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 … 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.
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The story is so descriptive that it is easy for me to feel like I’m there shivering in the snow as the horses trudge along. It is not an easy journey that Elam and Joel take through the mountains. The majestic beauty of snow topped mountains are to visualize as the story delivers a realistic look at December 1830 in Montana. As I read the story I kept thinking how we sometimes take things for granted. Can you imagine having to use a cave as a way to stay warm or a campfire that required wood throughout the night?
Elam and Joel find danger that threatens them from accomplishing their mission. I liked how the author slowly builds their relationship. What I really liked was how Elam came to know God in a way that she never thought possible. I am really enjoying this series and have to say how every story has a great message that we can all glean from. Hope, trust and faith are the main themes in this story and the author captures each one with several characters who struggle surrendering to God. The book can be read as a stand alone but I would recommend the first one to get a feel for the characters better.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
The word hope is not only in the title, but woven all throughout the book. I absolutely love how Elan refers to God – as “God of white man”. What she needs to find, and you see her journey in this, is that God is her God too, not just white man. What a beautiful theme for us all to understand – God is here for everyone. Doesn’t matter race, sex, your current beliefs, etc… He wants a relationship with us all.
Once again, Beller sweeps readers into the wilderness, with her descriptive words and breathtaking settings. It’s easy to get lost in the story and forget where you are while reading. Beller has such a way with words, and in this novel I was quite impressed with the different dialogues she had to create and keep through the story – different native languages, French, English, and even slight sign language (for lack of a better term). Not once does she mix up how characters talk, and I imagine that is difficult to do in the writing world.
I was so happy to read Joel’s story, and his search for his brother (sorry no spoilers here!). But what I savored even more, was the relationship between him and Elan. The growing feelings for each other were sweet, gentle, and over time grew into something beautiful and amazing. It didn’t overtake the rest of the story either – it was the perfect amount of romance for this reader.
Readers are in for a treat, not only with this book, or this series, but with all of Misty’s books. I highly recommend Hope in the Mountain River, but suggest starting with book one. It’s too good not to! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Another stunning historical romance from Misty Beller! This second book in Call of the Rockies series follows the five-some group of friends through the Future Montana Territory in 1830 and focuses on Joel as he searches for his brother Adam. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone but you’ll be able to appreciate Beaver Tail and Susanna’s relationship better if you read the first book.
Misty Beller has a way of painting her winter wilderness backdrop with such majestic beauty that you can’t help but be swept into the story with the characters to face trials and challenges from the elements, sickness, and injury. As with the first book, the Native American tribes and their culture are seamlessly woven into the plot and I really enjoyed learning more about these tribes. Joel is a loyal and tender man who is searching for his brother that failed to meet him at a rendezvous spot. Elan is a Nez Perce woman lost in grief who is only trying to outrun her despair. They cross paths on the wintery slopes of the mountains and forge a friendship that is sweet and transcends their language barrier as Elan and her friend Meksem guide the group to where Joel’s brother was last seen. Getting to travel with Beaver Tail, Susanna, French, and Caleb again was like hanging out with old friends.
If you enjoy historical romance set in the wilderness, you will definitely enjoy this book. I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
We continue the journey to find Joel’s brother Adam further in the Rockies. When a snow storm hits our group they take shelter in a cave and find more than protection from the storm there.
Joel is instantly drawn to Elan and she to him even though she is still grieving the loss of her husband and child. She feels compelled to help this group find Adam since she knows where he likely is. They will face many hardships along the way and they will both grow in their love for one another as well as in their faith with God.
This is such a great series and book 2 does not disappoint. We still have the same group of characters traveling together but we add new characters and challenges with this book. It is well written and keeps your attention from beginning to end. I was on edge several times and was so tempted to skip ahead to find out what happened, I didn’t but I wanted to. I loved it and highly recommend it.
