The Captured Bride by Michele Griep is a story about the French and Indian war. Mercy is a scout for the English and is paired up for a mission with Elias, a traitor. I love the dialogue between Elias and Mercy, it is witty and entertaining. Both are strong characters and well able to stand on their own. The story flows well with a few plot twists. I always enjoy the way Michele crafts a story. Although The Captured Bride is part of a series by different authors, it can be read as a standalone book. So grab a cup of spruce tip tea and settle in for a great read.

Michelle Griep is one of my *very* favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint. The French and Indian War is not a part of history I remember studying much in school, so I really enjoyed learning about this time before the American Revolution. I love it when a book presents a time period in such a compelling way that I do more research about it -- and that is exactly what I did while reading this book. This book was a great mix of history, mystery, and romance. In case you're reading reviews because you haven't made up your mind, you need to read this book! Thanks so much to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy in order to supply my honest opinion.

The Captured Bride is the third book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, but it can be read independently. I love the concept of this series, 5 different authors all wrote a book that follows American history from 1620 up to 1794. Each book has new characters, but they are all from the same family tree.

The Captured Bride features Mercy Lytton and Elias Dubois during the French and Indian War in 1760. Mercy is a female scout, and even though she's very good at it and has amazing eyesight, men don't take her very seriously and second guess everything she says. She comes along as a very strong independent character, but underneath she is struggling. It seems she is always in between things: she struggles between her Indian and British heritage, between female and male because of her profession and independence, in between religions, but most of all she doesn't know what she wants next. Then we have Elias Dubois, who seems to be a traitor and is sentenced to die, but he gets a second chance. And there is a large shipment of gold that needs to get to another ford. Both Elias and Mercy get to go on this mission and go undercover as husband and wife. But something doesn't seem quite right about this entire mission, and it might just be that the traitor is more honorable and kind than Mercy could have imagined possible.

Michelle Griep has an amazing writing style, it just flowed and you have to keep on reading. The writing style also made the story seem more authentic, the phrases that were used feel like they belong in that time, but it is still very readable and pleasant to read. The story was really well done, there was a lot of action to keep the plot going, and there was also plenty of room for character development and interaction between Mercy and Elias. I love character driven plots, so this was perfect for me. Right from the beginning you get the feeling that this mission is not what it seems and that Elias is keeping some secrets, but you can't imagine entirely why. Slowly you find out more but it takes a grand finale for all the pieces to come together. The secondary characters were also well thought out, I especially loved Matthew. The romance is also a slow burn and not the focal point of the story, it is more about how love and new insights changes them both (it plays a nice part though). The book was really well paced, not a boring moment, and the ending is very satisfying. I really liked this book!

This e-ARC has been given to me by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

“The Captured Bride” is an engaging, action-packed novel. The readers should be aware that it is Christian fiction and the references to faith and God are common occurrence in the book.

The novel takes place in 1759 during the French and Indian war. The main character is a girl named Mercy Lytton, whose mother was a Christian before she died. The girl’s father, Black-Fox-Running, is a sachem (a leader) of the Mohawks. Mercy feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere. She is not sure about her faith and place in the world. She doesn’t know what the future will bring.

Mercy is a scout for the British and when she comes back from one of her missions to Fort Wilderness, General Bragg asks her and her fellow scout Matthew Prinn to fulfil the most challenging mission so far. She is requested to enter the enemies’ territory with the precious load of gold and transport it safely to another fort. What’s more, she and her companions need to travel under the disguise, pretending to be a family, in a company of a French traitor, Elias Dubois. Mercy is enraged when she discovers that Elias is supposed to act as her husband during their dangerous journey. She is self-sufficient and wild and hates the idea of belonging to anyone and even a fake husband is getting on her nerves.

There are many dangers on the road and at one point Mercy is captured by Indians, Wyandots, allies of the French. During their quest feelings develop between Mercy and Elias, despite of their differences and fears. The characters were interesting and the writing was beautiful. Overall, it is a very well-written Christian fiction.

I received " The Captured Bride" from the publisher via NetGalley. I would like to thank the author and the publisher for providing me with the advance reader copy of the book.

I am a huge fan of Michelle Griep's writing and The Captured Bride did not disappoint!

