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Mountain Dreams #1
The Lady and the Mountain Man
Leah Townsend, a recently orphaned heiress, flees Richmond after uncovering her fiancé’s plot to kill her after their wedding. Through God’s leading, she finds herself accepting a newspaper marriage proposal from a God-fearing young rancher in the Montana Territory. But when Leah arrives at the mountain ranch, she learns her intended husband was killed by a grizzly, leaving behind a bitter older brother and a spunky younger sister.
Gideon Bryant has lost too many people to the wild elements of these mountains—his parents, his wife, and now his brother. His love for this untamed country will never die, but he’s determined not to open his heart to another person, especially this beautiful Easterner who shows up on their doorstep.
But when an accident forces Leah to stay at the ranch for several months, can Gideon guard himself from a love he doesn’t want? Will Leah find God’s true direction for her life?
Gideon Bryant has lost too many people to the wild elements of these mountains—his parents, his wife, and now his brother. His love for this untamed country will never die, but he’s determined not to open his heart to another person, especially this beautiful Easterner who shows up on their doorstep.
But when an accident forces Leah to stay at the ranch for several months, can Gideon guard himself from a love he doesn’t want? Will Leah find God’s true direction for her life?
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2014
3122 people are currently reading
2511 people want to read
About the author
Misty M. Beller
108 books2,274 followersMisty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love. For a limited time, you can get a free bestselling novel here: https://mistymbeller.com/freebook
Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.
Learn more at www.MistyMBeller.com.
Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.
Learn more at www.MistyMBeller.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 593 reviews
April 9, 2017
Pleasantly surprised by this Kindle freebie! The quality of writing matches the other books I read, no complaints there. I enjoyed the story, the characters, and especially the setting. I've already re-read my favorite parts :) Planning to buy the e-books of the rest of the series!
March 29, 2019
The Lady and the Mountain Man (2014, Misty M. Beller Books, Inc.), first in the Mountain Dreams series by Misty M. Beller, is a standalone Christian historical romance set mostly in 1874 Montana. I picked up this novel for free because it's in a genre I love, and the reviews were very high. Regardless, since it's an independently published book, I went into it somewhat skeptically. I needn't have worried, as I loved it! My husband occasionally listens to Audible versions of my books, and he liked this one. He rated it 5 stars, apart from the narration.
4 1/2 stars
The Heroine
Leah Townsend's railroad magnate father has recently passed away, leaving her two things: first, a very large inheritance to be received in trust the following year on Leah's twenty-third birthday, and second, a marriage contract between Leah and Simon Talbert, a politically powerful and wealthy business associate of her father, which commits her to be married in six days.
One evening, Leah inadvertently overhears Simon speaking to his business partner in a quiet room away from the dinner party they're attending. He expresses his intent to murder Leah once they are married and he is sure of being in possession of her fortune. Simon walks out at the wrong moment and realizes she has overheard him, subsequently threatens her, and she just doesn't see a way out of the situation. After going home, she bares all to her dearest friend and companion Emily, and God guides Leah to flee immediately. She ends up travelling from Richmond, Virginia to Washington D.C., St. Louis, Missouri, and eventually, the wilds of Montana.
The Hero
Gideon Bryant was widowed two years previously. He has finally left Montana and taken the long trip required to finish settling his wife's affairs. Leah and Gideon briefly meet each other near St. Louis. He seems somewhat intrigued by her, but "the last thing he needed was to get involved with another city woman." His first wife was a city girl and she didn't deal well with being in the wilderness. Of course, Leah and Gideon will encounter each other again later in her travels. They have to! :-)
What I liked:
*Leah's travel sequence is really fascinating, involving many forms of transportation and assistance from a variety of people.
*The characters and the setting are extremely well done.
*I really like how Leah seeks God's will throughout this story.
*A favorite quote: "God gave me an awful lot o' forgiveness, then softened me up so's I could learn how to pass it on."
*As an indie book, I am impressed by the lack of errors. The only problem I found in the entire 300+ page book was several homophone errors.
What I didn’t like:
*My husband noted that the narrator had trouble pronouncing some words correctly. He found the mispronunciation of "betrothed" to be pretty distracting. I did see one reviewer who rated the book 5 stars while giving the narrator two stars. Technically speaking, this was my husband's dislike, not mine!
*I do agree with some other reviewers who said that there were multiple implausible circumstances in the story. However, the events were plausible enough for me to be satisfied.
*Some reviewers noticed, and I concur, that the woman on the cover has black hair, and Leah is supposed to have honey colored hair. The cover is beautiful, however.
***********************************************
I highly recommend this book to fans of historical Christian romances. I will definitely continue to read this series. Book two, The Lady and the Mountain Doctor , is on my to-read list.
4 1/2 stars
The Heroine
Leah Townsend's railroad magnate father has recently passed away, leaving her two things: first, a very large inheritance to be received in trust the following year on Leah's twenty-third birthday, and second, a marriage contract between Leah and Simon Talbert, a politically powerful and wealthy business associate of her father, which commits her to be married in six days.
One evening, Leah inadvertently overhears Simon speaking to his business partner in a quiet room away from the dinner party they're attending. He expresses his intent to murder Leah once they are married and he is sure of being in possession of her fortune. Simon walks out at the wrong moment and realizes she has overheard him, subsequently threatens her, and she just doesn't see a way out of the situation. After going home, she bares all to her dearest friend and companion Emily, and God guides Leah to flee immediately. She ends up travelling from Richmond, Virginia to Washington D.C., St. Louis, Missouri, and eventually, the wilds of Montana.