I received an early copy to read and give my honest opinion. It is a 5 star book for me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Christian Historical Romance
It’s been awhile since I listened to the first book in the series, but unlike other series of Misty’s that I’ve read, this one is a continuous story so far.
Book one was Samantha and Beaver Tail’s romance while this one is Elan and Joel’s.
Again two people from very different backgrounds (a Spaniards and a Nez Perce native) brought together by God in a unique situation and united by love as they both come to faith in the Almighty and hope in the future that awaits them. As usual, I loved it!
4.5 stars
This second installment in the Call of the Rockies series continues the journey of a determined band of friends traversing the treacherous terrain of the Rockies in the dead of winter. In their search for Joel’s brother Adam, they meet two interesting women Elan and Meksem who join their adventure. Although this book can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading Freedom in the Mountain Wind first to better appreciate and understand the relationships of the characters. Hope in the Mountain River features a smoothly flowing, captivating plot that pulls you in and keeps you reading. Diverse, engaging characters touch your heart and become your friends. Vividly described, amazing settings trigger your senses. Sweet romance brings a smile. A strong faith element inspires and encourages. I highly recommend this book and the series especially for lovers of historical romance.
Author Misty M. Beller has created a beautiful story here of heartache and love and learning to lean on the Lord and trust him to take care of us.
Join Joel and Elan (along with some of your favorite characters from book one in the series, Freedom in the Mountain Wind!) as they set out in search of his brother, who has been missing for months, and come face to face with one disaster after another, forcing them to confront and overcome the pain from their past.
This is a very sweet little story that was such a pleasure to read! If you’re looking for something short to curl up with and enjoy within a limited timeframe, you’ll definitely want to snatch this up! Perfect little story for those occasions and SO worth the read!
I loved this addition to the Call of the Rockies series (though it can also be read as a standalone) and will be looking forward to reading the next book in the lineup!
I love Misty M Beller’s books, especially those set in the mountains. This second book in her Call of the Rockies series is another very good read with plenty of surprises in it. And because I’m a history buff, I know how authentic it is.
What I think you should know:
Hope in the Mountain River is a Western Historical Christian Romance. It is the second in the Call of the Rockies Series by Misty M. Beller. While you could jump in with this book I highly recommend that you start with the first book in the series so that you can meet and fall in love with the core groups of characters. This book starts in December of 1830 in what will become Montana.
What you might need to know:
Elan lost her Daughter and Husband suddenly.
What I think about this book:
Beller has a gift, when I read one of her stories I feel like I am in the story instead of just reading about it. Hope in the Mountain River is no exception to this, once I again I felt like I was transported back in time to a land that is wild and rugged, one that requires its inhabitants to be strong and persistent. Joel was already a favorite from the first book in the series, I loved getting to know him better. Elan and Meksem, two native women were new additions to the story, Elan had tragically lost her daughter and husband and is unsure how to face life going forward. While her story was heartbreaking. I marveled at her strength. Beller once again was able to share her beliefs naturally in the story. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the third book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Misty M. Beller writes amazing books that pull the reader into her fictional world. This book continues that tradition with this second book in The Call of the Rockies series. The characters and settings come to life through the pages. I loved getting to know Joel more and starting to get to know Elan.
The story brings faith to life through the words and actions of the characters. I find it difficult to put these books down until I have finished reading them. I feel this series like all of the series by Misty M. Beller are worth reading. I recommend reading the books in order. I can not wait for the next book in this series.
I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.
Once again, as with the other books that I have enjoyed by this author, I was captivated by characters full of depth and a dangerous journey that kept me enthralled as I turned each page. Hope in the Mountain River is book two in the Call of the Rockies series. Those who have read the first book in the series will be happy to join up once again with Beaver Tail and his wife Susannah, Caleb, French, and Joel. If you haven’t read book one, don’t worry, you should be able to jump right into this story and enjoy reading as the group meets up with two women, Elan and Meksem, who work to lead them to Joel’s lost brother.
