This novel captivated my heart and soul! This is the second book in this series that I have read. It is not necessary to read the other before but I do highly suggest it as each book will bring so much joy into your life. This novel pulled me in from the first chapter, and from there on out I one clicked this book. The glimpses into the history setting to this book was quite unique and you can tell the research for this book has been done thoroughly. There were multiple twists in this novel and I want sure where some of the story would go, but I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. There was so much heart put into the writing and I loved every word of it!5 stars from me.

I received an e-copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley, all opinions here within are my own.

The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep is set during the French and Indian war. It is a story of adventure, espionage, courage and love.
Mercy Lytton is not your typical lady. She has been raised among the Mohawks and struggles with where she belongs in the world. She has a gift of incredible eyesight and is chosen to assist a group of men on a dangerous mission. Elias Dubois is a condemned traitor but has been given a reprieve of his death sentence in exchange for helping the British move a shipment of gold from one fort to another; gold that was originally stolen from him. Assisting in this mission are Rufus Bragg, the general’s lazy son and a well-known scout, Captain Matthew Prinn. Will love flourish before the mission is accomplished or will all perish in the attempt?
This a story you just can’t put down. It is full of excitement at every turn. The author’s descriptions make one feel they have fallen right into the story. I could easily imagine the sights and smells surrounding the characters. There are many twists, turns and surprises as you turn each page. Are any of the characters really who they say they are? I kept hoping that the General was wrong about Elias; I couldn’t bear for him to spend his life in prison after all he was going through to help accomplish the mission. The book has a very logical ending though there are some sad moments as there always are in wars. I give this book 5 of 5 stars; Michelle Griep never disappoints me and this story is no exception. Excellent writing and lots of excitement!
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Daughters of the Mayflower series keeps getting better. The Captured Bride is my favorite so far.

I particularly enjoyed the setting. I've read a lot of historical fiction, and I've read very few that take place during the French and Indian War. There were enough historical details to make the story interesting, but they were not presented in a way that felt like a history lesson.

The romance between Mercy and Elias was believable. I also liked the supporting characters, and thought that, for the most part, they were well done. The bad guys may have been a little too obvious.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I am looking forward to the next one in the series!

I absolutely loved this story, and I really didn’t want it to end! The setting, the characters, it was all so real and tangible. When I had to set aside the book to go to bed, I ended up dreaming about the characters. The secrets and the mystery in the story kept me turning pages. I just couldn’t get enough!

When I was younger, my sister and I use to pretend we were Indians and see how quietly we could walk through the woods and not leave any trace we’d be there. Mercy Lytton doesn’t just play scout, she is one! Mercy is accustomed to standing on her own. She’s capable, fiery, and an expert tracker. Yet, it is her heart that makes the largest growth.

I wasn’t quite sure what to think of Elias at first. But as the story progressed and I got to know him better, I couldn’t help but fall for him. Elias has his own secrets, and he hides them well. Elias surprised me a few times but in the best way.

I was captivated right from the start, there wasn’t a dull moment, the story flowed seamlessly all the way to the end (that I wasn’t ready to see). I give this fantastic book 5 enthusiastic stars. Do yourself a favor and go buy this one on June 1st when it comes out!

(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

This is another great bookby Griep! The descriptions in this book put the reader in the pages. The characters are realistic and knowing the dual POV helps the reader connect to these characters. I thourouly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

This 3rd book in "Daughters of the Mayflower" series, was just as enchanting for me, as the 1st 2 stories! It's a wonderful Christian Historic American Romance by Michelle Griep, that I couldn't stop reading until it ended! The story is set during the French & Indian War, in New York Colony.

Elias' Mom had been British, & his Dad a French Voyageur. Elias was captured by the British Army while he was transporting French gold on British land. He was a traitor. Yet he strongly practiced his Christian faith in God.

Mercy's English Mom had been enslaved as an adult, by Huron Warriors, then rescued by Mohawk Warriors. Her Father was the Shaman (leader) of his Mohwk tribe. Mercy judged her Mother as weak & cowed, so she rejected her Mom, as well as her Mom's Christian Faith.

We would call Mercy a "tomboy". She's stubborn, independent, & doesn't trust easily. She was gifted with exceptional sight to see long distant things; & so excelled as an British Ranger during the War.

The British General that Mercy served under, wants the French Gold in secure British hands & in solid British territory. So he induces Elias to take the gold to another British Fort. To disguise what was happening, Elias would be traveling with his "family" of 3 other British soldiers. That's how Mercy & Elias meet, she's to be his "Wife". Her Ranger Partner, an older man, is her "Father". And the General's lazy, whiney 16 yr old son, is the family's "Son".

