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The Captive Heart
Proper English governess Eleanor Morgan flees to the colonies to escape the wrath of a an angry duke. When the Charles Town family she’s to work for never arrives to collect her from the dock, she is forced to settle for the only reputable choice remaining to her—marriage to a man she’s never met. Trapper and tracker Samuel Heath is a hardened survivor used to getting his own way by brain or by brawn, and he’s determined to find a mother for his young daughter. But finding a wife proves to be impossible. No upstanding woman wants to marry a murderer.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2016
122 people are currently reading
1853 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Griep
42 books2,616 followersI hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I chose the latter. Way cheaper. I've been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write...except for that graffiti phase I went through as a teenager. Oops. Did I say that out loud?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews
October 13, 2016
Guys, I've found a new author to follow! Yay! I really enjoyed this one, great step back into 1770 America. Loved it!
The synopsis really grabbed me on this one and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I got sucked into Eleanor's story. I really enjoyed the time period (1770s) and setting. Eleanor was a strong character and easy to like. She adapts pretty well to frontier life (at least waaay better than I would have), but tends to be a little hard on herself. I also really liked Samuel, thought he was a complex character, but has a very caring side. I liked that it wasn't insta-love, their relationship felt very natural and progressed at a believable pace. You can't help rooting for these two!
I thought it was well written, good pace that kept my attention and wanting to continue reading to see what would happen next. There is only one thing I didn't like, but its more of a personal preference .
Overall, I thought this was a great read and one I'd recommend to all my romance loving friends!
Content
Romance: Clean, although married no on-page intimacy
Language: None (that I remember)
Violence: Mild
Religious: Mild
Series: I'm hoping!
Source: review copy
The synopsis really grabbed me on this one and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I got sucked into Eleanor's story. I really enjoyed the time period (1770s) and setting. Eleanor was a strong character and easy to like. She adapts pretty well to frontier life (at least waaay better than I would have), but tends to be a little hard on herself. I also really liked Samuel, thought he was a complex character, but has a very caring side. I liked that it wasn't insta-love, their relationship felt very natural and progressed at a believable pace. You can't help rooting for these two!
I thought it was well written, good pace that kept my attention and wanting to continue reading to see what would happen next. There is only one thing I didn't like, but its more of a personal preference .
Overall, I thought this was a great read and one I'd recommend to all my romance loving friends!
Content
Romance: Clean, although married no on-page intimacy
Language: None (that I remember)
Violence: Mild
Religious: Mild
Series: I'm hoping!
Source: review copy
March 1, 2018
Wow, oh wow! The Captive Heart has jumped up to one of the top spots in my favorites list. It has definitely earned its place as one of the best historical novels that I have read this year. For readers who have enjoyed the novels of Lori Benton, Laura Frantz, and Beth White, The Captive Heart has that same epic feel that these authors capture in their stories.
The characters were so well written! I truly felt for both Eleanor and Samuel. The struggles that they both endured made for very deep characters, with a lot of layers that made them who they were. I loved the way they interacted with each other. There was a marriage of convenience that they both entered into, yet it was so much more. There was great tension between these two, a rugged setting, and plenty of danger from both nature and human threats. Add to that the interesting balance that Samuel worked to keep between the world of the white settlers and the Cherokee people. This was a fascinating story that I loved from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
The characters were so well written! I truly felt for both Eleanor and Samuel. The struggles that they both endured made for very deep characters, with a lot of layers that made them who they were. I loved the way they interacted with each other. There was a marriage of convenience that they both entered into, yet it was so much more. There was great tension between these two, a rugged setting, and plenty of danger from both nature and human threats. Add to that the interesting balance that Samuel worked to keep between the world of the white settlers and the Cherokee people. This was a fascinating story that I loved from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
December 8, 2021
August 2017 update -- The author says that this book was inspired by Beauty and the Beast. WHY did I not see this before?!?!
The Captive Heart (2016, Shiloh Run Press) by Michelle Griep is a standalone Christian historical romance, which begins in 1770 London, but moves to the fictitious town of Newcastle, South Carolina for most of the book. I loved Brentwood's Ward and was eager to read another book by the same author.
Rating: 5 stars
The Heroine: Eleanor Morgan is the governess in a duke's household in London. When the duke makes unwanted advances toward her, she slaps him and scrapes his cheek pretty badly. The duke's wife tells Eleanor, "at best, the duke will see you never again work in England… I have a cousin in Charles Towne, Mr. William Taggerton. I shall send him a missive, posthaste, recommending you." This isn’t what Eleanor envisions for her life, but “Besides a beggar’s cup - or debtor’s prison - what choice did she have?” So, she boards a ship, and it takes seven weeks to get to the Colonies. Upon her arrival, for a full week Mr. Taggerton fails to pick her up and pay for her passage. The ship captain decides Eleanor must be sold as a servant. She is purchased on behalf of Samuel Heath, and it takes twelve days of traveling for his agent to deliver Eleanor to her new home. Only, unbeknownst to her, Samuel intends for her to be his wife!
The Hero: Samuel Heath, a strong hunter and trapper, brother to a Cherokee Indian, is a widowed father of one-year-old Grace. He needs a caretaker for his daughter - or better yet, a mother. He is definitely a strong, silent type. Samuel wears it well, with mystery surrounding him. He has many secrets.
What I liked:
*Often in Christian romance, either the hero or heroine needs his or her relationship with God to be restored. Both Eleanor and Samuel have a strong faith in God to begin with, which is a nice change from what I usually see in books.
*I really liked Samuel as a hero, but at the same time, I completely sympathized with Eleanor over his lack of open communication. I think that really showcases Ms. Griep’s talent!
*I liked the glossary of Cherokee words at the end of the book! I would have preferred it at the beginning. I hope that someday glossaries before the story will be the norm for fiction books. I don't KNOW there's glossary... until I get to the end! I'm sure I'm not the only reader with this problem.
*The writing is a delight to read. Ms. Griep has a very creative way of describing things.
“Inoli rarely laughed. He didn’t have to. His voice smiled.”
“She blustered into action, scraping the dinner remains back into the iron pot and covering all her humiliation with a lid.”
What I didn’t like:
*The cover doesn't accurately portray Samuel Heath's appearance. He’s supposed to have hair perpetually covering half of his face due to a scar near his cheek. I know, though, that unless it's an indie book, the publisher decides on the cover. This is a minor issue that will not affect my rating.
***********************************************
I will definitely continue to read more books by Michelle Griep. A Heart Deceived is already on my to-read list. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical Christian romances, but I don’t think anyone would regret trying this author's books.
I'm thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy!
(edited 12/2021)
The Captive Heart (2016, Shiloh Run Press) by Michelle Griep is a standalone Christian historical romance, which begins in 1770 London, but moves to the fictitious town of Newcastle, South Carolina for most of the book. I loved Brentwood's Ward and was eager to read another book by the same author.
Rating: 5 stars
The Heroine: Eleanor Morgan is the governess in a duke's household in London. When the duke makes unwanted advances toward her, she slaps him and scrapes his cheek pretty badly. The duke's wife tells Eleanor, "at best, the duke will see you never again work in England… I have a cousin in Charles Towne, Mr. William Taggerton. I shall send him a missive, posthaste, recommending you." This isn’t what Eleanor envisions for her life, but “Besides a beggar’s cup - or debtor’s prison - what choice did she have?” So, she boards a ship, and it takes seven weeks to get to the Colonies. Upon her arrival, for a full week Mr. Taggerton fails to pick her up and pay for her passage. The ship captain decides Eleanor must be sold as a servant. She is purchased on behalf of Samuel Heath, and it takes twelve days of traveling for his agent to deliver Eleanor to her new home. Only, unbeknownst to her, Samuel intends for her to be his wife!
