A Christian Writer's World ~~ Characters who grip your heart

https://www.amazon.com/Daughters-Courage-Brides-Laurent/dp/076423806X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1667406856&sr=1-1

Thank you, Misty for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I love reading your books.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

PEACE IN THE MOUNTAIN HAVEN - 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.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

Welcome, Misty. Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else? I’ve always loved reading, but never actually thought I could write a book. It wasn’t until my late twenties that I began thinking I’d like to try. I added “write a book that’s published” to my bucket list, and as I worked through that first book, I realized how much I loved writing. Even then, I never imagined God would have me doing this full time. Some days are hard, but writing really is my dream job!

How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish? It varies a little, but if I’m really focused on the writing, it usually takes me 2 to 2 ½ months to write a book. That requires focusing on writing and editing for a significant part of each day. J

How do you come up with themes for your stories? This question is hard to answer! I usually start with developing my characters, and maybe a general idea of the plot or their story goals. As I get to know their backstory, I begin to learn how each character will develop through the story, and that usually helps me understand the theme for the book.

Do you have a schedule of when you write? I’ve learned that my most creative time is in the afternoons, so I try to protect that time for writing new words. That means I do a lot of the business part and editing in the mornings. I do have five kiddos, so that time is often interrupted, but that’s the way I try to schedule my workday.

How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing? I’m not always sure I do! As I said, we have five kiddos (ages 5 months to 14 years), and we also homeschool, so there’s a lot going on in our home! It’s usually pretty chaotic, but the kids are also good about trying to let me work. I set goals with them (when Mom gets these last 3 chapters edited, we’ll go to the library), and they encourage me. J

What elements do you think make a great story line? Ooo, good question! Definitely strong, interesting characters, with story goals that drive the book forward. I love settings that really come alive. My books are often set in the Rocky Mountains, a setting that adds so many layers of challenge my characters must face! I love a good plot twist partway through!

What was the hardest thing about writing a book? Finding the right words. J Especially if I’m especially sleep-deprived, meeting my daily word count can be SO HARD some days.

How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite? I’m just starting my 34th book. In some ways, it seems impossible to believe I’ve written that much. When I think of all those words and storylines, though, it feels like more than 34 books. J Picking a favorite is hard though! There are some that feel like milestones, like Hope’s Highest Mountain, my first book published by Bethany House Publishers, or This Healing Journey, a book that earned a spot on the USA Today bestseller’s list. But there are other books that are special for sentimental reasons, like The Lady and the Mountain Man, the book where I realized how much I love writing remote mountain settings. Or This Courageous Journey, a book where my oldest daughter helped me brainstorm the plot. I think it would be impossible to choose a favorite!

Do you have a favorite character? This is even harder than choosing a favorite book! I love strong characters, with courageous heroines and mountain men heroes. By the time I’m a third of the way through writing a story, the characters have become dear friends. I really love the hero and heroine in Peace in the Mountain Haven. Hugh (the hero) has lived a hard life, protecting his two younger brothers from their abusive father, then working on his own as a trapper for the last dozen years. He’s such a good man, protective and honorable and courageous, but he’s learned not to get too close to people. And Watkuese (the heroine) is brave in her own right! When her closest friend died, she adopted her 6-year-old daughter and has been trying to help her work through the grief of losing both parents. My own younger brother and sister were adopted, so it’s a topic close to my heart!

Tell us about the story. I’d love to! Levi Masters is a British army spy trying to uncover the United States’ secrets, and he can handle anything the Canadian Rockies demands. Yet he’s tired of the lies and half-truths that have become his life as a spy. When he’s taken captive by the warriors of a hidden French village living in mountain caves, he determines to answer their questions truthfully—even if that truth ends his life at the edge of their blades.

He’s only able to escape the village with the help of one of their own—namely, Audrey Moreau, the village healer, who takes him to a hidden cave away from the village. But when Levi faces a life-threatening injury and the fierce mountain winter closes in, Levi and Audrey are forced to discover just how far they’ll go to ensure the safety of the other and the love growing between them.

Please give us a peek at the first page of the book.

