Hey, y’all!
It’s always such an honor to spend the day with you! The Petticoats and Pistols reader family is one of my favorite places to visit.
Are you a fan of unusual settings in books? I’ve always loved western settings, especially in the mountains. (especially the Rocky Mountains!) My latest release, A Healer’s Promise, has an especially unusual setting—a secret village hidden in caves in the Canadian Rockies. They’ve been completely cut off from the outside world for a hundred years!
This series has been so much fun to write, and I’m often asked if the hidden village of Laurent was a real place. My answer is…it’s possible! J
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 Canadian Rockies 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.
Much of the book takes places in the mountains just outside of the village of Laurent, and some of my favorite parts are the snowy winter weather, hiding in a cave, a horse named Chaucer who saves the day…
And of course, our hero and heroine!
From my mind’s first glimpse of Levi and Audrey, I fell in love with them both. Levi is a British spy, and he’s one of those really good guys. He’s strong and capable. A gentleman, who struggles to protect Audrey, especially when his very presence is part of what puts her in danger. And add in the British accent… (happy sigh)
Audrey is one of those caring people who give freely of themselves to help others—and she really loves doing it! She’s a born nurturer, which is one of the reasons she helps Levi escape instead of letting him face unjust punishment because of his background.
Of course, no one is perfect and these two have their share of personal struggles. But I love their hearts throughout the story. And of course, the way things develop to a sizzle between them! I think you’ll love being part of their story as it unfolds. And I hope you love the wild majesty of the Canadian Rockies as much as I do. J
Today, I’m excited to give away a copy of book one in the series, A Warrior’s Heart.
I’d love to hear from you, what are some of your favorite book settings?
Misty M. Beller
USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
This setting sounds wonderful, and so does the plot. I like historical settings, and the Rocky Mountains has always been one of my favorites too. At times, the place almost becomes a character in itself and certainly an adversary.
You’re so right about the mountains, Janice! Definitely a character and sometimes an adversary. 🙂 You sound like a kindred spirit. 🙂
What an interesting setting and premise.
I love the West and small town books.
Yes, Denise! I so agree. 🙂
I enjoy reading different places. Historical seems to be my favorite.
It’s amazing the variety of settings for historical books, isn’t it? I love learning about new places through books. 🙂
My favorite settings belong to the west, whether it be Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, Arizona, etc. Mountains in particular warm my heart. I have read many of your books and just love them. Thank you for brightening my days.
What a beautiful setting for your stories. I can’t wait to read them.
I pray you love them, Margaret!
Oh, Kathy, I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my stories! That makes my day. 🙂 Hugs!
I love time travel, especially a series I read before where this woman had an auto accident, went off a cliff and landed in a Scottish village where she met a warrior and fell in love. She does return to her original home somehow, has a son which is the son of the warrior she fell in love with and together they decide to try to re-create the incident which took her to the Scottish village. She is successful and meets up with her love interest and they all reunite. A beautiful and moving story.
Wow! That sounds like an amazing story! True love always wins. 🙂
My favorite settings are western ranches or mountains. I just read A Healer’s Promise and it was amazing ! I have not read book 1 yet.
Oh, Sarah, you made my day! I’m so glad you enjoyed Levi and Audrey’s story!
Welcome Misty. Always a pleasure. Long time ago, I read a historical series where there were french immigrants that had set up a “secret” village in the mountains. It was a fascinating story. And the french lady who always went to a special spot to think and pray, one day found a white woman in her “spot”. They became friends and so much more. It was truly a special series. I wish I could remember the name of the author or the books
Oh that sounds SO good! I hadn’t heard of that book before, but I’ll definitely be on the lookout for it!
I love books set in the mountains and also those set at the beach. Your series sounds wonderful.
The beach and mountains are both wonderful, aren’t they! 🙂 Praying you enjoy Laurent!
The Rockies in Canada are magnificent. What a setting which is my favorite. I have vacationed there and still have wonderful memories of that week in the summer and the beauty which I experienced each day.
Oh, Anne, what an amazing vacation that must have been! I hope you have lots of pictures to remember with!
A beach locale is special since it evokes relaxation and a scenic area which is so appealing.
The beach is so relaxing isn’t it? 🙂 There’s something special about the sound of the ocean…
I love historical settings, particularly in the west. I also read contemporary,but I always back to historicals. Your story promises to be a very interesting read.
