"Bound By Guilt" by C.J. Darlington

Author C.J. Darlington is a home school graduate and a lover of antique books, two things she and I have in common. I've heard about her novels since her first book debuted in 2009, and I always thought I would enjoy them. I was happy to be proved right in reading "Bound By Guilt."

Roxi Gold's life has been anything but golden. At sixteen, she's been through several foster homes and finally ended up with her mother's cousin Irene and her son Diego. Wanting to be accepted and loved within this thin family connection, Roxi goes along with Irene's method of supporting the family: casing and robbing used book stores of first editions and other noteworthy titles. She knows it's not right, but it's a way to survive. Until the night the worst happens and Roxi, Irene, and Diego are not just on the run for robbery but murder.

Abby Dawson's life has reached a turning point. Frustrations from failures in her personal life have bled over into her job as a cop, and Abby finds herself suspended from the police force. The news of her brother's death further rocks her world, and Abby heads west to try to comfort the father with whom she has a tenuous relationship, as well as investigate the robbery gone wrong at their family business.

As Roxi runs from guilt and Abby pushes forward with intensity, both are being pursued by a Love beyond their comprehension. The people that each of them meet along the way show them that there can be peace and forgiveness and healing found even in our mistakes and messes. It comes from beyond ourselves and from One who has already taken all our sorrows upon Himself.

I only have one caution about this book: Do not read it if you are hungry! I read this while I was traveling and didn't have many snacks on hand, so Roxi's frequent encounters with hunger only fueled my own desire to get to the next stop and my next meal. This proves Darlington's writing is descriptive and true to life! Be sure to have things to munch on when you settle in to read this title. I found out later this is actually the second book in a trilogy, but it worked perfectly as a stand-alone. This would be especially enjoyable for all the mystery and suspense lovers out there!