February 1815
Rocky Mountains, Rupert’s Land (Canada)

The sound of animal hooves shattered the quiet morn, and a flock of chickadees shot from the trees near Audrey Moreau. Recoiling, she slipped behind a brushy cedar. That noise reverberated much too loudly to be an elk or caribou, even a whole herd of them. Her breath puffed in icy clouds as she peeked through the snow-covered green needles, her heart thumping in her ears.

Down the creek a distance from her hiding place, a man sat atop a horse, letting the animal drink from the rushing stream. Her chest seized for a half second until recognition settled in.

Evan MacManus. Her friend Brielle’s betrothed had re- turned already. Brielle had been watching for him for days, but Audrey hadn’t really expected his arrival for another few weeks at least. His trip must have gone smoothly. And his desire to see Brielle had likely driven him to travel faster than he might have otherwise.

Audrey stepped from behind the tree and raised her hand to call out to him, but as her mouth parted, another figure caught her notice—this one much closer and tucked in the shadow of the woods. He, too, sat atop a horse.

Beneath the brow of his hat, his gaze locked on her.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with readers! One of my favorite ways is through my newsletter, and readers can get a free copy of my book, A Pony Express Romance, when they sign up for the newsletter. Here’s the link for that: https://mistymbeller.com/freebook

I can also be found at these links:

https://mistymbeller.com/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K7BXC3Q

Purchase Links:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/peace-in-the-mountain-haven/id1591930276

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/peace-in-the-mountain-haven

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/peace-in-the-mountain-haven-misty-m-beller/1140407689?ean=2940165533051

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Misty_M_Beller_Peace_in_the_Mountain_Haven?id=zflJEAAAQBAJ

Thank you, Misty, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m always eager to read your books.

Readers: Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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.)

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

A WARRIOR'S HEART - Misty M Beller - One Free Book

Welcome back, Misty. Tell us a little about yourself and your background. Sure. J I’m a wife, mom of four kids with one more on the way, and full-time writer. I was raised on the family farm in South Carolina and trained horses professionally for a few years. As much as I loved working with animals, for multiple reasons, I knew it couldn’t be a long-term career for me. I took a job in the corporate world and worked there for about 13 years. It was during that time that I began writing fiction.

How did you become interested in writing? I was putting together my bucket list, and realized that I really did want to write a novel. So, "Write a novel that's published" made it near the top!

I decided, it's now or never, and made the commitment to do it. So, I had a general idea that I wanted it to be a Christian western romance. But where to start? I finally decided I needed to find a good book to help me plan. I stumbled upon (a.k.a. God led me to) the best possible book to help me get started with a great plan: Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. For all you writers out there, I can't recommend it highly enough!

From there, I've soaked in every bit of writing instruction I can from some amazing groups and individuals. And I've spent countless hours sitting with my laptop pouring out words onto the screen.

What compelled you to write a book on this subject? I was listening to a historical podcast a few years ago that talked about the Vikings and the female warriors who would sometimes gain fame among them. As the hosts talked about the first Viking raids to North America, I started thinking… “What if one of those groups went farther west than any of us thought? What if they found the Canadian Rockies and lived there in a hidden community for centuries?” The thought took hold, and little by little, the idea for the Brides of Laurent series came to life. I eventually changed the village to be a French settlement named Laurent. The village’s primary warrior was a woman named Brielle Durand, who’d worked hard to win her place as Le Commandant, leader of the Guards and Hunters. I love Brielle’s strength and wit, but also how real her personal struggles became as I wrote her character. Add in a mountain man spy working for the United States government, and you have the secret for a romance with sparks to light up the mountain sky!

What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in the book? One of my favorite themes to write about is God’s love, and the way He guides us in His plan if we’re intentional about seeking His will in each decision. This book dives even deeper into what it’s like to fully submit to the Father, being willing to step back and fight our battles through intercessory prayer when that’s how God directs.

Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book? I pray this story draws readers closer to God. I pray they seek His will for their life each step of the way and aren’t afraid to be bold in their prayers and submit fully to the Lord’s leading.

What makes your book different than any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today? Aren’t there so many amazing books these days?! I’ve been loving all the great new releases this year, not to mention all the fabulous older titles. J My brand is very much adventurous historical Christian romance set in the Rocky Mountains. Readers of my stories know they’re in for an exciting story and strong characters. J The hidden village of Laurent that lives only in caves is definitely a unique to this series! They’ve been cut off from civilization for a hundred years. Can you imagine?

