Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Rocky Mountain Revival #1

Rocky Mountain Redemption

Rate this book
She’s a debutante with broken dreams…He’s a preacher with an unsavory past…Both want to bury their secrets…

Charles Bailey’s life has done a complete turnaround. He may still be a logging crew foreman, and he may still have a past that would make a godly man weep, but he’s also a man with a changed heart and a mission to serve as pastor to a small logging community. If only walking the narrow path weren’t so difficult. The last thing he needs is the temptation of the vulnerable—and beautiful—new cook’s assistant. It’s clear she needs a friend, but anything more than that is completely off-limits…

Disgraced and grieving, Isabelle Franklin is packed off to work in a logging camp’s kitchen in the Rocky Mountains. Though feeding a crew of barbaric lumberjacks can’t be further from her life’s dream, she finds a small measure of solace in the beauty of the land. And in the unexpected kindness of the camp’s foreman, who’s broad shoulders and gentle eyes make her feel…almost safe. Is it too much to hope that her unspeakable past can stay buried?

But not even the great Rocky Mountains can hide a person’s secrets forever—not when God means to bring them to light. When all the gritty truth is laid bare, two hearts are forced to decide what they truly believe about God’s amazing grace.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2023

381 people are currently reading
104 people want to read

About the author

Lisa J. Flickinger

12 books27 followers
Lisa J. Flickinger, author of historical novels Fool’s Notion, Ella, and All That Glitters, lives and writes from the cliff of a river along the majestic Rocky Mountains. When not writing or reading, you will find her scouring antique shops or sipping a maple latte with friends and family. To learn more about her visit http://www.lisajflickinger.com or her Facebook author page Lisa J. Flickinger.




Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
231 (53%)
4 stars
127 (29%)
3 stars
60 (13%)
2 stars
10 (2%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...).
1,676 reviews581 followers
June 11, 2020
I usually love the setting of a lumber camp for a good romance, but sadly this one fell flat for me. It has a promising start with the characters, and Isabelle's hidden presence at the camp began the story with a sense of intrigue. The friendship between Preach and Isabelle doesn't have much time to develop before the angst and drama sets in and hijacks the plot. So much of the story involves the aftermath of Isabelle's rape and how she was unprepared to handle it, leading to poor decisions and bad blood between her and her family. Preach was also unprepared to handle the news of the "tainted" past of the girl he puts on a pedestal in his mind. He has a past himself full of carousing, so his quick judgement felt hypocritical, especially when he jumped to conclusions and didn't even consider there might be more to the story. I don't expect the characters to be without flaws, but it prevented me from trusting his sincerity for the rest of the book. The conflict of the story was propelled forward by assumptions, and by the middle of the book I didn't find it enjoyable to read.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Profile Image for Abigail.
Author 2 books205 followers
May 14, 2020
This was definitely an interesting read. I enjoyed it a lot. The characters were amazing especially Sofia, she was my favorite and I wish we got to see her more. The plot really intrigued me and honestly, I was satisfied with how it all ended. Though I must warn more sensitive readers that there are some more detailed things about rape and sexual desire, which honestly lowered a star for me because I felt like though the author had this being realistic, it was a little too much detail for my liking. Overall this was an enjoyable and quick read, that if the things mentioned above don't bother you, that I would recommend.

*I received this book from the author through Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.*
Profile Image for Ebosereme Nwamu.
634 reviews65 followers
April 17, 2020
Sweet, delicate Isabella was a very relatable character. I admired her quiet and gentle spirit despite the ills that happened to her. I loved the journey she went through for her and Preach realized that she was a new creature in Christ, beautiful inside and out. Aunt Lou was one funny character in the book but her heart was in a good place.

Sweet historical romance with beautiful themes of pain, endurance and second chances.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,887 reviews208 followers
May 8, 2020
Rocky Mountain Redemption was a quick read for me. I was interested in how things would work out for the main characters, however, I found myself frustrated with both Preach and Isabelle for most of the book.