The Hero
Gideon Bryant was widowed two years previously. He has finally left Montana and taken the long trip required to finish settling his wife's affairs. Leah and Gideon briefly meet each other near St. Louis. He seems somewhat intrigued by her, but "the last thing he needed was to get involved with another city woman." His first wife was a city girl and she didn't deal well with being in the wilderness. Of course, Leah and Gideon will encounter each other again later in her travels. They have to! :-)
What I liked:
*Leah's travel sequence is really fascinating, involving many forms of transportation and assistance from a variety of people.
*The characters and the setting are extremely well done.
*I really like how Leah seeks God's will throughout this story.
*A favorite quote: "God gave me an awful lot o' forgiveness, then softened me up so's I could learn how to pass it on."
*As an indie book, I am impressed by the lack of errors. The only problem I found in the entire 300+ page book was several homophone errors.
What I didn’t like:
*My husband noted that the narrator had trouble pronouncing some words correctly. He found the mispronunciation of "betrothed" to be pretty distracting. I did see one reviewer who rated the book 5 stars while giving the narrator two stars. Technically speaking, this was my husband's dislike, not mine!
*I do agree with some other reviewers who said that there were multiple implausible circumstances in the story. However, the events were plausible enough for me to be satisfied.
*Some reviewers noticed, and I concur, that the woman on the cover has black hair, and Leah is supposed to have honey colored hair. The cover is beautiful, however.
***********************************************
I highly recommend this book to fans of historical Christian romances. I will definitely continue to read this series. Book two, The Lady and the Mountain Doctor , is on my to-read list.
December 29, 2015
The Lady and the Mountain Man by Misty M. Beller may very well be one of my all-time favorite books! I’m a sucker for historical fiction and when it is written well, as this one is, with a sweet romance AND it’s CLEAN, well you’ve got yourself a winning story. Leah Townsend flees her home when she learns that her betrothed plans to kill her on her wedding night in order to secure her inheritance. Needing somewhere to hide that he cannot find her, she answers an ad for a bride in the Montana territory. There’s only one problem: her groom is dead, leaving behind his brother and baby sister to tend the ranch.
Leah is a wonderful character! She is strong, independent, and full of faith. Throughout her entire journey, she prays for guidance and direction, which is how she lands on Gideon Bryant’s doorstep. She trusts that even with the surly rancher there is a reason God placed her there and she is determined to find out what that is. She’s kind, caring, willing to learn. She isn’t the spoiled brat you’d think she’d be, being the heiress to an oil company. Instead no matter what she faces, she faces it head on. Her betrothed wants to kill her? Ok she runs. Her hopeful groom is dead? Ok what can she do to help his surviving family on the ranch. Breaks a leg? Ok, what can she do from her bed to help. THAT my friends is the kind of attitude you want in your main character. She wasn’t whiny, didn’t have the poor me attitude, NO. She was great!
And Gideon….I may be in love! The author was smart in her writing, alternating POV between Leah and Gideon. Gideon is surly, grieving, and doesn’t have much use for God. He can be hateful and caring all at the same time. When you get this from Leah’s perspective, you see a man that is hurting and lashing out. When you read it from Gideon’s POV, you’re heart will break for him. He’s so lost in his grief. As the synopsis says, he’s lost everyone he’s ever cared for except: his parents, his wife, now his brother. The one thing that keeps him going is his baby sister. She needs him. So he works the ranch from daylight to dark to provide for her.
This story is as much about the romance as it is about finding your way back to God. It’s a story about faith and lost faith and everything in between. Leah shows up in Gideon’s life at a time when he has lost his way and she is the shining light that brings him back. Honestly I was moved to tears more than once reading their story. Yes it has romance, heart-breaking as it may be, but it is a love story about how one person can save another, not through romance, but kindness and caring when it is missing.
Overall I loved this story! I didn’t want it to ever end. Leah and Gideon are both such amazing characters and reading how much they change throughout the course of the book is nothing short of beautiful. Besides these two, there is Gideon’s baby sister Miriam who is the bright spot in both their daily lives. If you are looking for a good, clean romance, set in the 1870s with Christian influence throughout, I highly suggest you grab this one. I’ve recently purchased the entire series and have no doubt that I will love them just as much as this one!
Leah is a wonderful character! She is strong, independent, and full of faith. Throughout her entire journey, she prays for guidance and direction, which is how she lands on Gideon Bryant’s doorstep. She trusts that even with the surly rancher there is a reason God placed her there and she is determined to find out what that is. She’s kind, caring, willing to learn. She isn’t the spoiled brat you’d think she’d be, being the heiress to an oil company. Instead no matter what she faces, she faces it head on. Her betrothed wants to kill her? Ok she runs. Her hopeful groom is dead? Ok what can she do to help his surviving family on the ranch. Breaks a leg? Ok, what can she do from her bed to help. THAT my friends is the kind of attitude you want in your main character. She wasn’t whiny, didn’t have the poor me attitude, NO. She was great!
And Gideon….I may be in love! The author was smart in her writing, alternating POV between Leah and Gideon. Gideon is surly, grieving, and doesn’t have much use for God. He can be hateful and caring all at the same time. When you get this from Leah’s perspective, you see a man that is hurting and lashing out. When you read it from Gideon’s POV, you’re heart will break for him. He’s so lost in his grief. As the synopsis says, he’s lost everyone he’s ever cared for except: his parents, his wife, now his brother. The one thing that keeps him going is his baby sister. She needs him. So he works the ranch from daylight to dark to provide for her.
This story is as much about the romance as it is about finding your way back to God. It’s a story about faith and lost faith and everything in between. Leah shows up in Gideon’s life at a time when he has lost his way and she is the shining light that brings him back. Honestly I was moved to tears more than once reading their story. Yes it has romance, heart-breaking as it may be, but it is a love story about how one person can save another, not through romance, but kindness and caring when it is missing.
