Bio: 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.
Welcome back Misty. As
an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the
people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their
contributions?
You’re so right! The seed was planted for this book when
author Kari Trumbo invited me to be part of the multi-author novella
collection, Timeless Love. The
collection would feature love stories from in all the main time periods from
the Revolutionary War to modern day, and all proceeds from the limited time
collection were being donated to the LiveStrong Foundation for cancer support.
They were looking for an author who could write a story set in the early 1800s,
and I became excited!
I’d already been thinking I’d like to write Mary and
Adrien’s story, as they are the aunt and uncle of the main characters in
earlier books in the Heart of the Mountains series. This novella collection was
the perfect chance. Without the other authors in the collection—Andrea Boeshaar,
Kari Trumbo, Stephenia H. McGee, Dawn Crandall, Pepper D. Basham, and Sarah
Monzon—this story likely would never have been written!
And I always have to thank my amazing copy editor, Robin
Patchen, and the equally amazing proofreader, Jalayne Setzer. They make my
stories so much better!
If you teach or
speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?
I’m excited to spend a few days with writer friends at the
ACFW Virginia conference in November where I’ll also be teaching. Then my
schedule is quiet until next spring! In April, I’ll be speaking at the SC
Baptist Church Librarian conference. Doesn’t that sound like an amazing group
of people? Then in May, I’ll be one of the authors at the Christian Fiction
Readers Retreat in Washington
DC . I can’t wait!
That’s a wonderful
schedule. And I love church librarians, actually any kind of librarian. If you
had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?
That’s a tough one! This would most likely NEVER happen, but
I’ve long thought it would be amazing to move to the Canadian Rockies, maybe in
Alberta .
That’s the area where my current series is set, and I’ve completely fallen in
love with that area!
If you could only
tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
Wow, just one thing? I suppose it would be to never stop
learning. Take every opportunity you can to learn about the craft of writing,
about publishing, about marketing—everything related to the book world! Writers
should always be working to improve their skills and knowledge.
I so agree! You’ve
been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take
part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be
writing related])
Hmm…I so rarely watch TV or even movies anymore. Since this
is completely in our imagination, do you mind if I name some people from
yesteryear? Let’s have Cary Grant and Doris Day for entertainment one night.
And the I Love Lucy cast for another
night. Since we’re in the fifties, let’s have a swing dance with some of the
greats from that era!
Tell us about the
featured book.
As the fifth daughter in a family of nine, Noelle Grant
spent her life striving to be unique. Her love of telling stories helps define
her goal—to be known around the country as one of the top news correspondents
of her time. And what better way to uncover sensational tales than to travel
through the mountain wilderness to visit her brother? The trip comes together
perfectly as she journeys with family friends who will be settling in the same
area. Her first inkling that things may not be as perfect as she’d imagined
shows up in the form of the mountain man hired as their guide for the final leg
of the journey.
When Daniel Abrams agrees to guide the small group of easterners along his usual route northward to the Canadian mountains, his gut tells him he’s making a terrible decision. But if he doesn’t take them, who will? The crew’s leader refuses to consider turning back. As they start out, Daniel can’t help but notice the woman traveling under the care of her friends. Though she appears too genteel to last long in these mountains, she soon reveals a strength that draws him more than he should allow.
When the dangers of this wilderness become more than the group bargained for, Noelle must choose to delay her trip northward or proceed alone with the man she’s come to trust against all reason. She never dreams her decision will place her—and the man she loves—in a situation more hazardous than any story her imagination could conjure.
When Daniel Abrams agrees to guide the small group of easterners along his usual route northward to the Canadian mountains, his gut tells him he’s making a terrible decision. But if he doesn’t take them, who will? The crew’s leader refuses to consider turning back. As they start out, Daniel can’t help but notice the woman traveling under the care of her friends. Though she appears too genteel to last long in these mountains, she soon reveals a strength that draws him more than he should allow.
When the dangers of this wilderness become more than the group bargained for, Noelle must choose to delay her trip northward or proceed alone with the man she’s come to trust against all reason. She never dreams her decision will place her—and the man she loves—in a situation more hazardous than any story her imagination could conjure.
Wow! I know I’ll love
this one. And I really love the cover. Please give us the first page of the book.
August, 1854
Noelle’s Journal:
August 12th
Today, we left the train—forever, if my aching limbs could
decide the matter. The Lord’s mercies are new every day, as the Psalmist wrote,
but I think today’s relief from that filthy, rattling car may be the greatest
mercy the Father has offered in recent centuries.
We couldn’t have chosen a more inspiring place in
which to disembark. The grassland stretches as far as I can see, all the way to
the edge of the sky. Flat at first, then ruffled in hills, like creases marring
a smooth linen cloth. Elmer says we’ll be traveling straight north, and he’s
purchased a wagon to carry us.
I think, perhaps, I’ll be walking much of the way.
Tomorrow is far too soon to be sentenced to days on end of another shaking
conveyance. I imagine Louise will be eager to stretch her limbs as well, although
she looked so pretty when she mounted the wagon bench and sat beside Elmer, the
pair of them as much in love as they were a half-dozen summers ago on their
wedding day.
Bo stuck his tousled little head between them, his gap-toothed
smile as bright as the freckles splashed across his cheeks. Were I to ever
consider marriage, I should dream of a portrait just like they formed.
Yet, I’m not foolish enough to see only the
loveliness. The lifetime of domesticity may suit many, but I’ll not resign
myself to being merely a shadow behind a man. I want more. Greater things. I
want to stand out.
I think…the beating in my breast seems to know…this
journey is the beginning of greater things. My skin tingles with anticipation.
Soon, I will meet face-to-face with my destiny.
Where can we find you
on the Internet?
Thank you, Misty, for
sharing this new book with me and my blog readers. I know they’re as eager to
read it as I am.
Readers, here are links to the book.
This Freedom Journey (Heart of the Mountains) - PaperbackThis Freedom Journey (Heart of the Mountains Book 3) - Kindle
This Freedom Journey - Audio Book
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.
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19 comments:
Thanks for having me, Lena! I pray you and your readers love this story, too. :-)
Blessings!
Looks good. And I thought it was cool that it said she was the 5th daughter of a family of 9. I am the 6th daughter of a family of 9. 7 girls and 2 boys in all.
Abigail in VA
This story sounds like a dangerous adventure and i would enjoy reading it. You have a beautiful cover. Vivian Furbay of CO
New author for me. Lincoln Nebraska
Misty's book sounds very good and I would love to read it. Melanie Backus, TX
Agree with you on Misty M Beller's books. I can't wait for the opportunity to read "THIS FREEDOM JOURNEY". Appreciate all the information and being able to read the start of the book.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
How neat, Abigail! I came from a family of 4, which gave me a special appreciation for a large family! What a blessing for you. :-)
Thanks for the kind comment, Vivian! I pray you enjoy the story!
Great to meet you, Kim! I hope you enjoy my stories!
Hi, Melanie! Enjoy! :-)
Hi Kay! I'm so glad you've enjoyed my other stories! I pray you love this one, too. :-) Blessings!
I have loved Misty's books since I read the first one I read, just couldn't stop reading until that series was ended! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book.
Wendy from Nebraska
wfnren at aol dot com
Oh, Wendy, you make my heart happy! :-) I'm so glad you've enjoyed my stories! Hope you love this one, too!
Thanks for featuring this book. It sounds so fascinating. I'd love to win a copy!
Winnie T from Utah
Good luck, Winnie! Hope you enjoy!
I love historical fiction!
Blessings!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
sounds great! Shelia from Mississippi
Enter me!!
Love this series!!
Elly -Indiana-
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