The last epic journey before her life changes forever. Susanna Wilkins will do anything to make her father’s final dream come true, including trek along the path Lewis and Clark explored into the untamed wilds of the Rocky Mountains. Every mile is more crucial now that lung cancer is stealing Pa’s last days faster than she can come to terms with losing him. The journey becomes harder than she … journey becomes harder than she ever expected, but paddling upriver through fierce rapids and fighting hungry grizzlies isn’t what terrifies her the most.
Beaver Tail endured more than he can stand from the women in his Blackfoot camp, but the last disaster gave him the final shove he needed to join this band of brothers searching for one of their group who’s gone missing. The last thing he expected was to find a white woman and her sick father stranded at the base of a massive waterfall. His plan is to help them carry their oversize canoe and supplies, then leave them to their strange mission. Yet, the more he learns about the pair, the more he realizes his life is about to be derailed—again.
From a USA Today bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and adventure so intense, lives will never be the same.
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Misty Beller is an author whose work I first read last autumn, and I was thrilled to add another historical fiction author to my favorites list. Not only that, but her books add a new dimension to nineteenth-century western tales by developing plots around mountain settings and survival in harsh terrain. As a child, my main area of interest was the American frontier, from Little House on the Prairie to Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. This will always be my favorite time period to read about, and it’s gratifying to find quality fiction that showcases it. Both of Beller’s books that I have read thus far have been kicking off a new series, which makes the experience even better.
“Freedom in the Mountain Wind” relates the interconnected stories of Susanna Wilkins and Beaver Tail. The characters are an essential element of this series, and they shine in this sequel. My heart went out to Susanna immediately as she selflessly cares for her ailing father while at the same time traveling west with him in the tracks of Lewis and Clark, seeking to fulfill his one wish. She is not the typical woman of 1830, but rather an intrepid adventurer and loyal daughter who puts others before herself. While she may not choose every situation she encounters, she has an indomitable spirit tempered only by naivete, and I found her inexperience to be endearing in several scenes. Beaver Tail likewise has a story that is somewhat nonconforming, as well as distinctive. The manner in which they relate to people and with each other is comical at times, yet always poignant: “He had the unique ability to move in tandem with her, as though he could read her thoughts and fade into her shadow. Words weren’t necessary with him.” Neither one particularly wants to need the other, yet as is always the case for believers, God uses their weaknesses to accomplish His purposes and to grow and mature them. “Freedom in the Mountain Wind” illustrates how common, standard parts of life can be approached with a unique angle when one’s faith is strong and secure.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Susanna and her father were crazy to travel the same way that Lewis and Clark traveled. Susanna’s father was sick and wanted to see the sights in the mountains. I loved how this was written. There was a bit of romance and some intrigue. Every one of these characters learned some hard fought lessons. This really kept my interest. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Freedom in the Mountain Wind is the first book in the Call of the Rockies series by Misty M. Beller, and already I cannot wait for book 2. Having read several of this author’s books, I eagerly anticipated the beginning of this new series. I was thoroughly enchanted by Freedom in the Mountain Wind. It is a beautiful and captivating story of unexpected love. It is also a story of the importance of being able to trust others–sometimes even strangers–when help is needed. The writing style is graceful and flows smoothly as the author tells Susanna and Beaver Tail’s story. The author has beautifully crafted her characters– Susanna, strong and full of spunk and determination. Beaver Tail, a rugged Indian mountain man, whose history with females keeps him aloof. And the friends Beaver Tail is traveling with, add a great dimension to the story and the relationships depicted. The author portrays such a sweet and loving father-daughter connection with their closeness and their care for one another. Watching the relationship between Susanna and Beaver Tail morph and change throughout the story kept my interest. I was often wondering where things were going to end up as they encountered so many struggles, harrowing struggles–terminal illness, a raging grass fire, encounters with wild animals, and so much more. Strong characters that are so likable, realistic situations, wonderfully descriptive scenes all work together for a delightful story and threaded throughout the book is a faith in God–the God who alone can bring comfort and strength in the difficult times. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Ms. Beller’s books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.
