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.

Mercy Lytton captured my heart with her story. I loved this book so much! I took my time reading it, savoring every page. Mercy walks the line between the faith her mother instilled in her, that she can't quite understand and the ways of her Mohawk father. Seeing how Mercy's faith grew throughout the book was very moving.

Elias Dubois. Let me just say he may be a traitor but he is one swoon-worthy hero. He has a few secrets and a past that haunts him but he is a strong, faith-filled man.

I love the way Mercy and Elias both studied each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. I loved that Matthew saw it too.

This is a thrilling adventure filled with many surprises, twists, and turns. I held my breath during many parts of the journey. I even shed a tear or two. I did not want the book to end but at the same time, I could not wait to find out how it ended. It's just so good!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Another beautifully written historical romance from Michelle Griep. I am utterly amazed at the wide variety of historical eras Ms. Griep can write and has written about in her books. I have read 12 Days at Bleakley Manor and The Innkeeper’s Daughter this year, which were fantastic. The Captured Bride is a completely different novel set in a different place and time and yet equally enchanting and captivating. Anyone who loves a well-written historical romance will love this book (especially if you’re a fan of Ms. Griep’s writing!).

The story has tons of twists and turns in the plot with intrigue and mystery. The characters are layered and flawed, yet so lovable and worthy of the reader’s affection. The theme of grace, mercy, and forgiveness is very real in the story and Mercy’s faith journey, in particular, is quite moving.

Mercy is a half-Mohawk, half-white woman with a gift of sight. She uses this gift as a scout during the French and Indian War for the side of the British. She’s strong, too independent for her own good, fiercely loyal, and strangely tender-hearted for a warrior. Elias is a branded traitor who is captured by the British during the War. He is also strong, independent, fiercely loyal but haunted by the mistakes of his past. Elias is complex and the reader gets only glimpses into who he is until the very end when the puzzle that is Elias comes together. What intriguing main characters! Their dialogue is sharply witty and delicious; their romance is sweet and swoony.

I received a copy of the book from Barbour Publishing through Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own and subjective.

One of my favorites sports commentators has a quote he says when a player from my favorite team gets a home run. He says, “Mercer, Mercer me.” Well in this book I found myself saying that, except about Mercy. This latest novel in the Daughters of the Mayflower series was so unique, adventurous and fun to read. Mercy is one of those characters I wish I could get to know even more of. Her heritage, gifts, and persona made her such an interesting character. I could picture myself next to her, trying to see things the way she could, and watching Elias with a careful eye.

Elias was also an interesting character. Dubbed a traitor, you can’t help but wonder what he is all about. You learn about him little by little throughout the story, and I found that the more I learned, the more I liked him. He even shocked me a time or two, totally negating my preconceived ideas about him. I enjoy reading about characters that can do that. Hats all to Michelle Griep for writing such an intriguing character.

In this book you will find strength, honor, God fearing characters, adventure, and yes maybe even a little romance. Okay, a lot of romance. This was a welcome addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series. And for those of you who haven’t read the series, while I encourage you to do so, this could also be read as a stand alone. Historic and romance fans will enjoy it. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Captured Bride is by one of my favorite authors, Michelle Griep, and once again I am not disappointed. The Daughters of the Mayflower series is several stand-alone books by various authors, that follows the Lytton family line through the years. The Captured Bride is third in this series and is set in the mid-1700s in New York where readers will find Mercy Lytton in the middle of the French and Indian War. The historical background portrayed in the story is interesting and informative, bringing to light a war, although I've heard the name of, I know very little about. The characters are wonderful, multifaceted and captivating. Mercy, daughter to a Mohawk father and white mother, has a unique perspective on life in both worlds. She may have keen, falcon-like eyesight but in matters of the heart, she is pretty much blind. Chosen by the fort commander to transfer stolen gold through the unforgiving wilderness, Mercy is paired with Elias, a condemned traitor, and a Frenchman, no less. His choice is either complete this mission or hang at the end of a rope. Secrets, suspense, surprises, sadness, the author has infused this story with emotions and excitement. It is a story of honor and justice and ultimately, of love. Will love survive divided loyalties in this war-torn wilderness? I received a complimentary copy of the book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.

The second book I’ve read by author Michelle Griep, I enjoy her writing. Her style flows well and makes for enjoyable reading. This is my favorite of the Daughters of the Mayflower series. While this series continues through history, each can be read as a standalone so just jump in!