Overall I loved this story! I didn’t want it to ever end. Leah and Gideon are both such amazing characters and reading how much they change throughout the course of the book is nothing short of beautiful. Besides these two, there is Gideon’s baby sister Miriam who is the bright spot in both their daily lives. If you are looking for a good, clean romance, set in the 1870s with Christian influence throughout, I highly suggest you grab this one. I’ve recently purchased the entire series and have no doubt that I will love them just as much as this one!
June 11, 2019
I knew nothing about this book when I started reading it as it was in a collection I had. It starts out very dramatically with a lady overhearing her fiancé talk about killing her after she’s gotten her inheritance. She runs away like any sane person would do and ends up in Montana, as a mail order bride.
But that’s not all the drama. Broken leg. Yep. Broken ribs? Yep. Other injuries? Yep. Guy has to take care of injured girl? Yep. Girl have to take care of injured guy? Yep. Blood and stuff? Yep. But not too much.
Oh, and the romance. Yes, there is that too. He has to carry her and she fits perfectly in his arms. (What are they puzzle pieces?) They kiss pretty passionately, but he can’t marry her. Nope. She didn’t come to marry him. And she can’t stay there. She has to find work. She has only stayed at the guy's house for a few months. But guy’s sister is living in the house, so things are proper. I guess?
But of course danger lurks and girl isn’t very smart. Not to worry. This story ends happily ever after.
Seriously though, I liked some of the story, but other parts just bugged me. Some of it felt more modern, but then you’d get something that fit the time better. And I really wanted to know how in the world the girl managed to evade the bad guy’s brother without locking him in his hotel room. I mean he shows up, she knows he’s there looking for her, but he’s never mentioned again and she goes on her way like he was never there. Huh?
And what happened to the weather? It was winter, but at the end of the book it doesn’t even sound like it’s winter in the mountains.
Anyway, I won’t be reading this again, and I don’t recommend it.
But that’s not all the drama. Broken leg. Yep. Broken ribs? Yep. Other injuries? Yep. Guy has to take care of injured girl? Yep. Girl have to take care of injured guy? Yep. Blood and stuff? Yep. But not too much.
Oh, and the romance. Yes, there is that too. He has to carry her and she fits perfectly in his arms. (What are they puzzle pieces?) They kiss pretty passionately, but he can’t marry her. Nope. She didn’t come to marry him. And she can’t stay there. She has to find work. She has only stayed at the guy's house for a few months. But guy’s sister is living in the house, so things are proper. I guess?
But of course danger lurks and girl isn’t very smart. Not to worry. This story ends happily ever after.
Seriously though, I liked some of the story, but other parts just bugged me. Some of it felt more modern, but then you’d get something that fit the time better. And I really wanted to know how in the world the girl managed to evade the bad guy’s brother without locking him in his hotel room. I mean he shows up, she knows he’s there looking for her, but he’s never mentioned again and she goes on her way like he was never there. Huh?
And what happened to the weather? It was winter, but at the end of the book it doesn’t even sound like it’s winter in the mountains.
Anyway, I won’t be reading this again, and I don’t recommend it.
December 23, 2014
Wow! What a wonderful story this is. I count myself extremely blessed to have won a copy of this book recently. I thoroughly enjoyed it from the start to the finish and I am now looking forward to reading future books from this author. What a great debut novel.
The Lady and the Mountain Man has everything I want in a book. There is danger and a heroine who learns that she is stronger than she ever knew. I really liked Leah Townsend. Not only is she a godly woman, but she tries to make the best of every situation she is in, and is just a truly kind person. I loved watching her learn how to cook and survive on the ranch up in Montana Territory. But the really exciting thing was that she actually thrived and fit right in.
The hero of the story, Gideon Bryant, is also one of my favorite types of heroes. He is strong and is fairly silent at first, making Leah question what he is thinking. But, we all soon realize that he has suffered a lot of loss in his life. He blames God for what has happened and is reluctant to open his heart up to love, because he fears it will lead to more loss. The reader gets many glimpses of his caring nature throughout the story and also has the opportunity to watch him attempt to rein in his emotions about Leah.
There is great chemistry between these two. I loved it! There was just the right amount of tension to keep me excited about the possible future they could have together. Like I said above, this book really has it all. Gideon’s sister, Miriam, is a great character and a wonderful bond develops between the two women. I loved their friendship. These characters are hard to say goodbye to. I am happy to see that this is the first in the Mountain Dreams Series and look forward to future books.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
The Lady and the Mountain Man has everything I want in a book. There is danger and a heroine who learns that she is stronger than she ever knew. I really liked Leah Townsend. Not only is she a godly woman, but she tries to make the best of every situation she is in, and is just a truly kind person. I loved watching her learn how to cook and survive on the ranch up in Montana Territory. But the really exciting thing was that she actually thrived and fit right in.
The hero of the story, Gideon Bryant, is also one of my favorite types of heroes. He is strong and is fairly silent at first, making Leah question what he is thinking. But, we all soon realize that he has suffered a lot of loss in his life. He blames God for what has happened and is reluctant to open his heart up to love, because he fears it will lead to more loss. The reader gets many glimpses of his caring nature throughout the story and also has the opportunity to watch him attempt to rein in his emotions about Leah.
