This book is part of the Daughter of the Mayflower series. The cover is absolutly beautiful. I have read the previous books in the series so I was excited to see this one come available. I have read this author before (you can check my review out Here). In this story, you are transported to a forgotten area of history. The French and Indian war (1790). The plot is very intriguing and took me on an adventure and I could not read fast enough. I always love getting a history lesson as I am reading. This book is well researched, beautifully crafted and a great story to read.

I received a book through the Net Galley and Celebrate Lit Blogging Program -- all thoughts are my own

Whether the setting of her books is America or England, Michelle Griep never fails to bring history to life. In book three of The Daughters of the Mayflower series, Griep once again delivers a story rich with historical facts, adventure, romance, and memorable characters.

Mercy Lytton in a woman of strength and courage—she has to be to exist in the man’s world she’s chosen to reside in—but also of stubborn determination. Tasked with transporting gold to a British fort during the French and Indian war, Mercy and her partner have a traitor and a n’er-do-well companion to contend with along the way.

Elias Dubois doesn’t take his responsibility lightly. He also cannot share his mission with the two people he’s coming to respect. And in Mercy’s case, his emotions encompass much more.
Griep does not gloss over or diminish the harsh realities of traveling through country that is fraught with danger of all kinds—nature, Indians, duplicitous men, and more. And her characters learn that, while life is full of uncertainties, heartache, and loss, relying on God’s provision and grace strengthens them during the difficult seasons.

Another must-read from this author and addition to the series. If you haven’t read the first two books in the series, you will not miss them. While each book follows the lineage of the heroine in the first book, the new books each stand on their own.

If you haven’t had the privilege of reading any of Griep’s work yet, The Captured Bride is an excellent excuse to add another book to your TBR pile.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I love reading books by this author because she is able to paint a picture with her beautiful writing style. An example is this sentence in the book; " Rain tapped a tattoo against the canvas'" Readers are able to visualize the rain falling while making a design . That's the kind of writing that keeps me coming back to the author. The story is well written and is vivid in detail and history.

Mercy is a woman to be reckoned with. She is very strong willed and doesn't like being told what to do by anyone. Her job as a scout is perfect for her. She has a special ability that will help her on the journey. Along the way the group encounters danger which heightens the story. At first I wasn't sure who to trust in the story. Elias is a traitor and sure is quick to make a deal to save his life. Is he interested only in honoring his deal, or does he have his eyes on something more valuable to him?

The story is filled with enemies, danger and intrigue that keeps readers attention. I loved reading about the rough terrain they traveled and the unknown that awaited them. There are several scenes in the book that describe an attack that were well written and showed how dangerous it was during this time period. The journey to their destination will turn into a fight for their lives as they encounter enemies that have blood in their eyes. Can Elias keep Mercy safe? I did like the story line where I wasn't quite sure who was a spy and who could be trusted. The story overall is good and I liked how trust and faith was weaved throughout the book. Make sure you grab a copy of this book and travel back to a time when the French and Indian War was dangerous and history making.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

I loved this unique look at history! I also appreciated that the story wasn't formulaic, throwing me for a loop a few times. I highly recommend it!

As the third book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, Michelle Griep’s The Captured Bride continues the fictional trek through America’s history. This story sweeps readers away to the time of the French and Indian War, where Mercy Lytton and Elias Dubois have quite an adventure, and I had a hard time putting it down. Grieps crafts her characters, conveys the history, and threads a faithful theme through it all so very well, and I just loved it. Fans of historical, romantic fiction, be sure to add The Captured Bride to your to-read lists—it’s worth it, and I highly recommend it.

Wonderful characters with realistic issues, a mission that turns out to be different than expected, and some characters are not who they seem to be.
I absolutely loved the storyline, I loved Mercy and Elias, the setting, the tension, the mystery. I love this author's books; the way she spins a tale, the development of characters, how the story comes to life. Ms Griep paints with words and I love her artwork!

This story pulls you right in and the action and characters fill your head with thoughts and images that keep you needing to know.. what next! Brings history to life and I really enjoyed how she put it together..

The third book in the Daughters of the Mayflower, The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep is a great read. Full of history, adventure and romance. I love how each book takes place in an important time of our countries history. Interesting characters and a wonderful story with great descriptions of the back-country. Mercy Lytton has a special gift and Elias Dubois has been labeled a traitor and together they have a mission to complete.

I received this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

The Captured Bride (2018) by Michelle Griep is the third book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. This book is SO good, I could not put it down. Every single page of this book is engaging and full of adventures, twists, and turns. There is virtually NO way to get bored reading this AMAZING story.

