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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Bound by Guilt, by C.J. Darlington

I stayed up until 2 in the morning to finish reading Bound by Guilt! (Actually, that had more to do with the end stages of pregnancy rather than the book.) However, I can honestly say that at 2 a.m. this book was good company and if I had to be awake I am delighted to have been so thoroughly engaged in a story instead of just laying there watching the clock tick, tick, tick.

You know I don't really care for much Christian fiction, but after reading Darlington's first book, Thicker Than Blood (linked to my review), I knew I'd be interested in reading anything that came forth from the pen of Darlington. When I read Thicker Than Blood I mentioned that Darlington was a former home school student and explained why I thought that was both a good and bad thing to mention. I thought Darlington showed great skill as a writer and it is clear from her second book that she has worked on honing her craft. Bound by Guilt was even more enjoyable and believable than her first book and I was (very) pleased to accept TitleTrakk's offer to participate in a blog tour for this new title.

Bound by Guilt tailgates Thicker Than Blood but they can also be read independently of one another. (If I were you though, I'd probably want to start out with the first as it makes the second that much more impacting and engaging.) Once again, Darlington builds a story surrounding the theme of books and coffee. (Hello. What book lover isn't going to enjoy that?) In this particular story we meet Roxi Gold, a victim of the foster care system who ends up being placed with some criminally minded relatives. Their crimes involve first editions of classic book titles that you will most certainly recognize. (Darlington is well-informed as to particulars of first editions and includes a lot of facts in her books which make these fascinating to read, and not just entertaining.) Roxi finds herself deep in trouble as a result of her circumstances and some bad choices. Like the character of Christy from Thicker of Blood (who plays a role in this story also), Roxi attempts to hide from her past only to have all lies exposed. Again, it is something of a redemption story.

Normally I don't care who endorses a particular book (I can formulate my own opinions, thanks!) but in this case I think it's interesting to point out three other Christian fiction writers who enjoyed this story:

"We at the Christian Writers Guild couldn't be prouder of our First Novel Contest Winner. This one engages your senses and reaches your heart." ~ Jerry B. Jenkins

"Great job! You kept me turning the pages!" ~ Francine Rivers

"C.J. is a wonderful, talented writer . . . extraordinary . . ." ~ Bodie Thoene


I determined after reading Thicker Than Blood that if you are a fan of the Christian fiction genre that I could think of no reason why you wouldn't have enjoyed Darlington's first book. I feel like it's equally (if not more so!) safe to say that you would enjoy Bound by Guilt.

Just to get at least one of you going, Darlington has offered to giveaway a copy of both Thicker Than Blood and Bound by Guilt to one of my readers here at Reading to Know. Would you care to win? (The answer to that question is most indubitably, "YES!") Simply leave a comment below. This contest is open to U.S. Residents only and will be open through Tuesday, March 29th.


THiS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER (as selected by random.org) IS #13 - BLUEROSE. (Congratulations!)




Thank you, TitleTrakk for asking me to be a part of this blog tour and for offering the giveaway to my readers. Thank you, Tyndale House Publishers, for sending a copy of this book for me to read and for entertaining and delighting me so thoroughly.

47 comments:

Jennifer said...

I loved Thicker than Blood, so I'm sure Bound by Guilt is just as good, if not better!

Anonymous said...

Would love to read (and win!) these books...thanks for the giveaway!
artandjen at juno dot com

Jen N
(enjoy following your blog, and I am also excited to be in the last weeks of pregnancy)

Annette W. said...

As I was reading I was thinking that if I won I would need to buy or borrow the first book. YAY! Thanks, CJ Darlington for providing both books to the winner!

These sound great...the covers alone caught my attention a while ago!

Liz said...

I have both books on my to-read list. I would love to win a free copy. I know I'll be reading Thicker Than Blood very soon because it's on my Spring reading list, but now I can't wait to get to Bound by Guilt too.

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said...

Sign me up! (Like I don't have enough books on my tbr shelf already!)

