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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 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
byChautona Havig

 I fell in love with Nancy’s writing with The Shell Collector. Imagine my joy when I discovered she has a SEQUEL! Eeep! Listen in and discover which characters you’ll find in To Light the Way Forward and what’s coming next for one of America’s favorite authors!

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

It’s been three years since Nancy and I had a chance to talk, and in that time, she’s been BUSY.  So in addition to falling in love with her character, Tug, and wanting to give him his own story, she’s written a small-town duet (and maybe we talked her into a third?) as well as a romcom duo!  Think we can talk her into a third of that series as well?  Because… SPOILER ALERT… we’re getting a third Shell Collector Series book, too! EEEP!

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle

A novel of overcoming deep loss, taking risks, and learning that life—and love—often surprises you when you least expect it, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Shell Collector. “Bringing to life characters you can’t help but fall in love with, Nancy Naigle goes straight to the heart with this story of tragedy turned to triumph. A poignant reminder to never give up hope.”—Sheila Roberts, author of The Best Life Book Club Feeling adrift after the loss of her husband, Rosemary sets out to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, undeterred by the threat of a hurricane. Before the storm hits, she finds herself at Tug’s Diner where she quickly connects with the owner, Tug. But the storm destroys the diner, compounding Tug’s grief from losing his love the previous year. The longer Rosemary stays, the more she sees Tug’s deep sadness and resolves to help him. Together with Tug and friends Amanda and Paul, they all pitch in to help the close-knit community recover and rebuild. As Amanda and Paul reconnect after losing touch during the storm, their plans to take things slow seem increasingly impractical. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple navigate their relationship, they also find themselves building a friendship that begins to restore them both. But can that friendship convince them that love is possible for anyone who’s willing to take a risk—even those who never hoped they’d find it again?

Learn more about Nancy on her WEBSITEand follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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

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Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
July 19, 2025
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Episode 447: A Chat with Cate Touryan
July 14, 2025
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Episode 446: A Chat with Rachel Chamberlayne
July 12, 2025
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Episode 445: A Chat with Michelle Griep
July 7, 2025
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Episode 444: A Chat with Rosey Lee
July 5, 2025
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Episode 443: A Chat with Yvonne M. Morgan
June 30, 2025
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Episode 442: A Chat with Liz Johnson
June 28, 2025
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Episode 441: A Chat with Shannon Sue Dunlap
June 23, 2025
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Episode 440: A Chat with Jordan Millsaps
June 21, 2025
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Episode 439: A Chat with Laura Thomas
June 16, 2025
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