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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 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
byChautona Havig

Love a fast-paced suspense novel? Listen in as I chat with Taylor Newport about her newest release!

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

Don’t know about you but this series sounds AWESOME.

Overdrive by Taylor S. Newport

The mission looked simple. But the enemy is closer, faster, and deadlier than they imagined.

Tyler Reid needs a break, but trouble finds him first. A call from London pulls him into a missing-person case linked to a powerful surveillance project that’s suddenly worth killing for. The deeper he digs, the more bodies he finds—and the more obvious it becomes that someone wants the entire system for themselves.

Alexandra “Alex” Romanova is looking for an escape from Veritek and the weight waiting for her back home. A trip with Tyler should’ve been the break they both needed. But when the case escalates and puts her company in the crosshairs, she goes with him—trying to keep him grounded even as the danger forces him to speed up.

The investigation spirals into a breakneck pursuit, ambushes snapping at their heels as their unknown enemy stays one move ahead. Someone is erasing anyone tied to the project, leaving bodies instead of answers. With the elusive threat closing fast, Tyler and Alex are fighting to get ahead long enough to expose who’s hunting them.

Learn more about Taylor on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Don’t miss the first episode HERE.

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

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Episode 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
Episode 565: A Chat with Taylor S. Newport
August 1, 2026
Chautona Havig
Episode 564: A Chat with Sheri A. Bradley
July 27, 2026
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Episode 563: A Chat with Stephanie Mack
July 25, 2026
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Bonus Episode: A Chat with Becca Wierwille
July 21, 2026
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Episode 562: A Chat with Laura Thomas
July 20, 2026
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Episode 561: A Chat with Laura Frantz
July 18, 2026
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Episod 560: A Chat witih Melanie Dobson
July 13, 2026
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Episode 559: A Chat with Lisa Phillips
July 11, 2026
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Episode 558: A Chat with Felicia Hurd
July 6, 2026
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Episode 557: A Chat with Laura DeNooyer
July 4, 2026
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