THE LADY AND THE MOUNTAIN CALL - Misty M Beller - One Free Print or Ebook

Dear Reader, I’ve read almost all of Misty’s books, and we’ve featured several on this blog. I haven’t read this one yet, because it arrived only a few days ago, and I’m finishing the book I was reading. This one will be next. I’ve loved every one of her Mountain Dream series. Beautiful mountain setting and characters who tug at your heart.

Welcome back, Misty. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

Wow, that’s a great question! With my writing, God has certainly proven the verse from Proverbs to be true: Man plans his ways but the Lord directs his paths. I’ve been blessed to see God connect my books with so many readers; I never quite know what He’ll have in store next! I’m working on a new series, set during the Pony Express days in what would become Wyoming. We’ll see what God has planned for that one!

Sounds interesting. I can’t wait to read and feature those books. Tell us a little about your family. I’d love to!

I’ve been blessed with a supportive husband for almost ten years now, and God has given us three beautiful (and lively!) daughters. Our youngest daughter was just born in March 2016, so she’s only a few weeks old! That’s certainly kept me busy, but she’s such a sweetie. My family is my heart, and I try my best to treasure every day with them.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how? 

I’ve always loved reading Christian historical romance books, so when I started writing my first novel, there was no doubt I wanted to write in that genre. I enjoy reading contemporary romance novels too, but when I’m working on the first draft of a story, I try to make sure I only read historical so I can keep the style and language fresh in my mind.

What are you working on right now?

I love this question because I get so excited about my current projects. After hurrying to finish a manuscript before the baby came, I’ve taken a couple weeks off (to catch up on sleep, among other things!). My brain has been churning, though, developing the characters for my next story. I’m getting ready to start the first book in another new series—a spin-off of the Mountain Dreams Series. I’m so excited about it! I can’t share many details yet, but picture the majestic snow-covered Rockies surrounding a crystal-blue lake. A hero hiding away from the world, still struggling to live with himself after his decisions brought about the loss of his wife and twin babies. A heroine who shows up on his doorstep with her brother and a desperate plea for help. Her strong determination pushing him to the edge of the secure walls he’s built around himself. I think it’s going to be good!

I’m sure it will be. All the others I’ve read have been very good. What outside interests do you have?

Hmm … between writing and my kids, there’s not much time for outside interests. J Seriously though, my stress relief has always been horses, and I even trained horses professionally for a while when I was young and daring. We still have three horses now, and my daughters and I love to ride. We don’t do it often enough!

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Growing up, we took several road trips to visit family in California. We tried to take a different route any time we could, and I fell in love with so many of the Western states! When I’m choosing a setting for a new book, I often pull from those memories. I love to choose remote areas, with amazing natural beauty. I feel sometimes like the settings in my books are their own character in the story!

Oh, yes, the mountains have been in the mountain series. If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

This is a tough one for me. Benjamin Franklin had so much wisdom, I’d love to sit at his feet for a few hours. Or maybe the apostle Paul, or Timothy. It’d be tough to choose just one person.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

Hmm … Writing has been such a learning process for me. After I finished my first manuscript, I discovered a great organization called American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). The learning and fellowship with other writers within the group has taught me more than I would have ever dreamed. I wish I’d found them much earlier!

There was nothing like that around when I wrote my first book. The group is invaluable to all of us. What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

I mentioned the verse: Man plan’s his ways but the Lord directs his path. That’s been a strong focus for me lately. I tend to be a planner; very goal-driven. But God’s been teaching me again that my plans won’t always come to pass, no matter how hard I work at them. Instead, His plans are better. The direction He’ll take me is far greater than the simple goals I set for myself. The problem is … I’m a little stubborn, and God’s had to teach me this lesson more than once. I’m so thankful He’s patient. J

This sounds like the story of my life, too. What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

Wow, just three? Let’s see … The biggest for me have been:

Read. Especially in the genre in which you write. Study what works or doesn’t work in the books you read. Which authors do you really enjoy? Why? What makes their books stand out? If you don’t feel you have time to read in print, try audiobooks.

Learn. Join writers groups (like ACFW or RWA) where you’ll have access to great courses, blogs, and feedback from other authors. Join a critique group. Subscribe to writing craft blogs and magazines. Absorb everything you can get your hands on.

Write. Ideally, sit down to write at least five days per week. When you finish a story, take time to edit using the instruction you received from tip # 2, but also go ahead and start dreaming of your next book. In addition to learning craft, I firmly believe it takes mileage to make a good writer.

These may seem like no-brainers, but they take diligence and persistence over the long-haul.

Tell us about the featured book.

I’d love to! Here’s a peek at the back cover:

The wild Montana mountains are no place for an aging widow to live alone with dementia. And when Cathleen Donaghue discovers the poor woman’s condition, there’s no way she’ll walk away without helping. After all, she left her comfortable Boston home to help her brothers with their mining town medical practice because she wanted to make a difference. But the wild elements she encounters on this mission of mercy are nothing like she expected, especially the widow’s mountain man son who shows up out of the blue.

Trapper Reuben Scott planned only a quick visit to his parents’ homestead to check on them and tan his winter hides, but the strange woman standing at his mother’s stove is a shock. And then she tells him his father has died and his mother is losing her mind. The sad news may bring an end to the life he’s loved—trapping, living in the wild freedom of these mountains, working closely with the Indians—no one demanding he measure up. But he’ll do anything for his family, what little he has left, that is. Even deal with the city woman who seems to connect with his confused mother.

When tragedy strikes Cathleen’s family, she’s forced to choose between duty and the people who need her most. And the wrong decision could quickly lead to disaster. As the danger spirals out of her control, this impassive mountain man may be the only one with the skills to save her. But can she trust him with her heart, too?

Oh, yes, this will be the next book I’ll read. Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

February 4th, 1879

Mountains near Butte, Montana Territory

She was going to lose both her feet. And maybe her life, too, if he didn’t do something quick.

Bryan Donaghue nudged his horse faster to close the distance as the tiny shrew of a woman tromped through six inches of snow on the far side of the clearing wearing no shoes and only short sleeves. She was by the edge of the woods, a basket in one hand, the other clutching a rooster tight to her side. From this distance, it looked like the bird pecked steadily at her arm, but he couldn’t make out what she prattled on to the animal as she walked. She didn’t seem bothered by the blood oozing down her wrinkled hand.

“Mrs. Scott?” He called across the thirty or so feet separating them.

She paused to look up. “Yep?”

As he reined his horse to a stop, a movement above her head grabbed his attention. In the tree. The branches shifted. Not the branches—an animal, long and lean. The perfect mottled brown to hide among the leafless limbs.

A mountain lion.

Uh, oh. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Lots of places! You can connect through my website, reader blog, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Thank you, Misty, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers are just as eager to read it as I am.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

The Lady and the Mountain Call (Mountain Dreams Series Book 5)

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