Hope's Highest Mountain ~ Review

Hope's Highest Mountain
Hearts of Montana #1
By Misty M. Beller

Settler's Fort, a remote mining town in the Montana Territory, is in desperate need of the smallpox vaccine. Along with her father, a maid, and a guide Ingrid Chastain is en route to help administer the vaccine and to help any in need of medical nursing. But when their late-season venture meets with a catastrophic fate Ingrid's life hangs precariously on the skills of a doctor who left the profession behind after losing his family to an outbreak he couldn't stop.

Micah Bradley wants nothing to do with people having left all that he knew behind - but he couldn't escape his pain, his loss, or his guilt. When he comes upon the tragic scene that was Ingrid Chastain's life he knows that he'll have to do all he can to save her life. But with little in the way of medical supplies and equipment at his disposal, he isn't hopeful. But Ingrid is a fighter and has a hidden strength that will help her through the pain she is about to face.
 
Ingrid isn't about to let her father's last act to be in vain and she is determined to get the smallpox vaccine to Settler's Fort. Now she just has to convince Micah Bradley that the risk is worth it if they can save lives. But reaching their destination will take more than their own strength - a strength found only in faith in God will be their greatest hope as they take on the Rocky Mountains.

I really enjoyed the strength of Ingrid's faith and how she helped not only Micah but several others along the way. One feels the loss that has affected these lives, the push to deliver a needed medicine, and the healing that comes with relying on God.

This book is told through both Ingrid and Micah's viewpoints and it is interesting to see how they both react to the situations they find themselves facing. The strength of Ingrid's faith makes an impact on Micah as he sees her faith in action and in the face of what she is experiencing. Hope's Highest Mountain is the first book in the Hearts of Montana series and this book, in my opinion, is excellent and I'm more than a little curious as to what will come next. Those who enjoy historical fiction will want to add this to their TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion all thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:
When Ingrid Chastain agreed to accompany her father to deliver vaccines to a mining town in the Montana Territory, she never could have anticipated a terrible accident would leave her alone and badly injured in the wilderness. Rescue comes in the form of a mysterious mountain man who tends her injuries, but she's hesitant to put her trust in this man who seems to have wounds of his own.

After tragedy struck his family, Micah Bradley left his work as a doctor and escaped to the wilds of Montana. But his self-imposed solitude is broken when he finds Ingrid in desperate need of medical attention, and he's forced to call on his doctoring skills once again.

Micah can't help but admire Ingrid's tenacity despite the severity of her injuries, until he learns the crate she brought contains smallpox vaccines to help quell a nearby outbreak. With Ingrid dead set on delivering the medicine--with or without his help--he has no choice but to accompany her. As they set off through the treacherous, snow-covered Rocky Mountains against all odds, the journey ahead will change their lives more than they could have known.