Griep has done her homework in researching this time in history. Her characters and descriptions are very intriguing. The reader vividly “sees” what is happening in the book; the heartache, troubling times, and danger. The people are flawed, realistic humans who grow as the story continues. And her descriptions of the landscape are true to what it would be like.

Mercy is torn between two worlds. Elias is condemned as a traitor. But with all the twists and turns, this story doesn’t go the way I thought it would. If you enjoy historical fiction I recommend The Captured Bride. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

What a fantastic adventure this was! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this story, from the plot that left me constantly wondering what was coming next, to the pairing of two strong lead characters, to the wonderful word smithery that brought both the story and the setting to life.

Mercy Lytton is the kind of heroine I love to read about. She’s strong, self-sufficient, intelligent, and feisty, but in a very down-to-earth way. Even more than that, I loved the way Elias won her over by giving her the space she needed and by respecting her abilities. That’s not to say they didn’t butt heads (after all, where’s the fun in strong characters who don’t butt heads?), but I loved that the friction between them wasn’t deliberately antagonistic so much as naturally arising from having two strong personalities thrown together in an endeavour fraught with danger.

There was a fantastic sense of setting to the story, too, with the majority of it taking place in the great outdoors. I’m not much of a camper in real life, and I can’t even imagine how I would handle a trip like this, but for some reason I love it when God’s creation—and all the inherent beauty and danger that can be found in it—plays a large role in a story. Perhaps it’s because it gives me the chance to experience it without giving up the comfort of my own home. Who knows? But it may as well have been a character in its own right in this story, bringing challenges, danger, and often the unexpected.

And although this is only my second novel by Michelle Griep, I am very quickly becoming a fan of her way with words. Take for example this description of Rufus Bragg, often a thorn in the side of group transporting the gold: Rufus Bragg wasn’t much of a man, for he barely held on to sixteen years. So gawkily built was he, his bones put up a fair fight to support his garments. Were it not for the knobs of his joints, he’d have to tie the shirt to his skin to keep it from falling off…Not only did he own no manners, it seemed he never intended to purchase any. It’s like a description straight out of Dickens. I love it!

If you’re looking for a historical romance with plenty of adventure, this is it!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

This is the third book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series and these just get better as the series goes on. I love reading stories set in the French and Indian war. Mercy band Elias have to learn to work together and have many adventures during their travels. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. A wonderful read. I received this from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books Publishing, Inc. through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Michelle Griep”s “The Captured Bride” has it all! It is packed full of adventure, intrigue and romance and will keep you on the edge of your seat. The attention to historical detail and its descriptive settings is a testiment to the authors research into this facinating time period. Set in 1760 during the French and Indian war, the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues through the harsh landscape of early America and its struggles to forge a way through new territories.

Mercy Lytton has grown up among Mohawks, and been raised alongside warriors. Her exceptional scouting abilities has brought her along side a ranger and a traitor with a dangerous task. This leads them on an unexpected and treacherous path where love, redemtion and grace is found.

I look forward to reading more from Michelle Griep and more from the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Well done!
I have posted review on both Goodreads and Amazon.

Set during the French and Indian War in the United States, 4 disparate people - an Indian woman scout both Mohawk and white, a male Ranger scout, a young, inexperienced Army soldier, and a condemned traitor, have been assigned to transport a shipment of gold between two forts.

From start to finish, there is plenty of action as the 4 main characters attempt to transport the gold, and each of the characters show their true colors. Rich with historical detail which shows Griep's obvious research into this war, the plot displays the horrors of war and the way various people handle the stresses that accompany it as well as make money off of it. Mercy Lytton was an incredibly strong woman but often filled with stubbornness and pride yet an amazing scout. Elias DuBois, the condemned traitor, has been beaten and starved, yet he has skills and abilities that make Mercy wonder who he really is. Rufus Bragg, the inexperience soldier son of General Bragg, was lazy as anything and always seemed to be plotting or planning how to get out of work. Put these four together and a difficult journey in the midst of war becomes even harder.

Griep has the ability to take any historical time period and create an amazing story within it. This is the third book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series and continues following the Lyttton family descendants. This book continues the strong stories told in Books 1 and 2.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Story Notes

Michelle Griep presents the third installment of the Daughters of the Mayflower series – a story that had a lot of potential and plot twists but fell a little flat in the action/adventure/danger department.