I had trouble with Preach’s attitude toward Isabelle once he learned the truth of what happened in her past. I wanted him to be understanding and it took him a long time to get to that point. As for Isabelle, most of my frustration with her probably had to do with her naivete about what actually happened. I wanted her to realize that she was not to blame and actually stand up for herself with her family and others. However, her reaction was most likely accurate for the time period.

Overall, this was a book that kept me engaged in the story and hopeful for how things would work out. I do want to add a warning for those who are sensitive to sexual assault topics in books. While handled with discretion, this is a major topic in the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Carrie Schmidt.
Author 1 book514 followers
May 6, 2020
3.5 stars

Rocky Mountain Redemption is a sweet historical romance with a solid faith thread and a beautiful setting. The sights, sounds, and smells (good and bad lol) of a Rocky Mountain lumber camp come alive with Flickinger’s descriptions, and if you’re a mountain lover like me you may find yourself whispering ‘the mountains are calling and I must go’ under your breath (you know, so you don’t appear weird to others LOL).

Of the many different characters in Rocky Mountain Redemption, my favorite is Miss Sophie – an older woman who takes Isabelle under her wing and is perhaps the only person in the whole story who truly cares about her with no prejudice or misconceptions. Sophie is a much more layered character than she appears to be at first, and I’m so glad that Isabelle has her as a friend.

While I loved the setting and enjoyed the story overall, there are some inconsistencies in continuity, and I had a difficult time understanding the motivations/actions of several characters. Preach is one such character, and I just couldn’t get into his and Isabelle’s romance because of this. He falls in love with her basically at first sight and decides she’s the woman for him now that he’s a changed man…. until he finds out why she came to stay with her aunt. And then I wanted to jerk a knot in him for his reaction. He’s one of the first people to know the whole, traumatic story, and his self-centered response is pretty appalling. I understand what the author was trying to show in his character, but from that point on I had a difficult time believing his feelings for Isabelle were as strong as he claimed.

Bottom Line: Rocky Mountain Redemption puts readers right in the middle of a logging camp in the Rockies in the late 1800s. Breathe in the scents of pine trees & freshly cut timber, apple pies, and a fresh mountain stream… and just stand upwind of all the unwashed lumbermen haha. Isabelle is a sympathetic character, despite her naivete, and you’ll just want to hug her more than once. Readers may also want to be aware that the book does deal with traumatic events that may be painful for women to read, especially if they’ve experienced a similar assault. While there are some inconsistencies & confusing motivations, overall this is an enjoyable read with a sweet message of forgiveness and redemption.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
2,043 reviews
May 17, 2020
Living and working all day in a logging town was not something Isabelle Franklin thought she would be doing. She was a city girl whose dream was to marry a wonderful man. However, when she is hurt by her fiancé, her parents decide to send her packing off to her aunt until she bows to their wishes. Isabelle is actually thankful for the work, just so she can forget about her soul hurt and the shame and guilt she feels. All is not as it seems and little by little we get her story.

Charles Bailey who now goes by Preach by his logging crew has had his life changed. No more is he after his own selfish and sinful desires, but he now wants to be a missionary preacher to his men. When he comes across the lovely Isabelle, he believes his prayers for a wife may have just been answered.

When secrets come to light for both of them, preconceived ideas and self-righteous attitudes need to be put aside for the truth in the circumstances to prevail.

I will say that I especially felt for Isabelle as her circumstances were not good. She was carrying a lot on her shoulders and a lot of blame and shame of others that were not hers to bear. The author does a good job of bringing Isabelle full circle in her desperation and becoming the strong woman she needed to be.

