This is a very compelling and exciting story. From the opening chapter Joanna is on the trail of her kidnapped son and her friend and she will stop at nothing to rescue them. Isaac is the perfect hero to help her rescue her son and her friend. He has a bit of bad boy past and he has a history with the kidnappers. I liked Isaac a lot. The story moves well and kept me invested in the characters and the story. For me however, the story was a little much, especially when the kidnapped child was only 5, There was just too much of the story for my taste. Overall, the story is good, I just would have liked it better if some of the violence and drama was dialed back some. It just didn't click for me as well as the first book in this series did. I will read book three because I do want to see what happens to the characters and see how the series ends.

This is book 2 of the Hearts of Montana series.  Joanna has lost her husband and is on her own with her 5 year old son.  She is determined to make a living for both of them.  When she comes home from work one day and finds the sitter and her son missing, the sherriff is dead, she is in turmoil of what to do.  She reaches out to a friend, Isacc who cares for her and her son very deeply but feels his past would be in the way of them having more than friendship.  Can Isacc help Joanna find her son and the sitter?  Will they end up being able to deal with past to make more in the future?  How does their faith play a part?

I would recommend this to anyone that likes a historical (back into time) read with a flair of drama, mystery, faith.  It is story that will keep you reading to find out what will happen and if everyone will survive.  The story keeps flowing so it keeps your attention to wanting to know what is happening and also gets you attached to the characters of the story.  This is one of those touching stories that will make you want to keep continuing with the story and you can't wait to the next book.  This can be read as a stand alone without missing any details of this story, but it does make you want to read book 1 so that you get a little more background of Joanna.

Joanna’s son was with a friend when kidnapped. Joanna is determined to find her son as any mother would be. She asks for help from Isaac. They have quite an adventure in traveling to find her son. Will they be able to find her son?

Love’s Mountain Quest is set in 1867, where the traveling was by horseback. Traveling by horseback is dangerous. During their trip, there are injuries to care for without a Doctor’s help. Will they all survive? I loved how brave Isaac was and how he was able to overcome his injury.


 
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review

This is the first series I’ve read by Misty M. Beller. I was excited to read this second book. It kept my attention and I didn’t want to put the book down. The characters were developed well. I plan to jump right into the third book tomorrow!

I received a complimentary copy of this ARC from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Thanks to Bethany House for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

This book starts off with action, and it keeps coming throughout the novel, leaving it with a fast-paced plot - or as fast as it could be when traveling by horseback. Beyond the kidnapping, this book also explores being changed through Christ and the results of that. Isaac had a hard past that he has to work through and share with Joanna on their journey to save her son. She also must learn to trust and forgive. Laura must survive and keep Samuel safe as they travel farther from home with those that kidnapped her. Her journey is one of strength and trusting God, even when it seems like the darkness is winning.

Well done! I love all the historical details that Misty includes in her stories. I have read a lot of American history and fiction set in our history, but I can always count on her to have some new facts for me to uncover!

I read the first book in the series and really was impressed with it.
This book was very realistic, too much so for my taste.
A wolf attack on a horse is describes in detail and a wolf gets shot in the throat.
Yes, I know things like this did happen for survival in the wilderness but for an animal lover myself it was very hard to read.


I also don't understand how the woman could have romance on her mind when she was in the wilderness seeking her kidnapped son. As a mother romance would be the last thing on my mind as I frantically searched for my son.
I've always been impressed by this authors work and I do plan on reading more by her I just hope the next book isn't so graphic.

June 30, 2020 published.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow, what a ride through the mountains this story takes us on. I knew I was in good hands with author Beller's storytelling, but she certainly puts her characters through much.

Sometimes our pasts come back and they haunt us. Nothing could be more true for Isaac Bowen and now it has come time for him to rectify that. Especially since Joanna Watson's son and her friend have been kidnapped by ruthless men.

The adventure and danger in this novel was off the charts. I enjoyed being transported back into time in these characters' adventures. Or at least that is what this story felt like. I liked that we got views from Isaac, Joanna, and Laura as she is trying to keep herself and Samuel alive. 

This story was very atmospheric and I enjoyed every part of it even if at times I was really terrified for the characters. I had to keep reading just to see how everything worked out. I do believe this is my favorite story now from this author.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

I adore Misty M Beller’s books and was excited to have the opportunity to read the second installment from her Hearts of Montana series, Love's Mountain Quest. I just loved this faith filled story. Isaac and Joanna are wonderful characters that learn some valuable life lessons that we all could learn from. I enjoyed taking a journey with them and seeing the beautiful setting. There is, also, some unpredictable action that I never knew what was going to happen next. It was great taking the great adventure.