Jennifer Ekstrand said...

I would be interested in giving these books a try.

Unknown said...

I have her first book in my TBR pile, and would love a chance to have book 2 to read right after. Please sign me up! :o)

Christy
orca0024 at yahoo dot com

Three Turtles and Their Pet Librarian said...

Still four months to go on this pregnancy, so I need great books to read in the wee hours! :)

Buffie said...

Both of these books sound good. I will have to add them to my never ending TBR list.

Barbara H. said...

Sounds good. Count me in!

Anonymous said...

Everything a book lover could want! Sign me up please!

jprivette1(at)roadrunner(dot)com

Bluerose said...

I've seen both of these around, but I haven't read either of them yet. I would love to be entered!

(At least we're down to counting DAYS, instead of months)! :)

Amy R said...

I'm always looking for good Christian fictions books. Thanks for offering this giveaway.

Alicia said...

Yes! Yes! I'm actually a big fan of Christian fiction, even though I realize much of it is kind of watered down/cheesy/predictable. I still love it, though, and sometimes there are some really good ones! These sound like them! Oh, I hope, I hope!

Alicia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lisa Spence said...

Pick me!

Linda G. said...

Please throw my name into the hat.
LLGammon(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Well, the praise of Jenkins, Rivers, and Thoene certainly can't hurt the book's reputation. I like the covers, and the plots sound interesting. Many Christian novels are quite good.

Cassandra said...

Oooh, ooh, YES! I would love to read these two books!!

Dani said...

What a great chance to win both books! I will have to add this to my to read list either way :) Thanks for the opportunity!

Heather VanTimmeren said...

I'm a sucker for any cover art with old books, and if you recommend Christian fiction, then I think I can trust it!

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your review and would love to read Thicker Than Blood and Bound by Guilt :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

these book sound great. put me in for the giveaway!
msudawgtoo[at]comsouth[dot]net

A Faithful Journey said...

Would LOVE to win these books! Sound great! Thank you! :)
kempfyre21{at}yahoo{dot}com

Shonya said...

Ahhhh, I need a "Calgon-take-me-away" kind of book to read! :)

Alicia said...

I'd love to read both of these!

Anonymous said...

i subscribe to the titletrak newsletter and constantly see these titles but alas have yet to read them thanks for the chance
diana mack
dianam167@sbcglobal.net

Carol M said...

I'd love to read these books. They sound good! Thank you!
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Nancye said...

Awesome giveaway!! Please include me! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Carol N Wong said...

Love books that keep reading into the night. Super!!!!!


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

angie said...

These sound like great books! I would love to be entered!
Thanks for the giveaway!
bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read these books. Thanks for the giveaway.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Trish said...

How can I not want to read them after that review? These are definitely going on my list!

Anita Yancey said...

Great review! I would love to read these books. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anonymous said...

These sound fascinating - I would love to read books about books!

Joan S

apple blossom said...

These books sound so good. I'd love to be entered. thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Sherry said...

OK I'm intrigued. And I'm wishing you the best as you expect your little one.

Lynn said...

These both sound very good. I would love to win these books.

Mozi Esme said...

I'd love to read these.

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Linda Kish said...

I would love to read this book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Angela C. said...

I have never read any of her books, but I do love Christian Fiction! I would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway!

accoupons at gmail dot com

Katie Marie said...

Oh, I would dearly love to win! I've heard only good things by CJ Darlington! ;-D

~ Katy
agirlslegacy(at)yahoo(dot)com

Steffanie said...

Sounds great, thanks for the chance.

steffanie771 at hotmail dot com

amber said...

Oh, I want to be entered!!

afren07[at]gmail[dot]com

InSpirit said...

sounding FAB !! thx for this opp~

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

thx for your review & for CJ's generosity ")

Unknown said...

Looks like I have found a couple more books to add to my 'to read' list! Please enter me in your giveaway contest.

Thanks!

RennieDgirlscoutmom at gmail.com

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