She’s a feisty and tenacious newspaper editor. He’s a hardworking rancher and talented peacemaker. Will their lifelong friendship survive the growing divide between them?
Faith Goodell is a formidable young woman. Following in her father’s footsteps, she runs the Mystic Gazette newspaper on the principles of providing timely and accurate information to her readers. Though tired of lonely nights in her large home, she has little time for anything outside of being the paper’s sole reporter, editor, and publisher. If it weren’t for her best friend, Joshua, she’d have no social life at all.
Joshua Beckett takes satisfaction in hard work and long hours on his family’s Wild Spirit Ranch. He spends little time wondering about his single life and if or when he’ll meet the right woman and marry. Instead, he enjoys the company of his lifelong friend, Faith, applauding her determination to continue the good work her father started.
What causes concern is Faith’s idea to form a Women’s Alliance. While she views it as an expeditious way for women to have their voices heard, Joshua worries the group will cause a fraction in the community, impacting sales of the newspaper.
Adding to his worry are the threats of a roving gang of bank robbers who seem to have targeted the town of Mystic, and Joshua’s growing realization his feelings for Faith have grown beyond friendship.
More frightening is the knowledge he has no idea what to do about them.
Heart of Mystic Valley, Book Two in the Montana Becketts ♦ Wild Spirit Ranch historical western romance series, is a clean and wholesome full-length novel with an HEA and no cliffhanger.
Linda Knight –
Book two of the Montana Becketts was a smashing success when Joshua finally got up the courage to pursue his bestfriend Faith romantically. Before that time though there was plenty of great family time and searching for a group of bank robbers in the area. A clean wholesome story anyone would enjoy.
Andrew Agnew –
A great look at one of the hardest romances. From close friends to lovers, without destroying either.
The magic of friendship, especially between a boy and a girl, then a man and a woman, and then between a husband and a wife. When both are strong characters with minds of their own, and not always necessarily with the same approach, and yet, can cooperate enough to work together.
With bank robbers, break ins, broken bones and dislocations, the action is constant, in a peaceful setting.
Another great read.
Marlene –
Montana, 1880. From a broken arm on a young boy to bank robbery in Mystic, the local town, action and difficulties in life are on every page. Joshua Beckett carries the youngster on the back of his horse to find care; bounty hunter comes to town to find information; Faith is taken captive, and gangs run through the countryside causing alarm. All this is the heart of the story but let’s not forget the potential for romance between longtime friends. The storyline is excellent and the writing wonderful. Thanks for a great read!
Laura –
Mystic may be a small town but there is always plenty happening – from bank robberies to bounty hunters showing up, and people getting hurt. And as the owner of the Mystic Gazette, Faith is always looking toward keeping the town informed. The only question is whether she can strike the balance between reporting the story and her safety. Joshua is a rancher and has been friends with Faith since childhood. This story follows these two as they begin to realize they may have deeper feelings for each other than just friendship.
Amanda –
Joshua and Faith have known each other for years, they are great friends, but their feelings are changing, and they’re not sure how to cope with them. Neither wants to lose their friendship but they’re not sure of the other’s feelings! A real lack of communication, which as Faith is the writer, editor and puts the paper together is funny! Joshua is a rancher on the family ranch.
Things are moving along well until a worrying thing occurs. Will this prevent them from talking to each other?
Another great read in the series from Shirleen.
Anne Morrison –
A great addition to latest series of historical novels set in the growing of Mystic, it has it all, great characters, romance, danger and a love story. This time the main characters are childhood friends whose have always been there for each other falling in love, but can the ambitious reporter determined to keep her father’s newspaper going and a member of a ranching family find a way of combining their very different lives. Add in some danger and drama for the growing town, a lovely mix of familiar characters and some new ones and you have a very enjoyable book that will enjoyed both by regular readers of Shirleen’s books and new readers.
MaryEllen Cox –
This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given.
This story was enjoyable. It’s part old-fashioned western adventure and part sweet, small-town romance.
The main couple have been friends since they met at 6 and 7 years old. They’ve been like siblings for years, but their feelings have changed, and they struggle with the fear of losing their friendship.
That part was predictable and sweet.
All of the action-adventure stuff was unpredictable and exciting. Loose ends were left that I hope will be tied up by the end of the series.
MJ –
I’m really enjoying this series and getting to know all the Becketts and characters in Mystic Valley. Joshua and Faith’s story is so good. These two have been best friends since childhood and afraid to hope for more. It was great to watch them discover love. Their story grabbed my attention from the beginning and left me with a smile.
Paula –
Heart of Mystic Valley by Shirleen Davies is the second book in the excellent Montana Becketts, Wild Spirit Ranch Series. All the sons have come home, yet this is the story of Joshua who never left the ranch. Now grown his feelings for childhood best friend, Faith Goodell, have taken a different turn to love. It is a heartwarming romance of friends first, then much more. They find it difficult to put into words their feelings especially since they are not sure of the other’s feelings. Such a realistic story because of the fear of losing a great friend if feelings are not returned.
All the while life and work for them continues. I really respected the hard work needed on the ranch and as newspaper editor are showcased but that there is also one big community problem too. I simply love this series, and the Becketts. A truly wonderful western historical series with unforgettable characters, especially Joshua and Faith in Heart of Mystic Valley.
patricia rose –
this is a wonderful story. faith is the owner of the town paper, joshua is a rancher and they have been friends most of their lives. but now they want more but are not sure the other one does. before they can talk, there is a bank robbery and other problems . if you like stories about how it must have been living in that time it is very realistic. looking forward to reading more about them. i was given a copy of the book but this is an honest review
Louise King –
I loved getting into this story about another of the Becket brothers at Wild Spirit ranch. It was interesting to see how Faith and Joshua worked out their differences without changing who they are. I love Shirleen Davies series. They really get you interested in the families that are portrayed in believable settings.
