She’s desperate for a new life in the Canadian mountains…He’s the last person she should trust to get her there.After her husband’s death, Rachel Gray is finally free from the turmoil his addictions caused. She wants nothing more than a new life with her twelve-year-old son. If she can reach her brother in the wilderness of the Canadian territories, they’ll have help to start over in peace. She … have help to start over in peace. She knows better than to put her life in the hands of another man, but she never expected the Montana mountains to be so treacherous. When two brothers invite her to join their small group traveling to the same area, she refuses. After she and her son narrowly escape a bear attack, she’s forced to admit they need the safety of numbers in this untamed land. If the men prove dangerous, she can always leave with her son and strike out alone again.
Seth Grant has made some bad choices in his life, but God healed him from the addiction that mired him in his sins. Now, he’s determined to live the life God called him to, starting with a journey northward to see the Canadian mountain both his brother and sister have fallen in love with. When he discovers the woman and boy who plan to travel the same mountain trail, he can’t fathom why she refuses to join in the safety of their larger group. Though her decision seems unwise, he has no other choice but to pray God provides her protection.
Despite Rachel’s best efforts, she can’t seem to fight her attraction to the Seth—until a secret from his past proves he’s not at all the man she thought. When a new peril threatens her son’s life, she must choose between trusting in what she can control, or the man who her heart says is trustworthy, no matter his previous sins. The path she chooses just may determine whether she can step into the new life God has in store for them all.
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This Homeward Journey is a beautiful and adventurous addition to the Heart of the Mountains series, yet it is easily read as a stand alone novel, as well. This author does such a great job of creating characters that I cannot help but love and care for, faults and all.
I really enjoyed watching the two main characters, Rachel and Seth, get to know each other. Actually, I liked the entire traveling party, which included Rachel’s son, Andy, Seth’s brother, Samuel, and another companion, Elias. But it was Seth’s thoughtful insight regarding Rachel’s fears and hurts that endeared him to me. Seth worked hard to earn Rachel’s trust and it was obvious that he was a capable, trustworthy man who loved God. However, in his recent past, Seth battled some of the same addictions as Rachel’s late husband did.
This story does a great job of highlighting how addiction can grab hold of people and cause such harm to the one who is addicted, as well as the people around them. It also highlights the importance of leaning on God and learning to trust Him to help you overcome things that are stumbling blocks, be they fears or addictions, or anything else.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The author has written a great story set in the late 1860s with vivid descriptions that help readers feel like they are there with the characters. I loved reading about the mountains and how hard it was to travel during this time period. It would be hard to travel the unknown countryside but Rachel has decided to do just that with her son Andy.
I admired Rachel’s determination after getting out of an abusive marriage. She felt free for the first time, but her heart has hardened . It will take a lot to trust someone again. Her adventure starts out pretty well till she realizes she needs to have the security of others around her as she trudges along the terrain.
Seth is a changed man since he gave up drinking and other things that set him up to sin. He is trying to follow God and will have temptations along the way as he travels to see the Canadian mountains. I liked how the author brings Seth and Rachel together and the security she starts to feel as she travels with him . They encounter danger along the way that will test their faith and trust .
There is a point in the story that will change how Rachel feels about Seth. When he opens his heart to her and tells her of his past, will she be able to still trust him? I loved how the story is about forgiveness and judging others. We all have done something wrong in our life and the good news is that God forgives us. Rachel will have to look deep in herself to not let her past cloud her thoughts of Seth.
The ending is good and shows that when you forgive, you are set free of bitterness. Rachel must trust Seth if she has any hope of getting out of a dangerous situation. Seth is focused on what he must do and he turns to God for guidance. The road home for Rachel will find her asking God to forgive her for her anger and to help her learn to trust again. It’s an emotional journey for all as they seek God for the right direction home.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
What a wonderful book!! Once you start reading it, you can’t put it down.This is a clean christian book that weaves the importance of trusting and relying on God into the story. I highly recommend this book. I was given an ARC copy by the author and was not required to write a review. This is my honest opinion.
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Crossing the Montana mountains is treacherous and Rachel is going to travel it with her son and no guide. When she finds a trio traveling in the same direction she follows them and is soon joining them in the trip over the mountains. Indians, nasty traders and some handsome twin brothers make the journey an interesting one! Great descriptions and interesting characters made this another entertaining journey!