In the play Oedipus Rex, the title character suffers from an intense case of pride and arrogance. There is a stubbornness to Oedipus that prevents him from seeing truth until it is too late. Sight is a predominant symbol in the play — while Oedipus has sight, he is incapable of seeing truth, but blinded he can “see” everything. The Captured Bride does a phenomenal job of using sight as a metaphor just as Sophocles did in his play. Mercy, the heroine, has eagle-like eyesight. She is able to close off the distractions of the world, and hone in her sights to telescopic levels. It’s actually a really cool gift — one that serves her well as a scout. However, Mercy’s stubbornness and pride time and time again prevent her from seeing truth. Like Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice, Mercy passes judgement on others without really knowing their full stories. One of the most relatable moments in this book for me is Mercy’s struggle with her mother. Mercy treated her mother abominably as a young girl and teen because of how she perceived her mother to be.

My mother and I struggled from the time I was 9 until I was 22. I fought my mother ALL the time. I thought my mom was hard and cold and distant. I never felt like she understood me. I could never figure out what I needed to do so she would be proud of me. Straight A’s, making the Varsity Girls soccer team in high school, getting into college, having a job and paying my own way — none of it seemed good enough. Honestly, I always felt like I was a disappointment to my mom, so I just gave up. I figured it was just the way it was going to be between me and my mother. Some women have close relationships with their mothers, and some don’t. I hated it, but what could I do?

When I was 22, my mom told me a story that I will never forget. When I was a toddler, I was playing in my mom’s bedroom. My mom’s room had a sliding glass door, and I loved to play in the sunshine as it streamed through the door. One day, I was playing when I started screaming. The kind of baby scream that tells a mom her baby has been hurt. My mom ran into the room and found me holding my hand and crying. She heard a buzzing noise. She looked up and saw a bee buzzing by the door trying to get out. My mom grabbed her pillow and began whacking at the door yelling at the bee for hurting her kid. The whacking apparently went on for a good five minutes; what finally stopped my mom’s maniacal whacking was the silence in the room. My toddler-self was so dumbfounded by my mom’s actions that I just stopped crying and stared at her. Coming out of attack mode, my mom picked me up, kissed my hand, and told me she would do whatever it took to keep me safe from scary things that wanted to hurt me. In case you’re wondering, the bee totally died.

This story changed the course of my relationship with my mother. I realized that my mom did love me, she just loved me her way. This understanding shocked me to my core. And then, I felt like an absolute monster. I broke down into tears and begged my mom for forgiveness. She totally loves me, so she gave her forgiveness freely and immediately.

Why am I telling you this really embarrassing fact about my past? Because there is a moment when Mercy realizes the truth about her mother and is ashamed by her past actions, too. Mercy didn’t treat her mother well. In fact, Mercy was often downright cruel to her mother. In a FABULOUS scene, Mercy realizes the errors of her ways and cries out, “I did not see your strength because I did not look for it.” I’m not gonna lie — I balled my eyes out at this point. How Mercy feels when she makes this statement is exactly how I felt after my mom told me the Bee Story. I never stopped to really look at my mom and value her for her. I didn’t see her strengths. All I could see was how she had failed me in the ways I thought she was a failure. I was as blind and judgmental as Oedipus Rex, Elizabeth Bennett, and Mercy Lytton.

There is so much depth to this book, I didn’t even cover 1/8th of what happens. There are fantastic and timely messages about God and His faithfulness, forgiveness, and learning to leave the past in the past. There is a powerful romance that develops well over the course of the story. There are some seriously scary and evil villains. A few times, I found myself holding my breath because some scenes are just that intense. The Captured Bride really does have it all! If you are looking for a book that is highly engaging, thought-provoking, and well-written then The Captured Bride is the book for you!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This title is misleading there may be a captured bride in this story, but really the readers a captured into a world and story that holds their attention and mind till the very end. It was a delight to dive into this historical fiction novel, that had characters facing death in many ways. Though facing death these characters were strong and persevered through adversity.

One thing that truly stood out to me was the dialog between the characters. I felt as though I could hear the words in my mind being presented on the stage of the story. It was pretty cool to really play this novel out in my mind.

I think many types of readers will like this novel. It has adventure, love and faith. Back then faith got people through everyday struggles but also some of the harshest wars our young nation ever faced. It was cool to have a different perspective from the normal war setting and move into a more sneaky undercover setting.

