I have so enjoyed this Lone Star Hero series from Shelley Shepard Gray! The richness of emotion between a band of brothers, prisoners together during the Civil War, impacts me in each of the three books. As do the women who have also been left scarred – emotionally, financially and sometimes physically – by the War. But perhaps none of the books has touched me more than this third novel, Love Held Captive.

Love Held Captive by Shelley Shepard Gray is a tender story of friendship, love and restoration. Not just restoration of a post-War community but, even more so, a restoration of faith and courage. Devin, Ethan, Julianne, and Lizbeth easily endear themselves to the reader, and Gray’s grace-filled writing will charm you even as she breaks your heart a little. The romance is tender and sweet, and the story of this band of War-made brothers poignantly completes the circle that Gray began in book one.

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This book was a little hard to get into in the beginning. But once I got about 1/3 of the way through, I loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down, as I was captivated by the piot! This is my first time reading a book by this author. I look forward to reading more of her books.

This is a book I will remember. A page turner, and characters were very believable. I liked how the story went back and forth from the present time in the book, back to the war. I see now there are 2 previous books in this series so I will be reading those for sure. I live in San Antonio and remember the Menger hotel. Very good story with lots of emotion. .

This book focuses on four characters: Major Ethan Kelly, Lizbeth Barclay, former Captain Devin Monroe, and Julianne Van Fleet. As a result, there is a lot going on. Some of the characters do not seem quite as developed as those in earlier books in the series, and it is a bit harder to connect to them. Due to the various POV’s, this book is a bit more complex, and sometimes confusing, then the others.

The characters demonstrate that hardship can bring about friendships, perhaps more, and themes of survival and forgiveness are key. As with Gray’s other books, it is well researched, and the ending is satisfying, though some things seem to wrap up a bit too quickly.

This is the final book in the “Lone Star Heroes” series, and it really addresses some adult themes. At times, it seems there is a bit too much detail given on tough topics, such as physical and sexual abuse, as well as prostitution, though they are handled in an appropriate manner. Due to this, I’d recommend this for mature teens and adults.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Love Held Captive
By Shelley Shepard Gray

In this exciting conclusion to the Lone Star Hero’s Love Story series, Gray brings us the stories of Major Ethan Kelly and Captain Devin Monroe, the two former soldiers we first met in The Loyal Heart. Each man is battling the demons of war and what they did to survive while trying to right the wrongs that are still happening.
Kelly is haunted by some of his actions as a soldier, particularly when he raided a lone women’s house for food. Lisbeth Barclay had already experienced death, loss, and humiliation when Kelly arrived at her home to scavenge for whatever could be found. Her house had previously been searched and she had been injured, her face sliced open. Kelly still took all of the food she had, even though she obviously didn’t have enough for herself. Her face has haunted him for years. When they meet again at the hotel where she is working, he finds that he wants to protect her. However, first he has to come to terms with what he did to her, as well as another man in both of their pasts.
Monroe is a loner and has been living on the fringe of society. When he meets Julianne VanFleet he finds that maybe he doesn’t want to be alone. She is everything he has not known he was looking for. However, when he comes calling and discovers how she survived the war, he has a hard time accepting her and the situation. During a discussion with Kelly, he realizes he doesn’t care; he still wants to be with her. After telling her he intends to marry her, he sets off to tend to some business with Ethan, business that just happens to involve the very man who helped pay for her survival.
When Monroe is shot by the same man, Kelly and their band of brothers, Robert Truax and Thomas Baker (both from the first two books in the series) will work together to bring justice. And maybe, just maybe, Kelly and Monroe can find love along the way.
I adored this story. I had wondered in the previous books what would become of the other two soldiers and I am glad we got to travel this journey with them. Lisbeth and Julianne are also very lovable and relatable characters. I could actually go on to read about other adventures they might have together!
I received a free copy of this story from NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions and thoughts are expressly my own.

Please note: this review was originally posted October 9th, 2017.


Why This Book:

My first attempt at a historical fiction novel was set in early nineteenth century Texas, so the setting of this novel immediately caught my attention. Then the premise of a man falling for the woman whose home he previously raided absolutely hooked me. Guess that’s why they call it a “hook.” 😉

Opening Line (from Chapter 1):

The Menger Hotel San Antonio, Texas
Thursday, October 31, 1867

She never should have had her back to the door.