It's 1759, during the French and Indian War. Mercy Lytton, a scout for the British, finds herself at a crossroads. Her friend, father-figure, and captain is retiring and she must decide if she wants to continue doing the job without him. If not, then what will she do next? For now, she finds herself bound by duty to help transport a condemned traitor by pretending that he's her husband, which she's vehemently opposed to.

Elias Dubois is the condemned traitor headed for jail, but in order to stay alive he must pretend to be Mercy's husband and make the trip to the fort where he'll be held. It doesn't take long, however to realize there's more to Elias Dubois than we're first told. These two must learn to work together, they begin to appreciate each others strengths, and ultimately help each other deal with their difficult pasts.

I enjoyed The Captured Bride a great deal and am looking forward to the next book in the series!

This was a very fast-paced race-against-time adventure, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Christianity elements were very present, but didn’t come off as obnoxious, which I appreciate. And the strong-willed heroine and secretive hero had me hooked from the start!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

My Review


Genre: Historical, Christian Fiction.


My Rating: 4 and 1/2 Stars.


Recommendation: 15+ because of violence.


My favorite character/s: Deliverance (Livvy) Hunter is just sooooo sweet and trusting, normally I don't like when writers throw in a younger kid to show how their characters act with kids, yet Miss Griep did great with Livvy. I loved her and how insightful she was.

My Verse for Livvy is Matthew 18:3

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.



My thoughts: There was a little too much violence for my taste, but it wasn't overwhelming. In all this was a very enjoyable book, and I hope to (soon!) read more by Michelle Griep.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review. (And I am truly happy to provide it! :-) )

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I had read the previous book in this series and was very disappointed with The Pirate Bride. It took me a while to even start this book. But once I finally started reading, it was hard to put down. Not all historical fiction is realistic when telling the story but this book was. Very enjoyable.

4.5 stars

“It is in the darkest skies we see the brightest stars.”

Michelle Griep continues to be one of my consistently favorite authors, especially when she delves into the time period of Colonial America. The Captured Bride is everything I have come to expect from a Griep novel – rich in setting and historical details, strong characters, and breath-stealing romance!

Mercy Lytton is a heroine not to be messed with – a woman with a compassionate heart and a skilled scout entrusted with the most dangerous of missions. A mission that includes Elias Dubois, a complex character in his own right and a condemned traitor with one last chance at freedom. In many cases, both Mercy and Elias walk a fine line between two worlds and watching them find common ground – and attraction – is truly a pleasure. Mutual respect, affection, and increasingly deeper feelings also walk a fine line between their cover (a married couple) and their reality, and Griep is masterful at conveying these tangled emotions with a look, a sigh, a thought.

In the middle of this swoony romance and the riveting struggle to complete their mission (and survive to tell the tale), a gentle and authentic thread of faith weaves seamlessly through the story. Elias’ faith is relatively new but strong, while Mercy has a basic knowledge without any heart roots. I loved watching her observe Elias and his relationship with God – and how those observations affected her own soul over the course of their journey.

Duplicity on many sides, as well as danger around every corner, means their journey is at times, as I mentioned a moment ago, an all-out battle for survival. Griep has truly captured the treacherous nature of the time period, yet at the same time the adventure never overpowers the characters. Rather it acts to heighten their strengths and weaknesses, and above all points to the Savior who redeems.

Bottom Line: You will not want to put this book down! Adventure, romance, history, and faith all converge on a tumultuous era in American history to tell a story that will hold you captive from word one. Mercy and Elias and a cast of intriguing supporting characters keep you strongly invested in the outcome – and may even prompt you to do some historical research on your own. Perfect for fans of Laura Frantz and Lori Benton – and of Michelle Griep herself!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I am enjoying this series, as a fan of Michelle Griep I was excited to see her name as an author in this series. As always she delivers quality intrigue and romance.

The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep is the third book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. It can be read as a stand alone novel, and it is set during the French and Indian War. Mercy Lytton is an outsider as she is the daughter of a Mohawk Indian father and an English mother and defies conventional gender roles by working as a scout. Elias Dubouis makes his living by working both sides of the French and Indian War and stole a gold shipment. Fate brings these two people together as Elias is offered a way to escape the gallows by transporting the gold he stole to a nearby fort and Mercy is unwillingly cast in the role of his wife as a way to provide cover for his previous dubious identity. Will they be able to deliver the gold, or will the obstacles in their way be too much to overcome. Fans of Laura Frantz will find another favorite in Michelle Griep. My one criticism is that most readers know little about the French and Indian War, and Griep could do better explaining the conflict in general as it helps readers better understand the setting and the challenges faced by the characters.