I would give Love’s Mountain Quest one hundred stars if I could. It was that good! I try to be patient waiting for the third book from the Hearts of Montana series. I highly recommend this book for readers who love clean historical romance with a powerful message.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

I always enjoy Misty Beller’s books. Love’s Mountain Quest, the second book in Misty Beller’s Hearts of Montana series, is no exception. For me it was a “can’t put this down” type of book. There is a little bit of character overlap between the first two books in the series, but book two can be read without first reading book one. 

Since the plot revolves around chasing down kidnappers, much of the story line takes place on horseback or during traveling stops. There are some potentially gruesome scenes in the story, but Misty Beller keeps the description of those scenes to a minimum. The love of a mother for her child is very evident in this story. The love someone can have for a child not their own is also evident. Unfortunately there is evil in our world, and that is present in the story as well. I do not understand how people can treat others with as much contempt as Rex in this story does, but I do know that type of person does exist. 

While Love’s Mountain Quest is an adult novel, there isn’t much which would prevent me from placing it in a K-12 Christian school library. There is suggestions of what may happen to one female character when they get to their destination, but no rape occurs. The book should probably be labeled for high school only if placed in a k-12 library. I want to thank Celebrate Lit for the complimentary e-copy of Love’s Mountain Quest. This is my honest review.

I want to be careful in this review to not give away any of plot details of this page-turning story, as to not lessen the impact of the story for the reader.

Misty Beller writes beautifully descriptive stories that always make me feel as if I’ve stepped into the setting of the book.  Her characters have real depth to them.  Joanna’s and little Samuel’s story is quite absorbing, and Isaac was the perfect person to help them in their time of trouble.  I appreciate the element of faith that’s found in Misty Beller’s books.  This is a clean, sweet, story that will hold your attention and grab your heart.  It’s a wonderful story of redemption, forgiveness, faith, and deliverance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

The year is 1867 life at Settler’s Fort, Montana Territory is not easy for a young widow Joanna Watson and her five-year-old son, Samuel. Joanna Watson faces a mother’s worst nightmare (not matter what year it is) her son and her good friend Laura, have vanished. When Joanna heard all the men would start looking in the morning, she was grateful Mr. Isaac Bowen volunteered to follow fresh tracks to catch the kidnappers. 

Just like in book one of this Hearts of Montana series, there is a real dangerous fight against nature and its wild terrain. The race is on to find her son Samuel and Laura. I grew to enjoy these intriguing and like-able characters as Joanna and Isaac do what it takes to stay on the trail. This author pens a great adventure that tugs at your heartstrings in a good way. I liked the authors ability to paint a scenic picture of the landscape peeking my imagination. I liked that the author allowed us to see the situation from Laura’s point of view as the situation unfolded. It brought depth to the story.

I enjoyed the natural way in which the faith message was presented. One of the themes was, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness….Isaac thought that, “Joanna possessed an inner strength greater than most people he’d known. But leaning on her went against his grain. Yet perhaps that’s what God intended in all this. For him to learn how to rely more on others. And for that matter, more on his heavenly Father.”

This book can be read as a stand-alone and would work well for your next book club pick. There is much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

As I turn the pages I think of the great Western movies of the past.  This Book and so many others by Misty M. Beller remind me of movies such as 'HOW THE WEST WAS WON" OR "DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK".  
Ms. Beller writes a story so clear and precise that you feel that you are part of the story. I walked with her main character, Joanna, through the woods.  I could feel her anguish and pain.  

A wonderful story that I could not put down.

Isaac was a man with a horrid past.  He couldn't erase from his memory what he did. He couldn't forgive himself. So how could Joanna?

I received this for free from Celebrate Lit to review.



1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1.5 stars...not quite okay
Overall, I think I was extra disappointed because I connected so easily with the characters in the first book. I really liked Joanna in that one and was looking forward to hearing her story.

When Joanna’s son disappears, she has to set out on a quest to find him. Along with her comes a single man and soon sparks fly. That’s where I quickly lost touch with the sense of reality. Most mothers I know would be 100% crazy focused on finding that kid again. I mean, in book 1 we saw just how much Joanna had lost and how much that one child meant the world to her.

Until Mr. Perfect walked in. Mr. Perfect who wants to let her kiss him but not ever consider marriage. Mr. Perfect whose body is perfection too, and who she lusts after even while helping patch him up after an injury. Who she wants to make out with so badly that they leave a horse bleeding out after a wolf attack while they stop for heavy breathing and kissing. Sorry, but that just doesn’t work for me.

