Love Held Captive ~ Review

Love Held Captive
A Lone Star Hero's Love Story #3
By Shelley Shepard Gray

This is the third book in the A Lone Star Hero's Love Story series, but if you've yet to read the first two books in the series that is okay as you can easily get into this story set in 1867. The war that destroyed the union that had held the nation together has ended but the wounds have not all healed. And those left to rebuild the lives they once had in the South are scarred - though not all scars can be seen. And not all those who were wounded were soldiers.

In the midst of war, Lizbeth Barclay and Julianne VanFlett suffered at the hands of those who were in command and they are both still paying the price for what they lost. Lizbeth's suffering haunts Major Ethan Kelly as he was in charge of a raid on her home - a raid that added to the despair that she was so obviously already suffering from. But his orders were for the good of his troops even if it cost him his peace. Julianne's pain was the result of her decision to sacrifice for the care of her grandmother. And she has been living with the consequences of her decision ever since - her reputation sullied. But Julianne has managed to capture the attention of Captain Devin Monroe but will her secret keep him from giving her heart?

This is a story about love, forgiveness, and loyalty. Yes, loyalty plays a big role in this book as it does with the previous books in the series as the men who were prisoners of war at Johnson's Island, Ohio, honor the promises they made to be there for one another whenever needed. And to keep those who mean the most to them safe Ethan and Devin must call upon their friends for their aid. The book shifts between remembrances of time spent at Johnson's Island and the present story (which is 1867), explaining some of the backstory that makes the main characters who they are now.

If you are a fan of historical fiction set in the post-war South check-out this book. Or if you just like reading this would be a good choice. The characters are brought to life so that one can connect with them. And if you like having a true villain in your stories this book has one that is truly unlikeable (ughhh!). So prepare to get caught up in the past with this latest offering from Shelley Shepard Gray.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher through BookLook bloggers with no expectations of a positive review ~ all opinions expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

After the War Between the States, a Confederate officer longs to heal the heart of a beautiful woman—but first he’ll have to right the wrongs that were done to her.

Major Ethan Kelly has never been able to absolve himself of the guilt he feels for raiding a woman’s home shortly before he was taken prisoner during the Civil War. He is struggling to get through each day until he once again crosses paths with Lizbeth Barclay—the very woman he is trying to forget.

Life after the war is not much different for former Captain Devin Monroe until he meets Julianne VanFleet. He knows she is the woman he’s been waiting for, but he struggles to come to terms with the sacrifices she made to survive the war.

When Ethan and Devin discover that their former colonel, Adam Bushnell, is responsible for both Lizbeth’s and Julianne’s pain, they call on their former fellow soldiers to hunt him down. As the men band together to earn the trust of the women they love, Lizbeth and Julianne seek the justice they deserve in a country longing to heal.