The Hero: Samuel Heath, a strong hunter and trapper, brother to a Cherokee Indian, is a widowed father of one-year-old Grace. He needs a caretaker for his daughter - or better yet, a mother. He is definitely a strong, silent type. Samuel wears it well, with mystery surrounding him. He has many secrets.
What I liked:
*Often in Christian romance, either the hero or heroine needs his or her relationship with God to be restored. Both Eleanor and Samuel have a strong faith in God to begin with, which is a nice change from what I usually see in books.
*I really liked Samuel as a hero, but at the same time, I completely sympathized with Eleanor over his lack of open communication. I think that really showcases Ms. Griep’s talent!
*I liked the glossary of Cherokee words at the end of the book! I would have preferred it at the beginning. I hope that someday glossaries before the story will be the norm for fiction books. I don't KNOW there's glossary... until I get to the end! I'm sure I'm not the only reader with this problem.
*The writing is a delight to read. Ms. Griep has a very creative way of describing things.
“Inoli rarely laughed. He didn’t have to. His voice smiled.”
“She blustered into action, scraping the dinner remains back into the iron pot and covering all her humiliation with a lid.”
What I didn’t like:
*The cover doesn't accurately portray Samuel Heath's appearance. He’s supposed to have hair perpetually covering half of his face due to a scar near his cheek. I know, though, that unless it's an indie book, the publisher decides on the cover. This is a minor issue that will not affect my rating.
***********************************************
I will definitely continue to read more books by Michelle Griep. A Heart Deceived is already on my to-read list. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical Christian romances, but I don’t think anyone would regret trying this author's books.
I'm thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy!
(edited 12/2021)
January 1, 2018
I’ve only read one book by Michelle Griep prior to The Captive Heart, and while it was certainly entertaining and held my attention, this story is my favorite of hers so far. Set in Colonial America this story follows two people that come from opposite worlds and opposite ways of thinking. Eleanor is a former governess, appalled by her current circumstances and lacking confidence but determined to do her best. Samuel is a man of authority, determined to get what he wants, and right now, what he wants, and more importantly, needs, is a mother for his young daughter. Circumstances force them together, and all the while they are surrounded by hostilities from town as well as tensions that were present in the Colonies before the Revolution.
I enjoyed several aspects of this novel. In addition to romance, there is also danger, a bit of politics, such as it was between tribal nations and the colonists, as well as those suspicious of anyone who might not be loyal to the Crown. The setting of the untamed backcountry of South Carolina comes to life with a vividness that shows how key it is to the story. Constant vigilance was demanded from such a place, yet friends and allies could be found in unexpected places. Griep has a descriptive, lyrical quality to her writing style, so while I did feel like I was learning new things, I never felt like the writing became bogged down with too many details or big chunks of information.
Samuel and Eleanor are realistically portrayed, both characters endearing themselves to me quickly. Though they appear to be opposites, they play off one another’s strengths and weaknesses. Though quite a bumpy, long journey in the beginning, I enjoyed every moment of it. I love how both characters portrayed an important spiritual truth. Though God’s forgiveness is freely given, sometimes they had the most trouble forgiving themselves and finally letting go of the thoughts and emotions forged by their individual pasts.
I can’t finish up this review without touching on a couple of my favorite things – the bantering back and forth, the serious conversations and the tender moments between Eleanor and Samuel. I adored the way he called her “Red Bird” – I’m not sure why nicknames that feel genuine to the characters – and not cheesy – get me every time, but they do. My heart melted every time he used that particular endearment (although his use of “woman,” while perhaps true to character, made him a bit less endearing). Despite the businesslike nature of their marriage, it becomes so much more. I’m always captivated by a couple that I can really believe in, and I was rooting for Eleanor and Samuel the whole time.
Superb character development, a fearsome yet beautiful setting, a couple with captivating chemistry, and a strong faith element make The Captive Heart a romantic historical that I would recommend without hesitation.
I enjoyed several aspects of this novel. In addition to romance, there is also danger, a bit of politics, such as it was between tribal nations and the colonists, as well as those suspicious of anyone who might not be loyal to the Crown. The setting of the untamed backcountry of South Carolina comes to life with a vividness that shows how key it is to the story. Constant vigilance was demanded from such a place, yet friends and allies could be found in unexpected places. Griep has a descriptive, lyrical quality to her writing style, so while I did feel like I was learning new things, I never felt like the writing became bogged down with too many details or big chunks of information.
Samuel and Eleanor are realistically portrayed, both characters endearing themselves to me quickly. Though they appear to be opposites, they play off one another’s strengths and weaknesses. Though quite a bumpy, long journey in the beginning, I enjoyed every moment of it. I love how both characters portrayed an important spiritual truth. Though God’s forgiveness is freely given, sometimes they had the most trouble forgiving themselves and finally letting go of the thoughts and emotions forged by their individual pasts.
I can’t finish up this review without touching on a couple of my favorite things – the bantering back and forth, the serious conversations and the tender moments between Eleanor and Samuel. I adored the way he called her “Red Bird” – I’m not sure why nicknames that feel genuine to the characters – and not cheesy – get me every time, but they do. My heart melted every time he used that particular endearment (although his use of “woman,” while perhaps true to character, made him a bit less endearing). Despite the businesslike nature of their marriage, it becomes so much more. I’m always captivated by a couple that I can really believe in, and I was rooting for Eleanor and Samuel the whole time.
Superb character development, a fearsome yet beautiful setting, a couple with captivating chemistry, and a strong faith element make The Captive Heart a romantic historical that I would recommend without hesitation.
September 12, 2021
I LOVED This book. It wasn’t ‘perfect’ per se, but it was perfect for me and my headspace at the time I read it. It’s exactly the kind of book I was looking for and I got lost in it 😊. The plot was unpredictable which is something I relish in a story! Rarely feel this way with a book but The Captive Heart was such an emotional experience. There was depth and beautiful character development. It was a story that left me thinking about it long after I had finished. You know when you read a book at just the perfect time in your life when you needed it? That was this book for me! ♥️
February 6, 2017
Oh my goodness, I loved this book!
This was a book that was nearly impossible for me to put down, particularly the last half. I could not read fast enough and then I was disappointed when it ended. I could have been lost in Samuel and Elinor's world for at least a few more days, easily.
The book is set in the America Frontier before the revolution. Michelle Griep looks at some uncomfortable social issues of the time period, the indentured servant and the white man's encroachment on Native American Lands. The book is told from the character's point of view living in the time period, living through the trials. I loved how she described the life, without passing judgement. The reader is able to make their own connections and judgement. Griep did an amazing job at describing events, people, and places.
The romance is not rushed. Samuel and Elinor grow in regard and feelings for each other as they learn of each other. They respect each other before there is romance of any kind.
This is a clean historical romance. The book does contain violence and a little bit of kissing.
This was a book that was nearly impossible for me to put down, particularly the last half. I could not read fast enough and then I was disappointed when it ended. I could have been lost in Samuel and Elinor's world for at least a few more days, easily.
The book is set in the America Frontier before the revolution. Michelle Griep looks at some uncomfortable social issues of the time period, the indentured servant and the white man's encroachment on Native American Lands. The book is told from the character's point of view living in the time period, living through the trials. I loved how she described the life, without passing judgement. The reader is able to make their own connections and judgement. Griep did an amazing job at describing events, people, and places.
