Review: The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep

Book Three in the Daughters of the Mayflower series

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A War-Torn Countryside Is No Place for a Lady
 
Mercy Lytton is a lady like none other. Raised amongst the Mohawks, she straddles two cultures, yet each are united in one cause. . . to defeat the French. Born with a rare gift of unusually keen eyesight, she is chosen as a scout to accompany a team of men on a dangerous mission. Yet it is not her life that is threatened. It is her heart.  

Condemned as a traitor, Elias Dubois faces the gallows. At the last minute, he is offered his freedom if he consents to accompany a stolen shipment of French gold to a nearby fort—but he is the one they stole it from in the first place. It turns out that the real thief is the beguiling woman, Mercy Lytton, for she steals his every waking thought. Can love survive divided loyalties in a backcountry wilderness?

My Review

This book held me captive as I read with its frontier wilderness setting and vivid characters. There is tension throughout the story with the dangers from the French and Indian tribes who are warring with the English. There is the sense that things are not as they seem, and the suspense is heightened as loyalties, motivations, and backgrounds are slowly revealed. The travel and action kept a swift pace, yet there was a good balance with showing the personalities and emotions of Mercy and Elias so I felt connected to them and invested in their story. They had a strong connection to each other and their chemistry only grew as they bonded through the trials they endure together. I loved the spiritual journey Mercy also takes as she grieves for her family and seeks to understand the faith of her mother. Fans of A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz won't want to miss this one!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Check out the other books in the Daughters of the Mayflower series . . .

Book One

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean

Read my 3 star review here

Book Two

The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo - set 1725 New Orleans
 Read my 4 star review here

Book Four

The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia 
(coming August 2018)

Book Five

The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road 
(coming October 2018)

Book Six

The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore 
(coming December 2018)

Review: An Amish Family by Kathleen Fuller

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing 

Synopsis

In An Amish Family, beloved author of Amish romance, Kathleen Fuller, invites readers into the lives of four Amish families.

Building Trust
Grace Miller and Joel King are in love. They’ve dated secretly for the past year and when he proposes marriage, Grace eagerly agrees. But when she tells her parents about the wedding, she’s shocked when her father tells her she can’t marry Joel. Can Grace get to the bottom of her father’s animosity toward Joel so they can have the happily ever after she’s always dreamed of?

A Heart Full of Love  (also in An Amish Cradle)
Ellie’s mother hasn’t stopped meddling in her personal life since Ellie lost her sight—and she’s taken it up a notch now that Ellie’s pregnant. When Ellie gives birth to twins, her mother insists on moving in to care for them. But when her mother’s behavior becomes unbearable, Ellie is forced to take a stand . . . and finally find out why Mamm can’t let go.

Surprised by Love
In a desperate move to evade her match-making mother, Emily Shwartz announces that she’s already seeing someone: Reuban Coblentz. The trouble is, Reuban is barely even a friend. Seeing how desperate she is, Reuban plays along. But when the past sneaks up on them, will this temporary arrangement turn into everlasting love?

A Gift for Anne Marie  (also in An Amish Second Christmas)
Anne Marie and Nathaniel have been best friends since they were kids. Now things are evolving . . . in ways everyone else predicted long ago. But when her mother suddenly decides to remarry in another state, Anne Marie’s new chapter with Nathaniel looks doomed to end before it begins.

My Review

Building Trust

This is a story with themes of forgiveness and compassion. When Grace realizes that her father is holding a secret grudge, she expects quick forgiveness so she can marry Joel, but it takes compassion on both sides to heal the hurt from long ago. I liked Joel's contrition and patience with Grace's father as he seeks to prove himself worthy of Grace.

A Heart Full of Love

Ellie is a fascinating character, blind and pregnant with twins with a husband who has to work long hours. She has adjusted to her lost eyesight and enjoys her independence and marriage, so accepting help with her new babies is a struggle. Compounding the difficulty is her overprotective and controlling mother. As frustrating as Edna was, I appreciated that the author delved deeper into the mother/daughter relationship and we learned why Edna had her own struggles with trust and letting go. 