First Impressions:

Above I shared the first line from the first Chapter because I felt it stood stronger as a stand alone sentence than the first sentence of the prologue. However, the prologue takes us through Ethan Kelly’s raid of Lizbeth Barclay’s home. For me, this prologue was the ultimate test of the author’s skill – to make us understand and care for a man raiding the home of an innocent, vulnerable, and clearly traumatized starving young woman. Fail here and I may despise the hero, leaving me no reason to continue reading. (Who wants to read a romance where an innocent woman falls for an evil man and that is the happily ever after?) Well, I am thrilled to report that Shelley Shephard Gray navigated this minefield with success and finesse. By the end of the prologue I may have questions about Ethan’s choices, but I don’t despise him and I want to see him succeed. So I keep reading.

Quote Image - Love Held Captive - Door

Characters:

Captain/Major Ethan Kelly – Son of a wealthy family, he has trouble adjusting to normal life after the war.



Lizbeth Barclay – Lost everything in the war – her home, her family, her sense of safety & self worth. Her dreams. When her path reunites with that of Ethan Kelly’s she isn’t living. She’s still just surviving.

Captain Devin Monroe – A loyal friend, and the choosiest man I’ve ever read about, no woman has ever caught his fancy. Till he meets Julianne Van Fleet.

Julianne Van Fleet – Though she never approached the battle field, nor had her home raided, the war has left her with scars nonetheless. Hers just aren’t the visible kind.

Colonel Daniel Bushnell – (Yes, I know the description names him “Adam Bushnell”, but I assure you, in the novel his name is Daniel.) A twisted man with his own agenda, the power of his military rank went to his head and he isn’t ready to let the power go.

Quote Image - Love Held Captive - Spark

Emotional Engagement & Pacing of the Story:

The stories behind these characters is emotionally powerful and as a reader I became immediately invested in seeing them succeed in finding healing and happiness. The story had me firmly in its grip all the way through to the end. I didn’t want to put it down and I didn’t want to say goodbye when it was over.

Elements I especially liked/disliked:

The unique premise of this book is what hooked me and the author didn’t disappoint in her execution. Not only did this author present unique situations, but she provided fresh feeling characters to experience them.

Quote Image - Love Held Captive - Truth Ally

Themes:

Recovering from tragedy and making sense of it in the context of God’s goodness.

The difficulty of discerning right and wrong in tragic circumstances.

Forgiveness of self and others.

Ending:

Without giving too much away, I will say that I loved the twists the author took on her way to this novel’s conclusion. It’s very tempting to say more, but I don’t want to give anything away. Just trust me, you won’t be disappointed by the ending of this novel.

Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 stars

Did I mention Love Held Captive releases TOMORROW?

I enjoyed the continuation of the group of 4 soldier friends. This book was about Devin and Ethan's story. The story dealt with two intense sexual sins and I will have to say the author handled it very well. I was disappointed in the spiritual content and felt that could have been stronger. I loved the time period and the details describing what they wore and how they traveled. That was very interesting!

I received a copy from Zondervan via Netgalley. Thank you Zondervan! All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Love Held Captive is the third book in the series by Ms. Gray and can be read as a stand alone. I have read every one of the books and this one is my favorite. This features Major Kelly and Captain Monroe. The story gripped me and held my attention from the first page. I couldn't put it down.
I loved the characters. The men are strong handsome soldiers from the civil war and yet are gentlemen. The romance was oh so sweet and the end had me swooning. This story had a message of letting go of the past and going forward anew in the future.

Major Ethan Kelly and Captain Devin Monroe have more than their friendship in common; both served with distinction for the Confederacy and both ended their service in a military prison. Now they both find themselves in love with women that have suffered during the war, as well but at the hand of a fellow service member and prisoner.


Lizbeth Barclay finds herself at the mercy of her former abuser and runs right into the room of Major Ethan Kelly. She works at this establishment, owned by her relatives, as a maid and hopes to hide out in this unoccupied room until it's safe. However she quickly finds Major Kelly is in residence. But she still loses her job when her cousin finds her there. Major Kelly, recognizes her from the war and feels compelled to come to her rescue and protection.


Captain Monroe decides to call on the woman who has captured his imagination since the war and hopes to court her. She decides to be honest with him and share her secret for how she survived the war and he leaves angry and disappointed. She feels hurt and disappointed and believes she'll never see him again.


Enter Colonel Adam Bushnel, a villain, anyone would despise, definitely not a man of honor especially when he shoots Captain Monroe in the back.