I was provided a copy of this novel by the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...
Profile Image for Blessed & Bookish.
297 reviews28 followers
May 4, 2020
Rocky Mountain Redemption was an interesting read for many reasons. I enjoyed the setting of being nestled among the pines of the logging camp. The land’s beauty was well recorded in the story and made the perfect backdrop for Isabelle’s recovery.
I also thought all the characters were wonderful and well-developed--right down to the most obnoxious lumberjack. I loved the atmosphere/community of the bunkhouse and all the antics that happened there, but I also loved how Aunt Lou was the one really in charge. No one messes with the lady in charge of the next meal!
I really loved the inspirational themes of this book, especially forgiveness. I thought Preach’s journey was an important one as we often get stuck on what we think God is doing in our lives and forget to actually ask what He wants us to do. Preach’s maturing faith is a lesson for us all.
Isabelle is a bit of a mystery in the beginning, and wanting to know her full story kept me turning pages past my bedtime. Although she is melancholy most of the time, we see glimpses of her inner strength/spirit as she begins to recover herself while working at the logging camp and befriending Preach. I loved how she faced her fears and stood up for herself and her future.
Overall, I enjoyed Isabelle and Preach’s story. It is one with much past heartache, but one of future hope.
Fans of historical fiction/historical romance will enjoy this story.
I was given a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Janice Sisemore.
1,650 reviews16 followers
May 17, 2020
Rocky Mountain Redemption

Rocky Mountain Redemption is an historical book but we can still relate to it today. Forgiveness is for all time. Isabelle needed to forgive someone to be able to move forward in her life. Will she be able to?

Isabelle is sent to live in a lumber camp where her aunt works. It can be hard working in the kitchen there but good for her. She loves in the mountains though. I loved Isabelle character, she has a lot to get over. Throughout the book we are given bits and pieces of what happened to her.

Rocky Mountain Redemption is a very inspiring book. I recommend reading the book.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
Profile Image for Vicky Sluiter.
Author 1 book88 followers
May 5, 2020
This is the first book I’ve read by author Lisa Flickinger, and it’s a good one. Flickinger does a good job of describing the lumber camp and surrounding area. You’ll be able to smell the pine trees and hear the creek. It sounds beautiful. She also has written well-developed, imperfect characters whom you’ll come to love. Preach and Isabelle have much to overcome in their past, but their journey includes healing and forgiveness.

Flickinger tells a good story with good pacing. Isabelle’s story is painful and sometimes told a bit too descriptive for me, but it’s handled carefully and always with hope. Just be aware when reading that there is a difficult “female” situation.

All in all, I’d recommend this book if you enjoy historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Profile Image for Seon Ji (Dawn).
1,051 reviews275 followers
November 1, 2022
Well written. No loose ends. A bit hokey in the end with the "Bad guy's" telling of all his stealing and cheating of the townspeople to the hero.

Takes place in the late 1800's. The h was raped by her intended but everyone thought it was concentual. She was ruined. She wasn't going to marry the creep, even though her father was trying to force her to. So her father sends her to work with his sister in a kitchen for a logging company.

There she meets "Preach" a logger and former bad boy with a sinful past. Women, drinking etc.. until he found Jesus. He is still having tempting thoughts, not only about the h, but about other women. He doesn't act them though. He gives sermons to the local church and is on the straight and narrow path.

He falls in love with the h but the whole book is about she isn't someone who would make a good preachers wife, being spoiled and all. --This is where I get a little peeved.

Anyway in the end they get married.

Good conflict and kept my interest.

Content concerns:
Profile Image for Abigail Harris.
Author 51 books260 followers
May 22, 2020
Well, I've agreed with Abigail Harder over at https://bookslifeandchrist.wordpress...., though I'm unsure if I've agreed with her as much as I do at this moment.

Rocky Mountain Redemption is an interesting historical fiction that held my attention with the sweetness of the story. My one and only complaint is that it was far too detailed for my tastes, the flashbacks could, I felt, be done with less details of the rape that a character suffered and it would have still come across as well as the author wanted.

Aside from my dislike for the detail and disagreeing with it being done in a tasteful way I liked the book, the slight mystery was interesting, and the cover is cute.