There is great chemistry between these two. I loved it! There was just the right amount of tension to keep me excited about the possible future they could have together. Like I said above, this book really has it all. Gideon’s sister, Miriam, is a great character and a wonderful bond develops between the two women. I loved their friendship. These characters are hard to say goodbye to. I am happy to see that this is the first in the Mountain Dreams Series and look forward to future books.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
July 5, 2023
1874 Montana
Leah Townsend flees Richmond, Virginia after the death of her father and learning that her fiance has ill intent toward her. While unplanned, she ends up on a small ranch in Montana. Loved Leah's willingness to adapt and learn new skills.
Leah Townsend flees Richmond, Virginia after the death of her father and learning that her fiance has ill intent toward her. While unplanned, she ends up on a small ranch in Montana. Loved Leah's willingness to adapt and learn new skills.
January 25, 2016
Leah's father set up a marriage for her as a good business match. Leah overhears her intended plotting to kill her once he gets her fortune. The rest of the story is her escaping him and people he sends to find her.
She ends up going someplace he'd never expect her to go, to the outskirts of some small mountain community on a remote ranch to become a bride. Problem is, the man she intends to marry is dead and only his older brother and little sister are there, and even though the brother (Gideon) is a widower, he has no intention of marrying some city girl. But she breaks her leg and months of recuperation mean she has to stay there and learn ranch ways.
It's not a bad story, and the writing is good. Rich lady trying to fit in on a ranch learns to cook, clean, milk cows, herd cows... pretty amazing stuff. Unbelievable for sure, but it was done well, so I liked it anyway.
By the way, I both read this book, and listened to the Audible version of this book. This in one Audible I DON'T recommend. This narrator did not do a good job. Simple words like hearth were pronounced incorrectly; her voice inflections were all wrong; and her character voices were awful. I would recommend you only "read" this book.
She ends up going someplace he'd never expect her to go, to the outskirts of some small mountain community on a remote ranch to become a bride. Problem is, the man she intends to marry is dead and only his older brother and little sister are there, and even though the brother (Gideon) is a widower, he has no intention of marrying some city girl. But she breaks her leg and months of recuperation mean she has to stay there and learn ranch ways.
It's not a bad story, and the writing is good. Rich lady trying to fit in on a ranch learns to cook, clean, milk cows, herd cows... pretty amazing stuff. Unbelievable for sure, but it was done well, so I liked it anyway.
By the way, I both read this book, and listened to the Audible version of this book. This in one Audible I DON'T recommend. This narrator did not do a good job. Simple words like hearth were pronounced incorrectly; her voice inflections were all wrong; and her character voices were awful. I would recommend you only "read" this book.
August 20, 2024
This was an enjoyable historical western romance. It started immediately with a villainous threat on the main characters life and I was quickly invested. The book has good faith content. The relationship between Leah and Miriam & the character of Old Mose made the story. The setting of Montana sounded beautiful and I enjoyed the day to day of life on their ranch.
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October 19, 2025
*3.5 stars rounded down*
Rtc!
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May 31, 2017
I've never read a book that is about a mail order bride before. The reason I read this book is because I received it free after signing up for a bunch of author newsletters (like 50 at once) from a giveaway a couple weeks ago. I was still figuring I wouldn't read the book except for the fact that the blurb said she was running away from a man who wanted to kill her after she married him. *That* isn't the kind of book I generally read either, but for some reason it caught my attention this time.
As it turns out I'm glad I gave the book a try. There was romance, but I would say that it didn't come in until pretty far into the book, so that was a huge plus. The main focus of a lot of the book seemed to be more about the friendship between the main character and a girl who she ended up working with. (Which is putting it vaguely.) That friendship was well written and I really enjoyed it! It made me like the characters and even feel like I could relate to them.
The mystery part was interesting too, and it kept me wondering what was going to happen next. It was never creepy, so there was a good balance there.
Overall there were quite a few cliches, and multiple moments that I was like "Really?" Because it wasn't a very strong plot point. Plus, the main guy felt pretty overdone to me, but overall I liked it a lot more than I had expected to.
As it turns out I'm glad I gave the book a try. There was romance, but I would say that it didn't come in until pretty far into the book, so that was a huge plus. The main focus of a lot of the book seemed to be more about the friendship between the main character and a girl who she ended up working with. (Which is putting it vaguely.) That friendship was well written and I really enjoyed it! It made me like the characters and even feel like I could relate to them.
The mystery part was interesting too, and it kept me wondering what was going to happen next. It was never creepy, so there was a good balance there.
Overall there were quite a few cliches, and multiple moments that I was like "Really?" Because it wasn't a very strong plot point. Plus, the main guy felt pretty overdone to me, but overall I liked it a lot more than I had expected to.
June 30, 2020
4.5 stars
Any time I pick up a book by Misty M. Beller, I know I will not be able to put it down until I’m finished. Such was the case again with The Lady and the Mountain Man. It held my attention from the very beginning and kept my heart in my throat for much of the story.
The Montana mountain wilderness in which Leah finds herself is stunning both in its beauty and its harshness. Yet in spite of the ever-present dangers in these untamed mountains, they still provide a safer haven than what she left behind. I loved that juxtaposition and I loved watching Leah adapt to her new environment. What an admirable heroine! To go from a life of leisure to one of hard work and relative austerity … and maintain her sweet spirit amid it all … wanting to help in spite of her injuries… that is a sign of true strength and great character.
And I can’t neglect Gideon. Swoony, rugged, good-hearted but gruff in grief (yes I’m proud of all those g’s I worked in haha) mountain man Gideon. He’s been through a lot of loss. More than should be one person’s share in so short a time, and he’s understandably wary of Leah and her background. Doesn’t want to get attached because, of course, she’ll leave somehow like everyone else has. Yet, in spite of himself he starts to fall in love and I adored getting his perspective too, not only for his changing feelings toward Leah but also for the shift in his relationship with God. Both Leah and Gideon have journeys, whether literal or spiritual, that will transform them during this story – and watching those transformations is truly touching.
