Misty delivers an exhilarating addition
to the Sisters of the Rockies series
fraught with peril, adventure, and romance amid the majesty of the Rocky
Mountains in the second installment, Rocky Mountain Promise.
Can you
please tell us a little bit about your new novel, Rocky Mountain Promise?
Misty M.
Beller: I’d love to! Animals are far easier for
Lorelei Collins (our heroine) to manage than people. God seems to agree with
her, for He continues to send orphaned critters her way, like a buffalo calf
with beautiful shades of white fur. White buffalos are extremely rare and
considered sacred by the Native Americans, which puts them in high demand.
Trapper and Indian alike appear in their cabin yard, some trying to woo her
into marriage so she’ll bring the buffalo calf along as dowry. Others try to
steal the calf outright. The only man who doesn’t seem interested in her
unusual pet is Tanner Mason, the man who’s come to their valley to establish a
trading post.
No one has
successfully kept a trading post open in this part of the Rockies for longer
than a couple of months, but Tanner intends to be the first. If all goes as
planned, he and his partner could eliminate the need for the summer trapper
rendezvous altogether, instead supplying the mountain men year-round from their
post.
As the annoying
advances of the local men become more sinister, Lorelei and her family know
it’s time to take action. She moves the calf to the secure walls of the fort
surrounding Tanner’s trading post, but an entirely new danger arises. One that
might require more than either of them has to give.
Rocky
Mountain Promise is book 2 in the Sisters of the Rockies series. What is
the connecting element that ties each of the books in the series together?
MB: The idea initially started with four sisters going west and finding
themselves in the midst of a trapper rendezvous—not the place for four
unprotected women! The rendezvous was an event that happened every summer in
the Rocky Mountains, usually in the Wyoming area. Each book in the series tells
one of the sister’s stories as they stay in the west and build a ranch,
continuing their father’s dream in a way none of them would have expected.
Do these
novels stand alone or do they need to be read in order?
MB: Each book is definitely a complete story in itself, so I would
encourage readers not to hesitate in reading Rocky Mountain Promise, even
if they haven’t read the first book. If you’d like to follow along with the full
family saga, though, feel free to start from the beginning!
MB: I loved writing Lorelei! She LOVES animals and has a heart to heal
and nurture. Growing up on a ranch in the early 1800s, she understands that
animals are important to survival, but she loves taking in any injured or
orphaned creature she finds. Her encouraging heart extends to people too, but
she also possesses grit and knows how to stand her ground. In addition, she has
a strong faith that keeps her grounded in the face of uncertainty and struggle.
Throughout
the series, readers will get to know a bit about members of the local Piegan
Blackfoot population who are trusted friends of the Collins family. What did
you learn about the trappers’ relationships with the Piegan while researching
this book that you can share with readers?
MB: I love to read firsthand accounts—journals from trappers and natives
and white men who lived with the natives. I’m often surprised how some trappers
kept a very distinct distance from any of the tribes, while others worked and
lived among them as friends. Some tribes were certainly more open to accepting
trappers among them than others, but I’ve also seen that the temperament of the
trapper made a big difference in how they were received by the various tribes.
What
other themes present themselves throughout the novel?
MB: Tanner is such an admirable hero, one of those truly good guys with
strong integrity. Unfortunately, his family didn’t always recognize these
qualities, so he’s experienced more than his share of rejection because he
didn’t measure up to the expectations of those around him. Lorelei’s steady
faith and unconditional love help guide him to the ultimate unconditional love
of the Heavenly Father. I love Tanner’s journey to faith!
What do
you enjoy about writing historical romances set on the American frontier?
MB: I tend to be a sentimentalist, so Christian historical romance is my
favorite genre to read and write, especially the adventurous and challenging
life in the Rockies. I love the simpler life, where there’s no rat race. Just
hard work, plenty of alone time (can you tell I’m an introvert?), and a strong
family unit. There’s something amazing about the Rockies in particular. They
capture my heart anew every time I see them, and I want readers to feel the
majesty of the peaks and the vastness of the land around them.
Is there
anything you found challenging about this genre?
MB: It can be challenging to write about a time I haven’t experienced
and cultures that don’t exist in the same form anymore. Reading firsthand
accounts helps bring that time period to life, as well as visiting historic
forts and talking with those who have studied the time period in greater depth.
My family and I also love camping, and I learn so much from attempting to live
out the challenges my characters face, even if for a single night!
What will
fans of romance love about the relationship between Lorelei and Tanner?
MB: Lorelei and Tanner work so well together! Tanner had his dreams shot
down so many times in his life before coming to the Montana Territory. He
really needs an encourager like Lorelei to come alongside him and show him he’s
wonderful exactly the way God made him. For her part, Lorelei needs someone who
will believe in her dreams and fight alongside her for the causes she
champions. Tanner definitely proves himself a swoonworthy hero as he steps in
to help her accomplish her goals!
What do
you hope readers will take away from this story?
MB: I pray this story draws readers closer to God. I pray they seek His will for their life each step of the way, and that they aren’t afraid to accept God’s grace and the fresh slate He offers when we seek His forgiveness.
Can you share what you’re working on next?
MB: Ooh yes! I’m getting ready to start writing book 3 in the Sisters of the Rockies series. This is Faith’s story, the baby sister in the family. She’s all grown up now, yet her fascination with the life of a trapper hasn’t faded since she came west with her sisters three years before. She sets out for the 1839 trapper rendezvous to find a group of trappers she can trust to join on with. Unfortunately, that turns out to be harder than she expected.
Grant Allen signed on to help deliver
supplies for the rendezvous in the Green River Valley, and figured he’d see all
he wanted while trading supplies for furs between the mountain men and Indians.
He didn’t expect to be so fascinated by it all. After securing approval to stay
in the mountains when the wagons return east, he signs on with a group heading
out to trap.
It only takes a day after they’ve left the
valley before Grant realizes there’s something very unusual about one of the
“men” in their party. Now he needs to find out who this woman is, why she’s
masquerading as a fellow, and how they can keep her safe in this country of
wild animals and even wilder men.
How can readers
connect with you?
MB: I love to connect with readers! One of my favorite ways is through my
newsletter, and readers can get a free copy of one of my ebooks when they sign
up at this link: https://mistymbeller.com/freebook
I also love to connect at:
https://amazon.com/author/mistymbeller
www.instagram.com/mistymbeller/
https://www.facebook.com/MistyMBellerAuthor
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/misty-m-beller
https://www.goodreads.com/MistyMBeller
http://www.pinterest.com/MistyMBeller
Thank you, Misty for
sharing Rocky Mountain Promise with my blog readers and me. Your books are always page turners.
Readers, here’s a
link to the book.
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10 comments:
This book is so good! I LOVED reading it (and the one before) and am soooo excited about the next upcoming novel in the series!😍
Yay! I'm SO glad you loved them, Elly! Hugs!
This novel sounds captivating and memorable. Anne in NM.
This novel sounds amazing would love to read this one! Sarah from Ohio
It sounds like I need to read a Misty Beller novel! I’ve yet to read one of hers but do have some on the back burner to read since I always seem to be behind in my reading. I just bought The Lady and the Mountain Fire on Chirp and hope I get the opportunity to enjoy it soon.
Perrianne in central Texas
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
Can't wait to read this. Abigail in VA
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Nichols.SC
I would love to win. I love Misty’s books.
Brenda from Mississippi
I would love to win Misty’s book.
Brenda from Mississippi
I love historicals and this book sounds like one I would really enjoy. Thanks for the opportunity to win it!
Pam in OH
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