Shades of Gray

Shades of Gray #1-3

by Jessica James

READER ALERT: FIND OUT WHAT EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT!

The expanded version of SHADES OF GRAY is here! Fall in love again with the complete epic Civil War Serial Trilogy: SHADES OF GRAY (Duty Bound, Honor Bound, Glory Bound)

Called the “greatest love story ever told” when it was first released in 2008, Shades of Gray has been expanded at the request of readers to include dozens of new chapters in this complete trilogy set.

The original title has more than 1,000 5-STAR REVIEWS like this:

Honor and conviction clash with loyalty and love in this poignant Civil War tale that pits brother against brother. Readers will discover the fine line between friends and enemies when the lives of two tenacious foes cross by the fates of war and their destinies become entwined forever. A classic tale of courage, honor, and enduring love that has been praised by both men and women—from professors of history to avid romance readers.

The complete set includes these THREE complete volumes.

Duty Bound: Takes readers across the rolling hills of Virginia in a page-turning tale of action and adventure as a Union spy spars with a renowned Confederate cavalry commander. Gallantry and chivalry are put to the test when Colonel Alexander Hunter discovers that Andrea Evans is not only the woman he promised his dying brother he would protect, but is the Union spy he has vowed to his men he would destroy.

Honor Bound: This volume follows Union Spy Andrea Evans as she finds herself recuperating from an injury in the home of her enemy, Colonel Alexander Hunter. Readers will discover the fine line between friends and enemies when the lives of these two tenacious foes cross by the fates of war and their destinies become entwined forever.

Glory Bound: The series culminates in this emotional final volume that reflects the sacrifices of both sides and proves there can be no bond stronger than that which unites enemies. Immortal love, whence it flows, can never die.

Author Jessica James uniquely blends elements of romantic and historical fiction in this deeply personal and poignant tale that, according to one reviewer, “transcends the pages to settle in the very marrow of the reader’s bones.” Winner of numerous national awards, James has received critical acclaim for this page-turning story of courage, honor, and enduring love.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance

790 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2021

About the author

Jessica James is an award-winning author of suspense, historical fiction, Christian fiction, and military fiction ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern day.

She is a four-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and was featured in the book 50 Authors You Should Be Reading, published in 2010.

Her novels appeal to both men and women and are featured in library collections all over the United States including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy.

When not writing, Jessica James can be found on the back roads of the country, finding new historic sites to blog about on www.PastLaneTravels.com.

Her new novel, The Monarch Alliance, is a dual-era mystery that takes place at a real hotel in the Hudson Valley. It releases in April of 2026.

James resides in Gettysburg, Pa., and is a member of the Military Writers Society of America, the Independent Book Publishers Association, and NINC.

AWARDS:
2020 John Esten Cooke Award
2020 Finalist HOLT Medallion Award
2020 Finalist Greater Detroit RWA Booksellers Best Award
2019 Finalist Indie Excellence Award
2019 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2018 Silver Falchion Award Finalist in Suspense
2017 Rone Award for Best Cover (Deadline)
2017 IndieBRAG Medallion Winner
2016 Gold Metal Military Writers Society of America
2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Bronze Winner Romance – Suspense
2016 Finalist for BOOK OF THE YEAR in Foreword Magazine’s IndieFab contest
2015 NJRW Golden Leaf Award
2014 Valley Forge Romance Writers Sheila Award Finalist
2014 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2014 Reader’s Crown Award Finalist
2014 Next Generation Indie Award Finalist in Fiction/Religious
2013 USA “Best Books 2013” Finalist in Fiction/Religious
2012 Bronze winner Foreword Magazine Book of the Year in Romance
2011 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2011 USA "Best Books 2011" Finalist in Historical Fiction
2011 Next Generation Indie Award for Best Regional Fiction
2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Romance
2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Historical Fiction
2011 NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
2010 Military Writers Society Award in Historical Fiction
2009 HOLT Medallion Finalist for Best Southern Theme
2008 Indie Next Generation Award for Best Regional Fiction
2008 Indie Next Generation Finalist for Best Historical Fiction

Reviews

[Doug Yonce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mix of fact and fiction in this epic tale of the lives and times of the Civil War (AKA War of Northern Agresion). The split allegiances and affections are addressed expertly.