This is the third book in the Daughters of the Mayflower Series. This series focuses on different time periods, but on strong female characters that are born in a common family line. This book focuses on Mercy Lytton. Mercy was raised with the Mohawks and has been taught how to scout due to her amazing eyesight. She meets Elias due to their having to pretend to be married to deliver items to a neighboring fort during the French and Indian War. This suspense filled novel is engaging and makes the reader believe they are living in that time. Not only do Mercy and Elias have to learn to trust each other, but they experience a spark between the two. This romantic historical novel is a must read! I highly recommend you read this book and the other books in the series! This is my first book to read of Ms. Griep, but will not be my last. You will not be disappointed in the book!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

Set during the French and Indian War, The Captured Bride is full of adventure, intrigue, and romance.

When Mercy and Elias are brought together on a mission of delivering gold to a nearby fort, there's never any doubt that the two will fall in love—but the way that they fall in love, through difficult circumstances that pop up at every turn, makes this story so enjoyable.

I loved all the twists and turns that the book took; though there's the overarching plot of taking the gold to the fort, all these sub-adventures exist, and they add interest throughout. In fact, it almost felt like a serialized novel, and I mean that it a good way. All of the side adventures helped keep me engaged in the story, and they also brought in some very intriguing characters.

The romance takes a backseat to the adventure until the last 15% of the novel or so, but Mercy's and Elias's feelings have been building throughout, so I didn't mind the general lack of romance in the first part of the book. (You know I love my romance!) I did think that things wrapped up rather quickly at the very end of the novel—it felt like there should have been just a little bit more to the story. But overall, The Captured Bride is a fun, engaging story, and I highly recommend it. 4 stars.

Note: This is the third book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Each book covers a different time period and is written by a different author, and each book stands alone. I haven't read the first two books in the series, but Mercy appears to be a descendant of William and Mary from The Mayflower Bride.

I have been following the Daughter’s of the Mayflower series before the books even began to hit the shelves; when I first heard about it, I was sure it would be a wonderful series of historical reads. Thus far, my initial thoughts have proven true.

Michelle Griep penned the third in the series, The Captured Bride, and has provided readers with a story full of excitement; suspense; uncertainty; grief; adventure, and romance.

Mercy Lytton, raised by the Mohawks, yet also a lady; a lady chosen to lead a team of men on a dangerous mission. As a scout with keen insight and skills, Mercy must get the men to their destination, with the very valuable cargo, without being accosted by the French and other Native American tribes.

Included in the mission is one Elias Dubois, a traitor sentenced to die. At the last minute, Dubois is given a reprieve if he agrees to accompany the mission as a guide. Dubois has a special interest in the cargo and he must succeed in getting his discovery into the proper hands; otherwise, many could die.

Mercy has no use for a traitor and Dubois doubts her unusual and keen insights as a scout. Each must learn to trust the other, despite their misgivings. Along the way, sparks begin to fly...first rather acrimoniously then developing into something else altogether. Mercy struggles with knowing Dubois is a traitor.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Captured Bride and highly recommend it. As with the previous two releases, each book in the series can be read as stand alone novels.

Another great addition to the Mayflower Brides series. I was given this book to review, and I wasn't disappointed. Like the "Pirate Bride," book #3 offers a lot of adventure and unpredictable plot twists even though I'd still put it in the classification of Historical Fiction or Christian Romance. 

Set during the French and Indian War, all of the main characters are fictional, but I truly enjoyed the bits of real history entwined in the story line. Each of the characters is very well developed and easy to relate to. Plus the mystery surrounding at least one of the main characters remains intact clear till the very end. 

I highly recommend this book to Christian and non-Christian readers.  If you like romance and Historical Fiction, I believe you'll enjoy this book.

I found this to be a highly intriguing story.
I love historical fiction, particularly when it really brings alive a period in history that I knew little or nothing about before reading this book.
The characters are great.
Mercy - a scout, a lady, and also an Indian. Truly an enigma.
I really liked her. Her determination. Her spunky nature. Her outspokenness...
Elias-- condemned as a traitor, and then pardoned, if he poses as her husband.
At first, she despises him and all she believes he stands for.
As she gets to know him, and discovers who he really is, well.... yeah, this story really does get interesting!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

What a great adventure story; Full of action, intrigue, mystery, love and loss! Ms Griep is a wonderful storyteller who captures her reader and doesn’t let them go. She weaves mystery into a story that leaves you at the end of your seat at every twist and turn. Love the slow love that develops between Mercy and Elias. There were hooks that I never expected and tons of action that kept me reading hours into the night. I questioned the addition of a few of the characters that just showed up for what seems like such a brief part of the story. I wish they would have been tied back in again at the end. They seemed like the served no strong purpose. This is my favorite of the Daughters of the Mayflower series yet! Loved this story as I have every Michelle Griep book I’ve read so far. She doesn’t disappoint. Her characters are so deep and richly developed. Her stories are layers deep and captivating.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no compulsion to write a review.