I did want to hear more about Laura, though I didn’t think it realistic that a murderer and thief wouldn’t take what he pleased right off on day 1. But of course the girl needed to be unsullied for the good guy in book three...I really lost the reality of the danger because the bad guy wasn’t even greedy enough to be consistent. Not that I want a rape scene. I just felt the bad guy was more of a stock character than anything else. He didn’t scare me.

Anyway, I hit overload on sensuality and lust in this one even though it didn’t quite cross the line to not be clean...it just played the line and focused way too much on sexual tension, both consensual and non. 

I’ll be trying the third book but I’m not as excited for it as I had been for this one.

Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

Love’s Mountain Quest is the second book in the Hearts of Montana series by Misty M. Beller. I loved the first book in the series, Hope’s Highest Mountain, and I was excited to read Joanna’s story in this book. I loved her diligent work ethic, her need to care for others, and her love for her son. She deserved her own story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Love’s Mountain Quest begins with action when Joanna’s son and a friend are kidnapped by a gang with an ominous reputation. The desperation in this poor mama’s heart pulled my heartstrings and might have made me misty-eyed a time or two. But I loved and respected the attitude she maintained through it all, even when one disaster after another befell Joanna and Isaac on the trail to find her son. She is a remarkable woman and one who deserved to have someone shoulder her burdens. 
Issac is quite the hero. He has all the typical characteristics--confidence, muscular build, and strong jawline. But--he is so much more! I loved his redemptive story, and I believe it is inspirational to all who have made mistakes in their life. He has such a strong faith, and I couldn’t help but chuckle a little during the conversations he had with God about his pride. Above all, he is an honest and faithful man. Loved him!
As with all of Misty Beller’s other books, the scenery of Joanna and Isaac’s trek through the mountains in Montana was absolutely stunning. She has a way of painting a landscape so you can see the breathtaking views. I love traveling through her western-mountain adventures!
Fans of Christian historical fiction will enjoy this book, especially if you like stories set in the frontier. 
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Love’s Mountain Quest by Misty M. Beller

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

______________________________________________________________________________

Story Notes

Misty M. Beller brings readers the next in the Hearts of Montana series that will continue the story from the first book but with the focus now on Joanna and Samuel as well as Isaac Bowen. Much will be learned in this story about forgiveness, honor and finding love again.

Ms. Beller’s first book in the series was my introduction to her and her well-written stories. She made the wilds of Montana come alive with her descriptions and the characters she created were realistically developed. I was glad to be offered this second book for review and gladder still to see that this book followed the last with the same writing style and a good continuation of the story started in the first one. This story puts its focus on the young widow, Joanna Watson, and her son Samuel who are making a new life in Settler’s Fort. Joanna is a hard worker and hopes to not only provide for her son but give him the love of two parents as much as possible. But their new life is interrupted when a gang of outlaws kidnaps Samuel and his nanny, Laura. Joanna begs the help of Isaac Bowen, a man who helped bring her safely to the Fort along with the Bradley’s the year before. His tracking skills quickly lead them to find the town sheriff deceased and lots of hoof prints heading away from town. Gathering what they need for a possibly long journey, Isaac and Joanna head after the kidnappers into the Montana mountains. Stopping only to rest the horses or when it’s too dark to see, they begin gaining on them. But a set back comes when a horse throws a shoe and then steps on Isaac, breaking his lower leg. Isaac is determined not to let this give any advantage to the kidnappers and after tending his leg, sets them off again at an only slightly slower pace. As they fight both the elements and wildlife, they will grow closer together and find a spark of attraction neither expected. But nothing can happen until they find Samuel and return home. Seeking help from a town near the suspected gang hideout with give them the extra help they need to finally bring this terrifying journey to an end. And if both Isaac and Joanna can let go of the past, they just might have a future together. As I said earlier, I loved the descriptions that Ms. Beller wrote about both the country and the people in her stories. She add just enough to help you imagine everything clearly but not bore you with too many details. I also enjoyed the development of the main characters throughout the story. Neither of them wanted to depend on another but they soon learned that life cannot be lived alone. Their stubborn drive to prove themselves helpful and sufficient was broken on their quest together and it made them better people afterwards. The faith elements of the story were also well done and natural. There was no over piousness on either character’s part, rather real faith that became stronger as they faced the difficult times. I also liked getting a glimpse of Laura’s thoughts and her faith. She will probably be the next character of focus and I think she will be a good one. I will be recommending this story to others as a good read and hope they will enjoy the tension and action as I did. Hope the next in the series comes out soon.

I received this temporary, complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

The cover pulled me in.

However, a friend reviewed it. And that review mentioned so many things I did not want to read. Among them were, lust, a bad guy wanting to rape a girl and too much sensuality.