If one enjoys “western” historical Christian fiction as I do, this is a super first in a new series! It was fun following a few paddle strokes of Lewis and Clark on the Missouri River in the future Montana Territory and down to the Rockies. The love and loyalty of a father and daughter and the loyalty of friends are focal points, as are a strong faith in the Lord and wilderness adventure.
Thad Wilkins has long dreamed of taking Lewis and Clark’s trek up the Missouri River, through the Great Plains, to the Rocky Mountains. His illness would make it difficult, but his daughter Susanna was determined to make his dream come true. She and her father have been alone and very close since her mother died years earlier. They are far from home, just lost another guide, and face leaving the river to lug their boat around the miles of Great Falls themselves. Trouble is, Pa is getting weaker by the day and that boat is heavy!
They see a man nearby watching them. An Indian, he speaks perfect English. He can’t be their guide as Pa asks, but he could carry their boat to the other side of the falls. Beaver Trail talks little. His father left when he was very young. He is on this journey with his three friends to get away from women, especially how the last woman he spent time with had harmed his family. He didn’t want to be around another woman. One of his traveling companions, Joel, is looking for his brother, and they want to find him before winter.
When the men see Pa is ill with a terrible, wracking cough, they stay to help him and Susanna for a few days. Joel is anxious to find his brother, though, so the men split up. Beaver Tail and Caleb, a mountain of a man who is also an ordained reverend, stay behind with the Wilkins. Joel and trapper/ trader French move ahead and mark the trail in the path they are on.
One thing nobody planned on is the growing attraction between the two people who did not intend to get involved with anyone. Pa notices their glances exchanged and time in each other’s company while Caleb reads and discusses the Bible with him. Pa asks Beaver Tail if he has met their God – not to judge, but to tell him about the Lord. Beaver Tail doesn’t believe in God and doesn’t want anyone other than himself in charge of his life. His anger flares when understanding that Susanna would not be happy in the long run if she were matched with an unbeliever. He can’t stay angry at the frail man but tries to re-think his feelings and choices.
I appreciate many things about this novel. I very much like the six primary characters; they were well defined, unique, each with much to contribute. The faith shared by Pa, Susanna, and Caleb is displayed well through their actions, prayers, and conversations. The history of the area in 1830 before it was part of the US is fascinating, and the wild, beautiful west is described so well that I could almost feel I was there. The romance is sweet and unexpected, and the faith struggles of Susanna and Beaver Tail are realistic. I highly recommend this to readers who appreciate Christian historical fiction of the period of manifest destiny, faith, family, and romance.
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this from the publisher and Celebrate Lit, and this is my honest review.
Freedom in the Mountain Win, Book 1 in Call of the Rockies Series by author Misty M. Beller is wonderful Christian Historical Romance Fiction. Set in 1830 it begins with the tale of Susanna Wilkins and her father trekking across the wilderness in the same places as famous explorers Lewis and Clark. Many guides have left them to fare for themselves.
Susanna is determined to see the adventure through for her father. His health is rapidly declining as lung cancer overtakes his body. Beaver Tail crosses their path and comes to their aid. He is a rugged, strong, compassionate man. All of the characters are realistic, well rounded, and capable of surviving in the wilderness.
Author Beller has such a imaginative way with words that she can whisk readers out of their chairs and into the wilds. The sights, sounds, and thrills are realistically depicted in her words. This author is an extremely talented wordsmith! I was invested at the very beginning and enjoyed every twist and turn of this page turning book.
One of my favorite things about Author Beller’s book is that faith and God are not hidden. She boldly puts them out in the open so no interpretation is necessary. Life lessons on faith, hope, trust, love, forgiveness and second Chances are woven into this moving novel.
I highly recommend this fabulous story. It is captivating and will take your breath away in parts. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars and eagerly await Book 2.
What a journey traveling through the Rocky Mountains with a sick father with an Indian guide who just showed up at their camp site and decided to help them reach their destination! Cold, bears, a stampede and the hard everyday tasks that come each day. I enjoy how the author describes the beautiful mountains and the relationships that bond this group together on their journey.
I was gifted a copy, no review was required.. My review is voluntary.