The romance is not rushed. Samuel and Elinor grow in regard and feelings for each other as they learn of each other. They respect each other before there is romance of any kind.
This is a clean historical romance. The book does contain violence and a little bit of kissing.
May 4, 2016
What's not to love about The Last of the Mohicans meets The Patriot?
October 10, 2016
Reviewed at The Power of Words: http://bit.ly/2ehCz4I
The Captive Heart is a thoroughly entertaining and engaging story that captures the emotions. It contains two of my favorite things – Colonial America setting and marriage of convenience. My opinion of this book can be summed up in one word: more! I want more of the Colonial era, more of these characters, and more from Michelle Griep. The Captive Heart stands out in the areas that matter most to me …
Setting – The South Carolina backcountry of 1770 is so vividly portrayed and is such an important part of the story that it becomes a major character. The CBA doesn’t publish many books set during my favorite period of history, the American Revolutionary era, so I was eager to read The Captive Heart. Michelle’s writing is somewhat lyrical and the multi-faceted characters spring off the page. In a time where the loyalties of families and friends were split between the Crown and the Sons of Liberty, this is the first novel I’ve seen that focuses on the role played by the Cherokee nation. I’ve visited Cherokee, NC and seen the play, Unto These Hills, so this theme touched me.
Characterization – Samuel and Eleanor are richly-drawn, appealing characters. And what an unlikely pair! Eleanor fled England for America with the promise of employment as a governess awaiting her, only to find herself forced into indentured servanthood – and then marriage to a stranger. To me, she is the perfect blend of intelligence, femininity, strength and vulnerability. Samuel is a backwoodsman, half Cherokee, a man who “wore authority like a second skin.” And he has the most precious daughter!
Romance – I loved watching their relationship build over several months’ time, growing from strangers uncomfortable with each other, to mutual respect, to undeniable attraction. The chemistry between them is so real and heartfelt. Michelle certainly knows how to write scenes that make you melt.
Spirituality – Both Eleanor and Samuel had backgrounds that colored their present thoughts, behaviors and attitudes, and their relationship literally opened a floodgate in both of them. Samuel had come to Christ at the end of a sinful past before the story opens, and I loved seeing redemption played out in his life – more through action than words. But although he had accepted God’s forgiveness, he couldn’t forgive himself, as many of us can relate to.
There’s so much to enjoy in The Captive Heart, including Eleanor’s two friends from the voyage, Biz and Molly. As I said at the beginning, I really want more of everything, so I hope this is the beginning of a series.
Highly recommended.
I received this book free of charge from the publisher.
The Captive Heart is a thoroughly entertaining and engaging story that captures the emotions. It contains two of my favorite things – Colonial America setting and marriage of convenience. My opinion of this book can be summed up in one word: more! I want more of the Colonial era, more of these characters, and more from Michelle Griep. The Captive Heart stands out in the areas that matter most to me …
Setting – The South Carolina backcountry of 1770 is so vividly portrayed and is such an important part of the story that it becomes a major character. The CBA doesn’t publish many books set during my favorite period of history, the American Revolutionary era, so I was eager to read The Captive Heart. Michelle’s writing is somewhat lyrical and the multi-faceted characters spring off the page. In a time where the loyalties of families and friends were split between the Crown and the Sons of Liberty, this is the first novel I’ve seen that focuses on the role played by the Cherokee nation. I’ve visited Cherokee, NC and seen the play, Unto These Hills, so this theme touched me.
Characterization – Samuel and Eleanor are richly-drawn, appealing characters. And what an unlikely pair! Eleanor fled England for America with the promise of employment as a governess awaiting her, only to find herself forced into indentured servanthood – and then marriage to a stranger. To me, she is the perfect blend of intelligence, femininity, strength and vulnerability. Samuel is a backwoodsman, half Cherokee, a man who “wore authority like a second skin.” And he has the most precious daughter!
Romance – I loved watching their relationship build over several months’ time, growing from strangers uncomfortable with each other, to mutual respect, to undeniable attraction. The chemistry between them is so real and heartfelt. Michelle certainly knows how to write scenes that make you melt.
Spirituality – Both Eleanor and Samuel had backgrounds that colored their present thoughts, behaviors and attitudes, and their relationship literally opened a floodgate in both of them. Samuel had come to Christ at the end of a sinful past before the story opens, and I loved seeing redemption played out in his life – more through action than words. But although he had accepted God’s forgiveness, he couldn’t forgive himself, as many of us can relate to.
There’s so much to enjoy in The Captive Heart, including Eleanor’s two friends from the voyage, Biz and Molly. As I said at the beginning, I really want more of everything, so I hope this is the beginning of a series.
Highly recommended.
I received this book free of charge from the publisher.
July 8, 2017
This book has a wonderful plot and I love the time period. The adventure and mystery is exciting! I would have liked to have felt more for the characters though. 3 1/2 stars.
January 6, 2026
I am a sucker for colonial wilderness stories and toss in some loose Beauty and the Beast vibes? Yes, please. 🫠😍
I loved every minute of this book.
I loved every minute of this book.
March 13, 2017
Smelling salts - check
Fainting couch - check
Extra stuffing for the cushions on the fainting couch - check
water bottle to keep hydrated - check
chocolate (to soothe ravaged nerves) - check
Just a few recommendations for your not-looking-up-until-I-reach-the-end reading kit. You'll want to be well stocked before you embark on this incredible journey. Samuel and Eleanor's story held me captive and turned my heart to mush.
There's something so emotionally appealing about a marriage of convenience story. This hero and heroine come from very different worlds but are thrown together in tumultuous times just before the American revolution. I have to stop saying this isn't a favourite time period of mine because I keep reading novels that blow me away with their rich historical details and heart-wrenching romance. The Captive Heart is exactly that kind of book.
Eleanor is victimized in a world that favours men. Samuel has fallen victim to his past. Two broken people find the strength to carve a place for themselves in a restless frontier. It isn't easy and Samuel and Eleanor spend a lot of time battling each other in a desperate bid to guard their wounded hearts. But there are times when they band together against an outside foe. Page-turning madness full of gripping action and aching tenderness.
And, oh, be still my heart, Papa Samuel is the stuff curled toes are made of! Devoted, besotted, protective. A doting father to sweet, impish little Grace. He would do anything for his little girl -- including marrying a stranger to ensure her future. A mesmerizing, heart-in-throat story ensues. Delicious to the very last word.
Fainting couch - check
Extra stuffing for the cushions on the fainting couch - check
water bottle to keep hydrated - check
chocolate (to soothe ravaged nerves) - check
Just a few recommendations for your not-looking-up-until-I-reach-the-end reading kit. You'll want to be well stocked before you embark on this incredible journey. Samuel and Eleanor's story held me captive and turned my heart to mush.
There's something so emotionally appealing about a marriage of convenience story. This hero and heroine come from very different worlds but are thrown together in tumultuous times just before the American revolution. I have to stop saying this isn't a favourite time period of mine because I keep reading novels that blow me away with their rich historical details and heart-wrenching romance. The Captive Heart is exactly that kind of book.
Eleanor is victimized in a world that favours men. Samuel has fallen victim to his past. Two broken people find the strength to carve a place for themselves in a restless frontier. It isn't easy and Samuel and Eleanor spend a lot of time battling each other in a desperate bid to guard their wounded hearts. But there are times when they band together against an outside foe. Page-turning madness full of gripping action and aching tenderness.