Das Buchbeginnt im Juni 1867 im Settler's Fort in Montana. Isaac Boden schaut bei jedem Besuch im Ort nach Johanna Watson und ihrem 5 Jahre alten Sohn Samuel. Sie waren Teil einer Reisegruppe, die sie vor einigen Monaten aus der Wildnis der Berge gerettet haben. Sie hat ein Haus am Rande der Stadt gemietet und arbeitet als Wäscherin. Obwohl es ihr gut zu gehen scheint, sorgt er sich um sie, da sie hier so ganz ohne Angehörige sind. Ihr Mann ist vor 7 Monaten an einer Verletzung durch die Axt gestorben. Isaac ist Jäger und Fallensteller. Er lebt mit seinem Vater eine Stunde entfernt und kommt nur gelegentlich zum Verkaufen in die Stadt. Johanna gibt vor, dass alles gut ist, aber in Wirklichkeit ist sie erschöpft von der Arbeit und von Sorgen niedergedrückt. Eltern und Schwester hat sie vor längerer Zeit in einem Zugunglück verloren. Hier hat sie nur ihre junge Freundin Laura. Die und ihr Sohn verschwinden eines Tages plötzlich von einen Schwimmausflug. Isaac hilft der verzweifelten Johanna spontan und selbstlos bei ihrer Suche. Nachdem sie den erschossenen Sheriff finden, nehmen sie sofort die Spur der Verbrecher auf. Doch schon bald wird Isaac dabei mit seiner düsteren Vergangenheit konfrontiert. 
Die Autorin führt zügig und gradlinig in die Geschichte ein, die dann auch schnell Tempo und Spannung gewinnt.  
Johanna und Isaac müssen manche Missgeschicke hinnehmen und Rückschläge überwinden. Sie ist eine starke, freundliche und fleißige Frau, er gibt alles um seine ungute Vergangenheit hinter sich zu lassen. Isaac hat zu Gott gefunden und will Johanna später ohne jegliche Erwartungen oder Hintergedanken helfen, ihr Leben zu verbessern. So verwundert es nicht, dass man sich zu diesen sympathischen und nachvollziehbaren Protagonisten schnell hingezogen fühlt.
Der Roman ist fesselnd und kann gut unterhalten.

3.5 Stars

LOVE'S MOUNTAIN QUEST is a story about a man's and woman's journey as they try to save her young son and friend from the hands of a ruthless gang. Both parties are fraught with danger as they travel, but find unexpected help and possible love as the story unfolds. Elements of faith are weaved throughout. Beller gives fans another trademark adventure through a harsh and untamed but beautiful wilderness, with characters readers can't help but cheer on.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was looking forward to reading Isaac's and Joanna's story. The beginning set things in motion quite well, as I could feel Isaac's yearning for something more, and Joanna's love for her son, but also her exhaustion as she tries to provide for their life. Then things change when Joanna finds her son, and her friend who was caring for him, missing. Isaac gets to be her hero as he travels with her to bring them home.

I enjoyed the journey and learning more about these characters. These characters faced some really difficult things and weren't immune to the pains of travelling fast, injuries and danger. The story did feel a bit slow to me in parts and the romance came on a bit strong in places (plus some of the wording was weird, like labeling a guy's muscles as having a richness to them). I would have liked the romance aspect to come a bit later in the story and feel more realistic to the situation. I also felt parts were unrealistic when dealing with the gang and in a little boy's recovery. The faith aspects I thought were done well—nothing felt too preachy or forced. The end was particularly sweet and was probably my favorite part of the story.

In the end, was it what I wished for? Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I wanted more from it, but I have learned with this author that some of her characters I connect with better than others, and some of her stories work better for me than others. I'm looking forward to the next adventure in book three of this series!

Content: Some innuendo and violence, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Boy, this one jumped right into the action! I felt like I quickly got to know Joanna and Isaac quickly through their actions and thoughts as they desperately search for her kidnapped son and friend. We experience the author's trademark perilous journey through the wilderness with various dangers and trying conditions. I was surprised that tracking the outlaws took up so much of the book, but it turned out that this was a long game situation since Isaac had a secret past that gave them an advantage in the pursuit. It's a mixed blessing since it brings more issues for Joanna to deal with after she's fallen for the rugged mountain man- overcoming mistrust and relying on the good man he is now. The scenes with the outlaws and Laura, the young woman they are holding captive, are a bit disturbing, which heightens the tension and suspense. I appreciated the spiritual message of turning to God in faith during our darkest hours, and also the theme of redemption and forgiveness. I'm glad that the next book in the series is about Laura so we can see her healing process from all she went through.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)