Bottom Line: The Lady and the Mountain Man by Misty M. Beller is a fabulous read from beginning to end, as I’ve come to expect from this author. She excels at setting the scene in the rugged Montana mountains, taking you on the same rigorous journeys as her characters, albeit safely from the comfort of your fave reading spot. Gideon, Leah, and Gideon’s little sister Miriam are vividly drawn and multi-layered, and I haven’t even touched on Ol’ Mose yet!! (Hint: he’s my favorite character across the series… in very similar ways as Charley from Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor lol) The faith thread is never overpowering but remains an ever-present part of these characters and their life in the wilderness, and it elevates the story beyond ‘simply’ a romance. Highly recommended!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I purchased for my own collection.)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
Any time I pick up a book by Misty M. Beller, I know I will not be able to put it down until I’m finished. Such was the case again with The Lady and the Mountain Man. It held my attention from the very beginning and kept my heart in my throat for much of the story.
The Montana mountain wilderness in which Leah finds herself is stunning both in its beauty and its harshness. Yet in spite of the ever-present dangers in these untamed mountains, they still provide a safer haven than what she left behind. I loved that juxtaposition and I loved watching Leah adapt to her new environment. What an admirable heroine! To go from a life of leisure to one of hard work and relative austerity … and maintain her sweet spirit amid it all … wanting to help in spite of her injuries… that is a sign of true strength and great character.
And I can’t neglect Gideon. Swoony, rugged, good-hearted but gruff in grief (yes I’m proud of all those g’s I worked in haha) mountain man Gideon. He’s been through a lot of loss. More than should be one person’s share in so short a time, and he’s understandably wary of Leah and her background. Doesn’t want to get attached because, of course, she’ll leave somehow like everyone else has. Yet, in spite of himself he starts to fall in love and I adored getting his perspective too, not only for his changing feelings toward Leah but also for the shift in his relationship with God. Both Leah and Gideon have journeys, whether literal or spiritual, that will transform them during this story – and watching those transformations is truly touching.
Bottom Line: The Lady and the Mountain Man by Misty M. Beller is a fabulous read from beginning to end, as I’ve come to expect from this author. She excels at setting the scene in the rugged Montana mountains, taking you on the same rigorous journeys as her characters, albeit safely from the comfort of your fave reading spot. Gideon, Leah, and Gideon’s little sister Miriam are vividly drawn and multi-layered, and I haven’t even touched on Ol’ Mose yet!! (Hint: he’s my favorite character across the series… in very similar ways as Charley from Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor lol) The faith thread is never overpowering but remains an ever-present part of these characters and their life in the wilderness, and it elevates the story beyond ‘simply’ a romance. Highly recommended!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I purchased for my own collection.)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
September 21, 2021
I really enjoyed this historical romance adventure! I don't read a lot of Christian fiction but this was right up my alley and I'm so glad I came across it on Amazon. I didn't find it to be too heavy handed of a religious voice (which can often feel like messaging if done wrong) and the focus was on Leah's coming into her own, developing her own strength and resilience. And the slow burn romance between her and Gideon was lovely. I've already downloaded the next in the series!
May 11, 2017
Wow, I just loved this book the whole way through! The characters were very well-developed, and the reason for Leah to respond to the ad was quite believable, as well as her strong, but not perfect, faith. I also liked the fact that the main characters had Bible names. The descriptions of the characters, scenery, and other things were quite endearing and interesting, which slightly surprised me. There are some suggestive scenes in the book, such as attempted rape, a kidnapping, (and the kidnappers desired rape) and the anticipation of what the married couple would do. However, it was all handled tactfully. Nothing was even said, just hinted at it. At first, I was thinking the ending was going on too long. (Not that I cared- I didn't want to stop reading about them!) But then, as they wrapped up all the loose ends, (and I mean all) I realized that it was the perfect length.
September 24, 2014
Love this story! Leah's adventure from the moment she flees her fiance will keep you turning the pages of this story. You'll smile, you'll sigh, and you may even cry.
Nothing is easy in the rugged time and setting of this story. Leah arrives to a shock and has a lot to learn from the moment she arrives. She makes friends with the people and learns to appreciate the land, and along the way she falls for a grieving man who will barely say two words to her.
I enjoyed Leah's strength and determination as the story moved along, and at the end of the book, I felt like I'd made a friend.
I encourage you to take a chance on The Lady and the Mountain Man. You won't be disappointed.
Nothing is easy in the rugged time and setting of this story. Leah arrives to a shock and has a lot to learn from the moment she arrives. She makes friends with the people and learns to appreciate the land, and along the way she falls for a grieving man who will barely say two words to her.
I enjoyed Leah's strength and determination as the story moved along, and at the end of the book, I felt like I'd made a friend.
I encourage you to take a chance on The Lady and the Mountain Man. You won't be disappointed.
October 24, 2014
If you enjoy historical fiction, ranch life, and romance, this sweet story will warm your heart! Enjoy!
November 12, 2015
A nice story of survival but a bit too much religion for me.
June 10, 2020
I have been a fan of Misty Beller's books for a couple of years now but I've missed reading her older books so was happy to be able to read this one that started off her Mountain Dreams series. With her trademark flair for breath-taking landscape descriptions and poignant moments of salvation and commitment to God, the author brings to life a tough but rewarding life in the mountains of Montana Territory in 1874 between a fleeing privileged woman from the East and a weary rancher struggling for survival. The plot has plenty of heart-jarring events from accidents, tangles with wildlife, and pursuit from men with evil intent but also has wonderfully tender and heart-warming scenes as Leah becomes an integral part of Gideon and Miriam's lives.
