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The Grangers #4

Captivated by Love

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After being locked up for a crime he didn't commit, Sheppard Granger is back to take over the reins as CEO of Granger Aeronautics. On top of that, he intends to totally romance his wife Carson and make up for the time they couldn't share together. When their idyllic marriage is threatened by someone from Carson's past, the Grangers unite and prove that when it comes to protecting those they love, they are more than prepared to meet trouble head on.

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First published December 7, 2016

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About the author

Brenda Jackson

898 books3,594 followers
In 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.

In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.

In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.

Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.

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5 stars
508 (62%)
4 stars
201 (24%)
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90 (10%)
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17 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
Profile Image for KBeautiful1.
690 reviews66 followers
May 21, 2017
I was so happy to see a story about an older man and an older woman (in her 40's). It's refreshing because most of us who read these stories are either in our 30's/40's/50's and even 60's. So when you are older you don't always want to read about a woman in her 20's because at that point you are needing more mature stories, which is why Sheppard and Carson (she's a woman) was so good to read.

After Sheppard spent 15 years for a murder he didn't commit, he is finally a free man married to the woman he loves who was also his attorney and living his life with his sons, daughter-in-laws, Hannah (who was his grandfather's lady love) and friends.

Sheppard is spending his days and nights with his wife, just the way he dreamed of for the past 5 years. The author took us on a journey of how Sheppard met his wife, while he was still incarcerated. Carson is a successful attorney who also does pro bono work, working with the young people who have been wrongly convicted. In her meeting with the Warden of Delvers, she came face to face with Sheppard, a model inmate whose passion and drive was turning men around so that they wouldn't become repeat offenders and come back to prison. His programs that he implemented first in Glenworth and now in Delvers were praised and lauded by the Governor, Mayor, and the Warden, so the Warden introducing Sheppard and Carson to one another was a no-brainer because everyone was on the same team, with getting these men to become model citizens and become successful in their lives.

Sheppard and Carson's first meeting was captivating, their getting to know one another through Carson's visits for planning programs, implementing them, getting convictions overturned was their focus and their hearts need to focus on each other. Once Sheppard was released, he did what he said and that was to marry Carson as soon as he was free and he did. So now in the present, Sheppard and Carson have just celebrated their first year wedding anniversary and couldn't be happier. Until a threat from Carson's past rears its ugly head, and the enemy not realizing that Sheppard will move heaven and earth to protect his heart.

Author Brenda Jackson takes you on a great journey into Sheppard and Carson's lives. It was really wonderful because here it is the hero and the heroine whose fight for justice for the underprivileged, underserved and marginalized were the same. So while they fought against the injustices of the justice system, they also fought for their love to become a reality. It was also wonderful seeing Striker, Stonewall, and Quasar in protecting their beloved father figure Sheppard and his wife Carson. Towards the end of the story, we see Stonewall instantly attracted to a detective Joy Ingram (he doesn't like cops so this really out of the ordinary for him) and is introduced by Jules Granger (Dalton's wife). And then we got a glimpse of the first story in the Protector series which star's Striker and his story is called, "Forged in Desire (The Protectors). I am looking forward to reading all of their stories.

Well Until My Next Review...Ciao Bellas!
Profile Image for DeeReads.
2,284 reviews
January 5, 2020
Favorite author alert!


I'm so pleased with how book 4 of the Grangers series: "Captivated by Love" by Brenda Jackson turned out! The parents of the Granger brothers, Sheppard and Carson deserved a second chance and oh boy did they get it!

Now I see how The Protectors were formed and I'm ready for them now!

5 memorable stars!!!!!!
Profile Image for K2.
637 reviews14 followers
June 22, 2018
This is a GoodRead!
Profile Image for SassyMama.
1,016 reviews4 followers
April 6, 2017
Classic Brenda Jackson...timeless romance between Sheppard and Carson...ENJOYED the follow-up backstory of how they met and how their love began...so glad they found their HEA...looking forward to seeing the young men he mentored while in prison find their soulmate's as well! Come on Protectors series!
Profile Image for Sheronda H.
493 reviews4 followers
September 5, 2025
I enjoyed Sheppard’s story about how him and Carson started their romance. Love the Granger family.
Profile Image for Kelly Murphy.
321 reviews
March 8, 2017
Lol

This book was so good. It was good to get more of the back story of Shep and Wedded Bliss lol. This book have you a little of everything with a lot of passion and love. I enjoyed catching up with the Granger brothers especially that crazy Dalton, the things he hair in this book had me looking crazy in the doctors office laughing my face off.
Profile Image for Whit.
3,648 reviews51 followers
April 19, 2017
Well worth the wait! Waited the entire series to see Sylvia's killers revealed. Carson and Sheppard are perfect for each other. I loved when Sheppard stepped to Carson's sleazy ex-husband and showed him how it's really done! Sheppard stone-cold protected his woman! Also, it's easy to see where Jace , Caden and Dalton get their determination and keen sense of justice from. Awesome story!
Profile Image for Celeste .
582 reviews6 followers
December 19, 2016
Sheppard and Carson truly a match made in heaven

