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Kennedy Stern #9
Captivated
Imprisoned for her faith.
Terrified for her life.
This was NOT how her mission trip was supposed to end ...
Kennedy grew up with missionary parents. For her entire life, she heard stories of believers who persevere under trial.
Still she never dreamed that one day she would be the one persecuted for the sake of the gospel ...
Kennedy vows to remain strong, but this time faith alone might not save her ... or the ones she cares about most.
Fast-paced, thrilling, and guaranteed to keep you up way too late, Captivated is the finale to the Kennedy Stern Christian suspense series. All good things must come to an end, and this is one end you're not about to forget.
Buy Captivated now to complete this bestselling series.
Terrified for her life.
This was NOT how her mission trip was supposed to end ...
Kennedy grew up with missionary parents. For her entire life, she heard stories of believers who persevere under trial.
Still she never dreamed that one day she would be the one persecuted for the sake of the gospel ...
Kennedy vows to remain strong, but this time faith alone might not save her ... or the ones she cares about most.
Fast-paced, thrilling, and guaranteed to keep you up way too late, Captivated is the finale to the Kennedy Stern Christian suspense series. All good things must come to an end, and this is one end you're not about to forget.
Buy Captivated now to complete this bestselling series.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2018
140 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
Alana Terry
95 books467 followersWhen Alana isn't writing, it's likely that she's on the floor wrestling with her kids. Or playing outside with her kids. Or chauffeuring her kids. Or trying some random science experiment with her kids. But she's probably not cooking or cleaning.
Alana is a homeschooling mother of three who loves to write, hates to cook, and enjoys reading a good book almost as much as she enjoys writing one.
Alana won the Women of Faith writing contest for "The Beloved Daughter," her debut inspirational novel. "What, No Sushi?" is Alana's first book in a chapter-book series for kids published by Do Life Right, Inc.
Alana is a homeschooling mother of three who loves to write, hates to cook, and enjoys reading a good book almost as much as she enjoys writing one.
Alana won the Women of Faith writing contest for "The Beloved Daughter," her debut inspirational novel. "What, No Sushi?" is Alana's first book in a chapter-book series for kids published by Do Life Right, Inc.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 4, 2020
Kennedy finally gets a happy ending! For the Last few chapters i kept thinking something has got to go wrong because something always goes wrong. But she got a happy ending and I couldn’t be more happy. She deserves it after all the crap she has been put through through these nine books!
May 3, 2018
I loved “Captivated” by Alana Terry. This is the last Kennedy Stern book in the series. I have to say, I was a little sad that there will be no more Kennedy Stern! I have said this before and I’ll say it again, Alana pulls you quickly into her books. I had a hard time putting this one down, and once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. I believe I read this book in a couple of days!
This book centers around Kennedy and her boyfriend, Ian. There isn’t a lot of suspense in this book, but there is a little. I would have liked a little bit more suspense, but even so, I love Kennedy, so I was fine.
I definitely recommend this book and all of Alana Terry’s books. She is one of my favorite authors, and I’ve never been disappointed!
I received this book from the author for my honest opinion.
This book centers around Kennedy and her boyfriend, Ian. There isn’t a lot of suspense in this book, but there is a little. I would have liked a little bit more suspense, but even so, I love Kennedy, so I was fine.
I definitely recommend this book and all of Alana Terry’s books. She is one of my favorite authors, and I’ve never been disappointed!
I received this book from the author for my honest opinion.
April 22, 2018
A Different Kind of Love Story
It is sad to see a series and but I am sure Alana Terry has many more stories to tell.
Kennedy spends the summer between her Junior and Senior year working on South Korea and friend ,Ian is there ,also.
They have a friendship that Ian wants to be more but he is not a believer so Kennedy breaks it off.
Ian is captured by the North Koreans and sent to prison.
Kennedy spends her senior year in college in a daze awaiting news of Ian.
This story is a romance with a strong a inspirational message of God' love, redemption and persecution of Christians.
This book is recommended for those that love Christian Inspirational romance.
It is sad to see a series and but I am sure Alana Terry has many more stories to tell.