This was a heart felt story of love and doing for another. Susanna was trying to fulfill a wish of her dads by traveling with him along the route of Lewis and Clark to the Rocky Mountains. They kept losing guides and found themselves alone trying to maneuver the harsh terrain and carry their boat on the river bank to avoid the rapids and waterfalls. They come across Beaver Tail and his three companions who offer to help them. Thus begins an adventure you won’t soon forget. They fight animal danger, the weather, and various strangers that wander along their way.
The characters were each unique. A blend of different personalities that made the story interesting and fun to read. The love and caring among them all brought tears to my eyes at times. This is one that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
Oh dear…What a tear jerker this one was! Wonderfully written…I couldn’t put it down. Susanna’s fathers’ dying wish is to see the mountains..along the way they meet four friends who offer to help. Then a wonderful adventure begins. Read it..you’ll love it as much as I did!
It takes an unusually strong, brave young woman to accompany her father who is dying of lung cancer while he retraces the route of Lewis and Clark up the Missouri River in 1830! I admired Susanna Wilkins from the start! They started the trip with guides but they had all disappeared! Susanna’s father was still determined to reach the mountains! As they neared the Great Falls, four men including an English speaking Indian and two Spaniards offer to help them. Beaver Tail was a hero as he continues helping the Wilkins on their treacherous trip and falling in love with Susanna even as Mr. Wilkins’ health deteriorates! They faced injuries, a buffalo stampede and a forest fire! You will love reading Freedom in the Mountain Wind by Misty M. Beller! I received an advance e-book from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Misty M Beller has once again written a wonderful book with Freedom in the Mountain Wind. I was excited to have the opportunity to read the beginning of her new series, Call of the Rockies. Her talent shines through in this story. Right from the start I felt like I was right there on the journey with Susannah, her father and Beaver Tail. The book is full of adventure and emotions that I had to keep the tissues close by. I loved the interactions between Beaver Tail and Susannah. It was so sweet and tender as they learned more about one another.
I give Freedom in the Mountain Wind five plus stars. Readers who enjoy well written, clean and sweet historical fiction will love this one. I look forward to continuing the next installment from the Call of the Rockies. I can not wait to find out what happens next.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
The author has once again written an incredible book that makes me want to return to the mountains! I loved the details about the incredible views and the creatures that our intrepid travelers encountered. Susanna is helping her father realize his dream of seeing the mountains, by following the footprints of Lewis and Clark, in spite of the fact that he is suffering from an incurable malady. This quest has many perils, seen and unseen. Will they reach the goal before it is too late?
This is a story of courage and love – to set out with the purpose of fulfilling, not your dream, but the dream of someone else. How many of us would consider this a worthwhile venture? The faith portrayed by the characters shines through all the hardships, encouraging retrospection not only for those around them, but also the reader.
I received this ARC through Misty M. Beller Books and CelebrateLit. The impressions, comments and rating are my own and were in no way solicited.
Where do I start with this book?
Misty M. Beller wrote a beautiful story of adventure, love and exploring the great frontier. I believe that this is the first book in a series and let me tell you I will be reading the rest of the books in this series (Can I pre-pre- order it somewhere I wonder?). This book was so good, it is one of those books that feels like you are right there with the characters. Probably something to do with the psychology of the characters that touches something inside of you, and wow did this one work that for me.
The characters in this book were very well developed and had a clear sense of purpose right from the beginning. Misty M. Beller gives us some great father-daughter interactions as well as giving us French, Spanish, Southern and Native Americans all together to make some great moments around the campfire. The main characters in this book have things to work through, some together and separately and Misty M. Beller makes them do it quite believably. One of my favorite things about the book is the way Misty M. Beller shares the gospel throughout this book. She even worked in underlying themes of grace, forgiveness, grief over loss, and perseverance.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for the plotline, the cool adventures the characters go on (I mean who hasn’t imagine going along Lewis & Clark’s trip up the Mississippi river?), and for grabbing hold of my emotions right from the start.
