HOPE IN THE MOUNTAIN RIVER - Misty M Beller - One Free Book

Bio: Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of 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.

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. You have a lot of books out now. What is your favorite setting to use in your books?

The mountains! Specifically, the Rocky Mountains. J Almost all of my books are set somewhere in the Rockies (with the exception of my Texas Rancher Trilogy). I’ve always loved the mountains, but I first realized how much I love setting books there when I was writing The Lady and the Mountain Man, which mostly takes place in a remote log cabin a few hours’ ride from Butte, Montana. Since then, I’ve set many of my stories in locations that would become part of Montana or Alberta, Canada. The majesty of the mountains there is too beautiful for words to describe, but I love to try!

What do you look for when you’re shopping for a book to buy for yourself?

I’m one of those people who auto-buys books by all my favorite authors without even reading the book description. Most of my fiction reading is Christian romance, either historical or contemporary, but my one major requirement is that the book has to be available on audiobook. Sigh. Yes, with four young kiddos and a full-time writing schedule, I’m afraid the only way I get to read much anymore is listening to audiobooks while I’m getting things done around the house. The great news is that SO many books are available on audio now, both from traditional publishers and individual authors, so the selection continues to grow! J

Yes, that’s why I have had several of my books turned into audiobooks. Give us a little tour of the setting for this book.

I’m SO glad you asked, because I’m super excited about the setting for this series! J Hope in the Mountain River is book 2 in the Call of the Rockies series, and both of the first two books follow the trail Lewis and Clark’s expedition took through what would later become Montana. This book in particular follows their journey over the Lolo Trail through one of the most treacherous parts of the Rockies. It’s a good thing Joel (our hero) and his group met Elan (our heroine) and her friend to help guide them through the only navigable parts!

What other books do you have coming out soon?

My next release is Love’s Mountain Quest, book 2 in the Hearts of Montana series being published by Bethany House. I can’t wait to finally share this story with readers! It’s a fast-paced story of a young widow whose 5-year-old son is kidnapped by a gang near the little mountain town of Settler’s Fort. She enlists the help of a mountain man to track down the band and free her boy, but the mission turns out to be a bit more than either of them bargains for. The book releases on June 30th, which will be here soon!

After that, book 3 of the Call of the Rockies series releases on September 29th. I’m almost finished writing that story now, and I’m absolutely loving the journey I’m traveling with the characters! J  

I’m eagerly awaiting the release of Love’s Mountain Quest. Please give us a glimpse inside your home.

Sure! Let me just pick up all the kids’ toys and close the laundry room door first. J Our home is a little bit eclectic, as I’m a lover of all things antique or western…and we have four kids that range in age from 10 months to twelve years. We do have a formal living room with two antique sofas, but it also doubles as our family room, so I’ve learned not to hold the beautiful furniture too close to my heart. Each time the dog chews on one of the chair legs or the kids spill a drink in a place they weren’t supposed to have that drink to begin with, I smile and remind myself it’s only things. The people and memories are what matter.

We do have a number of furniture pieces that have been handed down in the family that I try to guard more closely—the dining room table that was the first set my husband’s parents bought after they were married, the corner cabinets his grandfather built and carved by hand, and others!

We served as a shepherding home for young women who wanted to keep their baby instead of having an abortion. During that time, accidents happened that destroyed some things dear to me. It was at that time I chose to never let things be more important than people. Is this novel part of a series or a stand-alone book?

Hope in the Mountain River is book 2 in the Call of the Rockies series, but it does stand alone if anyone hasn’t read the first book. If you do get a chance to read book 1 (Freedom in the Mountain Wind), I think you’ll love seeing the journey continue with Joel and Elan’s story!

I loved Freedom in the Mountain Wind. Tell us about Hope in the Mountain River.

I’d love to!

Back cover blurb:

This epic journey is not at all what she expected.

Joel Vargas can’t believe he’s lost his older brother in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains after surviving their harrowing voyage across the Atlantic. And he can’t shake the feeling that Adam—his only living relative—is in dire trouble. No matter what the cost, he and his band of friends won’t stop until Adam is found. He’s not sure if two Indian women they meet on the way will be a help or hindrance.

After the devastating loss of her daughter and husband to a grizzly attack, Elan is desperate to find an escape from her grief. As she and her friend journey from their Nez Perce camp, through the mountains and toward the great river, a band of white men is the last thing she expects to find, especially as winter blows in full force.

 When the dangers increase, accomplishing Joel’s mission becomes the only hope for all their survival. If the elements don’t consume them, Elan has a feeling life will never be the same for any of them.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and intense adventure.

Please give us the first page of the book.

December, 1830

Bitterroot Mountains, Future Montana Territory

“Is he friend or enemy?” Elan’s blood pounded through her veins as it did when the warriors from her tribe struck their targets with tomahawks—blow upon blow, louder and louder with each passing moment. She pulled her furs tighter around her shivering shoulders against the bitter wind whipping down the mountainside.

“I can’t tell. They’re…” Her faithful friend Meksem paused, then a tiny gasp slipped from her mouth in an icy cloud. “It’s a white man.” The shock in her voice thrust the words to a dangerously loud whisper.

“A French trapper?” Elan softened her own tone so she didn’t alert the stranger of their presence. The trappers were the only soyapo who ever came to the Bitterroot Mountains. White people, they called themselves, from the northern country. She’d heard them speak of a place called Canada. Enough of these men had visited their camp that she’d become accustomed to their strange manners and learned some of their words.

“I don’t know. There are two of them. No…” Another pause.

If only she had a clear view herself. Elan forced her legs to relax around her horse’s sides. Everything in her wanted to ride the few steps forward beside her friend and peek through the trees to see the outsiders for herself.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect at my website, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Bookbub, and Pinterest. 

Thank you, Misty, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. I’ve eagerly anticipated its release.

Purchase Links:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0835QQ2VL

https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1492929278

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hope-in-the-mountain-river

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hope-in-the-mountain-river-misty-m-beller/1135792966?ean=2940163961351

https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=3-3GDwAAQBAJ

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