I had a lot of expectations for this story, not just because Michelle Griep wrote it, but because it is part of a series that, thus far, has been well done by all the authors creating the stories. And while I felt that there was adequate attention given to the spiritual and romantic sides of the story, the historical and adventure/danger sections seemed more of an afterthought. I realize this is in the genre of “Christian fiction” but there is a way to convey a great sense of danger and fear without being gory or gross. However, I will also share what I liked about the story as well. Ms. Griep begins her story with the arrival of Mercy Lytton at Fort Wilderness after a long journey scouting for the English/colonial army. Weary from her work and ready for a little time off, Mercy brings her reports to General Bragg, only to discover she is to be sent out right away as a scout with a captured shipment of French gold to Fort Edward. Mercy is glad to hear she will be traveling once again with her friend and mentor, Matthew Prinn but her gladness turns to anger when she hears she is to travel as a “married woman” – and her husband is to be the English traitor Elias Dubois. Determined to do her duty no matter what is asked of her, Mercy tells the General she will give the mission her very best effort, even if it makes her extremely uncomfortable to ride alongside a notorious prisoner. Elias Dubois is a “French agent” who was in command of a small group of French soldiers charged with delivering a shipment of gold to a New York fort. He and his men were captured and he is scheduled to hang for his crimes against the British crown at sunrise. However, a stay of execution has been sent for him, dependent on his cooperation to deliver the gold shipment to Fort Edward alongside Mercy, Matthew and the General’s son, Rufus. Elias agrees, and is soon ready to leave with the others. But what should be a relatively easy two week journey turns into much more as they pick their way through difficult terrain, hoping against hope they will avoid the warring Mohawks and Wyandot warriors hiding in all areas of the woods. They will face numerous problems including a broken wagon wheel, helping a settler family whose wilderness guide isn’t worthy of the title, and capture by the Wyandot tribe. As they face the unending challenges that come upon them, both Mercy and Elias will have to find a way to trust each other or they will never make it through this journey alive. Mercy has been on her own for so long she is not used to having someone, besides Matthew, to depend on for anything. And she certainly doesn’t want to trust this traitor she believes will run at the first opportunity. But there is much more to Elias Dubois and his mission that meets the eye. Elias carries a secret that he cannot tell anyone or his life is forfeit, a fact that pains him greatly as he gets to know Mercy. She is the exact kind of woman he has always prayed for but has almost given up hope of finding. But her strong will and determination to do her job have pushed her away from her Biblical upbringing and Elias sees helping her conquer these traits as a challenge he has been given by God. As they make both the physical and spiritual journey together, they will come to find a love that they can both believe in – and one they can trust completely. And they will need all their faith and love to make it through to the end as each hour brings a new problem and danger to face. As I said before, this story had great potential. I was very pleased with the plot and the context of the story. And the handling of spiritual matters was well done, with no truth being withheld in order to be pleasant. The romance as well was very nice and clean with more than enough conversations and situations together to make it believably real. But when it came to the adventure/danger it was a bit lackluster. While the capture of Mercy by the Wyandots was a bit suspenseful, there seemed to be a lack of viciousness that was to be expected from the warriors. I know that it is prejudicial to portray the American Indian as a savage type of person, but Ms. Griep previously alluded to the fact that this particular tribe were a very vicious and vengeful people. Not of course that they didn’t have just cause but that they exacted their revenge in a brutal way. I did like that Ms. Griep showed how arguments were often settled by challenges to the death by the Wyandots – as was true to history. They considered it a matter of honor that when someone, or their family, was offended, the offended party would challenge the offender to a fight of choice to the death. But the way in which they simply let Elias spend time with Mercy after he mostly won without placing a guard over their prisoner was a little hard to believe. Native Americans were not know for letting their captives go easily and would often tie them to others to ensure they remained in camp. The chief even said she was not going to be allowed to leave and yet not one warrior was assigned to guard her. My other issue was the fast resolution at the end of the story. It seemed to me that more information was needed to explain Elias’s job and the reason for his long held secret. And if you are going to tell of a specialized weapon, more research and page time needs to be included to make it at all believable for this time period. But overall, I did find the story enjoyable and would recommend it to others for a good read. Not everyone cares to be as particular in the details about a story as I am and therefore I’m sure many will read this story and say it was very well done in its entirety. I’m hopeful that Ms. Griep’s next book will return to the excellence I have come to expect from her in her other works – perhaps this was a one off because she is trying to fit her story into a multi-author series and lacked page space to really delve down into the details. On to the next book!

