Customer Reviews

Shades of Honor (Grayson Brothers, Book 1)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is not your typical romance book. It's a family saga, and not only will you fall in love with the two main characters, but with a frail man and a scared little girl as well. I cried in three different areas of the book, and when it ended I felt a deep loss, wanting it to go on forever. Great writing. Great research. Great love story. And a great writer. If you're looking for a story with several plotlines, a hint of civil war memorabilia, and a desire to root for the heroes, this is the one for you.

This is an amazing novel by Wendy Lindstorm. Her words of the late 1800s reflect her creative ability. It gave me chills up and down my spine when I was reading!

Radford Grayson has been gone from his hometown of Fredonia New York, for five years. He went to fight in the war, but felt he had abandonded his family in running the mill. Radford also has a small addition with him in his return. His daughter Rebecca, from a short-lived affair with a woman he met on his travels.

Visions of coming home with open arms from his family, especially his brother Kyle, was instantly deflated. Kyle, with his hot-headed, ambitious nature, has been running the mill for years now, and is even getting married to a wooman, Evelyn, they had all been friends with growing up.

Evelyn is a very petite, shy woman, who has been taking care of the livery for her father. It has been hard work for a woman and because of this, business has been slow. Evelyn's father, William, wanted Radford to help run the livery. Even though Evelyn protested, William insisted.

While Evelyn and Radford worked together everyday, you could sense the flying sparks between them. Instead of imagining what kind of lover Kyle, her soon-to-be-husband, would be, she dreamed of Radford. What was causing these feelings?

Radford doesn't want anyone, especially Evelyn, getting too close to his daughter. When Rebecca was smaller, Radford hired a nanny to care for her while he worked. The first woman hurt Rebecca when she moved away and got married. The second woman was a little more cruel. She abused her physically and mentally leaving her cowering from everyone except her father. He didn't want anyone doing that to her again.

Radford keeps his distance from Evelyn, but is always watching and wanting her from afar. Can Radford let someone in his heart again after all the pain he's endured over the years? Will Evelyn leave Kyle who's always been a good provider and secure for her, even though the relationship is loveless? Find out in 'Shades of Honor!'

I rated this book with 5 stars because it met my criteria as a book I enjoyed from start to finish. There were no areas to skip over or speed read, very well written. The author has given the reader characters with deep sense of honor and family. A post civil war story that brings in the horrors of that war, but entered into the story to enrich and add depth. This is not a book that has sensual romance as its main focus, but is there to add to story. I read a lot of historical romance, mystery romance and some of it is not worth the read even if free, but not so here.

I am always wary of free books (which this one was for Kindle), but I loved this book. It was very well written. I loved that the authur was able to go into details about the time period without making you feel bored. I read alot of historical novels, and feel that most authurs try to hard to give an authentic feel to their books and lose the readers interest. Not once did this book lose my interest. I laughed, I cried, and I felt joy right along with the characters. I can not wait to read the stories of the remaing Grayson Brothers.

I liked the civil war era and dealing with the emotions of ptsd; we think that this is a modern issue but all young men that have had to fight for their coutries have emotionally been scared - fortunatly we recognize that now and deal with it. The family interaction actually reminded me of situations I've known which shows how the emotions of pride, ego, love and forgiveness are universal and timeless.

I really enjoyed reading Shades of Honor. Both the writing style and the editing were very well done and far above average, especially for a free book. The characters were well-developed as well as sympathetic and the dialogue was realistic. I felt a real emotional connection to this story and will certainly buy the books in the series. If you want to read a really good historical romance, I certainly recommend that you pick this one.

This book pulls you in from the first page. You ache for the frightened little girl and her father trying to do the best for her while fighting his own demons. I liked every character in this book. They weren't perfect people by any means, but they were believeable and you felt the brothers love for each other and well as their resentment. Ms Lindstrom did a wonderful job--you feel as if you know these people and care what happens to them. I'm eager to read the next story.

I loved this book. There were so many memorable and lovable characters. The story of Radfords journey to recover from the soul ravaging war and his struggle to maintain his honor keeps the reader enthralled. I bought the following Grayson brothers books immediately after finishing this book and I can't wait to start reading them.

I am not a romance novel reader. I usually will say those are the worst books to read. That being said I chose this book to read for god knows what reason. It was really well done. I could not put it down the characters came alive for me on my kindle. I am very interested in reading anything else by the writer since this story really did it for me. Normally romance novels have ridiculous amount of sex which I find completely unnecessary. This story stands on its own without the need of all that. Highly recomend!!

I have read many books this year and this is one great book. It holds your attention throughout the book.