Catherine Graves Liverpool cathy –
Faith was the editor, journalist and owner of the town newspaper and was no stranger to complex situations. Starting a women’s group to raise the voices of women in business was going to raise concerns amongst the townsfolk. She had known Joshua since childhood but feelings were changing but she was unsure what to do. Joshua felt the same way but was too shy to tell her, he was worried about threats to the town and the newspaper. So when he came into town from the ranch and saw Faith dining with a newcomer he knew he had to act. But danger lurks threatening everything.
Another good book in the series!
Joyce Fritz –
Known for her strength and capability for getting the news out, Faith Goodell is the editor and runs the Mystic Gazette newspaper. Joshua Beckett is a rancher on his family’s Wild Spirit Ranch. These two have been best friends since childhood. As their feelings run stronger, neither one wants to admit it. Joshua feels he needs to let her know his feelings before she gets away from him but is afraid of her reaction. As Faith works to form a Women’s Alliance, Joshua is concerned for her safety not knowing how the men of the town will react with the women having a voice. To add to the worries, a gang of bank robbers have targeted Mystic Valley. Lots of action in this story that ends happily.
Becky Claxon –
I enjoy a good western book from the past once in a while. Faith and Joshua had grown up in Mystic and were best friends. I loved how Faith spoke her mind and would do what she could to help people, and ran the town newspaper after her father passed away. There were so many incidents happening in their small town that had Faith in the middle ready to report on it in the paper, even though some were dangerous. I would have been afraid to do some of the things she did. I loved watching Faith and Joshua realize that their friendship may be something more. I encourage you to read the book.
Rita Meston –
A great addition to this series. Joshua and Faith grew up together and have always been friends but once they become adults their feelings grow into something stronger. Faith is a reporter for her father’s newspaper and Joshua works on the Wild Spirit Ranch. As with all of these stories there is a strong storyline meaning both Faith and Joshua have to overcome challenges as they try and navigate having a future together without jeopardising their long friendship.
Gail K. –
Mystic is a growing town, with bank robbers, attempted kidnapping, and growing dangers. Faith Goodell is an independent woman who took over running her father’s newspaper, the Mystic Gazette. She’s bold and feisty, but that big house of hers is lonely. Faith starts the Women’s Alliance, intent on gathering women in town to have a voice in what’s going on. With such a busy schedule, there’s no time for lots of friends or a social life. Her best friend is Joshua Beckett, whom she’s known from childhood. Joshua has always come to Faith’s aid, watching out for her, even when her newspaper office is broken into. Though she’s strong, Faith has always relied on Joshua, but now she wonders if there could be more to their relationship. Could Joshua feel the same way? Is it possible for Faith and Joshua to overcome their challenges? How will they know what the other feels?
“Heart of Mystic Valley” was a heartwarming story. I liked the way Joshua always looked out for faith and how he fought his fears of losing her friendship if he told her he loved her. A bit of humor was added with the town gossips when they saw Faith and Joshua holding hands. I recommend this clean cowboy western series.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.
Bonnie Blackledge –
Faith Goodell is the owner of the newspaper in Mystic, Montana, and she is not afraid to pursue the truth for her publication. The book begins as she is organizing a group of other influential women business owners in their small town. Faith’s best friend is Joshua Beckett from a neighboring ranch. They have known each other since childhood and they have a comfortable relationship.
I truly enjoy reading Ms. Davies’ westerns. She has a talent for creating western towns that allow the reader to imagine what life would be like there in the late 1800s. Her writing style is excellent and it contributes to the delight of reading her books. I highly recommend this book – and this series – especially if you like romance and cowboys.
Lisa –
This is the second book in Shirleen Davies’ new series, “Heart of Mystic Valley. Based on the first two books, Ms. Davies has totally outdone herself with this awesome new series. Her description of the surroundings of the town are unbelievably beautiful and realistic.
Faith Goodell and Joshua Beckett grew up together. They were best friends and did everything together. To this day they are still very close and spend a lot of time together. Faith her late father’s newspaper after his death. Josh devotes all of his time working on his family’s ranch.
Faith and Josh are interesting and delightful characters. Faith is independent, outgoing and speaks her mind. Josh is a quiet rancher, who always thinks things through before he acts upon them. He calls himself a “peacemaker.” They are both interesting and captivating characters who always treat each other kindly and respectfully.
Recently, Faith and Josh have noticed that they are developing romantic feelings toward each other. They want to reveal their new feelings to each other, but they are concerned that it will destroy their beautiful friendship.
This book has several compelling plots. Of course one of them is the delightful, heartwarming story about the long-time friendship/romance between Faith and Josh.
There is also a thought-provoking story line that women will easily identify with. Faith decides to form a Women’s Alliance as a way for the hard-working women to have their voices heard. However, Josh is afraid that the group will upset the men and cause a rift in the community.
Another major part of this book involves a group of bank robbers who have singled out the Mystic bank as their next target. Everyone is afraid of the gang who is terrorizing the townspeople. The bank robbers account for much of the action and suspense that takes place in this book.
This entertaining, engaging book can easily be read as a stand-alone. However, if you haven’t read the first book yet, you absolutely must!