Elias ends up being the 1st man, Mercy's ever been attracted to; & she fights it ferociously. Elias is instantly drawn to Mercy's beauty & unique personality. Their relationship & trust grows as their adventurous & dangerous trip moves along. Elias keeps praying for Mercy & sharing his Christian faith with her.

Elias originally hid something extremely dangerous, in one of the gold crates. He needed to get it to Boston, to save many people's lives. But now, he wants to keep his traveling "family" safe also. The escalating problems/delays they encounter, put them in increasing danger from the French/Huron Warriors.

Tragedies happen, & deaths happen! Does God keep Elias & Mercy safe in His hads? Who's the Mastermind behind all these tragedies? Does the gold get to the British Fort ultimately? Who rescues who? Does Mercy finally open her heart to Jesus? Who exactly is Elias working for: the French or the British? Does the "extremely dangerous something" make it to Boston? Does love conquer & draw Mercy & Elias together, into their HEA?

You'll have to buy the book to find out! I guarantee, you'll be very happy, if you do!

I received this eBook from NetGalley I exchange for an honest review.

I've enjoyed the Daughters of the Mayflower series so far, and this one fits well with. We continue to flow through the family tree, focusing on Mercy this time, and during the French and Indian War. The author has done a fabulous job of researching her history and including many well-known, as well as lots of lesser-known, facts about the war in this story. The characters are likable and believable, and you are rooting for it to all work out well in the end!

This is was my favorite of the Mayflower Brides series so far. The first two took me a little to get into, but this one had me from the beginning.

It is the story of Mercy Lytton, a scout with keen eyesight, Matthew, Rufus Bragg (the son of the General ordering the transport) and Elias Dubois, a “traitor” raised by the Wayendot Indians, who are tasked with getting a load of gold through the wilderness safely to Fort Edward. From the very beginning, though they try to discourage any mention of an attraction, you feel Mercy and Elias are meant for each other. They encounter many trials, heartbreak, and surprises along the way, but Mercy and Elias cannot deny their attraction any more. Mercy does not understand Elias’s faith and how he can have so much trust in someone he cannot see until she comes in danger, and meets Livvy a small child with faith greater than Mercy could imagine. It is then that Mercy leans on this faith that Livvy and Elias both have, and finds that she feels so much lighter. After losing her mother’s at young ages, Mercy finally learns what her mother means by being captive and to let others help her.

I loved this book, I totally could have read it faster if I had more reading time, it was that good. If you enjoyed the first two books of the series, you will definitely enjoy this one.

Take ride through the French and Indian War. The story is compelling and the characters well developed. You will keep the pages turning as you read on to discover who is truly loyal to what side and who the traitors are.

“Pioneer women were very tough – they had to be, because the men go off for long periods of time, and the women would have to be able to protect themselves and their homes.” –Haley Bennett

This review may contain SPOILERS… Rating: clean, faith based. This is book 3 in the Daughters of the Mayflower series.

Anyone familiar with the 1992 movie The Last of the Mohicans, or have read the novel by James Fenimore Cooper, will love this story by Michelle Griep. Having seen the movie starring Daniel Day-Lewis, I could easily picture the atmosphere and characters in Griep’s story.

Timeline: 1759, 5-years into the struggle between France and England for dominance of North America. Our characters and their situations were believable, realistic and I could-not-put-this-down. I was caught up in the conflict immediately. WOW!

Our three main characters: Mercy Lytton ‘Kahente’ was returning from a scouting campaign with Captain Matthew Prinn, her mentor/friend and scouting companion. Elias Dubois, a condemned traitor, was in jail awaiting a date with the gallows.

Brigadier General Bragg called a meeting with his scouts to discuss their next mission… escort a load of gold [stolen from the French… and Dubois] to another British fort. They would be disguised as a family unit… father, daughter and her husband… at that statement Mercy bolted from the room. She was having none of that… a husband…??? Never! When she finally calmed down enough to hear the mission … she discovered that it was to be a pretend marriage… that… she could agree to. Thus, our group began their journey. It would not take Mercy long to discover that there was more to Elias Dubois then appearances dictated. He, we would soon learn, had a mission of his own. General Bragg had his own agenda in the adding of his son to their traveling party. Lawd help them… that boy was useless. He was never around when you needed him… nor when there was work to be done.

