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.… 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.
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What a fun, page-turning story. If you like road trip romance with lots of danger, snow, and rugged mountain-man heroes, this is the book for you! I recommend reading while wrapped in a cozy blanket with a warm cup of tea to combat threat of fictional frostbite as the hero and heroine find ways to survive in the Montana wilderness.
Misty M. Beller is a master at detail and making readers experience the intricacies of the story and its characters. I love the emphasis on the spiritual aspect throughout the story, especially the ending.
It’s 1866, and Ingrid Chastain has accompanied her father to Montana Territory to deliver a case of smallpox vaccine to an old colleague, a doctor in a tiny town facing an outbreak. But they are about to become victims of a treacherous road they shouldn’t be travelling in October …
Micah Bradley gave up being a doctor after his wife and daughter died in a smallpox outbreak five years ago. Now he’s satisfied with his life as a trapper, keeping away from people and relationships. That is, until he finds the unconscious Ingrid, and knows he can’t leave her to the elements.
So begins what could be a run-of-the-mill Western romance. It’s anything but. Despite her privileged upbringing in the best part of Boston, Ingrid is a strong and intelligent woman with a deep compassion for the sick and hurting—including the people suffering from smallpox in rural Montana. She doesn’t whine or complain even when anyone else would. She has a strong faith in God, knowing Him as her protector. She believes and trusts that despite the death of her father, God is leading her to His best plan for her.
We could learn a lot from Ingrid’s strength and faith. Micah gave up on God after the death of his family, and can’t understand Ingrid’s stubborn faith. But Micah is stubborn in his own way, especially his determination to save the life of a complete stranger without complaining the personal cost. He even agrees to help Ingrid deliver the vaccines, even though it’s a journey that will take weeks in the winter snow.
Hope’s Highest Mountain is Christian Western romance at its finest. Rugged men and brave women learning to depend on God to get them through life’s battles, using strong writing to show an even stronger God. Recommended.
Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Much like its untamed mountain setting, this story’s plot possesses a grand majesty, an intersection of beauty, purpose, tragedy, and hope which is both inspiring and captivating. The strength of faith and peace of hope are woven into every fiber of Hope’s Highest Mountain.
In a journey from comfortable familiarity to the verge of complete disaster, Ingrid and Micah repeatedly face seemingly insurmountable odds from all sides including their own individual battles that threaten to overwhelm them from within. The tangible ache of grief tugs at heartstrings and the soothing balm of hope is a warm glow that leaps from the pages of the story and settles into the spirit.
I highly recommend this incredible reading experience to all fans of the wilderness and our journey to and through it. Beller’s masterful storytelling reaches readers at a special level below the surface where intellect, emotion, and spirit collide in a grace-filled dance for the ages.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Misty Beller takes us on the best and sweetest mountain adventures!
Hope’s Highest Mountain, by Misty M. Beller, is the first book in the Hearts of Montana series. With stirring adventure, breathtaking settings, and compelling characters, this gripping historical romance novel tells an unforgettable story of courage, loss, faith, and perseverance.
Set in the Montana Territory late in the autumn of 1866, this story is enriched by Ms. Beller’s vivid, sensory descriptions. Written with thoughtful detail, the setting is truly immersive and influential. From steep slopes, to treacherous paths, to hazardous weather conditions, the setting provides myriad opportunities for impactful scenes that captivate and enthrall.
Relevant and authentic, the characters in this novel are truly special. When faced with terrible danger and great hardship, they display immense bravery and determination. In their care and concern for others, they go far beyond expectations. Through peril, fear, and heartache, they persevere, their faith grows, and hope is kindled.
Page after page, Ms. Beller’s gift for storytelling is remarkably evident. Hope’s Highest Mountain is an utterly memorable, moving, and meaningful novel. Long will I treasure the hours that I spent savoring the story within its pages. I recommend it wholeheartedly to all readers.
*I was given a copy of this novel through NetGalley and CelebrateLit. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
It’s another fantastic Misty Beller journey through the Montana Territory in 1866. With her skillful blending of all the senses through her written words, the author paints a beautifully haunting landscape of the untamed west and provides a plot filled with unseen dangers on a wintery mountain and complex, relatable characters who will draw you deep into their past, fears, and hopes. If you enjoy historical fiction/romance, you will definitely enjoy this book. I can’t wait for the next installment in this Hearts of Montana series.
Ingrid is the daughter of a physician researcher who is traveling with her father to deliver small pox vaccines to a remote fort when tragedy hits her hard. Her sweet determination, loyal and tender heart, and unshakable faith draw the reclusive and guilt-ridden Micah our of his shell to help her in completing her quest. Micah is laden down with past failures and his journey to receiving God’s grace and mercy is raw, heart-breaking, and quite tangible.
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I have enjoyed reading a few of Misty Beller’s earlier books and I was super excited to be able to read this latest addition to her writing collection. I was not disappointed in the least! This story delivered all the drama and beautiful word imagery that I have grown to love from this author. I especially appreciate how she seamlessly weaves the gospel truth and a deep love of God into the characters in such an organic, natural way.
Vivid and realistic these characters fairly leaped off the page and into the room with me. While I’ve never broken a bone, I could easily empathize with Ingrid. Not only the loss of her mobility but the crushing loss of her father, her only parent, and her favorite companion. Thrust into a cold, unknown world, on a mission of mercy. Ingrid’s strength of character, her deep faith, and trust in God was a beautiful thing to behold. Micah too has had more than his fair share of heartbreak, he didn’t have a strong faith to fall back on, but he’s learning from Ingrid what it looks like to have strong faith. Even the delightful secondary characters bring charm and faith to this story.
Everything in this story blends so well. From start to finish this story is a delight to read! if you enjoy stories set on the western frontier in the 1800s, then I would encourage you to pick up a copy of this book to enjoy!
(I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I did enjoy reading it.
Misty Bellerophon has written an epic story of how far a man will go to deliver small pox vaccine to a village of people dying from the disease. When he finds a wagon wreck with one survivor., her leg and shoulder broken he rigs a traverse for her and the precious vaccine to take over the mountains. There is some romance but also a lot of heartbreak when they encounter a widow and her little boy to add to their entourage. A lot of near tragedy and near misses. I loved this book. It pulled me into the story. 5+ stars. I believe it’s the first in a series
It was a good story.
Once I started the book, I couldn’t put it down! Read the book in record time. I felt every emotion as though I were actually the characters ! Eager to read more of Beller’s books,. Awesome story delivered with inspiration and purity!
Beller has outdone herself with this one. A powerful story of love, hope, and sacrifice. Her characters are richly drawn and not stereotypical. The story has great pacing. Believable, realistic story. Every time I sat down to read it with a time limit, I didn’t want to stop! Great book!
A beautiful tale of God taking terrible circumstances and bringing His children back into close relationship with him! Bringing His blessings and hope for a bright future!
Well written and thought provoking
Loved this one! Eagerly anticipating the second book in the series.
Characters that you really become invested in lead you on a quest with interesting turns and twists.
Usually it doesn’t take me long to finish a book, but this one I read slowly and to really enjoy and get to know the characters and what they were experiencing. The story was not like most I read either, but was a joy to read. If you are wanting to read something that is not just original and inspirational, this is a great one.
Another winner from Misty M. Beller.
Easy to read.