Mercy Lytton's sharp eyes can see farther into the wilderness than any other scout's. Half white, half Mohawk, She's been chosen, along with two other English scouts, to take a wagon load of gold to an English fort through a forest rife with French and Indians. They'll travel in company with a traitor, Elias Dubois, whose sentence to the gallows has been commuted if he helps with the mission. As cover for the journey, Mercy must pose as Elias' wife. Not surprisingly, their forced proximity ignites romantic interest between the two. When dangers mount, Mercy and Elias learn to count on each other, leaving Mercy to wonder whether Elias really is a traitor and Elias to wonder how he can bear to carry out his own secret orders if that means giving up Mercy.

The entire time I was reading this book, I felt like I was reading a Laura Frantz novel...and since Frantz is a favorite author of mine, that's a good thing! Mercy and Elias were a well-matched pair, and I loved how Griep gradually crescendoed the trust that lay between them. Both of the main characters' religious convictions played into the story, and their spiritual character development felt authentic without being over-the-top. The situations with native Americans on the warpath were nail-bitingly tense, and Elias' calmness under pressure (especially as he negotiated for Mercy's release in the Indian camp) was remarkable. This is one of the first novels I've read set during the French and Indian War, and although many of the events in the story are fictional, they felt accurate for the time and the setting.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Wow, I've really loved all of the books in the Daughter's of the Mayflower series and this one is no exception! I am really impressed by how much research author, Michelle Griep puts into her books. It was fascinating to read the book and then read the carefully researched facts she added after the story pertaining to it. Historical fiction at it's best. Mercy Lytton, a half white half Mohawk knows the lay of the land. This is one woman you have to admire, she is a truly independent woman working as a scout with her older male friend, Matthew. Now this is not a romantic relationship as he sees her as a daughter and will do everything in his power to protect her. Scouting in the wilderness takes a special woman, one who has the smarts to withstand the elements and surprise attacks by man and beast alike. Elias Dubois faces the gallows as a condemned traitor . When he's offered his freedom in exchange for accompanying a stolen shipment of gold to a nearby fort. Feel the tension and drama when the buried gold disappears. The romantic tension between Mercy and Elias is apparent throughout the book. I loved both main characters, both outdoors,rough around the edges types but yet gentle with each other. Intriguing, this will capture your attention and you'll still think about it when you've completed the book.
Pub Date 01 Jun 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing, Inc. through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Captured Bride Is a very harmonious book. One book that is jam packed with information and fun. The main character is very lively and is monumental the story is in no way mundane. The story flows and the author is respectful of the characters. She brings them straight off the pages and into your room. It is historic and enjoyable. I learned a lot. The one thing they all have in common is that they all are submissive to the LORD and they need to do that especially then- to survive.

: I loved learning about the French and Indian war as this author whisked me back in time with remarkable visual images, riveting action and intriguing, realistic, fun characters I enjoyed hanging out with. The author pays attention to historical detail with rich descriptions that don’t bog the reader down but help them experience the time period. Four unlikely travelers, three men and a woman; set out on a trek through dangerous territory with valuable cargo and only a hope and a prayer they’ll make it to their destination. All the while they are banding together to use their experience and skill set to avoid French soldiers, Indians and the challenges of the wilderness.

I enjoyed Mercy a no nonsense, tough, skilled scout who you don’t want to mess with. She feels comfortable in breeches rather than gowns but can fit into a formal setting with ease when necessary. Mercy takes on this assignment at the urging of her father figure friend- a worn out soldier named Matthew. The captain has told them that they will be traveling with a condemned traitor named Elias Dubois and Rufus Bragg a sixteen-year-old boy with a gawkily build. This mission keeps gets better and better. The icing to the cake for Mercy is the fact she will be married in name only to this traitor Elias.