Religious element: This was a faith-based story and not preachy. Our characters were realistic as they talked/prayed to a higher power and were very personal regarding their God. They also related well with each other whether the other was a person of faith or not. When a character was facing their own death or approaching a huge trial in their life… they often sought the guidance/peace/deliverance and reassurance from that higher power. It was well done.

What I didn’t like: Not really didn’t like… just a little niggling thing. It was the explanation for the secret weapon. I realize it was a difficult decision on the part of the author in producing something dangerous and necessary to the advancement of the war. She explained that difficulty in the author’s comments following the story. However, I think it leaned a bit modern and every time it was described… it pulled me from the story. It could just be me… perhaps our modern use of chemical warfare… jaded me a bit.

I volunteered to read an advanced reader copy with no expectations of a review. I wish to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this work. The views expressed are my own. Expected publication date is June 1, 2018.

Michelle Griep is a master crafter who can captivate her readers in any genre she chooses to write. 'The Captured Bride' is a heart-pounding, gripping story of the savage war-torn frontier, with all the elements that make for a fascinating historical journey!

Mercy Lytton is a tough as nails heroine who would rather wear buckskin breeches than gowns. To be quite honest, I never really liked her a whole lot and I don't think she really cared. lol She meets her match in the knee buckling (hers and mine), enigmatic traitor, Elias, with the smoldering blue eyes...the only one seemingly man enough to tame her. With plenty of heart-stopping danger in the form of Indians and nefarious villains, steamy (but clean) romance, and a spiritual thread of hope and redemption 'The Captured Bride' is one novel you don't want to miss!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a favorable review.

Mercy Lytton has long straddled two worlds. As the daughter of a Mohawk leader and a captured white woman, she grew up questioning her identity, her faith, and even her role as a woman in a male dominated world. She works for the British as a wilderness scout, spurning the idea of hearth and home - reminders of her mother's passive submission. Caught between these conflicting worlds, she finds herself assigned to a mission which requires her to feign marriage to a convicted traitor whose connections are not only with her French adversaries, but also her native people's enemies.

Elias DuBois has also struggled to find his place in the world. The mission to which he has been assigned as Mercy’s “husband” is supposed to be a reprieve from his death sentence, but can he escape the network of lies and deception surrounding him?

Michelle Griep spins a tale which twists and turns its way through the wilderness. The daring heroine and her enigmatic suitor struggle to complete their mission while wrestling with their own identities. I enjoyed the characters’ development and the unique dilemmas in which they found themselves, although a couple times I felt like the plot may have been momentarily wandering a bit in the wilderness, as well. I appreciated, however, that the characters’ spiritual journey was as defined as their physical journey. Michelle Griep clearly loved these characters as she wrote them and tenderly brought their pain from the shadows into the Light. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to a friend who enjoys historical fiction.

What drives me nuts is I want to know the genealogy from William and Mary Lytton to Mercy Lytton!

Mercy's mother was captured by Wyandot braves and then "saved" by a Mohwak brave. Mercy is a "mixed breed" as people meanly call her. But while her mother taught her about God and how to be a lady as best she could, Mercy grew up to be an Indian woman. A fine scout, she works with a ranger, Matthew Prinn, to scout for the British during the French and Indian War.

Elias confused the heck out of my! His story is very complex, but I'll help you out with this - he is British <i>and</i> French. But most of the British don't know that. That's all I'm going to say.

I liked this story. It's an interesting time period, the characters are compelling, and the message of trust in others is clear. A huge problem for our characters is the hurt they have experienced in the past makes them reluctant to trust others. Mercy is used to being looked upon as less because of her mixed heritage and Elias was berated by his grandfather.

I enjoy stories with gentlemen and chivalry and sweet treatment of women. I like seeing how such treatment breaks down walls. Michelle Griep writes very nice stories. This is a fun series that I'm very much enjoying. I look forward to the next one.

Mercy Lytton is the strangest thing Elias DuBois has ever seen. A slip of a woman, both Mohawk and white, she is a renowned scout for the English. And her pride and stubbornness, ooh, la, la!! Almost as great as her talent.

Elias DuBois is perhaps the sorriest thing Mercy Lytton has ever seen. Beaten until he is half-dead, condemned as a traitor to the English, DuBois can only escape the hangman’s noose by joining an elaborate scheme. One that forces him and Mercy to work closely together, trust or not. This is the premise of The Captured Bride, Daughters of the Mayflower #3, by Michelle Griep.

