second-guess her plans before she even begins.

As Monti settles into her ministry, Joseph finds his wandering feet drawn back to the Indian camp. Monti’s focus on God is more unsettling than he’d like to admit. Add to that her beauty which tests his willpower at every turn, and she’s made it crystal clear she doesn’t want a husband. But when his determination to keep distance between them puts Monti in danger, protecting her might require something Joseph might not be able to give.

Other Books In This Series

“Her eyes shimmered in a kind of joy that seemed to radiate from her very soul.”

I’ve been waiting for Joseph’s story since we met him in This Treacherous Journey, and I was not disappointed. He’s been through a lot and is understandably reserved but boy howdy is he swoony when he puts his heart to it!

Monti and Joseph’s journey from cautious strangers to a sweet friendship to a ‘friendship set on fire’ romance is truly enjoyable to follow. There are some incredibly tender moments between them, as well as some passionate kisses. But both of them are wounded souls, in some form or other, and part of the tenderness of their journey is watching them choose to trust the other person despite the risk. I really loved the ‘journal entries’ from Monti and Joseph that began each chapter – short snippets that give us a little insight into their thoughts and feelings beyond what Beller has already given us in the narrative.

Another highlight for me is Joseph’s faith journey – especially when seen in contrast to Monti’s relationship with God. In many ways, Joseph has been on his own wilderness journey – one of self-doubt, bitterness, and self-imposed loneliness. She never sets out to bring him back to God specifically; rather what he sees in her nudges the shriveled faith in his own heart and brings him to a crossroads of sorts. Beller does all this in a way that is never preachy but always feels organic to the story and yet also speaks to the reader’s heart in the process.

The things that happened to you don’t have the power to make you more or less than who you are. It’s up to you to decide whether you’ll live up to His plan for you.

Bottom Line: Another must-read for fans of rugged adventure, strong heroines, heroes of integrity, and gentle messages of faith. The treacherous setting of the northern Rocky Mountains adds to the sense of adventure and may even keep your heart in your throat on more than one occasion. Monti and Joseph are separately endearing as people, and together as strangers-becoming-friends-becoming-more they are truly delightful. They treat each other’s rough edges with tenderness and humor, and their journey through the rigors of the wilderness (both physical and spiritual) is inspiring.

(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: 4 / keep those fans & fainting couches handy!

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.

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To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

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This giveaway is hosted by Celebrate Lit, not RimSP
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