Kennedy spends the summer between her Junior and Senior year working on South Korea and friend ,Ian is there ,also.
They have a friendship that Ian wants to be more but he is not a believer so Kennedy breaks it off.
Ian is captured by the North Koreans and sent to prison.
Kennedy spends her senior year in college in a daze awaiting news of Ian.
This story is a romance with a strong a inspirational message of God' love, redemption and persecution of Christians.
This book is recommended for those that love Christian Inspirational romance.
April 11, 2018
A fitting finish to the Kennedy Stern series. Kennedy is in her senior year at college in this last book, and dealing with a lot of stress of the unknowns of how a loved one is fairing under persecution. We see some of our favorite characters from the Kennedy stories, as well as a few from Orchard Grove (another series from Alana). As usual Alana has some good questions to ponder and she takes us on this journey with Kennedy. Be sure to read the whole series from the start if you haven't yet.
April 20, 2018
Alana Terry is an amazing story teller!
I am so sad to see that Kennedy and Ian's story is over. Alana's scripture verses r beautiful. They are relavent to the story being presented at that moment. Each character has depth and I am so happy they will continue in other series. Alana shows that prayer is powerful, the struggles that Christian's go through every day. Her stories may be fictional but they cover real issues and struggles. I look forward to reading your other series!!!
I am so sad to see that Kennedy and Ian's story is over. Alana's scripture verses r beautiful. They are relavent to the story being presented at that moment. Each character has depth and I am so happy they will continue in other series. Alana shows that prayer is powerful, the struggles that Christian's go through every day. Her stories may be fictional but they cover real issues and struggles. I look forward to reading your other series!!!
September 22, 2020
A strong finish to the series
Kennedy has spent her summer in Seoul with Ian, working for a group that helps North Korean refugees. She has fallen hard for him, but despite being raised a Christian, by the Godly woman whose courage turned a skyjacking around, he has rejected God and Kennedy knows there will be heartbreak being "unequally yoked," (as the Bible calls a Christian and a non-Christian in a relationship/marriage). Like 2 oxen pulling in opposite directions when yoked together, they would forever be in a situation where someone was always giving in and being dragged along or stopped by the other, until something snaps (generally, the yoke). It hurts Kennedy's jeart and soul, but having been raised in a Christian environment, he understands, although he doesn't like it. He comes over to try and convince her that they can respect each other's points of view, and stay in a relationship. And then, they're arrested by the Chinese police.
Kennedy, who has been coached in what to say by her parents, her entire life, is only there 3 days as her father makes his voice heard on her behalf. Ian is in a cell close by, and they're unable to get him out.
Ian soends a long time in prison, getting letters out via a compassionate doctor. The question is, will he come home at all, and if he does, will he be alive or in a box. And will he seek God in his meed, or turn his back on God and blame Him?
Kennedy finishes her senior year. She passed the MCAT with flying colors but jas asked for a year deferment.
Willow and Nick are living on their oart of the farm, adding onto her grandfather's cabin, making room for what ends up being a whole passel of foster kids. The orphaned baby, Rylee, has been adopted by Willow's parents.
Kennedy's parents are now in the states. The manager of his cover business is running the business, because the arrests of Kennedy and Ian has made it impossible to continue his work, at least for now.
Kennedy spends some time with Ian's grandma and family in Washington, where Grandma Lucy's prayers are both a comfort and a generator of questions. The sister church to St. Margaret's, a Korean church, gives Kennedy the ability to ask questions of someone who spent time in a N. Korean prison camp, and to tell the difference between some of the axxounts of martyrs and ex-prisoners and the truth.
A strong finish to the series. Apparently, the author has also written a book about Ian's imprisonment.
Kennedy has spent her summer in Seoul with Ian, working for a group that helps North Korean refugees. She has fallen hard for him, but despite being raised a Christian, by the Godly woman whose courage turned a skyjacking around, he has rejected God and Kennedy knows there will be heartbreak being "unequally yoked," (as the Bible calls a Christian and a non-Christian in a relationship/marriage). Like 2 oxen pulling in opposite directions when yoked together, they would forever be in a situation where someone was always giving in and being dragged along or stopped by the other, until something snaps (generally, the yoke). It hurts Kennedy's jeart and soul, but having been raised in a Christian environment, he understands, although he doesn't like it. He comes over to try and convince her that they can respect each other's points of view, and stay in a relationship. And then, they're arrested by the Chinese police.