Susanna Wilkins will do anything for her sick father even to selling out, pulling up stakes and going into the wild unknown. Her father had read of Lewis and Clark’s exposition into the Rocky Mountains and it is his dying wish to be able to see these mountains. She gives in and they begin a foolish journey fraught with many dangers. A lone woman and a weakened sick man. They find help from four men, one an Indian who is against women, but finds he cannot leave this helpless couple to fend for themselves. I loved reading about the trails, rivers and rapids, wild beast and the way pioneer men had to deal with animals for food and the furs for warmth. Oh yes and there is even romance, all this written in such a way as to keep you turning the pages.
I received an early copy to read and review and give my honest opinion. I loved everything about this book. I highly recommend this book.
Another thought-provoking, action-packed novel of the West before modern man left a permanent mark on the landscape. The author presents a daughter’s unselfish gift to her dying father. This tugged at my heart, making me contemplate how far I would go or do go to make the dreams of my family and friends become a reality? In the light of this dramatic example, I am challenged to make a better effort, to step out of my comfort zone in order to reach the dreams right out of reach. The love imparted by complete strangers to a young woman and her ailing father reinforces the truth of the good residing in humans from all eras. Thank you, Misty Beller for a heartfelt journey.
I loved the sweet romance between Susanna and Beaver Tail. I also loved the affection between Susanna and her father.
If you enjoy adventure novels with a frontier setting along with a touch of romance, then Freedom in the Mountain Wind just might be for you. A story about a young woman who sets out on a journey to the Rocky Mountains with her dying father to fulfill his last wish to see the mountains. Neither of them expected the trip to be so arduous or for his health to fail so quickly. Just when Susanna thought they would no longer be able to go on, they encounter a young Indian man who agrees to help portage their boat past the waterfall. His act of unexpected friendship encourages Susanna to continue their journey.
The well paced plot and vivid descriptions of the vast wilderness makes the story a pleasure to read. Susanna and Beaver Tail’s story is filled with hardship, dangers, friendship, compassion, romance, and a beautiful story of salvation. A grizzly encounter as well as other accidents leaves more than one character injured and even fighting for their life.
I was so impressed by the way these three strangers took Susanna and her father under their wings and abandoned their own plans to protect them and help them reach their goal. The author brought out the tenderness in these rough men in such a way that it was perfectly believable. I could say so much more but I’ll leave it to you to discover the depths of this most excellent novel by a very talented author. I will definitely be reading more books by Misty M. Beller!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
What makes a person free? And what happens when you are in the middle of the mountains and your father is dying? But he wants to see the ocean? And every guide you have hired has run away? SERIOUSLY an amazing book – could not put it down. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.
It’s hard to comprehend that a young woman and her sick father would not only venture into the wilderness but be able to get as far as they did. I love the sense of adventure and the epic grandeur of the landscape that I can always count on from this author’s books, and this one lived up to the standards she sets. While the harsh realities of uncivilized travel are expected, encountered, and overcome, this book felt a bit different with the grief Susanna struggles with, watching her father decline and knowing that his end is near. It brought a sense of anticipation of impending heartache, and I appreciated that she did her best to not only fulfill his wishes but soak up her time with him. The harder parts of the story are well-balanced with the friendship and sincerity of Beaver Tail and his comrades, and the sweetness of new love. The characters are well-formed and I felt like I was able to get to know them well as they journeyed. Beaver Tail’s spiritual enlightenment was another aspect of the plot that brought depth and a sense of hope to both his and Susanna’s future together. I’m looking forward to continuing the series as they search for the brother who is chasing the rumor of a special breed of horse among one of the tribes.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
I loved this story! This author always does an amazing job of combining adventure, faith, and romance into stories that I just can’t set down. I have found that when I pick up a book by Misty Beller, that I can trust that I am in for a story that makes me feel as if I am part of the adventure, facing danger among the vast beauty of the wilderness. I also know that I am in for a heartfelt romance.
Beaver Tail’s spiritual and emotional journey was beautiful to read about. I loved seeing how he began to cherish Susanna, and how his heart was slowly opened to learning about God through his friends, as well as Susanna’s father.
Speaking of the other men on this wilderness trek, I was very impressed with the cast of characters in this story and hope that future novels will tell their tales. Each man seemed to be a man of integrity, but with backstories that I am eager to learn about. I loved this book from start to finish and look forward to reading more in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
just loved it, best yet…