Leah is a wealthy heiress who is fleeing from an evil fiance. She is tenacious, hard-working, gracious, tender, and loving. She endears herself to Gideon and Miriam, brother and sister duo who have suffered much loss and tragedy. Gideon is steadfast, loyal, and faithful but also haunted by so many losses in his past. Their friendship is lovely and their romance incredibly sweet. Ol' Mose is a delightful character who speaks the truth without mincing words and provides fount of wisdom. I hope to see him again in the subsequent books in this series,
Those who enjoy historical romance will surely 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.
Leah is a wealthy heiress who is fleeing from an evil fiance. She is tenacious, hard-working, gracious, tender, and loving. She endears herself to Gideon and Miriam, brother and sister duo who have suffered much loss and tragedy. Gideon is steadfast, loyal, and faithful but also haunted by so many losses in his past. Their friendship is lovely and their romance incredibly sweet. Ol' Mose is a delightful character who speaks the truth without mincing words and provides fount of wisdom. I hope to see him again in the subsequent books in this series,
Those who enjoy historical romance will surely 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.
June 12, 2020
Though I’ve been a fan of Misty Beller’s writing for the last couple of years, I have not read her older books and I was thrilled to be able to read this book that started her Mountain Dreams series. With her trademark flair for breath-taking landscape descriptions and poignant moments of salvation and commitment to God, the author paints a tough but rewarding life in the mountains of Montana Territory in 1874 between a privileged woman from the East and a weary cattle rancher. There are plenty of heart-jarring events as they battle accidents, tangle with wildlife, and dodge pursuit from evil men. There are also tender and heart-warming developments as Leah becomes an integral part of the Bryant family.
Leah is a wealthy heiress fleeing from an evil fiancé. Though she’s always been privileged, she’s eager to work hard, help out as much as possible, and shows her tenacious side as well as her tender and compassionate side. Gideon has seen much tragedy and feels trapped by his past though he stands loyal, steadfast, and strong through the turmoils. His younger sister Miriam is great fun and Ol’ Mose is a fount of wisdom. I hope to see more of Ol’ Mose in the series.
If you enjoy historical romance, you will definitely enjoy this book. I received a copy of the book from the publisher and author via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Leah is a wealthy heiress fleeing from an evil fiancé. Though she’s always been privileged, she’s eager to work hard, help out as much as possible, and shows her tenacious side as well as her tender and compassionate side. Gideon has seen much tragedy and feels trapped by his past though he stands loyal, steadfast, and strong through the turmoils. His younger sister Miriam is great fun and Ol’ Mose is a fount of wisdom. I hope to see more of Ol’ Mose in the series.
If you enjoy historical romance, you will definitely enjoy this book. I received a copy of the book from the publisher and author via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
July 1, 2024
Likable characters, sweet developing romance, well woven religious themes and character development, and a believable plot line, are all features that make this Historical Western Christian Romance (set in Montana) a really good read. This appears to be the first in a long series with interrelated characters, so if this is one of your preferred genres this would be a great author and book to dive into. Sadly this is not really my preferred genre but I enjoyed the book and author enough to consider reading more of this series sometime in the future.
November 2, 2017
This was a really good, can't-put-it-down kind of book! Quite a lot happens in a short space of time, but it made the story all the more adventurous and enjoyable. I liked reading about how Leah adapted to ranch life after living a life of luxury and her attempts to bring Gideon out of his silent shell. Gideon, Leah and Miriam felt like old friends by the time the book finished and I'm looking forward to reading the next one! 4.5 stars.
July 10, 2024
This was good for what it is: historical Christian romance with a little suspense thrown in. I liked the characters and the world building a lot. Well-written and enjoyable, if not earth-shattering. Finished it quickly, and happily grabbed the next book in the series.
Read
August 9, 2024i only listened to this bc it was immediately available at my library… felt like off-brand francine rivers but coulda been worse
September 17, 2022
A simple, clean, and sweet read.
September 13, 2021
2.5 to 3 stars
The store line was sweet and the characters likable. But everything else was so hard to believe. The plot was just thrown in and the bad guy was a complete idiot and everything wrapped upped nicely into a cute bow.
The store line was sweet and the characters likable. But everything else was so hard to believe. The plot was just thrown in and the bad guy was a complete idiot and everything wrapped upped nicely into a cute bow.
February 4, 2018
This is my first book by Beller. It was a sweet little romance with quite a bit of intrigue. I really liked the idea of the plot, which is what drew me to the book in the first place. Girl running from a murderous fiance ends up in the glorious wild mountains? Yes please! Add the green-eyed, broken mountain man and his spunky younger sister and I figured I could at least stick around to see what I thought.
I loved the scenery, first of all. The author writes the setting very convincingly. I didn't feel jerked out of time by anything and I love 1800 stories. Both the time and place were well-written, in my opinion. The characters were fun and had some realistic struggles, which I appreciated. They were stereotypically gorgeous, which is fun for fluff, but can get kind of old for some people. I didn't mind it too much, except for the unnecessary repetition of "honey-colored tresses" and slightly excessive description of muscular builds...oh! And I did find it slightly off-putting, if not momentarily confusing, that all three of the MCs had green eyes. There was a spot or two where I wondered if the author had mixed up the characters with the descriptions of the eye color, but eventually I just shrugged and slid past it. Though the book had more cliche moments than I would like (I did have to roll my eyes a few times), it was sweet and certainly could have been a lot worse. There were a few fairly predictable plot points, but I never had a "I'm tired of this" moment or wished things had gone differently. The story was well-paced, I thought, and I did enjoy the read. I do plan to read the next book cause Miriam, y'all!