Kennedy, who has been coached in what to say by her parents, her entire life, is only there 3 days as her father makes his voice heard on her behalf. Ian is in a cell close by, and they're unable to get him out.
Ian soends a long time in prison, getting letters out via a compassionate doctor. The question is, will he come home at all, and if he does, will he be alive or in a box. And will he seek God in his meed, or turn his back on God and blame Him?
Kennedy finishes her senior year. She passed the MCAT with flying colors but jas asked for a year deferment.
Willow and Nick are living on their oart of the farm, adding onto her grandfather's cabin, making room for what ends up being a whole passel of foster kids. The orphaned baby, Rylee, has been adopted by Willow's parents.
Kennedy's parents are now in the states. The manager of his cover business is running the business, because the arrests of Kennedy and Ian has made it impossible to continue his work, at least for now.
Kennedy spends some time with Ian's grandma and family in Washington, where Grandma Lucy's prayers are both a comfort and a generator of questions. The sister church to St. Margaret's, a Korean church, gives Kennedy the ability to ask questions of someone who spent time in a N. Korean prison camp, and to tell the difference between some of the axxounts of martyrs and ex-prisoners and the truth.
A strong finish to the series. Apparently, the author has also written a book about Ian's imprisonment.
October 1, 2018
Sometimes the waiting is the hardest part...
I must confess that I started Captivated with some trepidation. I've had it on my Kindle for awhile but was a bit reluctant to tap that little cover thumbnail. Why, you ask? It's very simple, I've loved this series, and Kennedy, since the beginning and I haven't wanted to say goodbye to her. I just wasn't ready. Well, I finally decided I could do it, and, as with pretty much every other Alana Terry book ,I read the entire thing in a single afternoon.
As with the rest of the books in the series Alana Terry delves down into the sometimes dark thoughts and emotions that we as Christians try so hard to cover with a sparkly and happy facade – those doubts and fears that we sometimes won't even admit to ourselves might exist.
In the end I'm glad that I read Captivated, and the rest of the Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense series. Author Alana Terry has taken Kennedy, and readers, on a bumpy and sometimes heart-wrenching journey through some of today's most hot-button issues. She has handled those issues with grace and dignity, helping readers to ask the questions that count and to discover what they themselves believe. To borrow from, and slightly misquote, the title of this book, she has kept her fans truly Captivated by Kennedy and her adventures.
(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
I must confess that I started Captivated with some trepidation. I've had it on my Kindle for awhile but was a bit reluctant to tap that little cover thumbnail. Why, you ask? It's very simple, I've loved this series, and Kennedy, since the beginning and I haven't wanted to say goodbye to her. I just wasn't ready. Well, I finally decided I could do it, and, as with pretty much every other Alana Terry book ,I read the entire thing in a single afternoon.
As with the rest of the books in the series Alana Terry delves down into the sometimes dark thoughts and emotions that we as Christians try so hard to cover with a sparkly and happy facade – those doubts and fears that we sometimes won't even admit to ourselves might exist.
In the end I'm glad that I read Captivated, and the rest of the Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense series. Author Alana Terry has taken Kennedy, and readers, on a bumpy and sometimes heart-wrenching journey through some of today's most hot-button issues. She has handled those issues with grace and dignity, helping readers to ask the questions that count and to discover what they themselves believe. To borrow from, and slightly misquote, the title of this book, she has kept her fans truly Captivated by Kennedy and her adventures.
(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
April 14, 2020
Alonna Terry is the best Christian writer!
Ok, I feel really terrible to wait until the end of Kennedy’s series before writing a review. Honestly, I just wanted to keep reading. I didn’t want to stop and take time away from the series.
Kennedy will steal your heart along with all her blessed friends and family.
I really hated it when Willow got engaged and married so quickly. I felt like I was just getting to love her after she was saved and her and Kennedy became so close. She was always good for chuckles and a shoulder to cry on.