And, oh, be still my heart, Papa Samuel is the stuff curled toes are made of! Devoted, besotted, protective. A doting father to sweet, impish little Grace. He would do anything for his little girl -- including marrying a stranger to ensure her future. A mesmerizing, heart-in-throat story ensues. Delicious to the very last word.
August 6, 2016
A little Beauty and the Beast with The Last of the Mohicans along with early colonializsm, A Captive Heart is a facinating look at the frontier.
Griep gives us an unique look at the frontier, set in South Carolina before the Revolutionary War. I enjoyed the glimpses into the Cherokee culture as well as the look at indentured servitude. The history was interesting and obviously well-researched.
There were some cliche eye-rolling moments (I won't give spoilers), but overall the story was well written.
Fans of the frontier stories and historical fiction will enjoy this one!
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Griep gives us an unique look at the frontier, set in South Carolina before the Revolutionary War. I enjoyed the glimpses into the Cherokee culture as well as the look at indentured servitude. The history was interesting and obviously well-researched.
There were some cliche eye-rolling moments (I won't give spoilers), but overall the story was well written.
Fans of the frontier stories and historical fiction will enjoy this one!
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
April 28, 2022
I've been waiting a while for the chance to read this novel. My days as an editor are spent in reading more for that purpose than for pleasure. When I do reach for a pleasure read, this is it--frontier action and romance at its finest. Griep is a wordsmith who has mastered the art of, beat by beat, capturing the emotions and motivations of her characters so thoroughly she transports the reader.
August 25, 2016
This book was very captivating from the first chapter to the very end. A great story of loss and sorrow, hope and redemption, love and peace. Set in the late 1770's in the early colonies, Eleanor must learn how to adapt to living life in the primitive woods with a man she has just recently married and whom she knows nothing about.
This is a classic style marriage of convenience story and was written very well. Eleanor has a lot of turmoil from her past that makes it hard for her to put her trust in anyone. She finds herself fleeing England and her money stolen so she must sign a contract and be purchased as a caregiver. Yet when she arrives at her new "master's" colony, she realizes that she must marry him as well. Unbeknownst to her he has his own sorrow and heartache from a very difficult past. He is brusque and demanding and not the man for Eleanor, yet if she has any chance of survival, he is her only hope. So what will Eleanor do? Bide her time, stay far away from Samuel Heath and be the best caretaker of his daughter Grace so that when her contract's 7 years are up she can be free once again.
Samuel Heath is a backwoodsman, a trapper, half Native American and a murderer. Well everyone in town has steered clear of him after the death of his wife Mariah and Samuel has moved far out into the woods to steer clear of the townspeople as well. He enjoys his freedom and his ability to hunt in the woods with his Indian brother Inoli. Yet he needs someone to care for his sweet daughter Grace, so he does the only thing he can, purchase a bride(or rather a caretaker-he had a wife once and she was not the person she portrayed to be) although he doesn't want to be tied down again.
Behind the scenes of Eleanor and Samuel trying to survive in their surroundings and survive their time together, there is intrigue and unrest between the Cherokee people and the Red Coats as well as the local lawmen. All of them have past resentments towards Samuel and all wants something from him. Can Samuel appease everyone all while trying to prove to Eleanor that he is not all that he appears to be and that his past is not what it seems. Can Eleanor learn to move past the hurts of her past and allow healing and the Lord to guide her and show her that she is where she belongs.
Of course throughout the book, just as you think the MCs are going to figure out everything and be able to trust each other something happens to cast a little shadow of doubt and make everyone take a step backwards in their relationship. I will say that the pacing of the novel was great and with all the little mishaps that kept separating the characters it didn't end too fast and there was plenty of time to slowly reveal the backstories of the characters. Oh, and the sweet moments between Eleanor and Samuel, perfect! So sweet! I loved the development of their relationship. Samuel definitely had lots hidden about him that Eleanor was able to help reveal and bring out the good in him. I will definitely be reading this one again and recommend it for anyone who loves a good swoony read, a marriage of convenience, a colonial setting and lots of turmoil.
As far as content there are a few skirmishes between colonial settlers but nothing too graphic. There are a few kisses, but overall it was a great clean read. It is a Christian Fiction read so the characters do talk about God and turning their lives over to him, some characters offer up thoughts asking for help but overall not an overwhelming preachy feel (in case you were wondering-I really enjoyed it and thought it was done very well). I would say this book is great for older YAs and adults.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Happy Reading!!!
This is a classic style marriage of convenience story and was written very well. Eleanor has a lot of turmoil from her past that makes it hard for her to put her trust in anyone. She finds herself fleeing England and her money stolen so she must sign a contract and be purchased as a caregiver. Yet when she arrives at her new "master's" colony, she realizes that she must marry him as well. Unbeknownst to her he has his own sorrow and heartache from a very difficult past. He is brusque and demanding and not the man for Eleanor, yet if she has any chance of survival, he is her only hope. So what will Eleanor do? Bide her time, stay far away from Samuel Heath and be the best caretaker of his daughter Grace so that when her contract's 7 years are up she can be free once again.
Samuel Heath is a backwoodsman, a trapper, half Native American and a murderer. Well everyone in town has steered clear of him after the death of his wife Mariah and Samuel has moved far out into the woods to steer clear of the townspeople as well. He enjoys his freedom and his ability to hunt in the woods with his Indian brother Inoli. Yet he needs someone to care for his sweet daughter Grace, so he does the only thing he can, purchase a bride(or rather a caretaker-he had a wife once and she was not the person she portrayed to be) although he doesn't want to be tied down again.
Behind the scenes of Eleanor and Samuel trying to survive in their surroundings and survive their time together, there is intrigue and unrest between the Cherokee people and the Red Coats as well as the local lawmen. All of them have past resentments towards Samuel and all wants something from him. Can Samuel appease everyone all while trying to prove to Eleanor that he is not all that he appears to be and that his past is not what it seems. Can Eleanor learn to move past the hurts of her past and allow healing and the Lord to guide her and show her that she is where she belongs.
Of course throughout the book, just as you think the MCs are going to figure out everything and be able to trust each other something happens to cast a little shadow of doubt and make everyone take a step backwards in their relationship. I will say that the pacing of the novel was great and with all the little mishaps that kept separating the characters it didn't end too fast and there was plenty of time to slowly reveal the backstories of the characters. Oh, and the sweet moments between Eleanor and Samuel, perfect! So sweet! I loved the development of their relationship. Samuel definitely had lots hidden about him that Eleanor was able to help reveal and bring out the good in him. I will definitely be reading this one again and recommend it for anyone who loves a good swoony read, a marriage of convenience, a colonial setting and lots of turmoil.
As far as content there are a few skirmishes between colonial settlers but nothing too graphic. There are a few kisses, but overall it was a great clean read. It is a Christian Fiction read so the characters do talk about God and turning their lives over to him, some characters offer up thoughts asking for help but overall not an overwhelming preachy feel (in case you were wondering-I really enjoyed it and thought it was done very well). I would say this book is great for older YAs and adults.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Happy Reading!!!
November 11, 2016
Proper English governess Eleanor Morgan flees to the colonies to escape the wrath of a brute of an employer. When the Charles Town family she’s to work for never arrives to collect her from the dock, she is forced to settle for the only reputable choice remaining to her—marriage to a man she’s never met. Trapper and tracker Samuel Heath is a hardened survivor used to getting his own way by brain or by brawn, and he’s determined to find a mother for his young daughter. But finding a wife proves to be impossible. No upstanding woman wants to marry a murderer.