Ms. Gray definitely has a keeper here. All her characters are survivors in need of mercy, grace, and forgiveness. The romance is tender and sweet and worth the time to read. I received this novel from Netgalley for my honest review.

I love this author and had high hopes for this book. The previous two books in the series were great. The writing style of this book is great. Little details that help bring the story to life are appropriately placed, characters are well developed and much time must have been taken to make the story historically accurate. I enjoyed learning more about the civil war through this series. It makes a historical event come to life in a way a history text book isn't able to. The author captured what it was like to be a woman before during and after the war. That being said, I struggled with the plot. I felt like it moved slower than the other books. I had a hard time getting into the story. It wasn't a "I must stay awake late at night to finish a little more" type book. I often found myself wanting more action quicker. I liked the overall plot but it took so long to get there that I got distracted easily. I felt like certain aspects of the story were oddly placed. It was like "ok how did we get to these people?" And then the story would go back to the first set of people... I was confused by this and found it interrupted the flow. It took a while to realize how everyone was connected. Not my favorite story but it was pretty good none the less. I am still a fan of Ms Gray's work and will continue to read her books!
I received an advanced copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Shelley Shepard Gray is an author we are used to seeing write Amish books but she has written other genres and has really come into her own doing so. She very easily adapted to writing other genres which not a lot of authors have such an easy time doing so. This is the third book in the Lone Star Hero series. I read the other two and they were just as excellent as this one!
This was an amazing historical romance set after the Civil War in Texas but there is much explaining about prison camp and time during and after the war. There were some adult subjects mentioned through out the book, was it mentioned too much, I don't know, maybe. I think a quick mention of it once to explain what happened would have sufficed. Strong themes of survival,and forgiveness I enjoyed the twists and turns presented in the book and thought this was an excellent continuation to the first two books in the series. All three tie in with characters and you will get the most benefit by reading the first two books in the series before this one but not totally necessary.
Pub Date 10 Oct 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Zondervan Fiction for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Shelley Shepard Gray never fails to create a story with true to life characters with realistic flaws and strengths. Love Held Captive, the conclusion to her Lone Star Hero’s Love Story series, will keep readers captivated and turning page after page to see what is going to happen. Tissues will be needed for the tears and there are moments of laughter and sighs as this outstanding heartfelt story develops.

Post Civil War finds Major Ethan Kelly and Captain Devin Monroe trying to find their ways and the haunting dreams they’ve suffered through the years. When Kelly finds Lizbeth Barclay in his room while running from another man trying to confront her in unthinkable ways, he immediately recognized her. Add in Captain Devin Monroe and his meeting with Julianne VanFleet who had a tarnished past with their former colonel, Adam Bushnell, action start happening along with hearts breaking and finding healing. The past for each hero and heroine had to be confronted as well as overcoming their view of not being worthy of others. The unforeseen events brought moments of intense action, tender moments, reunions and so much to the story. Kelly and Monroe summoning their friends, Baker and Traux, showed the strong bond of always being there for one another. The time slip throughout this amazing delightful story gave insight to what Kelly, Monroe, Baker and Traux had experienced during their days being held prisoners during the war and their vow to always assist each other. As only time filled with prayers, understanding, forgiveness, and healing can change lives so hearts can be mended and opened to another shone through in this beautiful story. I highly recommend the entire series to readers of Christian historical fiction, as this series is enthralling and reasonable to what men, women and families endured during the Civil War.

I look forward to reading more great books by Shelley Shepard Gray no matter the genre as her characters are three dimensional with action packed happenings. Love Held Captive could be read as a standalone, but I strongly recommend reading them in order, A Loyal Heart, An Uncommon Protector and Love Held Captive.

Thank you to Net Galley for the complimentary copy via the author and publisher. I was not required to write a positive review but have expressed my honest thoughts.

Though this isn't one, Shelley Shepard Gray writes many Amish fiction books. So, in theory, I shouldn't have read this book. (My rule is to avoid Amish romance stories so that I don't end up disappointed that it wasn't Christian fiction. My policy is the same for authors who write both sweet and steamy romances - I just avoid them entirely.) However, I enjoy Ms. Gray's stories so much that I am willing to sift through her book list! All this to say - give this author a try!

"Love Held Captive" (2017, Zondervan), third in the "Lone Star Hero" series by Shelley Shepard Gray, is a post American Civil War Christian romance set in 1867 Texas with occasional flashbacks to 1865 on Johnson's Island in Ohio. The novel is a standalone story, which occasionally touched on the couples from the previous two books. I wanted to read this one because I really loved the first two in the series. Here are links to my reviews of "The Loyal Heart" (book #1) and "An Uncommon Protector" (book #2).

