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

HAPPY RELEASE DAY to Misty M. Beller & This Healing Journey, the emotional finale to her Heart of the Mountains series!

SERIES: Heart of the Mountains #7
GENRE: Historical Romance
PUBLISHER: Misty M. Beller Books, Inc. 
RELEASE DATE: June 18, 2019
PAGES: 193

She’s never left her home in the mountain wilderness of the Canadian Rockies—until now. Little did she realize this journey would change her life in every way.

The mountain wilderness of her family’s home in the Canadian Rockies is all Hannah Grant has ever known. Now at the age of twenty-four, she’s on a journey to help her father to find the son he gave up for adoption three decades before. This is Hannah’s chance to discover the life she’s missed out on so far—and hopefully find a husband along the way. But she certainly doesn’t plan to fall for the first man she meets.

Years in the cavalry provided Nathaniel Peak with more than his share of violence and adventure. That life behind him, he wants nothing more than to settle down in the beautiful Montana mountains and raise his own stock—in peace. The last thing he expects is the savagely wounded child who shows up in his barn. Nor the woman he comes to rely on for the girl’s care.

Hannah can’t help but fall in love with the brave Indian child who so desperately needs her, but no matter what, she can’t let herself fall for the man whose past choices go against everything she believes in. As the situation grows worse, Hannah and Nathaniel are forced to make a heart-rending decision to save the girl’s life. Little do they imagine, the choice they make could spell disaster for them all

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“But what if’s don’t matter at the end of the day. You made the choice you felt was right, and God worked good from it.“

I’m not going to lie. I totally cried when I reached the last page of this sweet story. Partially because it ends on such a tender note but also because I’ve loved this series & these characters so much – and This Healing Journey brings the journey full circle from book one. The perfect send-off for these dear-to-my-heart characters, as well as the author’s Mountain Dreams series.

Hannah and Nathaniel have an instant, outward, connection that only deepens to a lasting, heart level as they unite their efforts in caring for a wounded (but adorable) little Native American girl named Itu. Dangers threaten from unknown origins, as well as the sparking romantic tension that heightens their awareness of each other amid close quarters and time often spent alone with only Itu as a chaperone. Their first kiss still has my heart all twitterpated – whew! <fanning>

Along with Hannah and Nathaniel’s simmering romance and Itu’s serious injuries and subsequent infection, the story has an even deeper, underlying emotion that stems from the heart-wrenching story that first began in This Treacherous Journey. It continued in The Lady and the Mountain Call (Mountain Dreams #5), unbeknownst to me, and culminates in This Healing Journey. You can certainly read this as a standalone but it will most deeply touch you if you read at least This Treacherous Journey first. And while I knew that I would swoon over Hannah & Nate’s falling in love and thought that Simeon and Reuben’s renewed familial ties would hit my emotions hardest, it was actually Reuben and Hannah’s relationship that grabbed my heart most – particularly the first time he calls her his sister. It’s a sort-of “Drop your sword” Princess Bride moment, too, so you’re cheering on all sorts of levels, not the least of which is that acknowledgment of their sibling status.

Each book in this series has a theme of rescue at its heart. Not just rescue from some sort of dangerous situation (though there is that element too), but a rescue of the heart. A redemption and/or restoration of a character’s soul – by a Savior who is waiting with open arms. This Healing Journey is no exception, as the story emphasizes God’s tender care of His children and how He can take what was meant for evil and work it for good.

“Only my Father above could orchestrate such a beautiful ending. Or rather, the beginning…”

Bottom Line: Misty M. Beller delivers a tender, heartfelt finale for both her Heart of the Mountains and Mountain Dreams series in This Healing Journey. Nate and Hannah’s relationship simmers with instant chemistry and deep emotion, and the little girl in their mutual care adds an extra dimension of tenderness to their story. Layered characters with complex emotions fill the pages, and an underlying hum of danger provides additional tension. A very satisfying end to this book and all the ones that led up to it.

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

My Rating: 4.5 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 children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

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Occasionally I hear readers debate about whether they prefer to read a series of books from an author, or only standalone novels. Personally, I love series—both reading and writing them. There’s something about seeing characters I know and love from past books that makes me warm and happy inside. Can you relate?

One of the first series I wrote, the Mountain Dreams Series, included five books that told the stories of several families intertwined through marriage and God’s connections. Those characters are still so dear to my heart! When book 5 ended, I had so many readers ask for more in the series, I began dreaming of a spin-off series with a very special connection to the hero in book 5. Enter: the Heart of the Mountains Series.

I’ve LOVED every story in this 7-book collection, taking each journey with the characters as I laughed and cried and uncovered their secrets. For the final 7^th book, I’m thrilled to announce that I’m reuniting many of the characters from BOTH series! Simeon Grant (from Heart of the Mountains, book 1) goes on a journey to find the son he gave up for adoption as an infant (the hero in Mountain Dreams, book 5).

This Healing Journey has its own leading lady, Hannah Grant (the baby born at the end of This Treacherous Journey, all grown up and as tough as any lady raised in the Canadian mountain wilderness). And a new character, Nathaniel Peak, who stars as the hero (and who I fell in love with IMMEDIATELY!).

Even if you’ve never read any of my stories, I think you’ll enjoy this one. Especially if you love adventurous mountain stories as much as I do!

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

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Enter below.

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This giveaway is hosted by Celebrate Lit, not RimSP
Follow along with the tour for more chances to win!

What about you? What interests you most about this book?