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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

So, Did The Captured Bride Steal My Heart?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

“Can I order a burger?”

I nodded and waved my daughter off.

She stopped and stared. “You didn’t say, ‘May I.’ What are you reading?”

“A new book by one of new my favorite authors.” Well, that’s what I meant to say. I think I interjected a few words from the storyline in there, too. Speaking and reading together don’t usually work.

“Is it good?”

That snapped me out of it. I blinked up at her. “Um… I don’t know.”

She stared gap-jawed before turning to go order that burger. At least, I think it was a burger…

So, Did The Captured Bride Steal My Heart?

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission but costs you nothing extra.

So, Did The Captured Bride Steal My Heart?

No. I didn’t love it.

But it did capture my interest, my imagination, and my attention. In fact, only knowing that I would be unable to function the next day forced me into bed at about the midpoint.

When I asked for a review copy of The Captured Bride from Celebrate Lit, I knew I’d like it. After two other books by Ms. Griep, I have a feel for how she approaches story. And I like it. A lot.

You know, when you absolutely love a book, it’s so easy to write a review. When you’re “meh” about a book or even if you hate it—it’s also easy. It might not be easy to write a kind one, but easy enough to write.

But when you like a book… really like it, but don’t absolutely love it, things become difficult. Is it because you had unrealistic expectations? Was it just the wrong day to read it? Could you be too picky about things?

With each chapter of The Captured Bride, my confusion grew. Like I said. I liked the book. I wanted to love it as I had Ms. Griep’s other books.

But I didn’t.

I mean, I really liked it. It’s a good book. Riveting action, excellent plot, engaging and convincing characters, rich description and attention to historical detail…

I highly recommend it because it is an excellent book. The quibbles I have with it are minor… occasional lapses into speech that sound modern (regardless of whether it was authentic then, a couple of phrases sounded very now). A few repetitive turns of phrasing. Romantic moments that were just a bit much for me but most people really love.

If I could give 4.5 stars, I would. Because I almost loved it… it almost captured my heart… but I didn’t quite love it. I just really liked it.

And it sold me on on the first books in the series. I’m buyin’ them suckers ASAP!

The Pirate Bride

The Mayflower Bride

The Captured BrideAbout the Book

Title: The Captured Bride

Author: Michelle Griep

Release Date: June 1, 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

A war-torn countryside is no place for a lady—but Mercy Lytton is a lady like none other. Raised amongst the Mohawks, she straddles two cultures, yet each is 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’s offered his freedom if he consents to accompany a stolen shipment of French gold to a nearby fort—but he’s 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?

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 537: A Chat with Meg Calvin
byChautona Havig

One of the best parts of being able to interview authors is learning about how their lives influenced their writing, and my chat with Meg Calvin is one of those. Listen in to our chat about There, He Holds Her and see why I am looking forward to reading this book–despite it being very different from my usual choices.

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Learning about Meg’s personal history in ministry and her passion for helping authors was a delight.

There, He Holds Herby Meg Calvin

Some love stories end. Others just go underground.

There, He Holds Her is a dual – timeline novel for readers who want to be swept away and wrecked a little – in the best way.

1979, Plockton, Texas

Eighteen – year – old Vivian Chelsee sneaks out on graduation night to meet the boy she loves. By morning, everything has changed – and not in the way she dreamed. What her family calls protecting her future, she will spend a lifetime quietly questioning.

2018, Rutherglen, Texas

Vivian’s daughter, Rev. Heti Stone, has built her life on discipline, denial, and an upcoming bishop nomination. Then Aunt Moira dies and all her plans unravel. An alluring stranger shows up at her church who has absolutely no interest in who she’s supposed to be. Old family secrets surface that were not intended to be heard. Dreams bleed into waking life. The dead feel close. To move forward, Heti must face what women in her family were taught to sacrifice – and reckon with the possibility that love, grief, and the Divine don’t always show up the way the Church said they would. To move forward, Heti must wrestle with the question:

What if your deepest desires were never shameful at all – but holy ground?

If you want to preorder and get goodies, go here: https://www.megcalvin.com/there-he-holds-her/

Learn more on Meg’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 537: A Chat with Meg Calvin
Episode 537: A Chat with Meg Calvin
May 1, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 536: A Chat with Samantha Roman
April 27, 2026
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Episode : A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
April 25, 2026
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Episode 534: A Chat with Joanna Davidson Politano
April 20, 2026
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Episode 533: A Chat with Chawna Schroeder
April 18, 2026
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Episode 532: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn
April 13, 2026
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Episode 531: A Chat with Heidi Gray McGill
April 11, 2026
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Episode 530: A Chat with Erica Colahan
April 6, 2026
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Episode 529: A Chat with Debut Author, Deena Adams
April 4, 2026
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Episode 528: A Chat with Debut Novelist, Chuck Shelton
March 30, 2026
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