Note: This author writes Amish and Christian fiction under Shelley Shepard Gray and Western Romance under Shelley Gray.

Rating: 4.5 stars

The hero: In the prologue, Captain Ethan Kelly, 29, is under orders to procure provisions for his men by taking what is needed from homes in the area. They stop at the home of a thin woman who has obviously been injured in a previous raid by another group of soldiers. It hurt his heart to take supplies from her, but he does his duty. Not without leaving a mark on him, though. "She was the star of his nightmares and the cause of his shame." After each nightmare, "he did what he always did after he dreamed about that house - prayed that woman was okay." Even after "nine months in captivity, and six months of gambling in various disreputable saloons and on riverboats," he has continued to think about her.

The heroine: There's some unwritten law of books that dictates that Captain Ethan Kelly is going cross paths with the woman again, right? And so he does, at the San Antonio hotel, where Elizabeth Barclay works as a maid. But first, someone else comes across Lizbeth too: Daniel Bushnell, the soldier who raided her home before Ethan's group did - the soldier who hurt her. At the hotel, Bushnell makes unwelcome advances toward her, and immediately after she escapes, she runs into Ethan. "Trapped between two men - this man [Ethan Kelly], too filled with charm, and the other [Daniel Bushnell], the reason she had never become the person she'd always hoped she'd be." To top it off, Bushnell is Ethan's "former colonel, his enemy." (I do need to comment that there are too many coincidences to be plausible, but I really don't care. It's the stuff that books are made of. And to be fair, the author does address it via Ethan. See below.)

Christian elements:

*"As far as he was concerned, the Lord had brought him, Miss Barclay, and Bushnell together for one reason and one reason only: for Ethan Kelly to make sure Daniel Bushnell firmly and completely regretted his actions." For a while, I wasn't sure if this attitude would be exposed for the sin that it is. It is, eventually.

*There's a take on prostitution that I'm not sure I completely agree with and could be a sticking point for other Christians.

*"Julianne wondered how the Lord had known she'd needed […] Just when she'd been at her lowest point."

*I absolutely love this reason to pray: "They need our prayers, and we need the Lord's comfort."

Is it clean/chaste? Yes. However, it's definitely not for young teens. There is a shirtless man near the beginning as well as a man trying to detain a maid in his room. There's a pretty involved kiss. Also, there are

*****SPOILER*****



sensitive topics, including a kept woman and a rape.

*****END SPOILER*****

What I liked:

*There is a secondary romance for Devin Monroe. I think each romance may have been given equal page time. I've wanted to see Captain Monroe have his own romance since the first book in the series!

*"Not all men who fought were gifted soldiers. The majority were clumsy in battle and unsure of themselves. Or or lonely. Or afraid." That is something I haven't considered before! It's common sense, I suppose, but I thought this was a great insight. Not all soldiers could possibly be gung-ho fighters.

*Wise words: "The longer she dwelled on what she couldn't change, the more depressed she'd be." This makes me think of Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV)

What I didn’t like:

*The aforementioned coincidence (I'm listing this not because I found it a problem, but because some may.)
*Cigar smoking and whiskey drinking by main characters - it might be period appropriate, but I didn't appreciate it.
*A very few editing errors in the eARC, which may have been resolved.
*"Thomas let out a string of curses…" Thomas is one of the protagonists in a Christian novel.

***********

The bottom line: This was a great conclusion to a fabulous series. I recommend this book to fans of historical Christian romance or fans of the post-civil war era. The next book I read by this author might be her novella in "Among the Fair Magnolias: Four Southern Love Stories," which is written under her Shelley Gray pseudonym.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This is the third book in this series that I have read, and enjoyed, and got to really know the characters some good, and some not so kind.
The author has set this story in Texas, but we spend time in a prison camp in Ohio, during the Civil War, and later in the period after the War. This book includes two of our faithful friends and putting their lives back together, and there is a bit of romance in store for each, just like in the previous books, they also have a common villain to be thwarted.
I loved how hardship brought four friends a life long friendship, and they sure have come together to help when times become desperate. I hate to say goodbye, and would to continue with the lives of these men who fought for their cause.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.

Love Held Captive

Lone Star Hero Series - Book 3


By Shelley Shepard Gray

Zondervan - October 2017

Inspirational Historical Romance



Major Ethan Kelly was just existing after the South lost the War of Northern Aggression when he found himself facing demons from his past. He was in his room at a hotel when a young woman entered it. Not only was she the woman whose situation had haunted his dreams during, and after, the war, but he learned that she had just escaped a potentially dangerous encounter with a man he knew. A disreputable colonel Ethan had been imprisoned with until the war ended.

Lizbeth Barclay had endured desperate times before, and she would again. She didn't intend to accept Ethan's help, but she found herself intrigued by him. His interest in her plight was admirable, but a single woman alone needed to always protect her reputation. She knew she would have to find a new source of employment, and that a future with Ethan wasn't feasible, regardless of what he thought.

Captain Devin Monroe wasn't knowledgeable on courting a woman, but he had taken a risk and approached the only woman who had captured his interest. Julianne VanFleet. But when faced with the truth of the choices and actions Julianne made during the war to ensure she and her grandmother survived, Devin tries to walk away. It wasn't just a matter of what she had done, but the man with whom she had been involved.

Julianne wasn't proud of her actions, but she couldn't regret that she had helped ease her grandmother's and her own situation. She had been desperate, but now she was trying to make a new life for herself. She couldn't run from the past, but she was trying to face the future. She might have once dreamed of a life with Devin, but she had known that he would turn away from her when he learned of her past.

Love Held Captive is a romance full of love, forgiveness, acceptance and closure. Without the war, the lives of these four individuals may never have crossed. Yet they did, and their lives are all the better for it. Ethan and Devin were part of a group of friends who knew they could count on one another when called. And Ethan with Lizbeth, and Devin with Julianne are able to find the happiness and peace only love can bring. I did not read the previous stories, and except for a few references to what is likely occurrences in them, Love Held Captive does stand on its own.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

In previous books of this series, we read the stories of Robert Truax and Thomas Baker. In both stories, Ethan Kelly and Devin Monroe dropped whatever they were doing and came when called on. Now the tables have turned and Kelly and Monroe need them. Regardless of all the evil that transpired during the Civil War, these four men formed a lasting brotherhood that few men ever experience. But the story is not only about them but also about two women who suffered at the hands of their former commanding officer, Colonel Bushnell. The rub is that the former officer is still intent on causing further suffering and shame for the women who have tried to put their lives back together and leave the past behind. The author shares some difficult scenes with great care taken to avoid being offensive, but not everything can be completely sanitized. For me personally, the sad thing is that deeds like those committed by Colonel Bushnell actually happened then and still happen today. The great news is that God can bring healing and redemption to those who seek Him. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

I have read several of Shelley Shepard Gray's books, usually Amish. This one was about the post Civil War period when officers in the Confederacy meet women who have had difficult lives during the War and did what they had to, to survive.

There are some adult themes in the book. The book goes back in time to days in the prison camp spent together by the officers and then returns to the current time of the book.

It appears that I have read a book that has previous books in the series. It took me a little while to understand some things as a result, but it was still alright that I had missed some of the earlier books.

Disclosure: I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley for my review. All thoughts are my own.

This is the third book in the Lone Star Hero series which takes place post Civil War. The author does a great job filling in the background of the series while using flashbacks. Five men held captive on Johnson island as POWs banded together to look out for each other during their imprisonment and afterwards. One by one each of the men have found their bride. In this story, couples Ethan and Lizbeth and Devin and Julianne must overcome obstacles in their relationships.

I couldn't wait for this book to come out. Love Held Captive is the third book in the Lone Star Heroes Love Story series. I have read the first two, and was dying to see who's heart was captured next. This series follows a group of soldiers who became more like brothers. They are always there for each other no matter what. When they find out that one man is responsible for deeply hurting two different women, they call on the men they would trust with their lives to help solve the threat. Will they be able to track him down? Or will he cause even more damage before they can?

When Ethan runs into someone from his past he feels he must do everything in his power to help her. Coming from a well off family doesn't hurt matters, and the woman is in a desperate situation. Evan has money, but is that what she needs? Devin and Ethan have been there for each other for some of the worst times in their lives. When Devin learns some things about a woman's past, he knows he can trust Ethan to help right the wrong. The question is, how can they take care of the situation and earn the trust of the women they have grown to care for?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction. It was fun revisiting a time to where our country was still trying to get along after the war. Lines were drawn, and sometimes those lines separate those who once fought on the same side. It was interesting having two love stories in one, and I didn't feel that it was rushed at all. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.