"The Captive Bride" by Michelle Griep - a French and Indian War adventure

Daughter of a Mohawk leader and a captive, Mercy Lytton straddles multiple worlds as she takes on the role of a scout. She is hired with a group of men to transport a shipment of stolen gold to the British, posing as a settler's wife. The only man available to send with as her husband is a condemned traitor--offered a stay of execution if he can succeed in this mission. Elias Dubois is grateful for the reprieve, but he has a mission of his own that isn't completely in line with with the rest of his companions. Of course, this is all dependent on them not being killed on the way by the French, enemy tribes, or thieves. And as they get a glimpse into each other's characters, Mercy and Elias find themselves in a different kind of danger--a danger to their hearts.

I really enjoy stories set in the French and Indian War, and this one is no exception. There's lots of action and adventure and a marvelous sense of the untamed wilderness. Twists and turns abound, with a number of fun surprises. Honor and dishonor are not relegated to specific sides in the war.

I really liked Elias--he's my kind of hero. He's woods-savvy and deadly, yet he is always a gentleman, even in the wilderness. He treats Mercy with both honor and respect, and always like a lady, even though she is more at home scouting the trail than in a town. He's stealthy, sweet, smart, and faith-filled. I loved it every time the author revealed another of his surprising skills, backstory, and personality. It took me longer to warm up to Mercy, a very strong woman, but stubbornly anti-feminine to begin with. But she softens as the story continues, and it eventually reveals the reason for her attitude, which also helped me like her more.

This is my favorite book I've read by the author so far, and it just bumped up into first place for the Daughters of the Mayflower series (which are by a number of different authors). It is most enjoyable.

Thank you Barbour and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Daughters of the Mayflower
1. The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse
2. The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo
3. The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep
4. The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse
5. The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear
6. The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall