Whenever I pick up a book by Misty M. Beller, I immediately know I am going to love the characters and the worlds she builds, especially in her series. Courage in the Mountain Wilderness lived up to my expectations. As the mother of three sons followed by a daughter, I know how adventurous and fearless children can be. River Boy lives up to those expectations.

Otskai, River Boy’s mother and widow, attempts to take care of her son alone, but he shows no fear. Then Caleb and his friends provide help and support for her. I love the sense of camaraderie and faith, the characters in this series show. When they set off together to fulfill the request of Otskai’s uncle and chief of her tribe, they experience danger, adventure, and more. Because of Misty M Beller’s writing style, I recommend reading the books in order to experience the most from the series. So check out this series for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

Misty M. Beller adds another book to her Call of the Rockies series, and readers are given a fascinating tale involving the Rocky Mountains during the early 1800s. Beller has wonderful descriptive powers that enable readers to visualize both the beauty and the dangers associated with this untamed land. There is one terrifying event that swept me along and left me feeling exhausted, and several times when I doubted that a happy ending was possible.

This story centers around minister Caleb Jackson and a young Nez Perce widow with a two-year-old son. At first, Caleb only wants to share his love for God, but he soon feels an attachment for Otskai and her adorable little boy. Caleb's kind and gentle nature is a magnetic draw for both Otskai and River Boy, but she is determined to keep her hard-earned independence and ignore her awakening heart. Can Caleb overcome her doubts and fears, and win her trust? Will he succeed in convincing Otskai that his God loves her and her son as much as He loves everyone else?

If you enjoy historical fiction filled with adventure, danger, and a strong faith element, you will want to read Courage in the Mountain Wilderness. It is an exciting Christian romance!

I received an e-ARC of this book from the author, through Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was never required and these are my own thoughts. ( )

Misty Beller never fails to deliver an adventurous, romantic historical novel that takes readers on an uplifting journey through the mountains. One of the aspects of these stories that I most appreciate is the fact that they are not sensationalized; I personally prefer a more realistic approach, with some danger and excitement written in but not belabored. My experience with Beller’s writing so far has been thoroughly satisfying: a gratifying mixture of both the serenity of nature and its inherent peril.

“Courage in the Mountain Wilderness,” book four in the “Call of the Rockies” series, weaves together the stories of former minister Caleb Jackson and Nez Perce widow Otskai, who has her hands full keeping her spirited two-year-old son, River Boy, out of trouble. Reading this series in order is not required, but I do recommend it for a more enriching experience; the main characters are part of a diverse group that travels together to accomplish missions, which in this case is bringing home the Nez Perce chief’s strong-willed daughter, Otskai’s cousin. I enjoy how they work together and take care of each other despite their ethnic differences. As Caleb thinks to himself when considering Otskai, “How hard it must be to travel with people who always spoke a foreign tongue.” The effort that they make to effectively communicate and learn each other’s language points to mutual respect and how people of different backgrounds can come together. This is a lesson that never becomes outdated!

Furthermore, the element of faith that Beller infuses into “Courage in the Mountain Wilderness” stems from recognizing and acknowledging different backgrounds. It is a gentle reminder to keep our testimony simple and to make sure that we are speaking in the hearer’s language. This doesn’t always just refer to someone’s mother tongue, but also to their level of knowledge about Christianity. People who are unfamiliar with the Bible and with church may well be intimidated if we use religious terms rather than speaking less formally. Otskai finds herself drawn to God through her struggles after Adam, another member of the group, talks to her: “He put is so simply, laid out a picture that called to her in its simplicity. In the image Adam painted, she wouldn’t have to find her own way in life. She worked so hard. And she accomplished much, yet it never seemed enough. There was always more. Always something she failed at, like protecting her son. Could God forgive those failures, put those bad things behind her? Could he show her a better way? She wasn’t sure she could stand putting her life under the control of another man who would be scrutinizing her every move. Expecting perfection. Was that what God would require?”

Overcoming trauma also plays a large role in this heartwarming story. Due to being orphaned at a young age, Otskai has fears that are put to the test along the mountain trek. She also fears failure as a mother and as an overall tribe member as she strives to keep her energetic son safe while doing daily chores. Likewise, Caleb is determined to minister to those in need on an individual level. As situations arise, both have to examine their own hearts to decide what freedom means to them, and to find their “Courage in the Mountain Wilderness.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. ( )

Courage in the Mountain Wilderness is the fourth book in the Call of the Rockies series by Misty M. Beller. I have read every book in the series, and this one may be my favorite. (But that’s hard to commit to because I love each story!) This is Caleb and Otskai story as the regular gang (Beaver Tail, Susanna, Joel, Elan, Adam, Meksem, and French) go in search of Otskai’s cousin as a way for Joel to earn Meksem’s tomahawk back from the Nez Perce chief.
Like all of Misty M. Beller’s books, this story takes you through breath-taking mountain country while following the characters on their quest. I always enjoy the landscapes in her books, and how realistic she makes them for the readers. In this book, the rivers and waterfalls play important roles in the story, and I could definitely hear the roaring of the water as I read her words.
Caleb was always a bit quiet in the other books, but always solid, reliable, and godly in his manner. So, I was delighted to get to know him better in this story. His big physical size is proportional to his heart. It amazed me how he could see people through Jesus’ eyes and would step in to help them or pray for them. It was inspiring. I wish we could have gotten a little more information about his backstory, but I can’t complain. I loved his story.
Otskai and her son, River Boy were an excellent addition to the original traveling party. I could totally relate to her wanting a few moments to herself while feeling guilty about not taking care of her son every minute. (A mom’s life!) But it was heartwarming to see everyone in the party step up to help with River Boy--it really does take a village sometimes. And the scenes between Caleb and River Boy were too cute--all the sighs and warm fuzzies.
Overall, I loved Caleb and Otskai’s story. Their slow, tentative romance was perfect for Caleb’s personality and only highlighted what an amazing man he is. Fans of Christian historical fiction, like Tracie Peterson, would enjoy this story. But start at the beginning! You won’t want to miss a single installment of this epic journey!
I was given a copy of this book by Celebrate Lit with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )

What I like about this author is how she writes stories that allow readers to feel like they are right there in the midst of what is going on. Her descriptive words help me see the terrain and the characters with ease. I have loved this series and how each character leaves a part of themselves in my heart. I have grown to love their adventures and an excited to see where Caleb and Otskia journey takes them.

What I like about Otskai is how much she loves her child. Her fierce protectiveness sometimes overshadows the child’s ability to have fun but I totally get it. Yes I was and still am at times a helicopter mom. I tensed up when my three boys would tell me things they had done because I was sure they were going to be hurt. What I learned was that I didn’t trust God. Otskai is curious about this God that Caleb talks about and Caleb is hopeful that he can share God to her in a way she understands.

I loved the time period and the different cultures we are introduced to. The author has done a great job in researching to make this story realistic. I’m not sure how long I would last on a horse over the land they traveled. I held my breath as they came upon a river. This part is very tense and I was right there as the water started to take Otskai’s horse adrift. The trip sees our characters encounter bears, a mission to find someone and along the way learn to trust.

The action is good and I loved how Caleb was so gentle and kind with Otskai’s son. I loved his name and how mischievous he was at times. He is a happy child who does like to explore even though danger may be close by. The relationship between Caleb and Otskai is slow and allows us to understand their past. I loved how they spent time sharing their emotions and trusting each other with their inner struggles. It is a beautiful story that spans across the land as they overcome obstacles, face danger, survive hardships and discover unconditional love.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )