Shades of Honor (Grayson Brothers, Book 1)

By: Wendy Lindstrom

Narrated by: Julia Motyka

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Wendy Lindstrom comes an unforgettable novel about love and family, honor and sacrifice, hope and healing....

She Planned to Marry Her Best Friend - Then His Brother Returned Home and Complicated Everything

Marrying her beloved friend, Kyle Grayson, will allow Evelyn Tucker to care for her ailing father and resurrect their failing business. But when Kyle’s older brother, Radford, returns home with his young daughter, it turns Evelyn’s life upside down. Radford has survived a gruesome war and has finally come back to work the family sawmill and make a home for his daughter. Evelyn is drawn to the deeply wounded man and withdrawn little girl, and she can't help reaching into Radford's darkness with her healing love. The undeniable spark between them ignites a love neither has known…and neither can embrace. Torn by her forbidden feelings for Radford and her desperate need to honor and protect Kyle, Evelyn faces an impossible dilemma and her greatest heartache.

Winner of the RITA award

“Awesome underlying emotional power.” (RT Book Reviews)

"A perfect ten...one story that should not be missed!" (Romance Reviews Today)

©2002 Wendy Lindstrom (P)2013 Wendy Lindstrom

Critic reviews

“Awesome underlying emotional power.” (Romantic Times)

Real emotional book this one is great

I don't give complete stars very often. If a book makes me feel emotion then it is a good book. This book made me cry and the description of a man from the civil war and PTSD is right on.

Historical Romance Written About Nontradition Era

What made the experience of listening to Shades of Honor the most enjoyable?

In my experience MOST historical romances are set in England, Scotland, etc (modern U.K.) Refreshingly, this is set in America, post-Civil War.

The premise and exploration of Radford (gag on the name) and his attempts at normalcy for himself and young daughter. An unlikely duo, he and Evelyn work to sustain her dad's business while strengthening the Grayson Lumber Empire.

Lots of dimensions without being too busy. Where does the eldest Grayson fit in the family now that he has returned from the war? At the helm of the family industry?

The one woman he can't have is the only woman he wants.

Everything Radford Grayson wanted was in his hometown: his beloved mother and brothers, and the unscarred part of himself he'd left behind.

After surviving a gruesome war, all Radford wants is to work the family sawmill and make a real home for his young daughter.

But Evelyn - his brother's fiancée - reaches into his darkness with her healing love and makes him feel whole again for the first time in years.

Torn between his unexpected and forbidden love for Evelyn and a desperate need to honor and protect his brother, Radford discovers that his fiercest enemy is his own heart.

The one woman he cannot have is the only woman he wants.

Any additional comments?

Some descriptions of sex.

A great find at $4.95! I look forward to listening to the rest of the series.

Melodramatic

Not sure if it's the story or the reader or the combination bur this was overly sappy. The lack of historical accuracy is also a problem. I love stories that are in a series. This is the first one I don't feel compelled to buy the rest.

Family and love in Civil War times

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, I enjoyed the listen. I like the time period of the Civil War. This story was really about family, friends, love, betrayal and honor. I usually like action and humorous banter, this was a nice surprise though.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shades of Honor (Grayson Brothers, Book 1)?

When the little girl started to come out of her shell. It was more about small memorable moments.

Which scene was your favorite?

There was not one outstanding scene. There was a compilation of scenes.

Do you think Shades of Honor (Grayson Brothers, Book 1) needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

The characters are good. There is another book about one of the other brother's love story.

Any additional comments?

There was good character development of the two main characters, the secondary characters could have been developed more. I think that it brings the community and town etc. to life. More details on the personalities of the brothers Boyd and Duke would have contributed to making the story more in depth. More background on the secondary characters would make it feel like it was not just a love story. It had small amounts of the horrors of war, that was crucial to making the story work. It is an easy read not complex. I did enjoy it.

Great book

I really enjoyed this book, narrator was great there was romance sadness in there. I don't want to say more because I don't want to give anything away I received this book free from the publisher, narrator and or author via audio book boom

Romance...Passion...Honor

Credit Worthy, Definitely!!

Fall in love with the Grayson brothers, while traveling back to the post-Civil War era of the late 1800’s.

How does a family recover and heal from the devastating consequences of surviving a war you may ask…with varying shades of honor. WOW.

Shades of Honor: Grayson Brothers, Book 1 is a beautifully written, old-fashioned love story. Wendy Lindstrom has gifted her readers with well-developed storyline and characters that are strong, and passionate. They live with a purpose for distinction, and yet they also struggle with this high moral code. Their commitment to family is everything to them, and yet that very commitment is shakable. They are defined by their desire for integrity, uprightness, and, character...

...And this...is what our greatest heroes are made of…

I really enjoyed this listen. You will too.

Radford....is he honorable?

What did you like best about this story?

The inner struggle that Radford has to deal with....ptsd, and the attraction to someone's fiancé...

Have you listened to any of Julia Motyka’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Any additional comments?

A good read, the author keep me on a see-saw....do I want him to get the girl...or...should he pack up his daughter and move away. Is the attraction he feels more important that the love of his brother?


Will AUDIBLE be brining the rest of the series to us?

Enjoyable listen.

This was the first time I've listened to this author and I wasn't disappointed. It has it all: good character development, a credible and engaging plot, challenge and romance. The story of Radford, Evelyn and Kyle unfolds amidst a wonderful sense of family love and loyalty and personal responsibility and integrity. I can't wait to listen to others in the series.

Beautiful and emotional story - I loved it!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this book. The characters are realistic and manage to persevere during a difficult family situation and time period. The hero is a Civil War veteran who is trying to reintegrate into his family and deal with the experiences of his past.

What did you like best about this story?

The situations and character's reactions were honest, They made mistakes but tried to right their wrongs and stick to their values. I liked seeing that even through anger, betrayal, and emotional issues such as PTSD, the family stayed together.

Have you listened to any of Julia Motyka’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never listened to any of Julia Motyka's performances before, but I will definitely be listening to her again in the future. She is a very talented narrator who differentiates the characters well. Each character's voice remained the same throughout the performance and I always knew who was speaking.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were many moving moments in this story, but one that remained with me was the death of Evelyn's father. Radford stayed with her the entire time and mourned with her.

Any additional comments?

I loved reading 'Shades of Honor' and the narrator's performance made it even better. I will definitely be looking for more of her work, hopefully in the rest of the Grayson Brothers series.

Great series!

Immediately I was invested in this series. I needed to know how the stories played out for everyone.