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The Original Shades of Gray: Clean romantic Civil War historical fiction: An Epic Civil War Love Story Kindle Edition

by Jessica James (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,910 ratings
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SHADES OF GRAY is the original title, of what is now called NOBLE CAUSE (which has a happily-ever-after ending). A new expanded Serial Trilogy of this novel is now available (THE SHADES OF GRAY CIVIL WAR TRILOGY). New chapters. New characters!

They started as sworn enemies. Can they open their hearts to love?

Colonel Alexander Hunter would sooner die than see the Union set foot on his beloved Virginia soil. And while he holds the line against Northern aggression with consummate skill, a treacherous boy on horseback always thwarts his offensives. But his allegiance is tested when the traitor he unmasks is the woman he once swore to his brother he would protect.

Andrea Monroe would do anything to make her country whole again. A Southern-born Union spy, she’s dedicated to undermining the arrogant Confederate officer. But when she’s badly injured and taken captive, Andrea is shocked her nemesis allows her to recover in his beautiful Southern mansion, rather than prison.

As prisoner and captor spend time together, their mutual loyalty grows into unexpected devotion. But as fresh conflicts arise, they cross swords again.

Can two adversaries reach beyond the battle lines to unite in the midst of war?

Discover the fine line between friends and enemies when the lives of these two tenacious foes cross by the fates of war and their destinies become entwined forever.

Shades of Gray is a powerful exploration into a defining era of American history. If you like emotional journeys, rich Southern backdrops, and epic stories of devotion, then you’ll adore Jessica James’s captivating Civil War adventure.

Buy Shades of Gray and feel the raw emotion and passion today!

“It is a book that I think could have the impact of a ‘Gone With the Wind.” – J. Noyalas, Assistant Professor of History

“The best Civil War fiction book since Cold Mountain.” – J. Bibb, SCV, Trimble Camp 1836

“A classic love story as much as it is a war story.” – Civil War Book Review

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  1. Print length
    485 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    January 12, 2014
  5. File size
    776 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

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“[Emotions] seem to transcend the pages to settle in the very marrow of the reader’s bones.”—Kristin Pace, book reviewer, Bookpleasures, on Shades of Gray

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0019SW4DS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Patriot Press; 1st edition (January 12, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 12, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 776 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 485 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,910 ratings

About the author

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Jessica James

Jessica James

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Jessica James’ award-winning novels are inspired by her love of the land, her belief in everlasting love, and her curiosity about the past. She enjoys transporting readers back in time with complex characters and stories that stir deep emotion.

By weaving the principles of courage, devotion, and dedication into each book, James attempts to honor the unsung heroes of the American military—both past and present. Her novels appeal to both men and women and are featured in library collections all over the United States including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy.

James is a four-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and has won more than a dozen other literary awards, including a Readers' Favorite International Book Award and a Gold Medal from the Military Writers Society of America.

If you love History and Travel, check out Jessica's blog at https://www.pastlanetravels.com. Tag along as she explores the backroads of America and uncovers long forgotten stories about our nation's history.

Get your choice of one of two books when you sign up for her newsletter (or get them both, if you can't decide). The first one is From the Heart: Love Stories and Letters from the Civil War. The other is a bestselling romantic suspense novel Protecting Ashley. Sign up today here: https://www.subscribepage.com/jessicajamesnews.

Jessica James Awards

2021 RONE Best Cover Award Finalist

2020 N.N. Light Book Heaven Awards Finalist

2020 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction

2020 InD’tale Magazine Rone Award nomination

2020 Greater Detroit RWA Booksellers Best Award Finaslit

2020 HOLT Medallion Award Finalist

2019 Finalist Indie Excellence Award

2019 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction

2018 Silver Falchion Award Finalist in Suspense

2017 RONE Award for Best Cover (Deadline)

2017 IndieBRAG Medallion Winner

2016 Gold Medal Military Writers Society of America

2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Bronze Winner Romance – Suspense

2016 Finalist for BOOK OF THE YEAR in Foreword Magazine’s IndieFab contest

2015 NJRW Golden Leaf Award

2014 Valley Forge Romance Writers Sheila Award Finalist

2014 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction

2014 Reader’s Crown Award Finalist

2014 Next Generation Indie Award Finalist in Fiction/Religious

2013 USA “Best Books 2013” Finalist in Fiction/Religious

2012 Bronze winner Foreword Magazine Book of the Year in Romance

2011 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction

2011 USA "Best Books 2011" Finalist in Historical Fiction

2011 Next Generation Indie Award for Best Regional Fiction

2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Romance

2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Historical Fiction

2011 NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award

2010 Military Writers Society Award in Historical Fiction

2009 HOLT Medallion Finalist for Best Southern Theme

2008 Indie Next Generation Award for Best Regional Fiction

2008 Indie Next Generation Finalist for Best Historical Fiction

2008 IPPY Award for Best Regional Fiction

2008 ForeWord Magazine Finalist for Book of the Year in Romance category

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
2,910 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Joleen
5.0 out of 5 stars Shades
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2016
Verified Purchase
Okay...what I didn't know was that this book has been rewritten and now being called Noble Cause. Apparently it has a different ending than this book. I wish I had that book instead. I read reviews when I was 95% done with this one and chose to not read the rest due to the sad ending.