I wish I had a Sandy and a Grandma Lucy in my life. What beautiful prayerful women they are!
I absolutely fell in love with Woong and all his questions that he really never stopped asking to get an answer!
Reader if you like suspense, issues that really make you think, a little bit of romance, and a lot of drawling closer to our Heavenly Father and our Sweet sweet Jesus Alana Terry is the author you MUST read! I’ve read the most moving prayers in her books that I’ve ever heard (btw I would love to learn how to pray like this!). I can’t believe it’s takin me so long to fall upon one of her books. I just can’t get enough!
Ms. Terry, I thank you so much for sharing your gift with me, a lover of reading. God bless you and keep you!!!
Ok, I feel really terrible to wait until the end of Kennedy’s series before writing a review. Honestly, I just wanted to keep reading. I didn’t want to stop and take time away from the series.
Kennedy will steal your heart along with all her blessed friends and family.
I really hated it when Willow got engaged and married so quickly. I felt like I was just getting to love her after she was saved and her and Kennedy became so close. She was always good for chuckles and a shoulder to cry on.
I wish I had a Sandy and a Grandma Lucy in my life. What beautiful prayerful women they are!
I absolutely fell in love with Woong and all his questions that he really never stopped asking to get an answer!
Reader if you like suspense, issues that really make you think, a little bit of romance, and a lot of drawling closer to our Heavenly Father and our Sweet sweet Jesus Alana Terry is the author you MUST read! I’ve read the most moving prayers in her books that I’ve ever heard (btw I would love to learn how to pray like this!). I can’t believe it’s takin me so long to fall upon one of her books. I just can’t get enough!
Ms. Terry, I thank you so much for sharing your gift with me, a lover of reading. God bless you and keep you!!!
May 31, 2018
A well-done Christian story following the life of Kennedy Stern and seeing her through her last year of University. The story is rather intense in a number of places involving North Korea and I enjoyed the plot and fell the satisfaction of seeing Kennedy finish University after a number of tumultuous years, the last one probably being the hardest of all. I also liked that we now know where Kennedy will spend her next year and with whom. It was nice to hear from Grandma Lucy again and find out that she is Ian's grandmother. Wow, her prayers are sermons in themselves.
The story wasn't my favourite in the Series as I felt, for a fiction, it had some very long dialogues between the characters and many of the chapters felt too much like a motivational or self-help type of book which took away from the intensity of the plot. However, having said that, the book really motivated me to pray more fervently for the situation in North Korea and for all those who need God's intervention, which, of course, is all of us. There is no doubt that this author, Alana Terry, has a heart for God and a heart for North Korea.
The story wasn't my favourite in the Series as I felt, for a fiction, it had some very long dialogues between the characters and many of the chapters felt too much like a motivational or self-help type of book which took away from the intensity of the plot. However, having said that, the book really motivated me to pray more fervently for the situation in North Korea and for all those who need God's intervention, which, of course, is all of us. There is no doubt that this author, Alana Terry, has a heart for God and a heart for North Korea.
November 17, 2021
I think this may be my favorite book of the Kennedy Sterns' series. Kennedy Sterns grew up in a missionary household. She had heard about persecution all of her life, and she understood the dangers of her parents being Christian missionaries in a hostile nation. Now she is getting to see this persecution first hand. This story humbled me. It also made me feel ashamed to think of the times that I complained about things not going my way in this great country where I am free to live my life as I please. There are people who literally suffer daily due to their beliefs and/or circumstances. I also like the way she addressed individual prayer as well as corporate prayer, and the importance of both. I think Alana Terry did a fantastic job of wrapping this series up with this book.
May 28, 2018
I think I had too high of expectations because I was sadly not too thrilled with the ending of the Kennedy Stern series. It's probably because I liked her so much that I didn't want her to be gone, or maybe because the book was different from the other ones.
This book took place over a long period of time and seemed choppy and random and somewhat redundant to me. I say this with all due respect to the author because I REALLY like her writing, and I REALLY like Kennedy, too. With this book though, I just didn't connect. And that was sad.