It was wonderful to read as Joel and Elan began to build the beginnings of a connection to each other. Elan had lost so much in the recent past and was very afraid to open her heart up to anyone else. Their love story was just perfect, as was the journey they both needed to take in order to learn to trust in the one true God. I loved this story and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
When Elan journeyed from her home after the death of her daughter and husband, she never expected to meet someone who could fill the emptiness consuming her heart. She yearns for something to live for, a fulfilling purpose. These desires cause her to wonder about her relationship with God.
A seemingly accidental meeting in the wilderness leads to Elan and her friend Meksem agreeing to guide Joel Vargas and his group on their quest to find Adam, Joel’s brother. But nothing, with God involved in our lives, is really accidental. Joel and Elan are drawn to each other from their first meeting. Elan’s heart is not healed from her loss and she fears falling in love.
As they traverse the wilderness in this second book of the Call of the Rockies series, the dangers of the winter test their faith. Both Joel and Elan turn to God individually as the only source of protection and healing.
One of the things I enjoyed was reading about the different native american cultures depicted in Hope in the Mountain River. I also especially enjoyed scenes with an adorable toddler. It surprised me to realize some tribes had such negative views of each other. Yet the members of the group in this adventure worked to see the good in each other and overcome any racial prejudices.
“…surely there was some good among the tribe. As Joel said, I’ve always tried to judge a man according to his own actions, not what people or tribe he was born into.”
I enjoyed the little details that showed Joel’s and Elan’s growing feelings for each other. Their concern and tender care for each other is charming!
Misty M. Beller puts her characters through a lot. It was difficult to put this book down during the final chapters!
As the book concludes, Joel, Elan, and their friends embark on a new mission which I predict will be extremely challenging. All the important plot points of this novel and the romance wound up well by the end.
I want to learn how the characters make it out of their dilemmas in the next book of the series! If you love Christian historical romance, especially set in early America, check out this captivating story.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.
God, if You are real… This prayer is echoed throughout the crises in this second of the Call of the Rockies series. I was happy that the search begun in the first in series continues with the same core group of characters with two new, complex young women. The characters are well-defined, and I felt as if I were there with the incredibly described vistas, wildlife, and events. There are breathtaking, heart-pounding moments and many miles of true companionship amidst people who have gone through extreme ups and downs with each other.
Elan and Meksem have been traveling towards the river for quite some time. Elan needs time alone from The People, the Nez Perce village she had called home. She lost her world, the two people most important to her, in a bear attack, and simply wants to be alone to heal. She needs to find a purpose to wake up in the morning. Meksem is a woman of few words and a very close friend who is as fierce a warrior as any of the men in their village. Winter is underway, and Meksem refused to let her friend go out on her own.
A blizzard is sweeping in when the women meet four men and one woman traveling together as they seek shelter in the same small cave. The group of five friends have grown very close over recent months. Susannah and her husband Beaver Tail’s story is primarily told in “Freedom in the Mountain Wind”. Caleb, a reverend, French, a trapper, and Joel are urgently searching for Joel’s brother Adam. Adam left the camp he and Joel wintered at last year in search of the valued Palouse spotted horses and did not meet up with Joel where promised in the summer. Joel has a gut feeling that something is wrong, that Adam needs him, thus their travel in the Bitterroot mountains in winter.
Meksem knows of villages with Palouse horses. They had not seen anyone with Adam’s description, but she and Elan will take them to the nearest village. Joel is captivated by Elan when first seeing her. There are times throughout that they have whole conversations with their eyes, even as she tries to learn English and they communicate by universal hand signs used by mountain tribes.