I’m exactly the same way! I read both contemporary and historical, but historical is definitely my first love. 🙂
I love Canada, and books set there! Have since I read Jeannette Oke’s Canadian series (the original books, not the ones that came out after the tv show). I had to go to the Canadian movie at Epcot both times I went to Epcot because it was Canada. Love reading about Mounties! I have the ebook of the first book in my TBR stack.
Oh, yes, Trudy! Jannette Oke’s books are SO good! I think they might have been part of the reason I love writing the Canadian Rockies so much. 🙂
I love mountain settings also, miles away from everyone.
There’s something so special about those remote mountain settings, isn’t there? 🙂 I know just what you mean, Connie!
I enjoy a variety of settings. I think it’s really interesting when I get to learn about some new place or time. I don’t like to read too many books in a row with the same setting. I am in the middle of “A Healer’s Promise” right now. I enjoy your books, thanks for visiting.
Yes! Learning about new locations and time periods is one of the wonderful parts of historical fiction. 🙂 So glad you’re enjoying Levi and Audrey’s story!
I love mountains, big ranches, rugged land.
Yes! I think we’re kindred spirits, Melanie. 🙂
Historic Western towns have an allure for me since they are fascinating and unique.
You’re so right, Ellie! Those frontier western towns have so many possibilities for great stories!
Misty, welcome back to our neck of the woods. We’re always thrilled to have you. Settings can really add to a book. I love ones in the mountains during winter. When you’re stuck inside a lot, it provides closeness. And warm fires. Snuggling. It’s very romantic. Your Brides of Laurent series sounds fabulous. A cave in winter…Yes! Wishing you much success.
Thank you, Linda! It’s always SO much fun to visit with folks here! 🙂 And I completely agree with you about the mountain setting in winter. So much romantic potential there. 🙂
I can’t wait to read these! We will finish up our homeschool year next week, and then I’m hoping to catch up on all the books in my pile over the summer. I love to read books set in the Old West, the Rocky Mountains, and the Canadian prairie. There’s so much interest and beauty in all three.
Sounds like you have a great summer planned, Christy! And I love the settings you mentioned. 🙂 Definitely some of my very favorites!
I like shipwrecks on islands, ships at sea, mountains, deserts, coastal towns…and cities! I would never live in a big city, so maybe that’s why I think they’re fun to read about.
Wow, so much great variety in that list! Love it!
I have always loved westerns historicals. Especially how people survived in the wilderness.
Yes, Emma! That’s definitely been my favorite setting to write. The characters have to be strong, and there are no shortage of obstacles, but the scenery can be amazing! 🙂
Your setting sounds ideal to me, Misty! And magical, too. I love the sound of it all, living in the Rockies, in caves, it’s all so exciting, I can’t WAIT to read it!! This is my kind of book!! Very historical! Thank you for your continual efforts to please your readers. You do such a bang up job!
Oh, Lana, I love your note! Praying you thoroughly enjoy Levi and Audrey’s story!
Historical Western states & Alaska. Amazingly interesting to read about how our predecessors survived in those lands many moons ago.
Yes! Alaska is such a neat setting. (and the west, too, of course!) It’s been a while since I’ve read a book set in Alaska, but now I’m thinking I should add one to my TBR list!
I enjoy books set in the western small towns, in the mountains.
Those make for such wonderful stories, don’t they? 🙂
I Love Mountain settings and I Love the cover of your book It sounds like such a great book Blessings Misty to you and Yours!
Thank you so much, Sarah! Bethany House really did an amazing job with the cover, didn’t they. 🙂 Praying you enjoy the story!
I love the water so anyplace that has beaches, lakes or waterfalls!
Sounds wonderful, Teresa! I don’t often think about lakes and waterfalls, but they do make great book settings!
I like books set in small towns, ranches, near the coast, and mountains.
I heartily agree, Diana! Some of my favorite books are set in these places. 🙂
any setting
Just need a great story, right? 🙂
The mountains of Montana, canyons, etc.
Oh, yes, Carolyn! There are so many beautiful canyons throughout the west. Great book settings!
I love small town settings.
They make for great stories and characters, don’t they? 🙂
What a fascinating idea and setting for a book. We have traveled in Alaska and the Canadian Rockies and it isn’t to far out of the realm of possibility for a “lost settlement” to exist. There could be a good reason for it to start and if they are cut off completely, they would not know when circumstances change.
I love the mountains and settings in the Rockies, the Scottish zHighlands, or the Appalachians work well for me no matter the time period.
You’re so right, Patricia! Those mountains are so vast and remote (and gorgeous), so it’s definitely possible to “lose” a group of people there. I love those settings you mentioned!