Rocky Mountain Rendezvous

Author: Misty M. Beller
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Sisters of the Rockies #1
Pages: 304
Release Date: June 6, 2023
Publisher: Bethany House

In 1837, Juniper Collins and her sisters are shocked by their father's deathbed request for them to return a special set of beads to a Piegan Blackfoot woman he credits with saving his life during his travels West. Together, the sisters set out for the trapper rendezvous to find the woman, but their mission turns more daunting when they come upon the mass of men and lodges spread out in the Green River Valley.

Riley Turner came West to find peace and quiet and live off the land, but when four unprotected women arrive at the rendezvous, he feels compelled to help them and is more fascinated by Juniper than any other woman he's known.

As their search brings only empty leads and dead ends, the sisters must decide whether to return East or stay in the mountains to continue looking--and that's if the mystery woman is even still alive. Is the risk to honor their father's last request worth the danger they find at every turn?

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Reviewer: Charity Henico

I love when a book series follows a family, and that's exactly what this series will be doing: following four sisters as they journey through their young adulthood.

One of the many great things about historical fiction is all the new things you learn while reading. For example, I never knew about these rendezvous, where trappers and traders would meet to trade for the supplies they'd need for the next however many months. Nor did I know about the horse races that would take place there. I find these little tidbits fascinating!

Misty Beller is great at painting scenes with her words. You can easily picture the mountains, wagons, lodges, and horse races. I do wish the characters had been a little more fleshed out. I didn't feel a strong connection to any of them. I didn't feel there was a strong connection between any of the characters themselves other than the sisters.

I think the rest of the series will be interesting, and I look forward to following the sisters as they continue to grow.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. No positive review was required, and all opinions were my own.

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Reviewer: Marie Edwards

This is the first book in the author’s Sisters of the Rockies series. This is the first book that I’ve read by the author, though. And, as I like stories set in the Old West, this grabbed my attention. 
 
Juniper and her sisters have set off towards the Rockies to find a Native woman who nursed their father back to health. After his death, they want to return a set of beads to the woman and then plan to travel back home to start a horse ranch. 
 
However, they have no idea where this woman is or how to find her. There’s some question about whether or not she exists. The girls are ignorant of the situation they’re heading into, especially with the trappers and traders in the area. This brings them in contact with Riley and the group he is with – Dragoon, Jeremiah, and Ol’ Henry. Riley and the three other men he’s with offer to help the girls in their quest.  
 
Danger, treachery, gorgeous scenery, friendships, and sisterhood are all explored in this novel. Some of the girls grow close to the guys and even forge a friendship with the son of the woman they’re looking for. It is obvious that Beller is setting up for future books in the series by pairing up all but the younger sister, who is about 15/16.  
 
Despite this being a “romance,” that isn’t initiated until around the 67% mark with a kiss. There is also a bit of suspense with stolen horses which adds tension to the plot.  
 
This reads more like an old-west adventure story, which isn’t necessarily bad, especially with “action”-like scenes such as shootings and a kidnapping to keep the reader’s interest. Although, given the situation, this is definitely a toned-down version of what might’ve happened in those times. 
 
Rendezvous in the Mountains can get a bit bogged down with all the characters, especially a precocious coyote pup named Boots. He is actually quite entertaining, though, and even instrumental in a few events.  
 
As always, the first book in a series needs to establish the characters and their goals. Beller does a good job in that respect. She held my attention in this book, which is easily a 1-2 day read. 
 
Readers will have to read the next book in the series as the main plot is not resolved by the end of the book.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing a complimentary review copy through Interviews and Reviews. A positive review was neither required nor requested; all words are mine.  

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

Filled with great visuals, plenty of action, and a bit of romance, Misty has written another can’t-put-it-down winner.

I love the way she brings historical stories right into the living room. I could feel the awe of viewing the rendezvous from above, feel the buzz of excitement at the horse races, and experience that first growing attraction between Riley and Juniper. Some reviews found this book a bit far-fetched, but for me, that’s what fiction is all about, making the impossible possible. 

When the four Collins sisters travel west to fulfill their late father’s request to return an item to honor a woman of the Piegan tribe who saved his life, they have no idea what they will find. When they arrive at the rendezvous, they are overwhelmed. Where will they even begin? 

Riley takes it upon himself to keep them safe in the camp. Soon he’s got embroiled in their lives much more than he planned. As he helps them look for Steps Right, his heart may also be at risk. I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy through NetGalley courtesy of Bethany House. This is my honest opinion.

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