This Wilderness Journey

This Wilderness Journey

Heart of the Mountains, Book 2

By: Misty M. Beller

Narrated by: Leonor A Woodworth

Series: Heart of the Mountains, Book 2

Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 04-20-18

This is a cute read I had to chuckle when Joseph went to pick up the minister cousin and found out he was a she. I had a blast picturing in my mind the look on his face. Joseph has spent his life helping others giving so much of his self. He had an accident that the author gives such vivid details I felt a chill go up my spine. My mind just doesn’t wrap around what that must have been like, not knowing if you would live, deciding if you should cut off a body part. He lost his faith in God that day and just hasn’t been able to find it. This is a very emotional and spiritual read that really touched my heart. Monti words keep going through my mind be the man God made you to be not what you think you should be. No truer words have been written. It’s a story about looking past your disabilities or the ones you think you have learning to accept who you are, knowing you are no less of a person no matter what you have been though. The story is built around lost in so many ways, to finding yourself, there is danger, excitement, romance, and so much more.

Ms. Woodworth’s narration with her soft sweet voice really brought this story to life. She made me feel each lose, sorrow and pain. Her character voices are outstanding her female so soft but strong, her male strong but weak, both caring and loving. You can hear the pain, sorrow, anger, hurt along with excitement, danger and thrills. I had no trouble picturing the events as they unfold. This was one audio she held me in the palm of her hand with true emotion that each character was going through. I was so invested I forgot I was listening and found things to do around the house to listen longer. Her tones are right on the mark keeping the listener on the edge as danger gets near. It was a thrilling, exciting listen. The danger is real, I felt like I was there with the characters. There are no volume changes, no background noise or any repeating of words. If any breaks were taken I could not tell. I had no trouble knowing who is talking and what they are feeling. Her character voices are just great as well as her normal voice is very pleasant and easy to listen to. You can feel the uneasiness of the characters as they work through the emotions of loss, facing the outcome and the heart break of the past. Ms. Woodworth’s has no trouble pulling of this very emotional listen that captivates you and holds your attention.

So far out of this series this one is my favorite. I think the author out did herself giving a very powerful message along with a very detailed story that kept me very entertained. There was a time or two when I think my heart stopped beating for a minute and others where I smiled and even wanted to cry at the true emotion that was written. This is so much more than a romance it is about faith, overcoming issues and finding what you want out of life and going for it. I loved the characters, how the story is laid out and the true meaning behind it. From start to finish I was hooked can't wait for the next one.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/This-Wilderness-Journey-Audiobook/B07CH3R66F?ref=a_a_library_c4_libItem_0_B07CH3R66F&pf_rd_p=ae76b2bb-e63d-4a67-b357-dab3dee05ca1&pf_rd_r=T7APBHFFKVTWV7GA2PDM&

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/This-Wilderness-Journey-Heart-Mountains-ebook/dp/B079CQ6DP4/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

Summary

Joseph Malcom has spent his life protecting those in need, but now that his sister is safely settled with her new family in the Canadian Rockies, his help is no longer required. That is, until he’s asked to safely retrieve the priest’s cousin to help minister to the local Indian tribe. But his passenger is not at all who he expects.
After the death of her mother, Monti Bergeron has nothing to keep her in Montreal. While the prospect of ministering to the Indians out West is daunting, she looks forward to assisting her beloved cousin in his mission work. The life of a nun may be just what she needs to heal her grief, serving her Heavenly Father and fellow mankind, especially if no more pesky suitors are around to ask for her hand in marriage. But the man who’s been sent to guide her through the mountains might make her second-guess her plans before she even begins.
As Monti settles into her ministry, Joseph finds his wandering feet drawn back to the Indian camp. Monti’s focus on God is more unsettling than he’d like to admit. Add to that her beauty which tests his willpower at every turn, and she’s made it crystal clear she doesn’t want a husband. But when his determination to keep distance between them puts Monti in danger, protecting her might require something Joseph might not be able to give.

Late Bloomer

Late Bloomer (Man from Yesterday #4)

by Barbara Lohr

I enjoyed this story from the plot to the emotions, I really liked how it was an older woman and younger man. I bet all of us has had a crush on a teacher in school, and I am guessing a few might have even hooked up with one in college, maybe even a fewer have made that relationship work. The author does a great job of how trying that can be from the day you met until the day you met again and remembering just all the pranks you pulled to even how child like you were at times. She gives you conflict of not only the here and now but things that have happened to you in the past that makes you whatt you are today, along with facing your fears and overcoming them.

Oh Carolyn remembers him well from her first year of teaching, the play boy, prankster, the funny boy he was and could always make her smile. Now she is left wondering if he has changed and just what those changes will mean to her. I really liked this character she is strong but has her weakness. There are things in her past that makes her question every man, as well as things she fears.

Brody has always had a crush on Carolyn so much, so he did just about anything to get her attention in class. I can’t say that was a good impression he made. There is no doubt he has grown up but one must ask is he still a player or is he ready to settle down to the one woman and if so where does Carolyn stand in all this.

