A little bit about what you'll find reviewed here

A little bit about what you'll find reviewed on this blog: I believe the best books involve characters you wish you could read more about long after the book is finished. Recently, I've been searching for hidden gems from the past. I read mostly fiction, and I'm a bit of a prude. I don't normally enjoy books with sex or excessive language.

Who I am:
I raised two wonderful girls, and I'm super proud of them. I enjoy reading (of course), sewing, cross stitching, photography and writing. I live in the high desert portion of Washington (which I didn't know existed until my husband and I decided to move here) and have really enjoyed my time out here. I am excited to see what God has next in store for my life!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Captured by Love (Michigan Brides #3) - Jody Hedlund

I found Jody Hedlund a while back when I picked up the first book of the Michigan Brides series, Unending Devotion.  I finished the second book, A Noble Groom, earlier this month.  When I had the chance to read the third book, I jumped at the chance.  And since I spent my childhood summers on Mackinac Island (the setting for this book), I was even more excited.

This book is set way before the Grand Hotel, the horse drawn carriages and the fudge.  About a century ago, the island was occupied by the British.  The Americans want the island and their attempts to block supplies from getting to the island are impacting the people living there as well as the troops.

Angelique is one of these people.  She lives with her stepfather who is obsessed with making sure she lives a chaste and meek life.  Any minor mistake leads to harsh punishment.  She longs for the day when her betrothed, Jean, will return and take her away from her prison.  Even though she doesn't love him, he loves her.  He's a loyal American and was forced to leave the island when he refused to sign over his loyalty to the British.  When Jean's brother, Pierre, comes back after leaving abruptly five years ago, Angelique questions her choices.  She’s always favored Pierre, but he’ll never quit being a fur trader and she’s unwilling to leave her precious island.

Pierre has come back to spy.  He doesn’t recognize Angelique at first, but once he realizes who she is, he can’t help but think he’s a better match for her than his brother.  He’s played both sides of this war at one point and time, but now he’s chosen his path.  He longs to return to his travels, but his mother needs his help.  And so does Angelique.

This book was great.  I’m not normally a fan of this time period, but I really enjoyed reading the vivid descriptions of what life was like a century ago on Mackinac Island.  I didn’t know the history of the island that far back and it was really interesting.  The characters were also well written.  As I got closer to the end, I was afraid I wasn’t going to get that happy ending, but I wasn’t disappointed. 

The books in this series don’t connect, so you can read them out of order or alone.  They’re all pretty good, though.  Next up for Hedlund is a new series.  Love Unexpected is the first book in the Beacons of Hope series and is due out November 25, 2014.  It’s also set in Michigan and I’ll be keeping my eye out for it!  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


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