Love when right has an unbreakable bond. The story of Sheppard and Carson truly is the story of dreams made whole. There devotion to one another is uncanny. The element of Carson's ex was good to see who love could be tested. Pence a man of many flaws just couldn't see the error of his ways. It was good to see Sheppard stand up for Carson and protect her. After five years of restrictions it was beautiful to see Sheppard and Carson have the ability to live out their days with one another. Oh and visiting back with Jace, Caden and Dalton was an added bounce. Even better was the foot and mouth Dalton had to sircome too after learning of Carson and Sheppard's news. Classic moment.
Profile Image for April.
325 reviews5 followers
December 30, 2017
Good read, few minor errors but they don't take away from the story. Captivated By Love picks up where A Lovers Vow left off. Sheppard has been free for a year and thoroughly enjoying the married life with Carson. When Carson is threatened by someone from her past, will Sheppard go to war or use his strategic smarts to settle the score? The book also gives the back story on Sheps mentee's Striker, Stonewall, and Quasar. This is an introduction to the Protectors Series. We also get caught up with Jace, Caden, and Dalton. The book was well written and realistic. It's entertaining and an enjoyable page turner!!
609 reviews3 followers
May 31, 2017
GOOD STORY

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Sheppard and Carson's story,and a fabulous story it was. It was nice to see the family again,I'm sorry to see their stories end but hope to see them in the other stories of the Protectors. It was great to see how in Love Sheppard and Carson was. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who love reading a great love story. Great job Brenda thanks.
Profile Image for Debra Outlaw.
146 reviews2 followers
December 17, 2016
Different ....tantic ? Barberella.

i enjoyed this book for the most part but i thought it should have picked up from the last book. i had to go back to figure out who killed his wife. Also, i was looking forward to seeing him take over the company with his sons.
311 reviews1 follower
June 22, 2017
I didn't read most of the sex scenes cause old people doing it aint for me lol but i'm glad the dad his own book.
Profile Image for Queen Rosalind .
278 reviews78 followers
July 3, 2022
Brenda Jackson is an amazing author! I wish the type of men from her books actually existed in reality. I guess this is what keeps her as a best selling author. Fantasy sold!
Profile Image for Natalya | TheIslandReader.
283 reviews11 followers
February 4, 2017
Brenda Jackson is back with a new series featuring the sexy and sinful protectors. For those of us who have read the Granger series and are familiar with Sheppard’s story, we will recognize these protectors who grace the pages of Jackson’s latest novel.

In this first book, we get to know Striker Jennings. He agrees to protect Margo Connelly, a person very important to his boss Roland. Margo served as a juror on a high-profile case for six weeks.When the defendant became incensed at the ruling, he promised revenge on everyone in the courtroom. While Margo is concerned, she isn’t really terrified until he makes good on his promise and members of the jury, press, and prosecution turns up dead. Margo must be protected and that is how Striker enters the picture.

What is supposed to be just another job slowly turns into more for both characters. No one is more surprised than Striker who has long vowed not to get into any serious entanglement because of his fear of not being able to protect the person he loves. He believes he failed before, and he’s determined not to fail again. What Striker comes to realize is that true love doesn’t care about past feelings.

Margo and Striker soon find that they are both in over their heads. Striker makes Margo feel things as she never had before. Striker knows that he can’t have his cake and eat it too but he can’t seem to keep his mind and hands off of Margo.

The stakes are raised as the body count is higher and soon Margo finds herself the next prime target. A chain of events brings the danger a little closer than Striker would like and he’s faced with the possibility that he failed another person he loved.

Forged in Desire lived true to its name as desire is what brought these two together. We’re reminded of their constant need for one another. While it was evident to both of them and Striker’s friends, I needed a bit more convincing at times. There was more telling than showing, and it left me a longing for a bit more between these two. Luckily, the first two chapters had just enough intrigue that kept me entertained even when it fizzled out towards the end of the book. You all know that I love romantic suspense, and with so much suspense surrounding this case and the attempt on Margo’s life, I had hoped that there would be a little bit more at the end. The case and their relationship were tied up neatly with a little bow. I like a bit of conflict between my two main characters and these two really didn’t have any. The case doesn’t count because that was the main plot point for the book and what brought them together.