I received this E-book free of charge from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review and the opinions given here are entirely my own.

This is the third book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series (they can be read as stand alone novels) and is my favorite so far!! If you're a fan of a Last of the Mohicans style book, with the lead being a female, you'll love this!
From page one, I was drawn in to the fast paced action of the story. As Mercy and her companions traveled across the wilderness they faced never ending danger. Even some travelers they met on the road could keep them from meeting their crucial deadline, so they were torn between helping them or just leaving them behind. Constant threats to their safety, moral dilemmas, suspicious characters, and intrigue were all part of this interesting plot. Even til the end you don't know how everything will turn out and new plot twists are revealed. I had a hard time putting this one down!
Interesting, well-developed characters can really make a novel a page-turner. Mercy Lytton is strong, a skilled scout who isn't afraid of facing the dangers around her. She is a little mysterious, which definitely appeals to her male counterpart, and doesn't back down on her mission. A character I definitely rooted for throughout the story. Elias is mysterious as well as determined and brave. All of the characters, including some of the villains, have hidden sides that are revealed as the plot goes on.
Michelle Griep did an amazing job of bringing a story about the early years of America to life. Many men and women had to face challenges just to survive, especially in the wilderness. Even in a fictional story, I could see how some of these circumstances could be true. I would highly recommend The Captured Bride.
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in order to share my honest thoughts about this book, which I did.**

"The Captured Bride" by Michelle Griep is the third book in "The Daughters of the Mayflower" series and is my favorite.  This might be because of the characters, the time period, or just that each book in this series will be my favorite as I read them.  No matter the reason, it's inspiring.

Michelle Griep creates characters in "The Captured Bride" that you want to know at a deeper level. Mercy Lytton, Matthew Prinn, Elias Dubois and Rufus Bragg are multifaceted characters with pasts that you can't wait to have exposed.  You want to understand how each came into their present characteristics and you want to know what drives them to the actions they take. For example, in the first chapter the following sentences peak your curiosity about Mercy:  "She stared at him but said nothing.  A survival tactic - one her mother should have learned."  Later in the book we learn why Mercy thought these thoughts. The character developments are not disappointing and the relationships that progress are natural and satisfying.


"The Captured Bride"  takes place in 1759, five years into the French and Indian War.  Mercy, a scout with exceptional eyesight and Matthew, a mature and experienced scout, along with two others, work together to move a wagon full of gold. It's a dangerous mission and one that weighs heavily on Elias. Will they live through the war long enough to  complete it?

Duty versus desire, completion versus comfort, the life of one versus the life of many. I loved that the internal dangers were as many as the external. Faith in God was a large part of this story and played out in one way or another. As the danger grew, quick decisions needed to be made.  They had to make these decisions based on their trust in God or trust in others.  Some worked out; some didn't.

 
 
It was interesting that after I read "The Captured Bride", I looked back and saw that "Gallimore" and  "A Heart Deceived" were among the first books she wrote and were of the first I read as ebooks. I have now listed Michelle Griep as one of my favorite authors and highly recommend "The Captured Bride".  I gave it a 5 out of 5 stars. If you want a high stakes adventure mixed with clean romance, then pick up "The Captured Bride". 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books
through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I read the first two in the series, the first one was ok, but too religious for me. The second one was a lot better and the third one here has me hooked on the series. They keep getting better and better. Though they all have the religious area that I am not horribly fond of, neither the second or the third one had as much as the first one did.

This time you are brought into the wild west. You find the main character, Mercy, a woman before her time. This woman can kick some butt. When most of the time in that period women were expected to be married and in the house, Mercy is in the military kicking butt. Even though she is half white & half Native American she does not seem to get the huge amount of backlash you would expect her to get. Other then from Rufus whom you quickly learn to dislike and distrust.

The story line keeps your reading and I will admit I read well past my normal bedtime reading this cause I could not wait to read what happened next. The best part about this series is that there is no actual order. Each book is written by a different author and other then chronological order no story builds upon the other. They can each be a stand alone book I have found. So if the one of them does not strike your reading style then look at another one in the series. Though to be honest all three so far are well worth reading.