How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him? Great question! I guess the theme about God’s love and following his leading is a consistent theme in my books because it’s been so vital in my own life. I NEVER would have dreamed God would lead me to become a full-time writer, but I’m so grateful He has! I pray daily that He would give me the story and words He wants me to me to write, and that He would use them for His work in the lives of readers.

Do you have a favorite Scripture verse? That’s like asking which of my kids I like best. J One of my favorites is Matthew 6:33, which has been my year verse for the past couple of years: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV)

When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies? My four kiddos keep me busy! They currently range in age from 2 years to 14 years, with one more due in November, so they always have things going on, it seems. J

Tell us about the book.

Brielle Durand is still haunted by the massacre that killed her mother a dozen years before. Vowing to never let it happen again, she's risen to be the key defender for her people's peace-loving French settlement living in hidden caves in the Canadian Rockies. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret home, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. But now, what to do with this man who insists he can be trusted?

Hoping to escape past regrets, Evan MacManus ventured into the unknown, assigned to discover if the northern mountains contain an explosive mineral that might help America win the War of 1812. Despite being taken prisoner, Evan is determined to complete his mission. But when that assignment becomes at odds with his growing appreciation of the villagers and Brielle, does he follow through on his promise to his government or take a risk on where his heart is leading him? Either choice will cause harm to someone.

Brielle and Evan must reconcile the warring in their hearts to have any hope of finding peace for their peoples.

Please give us the first page of the book.

September 1814
Rocky Mountains, Rupert’s Land (Future Canada)

Another ten paces and she’d have to shoot.

Brielle Durand steadied the arrow fletching against her cheek, then pushed her body farther into the bow to draw the cord tighter.

The man in her sights rode calmly forward, his breath blowing white in the early morning air. The mount beneath him snorted, releasing its own cloud as it bobbed against the bit. The animal must sense the nearing danger.

In truth, the beast had more intelligence than its rider. As was usual in the ways of animals. Especially when compared to an Englishman like this fellow appeared to be.

Five more strides.

She narrowed her gaze, focusing on the point of aim so her arrow would hit his midsection. Should she give him warning? Perhaps the cry of a mountain lion would plant fear in his chest. She caught her breath, preparing to make the fierce scream she’d practiced so oft.

But the man spurred his horse faster, as though eager to charge through the opening in the rock. Surely he couldn’t see the sheltered courtyard just beyond. The place forbidden to outsiders—especially Englishmen.

As we close, is there anything else you would like to add?

First, thank you so much for sharing your readers, Lena! You’re been such a blessing to me and countless other writers.

Readers, I know this year has been hard for so many, but please know I’m praying for you! I pray that God would strengthen and protect you and your loved ones, and give you peace. Hugs and blessings to you!

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with readers! One of my favorite ways is through my newsletter, and readers can get a free copy of my book, A Pony Express Romance, when they sign up for the newsletter. Here’s the link for that: https://mistymbeller.com/freebook

I can also be found at these links:

https://mistymbeller.com

http://www.twitter.com/MistyMBeller

http://www.twitter.com/MistyMBeller

Thank you, Misty, for sharing your books with my blog readers. It gives me great pleasure every time we introduce a new reader to your books.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

http://ow.ly/DwdR50G1R98

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.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

FAITH'S MOUNTAIN HOME - 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.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

Welcome back, Misty. Let’s do some fun questions first. What song most closely resembles your life? Oh goodness! I’m drawing a blank on this one. J There are songs that I wish resembled my life. You might could say they resemble my heart. Songs like “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” (Patsy Cline) and “It is Well With My Soul” (that wonderful hymn by Horatio Spafford). And maybe throw in the folk song “Home on the Range” to reflect my love for the western states.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? And why is it a favorite? That’s a tough one! One of my favorites is Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV) It reminds me to keep myself centered on God’s directions instead of constantly shifting to what the world says is right or okay.

What is the one thing you wish you could go back and change in your life? I was blessed to meet the Lord early (at four!) and was raised in a Christian home, so I didn’t go through a great rebellion in my teen years. But there were times I ran forward with what I wanted to do without listening to for His leading. I so wish I’d tuned myself better for his voice back then. It would have saved me lots of pain and frustration!

I understand that. I was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus into my heart at seven years old, but He only became Lord of my life in my 20s. What is the most important characteristic for a good friend to have? I think maybe for me it would be a caring heart. As I survey my really good friends, that seems to be a consistent trait. J

What extracurricular activities did you participate in when you were in school? Horses, horses, and horses! Oh, and piano. I was actually homeschooled, and throughout my childhood and teen years we had horses. From the time my older brother and I were old enough to do odd jobs around the house for money, the horses were ours. We saved up and bought new horses, saved for riding lessons, saved for horse shows, and eventually that was one of my first full-time jobs as an older teen: training horses, giving riding lessons, and showing horses for other owners.

I knew you loved horses, but I didn’t know that. What is your favorite movie of all times? I have to admit, I’m a Pride and Prejudice lover. J The newer one with Kiera Knightly is good because it follows the book fairly closely, but I grew up watching the BBC version with Colin Firth, and that will always be my favorite.

Tell us about why you wrote this book. This is the 3rd book in the Hearts of Montana series, and it picks up not long after the events in book 2. In book 2, Laura was kidnapped by a gang of thieves, along with the young boy she was watching at the time. Now, Laura is the heroine in book 3 (Faith’s Mountain Home). The hero in this book is actually one of the gang members, Nate, who was strongly opposed to her kidnapping and tried to free her several times.

I always love redemptive stories, and I was so excited to see how Laura and Nate would overcome the pain of the kidnapping. I love Nate’s protective heart, especially since he’s accepted the Lord now and is working to make restitution for the harm the gang did.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Late September 1867
Settler’s Fort, Montana Territory

Just a little farther.
Laura Hannon dared another step on the rock ledge that wrapped around the mountain. The flat space was just wide enough for a person to walk, as long as she stayed close to the stone mountainside on her right. The sheer drop on her left stole her midsection every time she allowed herself to look over the edge, so she kept her focus on the path in front of her. Of course, it would be impossible not to occasionally lift her gaze to take in the magnificent view of the mountain cliffs surrounding her.
This was why she’d come out here, after all. To escape into the beauty of the landscape. To remember that her problems were but a tiny dot compared to the vastness of the mountains God created. And yet, He cared about each one and loved her enough to help her through anything she might face. She paused to soak in that thought as she inhaled a deep breath of the cool, invigorating air.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I can also be found at these links:

https://mistymbeller.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CJ6YBFP

Buy Links for Faith’s Mountain Home:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faiths-mountain-home-misty-m-beller/1137151784?ean=9781493421725

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/faith-s-mountain-home-hearts-of-montana-book-3

https://www.christianbook.com/faiths-mountain-home-ebook/misty-beller/9781493421725/pd/107269EB

https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=oGoCEAAAQBAJ

https://books.apple.com/us/book/faiths-mountain-home/id1533689540

Thank you, Misty, for allowing me to share your book with my blog readers.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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.)

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

HOPE'S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN - 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.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

Welcome back, Misty. I know you speak at various conferences and meetings. What do you have coming up in 2022? Well…Covid has definitely taught me to hold plans with a loose grasp. J Also, I’m expecting a little one in November of this year (baby #5 for us!), so I’ve had to scale back my speaking through the first half of next year.

At the moment, I’m confirmed to teach at ACFW’s National Conference on September 10-11, 2021. ACFW is the largest organization for Christian fiction writers, and the conference is always a wonderful place to learn and connect with other authors. This year’s conference will be virtual again.

I’m also excited to do some author chats with libraries both online and in person during the spring.

Stay tuned for some other events that I’m not able to announce yet, but they should be so much fun! I’ve been amazed at how conference and meeting organizers have been able to shift events to keep things moving.

I’ll look forward to hearing about them. If you were planning a women’s retreat, what would be the theme for it? That’s a great question! I’m torn between the themes of “Hope” and “Hearing from God.” Both of these are woven throughout my books, and God has brought me on a continual journey to cling tighter to the hope He gives, and to listen more closely to His guiding in every situation. I have a feeling those things might ring familiar to other women, too!

