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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 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
byChautona Havig

The charming Amish district of Stoney Ridge has new residents. Listen in as Suzanne Woods Fisher and I chat about this latest book, A Hidden Hope, and the fun she had writing it.

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

Chats with Suzanne Woods Fisher are always lovely. We talked about this book and about her love of writing about outsiders and how they find their place in the world.

A Hidden Hope by Suzanne Woods Fisher

With the arrival of three unexpected newcomers to Stoney Ridge comes an array of secrets and emotions brewing just beneath the surface. Supervising two newly minted medical residents might be the toughest challenge Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus has ever faced. Wren Baker, sharp and ambitious, graduated at the top of medical school with a hidden agenda in tow. Charlie King, at the bottom of the class, is determined to succeed–though Dok isn’t convinced he’s got what it takes. Then there’s traveling nurse Evie Miller, whose quiet love for Charlie doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by Wren. Boarding at Windmill Farm, the trio struggles to balance modern medicine with Plain living. Between medical emergencies, cultural misunderstandings, and brewing romantic tensions, Dok finds herself juggling far more than she bargained for. Soon the stage is set in the small Amish community of Stoney Ridge for plenty of professional and personal complications. PRAISE FOR A HEALING TOUCH “The author perceptively sketches her characters’ emotional arcs as life’s challenges yield unexpected gifts, speaking to the power of second chances, faith, and love.”–Publishers Weekly

You can learn more about Suzanne from her WEBSITE. Also, follow her on BookBub and GoodReads.

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Episode 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
Episode 506: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
January 12, 2026
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Episode 500: A Chat with Joy Crain
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Twice Sold Tales is hopping with fun characters and packed with fabulous books. FREE through 1/14/26 and always "free" through Kindle Unlimited.
Audiobook narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo coming soon!
#ChristFic
#BookBub
#BookishBooks
#KindleFree
#KindleUnlimited
https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Sold-Tales-Bookstrings-Book-ebook/dp/B0BLKCDYKR
One of my favorite characters is a grumpy, rather One of my favorite characters is a grumpy, rather harsh curmudgeon who shows up in quite a few Fairbury books. Neal Kirkpatrick. I told his story in New Year's Revolutions, but that cover and title never worked for the story, so he got a makeover. We all need a refresh now and then, right?
Redeeming Neal Jerk-Patrick is more than a comedic look at one man's entire life overhauling because he fell for a gal who loves Jesus before all else. But that's a pretty fun part of it.
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N001JDC/
#KindleUnlimited
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Twice Sold Tales is hopping with fun characters and packed with fabulous books. FREE through 1/14/26 and always "free" through Kindle Unlimited.
Audiobook narrated by the fabulous @ChristaDelSorbo coming soon!
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#BookBub
#BookishBooks
#KindleFree
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