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Shades of Gray
Mail order bride, Kat Bailey has more to fear than malicious rumors about a crazed murderer. But a woman with no money or family has few options. She quickly learns that her intended groom is not as honorable as Hampton society believes him to be. Beaten by her betrothed, she seeks refuge in the home of the most feared man in town.
Accused murderer, Grayson Gregory is more interested in guarding a family secret than clearing his name. When a broken and battered woman collapses on his doorstep, he is reminded of a torturous past he can't escape. Kat may have opened old and festered wounds, but he can’t deny the fire she ignites in him.
Kat is determined to uncover the truth about Gray, regardless of what she finds. As their attraction to one another grows, Gray must confront his dark past in order to keep her safe. His secrets unfold, forcing him to choose between a new love, or to remain plagued by the demons of his past.
Accused murderer, Grayson Gregory is more interested in guarding a family secret than clearing his name. When a broken and battered woman collapses on his doorstep, he is reminded of a torturous past he can't escape. Kat may have opened old and festered wounds, but he can’t deny the fire she ignites in him.
Kat is determined to uncover the truth about Gray, regardless of what she finds. As their attraction to one another grows, Gray must confront his dark past in order to keep her safe. His secrets unfold, forcing him to choose between a new love, or to remain plagued by the demons of his past.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2012
10 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Carol A. Spradling
18 books14 followersCarol has finally fulfilled her lifelong fantasy. She and her husband have moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains. YAY!!!!! If she can curb her endless mountain gazing from her front door, she might get some work done on her next book. She still can't believe she lives in an area she loves so much.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 28, 2015
3.5
This started off pretty exciting. Katherine has recently arrived from England as a mail-order-bride. Her fiancé wants to sample things before they marry and when Katherine refuses he beats her pretty badly. She runs away and ends up stumbling onto Gray’s property and protection. I liked Gray and Kat, but felt things were a little off. I mean, one minute they are slowly building a friendship, but still have misunderstandings. Then after one kiss they are suddenly a couple. It was weird; I kept feeling like I had missed something, a few pages or something. It was just a really fast transition and I felt like I missed out on the fun courting part of things. Gray was so in love with Daria and hadn’t really had any closure about things, so the transition seemed off. Again, I just felt like I missed something there.
After the initial excitement with Kat’s escape and rescue things started to drag a little. Gray was pretty depressed and angry and missing Daria. Kat was confused about everything going on and trying to figure out the mystery of Daria. So things were a little slow for awhile, and then they started picking up again and the ending was pretty good, with a few surprises along the way.
Overall, I’d say this was an enjoyable read. There were some passages that were a bit long and kind of…boring. But, I liked the characters, the story, and the mystery. I would have liked Kat and Gray’s relationship to be built up a little more, I wanted to see them fall in love more, instead of have it happen so quickly and just expected to believe it. More wooing.
Content: Clean romance. A bit of violence.
This started off pretty exciting. Katherine has recently arrived from England as a mail-order-bride. Her fiancé wants to sample things before they marry and when Katherine refuses he beats her pretty badly. She runs away and ends up stumbling onto Gray’s property and protection. I liked Gray and Kat, but felt things were a little off. I mean, one minute they are slowly building a friendship, but still have misunderstandings. Then after one kiss they are suddenly a couple. It was weird; I kept feeling like I had missed something, a few pages or something. It was just a really fast transition and I felt like I missed out on the fun courting part of things. Gray was so in love with Daria and hadn’t really had any closure about things, so the transition seemed off. Again, I just felt like I missed something there.
After the initial excitement with Kat’s escape and rescue things started to drag a little. Gray was pretty depressed and angry and missing Daria. Kat was confused about everything going on and trying to figure out the mystery of Daria. So things were a little slow for awhile, and then they started picking up again and the ending was pretty good, with a few surprises along the way.
Overall, I’d say this was an enjoyable read. There were some passages that were a bit long and kind of…boring. But, I liked the characters, the story, and the mystery. I would have liked Kat and Gray’s relationship to be built up a little more, I wanted to see them fall in love more, instead of have it happen so quickly and just expected to believe it. More wooing.
