Bio: Misty M.
Beller writes Christian historical romance and is the author of the bestselling Mountain Dreams Series and the Texas
Rancher Trilogy.
She was
raised on a farm in South Carolina ,
so her Southern roots run deep. While she was 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.
Welcome back, Misty. Tell
us about your salvation experience.
I still remember it clearly, although I was only four years
old at the time. I’d been watching a children’s show called Gospel Bill about a Christian cowboy. At
the end of the show, he talked about how to invite Jesus in your heart and led
viewers in a prayer. I was raised in a Christian family, so the concept of
Jesus living in your heart wasn’t new to me, but I remember praying that
prayer. Afterward, the first person I told was my grandmother, and she still
remains as one of the most godly influences on my life.
You’re planning a
writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be
and why?
That’s a tough one! I’d be torn between spending time with
my author “heroes,” and inviting dear writer friends and critique partners to
join in the special time. Are you sure I can’t invite more than four? J
Do you have a
speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
I don’t consider it as formal as the term Speaking Ministry,
but I do speak occasionally to audiences. Sometimes at book signings or church
events, and I usually teach at book conferences several times per year. As
nervous as this introverted writer gets at the thought of being in front of a
crowd, I love the opportunity to connect with fellow writers and book lovers!
And if I can share something that will bring value to someone else, it’s all
worth it!
What is the most
embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
Oh, no! I tend to try to block out the more painfully
embarrassing moments, so nothing springs immediately to mind. In general, when
I humiliate myself at any level, I apologize, turn beet red, and retreat as
quickly as possible!
People are always
telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you,
too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
Don’t wait! It will always be a dream until you take that
first step. When you’re ready, get books on writing craft from the library and
dive in. Plot and Structure by James
Scott Bell is an excellent choice! Find a writer’s group to join—either online
or in person. You’ll learn so much from seasoned authors and having the support
of writers who ‘understand’ will be invaluable through your journey. And most
of all, pray for God’s guidance and blessing on each word!
Tell us about the
featured book.
I’d love to! This is the second book in the Wyoming Mountain
Tales series.
The Wyoming
mountain country seems like the perfect place for Zeche Reid to find himself.
When a blizzard sends him scrambling for cover, he stumbles upon a lady and her
professor father holed up in a remote cabin. His protective instincts won't let
him desert them to continue his travels, especially when the father’s haunting
memories from the War of Secession put his daughter’s safety at risk.
Fighting her own nightmares after the war, Greta Michelly is trying to settle into this rugged mountain land, but her bad memories are nothing compared to the demons that haunt her father. The haven they’ve found in theseRocky Mountains seems to be the solace he needs to find
peace—until a mysterious sojourner appears on their cabin doorstep. She can’t
help but be drawn to the wild aura that surrounds the man, but that strength
seems to be that very thing that intensifies her father’s struggles.
As Zeche is torn between his craving to protect Gretta and the awful realization that he’s the one putting her in more danger, he’s forced to make a difficult choice. But when a run-in with an elk changes his plans and Gretta is faced with a danger Zeche is powerless to control, Zeche has to find a way to protect her at any cost. Even at the cost of his heart.
Fighting her own nightmares after the war, Greta Michelly is trying to settle into this rugged mountain land, but her bad memories are nothing compared to the demons that haunt her father. The haven they’ve found in these
As Zeche is torn between his craving to protect Gretta and the awful realization that he’s the one putting her in more danger, he’s forced to make a difficult choice. But when a run-in with an elk changes his plans and Gretta is faced with a danger Zeche is powerless to control, Zeche has to find a way to protect her at any cost. Even at the cost of his heart.
I’m intrigued. Please
give us the first page of the book.
Near South Pass City, Wyoming Territory
October, 1866
This storm had the power to ruin his journey.
The ashen snow clouds hung thick in the sky, which meant
Zeche Reid wouldn’t have much time before the blizzard hit. Icy dampness seemed
to hover in the air as it captured his breath, and even his exhales hung like
leaden clouds, harbingers of the coming threat. Chipmunks had been scurrying
all morning, hopping from pine to spruce to cedar, searching for the last
remaining acorns. All the signs bespoke snow. A lot of it.
He stared out across the rocky peaks of the Wyoming mountains. Snow
blanketed most of the pinnacles, but others stored the white only in nooks and
crags. In the valley beneath him, patches of brown grass peeked out from the
frozen covering. The plants would be buried soon enough.