As their journey goes along, tensions rise as they learn each other’s skill sets, navigate natural disasters, discover each other’s temperaments and look out for ways to gather food for them all. This is a fascinating, compelling period piece I couldn’t put down. This gripping story is filled with twists, turns, surprises and action that was fast and furious with a splash of romance. I loved this author’s witty dialogue and the secrets each keeps from the other. This is how Matthew; posing as Mercy’s father describes her to Elias; her pretend husband, “This her is Mercy. …. She can be a little…Let’s just say she is a fiddle string wound tight and about to break. Might wanna ride quiet for a while. If she snaps, it will leave a mark. She’ll get out if soon enough.”

I cared deeply for these characters right from the start; as they faced the dangers of this unbelievably crazy assignment. I loved that the spiritual aspect of this story was not preachy but was woven in naturally. This is the third book in the Mayflower series. Each novel can be read as a standalone. I liked the author notes to readers where she gives you the behinds the scenes look at how this story came about. I highly recommend this for a great read and/or for your next book club pick. T

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Netgalley. 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 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

This book held me captive as I read with its frontier wilderness setting and vivid characters. There is tension throughout the story with the dangers from the French and Indian tribes who are warring with the English. There is the sense that things are not as they seem, and the suspense is heightened as loyalties, motivations, and backgrounds are slowly revealed. The travel and action kept a swift pace, yet there was a good balance with showing the personalities and emotions of Mercy and Elias so I felt connected to them and invested in their story. They had a strong connection to each other and their chemistry only grew as they bonded through the trials they endure together. I loved the spiritual journey Mercy also takes as she grieves for her family and seeks to understand the faith of her mother. Fans of A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz won't want to miss this one!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Michelle Griep is swiftly becoming one of my favorite authors! I absolutely love the way she spins a tale! I love her strong characters, both male and female! And I love how they are never intimidated by the strength of the other but recognize how their strengths complement each other. I love the way she writes their romances as well. I love the twists and turns in her plotlines, the treachery, and the strong spiritual component in each book!

I also really enjoyed the historical setting of this book! The French and Indian War is not one I have learned much about and so I found this story fascinating. Without any hesitation, I highly recommend this book to lovers of history, lovers of adventure, and lovers of romance alike!

The Captured Bridge by Michelle Griep is book 3 in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I am a fan of Ms Griep's novels and I was excited to pick up this novel. I found the time period and history behind this novel fascinating. I'd love to read more about it and I appreciated the author's historical notes at the end of the book. This book is full of adventure, action, and danger. There are some brutal killings by enemies in the book. Overall, this is an exciting book and I would highly recommend it! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. These opinions are entirely my own.

This is the third book of The Daughters of the Mayflower Series. Each book can stand alone but I've read each one. This book is dated in 1759 in New York.

This was an absolute delight to read. I loved the book. This story is about Mercy Lytton and Elias Dubois. Mercy is a spirited young woman who is strong and independent. Mercy needs to work through her past before she can ever find true happiness. Elias is on a dangerous mission and has to keep this from Mercy. He can not risk being vulnerable.

We often appear to others stronger than we actually are. Sometimes we believe that if we show our vulnerabilities we are weak. The exact opposite is true.

Great book! I can not wait to the next book in this series!!!! I am taking a vacation with each book and I'm not even leaving my recliner. Thank you, Michelle Griep!!!

I received this free to review.

Having been slightly disappointed by the first two books in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, I was leery about wasting time reading the third book. But I was pleasantly surprised by Michelle Griep’s addition to the series!
Griep’s writing is beautiful. Her descriptions swiftly transport the reader to upper New York in the 1750s in the midst of the French and Indian War. I was surprised at how quickly I fell into the story, and how I really did want to know what caused Mercy to be captured (as the title suggests). Griep did a wonderful job of building tension; of layering and slowly revealing backstories and motivations of her characters; of creating possibilities then tossing in challenges; of developing trust between her characters; and of maintaining a realistically harsh, yet still engaging atmosphere for Mercy and Elias to work through.
I did enjoy this story and plan to read more of Michelle Griep’s work. If the rest of the series is written like The Captured Bride, I will gladly read them all! I’d recommend you grab your own copy. (*Note: you do not have to read the series in order to be able to understand the individual stories!)
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the digital copy of this novel. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