Captured by Love

The war of 1812 has affected all of North America, including Michilimackinac Island.  Men have followed the call to fight, food is scarce, and soldiers are everywhere.  Attempting to avoid the same fate as her sister, Angelique MacKenzie is determined to fade into the background and avoid her cruel step-father and his young new wife until the war is over and her fiance returns.  What she doesn't expect is her childhood friend, Pierre Durant, to return to the island after years of absence.  Neither of them are children anymore.  Could there be more to their relationship than what was there? Can Angelique keep her promise or will she follow her heart?

I loved the characters from the beginning.  Angelique has been beaten down from so many directions but she is strong and serves without looking back, often times going hungry in order to feed someone she loves, the British leaving little for the colonists to eat.  She is playful and yet stubborn, wanting to feel safe and secure and thinks that she has found the perfect way to have that but often God's ways are different than ours.  Pierre is a new man, having given his life to Christ.  However, like most of us, he deals with the guilt of his past and turning everything over to God.

I loved the setting of the book.  I have read little of the time period or of Mackinac Island.  Jody Hedlund has a way of making me feel like I lived through the war and walked on the island.  I have read only one other book by Jody but will be seeking out others in a church or public library.  I highly recommend it.  I see no indication on the book that is is part of a series but if it is this volume easily stands on its own. 

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions are my own.