1. Captured By Love, Michigan Brides Collection Series #3
    Jody Hedlund
    Bethany House / 2014 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$17.81 Retail Price$19.00 Save 6% ($1.19)
    4.5 out of 5 stars for Captured By Love, Michigan Brides Collection Series #3. View reviews of this product. 52 Reviews
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    Stock No: WW210495
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Displaying items 11-15 of 52
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  1. mountains
    Alberta Canada
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    I was completely "captured" by Jody Hedlund's book.
    August 1, 2014
    mountains
    Alberta Canada
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Captured by Love was a deep and abiding love story that I suspect will stick with me for awhile. The characters felt alive on the page with anxiety and passion that I couldn't help absorbing. The book was hard to put down. The action wasn't intense and edge of your seat, but the love story was. The obstacles that this couple faced were challenging and seem to mount higher with each turn of a page. It felt much like plucking the petals of a daisy - they will be together; they won't be together; they will ... they won't. It pulled me through the story with fierceness many stories lack.

    The conclusion of the book, and the love story, didn't come with a crash or boom, instead it gently led the characters to a very natural ending that didn't feel contrived, forced or unrealistic. I enjoyed this part of the story the most.

    Another awesome aspect of the story was the obviously powerful attraction and passionate bond between the two main characters. It at times felt so powerful that it would lead the hero and heroine to fall into sin. However Hedlund portrayed their angst/desire for each other beautifully and yet within the bounds of Christian fiction. The spiritual journey each character had to travel revealed the often times, very real emotions of lust, passion and sexual desire. Yet, this was perfectly balanced with their love and commitment to follow God's will and plan for each of their lives. Sometimes faith can be arduous. Well done, Jody.

    The setting was beautiful and devastating at the same time - a war-torn isolated island of such breathtaking beauty in contrast to a harshness of survival. I felt the setting played a key role in the plot, keeping the reader entrenched in the emotions of the story.

    Jody Hedlund did a fantastic job with this story. The writing felt so natural and flowed with ease. I have only read a few of her books to date, but she is closely becoming one of my tops! Captured by Love is the third book in her Michigan Bride Collection and from the tiny bread crumbs dropped in the final chapters I will bet there is another one on the way. (?) I have not read book 1, Unending Devotion or book 2, A Noble Groom in the series yet. This did not affect the enjoyment of this story at all. Check out her webpage where you can click on any of the books and find fun facts, chapter excerpts and reading discussion guides. Enjoy!

    A definite recommended read for those who love epic love stories and historical backgrounds. A beautiful bouquet!

    Thanks to Bethany House and the author for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. I was not required to review it positively.

  2. KavR
    Canada
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    An epic tale that left me breathless
    July 23, 2014
    KavR
    Canada
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Oh my stars, I don't know where to begin. Absolutely amazing writing. It's in the minutest of details from dialogue to characterization to action-paced adventure. The pages are steeped in history so vivid I could smell the gun powder, feel Angelique's gnawing hunger, hear the battle sounds. I felt like a time traveller!

    And the romance! Oh la la you'll need your fainting couch and smelling salts for this read. You can't expect any less when it comes to such vibrant, opinionated, passionate characters as Pierre and Angelique. Tension crackles off the page every time they are together. Angelique reliving her girlhood crush until it becomes something much deeper and more meaningful. Pierre -- the consummate flirt and the best reformed rake I've met within the pages of a book. He really grapples with Angelique's transformation from girl to woman in his absence from the island. And there are so many obstacles in the way of a happily ever after.

    And if the romance doesn't bring enough tension to the story the gritty reality of war certainly will. Hedlund explores a fascinating piece of North American history. Fur traders, voyageurs, Indian alliances, British and Americans at war. An epic tale that left me breathless. You. Must. Read. This. Book! Yes...you!

    Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
  3. Josi
    Baker City, OR
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Steamy Christian Romance and Great Historicity
    July 14, 2014
    Josi
    Baker City, OR
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This historical romance deserves just about every cliché accolade you would ascribe to a good book of its genre. The romance is about as intense as Christian story-telling is going to get, and the historical overview of life on Mackinac Island during the War of 1812 is fascinating. I appreciated the author's dedication to historicity, as it gave the plot a good sense of depth and realism. Pierre and Angelique, the main characters in this novel, are well-developed, dynamic and witty. Their characters grow through trial and hardship and the author challenges the reader's spiritual growth from the framework of Pierre and Angelique's choices to live with integrity and moral strength (or not) throughout the situations they face.