I loved how these two met again, the fun and humor as they start their journey together. There are many laughs and smiles throughout but also some very trying times. I really loved how he helped her work over her fear of heights. My heart broke for her when she told the story about how her mother tried to help her. I had mixed feeling about them but her mother pulled me around by the end. The characters and supporting characters were great. I just adored her grandmother how strong she was but my heart broke for her when Howard told of her recovery. This is really a very powerful emotional read as well as humorous and fun. It was a story that held my attention from the first page. At times my mind wondered a little but the author always pulled me back. I did think the ending was rushed but it is such a sweet wonderful ending it is easy to over look the rushed part.

There are a lot of issues that have to be worked out, the age different, Carolyn’s hang-ups (there are more than one), other men and women, friends and those that will be lost. There is a very touching scene about a military family that just broke my heart. I had to laugh at her grandmother and the things she found out about her. I laughed and smiled a lot but also was sad a few times. It was very emotional but a great read. I thought it had great fun characters, was well written, and totally delightful with just enough humor to keep it interesting.

 Buy Link

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Late-Bloomer-Man-Yesterday-Book-ebook/dp/B0731R7HM6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524010080&sr=8-2&keywords=Late+Bloomer+%28Man+from+Yesterday+%234%29

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/late-bloomer-barbara-lohr/1126619541?ean=2940154741047

Kobo

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/late-bloomer-14

Summary

Ten years ago, Brody failed Carolyn’s class. Studying wasn’t his thing in high school. Girls and sports were. A real behavior problem, he set a record for detentions. He made Carolyn miserable that first year of teaching.

When she runs into him in Santa Fe, she hardly recognizes him. Who’s the student this time? Brody teaches her that spontaneity trumps lesson plans. But he was such a player. Can she take him seriously? Brody might just drive his favorite teacher crazy

A Perfect Bride

A Perfect Bride (Bride books Book 5)

by Ginny Sterling

What I really enjoyed about this story is how the author showed not all groups are bad or evil that no matter what race we belong to there are good and bad people in each. One group of Indians kill and destroy a family leaving one alive they didn’t know about why another group takes that child in teaching it their ways as she teaches them hers. She grows up to be a well around person until the day the army came taking them to a land far away. In this army there were many men who were not very nice but others who were as they gave all they could to protect these people. This is a story of struggle, pain, starting over, leaving those you love, sorrow, love, and trusting others to keep you safe. What comes out of it is a very touching highly emotional read that pulls the reader in. So many lives were lost but a few made it out starting over. There is some confusion for the characters, many misunderstandings, soul-searching, love, and some very touching scenes that will just about bring a tear to your eyes. I had many emotions as I read this, some very happy ones as well as some very sad and depressing ones. No matter how you look at it the Indians are native to our county they were the first here and their lands, homes and life was taken away. I thought the author did a wonderful job showing all the above with a wonderful plot that really pulls you in and a love story that holds you spellbound.

Colleen’s was very young, her family was killed by Indians, as she walks down many hills, over rocks, through creeks and wild grass she has come to the end of her rope, thirsty, hungry and tired just about to give up when the Cherokee people find her. This is a very touching scene where she proves what she is made of and gets the interest of the chief. They adopt her, each teaching the other of their ways. Fast forward many years Colleen is now a young woman only to have her family being taken again. As the army move them to a different land much is lost, many are angry even the military that is there to protect them. A few gives them kindness, one man grabs Colleen’s attention he is a kind man who gave up so much to keep her and her family protected.

Lieutenant Williams is taken in by the beautiful long hair beauty with pale green eyes so much he can’t take his eyes off her. He goes the extra mile to help her and her family when times are tough giving extra food, covering etc. When things get dangerous he puts her before his job and country taking a path he never thought he would. Now it is time to put everything on the line and decide just what he is going to do with this green eye wonder.

Colleen is a very strong child who grows into even stronger woman. She doesn’t take things on the chin, has no trouble speaking up and telling things like they are. She is just a wonderful young lady who gives so much of herself for her people. Daniel is really an amazing man who puts others first and lives for his country. He is honorable, caring and so loving. There are some very wonderful characters here from her adopted family to some other wonderful soldiers. There are also some very evil bad people. I thought the author did a wonderful job showing all aspects with some very entertaining reading. I truly loved this story just wish there were a little more detail towards the end. There are other people the story is built around I would have liked to have known a little more. The author does give you a wonderful and entertaining read. There were a few times my heart was in my throat and other times I just sigh. I enjoyed it so much that I bought all the back books in this series and have picked it as one of my favorite reads.

Buy Link

Amazon (on KU)

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Bride-books-Book-ebook/dp/B07B4YQNQJ/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1524005297&sr=1-2&keywords=Bride+books+Ginny+Sterling

Summary

Orphaned as a child, feisty Colleen O'Mara is discovered by the Cherokee people and adopted as one of their own. She becomes a sister to the chief's only daughter. Learning their ways, she teaches them her language in return. As the United States Army uproots them from their homes, she is fascinated with the dark-haired lieutenant that has come to her rescue as they are forced to make the treacherous journey to the Oklahoma Territory.

Lieutenant Daniel Williams is among the soldiers called up to enforce the removal of the Cherokee people from Georgia. It only took one glance into Colleen's pale green eyes amidst the chaos to become fascinated with the so-called Indian maiden. Feeling guilty over what is happening to the Cherokee and his love for the enchanting young woman, he abandons everything he had once known in order to make things right for his perfect bride.

** Note: Each book in The Bride series is a standalone book, in a mini-series, and you can read them in any order