While I had hoped for a bit more for the start of the Protector series, I received just enough that will keep me reading. Forged in Desire had a promising storyline and was a good set up for what is to the follow for the remainder of the series. Fans of Brenda Jackson’s previous series will appreciate the start to this new one.
26 reviews2 followers
December 19, 2016
Love The Second Time Around -- Sometimes love finds you in the most hopeless place but it keeps you inspired for all the possibilities that can happen. Well, in this story crafted by Brenda Jackson, explores those possibilities while engaging you into a beautiful and inspiring love story between Sheppard Granger and Carson Boyett. They meet while Sheppard is serving time in jail for murdered he was wrongly convicted and sentenced for 30 years. Sheppard has accepted his fate but tried to make the best of his time while in prison by helping others. However, a chance encounter with Carson intrigues him and she captivates him in way no other woman has in his lifetime. As their friendship developed so does their chemistry and attraction to one another.

Carson gives him hope, love and friendship at the time in his life where he could really use it. He spends time giving hope to others while deflecting his own happiness for a brighter future. In comes, the beautiful and talented Carson and turns Sheppard world upside down and right side up.

I LOVED this story, I was so happy for Sheppard and Carson they both needed each other in so many ways. They created their own love and rules for their relationship while having the backdrop of prison. She fought for him and their love while Sheppard accepted and gave her his special love as well. There were some surprising developments in the story that will keep you engaged while you witness a captivating friendship and love.

If you're familiar with the Granger series then you know all about the family, but this story reveals more of Sheppard's background then takes you through his life in prison to his freedom then on to a prosperous love with his new wife, Carson. It really is a beautifully written love story between two people who was not looking for it but found it when they least expected it. There is a lot more happening in the story besides their romantic love and friendship. Brenda Jackson always gives you surprises and you will be rewarded with some in this book as well. No Spoilers from me! Happy Reading!
286 reviews9 followers
November 17, 2017
This lasted book about Sheppard Granger and Carson Granger the lawyer who representative him in prison for 15 years in prison for a crime he didn't commitment. The last book about Carson Granger ex-husband who felt his mother Emma Denmark should not left her some money in her will .He felt entitled to all his inheritance money was told in letter not to give to him Pence Denmark had a gambling was in debt with a loan shark who he owes him a lot of money he trying to black mail .Carson Granger and impose for being a gold digger and using his parents for the money for college. She goes to the doctor to find out she pregnant she feeling some kinda of way not sure she would be able to carry another baby. Sheppard Granger went to see Pence Denmark and found out the loan shark was in prison with him during his stay at Glen worth he was behind with his loan payments. That was why Pence Denmark was so desperate for money he was angry because Carson Granger was happy with a rich husband considering their previous marriage. Sheppard Granger called Karl Halifax the guy he help mentor in jail he ask him to give Pence a extension on his loan for 6 months and to stay away from his wife and leave town. Karl Halifax threaten him and told him to stay away from Sheppard and Carson and he would physically harm him. He scared him silly then his sons and Jace, Caden,Dalton, Striker,Quasar,Stonewall the guys he mentored in prison with a finally warning. The story ends and she finally tells Shepard she pregnant she thought he wouldn't be happy about the baby because of their ages and his older sons .She was mistaken and he loved her and their baby. So all the wives are expecting babies at the same time including Dalton and wife Jules not really surprised by that one. I really enjoyed this series.
Profile Image for Alana.
21 reviews2 followers
May 20, 2021
This was a good book, much better than Dalton's story. However, once again Dalton (of course he was in this book) showed me why he is without redeemable qualities. When your father gives you good news you don't make it about you. How can a character that has been spoiled and selfish fall in love and still find a way to be spoiled at almost 30 years old? They stay that way because the only response given by their family is a smile and an occasional reprimand. I'm really tired of this particular character showing up and showing no growth, I don't like when a character doesn't evolve.