I don't recommend this book for readers under 18 due to content and see it as a big trigger for people who have gone through similar things as the character in this story did.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Deana Dick.
3,087 reviews134 followers
May 7, 2020
I liked the setting of the story about a logging camp. The author describes the place well with a group of men working long hours and barely having time to rest between shifts. I could see off in the distance the bunk house they stayed out and how cramped they were living in close quarters.
The story takes on a sensitive subject that I felt was done in good taste. The author introduces us to Isabelle who is forced to work at the camp in secret. The story will give readers details of why Isabelle was sent to work alongside her Aunt Lou so I won’t expand on that part of the story. I want to talk about Preach. He accidentally runs into Isabelle and immediately he is attracted to her. For some reason that really bothered me. I didn’t like him through the majority of the story because he acted a bit superior to others at times. He persists in getting to know Isabelle and I found him to be too pushy and judgmental when it came to Isabelle.
Isabelle is young and felt tossed aside by her parents as she is forced to live at the logging camp hidden so no one knows she is there. The traumatic event she endured was unthinkable and made my blood boil. I don’t think her parents gave her any time to tell her side of the story before she was whisked away. The demand her father makes on her is hurtful and I wanted to hug Isabelle and tell her that God loves her. She keeps all these feelings bottled up and it begins to take a toll on her.
The story is good as far as how the author handled the attack on Isabelle. It is told in a way that readers can grasp what happened without too much detail. Preach has a past that is briefly explained but for me I didn’t feel like he was all that upset about how he use to be. Then to my dismay I realized that I had judged him and expected him to be brought in front of everyone to confess his sin. God had forgiven him so why was I still expecting him to confess to the world? We as the body of Christ at times think people should be publicly shamed in order for us to feel satisfied.
The book took a turn for me the more I read how the author used different people in the story to show different sins. Each character was pivotal to the story as their characters interacted and forgiveness was shown in God’s way. I loved the story more than I thought and was taught a good lesson on judging others.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Profile Image for Nyla Kay.
Author 1 book24 followers
May 8, 2020
Rocky Mountain Redemption is book one in author Lisa J. Flickinger’s Rocky Mountain Revival Series. This is a Christian Historical Romance novel set in an 1890’s logging camp. Readers should expect romance, adventure, intrigue, history with a Christian message woven throughout the pages.

This is the story of Isabelle Franklin. The book opens with her hidden at a logging camp helping her Aunt Lou cook meals for the loggers. Okay, I was hooked. Mountains, streams, lumberjacks, a mysterious girl hidden away, and cooking all make for a great story. Immediately I was invested in the story.

It also is the story of camp foreman, Charles Bailey, affectionately known as Preach. You can guess why. He has turned from his old, sinful ways and is a fledgling Christian. When he sees Isabelle, he is immediately taken with her.

The author has a great way of putting readers right in the middle of her story. I could almost smell the pines and hear the mountain stream. The details are vivid and not overdone.

The characters are well rounded and relatable. Some of the loggers were so quirky that I laughed out loud at times. Aunt Lou was a hoot, but the one I enjoyed most was Miss Sophie. Her character was multilayered and caring. The dialog flowed smoothly and sounded authentic for the most part.

I enjoyed the many timeless life lessons which were incorporated into the story. The author easily tackled redemption, second chances, starting over, gossiping, lust, forgiveness, and judgment along with a few others. The spiritual lessons of faith, hope, trust, and a deeper relationship with God are not hidden. There is plenty of material here for a nice group discussion.

There was mention of a character having Hand Foot Mouth and Disease, and I question the historic accuracy of that. In my ecopy I did not have any author notes so I do know if this was researched. I would have loved a better menu with more detail on what was being cooked, but that was not the author’s path for her book. There were no recipes or discussion questions in the back of the book.

I did enjoy the story. The HFM disease tainted the book a bit for me, but I would still recommend it. Any fan of Christian historical romance will enjoy the story and characters. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.
Profile Image for Phyllis.
1,288 reviews35 followers
May 5, 2020
A story of forgiveness and freedom

Isabelle's past was filled with shame, regret, and sorrow. Sadly, she carried guilt for a crime enacted upon her, not realizing that it didn't belong to her.

Preach was a new man. He had repented of his wild ways and turned his life over to the Lord. Though he still struggled with temptation, he was determined to follow the Lord and live a life pleasing to Him. Which wasn't easy, living in a crowded bunkhouse with a bunch of lumberjacks and listening to their talk!

