I gave up about 10% into the book. It was a lot more romance than history. I also had particular trouble with the dialogue. I just couldn't see the characters speaking like they did--they talked like modern-day middle school kids. ( )

7/23/12: i am enjoying this book but am going to put it aside for a bit to read some library books that have a time limit.... ( )

I am absolutely forever in love with Hunter!

This is the story of honor, duty, loyalty, trust, mistrust, allegiance, and true love - a time in history when men are men and women are...spies.

Throughout the story, it is difficult to see how the ending will ever be resolved. You know these characters will never see eye-to-eye and a friendly relationship will never be possible, much less blossom into a love story to end all love stories. I yelled, "Just kiss her already!" at least a dozen times while reading. It was frustrating to witness as I found myself rooting for true love to conquer all throughout the book. The writing is rich and descriptive. The characters are complicated and intricate, even down to their thoughts and motivations. ( )

Move over, Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara. You’ve met your match. Captain Alexander Hunter, Confederate officer, is brave and daring, as well as handsome. Andrea Evans, Union sympathizer, is headstrong and impulsive, and like a chameleon changes her identity to suit the situation. When North meets South sparks are bound to fly, not only on the battlefield, but also in the lives of a man and woman that will do anything for the cause they believe in.

SHADES OF GRAY, the award winning historical novel by Author Jessica James, is set in Virginia during the American Civil War. Andrea plays many roles in the story: a boy that delivers dispatches for the Union, a guide, and a Southern Belle to name a few. Captain Alexander Hunter is a fearless leader, respected by his men. Both characters believe deeply in their cause and will defend their beliefs until death if necessary. Jessica James shows the personal side of the characters and how families are torn apart in a war that will scar our nation for years to come. The battle scenes are so vivid I felt as though I were in the middle of the action, hearing the cries of pain, witnessing the blood and the dying men. The story contains beautiful moments too. When Alexander and Andrea can stop arguing enough, they realize they’re falling in love, something I’d been telling them all along.

The American Civil War is my favorite era in history, and I have a whole library of books about the war. I am pleased to add another great novel to my collection. The only thing I disliked about the book was the ending, not because it wasn’t beautifully written. It was. I also understand why it ended the way it did. And that’s all I’m saying because I don’t want to give anything away. Other readers may love the ending. However, I am happy to hear that Noble Cause … well, my lips are sealed. I’m reading it next. Ms. James has written another great story dealing with the history of America. Let’s hope we’ve learned our lesson from the past.
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I read this during my recent trip to Gettysburg. This is a great civil war novel. It is a little long, but it is worth spending your time on it. Well I should probably tell you the truth here, it is 522 pages. It contains espionage, love, war, and lots of conflict. The chapters are fairly short so one could read this in small doses.

I purchased this for myself in Gettysburg. Yes and you guessed it, I paid way too much for it there. It was written in 2008. Yes, I have to admit I was attracted to the cover. I am a sucker for anything purple. It is my favorite color. I think it is a great cover. This is an award winning book. It won the John Esten Cooke award for Ficiton 2011, just to name one. Beware this is the same novel as Nobel Cause. Nobel Cause was released in May of 2013 for the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. It is the same book as Shades of Gray with a new ending. Hmm is this just another way to make money?

Well I want to say that I loved this book!! It kept my interest all the way through. It is action packed and full of events. The main character Andrea is a very strong woman. You probably know by now that I like books with strong female characters. She is a spy for the union army, but was born and bred in Virginia. She is strong in her anti-slavery beliefs and loyal to the union. She falls in love with Colonel Hunter who is a legendary leader of the southern army. This is no doubt going to cause some problems. There is also Victoria who is the southern belle in love with Colonel Hunter.

This book is beautifully written and just sails along. It is a real page turner. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next! I enjoyed it immensely. The epilogue is a little long. If you like happy endings chose the Nobel Cause version. I will seriously considering picking up her new book Above and Beyond, which is a Christian Historical Romance. It was just released on 5/23/2013 for e-book and will be in stores in August. I give this book a strong 5 out of 5 stars. ( )