Besides Dalton, my reason for the four star rating rather than five is the plot. The synopsis leads you to believe Carson is in danger and it's up to the Grangers to save her. Well, I wouldn't really say she was in danger as much as someone from her past came back in hopes of making things hard for her. The "danger" was over before it even started.
Profile Image for Vondetta Carter.
830 reviews8 followers
December 22, 2016
Older love is always good and this is a story of two who met during a tragedy but were able to find a powerful one. Shepherd Granger tells the story of how he met and fell in love with his soulmate. Carson Boyett was a lawyer who heart is huge because of tragedies she has endured. These two met at a time when Shepherd was in prison. They developed a friendship out of difficulties beyond their wildest dreams.
Carson gives to Shepherd a completeness that he in turn gives her a wholeness she has longed for.
Carson's pass rears its ugly, selfish head and is squashed by Shepherd and several Alphas who have his back.
Great , sexy read for anyone over the age of 40.
Thank you for another wonderful read Mrs J. You have a great ability, I appreciate
Profile Image for Selina Durio.
2,523 reviews12 followers
December 28, 2016
I love a good Brenda Jackson read. To get a look at the beginning of Carson and Sheppard's relationship and how they worked through their differences was enlightening. While the time break between The Past and The Present sections of the book are drastic, I'm assuming there is an expectation that the other Grangers books have been read to fill in that gap. Revisiting the Granger sons; Dalton, Jace and Caden; and their wives was also a treat. While the main story line of the book does not end in a cliffhanger, the book actually does. I hope this line is continued in the first of the Protector series books.
Profile Image for Laurie Ryan.
Author 37 books106 followers
October 9, 2017
I'm not sure why I missed Brenda Jackson before this, but this story made me a fan. Not only do I want to read her past stories, I need to check out the next ones in this world. Captivated by Love was an emotional, sensual journey through the lives of characters that felt real and well-defined to me. I completely bought into the love between Sheppard and Carson. I loved how they met, how their attraction was immediate an beyond their ability to ignore, yet fraught with insurmountable odds. The story brought together the lives of all the characters from the prior stories in this series and set up the next series so well, I HAVE to read them. So yep, I am officially a fan.
819 reviews3 followers
December 25, 2016
Everything comes full circle for the Grangers!

I am so happy that Ms. Jackson decided to do a story about Shep Granger and Carson. Shep spent years in prison wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife. This story brought everything full circle. To see Shep reunited with his sons and their wives was a joyful read. Looking forward to reading the stories surrounding the guys that will begin the new Protector series. It was great reading the antics of the Granger sons, especially Dalton. A great series!!!!
Profile Image for Courtney.
1,125 reviews39 followers
April 22, 2024
More 3.5 stars for me
I read this as a standalone, and I don't think it works as well - I probably would have liked it more if I had that background on the Grangers, but it still worked. I wasn't as gripped by the first half (but I'm also not really a fan of prison set stories or insta-lust), but I did like the connection and deep love between Carson and Sheppard, and I always love when there's no third act breakup. I'm also not usually a fan of one trop ( accidental pregnancy ) but it really fit and worked for the characters involved.
13 reviews
December 23, 2016
Sizzling....

This was an awesome story about Sheppard and Carson. This story was so darn hot that I almost had to close the book. Mrs. Jackson knows how to make her books hot and interesting. I can't wait for the next ones about the handsome Protectors. Sheppard and Carson had the life that they have waited for the past 5 plus years. If you are a lover of this authors books you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Shone.
1,341 reviews29 followers
December 28, 2016
Sheppard Granger, back story was awesome, one of the things I enjoy most about Ms Jackson stories is I always learn something. The relationship between he and Carson willhave any one who has been in a bad relationship believing in love again. As The Protector Series begins next year I am waiting on the cliffhangers to be solved and the babies to be born. I wish Richasrd were alive to see the success of his son and grandsons.
1,547 reviews12 followers
January 7, 2017
Predictable but good

This is one of my favorite authors. I love how the Granger Family stuck together through all the years of Sheppard being in prison for a crime he didn't commit. This story has some humor, threat of blackmail, and lots of Hot Sex. Enjoyed the back story of how Sheppard and his attorney/wife Carson came to know each other and how their marriage had progressed the year after his release from prison. Cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Karen.
250 reviews
March 13, 2017
I loved reading Shepard and Carson's love story and how they got together even though he was in jail for being falsely accused of murdering his wife. We learned in the Granger series who killed actually Sylvia! Now learning about there history and it's also a great prequel to the Protector series and what's to come with Stonewall, Striker, and Quasar!! An awesome read and a very touching love story!
Profile Image for Carol Hornsby-mccoy.
456 reviews5 followers
September 12, 2017
I enjoyed this series. The romance between Sheppard and Carson was simply to die for. I had to read the pages when she told him she was pregnant at least three time before moving on. I loved the way the six sons ( no matter how) stood together in a united front to protect Carson and Shep. Dalton was a delightful, he was so relaxed and his human was always used at the right time. I'm looking forward to the protectors series.
353 reviews
November 19, 2020
Good read! Throughout the Granger Brothers series Sheppard Granger was a key player to the storyline. Im so glad he got his own ok too! It was so enjoyable to learn how his and Carson’s love story evolved. The Granger men are easy to fall in love. However, after all Shep had to endure for years he’s probably my favorite because of his love for his sons, his way of helping so many others while incarcerated & his second chance at love.
Profile Image for Gladys Mills.
1,963 reviews8 followers
February 21, 2022
Captivated by Love. I enjoyed this book! It continues the story of the Granger family. It gives us insight as to what happened after Sheppard Granger is released from prison after serving 15 years for a crime he didn't commit. He becomes free to fall in love again and continue his desire to make a difference in young people's lives. It also sets you up for the spin-off series The Protectors. This is a great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews

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