Joy on This Mountain

A Prairie Heritage #3

by Vikki Kestell

The little town of Corinth, Colorado, lies in the gateway to the majestic Rocky Mountains just west of Denver . . . just far enough from the city to avoid close scrutiny, but close enough to be accessible. Few know of the wickedness hidden in the small town, so picturesquely set in the foothills of the mighty mountains.

The legacy of Jan and Rose has far-reaching and unexpected consequences.

Genres: Christian, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Ebooks, Western Historical Romance, Prostitution, Historical

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 2013

About the author

Vikki Kestell’s passion for people and their stories is evident in her readers’ affection for her characters and unusual plotlines. Two often repeated sentiments are, "I feel like I know these people," and "I'm right there, in the book, experiencing what her characters experience."

Vikki holds a PhD in organizational learning and instructional technologies. She left a career of twenty-plus years in government, academia, and corporate life to pursue writing full time. "Writing is the best job ever," she admits.

Also an accomplished speaker and teacher, Vikki and her husband, Conrad Smith, make their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Want to be notified of new book releases? Sign up for Vikki's newsletter on her website, http://www.vikkikestell.com/, or connect with her on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/TheWritingOfV..., or follow her on BookBub, https://www.bookbub.com/authors/vikki..., or right here on Goodreads.

Reviews

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second time reading this book. This time it was harder to read than six years ago. The rough topic of slave prostitution is hard for me to take in. Thankfully the outcome was Christ-driven.

Link to first review

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is the best of the series so far! I'm in awe.

This book is a gospel sermon, an evangelistic discourse wrapped around a wonderful story. I cannot emphasize enough how God is honored, looked for in all things, how His Son's story of sacrifice, love and redemption are all graced on the pages of Joy on This Mountain.

Set in the magestic mountains of Colorado in 1908, Joy has been called to help in a ministry, the depths of which she could never have imagined. What seemed like a simple occasional rescue of young girls out of a prostitution ring, whenever one might show up, turns out to be a dangerous even deadly undertaking.

The most wealthy and powerful man in this little town has been thwarted by Joy's ministry. Some of his money-making girls have disappeared, and he will not let this go. Threats and break-ins to find them prove fruitless against this feisty woman of God who believes with all her heart that if God has called her to face this path, she will face it with God's confidence and guidance behind her.

Supporting her are Pinkertons, as well as a few wealthy women who have taken up her cause, her cousin the attorney, two armed guards, and even a fearful sheriff. The scrappy young women she's saved love her and will give their all to help all the broken and mistreated young girls who find their way to their mountain retreat.

But looking right into several faces of evil and suffering great loss does not deter Joy, nor those who are on her side, few though they may be.

And the ending. Wow!

What a powerful story. I'm so glad I continued reading this wonderful series.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was definitely my least favorite book in the Prairie Heritage series.
The story was too rushed at the beginning, but then it improved. Then I reached the end. Ugh. The book suddenly turned into a soap opera and then abruptly ended. The first two chapters of the next book were included, and the next book picks up the day after this book ends. I have a strong hatred for writers splitting books like that.

[Eileen Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

great series

I just can’t stop reading these books this series is simply amazing . This story has a lot more violence and heart break than the other books but it is a wonderful story

[Gin Tadvick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good flow until the end. Liked the story line.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book and ending, hope that she writes another one!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject matter wasn't something I really thought I'd want to read about. By the author did a good job of showing how God is in everyone's life and good can come of evil. Joy's character was something to admire. She had backbone and guts to leave Nebraska and start Corinth Lodge and stand up to the men who were harming all those young girls. The ending was the best - Joy had the facts to put the bad men away in jail and her lost husband was found. God is good and I enjoyed the Christian references made throughout the book.

[Jolene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this harder to get in to after the other ones in the series (I read this as part of a 3-book box set on kindle). BUT by about 60% I was hooked and read it at every spare moment. It saddens me to know this sort of thing happens (sex trafficking) still today, in such large numbers, we cannot even imagine.
I am already planning on buying the rest of the series (another 5 books! Yay!) ☺️❤️😁👏
Having only recently discovered Vikki Kestell, I am very much already a big fan.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Vikki Kestell is fast becoming a favourite author! The storylines are so gripping and not as easily predictable. I am loving the colourful characters that are added to each book, adding layers and enriching the story. And when you think the story has reached it's conclusion - NOPE - there comes another direction and it keeps it going. Vikki doesn't shy away from difficult topics and addresses them sensitively and with compassion.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest!!