[Rolé - Hooked By That Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was I hooked by that book? Oh, yes. The story drew me in and left me feeling wrung out at the end.

Shades of Gray comprises three parts that have all been released separately as well, Duty Bound, Honor Bound, and Glory Bound. It follows the lives of two soldiers on opposites sides of the Civil War. Alex Hunter is the fearless leader of a group of Confederate soldiers, determined to defend their land against the Union. Andrea Evans has made herself indispensable to the Union side as a spy and a messenger.

I give the first part, Duty Bound, a solid 5 stars. Every meeting between Hunter and Audrey was electrifying. They both show so much determination and grit. The first part was over before I knew it. It's a good thing I can jump right into the next one.

I wasn't so enamored of the second part, and give it 3 stars. This part is important in that it brings Alex and Andrea in close proximity. It also gives them the chance to get to know each other a bit outside of their war personas. I didn't particularly like Andrea in this part. She was almost as annoying as Victoria at times, and that is saying a lot. But she was also struggling with her convictions and how they fit in between the side she is fighting for and the man she is falling in love with.

The third part gets 5 stars again. It was unbelievably emotional. Everything is coming to a head and Andrea is forced to pick her side. I can't remember the last time it happened, but I cried big fat tears at the end.

The battles, the armies and their encampments, the fear, the gruesomeness, the despair of war are described in vivid detail. The author cleverly focuses on specific characters and specific events to draw a picture of everything that is going on.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Brandi Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to receive an advance reader's copy of the updated Shades of Gray trilogy and I can say without a doubt this is the greatest love story I have ever read. The story is set during the Civil War, when many, if not all, were forced to choose a side. Two sworn enemies will find out that love is worth so much more than duty, honor and glory. Shades of Gray will stay with you long after you finish the last chapter. It honestly took by breath away and left me with a smile on my face!

[Christie Omasta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shades of Gray by Jessica James is a suspenseful and moving historical fiction novel. My heart is still rapidly beating after finishing the last few chapters of the Shades of Gray trilogy. This is the best, most engaging, powerful, beautifully written book that I have ever read (and I read a lot of historical fiction). I was offered an advance copy of this story through NetGalley and am so glad that I discovered this treasure! Shades of Gray is a powerful and engaging story about Andrea Evans and Captain Alex Hunter. The story is laced with events filled with tension between Andrea and Alex that rise to a crescendo and then slowly ebb away, only to bring another exciting chase between the two of them!

Shades of Gray is filled with wonderful and engaging characters, from the patient Daniel to the whiny Victoria. You will fall in love with Justus, Andrea’s horse and smile and laugh at their antics and marvel at their courage. Each of the three books move seamlessly into the next and the adventures of both armies will leave you on the edge of your seat, literally. I would read the story while cooking dinner and this was the first book in a long time that was truly annoyed if someone disturbed me while reading!

From the introductory prologue to the final words of the concluding sentence, I was constantly holding my breath and wishing for more. Also readers, keep your eyes open for the ability to request the Epilogue. That was beautifully written and offered the reader another glimpse into Andrea’s heart and life during the American Civil War. I wanted to stand and applaud at the final conclusion and I guarantee you will too.

[preemie09 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omgoodness it was such a good series such a tearjerker at the end! Definitely one I will be rereading!

[Trevanion Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica James has revised and expanded her early novel SHADES OF GRAY. It is now a trilogy with Volume 1 entitled "Duty Bound," Volume 2 entitled "Honor Bound," and Volume 3 entitled "Glory Bound." Each volume can be purchased separately or a reader can buy all three volumes in one book. Those of you who have read the earlier novel will be pleased with the added additions and the new ending. For those of you who have never read the first novel, you are in for a treat. Not only is the Civil War story exciting and romantic, it is also well written. At the front of the book is a short poem describing a battlefield and the last line is "There are only shades of gray." That description explains the title of the book. The very descriptive Prologue helps to explain the emotional chaos caused by a horse and rider. Confederate officer Alexander Hunter is determined to capture and punish the young Union scout for all the problems that the boy and his horse have caused Hunter. In Chapter 2, the reader learns that the young boy is actually Andrea Evans, a young woman posing as a boy. Miss Evans is deeply devoted to the Union. When Hunter finally learns that the young boy, Andrew Sinclair, is actually Andrea Evans, he feels very conflicted because he had made a solemn promise that no harm would come to her. Because of his promise, Miss Evans spends time in his home recovering from a serious injury. Because of their different views concerning the War, there are arguments, conflicts, and misunderstandings. As time passes, each one comes to admire the other. The final volume of the book shows the sacrifices of both sides of the War and proves that love can bring even enemies together. As I read SHADES OF GRAY, I experienced various emotions. I laughed, I cried, I was surprised by unexpected events, and I was distressed by other events. However, when I finished the three volumes, I felt encouraged to have read about people who did their duty, stood for honor, showed courage, and loved even their enemies.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shades of Grey trilogy is the perfect reading material for a rainy weekend! I sat and read through the entire series, while recouping from being sick. There is something about these characters that draw you in, and the emotions that are evoked - well, you can feel it rising from the pages as you read.