Danger follows their every step. Impossibly narrow, icy mountain trails, braves from another tribe come to steal their horses, and pure accidents. There are little joys, as well, such as the small dog that finds and claims Elan. Three of the group of five are Christians. Elan helps Susannah prepare some of their meals and sees the other woman’s faith in the white man’s God. Elan has heard of their God and asks questions about him. Everything in her wants this kind of God, a Father. Joel is also seeing a different kind of faith modeled than what he grew up with in Spain. Their lives are threatened time and again, as if either God doesn’t care about them…or is saving them for something more. Filled with adventure, danger, and possibly romance, this unpredictable yet very satisfying novel takes us closer to where Adam might be, if they aren’t too late. I highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates mid-1800’s historical Christian fiction with gentle witnessing, faith, healing, and…dare we say…hope.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this from Celebrate Lit, and this is my honest review.
I love how descriptive this author is. Through the mountains, the Winters, the people and the main characters become so real. This puts me right there among them watching from the sidelines. Loved this interesting sweet romantic story!
I have to say that the description of this book does not do it justice.
Hope in the Mountain River is book 2 in Misty M. Beller’s Call of the Rockies series. This book can be read as a standalone, although I recommend reading them in order as the first book sets the scene for this one. However, there are no loose threads and you can just read this one by itself if you choose too.
“This epic journey is not at all what she expected” is such an understatement Hope in the Mountain River took me on a great adventure, one that I didn’t want to come back from! I loved the characters, both Joel and Elan were very well developed and showed some great emotion. Joel is in relentless pursuit of his lost brother, he is a protector, and he overcomes some great personal and spiritual struggles. Elan is one strong woman. She struggles through so much and yet finds immeasurable happiness on the other side. I truly think that she is a great role model. Elan was also a fascinating character because of her Native American background, I thought Misty M. Beller worked that into the storyline wonderfully.
I also really enjoyed the way Misty M. Beller always manages to work in the saving grace of Jesus Christ into her books. She truly puts Jesus and at the center, and you can see it interwoven throughout the adventures, as well as the thoughts and the actions of the characters.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for the descriptive scenery, the great characters, and the compelling storyline. Also, because I cannot wait to read the next book in the series .
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Hope in the mountain river
I loved Elan and Joel’s story. I have not heard the name Elan before, I love unique names in a book. Joel is looking for his brother Adam but he accidentally get shot. Will he recover from being shot? Elan is going to do her best to help him.
Another great historical book by the author. Set in December, 1830,Bitterroot Mountains, future Montana Territory. I loved how caring Elan is. I also enjoyed that the dog in the story. Great mountain adventure.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
My Thoughts on Hope in the Mountain River:
I love how this series combines the white people and the native people of the Rocky Mountains. When you read this book you are getting a wonderful description of what the mountains look like and the terrain. You’re seeing what it might have been like to travel and risk your life daily. I love that about this series and this book.
Immediately after starting this book, I fell in love with Elan. She’s a new character to this series and one full of mystery but also sorry. There is so much to learn and find out about her.
Book two in a series this one follows the story started in the first. While it can be read as a stand-alone book, it’s going to be a much richer read if you have read the first book first.
I loved the cover. Misty Beiler is one of my favorite authors and I honestly could not wait for this next book in the series to arrive. As soon as it did I opened the cover and began devouring the new to me story. It did not disappoint and now I can’t recommend it enough to you. As always, I recommend reading a series in order and not skipping book one. You won’t regret it!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Misty M Beller has done it again with, Hope in the Mountain River. It is book two from Call of the Rockies series. Even though it is part of the series, I believe readers can read it as a stand alone. Although, they definitely do not want to miss book one, Freedom in the Mountain Wind.
I absolutely loved taking this journey with Joel and Elan. Their adventure takes them to action and danger. The author has great talent to keep her readers engaged throughout her books. The details of the story were so vivid, I felt like I was right there. It is an emotional read at times that made me think.
I am giving Hope in the Mountain River a very well deserved five plus stars. I hope there will be a third book from the Call of the Rockies series. I highly recommend it to others readers.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Every book I have read by this author has been a nice quick read. She is able to get some romance and some suspense in quickly in these stories. I love her descriptions of the mountains that these characters are traveling through. She makes me laugh and cry. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. I would recommend reading these books in order. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.