    My only criticism- if you can call it that- is that at times this book felt like a sequel to another. There were moments here and there when it seemed there was a back-story I was missing out on. When I checked to see if that was the case I learned that this is book #3 in The Michigan Brides Collection, so perhaps I was missing a back-story, although it appears that the previous two books are necessarily related to this one. Nonetheless, I'll be adding Jody Hedlund to my list of great authors to follow and I plan to read her other books. "Captured by Love" gets my strong recommendation for those who enjoy reading historical romance.

    I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
  4. Amy C
    VA
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Captured By Love
    July 2, 2014
    Amy C
    VA
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    There is nothing like holding a new Jody Hedlund novel. I get so excited when she has a new release. It seems like every time I pick up one of her novels, her writing gets better and better. If that is even possible. I tell you what, Captured by Love does not disappoint.

    This novel constantly played with my emotions. I often found myself in tears. I never knew what else could possibly happen next. I did not want to quit turning the pages. My poor kids lost their mommy until I read the last page.

    Jody Hedlund is the master at crafting romantic chemistry between two characters. Oh my, the chemistry between Angelique and Pierre is undeniable. I loved how in between the many emotions, these two would playfully tease each other. So much fun.

    The descriptions of the setting of Michilimackinac Island are quite vivid. I truly felt like I was transported in time to this beautiful island.

    This novel is fabulous! I already cannot wait to read Jody's next book.

    Highly highly recommended. 100 stars.
  5. An Old Fashioned Girl
    Minnesota
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A captivating tale from the War of 1812
    June 30, 2014
    An Old Fashioned Girl
    Minnesota
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 4
    Set in the War of 1812, Jody Hedlund's novel explores the effects of the war on the people of Mackinac Island, a strategic position for the fur trade where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. Malnourished and oppressed by both her stepfather and the British occupiers, Angelique Mackenzie tries to slip by under the radar, taking care of the blind mother of her fiance and avoiding being married off by her stepfather. Voyageur Pierre Durant returns to the island after a five-year absence and discovers his suddenly grown-up childhood friend Angelique is engaged to his younger brother - a man he believes is all wrong for her. Pierre is there to make amends with his family, but he is highly attracted to his brother's fiancee, plus treading a fine line with having previously spied for the British and now spying for the Americans. With friends on both sides of the war and battle coming closer every day, what will Pierre choose - America or Britain? To woo Angelique, or to honor his brother?

    Since the War of 1812 is frequently lost in the shadow of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, it is fun to learn more about this nearly forgotten part of America's history. Hedlund highlights the fact that the Great Lakes were a major theatre of the war, and Mackinac Island was a highly desired post given its importance in the booming fur trade. Though her main characters are fictional, she sticks closely to history in describing the conditions on the island and the battle that ensued over it.

    Like in her novel Rebellious Heart, which takes place in the years leading up to the American Revolution, Hedlund places great emphasis on loyalty. However, the author looks at it from a different angle in this story. Pierre, before turning to Christ, sold information to the British, and then later spied for the Americans. Since turning to Christ, he is convicted over his spying and lying, as while his true loyalties are with the Americans, he has friends among the British. With his feet in both fires, he cannot be completely true to either. Similarly, Angelique has adored Pierre since childhood, but with Pierre gone for so long, Jean steps in and eventually convinces her to marry him. Then while Jean is away fighting for the Americans and Pierre returns, Angelique's feelings for him also return, though she is still promised to Jean. Both Pierre and Angelique end up playing both sides, unintentional though it may be. The bible is clear, though, that one cannot serve two masters, and at some point one must make a choice (and ideally choose to do what is right.)

    Like in her other novels, Hedlund excels at creating romantic tension, though I was a little concerned in this book, given that Angelique is promised to another. Love triangles are not really my thing - someone always gets hurt - but it is tastefully done, and it ties in well with Angelique's struggle to overcome her mother and sister's poor choices. I like that there is a strong theme of overcoming family curses for both Angelique and Pierre - that both strive to not fall into the same temptations and vices as their parents. This book encourages one to keep striving, even when one falls back into sin, because we can overcome by the blood of the Lamb.

    A well-researched, fast-paced novel - 5 out of 5 stars!
Displaying items 11-15 of 52
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