Whitaker House Publishers- The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall-book 2 The Everstone Chronicles

Hey everyone!! Remember that AMAZING debut author Dawn Crandall...author of "The Hesitant Heiress"? Yeah, guess what?! The amazing Dawn asked me to review her second book as well...so here I am!! Again, I read the book in one night...probably not the smartest choice due to headaches but I told myself every chapter that I would put the book away. Obviously, Meredyth and Lawry had other plans! ;)

Her cover is beautiful...although I cannot lie. I'm still seriously attached to Amaryllis and Nathan and that wonderful cover! Here is Meredyth:

*About The Author*

Dawn Crandall is the author of The Hesitant Heiress (released August 1, 2014). 

A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education, and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn Crandall didn’t begin writing until 2010 when her husband found out about her long-buried dream of writing a book. Without a doubt about someday becoming published, he encouraged her to quit her job in 2010 in order to focus on writing The Hesitant Heiress. It didn’t take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do. Dawn is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary. 

Apart from writing books, Dawn is also a first-time mom to a precious little boy (born March 2014) and also serves with her husband in a premarriage mentor program at their local church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

                                                                    *Description*

Meredyth Summercourt's life seems to have come to a halt...ever since that dreadful day in the cave with Vance Everstone...and in the days, months, and years since he left for another country. Now here she is...five years later and she's still waiting...alone and confused by the friendship of her good friend Lawry. He's always been like another older brother to her. The question is...is he just a friend? Or could he be more? And does she even want him to be? When Lawry and Meredyth find a little boy desperate for their help, will he draw them together? Or do his secrets change everything for them?

                    Lawry Hampton seems to have made a mess of his life and his friendship and is at his wit's end when he saves little Wynn. The little boy reminds him of why he started an orphanage and is a reminder that everyone has secrets and problems of their own. When he gets frustrated and can't seem to get through to Meredyth, he knows he can't give up...but how does he continue on with the discouraging turn of their friendship? And why can't she understand he's always hoped to be more then her honorary "big brother" and best friend? Will she ever? And if she does realize how much he cares, will she return his feelings or will he be once again rejected?

                                      *Why I liked it*

The Bound Heart is a great book. It has a different storyline then most books...I can imagine being a writer it is both very hard and stressful to come up with something different then the hundreds of other books already written...Dawn once again pulls it off phenomenally. The words she uses are awesome for young and old alike because (and I'll use an Anne of Green Gables quote here) she doesn't use all the "highfalutin mumbo-jumbo" some historical romances use. :) It also teaches us that people aren't always as they seem...and that they can change, giving us hope and excitement for us and the characters.

What didn't I like:

Is there a bad part in the book?! What page was that? Oh yeah...I don't think there WAS a bad part. You may think that is impossible but this author has got it right...as long as she keeps writing, I'll keep reading!! The only thing that younger readers may not like is the prologue and a brief act of shooting towards the end.

                                             *My Rating*

I give The Bound Heart...

4 1/2  stars out of five for teen approved and an excellent an unique romance novel. It's a curl up by the fire read!

*Why my rating is what it is*

4 1/2  stars out of five for teen approved because of the insinuation on what happened in the cave (very few younger readers will and should understand what is implied) and for the act of violence at the very end. One thing I will say is this: This is a FIVE star book for me... the only thing that made it 4 1/2 is for younger readers. Readers should generally be at least 14 to read this book...unless you are overly mature like I was at that age. (Not always a good thing! ;)

Don't forget to check out all the other lovely blogs that have reviews on the lovely Miss Dawn's second book, 'The Bound Heart'! View the full list HERE.

 Guys. If you haven't read Dawn's first book, The Hesitant Heiress, I really encourage you to buy it! Her next book comes out in February...I can't wait!! Have you read The Hesitant Heiress yet?

Blessings,
Nicki