Disclosure: I received these books to review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

My husband doesn’t like to watch chick flicks (although he will usually succumb to Downton Abbey or Pride & Prejudice) so my fallback is Christian romance.  These days, Christian romance takes a twist.  The stories are no longer sappy and shallow.  Instead, we get to read about strong female characters who change the face of history, at least in the novel!  One book I read this week was Captured by Love by Jody Hedlund.  Based in the Michigan territory in the early 1800’s, this story follows compassionate Angelique MacKenzie.  She sacrifices in so many ways to protect her childhood friend’s mother from starvation and loneliness.  

This book has a Legends of the Fall feel to it.  We have the brothers who fight for one woman.  There’s also the battle between the Indians and the white men. While I read, I felt such sadness for those who suffered without food and proper clothing in the cold winters of Michigan.  Apparently the British blockaded their supplies, buying the food and other goods so in their war with the Americans.  This part of history was lost to me, and it was fascinating to read the story woven by Hedlund.  The whole military thing was rather boring to me, but the rest of the story was really interesting!  There’s so much more going on behind the scenes than a romance in this book.  Bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty are all messages that ring true with Captured by Love.

This week I also read Honor by Lyn Cote.  This book has a wonderfully clean story while exploring the Quaker heritage.  If you’re ready for a departure from Amish fiction, this might be a good choice for you!  Honor Penworthy is a really great character who shows just how tough a woman can be.  She walks with her head high despite the circumstances that have befallen her.  I had no idea how vulnerable free blacks were in the world of slave trading.  Honor also describes the social implications of emancipation supporters.  It was enlightening!  When Honor’s situation requires her to marry the first eligible man, who happens to be a deaf artisan, we also see the shameful stigma that disabilities placed on individuals.  I really loved the way that author Lyn Cote developed the relationship between Honor and Samuel.  It’s great to see characters who grew close due to trust and compassion.