Taking place during the pre-Revolution period when the Sons of Liberty were just beginning to develop strategies for getting the English out of the colonies, Griep's historical fiction shows her research and writing skills. The story is realistic, inspirational, and full of heartwrenching romance. Eleanor is a sweet, young woman, thrown into situations she is totally unprepared for and which she has no confidence that she is succeeding. Samuel, though a skilled woodsmen, trapper, and tracker, is haunted by his past and his only saving grace is his daughter, Grace. Griep's inspirational thread is filled with spiritual truths that led both Eleanor and Samuel to the lives they were meant to have.
Griep captures the essence of the time period as the wilderness pits man against man, man against nature, and whites against the native Americans. Great book for those who love the historical fiction genre.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Take it from someone who knows. Don't let the past fester inside. The sooner you move on, the sooner you will heal. Sometimes you got to cut your losses."
"I have learned that money is easily lost and just as easily steals the souls of those who value it."
"Perhaps God is not calling you to live for peace, but rather to fight for it."
"Honor always comes at a price, else it would be worthless."
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via a Goodreads Giveaway to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
Taking place during the pre-Revolution period when the Sons of Liberty were just beginning to develop strategies for getting the English out of the colonies, Griep's historical fiction shows her research and writing skills. The story is realistic, inspirational, and full of heartwrenching romance. Eleanor is a sweet, young woman, thrown into situations she is totally unprepared for and which she has no confidence that she is succeeding. Samuel, though a skilled woodsmen, trapper, and tracker, is haunted by his past and his only saving grace is his daughter, Grace. Griep's inspirational thread is filled with spiritual truths that led both Eleanor and Samuel to the lives they were meant to have.
Griep captures the essence of the time period as the wilderness pits man against man, man against nature, and whites against the native Americans. Great book for those who love the historical fiction genre.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Take it from someone who knows. Don't let the past fester inside. The sooner you move on, the sooner you will heal. Sometimes you got to cut your losses."
"I have learned that money is easily lost and just as easily steals the souls of those who value it."
"Perhaps God is not calling you to live for peace, but rather to fight for it."
"Honor always comes at a price, else it would be worthless."
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via a Goodreads Giveaway to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
May 26, 2017
A thoroughly and delightfully captivating novel. Michelle Griep, please write more books set in this era! ^_^ We had harrowing circumstances. Colonial wilderness. Marriage of convenience. Native Americans. Patriot spies. Tender romance. Deep threads of faith. Danger, drama, humor, and utter sweetness. Fans of Laura Frantz and Lori Benton are sure to love The Captive Heart!
I stayed up late into the night reading of Eleanor Morgan and Samuel Heath. They were such fantastic characters and I enjoyed both of their POVs. Also, baby Grace was so sweet! It was fun, heart-rending, and tender to watch Eleanor and Samuel's relationship develop. And can I just say that I loved that he called her "Red Bird"? So special and unique!
I also adored the secondary characters. They have me desperately hoping that Michelle Griep will continue this as a series with their stories! There's so much potential there. Especially with Biz and the preacher. *laughs*
I had a lovely time imaging what Samuel's cabin in the wilderness looked like, the colonial festivals, and Indian village. Ah, such a historical delight! This era of the mid-to-late 1700s America never fails to intrigue me.
And there was no lack of danger and excitement. The Captive Heart mixes pre-Revolutionary War drama with Native American unrest, colonial wilderness living, marriages of convenience, and wild men who take the law into their own hands ... because there isn't much for law-enforcers. There were so many different angles to this story, making it an amazing ride. I fell into the tale - was transported back to the colonies, year 1770. Where bears and wild Indians roam in your backyard and the punishment for horse-stealing is thirty-five lashes.
Friends of historical romance, especially of the colonial era, you must read this book!
Note: This is about a married couple, and the romance arc does deepen toward the end of the book. I would recommend to adults.
I stayed up late into the night reading of Eleanor Morgan and Samuel Heath. They were such fantastic characters and I enjoyed both of their POVs. Also, baby Grace was so sweet! It was fun, heart-rending, and tender to watch Eleanor and Samuel's relationship develop. And can I just say that I loved that he called her "Red Bird"? So special and unique!
I also adored the secondary characters. They have me desperately hoping that Michelle Griep will continue this as a series with their stories! There's so much potential there. Especially with Biz and the preacher. *laughs*
I had a lovely time imaging what Samuel's cabin in the wilderness looked like, the colonial festivals, and Indian village. Ah, such a historical delight! This era of the mid-to-late 1700s America never fails to intrigue me.
And there was no lack of danger and excitement. The Captive Heart mixes pre-Revolutionary War drama with Native American unrest, colonial wilderness living, marriages of convenience, and wild men who take the law into their own hands ... because there isn't much for law-enforcers. There were so many different angles to this story, making it an amazing ride. I fell into the tale - was transported back to the colonies, year 1770. Where bears and wild Indians roam in your backyard and the punishment for horse-stealing is thirty-five lashes.
Friends of historical romance, especially of the colonial era, you must read this book!
Note: This is about a married couple, and the romance arc does deepen toward the end of the book. I would recommend to adults.
March 13, 2017
~4.5 stars~
I liked this book a lot! The setting and time period are just something I enjoy reading from time to time :) This book had me intrigued about Eleanor's story right from the very beginning! There were a lot of things that made this book enjoyable for me, but one of my favorites was Samuel Heath's baby daughter, Grace. She was just so adorable and mischievous lol--she just made this book so much better to me. I don't know why, but if a baby or kid is in a story, it usually makes me like it more :P Especially if they add more humor to the story...it just makes it more fun! The romance in this book was a little different than I was expecting...well, I guess I did not really know what to expect because I decided I would go into this book knowing very little about it--which I think in a way made me like it even more! Although there were a few things I think could have been left out, I did end up enjoying this! The part Biz played in this story I thought was very cool in the end, even though she wasn't a favorite character of mine. That's all I am going to say because I don't want to spoil anything lol
*I received an ebook copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I liked this book a lot! The setting and time period are just something I enjoy reading from time to time :) This book had me intrigued about Eleanor's story right from the very beginning! There were a lot of things that made this book enjoyable for me, but one of my favorites was Samuel Heath's baby daughter, Grace. She was just so adorable and mischievous lol--she just made this book so much better to me. I don't know why, but if a baby or kid is in a story, it usually makes me like it more :P Especially if they add more humor to the story...it just makes it more fun! The romance in this book was a little different than I was expecting...well, I guess I did not really know what to expect because I decided I would go into this book knowing very little about it--which I think in a way made me like it even more! Although there were a few things I think could have been left out, I did end up enjoying this! The part Biz played in this story I thought was very cool in the end, even though she wasn't a favorite character of mine. That's all I am going to say because I don't want to spoil anything lol
*I received an ebook copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
October 27, 2016
What a good book. I love a romance with deep charcters that really get to you. I like a good back drop and this author make the setting come alive. I was worried about our charcter from the first pages to the last. This is a edge of your seat kind of book. My skin around my nails is a bitten off. I just really enjoyed this book. This is a religious romance but with very little preaching, more show you change instead of talk about it, which I also love. This is also a forced marriage story, another favorite of mine. It was handled so well. The tension between these two crackeled! There is a couple really good kisses. This is an adult romance becasue a lot of the bad guys want to hurt the woman. It never comes out and says rape but its insunuated throughout the book and there is talk of marital relations between the two of them. This is done very well. I have already bought another of hers I liked this so much.