Content: Clean romance. A bit of violence.
August 14, 2012
This was a wonderful book full of mystery and love. The story and characters are engaging and draw you into their world. Kat is a wonderful character who is trying to take control of her life and her future despite her circumstances. Gray is a dark character - haunted by his past but still a sweet and great character. The romance was sweet and natural and left me rooting for their love. Amazing realism in the events, emotions and reactions of all involved. The plot unfolded while keeping you engaged and anxious for what happens next. This is definitely one to keep you up reading all night. Altogether a wonderful read you don't want to miss.
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October 11, 2013
The book did have a pretty decent story line but I felt it was under developed. The love between the main characters was really given no foundation and it never fully unfolded during the book. Just one day Grey decided he all the sudden loved her after minimum interaction? The cover is somewhat a tease and there really isn't any romance that occurs during This book. Also the way Reese exited the book was very strange, really no rhyme or reason but to find the easiest way to get him out of the way? This book did not do it for me and I found myself skimming often to get to the "good" part.
July 22, 2017
On western
Reminded me of Bonanza stories. Some of the chronology was a bit mixed up but over all it was an enjoyable quick read.
Reminded me of Bonanza stories. Some of the chronology was a bit mixed up but over all it was an enjoyable quick read.
February 5, 2017
the worst kind of historical romance i ve read for a long time. could not finish this...
September 22, 2016
This story didn’t do it for me. I usually love stories like this but no. Perhaps it was Cat’s stupidity that did me in? I don’t know. I’m not sure what could have been different to make the story better either, besides a different female lead.
Given the time period she seemed really forward with Gray. I was surprised how easy it seemed for her to just move on after having been attacked by Reese. How long had she been there like two weeks before she started having feelings for Gray? The whole love aspect of this story moved a little too fast for my liking as well. It seemed more like it was forced given the fact that they never really spent all that much time together. Cat was also so…I don’t even know what word I’m looking for, but it’s a negative one. Thinking that Gray was untrustworthy because he hadn’t told her that Lilly was alive. Um, hello. He’s only known Cat like three week’s tops. What did she expect? Plus, it was none of her business. The fact that Gray had already told Cat that he cared deeply for her and didn’t want her to leave him...and she’s still unsure about Gray’s feelings? Seriously?
When Cat sees the small portrait of Gray there’s a smudge of gray paint in the corner. Of course, for whatever reason she has no clue the symbolism. She knows that Gray loved his wife, his wife loved him, and based off her expression in the picture it was obvious she was with someone really cared about. So why didn’t Gray automatically pop into her head?
Why was Cat so shocked with how mad Gray got when he found her going through stuff in the baby’s room? Hello….! It was private, both the room and the boxes it held.
Lilly needs Gray to be her father not her uncle. What a horrible thing Cat could have said to Gray. I don’t understand why she would have even said this since Lilly had her real aunt and uncle caring for her. It was almost like Cat wanted to replace Daria. Gray has Lilly as his daughter and Cat takes Daria’s place. The fact that Marta brings up Gray taking Lilly home with him is a bit much. Both ladies talking about Gray caring for his child on the same day. Marta didn’t even seem that upset while she was talking to Gray about losing Lilly. What was with her saying that Lilly needed him on a regular basis? Again, she had her aunt/mom and uncle/dad taking care of her.
Given the time period she seemed really forward with Gray. I was surprised how easy it seemed for her to just move on after having been attacked by Reese. How long had she been there like two weeks before she started having feelings for Gray? The whole love aspect of this story moved a little too fast for my liking as well. It seemed more like it was forced given the fact that they never really spent all that much time together. Cat was also so…I don’t even know what word I’m looking for, but it’s a negative one. Thinking that Gray was untrustworthy because he hadn’t told her that Lilly was alive. Um, hello. He’s only known Cat like three week’s tops. What did she expect? Plus, it was none of her business. The fact that Gray had already told Cat that he cared deeply for her and didn’t want her to leave him...and she’s still unsure about Gray’s feelings? Seriously?
