When Marianna’s father, Abe, insists on taking Ben to the mountains to “hear from God,” Ben has no grand illusions that an outfitting trip will provide any answers. As trouble finds them high on the continental divide, Ben must turn to God for survival. It’ll take a miracle for Ben, Abe, and Abe’s brother, Ike, to make it down alive.
As Marianna spends time with Ben’s music manager, she discovers a part of Ben she didn’t know before. Will Marianna be brave enough to step out of her comfort zone to help the man she loves? Or will she allow her fears to cause her to miss out on a future more wonderful than she’d ever dreamed of?
Tricia Goyer writes out of her passion for God and her love for family and others. The author of more than 70 books, she writes both historical fiction and nonfiction related to family and parenting.
This USA Today best-selling author has won a two Carol Awards and a Retailer’s Best Award. She was also an ECPA Gold-Medallion Nominee and a Christy Award Nominee and won Writer of the Year from the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference.
Tricia’s contemporary and historical novels feature strong women overcoming great challenges. She is a beloved author of Amish fiction, having written the Big Sky and Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series.
Whether for fiction or nonfiction, Tricia’s writing style is vivid and heartwarming, allowing readers to take home more than engaging stories, but also messages that inspire faith and hope. Her goal is to write stories that matter.
Connect with Tricia by visiting triciagoyer.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
My Thoughts
Beyond the Gray Mountains by Tricia Goyer is the first A Big Sky Amish Novel. The story takes us to West Kootenai, Montana. Marianna Sommer is engaged to Englischer and rock star, Ben Stone. It is a big change for Marianna who was raised Amish. As people begin asking about the plans for the wedding, both Marianna and Ben realize the changes in store for them. Doubt and fear begin to plague both of them. Marianna’s father, Abe feels that God is compelling him to take Ben on a journey into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. Abe’s brother, Ike will be their guide. It will give Ben an opportunity to think and pray. Unfortunately, the three men have an encounter with a mama bear and her two cubs that leaves two of them injured and with no way to call for help. Will Ben make it back to Marianna?
Beyond the Gray Mountains is the
first book in this new series, but, in the beginning, it felt like I had missed a book that introduced the characters. I did a little research and discovered that it is a continuation of the
Big Sky series. As I got further into
the story, I got more of the character’s backstory. I enjoyed the author’s vivid descriptions of
the mountains and the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. We get to see that you need to be prepared
when you go into the wilderness. It may
be beautiful, but it is dangerous. It
is going to be difficult for Marianna and Ben to merge their worlds. It will take compromise, communication, and
faith. Ike and Annie are adorable. It is obvious that they care for each
other. One of them needs to make the
first move. I like how faith was
incorporated into the story. Marianne
has been reading the Bible and going to church with Annie. I liked how the Sommer family was reading the
Bible. They were learning more about God
and his ways. I would have liked less
repetition. Certain details are repeated
throughout the story. Beyond the Gray Mountains is a touching tale
with magnificent mountains, bouncy bear cubs, wedding worries, an alarming
accident, a phantastic tour, and a rare romance.
Saturday, June 24, Kalispell, Montana
“How
hard can it be to plan one wedding?” Marianna Sommer mumbled to herself as she
strode down Main Street in Kalispell toward the dress shop—the Englisch dress
shop. The warm spring breeze blew softly, ruffling strands of light-brown hair
that, for most of her life, had been neatly secured under her kapp.
But
no longer.
On
one side of Marianna paced her friend Annie Johnson, wearing her typical jeans,
flannel shirt, and cowboy boots. In her mid-forties, Annie was the owner of the
Kootenai Kraft and Grocery. Along with providing a location where one could buy
anything from bulk flour and garden seeds to fencing and fishing supplies,
Annie was also known to provide a listening ear and a boost of moral support.
And this was why she’d offered to take Marianna and her mother dress shopping
today.
Marianna
had never attended an Englisch wedding, much less planned one. Yet now that she
was marrying Ben Stone—the handsome musician with his dark hair, bright blue
eyes, and easy smile—many changes would be taking place.
Starting
with choosing a wedding dress.
Mem
padded on the other side of Marianna in a typical Amish dress, apron, and kapp.
She walked with her head lowered and shoulders slumped. She crossed her arms
over her chest and uncrossed them as if she didn’t know what to do with
herself. It was partly because Mem didn’t have baby Joy on her hip. Yet
Marianna also knew this wasn’t how Mem had planned her life. First, losing her
oldest two daughters years ago in a buggy accident, and now, having Marianna
marry an Englischer. Every Amish mother dreamed of her daughters growing up and
following in her footsteps. For Mem, this wouldn’t be so.
Lord, help me to get through this with peace…marrying the man I love yet also honoring my family and Amish friends. Was that even possible?
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a print copy of Beyond the Gray Mountains and a $10 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 27, 2023
and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 6, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks
of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only.
Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Beyond the Gray Mountains is available from Amazon*, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, and IndieBound. The next two books in the Big Sky Amish series are On Golden Cliffs (March 21) and Under the Blue Skies (August 8). You can find Tricia Goyer's Big Sky series here (Marianna's journey before Big Sky Amish series). Thank you for stopping by today. Tomorrow I will be featuring Letters of Trust by Wanda E. Brunstetter. It is the debut of The Friendship Letters series. I hope that you have a joyful day. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The
Avid Reader
*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