November 10, 2016
I liked this novel, but didn't love it. The characters were great. Samuel is a fabulous hero. Eleanor is a likable young lady and Biz is a rough yet kind extra character. I think what fell a bit short for me was that there was something disjointed about the story or writing. The novel started off very strong and then my interest began to taper.
Overall, it was a good read and I would read another novel by this author.
Overall, it was a good read and I would read another novel by this author.
October 18, 2016
Michelle Griep has written a stunning and richly historical, romance novel that readers will thoroughly enjoy. As a big historical fiction fan, The Captive Heart caught my attention from page one. Readers will immediately love the characters in this story, a proper English governess and a trapper, as well as, enjoy following them on their journey of struggle to survive, hardship, and eventually love in the harsh life in the west. Griep has a way of pulling her readers in to the deep emotion of her characters and make it feel like you are in the story and following along and living in this severe time of war between the whites and the Indians. This novel is not only a historical romance, but has a bit of action and adventure in it as well that will hook readers. And as Michelle Griep says, “What’s not to love about the last of the Mohicans meets The Patriot?” I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy reading historical, romance, adventure stories.
Genre: historical, romance, adventure, Christian
Publisher: Barbour
Publication date: October 1, 2016
Number of pages: 320
Content Rating: PG, for some violence
Book Rating: 5 stars
A print review copy of this novel was provided by Barbour. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Genre: historical, romance, adventure, Christian
Publisher: Barbour
Publication date: October 1, 2016
Number of pages: 320
Content Rating: PG, for some violence
Book Rating: 5 stars
A print review copy of this novel was provided by Barbour. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
October 22, 2016
There was so much to love about this book!
First there are the characters, Eleanor and Samuel. At first I wasn't sure about either of them but as the story went on, I grew to love them. They are so very different from each other but I love the whole opposites attract thing. :) Both have so much determination though, and it shows in everything that they do. Samuel comes off so gruff and mean in the beginning. I didn't figure there was any way I was going to love him but he grew on me and even though he was a bit caveman-ish with a severe communication problem, I found myself liking him. In the end.
I loved the various settings and challenges this story brought. It was full on western frontier hardships from fire and outlaws to bears and the Indian relations of that time. Throw in some crazy men with vendettas, a jealous woman and an active toddler and there is never a dull moment.
It took me a bit to actually get into this book because it started out slow but once things started to pick up, I was fully invested and interested. I enjoyed this one!
Content: Clean, some mild violence, Christian fiction (although nothing overly preachy)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
First there are the characters, Eleanor and Samuel. At first I wasn't sure about either of them but as the story went on, I grew to love them. They are so very different from each other but I love the whole opposites attract thing. :) Both have so much determination though, and it shows in everything that they do. Samuel comes off so gruff and mean in the beginning. I didn't figure there was any way I was going to love him but he grew on me and even though he was a bit caveman-ish with a severe communication problem, I found myself liking him. In the end.
I loved the various settings and challenges this story brought. It was full on western frontier hardships from fire and outlaws to bears and the Indian relations of that time. Throw in some crazy men with vendettas, a jealous woman and an active toddler and there is never a dull moment.
It took me a bit to actually get into this book because it started out slow but once things started to pick up, I was fully invested and interested. I enjoyed this one!
Content: Clean, some mild violence, Christian fiction (although nothing overly preachy)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
August 30, 2016
Wow! Fans of Lori Benton, Laura Frantz and Beth White will want to add this to the top of their to-be-read list! Set in 1770 South Carolina, when the pre-war tension was building, forcing colonial settlers to "be loyal to the crown" or be punished.
Great characters full of personality and diverse culture brought to life by the well written dialogue, interactions and descriptions. Never a dull moment, as the story moves quickly along with nail-biting scenes, romantic tension and danger at every turn. Loved how the author uses the different characters' perspectives to get you into their heads and understand their struggles, revealing their backstories at just the right time to bring that "ah ha" sense. An interesting setting too, as most Revolutionary War era stories that I've read take place further north.
Recommend to fans of historical Christian fiction with romance.
(Book provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest, original review.)
Great characters full of personality and diverse culture brought to life by the well written dialogue, interactions and descriptions. Never a dull moment, as the story moves quickly along with nail-biting scenes, romantic tension and danger at every turn. Loved how the author uses the different characters' perspectives to get you into their heads and understand their struggles, revealing their backstories at just the right time to bring that "ah ha" sense. An interesting setting too, as most Revolutionary War era stories that I've read take place further north.
Recommend to fans of historical Christian fiction with romance.
(Book provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest, original review.)
October 4, 2016
This was such a great read. It has all the elements a great Christian Historical Novel needs. Both characters are flawed, but in very different ways. The witty banter, lively dialogue, and such a realistic background pulls the reader in, and this book was incredibly difficult to put down. A great element that is sometimes missing in Christian books is the element of hope and faith, but both are strong and prevalent in this read. I simply fell in love with this book. Faith, hope, love, and forgiveness with very realistic and relatable characters against a strong historical background make this a must read!
Don't miss Eleanor and Samuel's story. It will reach out and touch your heart. If you are a Frantz or Benton fan this book is for you!
I received this book from the publisher for my honest opinion which I have given.
Don't miss Eleanor and Samuel's story. It will reach out and touch your heart. If you are a Frantz or Benton fan this book is for you!
I received this book from the publisher for my honest opinion which I have given.
February 7, 2017
I've never read a Michelle Griep book I didn't like.
While Samuel and Eleanor were rather typical of the genre, I felt like I knew them better than any other character I'd read (in this genre) before. They are alive and very much real, with normal flaws, desires, and feelings. That's something I very much appreciate about Griep's books. She manages to blend faith and God's truth with the reality of falling in love. She doesn't shy away from the illusion of passion for the sake of sensibilities, yet her novels remain practically squeaky clean.
I'm so looking forward to her next book, whatever that may be!
While Samuel and Eleanor were rather typical of the genre, I felt like I knew them better than any other character I'd read (in this genre) before. They are alive and very much real, with normal flaws, desires, and feelings. That's something I very much appreciate about Griep's books. She manages to blend faith and God's truth with the reality of falling in love. She doesn't shy away from the illusion of passion for the sake of sensibilities, yet her novels remain practically squeaky clean.
I'm so looking forward to her next book, whatever that may be!
February 22, 2024
Fantastic reading experience even the second time around. What wonderful characters and world building! I adore this story and highly recommend it!
November 20, 2017
“Love is not really a mystery. It is a process like anything else. A process that requires trust, effort, focus and commitment by two willing partners” Elizabeth Bourgeret
English governess Eleanor Morgan fought off her employer and managed to retain her virtue. The scratch marks on his face left her in no doubt that she would leave as soon as possible. His wife assured her that the Duke… yeah, he was aristocracy… in his anger, would insure that she never worked in England again. The Duchess had an acquaintance in the colonies and she gave Eleanor money for the voyage and a letter of reference. Eleanor now understood why there had been so many governesses. This was not his first infraction.
When the ship arrived at the colonies, Eleanor was horrified to learn her money and letter were gone. She and two other women had become close during the voyage and they were the last to leave the ship. Eleanor’s future employer had not come to claim her. Since she was unable to pay for her voyage, that put her in debt to the ship’s captain. He then sold her as an indentured servant to pay for his troubles.