When Cat sees the small portrait of Gray there’s a smudge of gray paint in the corner. Of course, for whatever reason she has no clue the symbolism. She knows that Gray loved his wife, his wife loved him, and based off her expression in the picture it was obvious she was with someone really cared about. So why didn’t Gray automatically pop into her head?
Why was Cat so shocked with how mad Gray got when he found her going through stuff in the baby’s room? Hello….! It was private, both the room and the boxes it held.
Lilly needs Gray to be her father not her uncle. What a horrible thing Cat could have said to Gray. I don’t understand why she would have even said this since Lilly had her real aunt and uncle caring for her. It was almost like Cat wanted to replace Daria. Gray has Lilly as his daughter and Cat takes Daria’s place. The fact that Marta brings up Gray taking Lilly home with him is a bit much. Both ladies talking about Gray caring for his child on the same day. Marta didn’t even seem that upset while she was talking to Gray about losing Lilly. What was with her saying that Lilly needed him on a regular basis? Again, she had her aunt/mom and uncle/dad taking care of her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2012
Hampton, Virginia August 1752
Katherine “Kat” Bailey has come from England to what she hopes is going to be her future. She has come to Virginia as a Mail Order Bride and being without money she knows her options are limited. Kat quickly finds out that the man she has agreed to wed and that is considered to be very honorable in town is not what he claims and pretends to be. Beaten by her intended Kat runs to the one man that just might be able to save and protect her, Grayson Gregory. The one man the town people fear.
Grayson Gregory has been accused of murder by the good people of Hampton and since that helps him keep a secret safe he has no interest in letting the truth about himself be known. That changes when Kat comes into his life by collapsing on his doorstep trying to escape the man that is after her, the man she was supposed to marry. Gray now has to deal with his painful past if he hopes to have a future especially with the attraction that Kat has managed to make him feel, an attraction he never thought he would feel.
Kat is determined to find out the truth about Gray as their attraction grows. The more Kat learns about Gray the harder she finds it to believe what is said about him. Gray is going to have to figure out if he is willing to take a chance on the love he has found with Kat and move into the future or if he is going to staying the past and live with the pain that is always there.
This is a well written story that will keep the reader engrossed as they try to figure the secrets in Gray’s past. This one keeps the reader guess has to the truth and what is really going on. The reader will be drawn into the character lives and will be hoping Kat and Gray can find happiness that they both deserve. The characters keep the story moving along at a nice pace and keeps the story interesting.
Katherine “Kat” Bailey has come from England to what she hopes is going to be her future. She has come to Virginia as a Mail Order Bride and being without money she knows her options are limited. Kat quickly finds out that the man she has agreed to wed and that is considered to be very honorable in town is not what he claims and pretends to be. Beaten by her intended Kat runs to the one man that just might be able to save and protect her, Grayson Gregory. The one man the town people fear.
Grayson Gregory has been accused of murder by the good people of Hampton and since that helps him keep a secret safe he has no interest in letting the truth about himself be known. That changes when Kat comes into his life by collapsing on his doorstep trying to escape the man that is after her, the man she was supposed to marry. Gray now has to deal with his painful past if he hopes to have a future especially with the attraction that Kat has managed to make him feel, an attraction he never thought he would feel.
Kat is determined to find out the truth about Gray as their attraction grows. The more Kat learns about Gray the harder she finds it to believe what is said about him. Gray is going to have to figure out if he is willing to take a chance on the love he has found with Kat and move into the future or if he is going to staying the past and live with the pain that is always there.
This is a well written story that will keep the reader engrossed as they try to figure the secrets in Gray’s past. This one keeps the reader guess has to the truth and what is really going on. The reader will be drawn into the character lives and will be hoping Kat and Gray can find happiness that they both deserve. The characters keep the story moving along at a nice pace and keeps the story interesting.
January 6, 2017
PG
This is NOT 50 Shades of Grey
Thank you for the recommendation, CleanRomanceReviews.com. You nailed this one.
First, who are those people on the front of this book? Both the Hero and heroine of the book I read are blondes. The H has long hair - like wear in a pony-tail, long. Not sure what that cover is all about, unless it is to confuse potential readers who are looking for 50 Shades?
But, I enjoyed the book. There were some parts that weren't fleshed out, so I wasn't sure exactly what was going on, like maybe some words were missing, or I missed a paragraph or something? I also read romance novels because I love the HEA (which I got here), but there is something to be said about the slow build of love between the H and h. I felt like Gray was like No, No, No, YES!!! And I mean YES!! Overboard YES! I just decided to roll with it.
This is NOT 50 Shades of Grey
Thank you for the recommendation, CleanRomanceReviews.com. You nailed this one.
First, who are those people on the front of this book? Both the Hero and heroine of the book I read are blondes. The H has long hair - like wear in a pony-tail, long. Not sure what that cover is all about, unless it is to confuse potential readers who are looking for 50 Shades?
But, I enjoyed the book. There were some parts that weren't fleshed out, so I wasn't sure exactly what was going on, like maybe some words were missing, or I missed a paragraph or something? I also read romance novels because I love the HEA (which I got here), but there is something to be said about the slow build of love between the H and h. I felt like Gray was like No, No, No, YES!!! And I mean YES!! Overboard YES! I just decided to roll with it.
June 6, 2014
I really couldn't decide on 2 or 3 stars. I finally had to give it two even though I felt mean. I think it could have been a really good story...but I felt like it dragged so much of the time that I had to keep speed reading and skipping over parts that were very tedious. I also felt like there were outright inconsistencies. And Kat was just downright annoying at times and unbelievably intrusive for someone in her situation. Anyway, I just didn't care for it.
(Oh, and I tried the audiobook first, but it was HORRIBLE. The narrator "whispered" her narration much of the time and began the story with Laura speaking in a "drawl" then changed her to a Scottish accent...and where was Gray's Scottish accent that was referenced in the book? I just didn't last long with the audiobook.)
(Oh, and I tried the audiobook first, but it was HORRIBLE. The narrator "whispered" her narration much of the time and began the story with Laura speaking in a "drawl" then changed her to a Scottish accent...and where was Gray's Scottish accent that was referenced in the book? I just didn't last long with the audiobook.)
October 15, 2012
No, this is not The Shades of Grey that is on all the best seller lists right now.
This is a clean romance with some dark undertones, hardship to endure, secrets to uncover and happiness to find.
The story is set in 1752 in Hampton, Virginia. Grayson Gregory is a man with a past. Katherine Bailey seeks refuge from him when she is badly beaten and runs away from her fiance. He takes her in, bandages her wounds and protects her. As they open up to each other, they have the opportunity to create a new life for themselves.
This is a clean romance with some dark undertones, hardship to endure, secrets to uncover and happiness to find.
The story is set in 1752 in Hampton, Virginia. Grayson Gregory is a man with a past. Katherine Bailey seeks refuge from him when she is badly beaten and runs away from her fiance. He takes her in, bandages her wounds and protects her. As they open up to each other, they have the opportunity to create a new life for themselves.
December 26, 2013
This book started out a little slow for me. I actually put it down at one point and read something else. I picked it back up with fresh perspective and I am so glad I did. The book really picked up and I was swept up in the story of Kat and a Gray. A book about love and sacrifice. I certainly recommend.
October 10, 2012
It was free it wasnt bad just not my normal type of read
February 22, 2013
Not to be confused with 50 Shades of gray,
This is a very good book.
Set in a day where wives could be mail ordered.
Good story
This is a very good book.
Set in a day where wives could be mail ordered.
Good story
March 6, 2014
This book was not for me, since it was in the 1700's. I did not realize it in reading the short paragraphs
December 17, 2012
slow at times....but I like the ending.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews