The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall

The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from Author to Review
Gerne: Christian Historical Romance

Book Description:  One accidental kiss from Lawry Hampton. 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 best friend. But with Vance out of the country, and with Lawry at her side nearly every day, teaching her what the world is like through the eyes of a little orphan girl named Wynn--Meredyth can't deny that what's holding her to Vance is nothing more than a desire to redeem herself from her past. 

Will she marry Vance once he returns from Europe? Or will she be strong enough to break free from the tangled web she's convinced she deserves, and accept that God's plan for her life includes redemption...and, quite possibly, Lawry Hampton?


My thoughts: Meredyth is a strong young woman who has been used and hurt in the past. She takes the burden and embraces it, feeling that she needs to continue to be punished for past mistakes. She continues to hope that she can be redeemed by the decisions and actions of another.

This book is the romance of Lawry and Meredyth. The problem is that Meredyth does not feel worthy of Lawry and holds herself back from his love and acceptance. She continues to punish herself for an indiscretion in the past, a mistake I don't think was her fault. I consider her a victim.

The book has some twists and turns that left me groaning and wondering "why now?", When Meredyth's life is picking up and going in the right direction, a set back happens that throws her off kilter for a little while. Her journey is hard, but it is bearable with the strength of her loved ones and by renewing her relationship with the Lord, she  becomes stronger.

Lawry is an amazing character. He is unselfish and full of love and forgiveness. He is perfect for her, She needs to learn of her own self-worth before she can fully accept him and embrace the love that they share.

This is a great book full of love, compassion, repentance, redemption, etc. (Can you tell the list of attributes can go on for a while?) I am very glad that I read this book. It is well written. The characters have flaws. They are relate-able. I look forward to continuing with this series.

The book is clean with kissing, innuendo, past indiscretions and no-graphic violence.

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About the Author: (taken from Goodreads)  Dawn Crandall is an ACFW Carol Award nominated author of the award winning series The Everstone Chronicles from Whitaker House. The series currently consists of three books: The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart and The Captive Imposter. The next "Everstone" book, The Cautious Maiden, will release October 4, 2016. 

Dawn is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary. Apart from writing books, Dawn is also mom to a precious little boy (born March 2014), is expecting her second baby (June 2016), and also serves with her husband in a pre-marriage mentor program at their local church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Visit her Website!