About the Book

Book: A Warrior’s Heart
Author: Misty M. Beller
Series: Brides of Laurent, Book 1
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: August 31, 2021

Brielle Durand still feels haunted by the massacre that killed her mother a dozen years before. Vowing to never let it happen again, she’s risen to be the key defender for her people’s peace-loving French settlement living in hidden caves in the Canadian Rockies. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret homes, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. But now, what to do with this man who looks at her in a strange way and insists he can be trusted?

Hoping to escape past regrets, Evan MacManus ventured into the unknown, assigned to discover if the northern mountains contain an explosive mineral that might help America win the War of 1812. Despite being taken prisoner, Evan is determined to complete his mission. But when that assignment becomes at odds with his growing appreciation of the villagers and Brielle, does he follow through on the promise he’s made to his government or take a risk on the path his heart is leading him down? Either choice will cause harm to someone.

Brielle and Evan must reconcile the warring in their hearts, if they’ve any hope to find the peace the seek.

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My Thoughts

This is the beginning of a new series called Brides of Laurent from author Misty M. Beller. Right away I fell in love with the book because the main character bears my little girls name. Brielle is not a very common name so to see it in a story warms my heart. I really enjoyed this story. The main characters suffering really shines to the forefront and it is very believable. You feel what she is feeling as she grieves her mother and that burden of responsibility she feels for the people of Laurent is pretty big for someone who has not yet begun to truly live life. Evan McManus was a great character as well and full of depth. Through him we see a softening in Brielle's heart.

This story was woven with God's message of grace throughout its pages. I thought it was very empowering that God was at the center of it all. I mean the thought that kept popping into my heart as I was reading was, without God our strength is at its weakest. Sometimes we have to step aside and let God be God.

Overall I thought this was a great story. Misty M. Beller does a great job in her research and making a story truly believable. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

My Rating: 4 Stars/ Really enjoyed it.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Misty 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.

She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

More from Misty

A secret village living in hidden caves for a century…

One of the fun things about being a writer is letting your imagine run away with itself at times. In general, I’ve never considered myself a creative person. Not like my grandmother, who’s an amazing artist and decorator. She can look at something plain and normal and, with a little paint, create something truly beautiful.

But little by little, I’ve finally learned that just because I don’t feel creative like she is, I still have an imagination that can come up with intriguing ideas.

For example, I was listening to a historical podcast a few years ago that talked about the Vikings and the female warriors who would sometimes gain fame among them. As the hosts talked about the first Viking raids to North America, I started thinking… “What if one of those groups went farther west than any of us thought? What if they found the Rocky Mountains and lived there in a hidden community for centuries?” The thought took hold, and little by little, the idea for the Brides of Laurent series came to life.

I eventually changed the village to be a French settlement named Laurent. The village’s primary warrior was a woman named Brielle Durand, who’d worked hard to win her place as Le Commandant, leader of the Guards and Hunters. I love Brielle’s strength and wit, but also how real her personal struggles became as I wrote her character.

Add in a mountain man spy working for the United States government, and you have the secret for a romance with sparks to light up the mountain sky!

I pray you love A Warrior’s Heart, the first book in this new series. And keep an eye on some of the other characters in the book who might get their own stories soon!

Blessings!

Misty