Backwoodsman Samuel Heath needed someone to care for his two-year-old daughter Grace. The only way propriety would allow Eleanor to go with Samuel was for her to marry him. She finally agreed to a marriage in name only and he agreed that he would not touch her… unless she asked.
Samuel had many secrets and he was the type of man that didn’t discuss his feelings or his thoughts with anyone… including his new wife. This was a Beauty and the Beast type of story. He had long hair, full beard and scars that he didn’t discuss. Many times, he was referenced as a beast… by himself, by others and by Eleanor. She was a beautiful innocent that didn’t know her own worth. Her mother had died and her father, in this story, was not a nice man. She went into service after he tried to sell her virtue to pay his debts. Yeah, real nice guy. This left Eleanor with problems of self-worth and trust issues. If you can’t trust your own father… just saying.
You need to know going in that this story is a faith-based story with a Christian theme throughout. It only hinted at being preachy in a couple of places and the rest was each person relying on a strength beyond themselves and crying out in times of stress or distress. Not everyone was a Christian and not all were redeemed. Friendships, loyalty, forgiveness and restoration were powerfully written into the story line.
The many trials our couple went through was unrelenting. Just when you thought they would have their HEA something else would happen. We have two people from two different worlds and the clash was loud and painful. Eleanor was ripped from the parlors and schoolrooms of England to the back country of the Carolinas. She couldn’t cook, and everything she put her hand to nearly cost someone their life. The rules were different in the backwoods and she had a hard time adjusting.
This was wild country, full of bears, Indians, wild men, rough women, frontier towns, and frontier laws. This was the 1770’s political climate and unrest against the harsh treatment of the English toward the colonies and the ensuing Indian unrest. And caught right in the middle of all this was the budding relationship between Samuel and Eleanor.
This was a really informative story as we watched the ebb and flow of the political climate and how the early forefathers stood their ground against oppression. Many scenes were horrifying in their brutally… man-against-man, man-against-nature, abuse of power, rogue bear attacks, murder and jealously. Samuel eventually told Eleanor his back story and she told him hers. This was so hard fought. Samuel was an honorable man who did what needed to be done to protect his family and he only wanted to live his life. There were times when Eleanor didn’t understand why he did what he did. And, Samuel wasn’t always forthcoming with the answers she needed. This was hard to read. However, through it all, their faith got them through to the end. It was a good story.
Rating: PG-17: clean story, descriptions of violence… this was wild country and they don’t fight pretty in the backcountry.
English governess Eleanor Morgan fought off her employer and managed to retain her virtue. The scratch marks on his face left her in no doubt that she would leave as soon as possible. His wife assured her that the Duke… yeah, he was aristocracy… in his anger, would insure that she never worked in England again. The Duchess had an acquaintance in the colonies and she gave Eleanor money for the voyage and a letter of reference. Eleanor now understood why there had been so many governesses. This was not his first infraction.
When the ship arrived at the colonies, Eleanor was horrified to learn her money and letter were gone. She and two other women had become close during the voyage and they were the last to leave the ship. Eleanor’s future employer had not come to claim her. Since she was unable to pay for her voyage, that put her in debt to the ship’s captain. He then sold her as an indentured servant to pay for his troubles.
Backwoodsman Samuel Heath needed someone to care for his two-year-old daughter Grace. The only way propriety would allow Eleanor to go with Samuel was for her to marry him. She finally agreed to a marriage in name only and he agreed that he would not touch her… unless she asked.
Samuel had many secrets and he was the type of man that didn’t discuss his feelings or his thoughts with anyone… including his new wife. This was a Beauty and the Beast type of story. He had long hair, full beard and scars that he didn’t discuss. Many times, he was referenced as a beast… by himself, by others and by Eleanor. She was a beautiful innocent that didn’t know her own worth. Her mother had died and her father, in this story, was not a nice man. She went into service after he tried to sell her virtue to pay his debts. Yeah, real nice guy. This left Eleanor with problems of self-worth and trust issues. If you can’t trust your own father… just saying.
You need to know going in that this story is a faith-based story with a Christian theme throughout. It only hinted at being preachy in a couple of places and the rest was each person relying on a strength beyond themselves and crying out in times of stress or distress. Not everyone was a Christian and not all were redeemed. Friendships, loyalty, forgiveness and restoration were powerfully written into the story line.
The many trials our couple went through was unrelenting. Just when you thought they would have their HEA something else would happen. We have two people from two different worlds and the clash was loud and painful. Eleanor was ripped from the parlors and schoolrooms of England to the back country of the Carolinas. She couldn’t cook, and everything she put her hand to nearly cost someone their life. The rules were different in the backwoods and she had a hard time adjusting.
This was wild country, full of bears, Indians, wild men, rough women, frontier towns, and frontier laws. This was the 1770’s political climate and unrest against the harsh treatment of the English toward the colonies and the ensuing Indian unrest. And caught right in the middle of all this was the budding relationship between Samuel and Eleanor.
This was a really informative story as we watched the ebb and flow of the political climate and how the early forefathers stood their ground against oppression. Many scenes were horrifying in their brutally… man-against-man, man-against-nature, abuse of power, rogue bear attacks, murder and jealously. Samuel eventually told Eleanor his back story and she told him hers. This was so hard fought. Samuel was an honorable man who did what needed to be done to protect his family and he only wanted to live his life. There were times when Eleanor didn’t understand why he did what he did. And, Samuel wasn’t always forthcoming with the answers she needed. This was hard to read. However, through it all, their faith got them through to the end. It was a good story.
Rating: PG-17: clean story, descriptions of violence… this was wild country and they don’t fight pretty in the backcountry.
September 5, 2016
Every time I read a novel by Michelle Griep, I think it’s the best. Then I read another. She continually outdoes herself. Now I think The Captive Heart is her best yet! It truly is!
Eleanor Morgan, a proper English governess, flees to the Colonies to escape a lecherous employer. The Charles Town family she was supposed to work for does not arrive to get her when her ship docks. She is then forced to settle for the only reputable choice open to her: marriage to a man she’s never met. Trapper and tracker Samuel Heath is a hardened survivor used to getting his own way by brain or brawn and he’s determined to find a mother for his young child. But finding a wife proves to be impossible. No upstanding woman would want to marry a murderer.
Thus begins the journey of both Eleanor and Samuel in 1770 SC . I myself am a lifelong resident of SC and was intrigued by this part of the story. Samuel Heath is a rough man who has been hurt and carries a lot of hidden pain besides. But he knows the Lord. Life is hard in the Colonies and Samuel is trying to make a life for his young daughter and so he marries Eleanor and brings her home. Eleanor knows nothing of tending a home or living in the wilds of a new nation. She determines to make a go of this life, but Eleanor carries some deep hurts of her own.
Michelle Griep is a wonderful author. I love her books and she does what she does very well. She has managed to create characters that just jump right into the reader’s mind and heart from the very first paragraph. She also has created a very good plot that engages the mind of the reader at once. Her descriptions are wonderful, plopping this reader right down in the midst of the action. I have a very vivid imagination and it was filled to the brim with this tale.
From the mansion of an English duke, the despicable hold of a ship, the harbor where lives are bartered for, the forest home of Samuel to the Cherokee village with longhouses and council meetings, Griep has created a story that won’t soon leave her readers. I know I’m a bit reluctant to begin a new book after finishing this one.
This story is set on the American frontier and it is totally captivating! I love history, especially the beginnings of our nation and my great great grandmother was a Cherokee Indian, so this one just was so wonderful to read.