This book took place over a long period of time and seemed choppy and random and somewhat redundant to me. I say this with all due respect to the author because I REALLY like her writing, and I REALLY like Kennedy, too. With this book though, I just didn't connect. And that was sad.
November 23, 2020
Reading this book you will learn about people who are captured, goats prayer rooms and prayer warriors. Grandma Lucy is truly a inspirational woman who you will love reading about. Kennedy is trying hard to keep strong and get her work turned in. Alana Terry is a amazing author who will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. I had the honor to review this book for the author for a honest review.
September 20, 2018
A wonderful ending to a wonderful series.
I would highly recommend reading the complete series, you really get to see the main character Kennedy change and grow. Very inspiring and enjoyable to read
I would highly recommend reading the complete series, you really get to see the main character Kennedy change and grow. Very inspiring and enjoyable to read
May 1, 2021
I couldn’t put it down
From book 1 of this 9 book series, no matter which of the books I was reading, I couldn’t put it down. Gripping, heart breaking and real. She makes her characters so relatable. Easily top of my list of favorite authors!
From book 1 of this 9 book series, no matter which of the books I was reading, I couldn’t put it down. Gripping, heart breaking and real. She makes her characters so relatable. Easily top of my list of favorite authors!
December 31, 2025
This whole series was so good! It was intense at times, heartfelt genuine feelings, true sorrow for things that had happened. The spiritual lessons were so powerful, clear to understand too.
I liked seeing the people in the stories grow and change.
I liked seeing the people in the stories grow and change.
May 4, 2018
This is a WONDERFUL, HEARTWARMING conclusion to the Kennedy Stern series. I hate to see it end. If you have never read Alana Terry, DO SO!
February 19, 2020
Great ending to the series.
July 10, 2023
This series has walked through so many challenges in the believer’s life and taught so much. So glad for the ending to the series but would love to read more about Kennedy
July 2, 2024
I would have rated this higher but woong was never reunited with Ian and I’ve been anticipating that throughout the whole series.
January 20, 2025
It was Ok. It was predictable and it seemed like the ending was kind of fast. It wrapped everything up in the last couple of short chapters.
July 14, 2025
NOT READY
I’m not ready for this series to end. I really believe you can add onto this series many more books. I’ve certainly enjoyed reading this series
I’m not ready for this series to end. I really believe you can add onto this series many more books. I’ve certainly enjoyed reading this series
April 2, 2020
Wow! What a ride I’ve been on with Kennedy Stern. She’s gone through quite a bit in just four years and learned much about important issues: abortion, racism, etc. While the Kennedy Stern books are not lighthearted books, the ending of the series should please most readers (I won’t say more to risk giving too much away).
This book touches on persecution of Christians and features a conversation between Kennedy and Hannah (main character in “Torn Asunder”) that discusses persecution of believers versus suffering of those whose faith in not in Christ.
This book touches on persecution of Christians and features a conversation between Kennedy and Hannah (main character in “Torn Asunder”) that discusses persecution of believers versus suffering of those whose faith in not in Christ.
May 18, 2019
Alana Terry is one of my favorite authors, and Kennedy Stern one of my favorite fictional characters, although I don't think I'd want to be her friend in real life because of all she goes through!
I just went on a Kennedy Stern binge and read all nine novels back-to-back. Although I had liked them tremendously the first time through, I enjoyed them even more this time around because of the continuity. I picked up on little things that I had missed before because I had forgotten an event from an earlier book. In this marathon reading, I remembered incidents from earlier books because I had just read them.
These are stand-alone novels and can be read in any order with any amount of time in between, but I highly recommend a binge read of the entire series.
=========================
Original review:
The series has ended, but I want more!
I just went on a Kennedy Stern binge and read all nine novels back-to-back. Although I had liked them tremendously the first time through, I enjoyed them even more this time around because of the continuity. I picked up on little things that I had missed before because I had forgotten an event from an earlier book. In this marathon reading, I remembered incidents from earlier books because I had just read them.
These are stand-alone novels and can be read in any order with any amount of time in between, but I highly recommend a binge read of the entire series.
=========================
Original review:
The series has ended, but I want more!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews