Captive Heart

by Elizabeth Bourgeret

Captive Heart, Elizabeth Bourgeret's first offering to the public in book form is a story of faith and forgiveness. She takes us through a journey with Sarah Dobson, a young widowed mother, as she must move across the states in order to forge a new life. Along the way, she is met with friends that appear to be enemies. Enemies that are disguised as friends. Her faith is tested, her memories haunt her and her dreams for her happiness are very different than when she began. These are the trials that can cripple you for life or can build your faith so completely that you become the better, stronger part of you. Captive Heart is the fast-paced, emotionally charged story of this woman, reeling from the death of her son and struggling against the prejudices she was raised with. Will her faith be enough to carry her through the betrayals and the heartbreak toward a life of her own? Or will she be forced to live a life where her heart is held captive?

414 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2012

About the author

Elizabeth Bourgeret is a full-time author of novels, the Lavender Letters story subscription and the creator, writer and host of the Bag of Bones Podcast

A beach girl at heart, she is constantly trying to out run cold weather as she is happily living out her dream of traveling, writing and podcasting while stopping in the state of choice to discover all that it has to offer. When she’s not behind the computer or involved in a workshop, you can usually find her out of doors, near the ocean or some form of water, or embracing her full-on tourist-nerd; visiting any and all tourist traps or historical landmarks that catch her attention.

She loves digging deep into American history, helping other authors reach their dreams and creating new stories with vibrant characters that will touch your heart.

A “forever student”, she is always seeking and learning from each and every adventure put in front of her.

Reviews

[Cynthia HALL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good romance, especially historical romances where the Indian savage captures the woman and her heart. This book was much better than I had hoped for. Author Elizabeth Bourgeret threw in quite a few plot twists so if you think you can guess where the story is going, guess again. Heroine, Sarah Dobson, is a well-written character who epitomizes so many women of today, struggling with her faith in God through so many tragedies. Death, deception, betrayal, and racism work against Sarah as she simply battles to live and then to love.

The amount of research necessary to write this book is very impressive. I grew up in St. Louis where we learned all about the settlers, Indians, fur traders, colonization, etc in grade school. The Gateway Arch, that fabulous symbol of Western Expansion, and Laclede's Landing, the original settlement of Pierre Laclede, were everyday sights for me. However, Elizabeth reveals so much more of North America, expansion, the tenuous relations between settler, Indians, and fur traders, and the complexities of life back then. And like a great teacher, she offers the historical aspects in the most glorious way possible--through God and love, acceptance and faith.

[David Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my thirteenth book from goodreads. This book was really interesting and a great book to read. This story is about Sarah Dobson, she is a widowed and living all by herself and halfting to raise a five year old son by herself. Sarah receives letters from her sister in St. Louis, to come and start a new life their. Sarah joines a wagon train heading west to join her sister and family. On the way to St. Louis the wagon train is attacked by Indians, and massacred, her five year old son is killed, Sarah is taken captive. The story tells about how during captivity over time Sara becomes friends and becomes a loving member and wife in the Indian tribe. The story tells how Sarah put her trust and love in God, and how God led her to wear she was. It is a story that can bring tears to your eyes, and than make you laugh,like the scene where Sarah husband's in a bathtub and it falls over in the mud. I really enjoyed reading this authors book. I hope to read more books from her.
I would like to thank Elizabeth Bourgeret for the letter and autographed book that she signed.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

First let me say I won this book on Goodreads. My reviews is honest and my true opinion. I need to say this because I truly loved this book. I can't believe the feelings it churned up in me. Sarah loses her husband and decides to travel to St. Louis with her son to be with her sister and her family. Along the way her wagon train is attacked by Indians and most are killed including Sarah's very young son. She is sold to an Indian Tribe by a real dangerous, murderous indian slaver.. This book shows her trials and the courage Sarah shows as she finds out her fate and adjust to her new life. She is very religious and learns that sometimes Gods creatures are all the same no matter who they are. As Sarah comes out of the darkness into the light her life takes many surprising twists and turns. This is not usually my genre of book but I recommend it highly. This is the first time in a long time I had to fight backs tears at the end of the book. The ending was great. Go get it and read it. Good Luck with your book Elizabeth!

[Elizabeth Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captive Heart is a beautifully written and deeply moving story that captures the struggle between heartbreak and hope, loss and faith. Elizabeth Bourgeret takes us on Sarah Dobson’s journey with such authenticity that I felt every ounce of her grief, her doubts, and her longing for a better life.

This is not just a tale of survival—it’s a story of resilience, forgiveness, and the power of faith to guide us through even the darkest valleys. The twists of friends who turn out to be enemies (and enemies who may hold unexpected truths) kept me turning pages, while Sarah’s strength as a widowed mother gave the book its emotional core.

What makes Captive Heart unforgettable is the way it balances pain and healing. It reminds us that even when life breaks us down, faith and courage can rebuild us stronger than before. A powerful, heartfelt debut that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended for anyone who loves emotionally rich stories filled with faith, forgiveness, and the triumph of the human spirit.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving....

I'm so glad I purchased this book! It is so sad the hate and killing that's been going on for hundreds of years simply because of the color of one's skin and lack of willingness to understand different cultures. Brought me to tears! I would love to see another story from this author!

[Julia Lins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Cultures Collide But True Love Wins Over Hate

Pain, death, hate, war, and prejudice were a common theme between the Indians and Whites. But there were a few Indians and Whites who chose to love and forgive. In the center of it all was the love of an Indian man and his family for.a white woman, who started out as a captive. True love between an Indian man and white, with God’s sovereignty, grace, and love won the hearts of many from both races. Love this story!!!

[Bookbureader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through goodread's first reads program. I thoroughly enjoyed Captive Heart. At first I thought the pace was a little slow but looking back I believe I thought this due to the fact that the book starts off with a mystery. Sarah is being held captive, she is in much pain, doesn't know where she is, who has taken her and to top it off she is devastated by the loss of her young son at the hands of the Native Americans that have taken her. We, the readers, have to go along at Sarah's pace as she puts this puzzle together and that is what gave me the slow feeling. I wanted to know and I wanted to know now!

All in all I found this book captivating. The lines between good and evil, friend and enemy are constantly blurred. Sarah finds herself heartbroken, scared and devastated time and time again while her faith is tested and she tries to navigate herself into the unknown. The is a great story of love and loss and even love again and (if you are a believer) hope that there is a plan for you and faith will see you through. Wonderful.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads First Reads and Elizabeth Bourgeret for the gift of this very inspiring historical fiction book. I applaud Ms. Bourgeret for this great debut novel.

Sarah Dobson is a widow raising a young boy all by herself in the eastern United States when her sister Katherine urges her to come west to St. Louis, so she and her son, Thomas, can be near family. In order to reach St. Louis, they have to travel by train and then wagon train. As they near their destination, the wagon train is attacked by Indians. Thomas is killed and Sarah is captured by the Indians. The book tells of her captivity and eventual assimilation into the tribe. She comes to know and love the people of the tribe and to realize that they are not the barbarians that the white people portray them to be. This is a very touching and heart-wrenching story. Have tissues handy as you read it.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining book with engaging characters. It is a good story about overcoming tragedy and learning to live again. The characters in the book are well developed and have distinct personalities that help bring the story to life. Overall I enjoyed the book and the underlying story that tells you to trust in God and never give up.

It is a historical drama/inspirational story. This means that it takes liberties with a historical time frame. The era in the book is described well enough that it takes you back to that era in time. I did find one or two historical manipulations or inaccuracies but they do not effect the storyline or the beautiful characters in an adverse way and in fact enhance the ideas of the story.

Overall I would recommend this to anyone that wants a good, easy to read inspirational story to read.

[Diana Senn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy this book immensely. It's about a captive women that learns indian's are not what she always believed them to be. The story has a christian background and shows the art of forgiveness. There is also a big mis understand between the indians and the military
So, there is love, misunderstanding and a growing awareness of love and kindness.
Enjoyed the book and recommending it to romance readers everywhere.


Enjoyv the read

[Hannah B]

I tried to read this book. But I just couldn't. I started it a while back when I first won it, and it is not a terrible story, but rather not my type of book.
The whole time I was reading it, I just felt like there was a book out there that I could spend my time on that would appeal to me more.

I do intend to try to read it again with a fresh mind, but for now, I just can't.

Thank you for sharing your book with me, though!

[Beachbum7805 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It pulled me in right at the beginning and I couldn't put it down. This book was about a widow on a wagon train heading to live with her sister. As fate would have it, she was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Or was she? Did fate intervene? I don't want to ruin the book for you so all I'm going to say is read it, you won't be sorry you did. An excellent book!!!!

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story!

[Jenni Muzzillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful. I could not put it down!

[William Sirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cool story! Highly recommend!

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it alot!