Surprised by Love

This was my favorite of the collection. Emily is clumsy, wears thick glasses, and is more interested in astronomy than dating. What I loved about her is that she accepts herself and is cheerful and friendly. Rueben is also a friendly guy, and the circumstances they find themselves in give him the chance to get to know Emily better and their friendship quickly deepens even though they both try to ignore the attraction that flares between them. A sweet and lovely romance!

A Gift for Anne Marie

I loved this sweet story of friends who become more when they realize they will be separated. There are other conflicts besides the impending move, including a friend of Anne Marie's who decides to pursue Nathaniel. The friendship they share is lovely, but when new feelings begin to develop confusion and hesitation enters in and disrupts the harmony they had enjoyed. I love when friends fall in love since they have a great foundation and know each other so well. It was funny to see just how well Nathaniel knew Anne Marie and her moods ;)

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: Light My Fire by Susan May Warren

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Former bad-boy Tucker Newman has learned his lesson—as the temporary team leader of the Jude County Smokejumpers, he’s all about following the rules to keep his team safe. Especially when he has to partner with a group of local low-security prisoners to knock down the raging fire. But the prisoners are not who they seem, and when they stage a break, kidnapping one of his teammates, he’ll have to break every rule he knows to get her back.

US Marshal Stevie Mills knows that to get the job done, she must work alone. She simply can’t risk another person getting hurt because of her. When she discovers that a wanted fugitive accused of rape and murder has not only been set free to fight the fire—but is now on the lam with a hostage-- the last thing she needs is a zealous smokejumper getting in the way of her pursuit.

Whether they like it or not, Tucker and Stevie must join forces if they hope to save lives, and in the meantime, they just might discover a new definition for the word teamwork, in book 1 of the Summer of the Burning Sky.

My Review

A fast pace and non-stop action made this book one I couldn't put down! I was thrilled when I heard the author is writing more stories about the smokejumpers and hotshots that fight wildfires. Tucker comes from a difficult background, but has learned that following the rules keeps people from getting hurt- most of the time. He feels responsible for those under his leadership, and struggles with his faith when things go south.

Stevie has a past full of regrets that she hasn't forgiven herself for, and thinks those she lives the most and hurt the most can't either. She has a tough exterior and a dogged determination to work hard and get the job done, characteristics that attract Tucker, but it's the vulnerable side that she shares with him that bring them close together.

Mix firefighting with fugitives in the run and it's a recipe for high stakes danger. The escalated tension brings emotions to the surface and as struggles are revealed, Tucker, Stevie, and team member Skye provide much-needed encouragement and support in the midst of their trials. The end of this book provides a great lead-in to the next, and I can't wait to continue the adventure!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

When Katherine "Kit" FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she's forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. What should have been a chance encounter becomes much more as Graham embarks on a search for his friend's missing sister and is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she's telling.

After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different for the first time in her life, but what she wants can't matter. Long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. And as much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, revealing the truth isn't worth putting him and everyone she loves in danger.

My Review

My favorite thing about this book is the contrast of personalities between Kit and Graham. They both have so much to learn from each other and both bring a new and fresh perspective to their friendship and relationship. Graham's cheerful and light-hearted nature brings joy to the children and the women who care for them. Kit's mission and purpose shows Graham a serious side to the consequences of society's dictates and he admires her determination to work towards solutions. There is some danger and suspense as long-held secrets come to light, and Kit learns over time to do the right thing and trust God to provide solutions as she turns her cares over to Him. There is conflict that comes between Kit and Graham, but I loved what ultimately brings them together as they continue to pursue ways to help those in need. Loving this new series!!!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the FREE prequel novella in the Haven Manor series . . .

Synopsis

Margaretta Fortescue desperately needs to disappear from London society, and her only hope is to follow the rumors of another young woman who recently made a life for herself away from the glare of society. Her search leads her to the market town of Marlborough where, in spite of her efforts to avoid attention, she can’t seem to elude local solicitor, Nash Banfield.

All Nash wants is a quiet, sedate life—no risks or surprises. When Margaretta, clearly on the run and unwilling to answer questions, interrupts his solitude, his curiosity and his principles won’t let him leave this determined woman without assistance.

But will the truth of what Margaretta is running from be worth finally opening his heart up to a chance at love?