I loved, loved, loved the characters of Samuel and Eleanor, or Red Bird, as Samuel called her. They were so incredibly real to me. When Samuel Heath entered a room, the reader entered right along with him. Samuel’s new faith in God is also explored here in detail. He knows he needs God in every aspect of his life and is determined to remain true to God.
Eleanor also knows Christ as her Savior and needs to call upon Him many times in this new life of hers. She trust Him to lead and guide her as she embarks upon a new life in this new land.
Michelle Griep has done a wonderful job. It’s her best yet. Now, she’ll probably surprise me with her next book, but in the meantime, I’m just going to enjoy the fullness of this outstanding novel and let these characters live on in my head and heart a while longer.
Don’t miss this one!
*I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.
Eleanor Morgan, a proper English governess, flees to the Colonies to escape a lecherous employer. The Charles Town family she was supposed to work for does not arrive to get her when her ship docks. She is then forced to settle for the only reputable choice open to her: marriage to a man she’s never met. Trapper and tracker Samuel Heath is a hardened survivor used to getting his own way by brain or brawn and he’s determined to find a mother for his young child. But finding a wife proves to be impossible. No upstanding woman would want to marry a murderer.
Thus begins the journey of both Eleanor and Samuel in 1770 SC . I myself am a lifelong resident of SC and was intrigued by this part of the story. Samuel Heath is a rough man who has been hurt and carries a lot of hidden pain besides. But he knows the Lord. Life is hard in the Colonies and Samuel is trying to make a life for his young daughter and so he marries Eleanor and brings her home. Eleanor knows nothing of tending a home or living in the wilds of a new nation. She determines to make a go of this life, but Eleanor carries some deep hurts of her own.
Michelle Griep is a wonderful author. I love her books and she does what she does very well. She has managed to create characters that just jump right into the reader’s mind and heart from the very first paragraph. She also has created a very good plot that engages the mind of the reader at once. Her descriptions are wonderful, plopping this reader right down in the midst of the action. I have a very vivid imagination and it was filled to the brim with this tale.
From the mansion of an English duke, the despicable hold of a ship, the harbor where lives are bartered for, the forest home of Samuel to the Cherokee village with longhouses and council meetings, Griep has created a story that won’t soon leave her readers. I know I’m a bit reluctant to begin a new book after finishing this one.
This story is set on the American frontier and it is totally captivating! I love history, especially the beginnings of our nation and my great great grandmother was a Cherokee Indian, so this one just was so wonderful to read.
I loved, loved, loved the characters of Samuel and Eleanor, or Red Bird, as Samuel called her. They were so incredibly real to me. When Samuel Heath entered a room, the reader entered right along with him. Samuel’s new faith in God is also explored here in detail. He knows he needs God in every aspect of his life and is determined to remain true to God.
Eleanor also knows Christ as her Savior and needs to call upon Him many times in this new life of hers. She trust Him to lead and guide her as she embarks upon a new life in this new land.
Michelle Griep has done a wonderful job. It’s her best yet. Now, she’ll probably surprise me with her next book, but in the meantime, I’m just going to enjoy the fullness of this outstanding novel and let these characters live on in my head and heart a while longer.
Don’t miss this one!
*I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.
August 30, 2016
This is a lush historical romance set during colonial times in America. Our heroine, Eleanor, is an English governess who is sent there to escape a lecherous employer. Eleanor has a letter of reference for when she arrives, and a bit of money, but both of those things are stolen. Eleanor has no choice but to be sold into indenture. A trapper, Samuel Heath, who is full of secrets and a past that won't leave him alone, decides to marry Eleanor in a marriage of convenience so he can have a mother for his young daughter. Yet, Eleanor and Samuel come from such different worlds, can they ever find common ground and truly be a family?
I really enjoyed the expertly drawn characters of Samuel and Eleanor. They both had quite a bit of emotional baggage going into the marriage and their efforts to overcome it all and understand each other is what makes this book so intriguing. The mystery of Samuel's past teases us throughout the book, but once revealed, gives us a three dimensional picture of this character and what drives him. Eleanor is trying to find her place in a new world---almost the opposite of the one she was brought up in. She is a fish out of water, but works hard to belong, which makes her relatable and likable since we all have that drive to be part of something. The setting is well done and the prejudices against Native Americans is poignant and realistic. And if that wasn't enough to draw in the reader, there is a little spy story on the side that will keep you turning pages.
Michelle Griep is a new author to me and I will definitely be looking for more from this author.
Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
I really enjoyed the expertly drawn characters of Samuel and Eleanor. They both had quite a bit of emotional baggage going into the marriage and their efforts to overcome it all and understand each other is what makes this book so intriguing. The mystery of Samuel's past teases us throughout the book, but once revealed, gives us a three dimensional picture of this character and what drives him. Eleanor is trying to find her place in a new world---almost the opposite of the one she was brought up in. She is a fish out of water, but works hard to belong, which makes her relatable and likable since we all have that drive to be part of something. The setting is well done and the prejudices against Native Americans is poignant and realistic. And if that wasn't enough to draw in the reader, there is a little spy story on the side that will keep you turning pages.
Michelle Griep is a new author to me and I will definitely be looking for more from this author.
Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
November 19, 2017
I had wanted to read this book since reading several glowing reviews. The description intrigued me, and I was delighted to find that The Captive Heart has just the right blend of elements that I adore in mail order bride stories - though in this case she is an indentured servant with marriage thrust upon her. The wedding out of the way, the story focuses on how the relationship between Eleanor Morgan and Samuel Heath grows - and stalls - on their way to finding each other to be their perfect help meet and deep abiding love. Throw in a handful in the form of the widower's darling daughter as a bonus, present dangers and past hurts, steadfast friends and black-hearted villains - all set against the rough backwoods and tumultuous political times of the pre-Revolution colonies for good measure and you have a story that kept me riveted.
I absolutely loved this story and stayed up to 2 am twice (finally, daylight savings time is good for more than throwing off my clock) reading. Such a wonderful and well-written story of hope, faith, forgiveness, and finding love and friendship in unexpected places, I look forward to more by this author.
Highly recommended and this is definitely one of my favorite Historical Christian Romance books read in 2017.
This review refers to a print copy borrowed from my local library. An e-galley was previously received through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own. This review was originally published on bookworlder.wordpress.com
I absolutely loved this story and stayed up to 2 am twice (finally, daylight savings time is good for more than throwing off my clock) reading. Such a wonderful and well-written story of hope, faith, forgiveness, and finding love and friendship in unexpected places, I look forward to more by this author.
Highly recommended and this is definitely one of my favorite Historical Christian Romance books read in 2017.
This review refers to a print copy borrowed from my local library. An e-galley was previously received through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own. This review was originally published on bookworlder.wordpress.com
September 27, 2016
The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep is a fantastic read. She takes the reader to early America and the rough frontier of the Carolina's. The history and the descriptions of the time make you feel you are there experiencing everything first hand with the characters. The hero, Samuel is a ruggedly handsome man (sigh) who is a tracker. He has secrets. The heroine, Eleanor, fled England and endured hardships along the way only to be an indentured servant or wife to Samuel.. He needs a mother for his little girl and sends off for a care taker but decides he needs more. He needs a wife. This book takes you on a ride from one adventure to another. It is most definitely a page turner. I truly loved this book and I highly recommend all history and romance readers. *I was given this book by netgalley for my honest opinion, which I have given.
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