Clean romance, mild violence, no language. Christian fiction.
I loved the scenery, first of all. The author writes the setting very convincingly. I didn't feel jerked out of time by anything and I love 1800 stories. Both the time and place were well-written, in my opinion. The characters were fun and had some realistic struggles, which I appreciated. They were stereotypically gorgeous, which is fun for fluff, but can get kind of old for some people. I didn't mind it too much, except for the unnecessary repetition of "honey-colored tresses" and slightly excessive description of muscular builds...oh! And I did find it slightly off-putting, if not momentarily confusing, that all three of the MCs had green eyes. There was a spot or two where I wondered if the author had mixed up the characters with the descriptions of the eye color, but eventually I just shrugged and slid past it. Though the book had more cliche moments than I would like (I did have to roll my eyes a few times), it was sweet and certainly could have been a lot worse. There were a few fairly predictable plot points, but I never had a "I'm tired of this" moment or wished things had gone differently. The story was well-paced, I thought, and I did enjoy the read. I do plan to read the next book cause Miriam, y'all!
Clean romance, mild violence, no language. Christian fiction.
October 9, 2022
This is a fun read. Think about a film which has one vivid adventure after another.
There is excitement and danger and humor and love. Lots of love.
Leah is a from an extremely wealthy family. After her father’s death, she finds that he promised her hand in marriage to another wealthy man. That man wants her in marriage and then he plans to kill her in order to inherit her wealth.
Leah escapes and after a train ride, a boat trip and a long ride in a wagon, she finds herself in a cabin in Montana. The cabin is owned by Gideon. He lives with his young sister Miriam.
Leah and Miriam become instant best friends. And there is a strong attraction between Leah and Gideon. There is another important character in the story, Old Mose. He drives a wagon and delivers things for people. He also is a strong reminder of how God works in everyone’s life. In short, Mose is the one who acts as a guardian angel.
This story is entertaining. The characters are well developed. We learn the thoughts of the characters. We begin to understand why they behave as they do.
The story has a Christian theme. It gives a warm and loving feeling about life and overcoming adversity. The only problem I had was Leah was simply too much at times. Every now and then too much sweetness made my teeth ache. But, that was a minor part of the story.
If a reader enjoys adventure, humor and affection this is a book to enjoy.
There is excitement and danger and humor and love. Lots of love.
Leah is a from an extremely wealthy family. After her father’s death, she finds that he promised her hand in marriage to another wealthy man. That man wants her in marriage and then he plans to kill her in order to inherit her wealth.
Leah escapes and after a train ride, a boat trip and a long ride in a wagon, she finds herself in a cabin in Montana. The cabin is owned by Gideon. He lives with his young sister Miriam.
Leah and Miriam become instant best friends. And there is a strong attraction between Leah and Gideon. There is another important character in the story, Old Mose. He drives a wagon and delivers things for people. He also is a strong reminder of how God works in everyone’s life. In short, Mose is the one who acts as a guardian angel.
This story is entertaining. The characters are well developed. We learn the thoughts of the characters. We begin to understand why they behave as they do.
The story has a Christian theme. It gives a warm and loving feeling about life and overcoming adversity. The only problem I had was Leah was simply too much at times. Every now and then too much sweetness made my teeth ache. But, that was a minor part of the story.
If a reader enjoys adventure, humor and affection this is a book to enjoy.
July 13, 2017
The Lady and the Mountain Main by Misty M. Beller
1860's She was to be married and then her father died. Her new to be husband she finds with another man discussing old details and she hears he wants to kill her like he did his last wife.
They are to be married and he will take over everything-she was to inherit the following February as her father's will stated. She takes off and with help ends up traveling by train to St. Louis where she sees advertisements for brides to head to the west.
She loses her purse, all her money and unless she finds a job she's stuck there and she knows Simon, her intended will be hunting her down. She travels with others and ends up in Butte, Montana but the man advertising for a bride is dead. She's left at his brother and sisters house for a few days.
Events occur that keep her there and I love the parts where she learns about taking care of people and the animals. Love the travel and how she even learns to cook. She's always thinking of others and Gideon is always doing things for others. After the health emergencies she heads to town to find a job to earn money.
Gideon stays in town til the next day waiting on supplies when he figures out Simon has hired hands there to kidnap her but he's too late.. God is present when he is called about to help them with troubling decisions and hope they are on the right paths. Love the herbs and how they are used.
Have had this book for a while and glad I finally read it. Other works in this series, are also highlighted at the end.
1860's She was to be married and then her father died. Her new to be husband she finds with another man discussing old details and she hears he wants to kill her like he did his last wife.
They are to be married and he will take over everything-she was to inherit the following February as her father's will stated. She takes off and with help ends up traveling by train to St. Louis where she sees advertisements for brides to head to the west.
She loses her purse, all her money and unless she finds a job she's stuck there and she knows Simon, her intended will be hunting her down. She travels with others and ends up in Butte, Montana but the man advertising for a bride is dead. She's left at his brother and sisters house for a few days.
Events occur that keep her there and I love the parts where she learns about taking care of people and the animals. Love the travel and how she even learns to cook. She's always thinking of others and Gideon is always doing things for others. After the health emergencies she heads to town to find a job to earn money.
Gideon stays in town til the next day waiting on supplies when he figures out Simon has hired hands there to kidnap her but he's too late.. God is present when he is called about to help them with troubling decisions and hope they are on the right paths. Love the herbs and how they are used.
