Bound by Guilt by C. J. Darlington

Bound by Guilt by C. J. Darlington is forty-one chapters of page-turning fiction published by Tyndale House Publishers February 21, 201l. I enjoyed it on my Nook. Roxi Gold is a sixteen-year-old who has been shuttled amongst foster parents since she was taken at eight from her mother. Always on the move, she's never known anything lasting. Her heart yearns for a real family and parents who love her, but each new family disappoints her and proves that no one could love her, or so she thinks, especially after tracking her own mother down and finding she's still not wanted.

When she's taken in by a relative, she strives to please no matter what. She's taught to steal books for a living and travels around the country in an RV. One night, they hit the wrong place--Dawson's Book Barn, and their lives slowly begin to unravel when Hunter Dawson, the manager who lives in an attached apartment wakes and catches them red-handed. Roxi can't take the guilt and wishes she could turn back the clock, but the past can't be erased. She runs away one time too many in the end. Will this be her last mistake?

Darlington has woven a Christian tale about a young teen whose life falls apart, one who eventually has to face police woman, Abby Dawson, Hunter's sister. Is it too late to save Roxi, in more ways than one? Will Roxi ever find someone who will truly love and care about her as a person? She's used to fighting her battles alone, determined and independent, but this time, she faces one she can't win alone. I loved the special touch of including the story line about an unwanted dog who was also abused. I didn't want to put this novel down until I found out what happened to Roxi in the end.

BOUND BY GUILT is available in paperback or ebook form from Amazon or Barnes and Noble among other online publishers. I snagged my copy from Barnes and Noble, and I'm so glad I did. This is C. J.'s second novel, and I've read, reviewed, and loved both. Her first, THICKER THAN BLOOD won the 2004 Christian Writers Guild Contest and $20,000, so C. J. is truly an award-winning author. Don't miss either of her inspirational books. Let your fingers race to the nearest online store and let them fly off the shelf to your ereader today! No waiting. No trips to the store. In just a few minutes, you can read this wonderful tale you won't want to put down.