Major Ethan Kelley and Captain Devin Monroe are each tryin to put their lives in order since the war ended. Ethan Kelly is haunted by the memory of the woman (with the cut on her face) whose house they raided during the war and can’t seem to rid himself of the guilt. Miss Lizbeth Barclay is working as a maid in her sister’s hotel. When a guest makes unwanted advances toward Lizbeth, she ducks into Ethan’s room to quickly escape, not knowing the room was occupied by a guest. Ethan recognizes the face that’s haunted his dreams and wants to help her. Devin Monroe struggles through each day as a worn-torn solider until his path crosses that of Julianne VanFleet. He’s drawn to her like no one before. But when she tells him what she’s done to survive the war he has a difficult time accepting it. Ethan and Devin both discover that their former colonel, Daniel Bushnell is behind the pain caused to both Julianne and Lizbeth. Knowing what they must do, they decide to call in their close friends and former comrades to help find him and seek justice for the things he’s done.

This was a very good story. One that held my interest from start to finish. Love Held Captive was Ethan Kelly and Devin Monroe’s story. We meet them in the previous books in the series but here you get a closer look at them. This is the third story in the Lone Star Hero’s Love Story series, but it’s definitely my favorite. Each book tells the history of these ‘band of brothers’ by flashbacks of their time of imprisonment together. This book didn’t have quite so many of those flashbacks and I think that’s why I enjoyed it more. I love the way this group of men always bands together to help each other out no matter what. That kind of friendship and loyalty is something I thoroughly enjoy reading about. Everyone longs to have those types of friends. You get a glimpse into the suffering that went on and the sacrifices made during the war and also the aftermath of it. My only wish is that there would have been an epilogue, especially since it was the end of the series. I felt that the end was a bit flat. That begin said, I would still recommend this book as well as the whole series. This author writes believable characters that crawl into your heart and stay with you long after you close the book.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Zondervan through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

A few favorite moments:

“I’m just, I don’t know, thinking about how two such unlikely people became enamored with each other. It’s curious, don’t you think? I never understand how and when the Lord chooses to bring people together.” “That’s why we have God. We trust in him so we don’t have to try to understand such things ourselves.”

“What does your guilt have to do with her?” “Everything. If I made things right, I might be able to find absolution too.” Devin sighed. “Ethan. That isn’t how it all works. God grants absolution. God will help you find solace.”

He should probably go inside…Maybe even open the book he’d purchased on a whim the last time he visited the mercantile. It was a rag highlighting the escapades of the notorious outlaw Scout Proffitt.

If you want more information on this book or other books by Shelley Gray, I recommend you visit her website at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com/ ( )

If there was ever a book that captures the heart of the Civil War, this book certainly has proven its ability to transport readers back in time. The detail and historical facts make the story come alive. I could see the men in the battlefield and hear their cries as bullets can be heard in the distance. The author has done an outstanding job of taking a subject and given it breath and realism.

There are several characters that stand out in this book. They each grabbed my attention for different reasons. Instead of naming the characters I am choosing to do my review a bit different for this book. The two main women in the story each had been hurt and ridiculed in some way. Some of the men in town mocked them and made them feel dirty and ashamed. I kept thinking of the scripture, “He who is without sin, cast the first stone,” The women were brave, strong , fierce and each find a way to hold their head up with dignity.

Two of the men in the story fought on the battlefield and knew how hard it was to forget what they did in order to survive. They have remorse for the desperation they felt as they found ways to get food and blankets. What I liked about the story is how each of the four main characters carried around guilt and through faith and the help of friends, they were able to let the past go.

There are some difficult moments in the story that was hard to read, but I felt it was necessary so readers would understand what torture and humility the women went through. Will the town ever welcome these two women? What happens when the two men find out that one person is responsible for the pain they have each gone through? I loved the emotional turmoil the men felt and how they needed to “avenge the honor of the women,” The story is one that I thought was very well written with gritty details that show readers how hard it was during the Civil War. I would love to see this book become a movie. It would be a powerful and emotional journey to show how God can forgive and redeem people.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion. ( )

This was a good ending to this series. I am very glad that the author incorporated both Ethan Kelly and Captain Devin Monroe into this story, as both of these men needed to have a conclusion to their stories (as the rest of the men did in her other books in this series). The series deals with a "band of brothers" that was formed when they were prisoners of war during the War Between the States. They promised to 'be there' for one another whenever someone needed help. For the full enjoyment of these stories they should be read in the order they were written, but can be stand alone stories also. You will just miss a lot of background on these men if you don't read all three stores.

Major Ethan Kelly had raided a woman's home during the Civil War, before he became a prisoner, and he never could forget the women (Lizbeth Barclay) and her desperate situation. When he crosses paths with her unexpectedly, he determines to help her and be there for her, but he has his work cut out for him as Lizbeth is a hard woman to except help from a man she really doesn't know. Her life has not turned out the way she thought it would and because of being brutally treated during the war, her life has gone downhill.

Captain Monroe has only met Julianne a couple of times, but there is something about her that draws him to her and he is ready to get to know her better by wanting to court her after the war. But when Julianne shares what she did to survive during the war, Devin must comes to terms with how he feels about her all over again.

Both ladies and both men must deal with their past, and the present if they hope to have a future. But there is one evil man, Bushnell, that all four know and despise for different reasons, and he also will need to be dealt with. The 'band of brothers' will be called upon to help these men hunt down Bushnell.

This was a story that was well written and dealt with harsh realities that took place during the war. It showed how the war affected different people in different ways and how love and forgiveness can change one's future for good. I am glad I took the time to read of these "lone star hero's" from the Civil War. ( )

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. ( )