I’ve loved all of the Heart of the Mountains series and This Homeward Journey was excellent! Rachel is afraid to trust anyone after events in her past. She and her 12 year old son, Andy, are finding their way from Missouri to western Canada on their own in the 1800s. Strong, protective Silas is the kind of guy we all want to meet! But Rachel doesn’t trust him! The trip to Canada to find Rachel’s brother is rather eventful! You will enjoy this engaging story by Misty M. Beller. I received an advance e-book from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Rachel didn’t trust men and she especially didn’t trust men who drank and gambled. In fact, she didn’t trust men to not drink and gamble. Her past experiences had taught her that lesson well and good. So the widow took her son on a treacherous journey into the wilderness to find her brother and seek his protection. When she met up with Seth, Samuel, and Eilas and finds herself needing their help, she only reluctantly joins their party on the trek.
Seth has a past that was mired in addiction and vice. When he called out to God, he was delivered and determined to never go back to that way of life. Yet when Rachel heard of his past, would she ever trust him?
I liked the way that Rachel found the strength to do what she needed to simply because she needed to. As their journey took them to perilous heights, despite her terror of them, she endured wordlessly. No complaints. It wasn’t that she was strong, she was simply determined.
I appreciate the way that this journey was unlike those in the previous books of the series. As they traveled through the mountains in the summer, it was a different set of dangers they faced. There were some details about the fur trade that were included which I found quite interesting. I enjoyed learning about how the skins can be preserved – I really had no idea that was an option.
There was a point in the story where the motivations didn’t make sense to me, how the villain knew about Rachel and Andy to even plot what he did, or why the things that happened as a result did. Nevertheless, it was easy enough to shrug that off and just go with the story – it was still quite enjoyable.
As with the other books in the series, this one stands alone even though Seth’s brother and sister who have already been introduced do appear in it.
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I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
This Homeward Journey is a fabulous addition to Misty Beller’s Heart of the Mountains series. I instantly felt a connection to Rachel right from the beginning. I loved it when she meets up with Seth. They both had so much to overcome. I enjoyed watching them both grow. I had to keep reading to find out how it would all end for them.
I give This Homeward Journey 5+ stars. I highly recommend this book.
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
This Homeward Journey
Rachel is going through the mountains to get to Canada to find her brother. Her son Luke is with her. At twelve he is old enough to help out but still needs his mom. Rachel is determined to do things herself but has an offer for she won’t have to travel alone.
Seth, Samuel and Elias is also traveling the same way. They offer to team up with Rachel. As the back cover reads that she refuses but the changes her mind. The do have quite an adventure traveling. Very hard traveling by horseback through the mountains. I enjoyed reading about their adventures. Set in the year of 1866, I love reading this time period.
This is part of a series but each with their own adventure. I am definitely enjoying the series. Even though the book has close to 300 pages it is fast reading. Definitely kept my interest.
I received an complementary copy of the book from the author through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
This author has a gift of being able to weave a wonderful story around the harsh conditions of travel in the western United States and Canadian territories during the mid 1800s. I’ve read several of her other books and this one is as good as the others I have read.
Rachel Gray is a widow traveling with her 12 year old son, Andy. Miraculously, she has managed to make it from Missouri to Montana unharmed and now she is looking for help in getting to Canada to find her brother. She doesn’t trust anyone, especially men, so she goes out of her way to steer clear and stay away from people.
Seth Grant and his twin brother, Samuel, are heading to the Canadian territories to find their older brother and sister and their families. While on their travels, they meet Rachel and offer their help and protection, which she flatly refuses. But, when Rachel realizes the reality of the dangerous position she and Andy are in, she relents and joins up with Seth, Samuel and their trapper friend, Elias.
This story weaves a wonderful story of harsh conditions, dangers, tragedy, and fear. In addition, there is a beautiful story of the rebuilding of trust that happens. Trust in others and trust in God.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my review.
It’s 1866 and folks are still heading west to find their future in a land less populated. Rachel and Andy, her son, are no different, or are they…? With memories that would put most people into a state of perpetual anxiety, Rachel heads for her brother’s place somewhere in Canada requiring her to travel through the mountains. With a huge dose of strength and basically no trust, they set out. Burns, rattlesnakes and kidnapping are only a few of the situations they are confronted with. Is it even possible they will find their way safely?