The Civil War has long been one of my favorite areas of study, and Jessica James does a great job of weaving in historical facts around the story that she is setting.

Fall in love with the characters, and journey your way through a trilogy that will leave you wanting more when it is over! Fabulous and engaging from the start!

Books in the Series:
Duty Bound
Honor Bound
Glory Bound

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting ❣️I can hardly wait for the next book ❣️
I believe that this saga will garner ALL the top awards in its genre, plus become a runaway Best Seller within an astoundingly short time . . .
If I could give an infinite number of stars, I would😏
Definitely one of my all-time favourites❣️❣️❣️

[EvilAntie Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic read of an American Classic

I don't even know how I found a book.Came up on a feeding I thought oh it remind Of John jakes North and south Blue
and the gray.So ecliptic And for 4 days I have been transported for the 21st century wokeism,excuses, intolerance and despair back to 19th Century America when American made it a disburse but in it's most perilous times.What are magnificent love story ,What passionate arguments and dialog and character development Will you behave 2 incredibly characters probably more no.It was a spectacular time.1 but developed a reverence for all the components of these 3Epic novels. It was half way in book 2 that I realized I wanna real book.Kindles are great But something's missing miss missing And this book deserves to be a real book. That tactile feel, bent pages, tear stains - so I ordered a real copy of this book. I live in in California earthquake country we all have an earthquake box everything of importance goes in there you grabbed it in your run.Here is it much room left in my earthquake box except for 1 more book and this is the book.

[Vickie (I love books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ran across this book at a thrift store. I don’t usually read romance novels but since this one was taking place during the civil war I decided to read it. I am so glad I did. It was a very good book. A story about love , betrayal, dedication, devotion to one’s beliefs and one’s loyalty to country and love of Virginia. It made me cry at the ending and I wish the story had ended differently. I believe general lee would have been proud of colonel hunter’s love and dedication to their beloved Virginia. The horror’s of this war were great and many many lives were lost and the stories of this still reverberate in peoples hearts. Just a very good and emotional read.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwrenching

This was such a journey through the Civil War. At first I wasn’t sure what to think of “Sinclair”, not realizing that he was actually a she, part of the Union, and what ended up being such a strong willed woman through this journey. You meet Alex Hunter, part of the Confederacy, a strong willed man, never realizing what each of them will bring to the story. There is so much conflict and passion in their views about their positions in this war going on!
I cried in many parts of these books, especially towards the end, sometimes in grief and at other times with happiness. What a great series!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nor sure why I waited so long to read this book. It was a good story, at times sad others exciting. The third book seemed a bit rushed not sure why but one minute they were separated the next she finds him in the field...no explanation of how he got there. That's all that kept it from earning 5 stars.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and story overall.. I really would give this a 3.5 rating. The story line stayed interesting for the most part. But it got a little difficult because of the repetitive phrases to describe their relationship. At times it was a bit gag worthy. But overall it was an entertaining read and something light. Just what I needed at the time.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the first half of the trilogy where Andrea is a free spirited fox in a fox hunt. Also enjoyed how each chapter started with a philosophical quote, which shows the depth of Jessica James knowledge of literature and history.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series was great. Recommend it to all.

[Jill Groves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, a book for those that like long drawn out stories. I read the new BIG book in about a week. Kept me intrigued.

[Pam Chatburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. Good story!