Both characters were flawed. Preach had a bad habit of saying just the wrong thing. He left Isabelle confused and hurting at times. Isabelle was so wounded; she didn't know who she could really trust. They both learned about forgiveness and grace. And the power of the blood of Jesus to cleanse sins - making the sinner white as wool!

I enjoyed Preach's protective nature towards Isabelle. And the way that he saw her as one of the sparrows that God cares for. (Though I'm glad to know that our worth is actually more than many sparrows!)

While Rocky Mountain Redemption is a story of healing and grace with a strong spiritual message, it also has a mystery, the conclusion of which surprised me!

Author Lisa J. Flickinger handled a very sensitive subject with aplomb and grace. I was impressed with how she clearly communicated the ugly tale of what happened to Isabelle, without going into any details .

If you enjoy redemptive stories and historical fiction, Rocky Mountain Redemption would be a great addition to your library.

Read my full review at Among the Reads


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Life of Literature.
414 reviews24 followers
May 4, 2020
I really enjoyed reading about the picturesque Rocky Mountains and beautiful logging camp. It was easy to be transported to the scenic mountains with the light breeze whistling through the pine trees. The story flowed well and the plot initially intrigued me. However, I had a hard time connecting with the characters, especially Charles Bailey, better known among the loggers as “Preach,” as he was very hypocritical and I did not sense as much growth in him as I wanted. I liked Isabelle but I think the whole time I was reading I just wanted her to have a little more gumption, even though I recognize she had a terrible incident in her past. The exact circumstances of the incident that led to her depression were also a little confusing to me, and the other characters in the book seemed to know more about the incident than Isabelle did herself, despite the fact that it was supposed to be a secret. I felt like parts of the story were too inconsistent. I really wanted to like the romance, because I usually enjoy relationships that grow amid difficult circumstances, but I honestly just did not feel much of a true relationship between Charles and Isabelle. Their interactions were too full of misunderstandings to ever be believable to me. I will also warn readers that there are repeated references to rape, so this book may be better suited to more mature audiences. I really liked the side character, Miss Sophie, and appreciated that she seemed to be one of the only characters that actually cared for poor Isabelle! I think the book overall was good, but I tend to enjoy books that have stronger character developments. I am, however, looking forward to trying another book by this author because I think she writes creative books set in fascinating settings.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Kathleen Denly.
Author 15 books274 followers
May 6, 2020
Rocky Mountain Redemption is book one in Lisa J. Flickinger’s Rocky Mountain Refuge series. It has all the elements historical Christian romance readers look for: plenty of romance and adventure interwoven with a spiritual message. Well-written with engaging characters, vivid descriptions and a compelling plot, this story held my attention from the very beginning. The unusual setting of a logging camp in the Rocky Mountains was refreshing and Lisa does an excellent job of bring this fascinating part of history to life. The secondary characters were unique and interesting, providing plenty of laughs, groans, and the desire to toss them a bar of soap just before shoving them into the creek. 😉 Unfortunately, I was not a fan of the hero. Without going into spoilers, I will say that although I can see the character arc the author was going for, I wasn’t personally satisfied with the ultimate moment of change. I felt more repentance was due than what was given where it came to his treatment of the heroine. Perhaps I’m being too hard on the man. There are many other great qualities about him. He strives to serve the Lord and cares about his fellow man. Plus, I like that he honestly struggled to control his sinful tendencies. The heroine, on the other hand, was sweet and strong, with a tough past to overcome and a great balance of virtues and flaws. I was rooting for her to find her happy outcome and wanted to keep reading to see what became of her. Her evolving relationship with her family added depth and interest to the story, as well. All-in-all, I’m glad I read this story and look forward to the next book in the series. Although I did receive a free ARC of the digital version of this book, I was under no obligation to write a positive review.
Profile Image for Connie Saunders.
1,840 reviews158 followers
May 11, 2020
Rocky Mountain Redemption is a historical fiction novel that offers a glimpse of the hardships endured in a Rocky Mountain logging camp in 1898. From the beginning there is great uncertainty: we know that Isabelle Franklin is helping her Aunt Lou cook for the loggers but they don't know she's there. Why is she in hiding and why is her Aunt Lou so critical of her? Are her tremors, nausea, and headaches a physical ailment or are they the result of deep trauma? Why would her father send her to secretly work in a logging camp with this very stern and unlovable person?