Oh, yes. The older I get, the more I understand those things.Who would you want as speakers and why? Well, since we’re dreaming big here… J Many of Priscilla Shirer’s books have played an important role in deepening my faith, especially One in a Million and Discerning the Voice of God. I would love to hear her in person! Also, I have a good friend, Christy Johnson, who speaks around the country to women. Her primary topics are usually relationships and forgiveness, but she’s such a strong woman of God, and hope infuses everything she says.

Priscilla has spoken at our church several times. She always speaks straight to my heart. Where would you hold the retreat and why? Well, I’m a mountain girl, and that’s the setting that renews me best. There’s something special about the air among the peaks, surrounded by God’s grandeur. It reminds me how big our God is, and also how amazing that He still cares so deeply about each of His creations. Including me!

Do you read print books or ebooks? Or a combination of the two? Actually, audiobooks are almost the only way I get to “read” anymore. I listen to them in the car, while I’m getting ready, and any time I can squeeze in while I’m getting things done around the house. That’s one of the reasons it’s been so important to me to have my books available as audiobooks!

Yes, audiobooks are good for times like that. Several of my books are in audio, too. That’s an interesting title. How did you come up with it? I love writing mountain stories, and this book is definitely one of those! So I knew it needed the word mountain in the title. The theme of hope is woven throughout this book, so as I was brainstorming title possibilities with one of my critique partners, the title Hope’s Highest Mountain rose to the top! I was excited that Bethany House felt that was a great title too. J

One other fun detail that readers may not notice is that the titles of all three books in the series highlight one of the words from 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

The titles of the books are:

Hope’s Highest Mountain

Love’s Mountain Quest

Faith’s Mountain Home

So what is the book about?

Ingrid Chastain readily agreed to accompany her father to deliver vaccines to a mining town in the Montana Territory. She never could have anticipated a terrible accident would leave her alone and badly injured in the wilderness. When rescue comes in the form of a mysterious mountain man who tends her injuries, she's hesitant to put her trust in this quiet man who seems to have his own wounds.
Micah Bradley left his work as a doctor after unintentionally bringing home the smallpox disease that killed his wife and daughter. But his self-imposed solitude in the wilds of Montana is broken when he finds Ingrid in desperate need of medical attention, and he's forced to face his regret and call on his doctoring skills once again.

Micah can't help but admire Ingrid's tenacious determination despite the severity of her injuries, until he learns the crate she brought contains smallpox vaccines to help quell a nearby outbreak. With Ingrid dead set on trekking through the mountains to deliver the medicine--with or without his help--he has no choice but to accompany her. As they set off through the treacherous, snow-covered Rocky Mountains against all odds, the journey ahead will change their lives more than they could have known.

Please give us the first page of the book.

My Darling Rachel,

You were everything to me. You still are. Don’t ever forget that.

I saw a beaver today that reminded me of you. The creature paddled to the edge of the river and peered up at me through the water, just like that summer you learned to swim in the Ohio.

Your mama could barely pull you from the river to eat and sleep, you loved swimming so much. When you did come home, water dripping from your red curls, you always carried some treasure you’d gathered—smooth river rocks or a pail of tadpoles you planned to keep as pets. That was the summer you earned your nickname, sweet Ducky.

Mama didn’t care for the title at first, but the name captured your personality so well, I couldn’t help myself. Always swimming. Always smiling. My little Ducky.

I only wish I would have watched you swim more often instead of spending long days away from you and Mama. So much I missed. If I had it to do over again, I’d have kicked off my shoes and dove into the water with you. Played games to see who could reach the shore first or who could hold their breath the longest. I would have joined in any amusement you thought of, just to spend another marvelous hour with you.

I miss you every hour of every day.

Papa

****

October 1866

Montana Territory

“They say the last man who attempted this died in the doin’. Rest his soul.”

A frigid gust of wind ripped around the freight wagon. Ingrid Chastain pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders. She tucked her chin into her collar, blocking out both the icy air and the images their driver’s morbid words conjured. This rugged cliffside might be as perilous as the old man described, but the staggering beauty of the mountains around them caused her chest to pulse, as though she was just now coming alive.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I can also be found at these links:

https://mistymbeller.com