#304 Inside the Emotion of Fiction “A HEALER’S PROMISE” by Misty M. Beller

What is the date you began writing this piece of fiction and the date when you completely finished the piece of fiction? I began writing A Healer’s Promise on February 22, 2021 and turned in the final manuscript to my publisher (Bethany House) on May 31, 2021. I had planned to turn it in by April 30^th, but I was in the first trimester of my pregnancy during the writing, and was so sick! It’s the first time I’ve ever had to ask for an extension, and it still felt like a miracle that I was able to make the extended date.

LEFT: Misty M. Beller in February 2021. RIGHT: Misty M. Beller in May of 2021

Where did you do most of your writing for this fiction work? And please describe in detail. And can you please include a photo? I dictate my stories into an app on my phone, and I usually do it while I’m walking outside. I’ve found movement really helps my creativity. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to walk with this book. I dictated most of it from either my bed or the wing-back chair in our bedroom.

What were your writing habits while writing this work- did you drink something as you wrote, listen to music, write in pen and paper, directly on laptop; specific time of day? I’ve been dictating my writing for several years now, so it’s actually harder for me to type stories anymore. As I said, I was pretty miserable from morning sickness as I wrote this one, so I mostly drank water and ate as much protein as I could keep down. My most creative time is in the afternoon, so that’s when I do most of my writing. During the last month of this book, though, I worked on it any time of day that I felt well enough!

Please include just one excerpt and include page numbers as reference. This one excerpt can be as short or as long as you prefer. Here’s an excerpt I love from the end of chapter 11 and the beginning of chapter 12. For context, our heroine (Audrey) has just sneaked our hero (Levi) out of her village so he’s not unjustly punished for being a spy. They’re hiding in a cave in the mountains.

Levi settled himself and positioned the candle, then did his best to gather his thoughts. Better to ask about her first. “What do you intend to do next?”

Her face appeared paler than before, though that might be an effect of the candlelight. She didn’t speak for a long moment, then her shoulders dipped as she released the spent air she’d been holding. “I had planned to go back tonight. I’m sure once I explain why I released you, they’ll understand.”

Despite her words, her voice sounded like she most certainly didn’t think they would understand.

He dipped his chin to meet her gaze. “Are you certain of that? That they’ll understand?”

A sea of worry clouded her eyes. “I pray they will. They know my heart is to help people, not inflict pain. I hope they’ll be lenient.” She must hear how unlikely her line of reasoning was.

He leaned forward and propped his arms on his legs. “What can I do to make it easier for you? If I go back with you, would they pardon you?”

She jerked upright, her eyes widening and chin lifting. “I’m not taking you back to Laurent. That would defeat all our efforts so far. All of our risks would be for naught.”

He inhaled a steadying breath, then released it. She spoke the truth there. He couldn’t cast aside everything she’d done to help him, as if her sacrifices meant nothing.

But he also couldn’t leave her to face the wrath of her people alone.

He leaned forward again as a new thought took hold. “Come with me, then. I have to go back to Washington to retrieve my belongings, then I’m going home to England. My family would welcome you. My sister would be overjoyed. Her dearest friend moved away last year, and she’s been pining for neighbors who aren’t in their dotage.”

She tipped her chin, concern and hesitation marking her expression. “Travel with you? To England?”

As she said the words, the problem with his plan rose up like a mountain between them. She, an unmarried woman, could never travel with him, an unmarried man. The time they’d spent alone today was enough to ruin her. Anything more would be beyond recovery.

There was one way he could resolve the concern, though. “I’ll marry you, if that would help.”

Chapter Twelve

The moment Levi spoke the words, Audrey jerked back, as though his offer had scalded her. In his mind, he scrambled back through his comments. Could he have found a clumsier way to offer for her hand?

His proposal hadn’t been preplanned, but as the possibility took shape in his thoughts, desire slipped through him. She had shown herself to be kind beyond words and a woman who took action for what she believed to be right. A woman of faith . . . and her beauty spoke for itself.

What would she think of his little village if he took her home with him? Mum would love her, and so would Libby. Dad? He’d had never approved of anything Levi did. Would bringing Audrey be the first?

Yet she knew little about him. That, combined with his less-than-tactful proposal, would send her skittering away.

He did his best to apologize with his gaze as much as his words. “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out as I meant it. You’ve done so much for me, and through it all I’ve seen what a fine woman you are. You’ve risked your standing, and even your life, to free me. If at all possible, I would like to do what I can for you. It would be my honor to take you as my wife. To provide for your needs and protection for the rest of our days.”

There. Hopefully that came through a little better. He’d never planned how he would propose to a woman—had always thought he’d have a little time to consider it. But at least her eyes were no longer round as saucers.

She studied him, but her face gave no sign of her thoughts. No inkling of what her response would be.

At last, her shoulders eased as she released a breath. “Thank you for the offer. It proves once more that you’re as good a man as I first believed. I need to return to my people, though. My father depends on me. And I can’t disappear without even a farewell. My place is here.”

The ache tightening his chest was probably from the rejection, though her reasons made sense. Had he really expected her to marry a man she’d only known two days, and run away with him to a land she’d never been to? She seemed to prefer to face the wrath of her people.

Perhaps he really had no say in her actions. This was her life. She’d chosen to sneak him out. He’d offered what he could to help her, but she’d made her decision.

Her expression shifted, turning determined. “I can’t go back now, though, not until I know you’ve left here. Brielle will make me bring her to this cave to look for you. If I beg for the council’s mercy, I’ll have to tell them everything. I can’t do that unless I know for certain you’re far away.”

His throat tightened at the thought of leaving this place completely. Of leaving her behind to become only a memory. A story he would tell Mum and Libby at the dinner table.

In these two very long days, Audrey Moreau had become a friend. They may not know a great deal about each other, at least from a factual perspective. But they’d bonded through trial. Through shared fears and struggles. He would trust her with his life—indeed, he had done so several times already.

Only this one thing she asked of him. Surely he could do this single act. Even if it required leaving her behind.

He forced himself to nod. “I’ll leave at first light.”

“I will, too, then.” But the relief that should sound in her voice wasn’t there. Only a sadness that tightened the knot inside him.

Purchase A HEALER’S PROMISE from the below link:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-healer-s-promise-brides-of-laurent-book-2

https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=tchOEAAAQBAJ

https://www.christianbook.com/a-healers-promise-2/9780764238055/pd/238055

https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/405418

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-healers-promise-misty-m-beller/1140355628?ean=9781493437290

https://books.apple.com/us/book/healers-promise/id1596345419

https://books2read.com/u/4EK6RE

Why is this excerpt so emotional for you as a writer to write? And can you describe your own emotional experience of writing this specific excerpt? I love this scene because of Levi’s clumsy proposal, but more than that, I love the way it shows his heart to protect. That instinctive desire to do the right and noble thing that is so much a part of his character

Were there any deletions from this excerpt that you can share with us? And can you please include a photo of your marked up rough drafts of this excerpt. My editor and I do all our mark-ups on the computer using Word’s Track Changes, so here’s a screen shot of the line edits on one of the pages from this excerpt.

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

Learn more about Misty M. Beller by clicking on the below links.