Charles Bailey is considered the hero but I found myself questioning his hero status. "Preach"is now a Christian determined to share God's Word at the mining camp where he's the foreman and he finds himself falling in love with this beautiful young girl working at the camp. Their future seems certain until she confides a dark secret from her past. His shock and his doubts are apparent and Isabelle once again experiences deep pain caused by a man that she cares for. Yes, Charles Bailey may want to be a preacher but he hasn't yet learned that compassion and understanding are desirable and necessary qualities for a servant of God!

Author Lisa J. Flickinger vividly portrays Isabelle's anguish and the guilt that she believes is hers alone. Why would a decent man want someone like her? Rocky Mountain Redemption shows Preach's journey to finally earning that hero status and readers are reminded that everyone deserves forgiveness and redemption! If you enjoy historical fiction with a strong faith message, you will want to read this first book in the Rocky Mountain Revival series.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit but a favorable review was not required. These are my honest thoughts.
Profile Image for Janice Dick.
Author 24 books52 followers
April 22, 2020
Five stars for a new book in a new series from Lisa Flickinger.

Rocky Mountain Redemption is an inspirational historical romance that sparks interest in the reader by creating a plethora of questions early on.

Why has Isabelle Franklin been banished by her father to a lumber camp in the Rockies? Why is she so resistant to marrying her fiancé, Daniel? And how will she protect her heart from Charles Bailey, also known as Preach, when she can’t trust anyone?

Author Lisa Flickinger spins the tale, leaving clues and information along the way. Our hearts go out to Isabelle and to Preach as we become acquainted with them through the story. “What could happen that hadn’t already happened?” Location 676

Rocky Mountain Redemption achieves reader commitment by making us care about the characters, who are imperfect at best, and downright evil at worst. I also appreciate Sophie as a warm, comforting character to offset some of the more difficult personalities.

The setting is realistic enough for readers to smell the fresh air, to shiver in the cool mornings, to feel our toes numb in the icy stream, to comprehend the isolation of this rough but exquisite location.

A strong takeaway for me is the sense of justice and truth backgrounding the book, as well as a hint of hope.

A recommended read for any who love historical/inspirational/romance. Well-written.
Profile Image for Excel Andy.
170 reviews15 followers
May 1, 2020
Rocky Mountain Redemption by Lisa J.Flickinger is an intriguing look into the minds and hearts of the characters living in the Rocky Mountains. This book has 19 chapters and 171 pages in the Epub format.

I must confess,I love the book cover. I wanted to know the story of the girl on the book cover and I got more! This book did not disappoint my curiosity.

The writer is very descriptive. I could imagine along with the words on each pages. Throughout the time I spent reading this book,I travelled to the Rocky Mountains mentally without leaving my spot.

I love the meals prepared in the book. That part of the book called to me probably because I love cooking and baking. I was glad to see how descriptive and methodical the cooking processes were described.

There is a good amount of humour in the book especially among the men living in the bunkhouse. I enjoyed their hearty banters and teasing.

Some characters names were funny to me especially Preach and Snoop. I admire the fact that Preach took every matter no matter how big or small the size to God in prayer. He was described in the book in many ways and I was almost happy for Isabelle.

The writer is a good storyteller. This book is indeed a neat Christian fiction novel. The themes of love,forgiveness, redemption and kindness were well expressed in this book.

I love the happy ending.
Profile Image for Kendra Neal.
1,785 reviews47 followers
May 10, 2020
I really enjoy Christian Historical Fiction books. I was really hooked only a few pages into the book, like "don't bother me, I am deep into this book" focus!

