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C. J. Darlington
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Bound by Guilt Paperback – February 21, 2011

by C. J. Darlington (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 692 ratings
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Roxi Gold has been shuttled from one foster home to another for most her life. She longs for a family and will do anything to fit in even if it's against the law. Soon she's traveling the country in an RV, stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. She knows it's wrong, but if she refuses, she'll be put out on the streets.
Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society, and not just at work. Her ex-husband wrested her daughter away from her in a bitter custody battle. The job she once loved has become a chore, the world isn't any safer, and there's no joy in her life.
One fateful night a man's innocent blood changes both Roxi's and Abby's lives forever. One searches for justice; the other finds herself on the run until a first edition of The Great Gatsby catches up with her. Will the power of forgiveness set them free, or will they both remain bound by guilt?
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Previous page
  1. Book 2 of 4
    Thicker than Blood Series
  2. Print length
    416 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
  5. Publication date
    February 21, 2011
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.25 x 8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1414340125
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1414340128
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The winner of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild�s 2008 Operation First Novel contest is back with a story of the heartache of abandonment and the power of true forgiveness. Sixteen-year-old Roxi can only dream of what being a part of a real family would feel like, after being shuffled through the foster care system to end up living in an RV with a thieving family. Through a tragic set of events, her path is intertwined with that of Abby Dawson, a divorced cop desperately trying to reconnect with her daughter when her brother is murdered, the victim of a burglary gone wrong in his rare book store. Peppered with intense moments of suspense as well as grace, Darlington�s latest provides fans of Christian women�s fiction with a solid page-turner that may also intrigue readers interested in rare books and fans of inspirational crime fiction. --Elizabeth Ponder

Review

You will forget you are reading fiction as you follow these deeply drawn characters on their desperate journey to find truth and acceptance. Darlington's stellar storytelling rivals that of any seasoned pro! --RT Times, 4.5 Star Rating

Peppered with intense moments of suspense as well as grace, Darlington's latest provides fans of Christian women's fiction with a solid page-turner that may also intrigue readers interested in rare books and fans of inspirational crime fiction. --Booklist

From the fitting title to the last page, this book delivers it all: complex plot, fascinating characters, suspense, emotion, and a story of redemption from sin and guilt, stressing the power of forgiveness and unconditional love. --CBA Retailers & Resources

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (February 21, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1414340125
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1414340128
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.25 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 692 ratings

About the author

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C. J. Darlington

C. J. Darlington

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C. J. has been in love with reading since she was a kid dragging home bags of books from the library. When she was twelve she started dreaming about becoming a published author. That dream came true when her first novel Thicker than Blood won a national writing contest. It became the first book in the Thicker than Blood series, which also includes Bound by Guilt, Ties that Bind, and Running on Empty. She has also written Jupiter Winds and Jupiter Storm the first and second books in the Jupiter Winds series. Her children's fantasy Alison Henry and the Creatures of Torone will release in June. C. J. lives in Pennsylvania with her family, their menagerie of dogs, a tabby cat, and a Paint mare named Sky.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
692 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Debra Lane
5.0 out of 5 stars Fiction or fact.
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2023
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Seemed like a factual story. I have known some like Roxie. It also reminded me of how God works in our lives while we are not aware because He knows us better than we know ourselves!!
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Sharon Crenshaw
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful author
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2022
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Ms. Darlington writes from the heart. This series of four books will always be remembered by me. I had goosebumps in some sections, tears in some, and a heart full of love for the characters who became like family to me. They are clean books, there's their closeness to God, but not preachy. I'm a Christian myself and my heart was filled for my love of my heavenly Father as these characters came to life for me. You won't be sorry for spending money on such wonderful books as these. Sharon of SC
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Stephanie McCall
4.0 out of 5 stars Finding Freedom May Cost Her More than the Guilt Ever Did...
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2018
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Especially as Christians, we like to tell ourselves everyone has a choice. If you choose to sin, it's your own fault and you should take 100% of the responsibility. Many times, that's true. But what if you had no choice? What if you were forced to make bad choices because your other options would lead to worse consequences than the ones right in front of you? What if you were so desperate for love, security, safety, or hope that you would do anything and listen to anyone, to get it? Roxi Gold finds herself in that exact position, and her journey is one of the most challenging and fascinating in Christian fiction today.

Roxi, a teenage foster kid forced into stealing rare books, is definitely worth rooting for. C.J. Darlington lets us feel for and with a protagonist whose moral compass has been broken under duress, but who also has enough grit, smarts, and cunning to stay on her feet no matter what. Furthermore, Darlington lets us root for Roxi to find what she needs, not what she necessarily wants. That is, you know she'd make it as best she could on her own, but you stick with her because you know there's something better out there for her. I stuck with Bound by Guilt primarily because I wanted to know what that was, and wanted to see Roxi's story work out.

C.J. Darlington brings back some other memorable characters, such as Christy Williams and Hunter Dawson, and introduces us to some great new ones, like Abby Dawson, Diego Tonelli, and Keith and Jan Mercer. Everyone is fairly well developed and a pleasure to spend a book with. Add in the return of Dawson's Book Barn and more insight into the world of antiquarian book dealing, and I was pretty hooked on the main story. I was especially impressed when I learned some elements, like the first edition copy of The Great Gatsby, were taken from real life.