I received this incredible story through CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.
Such a beautiful book! The characters were so likable. I especially liked Rachel and how strong and determined she was. This story gave me chills and had me wanting to cry for Rachel and all she endured. The author did such a wonderful job of making the reader feel the emotions of Rachel and Seth. The message of faith and trust in God was such a heartwarming message, it will definitely give the reader encouragement. This is one story you won’t want to miss! I’m hoping for the next book soon, I can’t wait!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
This Homeward Journey is the fifth book in the Heart of the Mountains series by Misty M. Beller and it is a good read. It is a beautiful and captivating story of unexpected love, the importance of learning to trust one’s heart again. The writing style is graceful and flows smoothly as the author tells the story of a widow alone with her young son traveling through the Montana territory to the Canadian mountains during the mid-1860s to find her brother and hopefully make a new life. (When I read stories of travel, especially over mountains and areas fraught with dangers, I am amazed at how people survived and thrived–makes me wonder how I would respond and if I could be as brave.) The further she goes into this new life ahead, buried dreams seem to come alive. Will Rachel dare to follow them? And what about Seth, a man who may not be dangerous but he sure causes a ruckus with her emotions. Can she trust him? Will she be able to give him her heart? Strong and riveting characters are likable and readers are drawn quickly into their and their stories. And they each definitely have a past story that is driving life in the present. The author has infused the story with lots of nail-biting action–marauding bears, menacing rattlesnakes, and malicious kidnappers all keep the pages turning. Realistic situations and wonderfully descriptive scenes all work together for a delightful story and threaded throughout the book is a faith in God–the God who guides us in the right way and who alone can fix situations that we are not able to fix. I really enjoyed this book and am looking 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.
This book was a little of everything! Wonderful writing, as always with her books. Romantic, funny at times, and suspense-totally spellbinding. I did not want to put it down even to sleep.
My heart was warmed from reading this book. This Homeward Journey is book 5 in the Heart of the Mountain series. Each book has been a stand alone but they all tie together through family. This is Rachel and Seth’s story.
Rachel and her son Andy have traveled from Missouri headed to the Canadian Rockies to find her brother and seek a peace she has never known. Rachel has endured much pain her entire life and she has lost all trust and faith in mankind. She hopes to get into the wilderness and raise her son away from strangers. While they have traveled for months on their own when they finally get to the mountain range they are in need of being with a group heading the same direction. Can she trust these men that sought her out to help her?
Seth and Samuel Grant are headed to the Canadian Rockies to join their brother Simeon and sister Noel who have been living there with their families for a while now. The twins left their southern home and went west to California seeking gold like so many but found sin and heartache. Seth, with God’s help has given up his vices and is seeking a better life in the Rockies. When the brothers encounter Rachel and her son they feel they must help them to their destination as well.
God has a way of putting people in our paths that we are supposed to meet and Rachel and Seth were definitely supposed to come together. This book shows us what God’s love and trust can do when a person has lost both. Seth earns Rachels trust and love as they make their journey north.
I received an early copy to read and review. I really enjoyed this book, loved how it showed the heartaches and hardships women faced and also brought love and trust back when Rachel thought all was lost. I highly recommend this book.
I enjoyed reading this book
This one really held my attention and I finished it in one day. Misty Beller is a good story teller and she has created some wonderful characters here. The emotions of the characters was well done and I felt as if I were there with them, feeling their own pain and joys. Bravo!
Anxious to travel by horse to Canada with her 12 year old son, Rachel sets out on her own to find her brother. She is leaving behind a late husband whose addictions caused anything but a happy life. No longer trusting she refuses to travel with some men who are going in the same path as she had planned. But things change as a close call with a bear, makes Rachel realize that there is safety in numbers.
I loved this book. Exciting from page one till the end. I have enjoyed the whole wonderful series by this author. You will not be able to put it down. I did find myself a bit frustrated with Rachel in refusing help so often. But that was the type of woman she was. The book shares a story of faith, trust and the importance on relying and trusting in God. Really loved how the story proceeded, the characters and that the author can really create a wonderful read. Highly recommended.
I received an ebook copy from the author. All thoughts are my own.