Isabelle Franklin is one of the main character of the book. She decides to go to be with her Aunt in the Rocky Mountains, after she ends her Engagement to the man she was supposed to marry. She feels she needs new surroundings and new beginnings. Isabelle is settling in as assistant Camp Cook at the Loggers Camp and meets Charles Bailey aka "Preach". Isabelle and "Preach" begin forming a friendship and that soon leads to deeper feelings toward each other. Isabelle's past is revealed and they both wonder if the relationship can continue. How will Isabelle and "Preach" overcome the sensitive past for Isabelle?

I really enjoyed this book. It is Book 1 in a new series, Rocky Mountain Revival, by Lisa J. Flickinger. I really like the authors writing style. The book does contain a "sensitive topic", but it is handled in a wonderful way. The inspirational aspect of Forgiveness and Healing, allowing God to be the center of your life, is encouraging. I really LOVE the Rocky Mountain setting and the History in this story. GREAT BOOK! I highly recommend it!
1,889 reviews
May 13, 2020
What a rollercoaster of emotions this book took me on from the very beginning. I could tell Isabelle was hurting, and I was able to guess the cause of that hurt. But, I loved reading how she wound up finding herself and her voice in the logging camp. Sometimes hard work can be a good thing.

Preach, also known as Charles Bailey, provides guidance serving as the foreman of the logging camp while also serving in the capacity of the preacher for the local town. Yet he winds up learning some things from Isabelle.

In the background, a variety of characters both good and bad show up. Some characters I liked, while others I instantly disliked or grew to dislike. Truly, this story is one of family, friendship, love, faith, and second chances.

When people do not know the entire story, they can not react in the way we would like them to and such is the case between Isabelle and her parents. The end makes this story completely worth reading. In fact, I could not put the book down until I reached the satisfying conclusion provided by the author. What that conclusion is though, you will have to read the book to find out for yourself. So check this book out for yourself.

I received this book for my fair and honest review.
Profile Image for Kelly Tyree.
515 reviews11 followers
May 12, 2020
Rocky Mountain Redemption is a great book about having a new beginning. Isabelle Franklin gets sent to live with her aunt and work as her assistant in a logging camp. She is there secretly because the foreman does not allow unmarried women to live there. Isabelle was engaged but after her fiance raped her she took that shame on and let it make her think she was somewhat responsible for what happened to her. Isabelle did not tell her parents what her fiance had done and because they did not know, they insisted she marry her rapist.

Charles Bailey "Preach" is a new man. After living a life full of sin, he gave his life to the Lord and is now serving as a temporary preacher. When he meets Isabelle he is drawn to her immediately. When she confides in him about her past, he discounts her as a woman who could not serve as a preacher's wife. But the more he gets to know Isabelle, he learns she has exactly what it takes to be a preacher's wife. Isabelle confides in an older lady full of wisdom and she learns that what happened to her was not her fault.

I really enjoyed Rocky Mountain Redemption. It has such a great message that rings loud and clear throughout the book. I liked the characters and even laughed aloud a few times. It is a great book and I highly recommend it.
1,766 reviews33 followers
April 5, 2020
It took me a little while to get into this book but when I did, I couldn't put it down! The two characters were so flawed and real to me. Both of them had a past that they struggled with and they had to come to terms before they could move forward. Preach (a nickname) constantly worked on his temper and the demons of his past as he led the rag tag men of the lumber company as their foreman. There wasn't supposed to be any single women in camp but "Lou" the older woman who was the cook hid her niece, Isabelle, there as her assistant because of a past nightmare experience that Isabelle needed to recover from. When Isabelle accidentally meets Preach, things begin to happen. I adored all the secondary characters! I especially enjoyed learning about lumber camp life in the late 1800's! It was so interesting and made a perfect backdrop for this story! Preach and Isabelle's story is so up and down but in the end it was a beautiful triumph of the human spirit. I didn't want it to end!
Profile Image for Betti.
1,381 reviews36 followers
May 4, 2020
Set in the majestic Rocky Mountains, this story is one of innocence lost, pain and second chances. Young Isabelle finds herself as an assistant cook for a logging camp, after being dropped off in the middle of the night. Working with her Aunt Lou isn’t all bad, except she must not be seen by anyone else. So let your imagination go on how this story will continue...