The spiritual element here is well done, but refreshingly subtle. There are no epiphanies or sugary conversions, and no one tries to pretend that accepting Jesus eliminates problems or consequences. However, the hope of Christ undergirds the words, actions, and reactions of many characters, especially Jan and Christy. Their faith feels like a real, organic part of them, which is becoming more common in Christian fiction but is still somewhat rare.

Abby's POV is interesting, but pulled me away from Roxi a bit too much. I'm a bit confused as to which story C.J. Darlington wanted to tell, and why she connected the characters as she did. For instance, if Roxi had found refuge with Abby instead of the Mercers, the story might have made more sense. Also, C.J. makes a fairly big plot choice that, while it moves the story forward well, doesn't feel like it quite belongs. However, these are fairly minor issues in another enjoyable book.
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KI
5.0 out of 5 stars great story and characters!
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2011
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I was hooked on the very first page of C.J. Darlington's "Bound by Guilt!" A new author to me and one that I am sure to read books by again!

Roxi is living with her aunt and cousin and trying to make her aunt Irene happy, Roxi participates in stealing rare and antique books from bookshops. This is not something Roxi feels right about doing, but Irene took Roxi in when her own mother could not care for her and she is better than living in foster homes. One night, Irene's plan does not go as planned and Roxi cannot live like this any longer, a man is dead and she cannot get the image of him dying out of her mind. Abby is suspended from her job as a police officer when she receives the call from her dad that her brother has been shot, presumably a result of a robbery gone bad. Abby and Roxi's lives will intersect and neither one will be the same as they forgive, find forgiveness, and find unconditional love.

Darlington has created a wonderful story! I have found her first novel, "Thicker Than Blood" and cannot wait to go back and read it and learn more about Christy. The characters are all so wonderfully created and ones that the reader will empathize with throughout the tears, joy and growth. Unfortunately, there are many hurting teenagers in the world just like Roxi, and also not enough adults like Keith and Jan. I would love to read another book that picks up where this novel left off as there are so much more that could be shared about Diego, Roxi, Abby and Christy as there lives were all at crossroads at the end of this book. I highly recommend this novel and author!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reading + The Great Gatsby -
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2013
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Unique and unusual antiquarian book world of author,
CJ Darlington

Follow-up to Darlington's 'Thicker Than BLood', 'Bound by Guilt' contains enough explanatory history allowing for an engaging stand alone read. On the other hand, it was like old home week comfort to catchup with characters from the first novel.
*
This particular book prominently features F. Scott Fitzgerald's , The Great Gatsby, first edition.
A timely focus with the newest movie released this last month.
*
Darlington's writing is filled with quick wit, creative expressions, and a consistently unique voice that adds to the charm of reading her novels. My emotions and attention are fully engaged by Darlington's writing. Every sense is affected. From the aroma of the morning coffees, flavours of the cinnamon raisin bagels, whispered cell phone messages, to descriptive indoor or outdoor settings.
*
The story itself is intense with an increasing pace that had me laying the book aside at times to relieve the tension. Suspenseful drama, mystery, adventure, intrigue, all realistic in culturally relevant contemporary settings. Well developed growth and maturing of likeable characters; strong emotionally influential features of disliked characters. Generational variety in characters who come to life in the reading, exhibiting believable actions and reactions.

Enough twists to keep the reader guessing and unsettled enough to keep reading.

I recommend Ms Darlington's 'Bound By Guilt' as readily as her debut, 'Thicker Than Blood'.

 Thicker than Blood

original review copyright Faith Hope Cherrytea blog
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Top reviews from other countries

Jean Gilbert
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!!!!
Reviewed in Canada on October 26, 2020
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This was a great read. I accidentally read this book first so now I must read book one. C.J. is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and her books are becoming "must reads" for me. I love how well written her books are and how the gospel is shared in such natural ways. So looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. Than you for sharing your God given talent. 4.5 stars
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Janet
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2018
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Couldn't wait to keep reading and find out what happened to the characters. I had read the first book in series some time ago& enjoyed meeting the characters again,can't wait to read the other two
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A Scary Man
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 8, 2018
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Really enjoyed this one, so glad Roxi found a forever home. Thanks.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on May 23, 2016
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Amazing story of redemption. 💗
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JaneReads
4.0 out of 5 stars I was so shocked at what happened and very sad. I kept reading to find out the what ...
Reviewed in Canada on November 21, 2014
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I couldn't wait to start reading this book after reading the first one 'Thicker Than Blood'. I was so invested in the main characters from that one, I wanted to know what happened next in their lives. This book carried over a few of the main characters, specifically Christy, but also introduced new ones and by 50 pages in I was crying. I was so shocked at what happened and very sad. I kept reading to find out the what effect this would have going forward on everyone. I found the story enjoyable and believable. The only character I never really connected with was Abby, I just couldn't get invested in her feelings. I did connect with Roxi and was cheering for things to work out for her. I am happy with the way the book ended, but I still feel like I have a connection with Christy and hope she is in the next book.
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