Michelle Griep has earned her way onto my favorite authors' list. She can take any period of history (in this case the French and Indian War) and turn it into a living, breathing, “I-dare-you-to-escape-by-the-nape-of your-neck” experience. Griep was once a protégé of Laura Frantz; if you like Frantz, you will love Griep. She has a painter’s way with words that causes me to smile at the stunning visual images she evokes.

A couple of favorite phrases:

“An arrow once shot could not be re-quivered.”

“Strength without common sense was worse than dangerous.”

I highly recommend this book and this series for history lovers or those who want to learn what history may have been. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and NetGalley as well. (I also bought a copy as a gift.) My opinions, for which I am solely responsible, are not influenced by the complimentary copies.

The Captured Bride
Daughters of the Mayflower - book 3
by Michelle Griep
Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Barbour Books
Christian , Romance
Pub Date 01 Jun 2018


I am reviewing a copy of The Captured Bride through Barbour Books and Netgalley:

In this book we are transported back to Fort Wilderness fifteen years into the French Indian War where we meet Mercy Lytton who was raised with the Mohawks causing her to live between two cultures. Mercy was born with the gift of keen eyesight. With such keen eyesight she is asked to be a scout for a bunch of men who are on a dangerous mission. This shows her it is not her life that is threatened though but her heart just may end up broken.

Elias Dubois faces the Gallows. At the last minute he is offered to get his freedom if he agrees if he agrees to accompany a stolen shipment of French gold to a nearby fort but it turns out he is the one who stole the gold.

The thief of his heart turns out to be Mercy who steals into his thoughts at every waking moment.

I give The Captured Bride five out of five stars...

Absolutely perfect!
I have enjoyed the Regency novels that this author has written, but I enjoy her new world writting way more. This story jumps up and runs from the first page and never slows down.
I love that about a book. I love how the author captured the rugged rawness of the frontier in vivid words, and made me feel like I was there, smelling the forest and Earth. I have read the first two books in this series, but this one is my favorite by far. The interplay between the two main characters was well written. I love a love story with a element of danger to it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have a confession to make. When it comes to series books I try to avoid them. Why? Usually, it is because by the time the next one comes out I've forgotten what went on before with the other books and I have to reacquaint myself with the characters. But in Daughters of the Mayflower, each book can be read as a standalone and each book is written by a different author. While they follow the basic premise (they are all descended from the Mayflower), each book therefore, is unique.

The Captured Bride, the third book in this series, by Michelle Griep, (a new author to me) did not disappoint. Mercy Lytton was raised among the Mohawks after her mother was captured by them. While her mother kept her faith and never once turned from it, Mercy grew up listening to her father and his ways, despising her mother for her beliefs, which she considered weak. I love how, throughout the story, Mercy grows to realize that her mother's faith was not a sign of weakness but of strength.

In contrast, the character of Elias Dubois is considered a traitor by his companions, but it is his belief in God and his Christian character that help Mercy see that faith in God is not a weakness as she believed, but a strength. The romance that develops between the two is all the more endearing in the end.

I look forward to continuing on with this series and reading more books by Michelle Griep.

THE CAPTURED BRIDE by MICHELLE GRIEP is an historical romance novel with a good Christian message, and a good dose of suspense. It is an interesting and exciting read.
The story takes place in 1749 during the French & Indian war.
When General Bragg sends four people to take two wagon loads of stolen French gold from Fort Wilderness to Fort Edward, posing as a grandfather, a married couple and a nephew, he certainly chose an interesting foursome! Mercy Lytton is a scout with incredible eyesight and Matthew Prinn is a dear friend of hers who has worked with her for some years. Matthew is to pose as the grandfather, and a man who narrowly missed being hanged, Elias Dubois, is to be Mercy's husband. Rufus Bragg, the General's son is to make up the party as Matthew's nephew.
The author has obviously done a great deal of research into the period in which the story takes place. The story is good and the characters are captivating.
I was given a copy of the book by Barbour Publishers Inc. from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

The Captured Bride is a great addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I have loved this series so far and this third installment did not disappoint. I liked Mercy and Elias's story. A good, sweet, and clean read. I give it four stars.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review 100% my own honest opinion.

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review. #TheMayflowerBride #NetGalley
-I love the way love grew between Elias and Mercy - slowly, unwittingly, perfectly.
-Easily a 5-star story, lost one because when I tallied how many short prayers and sermons there was, it was getting a bit heavy. No one spoke without saying something to God and/or giving a sermon to someone thereby it was getting old.
-A great deal of excitement, guilt, grief, and happiness mixed during all their adventures.
-The end left me us with a bit of question marks that I will need to answer with my own imagination.