TitleTrakk.com Blog Tours Presents:

Bound by Guilt
by C.J. Darlington
Published by Tyndale House

Shuttled between foster homes, Roxi Gold will do anything to fit in. Soon she’s traveling the country stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society—and not just at work. One fateful night, both their lives are changed forever. One searches for justice, the other finds herself on the run. Will the power of forgiveness set them free?



MY REVIEW:

I have looked forward to reading Bound by Guilt since the first announcement of its publication. I enjoyed the author’s first book Thicker Than Blood so much that I couldn’t wait to see what she had to offer with her new one. Once my review copy arrived, I had to force myself to wait until I had read the earlier scheduled books on my review calendar. Only by strictly adhering to my calendar am I able to meet review deadlines. When I was finally able to open Bound by Guilt, I was not disappointed by what I found.

With several returning characters from Thicker Than Blood, the second book of the series also returns to the familiar setting of  The Book Barn and the world of valuable first edition books. However this installment has some interesting twists with the introduction of new characters and events. One of the primary players in Bound by Guilt is Roxi Gold, a teen who has been shuffled from one place to another after being abandoned by her mother at a young age. Then there is Abby Dawson who believes she has failed at everything in her life – in her marriage, as a mother, at  her job on the police force, and her relationship with her father. And I can’t forget Jan and Keith Mercer, the couple who took Roxi into their home and exhibited the kind of unconditional love and acceptance that should characterize each and every Christian. Each of these characters will find their lives forever changed in the aftermath of one devastating decision in the Book Barn.

Bound by Guilt is more than just a good mystery/suspense novel. Darlington delves deep into the thoughts and emotions of her characters and portrays each one in all their strengths and weaknesses. The well crafted plot moves at the perfect pace and every aspect of the story is believable. Spiritual content is woven naturally and unobtrusively into the story without being overdone. While truly an enjoyable read, this book is also one that gives its readers a bit to mull over.

I am looking forward to Darlington’s next release and recommend that you run out and pick up a copy of Bound by Guilt (and Thicker Than Blood) for yourself if you haven’t already done so.



Great job! You kept me turning the pages.
Francine Rivers, Internationally best selling author

C.J. is a wonderful, talented writer . . . extraordinary . . .
Bodie Thoene, best-selling author of the A.D. Chronicles

This one engages your senses and reaches your heart.
Jerry B. Jenkins, NY Times best-selling author & owner of The Christian Writers Guild

Watch the book trailer:

 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

C. J. Darlington won the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest with her first novel, Thicker Than Blood. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over twelve years, scouting for stores similar to the ones described in her novels before cofounding her own online bookstore. In 2006 C. J. started the Christian entertainment Web site www.TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. A homeschool graduate, she makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website www.cjdarlington.com

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