This was a VERY well done book. Intelligently written and so well developed.
1) The characters were wonderful. Hero and heroine (Alex and Andrea) had an attraction under great amounts of animosity and distrust due to her being on the side of the North and Alex being a Colonel defending Virginia on the South. Many other characters wove a wonderful tapestry within is amazing story.
2) The history was amazing and well told. It didn't sound like a history book at all.
3) Ms. James can write!!! Her explanations of battle scenes, and conversations, okay arguments, between the characters were so well done. I didn't think the arguments were too long winded, as some reviewers said, I was entertained by how articulate they were. And of course they are going to have arguments...they are enemies from opposite sides!
4) the romance (which didn't become reality until 70% into the book, and even then, there are immediately complications.
By the time love is finally declared there is a choice that has to be made about safety in battle and what can be done to be together after.
This is where I started looking at others reviews and learned Noble Cause is the book I should read, rather than this one.
You know, I still liked this one and just might pick up its rewrite.
UPDATE:
Okay... I apparently purchased the newer version AND the Audible version of Noble Cause 6 months ago and forgot about them. Found them when I did a search. So I both finished the as Noble Cause, and listened to the Audible book. I don't recommend the Audible version. The narrator's voice inflections just aren't right.
Okay, here's my take on it...I enjoyed the ending of the rewrite because it was a happy one. Then I ended up going back to read the ending of Shades of Gray. It wasn't so bad after all. Not the HEA people (including myself) usually appreciate, but it was still well done and not melodramatic. I actually like both versions.
8 people found this helpful
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Allie
4.0 out of 5 stars enticing civil war story
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2017
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I was pleasantly surprised by this delightful Civil war story. Unlike most novels from that era, it was a very fast read. It had all the necessary components of a tragic war story- a family torn by war, an impossible love story, and death. Unlike other civil war novels, this one was very light on war details and heavy on story development. The character evolution was outstanding. From Hunter to Andrea, to minor characters like JJ and Carter, the author does a great job in developing the characters along with a complicated plot twist.
For some reason I knew from the first moment that Andrea, aka Sinclair, met Hunter that she would end up having mixed feelings towards him. The fact that Daniel and Hunter were brothers caught me off guard. This complicated fact gave the story an intricate flare that I think the author could have banked on more. It almost seems as if the author did not choose to take on the 'guilty' approach to this love story.
I would have liked to have seen more of Dan and Andrea as their limited interaction did not help to understand the strong bond Andrea has for him. But I also see how the story would have perhaps dragged on needlessly.
My favorite aspect of the novel is that a heroine comes clean about being a woman and from the other side- to save the day!
4 people found this helpful
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Terri D
5.0 out of 5 stars Love and devotion
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
I am still in awe of this book as it brought so many emotions for me. First it is so well written and even though it is a novel about the Civil War it is so much more. This book tells the story of loyalty and devotion of both the people from the North and South and what their struggles were during this tragic time in Virginia. We have Alex Hunter that is devoted to Virginia with all he has and he leads a band of men that are equally as devoted. Then we have Andrea aka Sinclair that goes well beyond what would have been ask of her. She braves the cold and wet and danger that were only meant for the men but does it without complaint. When Alex and Sinclair's paths cross neither realize what their futures hold and how a moment in time will forever change their futures.

Five stars does not do this book justice as it is well beyond that rating for me. It is so well written and the characters have such depth that it brought me to tears many times. I would recommend requesting the Epilogue after you read the book as it will melt your heart as well. I loved this novel and can see myself reading it again which I never do with a book but it is that good and I'm sure there are parts I didn't absorb while reading that I would enjoy reading again. I will not seek out other books by this author.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Walter Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars respect
Reviewed in Canada on June 3, 2014
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loved it because it was a time when respect between men and woman was part of every day fabric and not taken for granted
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craftylady
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written love story set in a historical period that ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2015
Verified Purchase
A beautifully written love story set in a historical period that was very traumatic to the people. Cousins killing cousins for being on the other side. So sad and to weave it into a great story was classic. Memories of Gone With the Wind
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An Avid Reader
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in Australia on May 29, 2016
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didn't really grab my interest.
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J.L.
3.0 out of 5 stars Typical romance
Reviewed in Canada on June 9, 2014
Verified Purchase
Started out quite interesting, but to my disappointment became the feisty woman conflicts with arrogant male and after a few spats fall madly in love. Became a lengthy read at this point.
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Gerd Dürner
3.0 out of 5 stars Inaccurate, but entertaining
Reviewed in Germany on April 24, 2015
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Shades of Gray opens as a wild adventure novel featuring a headstrong young girl fighting for her country in the American Civil War.
And on that level, read as a light "War is an adventure" YA oriented novel it works great.
It falters at being a "historical" novel, though; I won't go into speculation about the authors background on that end but hazard a guess that her "research" wasn't worth the mention. The romance part, on the other hand, worked a lot of the time perfectly for me - not the least because Jessica James doesn't care much for accuracy and rather presents us a very modern romance heroine. The greatest drawback however for the story is in my opinion its highly episodic build-up, often months pass between chapters and there's not much of a plot to make out over all besides "they meet, they lose sight of each other, they meet again, they lose sight..."
One or the other gets hurt, captured, missing...
If you are looking for more than light reading fare with some wonderful playful, romantic banter between reluctant lovers seperated by differing loyalties, you will be disappointed for sure. If some clean, fun romance, albeit at times gruesome in its descriptions of harsh war realities, is what you are looking for, then Shades of Gray might be just the right book for you.
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