Have had this book for a while and glad I finally read it. Other works in this series, are also highlighted at the end.
June 24, 2020
Commit your way to the Lord....Psalm 37:5a
March 1874 in Richmond, Virginia finds Leah Townsend in a dilemma. Her father has recently died, leaving her an orphan. Unfortunately his business concerns leave her a very wealthy young lady, unfortunate because her current fiancé is much less ideal than he likes to portray. Fearing for her safety, after much prayer and Bible study, she leaves for places unknown, leaving her future in the hands of the Lord.
This feisty young lady was a real treat to read about. I’m sure there were many like her as the west was slowly being settled. Her courage and fortitude showed very quickly that not only was she a city lady she could also be a country girl. The wonderful characters are well developed and I look forward to learning to know them better. Many new experiences brought Leah to the conclusion that danger was found in many places just as people with integrity were a bit like angels in disguise, put there to help her on her way. With such breathtaking detail, I could almost see the scenery, hear the cattle and feel the cold. With accidents and deaths, emotions run high and life changing decisions must be made. Is she open to the future God has planned for her?
This digital copy was received from CelebrateLit. These impressions and comments are my own and are in no way solicited.
March 1874 in Richmond, Virginia finds Leah Townsend in a dilemma. Her father has recently died, leaving her an orphan. Unfortunately his business concerns leave her a very wealthy young lady, unfortunate because her current fiancé is much less ideal than he likes to portray. Fearing for her safety, after much prayer and Bible study, she leaves for places unknown, leaving her future in the hands of the Lord.
This feisty young lady was a real treat to read about. I’m sure there were many like her as the west was slowly being settled. Her courage and fortitude showed very quickly that not only was she a city lady she could also be a country girl. The wonderful characters are well developed and I look forward to learning to know them better. Many new experiences brought Leah to the conclusion that danger was found in many places just as people with integrity were a bit like angels in disguise, put there to help her on her way. With such breathtaking detail, I could almost see the scenery, hear the cattle and feel the cold. With accidents and deaths, emotions run high and life changing decisions must be made. Is she open to the future God has planned for her?
This digital copy was received from CelebrateLit. These impressions and comments are my own and are in no way solicited.
June 30, 2020
I've been a fan of Misty Beller's for awhile now, and yet somehow have not read this book. How is that possible!? As expected, I loved the story! The characters, the setting, the sparks/romance - in true Beller fashion they totally rocked my world!
I'm not quite sure how Beller comes up with all her story lines, and then just expands on them in ways I don't expect but always adore. An heiress answering a mail-order bride ad so she can escape her betrothed who will most likely kill her!? You can already tell as a reader you are in for a wild ride. But what you don't expect is to meet a (future) sister-in-law whom you love, a hero that surprises you, and a heroine that many would write off as being dainty end up being strong and resilient.
Both Gideon (swoon) and Leah have journeys in this book that will leave you breathless. But perhaps what this reader enjoyed the most was seeing Gideon's growth. He had so much heartache from the past, and quite frankly anyone who had gone through the same would have put up the same walls around his heart. But little by little you not only see those walls coming down, but you see his demeanor change towards Leah and God. It was such a touching story.
All in all, as I would say for any book penned by Beller, this book is well worth your time. Highly recommend reading this beautiful historical novel - just be prepared to swoon over the rugged Gideon :) I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm not quite sure how Beller comes up with all her story lines, and then just expands on them in ways I don't expect but always adore. An heiress answering a mail-order bride ad so she can escape her betrothed who will most likely kill her!? You can already tell as a reader you are in for a wild ride. But what you don't expect is to meet a (future) sister-in-law whom you love, a hero that surprises you, and a heroine that many would write off as being dainty end up being strong and resilient.
Both Gideon (swoon) and Leah have journeys in this book that will leave you breathless. But perhaps what this reader enjoyed the most was seeing Gideon's growth. He had so much heartache from the past, and quite frankly anyone who had gone through the same would have put up the same walls around his heart. But little by little you not only see those walls coming down, but you see his demeanor change towards Leah and God. It was such a touching story.
All in all, as I would say for any book penned by Beller, this book is well worth your time. Highly recommend reading this beautiful historical novel - just be prepared to swoon over the rugged Gideon :) I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 19, 2019
I enjoy Misty Beller’s books and this title was no exception. Her character development was spot on. Leah shows a strong faith in God throughout the story. She also exhibits a very strong character - somewhat unusual for a woman of her background. Gideon has a lot of loss in his life - both of his parents, his wife, his brother who was also his partner - as a result he is full of bitterness. Gideon shows so much growth in this story as he learns (re-learns) to trust God in all things. Miriam in many aspects is just a little girl who has been forced to grow up too soon.
The storyline of The Lady and the Mountain Man includes many details of life in the late 19th century in the mountains of Montana - what it must have been like to live in desolation relying only on self for almost everything, to be hours from the closest town and even further from the closest doctor.
If you enjoy historical fiction set in the time of westward expansion, you will probably enjoy The Lady and the Mountain Man.
I would not hesitate to add The Lady and the Mountain Man to my K-12 Christian School library.
I own an e-copy of The Lady and the Mountain Man.
The storyline of The Lady and the Mountain Man includes many details of life in the late 19th century in the mountains of Montana - what it must have been like to live in desolation relying only on self for almost everything, to be hours from the closest town and even further from the closest doctor.
If you enjoy historical fiction set in the time of westward expansion, you will probably enjoy The Lady and the Mountain Man.
I would not hesitate to add The Lady and the Mountain Man to my K-12 Christian School library.
I own an e-copy of The Lady and the Mountain Man.
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