I loved the various characters that became important in her world. Miss Sophie reminded me of the wonderful maiden aunt that has your back through everything. Preach is a man that has seen the seedier side of life and has realized that God is a God of second chances. Several other characters made me consider that strangulation might be justified. In all, a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

This digital copy was received through Wild Heart Books and CelebrateLit. The comments and impressions as my own and were in no way solicited.
1,007 reviews8 followers
May 6, 2020
Rocky Mountain Redemption by Lisa J Flickinger is an intriguing historical fiction story. the is the first book I have read by this author but found her style to be one that is easy and interesting. There is a slow build of the story which might not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, I found the description of the workings and days of the late 1800’s camp of lumberjacks a way to bring the story to vivid life. Then the many supporting characters there in the camp round out the story completely. Glimpses into the harshness and downright meanness of some but also the kindness that can be found within the pages of this story.

Besides being a romance story between Charles Bailey and Isabelle Franklin, it is also a story of healing, recovery, forgiveness, and finding the courage to continue on with God’s help and guidance. An inspiring read, but one warning it may be a trigger for some because of something that happened to Isabella before she came to work with her aunt.

The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
6,167 reviews
May 8, 2020
Rocky Mountain Redemption is the first installment from Lisa J Flickinger’s series, Rocky Mountain Revival. I do not know why this is the first book I have read by this author. I really enjoyed this historical and would love to see what she has written previously. This one was a sweet and inspiring read. I adored Isabelle right from the start. I love the bond she unexpectedly develops with Charles, also known as, Preach. I enjoyed going on a quick journey with the two. The author did a fabulous job describing the setting and what was going on that made feel as though I was right there.

I am giving Rocky Mountain Redemption a very well deserved five plus stars. I can not wait to get my hands on the next book in the Rocky Mountain Revival series when it releases. I recommend this one for readers who love to read heartwarming and inspiring historical romance.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Profile Image for Debbie.
2,565 reviews4 followers
May 16, 2020
I really liked "Rocky Mountain Redemption" by Lisa J. Flickinger. It deals with a subject that is really not pleasant but the book is definitely a clean read with no swearing or bedrooms scenes in detail.

I like that the preacher has a not so clean background because it shows that God can and does use anyone that allows Him to use them. I also appreciate that the preacher still shows that he is human and not perfect because he is a preacher.

I have a few questions about the fate of a few characters and hoping book 2 answers them.

This book clearly points out that just because we sometimes make a wrong choice, other's actions are their responsibilities and not our blame.

I really recommend this book, I think readers who don't usually like the Christian genre would enjoy this novel. Yes, it is Christian but they is only a short couple of pages that actually shares the gospel, by using Romans 8:23.

I received a contemporary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jennifer  J..
481 reviews56 followers
May 8, 2020
A very likable story, comfortably readable and highly satisfying. Filled with an array of interesting characters and plenty of plot turns and twists. Set in an 1898 Rocky Mountain logging camp, the drama is real, the emotions sometimes raw and the romance budding. This one contains some pleasant surprises and all in all, I recommend this one – enjoy!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.

Profile Image for Tracy Krauss.
Author 80 books100 followers
May 16, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book, often going back to it when I should be doing other things – always a good sign that a book is worth reading! I appreciated what seemed to be authentic descriptions of the lumber camp and surrounding area, which made it easy to picture it in my mind’s eye. It is a lovely romance about two people who aren’t perfect, something I like, and there was definitely a twist at the end which I didn’t see coming. Well done! The character’s and their choices seemed believable for the historical time period. The focus on the need for forgiveness and a strong redemptive theme were also well done. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy Christian historical romance, and will definitely read more by this author.
Profile Image for Ann.
2,648 reviews3 followers
April 5, 2020
This book is so good! It is well written and holds your attention. It has action, drama, suspense and romance. The author made the book come to life with her words, I could see the scenery and feel all the emotions. This is a book that you don't want to end but you just have to know what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.