This book brought to life the time period and difficulties of living in the midst of unrest in North America during the mid-1700s. Mercy Lytton, who is a child of a captured English woman and a Mohawk chief, serves as a scout for the British. Her keen vision and daring has served her well, but she may have encountered obstacles beyond ability to survive. She and Captain Matthew Prinn as assigned to accompany Elias Dubois, who has been accused as a traitor, as they deliver a shipment of gold. Elias has a secret mission too. Thwarted by those who would steal the gold, the party hardly knows whom they can trust. Will they succeed amidst the dangers they encounter? The characters all seem quite true and three-dimensional. The story contains some surprises too, which enriches the reading experience. This was a part of history I didn’t know much about, so “living” it through the novel created a memorable encounter. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

The Captured Bride, by Michelle Griep, is the 3rd book of the Daughters of the Mayflower series. This series is different from most, in that the books are written by different authors, but all follow the adventures, triumphs, and tragedies of the daughters of the Lytton family through several generations as this country is being established.

Set during the tumultuous and dangerous years of the French and Indian War, The Captured Bride explores this time in American History, not only as a political and territorial dispute, but as it affected individual lives.

Mercy Lytton is the adult child of an English mother and a Mohawk father. Mercy, having been raised with both cultures, is fed up with being seen as a half-breed by both sides; and although her mother raised her in the Christian faith, she has none, and resents her mother’s “weakness”. Born with unusually good eyesight, Mercy becomes an excellent tracker and scout, and prefers the outdoor life.

Captain Matthew Prinn is a Queen’s Ranger tasked, along with Mercy, with delivering stolen gold to an English fort. Matthew and Mercy have worked together for years.

The handsome, courteous, and Christian believer, Elias DuBois, is labeled a traitor by the English, and is scheduled to hang – his French surname doesn’t help. He is offered freedom in exchange for accompanying Mercy and Matthew. Elias has many secrets. Can he be trusted?

The Captured Bride explores human foibles that have existed since the beginning of time:
• prejudice against innocent bi-racial children;
• depression suffered by a mother who lost her baby;
• the plain-spokenness of men vs. the catty remarks often made by women who feel threatened by another woman;
• the assumption that women should not be independent;
• the need to make peace with our parents, even after they are deceased;
• recognizing that Christ has far more love for us than we can ever find in brokenness; and
• recognizing that loving is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness.

What Makes This Book Reviewer Grumpy?
• using “begs the question” in place of “raises the question”: an error that began in the late 20th century;
• using “bring” in place of “take”: another bad habit of the 20th century;
• “Handfuls” should be “handsful”; and
• a large number of split infinitives.

Colonial and Revolutionary America are two of my favorite time periods and the inevitable clash of loyalties and cultures never ceases to amaze me! Michelle Griep skillfully conveys the atmosphere of unrest and conflict both on a wide scale and at an intimate level.

Mercy Lytton is a fascinating character and formidable lady warrior. Despite her tough, no-nonsense approach to life (and men), Mercy possesses a generous and compassionate heart. Fierce female leads like Mercy demand an equally clever, skilled, and exceptionally patient male counterpart and Elias Dubois is that man and much more. Elias is a complex and captivating character with authentic faith and a healthy dose of smoldering.

An adversaries romance is difficult to pull off without compromising the integrity of one or both characters yet this story is a delightful success!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep

It was a good thing that I waited until I had a full Saturday to read The Captured Bride because I wouldn’t have been able to put it down for long. Mercy and Elias’ story is a very gripping adventure interspersed with spiritual truths.

As a “half-breed”, Mercy knows what it is like to experience prejudice. As the daughter of a proud Mohawk chief, she knew how important it is to be strong and faulted her mother for the way she appeared so weak. She needed to learn the lesson her name taught.

Elias had grown up under his grandfather’s care after being deserted by his father and never felt like he could measure up to his grandfather’s expectations. Regardless, he had discovered the joy of an intimate relationship with God. I loved the way that when he was on his way to be condemned to death as a traitor, he surrendered his future to the Lord.

Author Michelle Griep immerses her readers in the time period of her stories. She had me ducking so I wouldn’t hit my head on branches overhead and cringing from the arrows that flew in my direction. If you enjoy historical adventures through the Colonial-era forests of the East Coast, you should pick up a copy of this wonderful book.


This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net.

Be sure to read Michelle's Guest Post and get a preview of The Captured Bride at AmongTheReads.net


I would like to thank Celebrate Lit for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.