[Paula White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved this story but it is hard to read in places. Tough subject matter such as human trafficking is involved. The other note is that the book leaves you hanging in a sense as it continues to the next one. If you can handle those things, the story is interesting, full of scripture and powerful.

[Sandra Bensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose and Jan's daughter Joy as her life begins she thinks things are great in her world only to find tragedy strikes more than once. Rose finds her path back to God and new adventure arise for her. What a great book, it started out different than Vikki Kestell's first two did, but WOW what a middle and ending. Got to find books 4-9 now.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Musings

Another excellent addition to this series. I !loved reuniting with past characters from the first two books. Job's character is compelling and she grew on me since I didn't immediately bond with her. The women hiding in the lodge were great. I enjoyed the ending and was glad the romantic couple found their happy ending. Happy reading!

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was disappointed that it didn't immediately continue the story of Rose and Jan,. at times the story was dragging on, but in the end it was highly suspenseful and I didn't see coming, the surprise at the end.

[Roy Vestal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

I found this to be interesting and very different from anything else I've read lately. The twists and turns in the plot make for a different storyline then normal.
I highly recommend this book.

[Jackalyn]

Well written; good story line. This is not my usual light / fluff reading, but rather digs into some serious and evil subjects. Nonetheless, it was a good read and I will continue reading this series.

[Marg · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh I love this series. the story keeps moving and is interesting. love all the characters and the focus on family this series brings. On to the next one.

[Teresa Marine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written.

[Bruce Dinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burn me out?

Another wonderful story in this series as some characters come together and some die (no spoilers here). But through it all, the spiritual journey is most important.

[Pam McCallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not at all like the first two in the series, and I didn't enjoy it. It's more intrigue and crime, and kind of a thriller. Not what I was expecting, and so very disappointed by it.

[Patricia]

Least favorite of the series because the subject matter is enslaved women in the sex trade.

[Donna Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A religious and beautifully written novel

[Lidia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Couldn’t put it down until the wonderful conclusion!

[Jody Bjarnason · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

BACK OF THE BOOK BLURB
(from Amazon.com)
Joy on This Mountain is the blazing sequel to the breakthrough historical novel, A Rose Blooms Twice. The year is 1908. The little town of Corinth, Colorado, lies in the gateway to the majestic Rocky Mountains just west of Denver . . . just far enough from the city to avoid close scrutiny, but close enough to be accessible. Few know of the wickedness hidden in the small town, so picturesquely set in the foothills of the mighty mountains.

Joy on This Mountain follows Jan and Rose's Thoresen's daughter, Joy, as she travels to Denver and onto Corinth, uncovering a wicked travesty and risking all to rescue those trapped in its snares. The legacy of Jan and Rose has far-reaching and unexpected consequences.


MY REVIEW
What a wonderful book this was, not only did I get to enjoy more about the Thoresen's family, mainly Joy, but Vikki also brought in the Pinkerton Agency. I have read books with the Pinkerton Agency before and really enjoyed them, by combining the two I could not put this book down. Yes, I had to finish it quickly as I 'needed' to find out what would happen and could Joy do what she set out to do. This was SOOOOO much better for me than the second book, I am looking forward to reading the fourth book in the series, The Captive Within. I would highly recommend this book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different-very different

I absolutely loved the first two books in this series. I can't say the same for this one, the third one. It took me a while ago get into the storyline. I loved the story about Rose and her trials. This book has very little about Rose but instead is focused on her daughter Joy. The last third of the book was good and moved fast. I was already a little disappointed and have decided to read something else rather than continue on with the series. Maybe in a few months I will come by to it. I like this author.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and recomend it to any historical romance novel reader.

[Melissa Ortiz]

Great read! This whole series is a must read for anyone who needs to be reminded that God is a Redeemer.