Which meant he needed to find a place to hole up.
He'd been hoping for a cave, but he may have to settle for
that rock overhang just visible on the side of the mountain opposite him.
Nudging Biscuit forward, he shifted with the gelding’s unsteady gait as they
maneuvered the winding deer trail around the rocky cliff side. A lone flake
almost the size of his thumbprint drifted down in front of them.
He’d covered a lot of ground these past weeks since leaving
the icy chill of the Sweetwater
River . But there was
still so much to see and explore in these mountains. Now that his sister, Mara,
and her husband had taken on most of the horses and training from their family
ranch, he no longer bore that responsibility. And his youngest brother, Ezra,
could handle the stage stop on his own, especially as things slowed down
through the winter months.
There was almost nothing holding Zeche back. No one who
needed him.
The chance he’d been waiting for had finally come. An
opportunity to strike out on his own and explore as far into these Rocky Mountains as he and Biscuit could go before spring.
Unfortunately, the going had proved slower than he’d expected, especially with
several snowfalls making the trails slick. But slower travel gave him more time
to take in the views. More time for the majesty of this mountain wilderness to
sneak into his chest and take hold.
New snowflakes followed the first, falling in steady
procession as he rounded the crest of the mountain and the trail descended more
steeply. Something below caught his eye, and he reined in.
A cabin.
With smoke curling from a rock chimney attached to the side
of the wooden structure, it looked as out of place in this desolate land as a
glass storefront. Yet, the structure seemed to snuggle into the trees around it
as if it had always been there.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
I love to connect at my website, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Bookbub, and Pinterest.
Book
links:
· Barnes
& Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-rocky-mountain-romance-misty-m-beller/1125377388?ean=2940154177594
GIVEAWAY:
Enter to win Misty Beller’s readers-only gift basket! This
book end chest is filled with sweet treats and coffee, perfect for reading
time. The chest is filled with …
·
Cashew Roca Toffee chocolates
·
Chamberry Raspberry Truffles
·
Chocolate Covered Almonds
·
Java Bon Coffee Caramels
·
3 Assorted gourmet coffee's
·
2 Fudge Brownies
·
$15 Barnes and Noble gift card
Enter
below!
Thank you, Misty, for
sharing this new book with me and my readers. You know I’ve loved every one of
your books that I’ve read, and I’ve only missed one or two.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book on this blog.
You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us
where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America . (Comments containing links may be subject
to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the
number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of
eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any
pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on
this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You
will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz,
Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave
your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Thanks so much for hosting me, Lena! It's always such an honor to join your readers!
ReplyDeleteA Rocky Mountain Romance sounds like a great read. Thank you for sharing this interview and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteConnie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Great to meet you, Connie! Hope you get a chance to read it!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good one! Thank you for a great interview and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMelanie Backus, TX
Thanks so much for sharing this interview and wonderful writing talent. Appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the drawing. I live in Waurika, OK, after living most of my life in West Tx. May you GOD continue to bless your writing career.
ReplyDeleteLooks great!!!
ReplyDeleteAbigail in VA
Thanks for stopping by, Melanie! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteGreat to meet you, Cleda! West Texas is a special place! I've never lived there, but have loved visiting many times; it's so different from South Carolina where I live now!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thanks for stopping by the blog, Abigail!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book. Love the cover. Thanks for the interview.
ReplyDeleteBeth in Montana
I haven't had the opportunity to read one of Misty M Beller's books. I enjoyed the interview and would love to read her book. Thank you for this great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Thompson
419 Morning Meadow Circle
West Monroe, LA 71292
barbmaci61@yahoo.com
I've never heard of this series before. It sounds amazing! I'm intrigued! Time for me to hop on over to goodreads and add this series to my to-read list. 😉
ReplyDeleteElly -Indiana-
Ah, thanks, Beth! I think that's one of my favorite covers, too!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I hope you get to read this story and enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a pleasure to meet you, Elly! This has been such a fun series to write; I hope you enjoy it! :)
ReplyDeleteFun interview! Your books look and sound so intriguing. I'm from Utah, and I've been to the South Pass area a couple of times. That makes it all the more fascinating to me.
ReplyDeleteWinnie T from Utah
Hi Winnie! That area is so lovely, isn't it? Great to see you on the blog today!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really good book....love Christian and historical fiction. Would love to win.
ReplyDeleteLinda from PA
Enter me!!
ReplyDeleteConway SC.