You may remember a couple months back when I reviewed The Hesitant Heiress from “The Everstone Chronicles” series by author Dawn Crandall. Well, this post is all about the next book in that series, THE BOUND HEART! I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to review an ARC of The Bound Heart for Dawn. Let me tell you, she is one of the sweetest authors I have had the privilege of “meeting” with! (Click here to see my review of book #1 and an exclusive interview with Dawn).
Now, on to the giveaway and review info. Dawn is currently wrapping up her major blog tour for this book, so be sure to enter the various giveaways before it’s too late! Head over to her website to see her previous blogger participants, for links to the various giveaways, and to enter Dawn’s giveaway (rafflecopter form at the bottom of her page).
Synopsis: One accidental kiss. That was all it took to throw Meredyth Summercourt’s world upside-down. Determined to marry the ever-elusive Vance Everstone, she simply doesn’t have the time or the desire to fall for her friend Lawry Hampton. However, with Vance out of the country and Lawry constantly at her side, Meredyth can’t help but wonder if what’s holding her to Vance is nothing more than a desire to redeem herself from their unfortunate past.
When Vance comes home to stake his claim on Meredyth, will she be strong enough to break free from the tangled web she’s convinced she deserves? Or will she find the strength to accept that God’s plan for her life could include redemption… and quite possibly the love of her best-friend?
My thoughts:
This is a beautiful story of redemption – with an honorable and swoon-worthy (and I don’t say that lightly) hero!
The characters Dawn writes simply jump off the page and immerse the reader in the story. Lawry was very sweet and steadfast, while Meredyth was likable and insecure. She was very easy to identify with, I thought, because her struggles and doubts of self-worth are common to women. Like Meredyth, we ladies sometimes doubt our choices, our merit, or our futures – but we should find our security and hope in Jesus. I believe Meredyth is drawn to Lawry partly due to the love of God that emanates from his character and actions. This story shows that all it takes is calling out to God, and He will take your burdens.
There is a beautiful thread of redemption in the story, with surprising drama (a few fabulous twists!) and interesting secondary characters. I loved little Wynn and her honest childlike faith. She sweetly tied some of the characters together in unexpected ways. I also enjoyed the setting of the story, with the elaborate events society demanded at the time contrasting with the plights of little children like Wynn.
This is a great sophomore novel from Dawn! I can’t wait to catch up with these characters again in the third book, The Captive Imposter, releasing February of 2015.
Thank you to Dawn and Whitaker House for providing me with an ebook copy to review. This review is my honest opinion.
The Green Mockingbird 