Blog Tour! Review of Bound and Author Interview

Hi guys! Today I am very blessed to get to be apart of the blog tour for Miss Victoria Lynn’s beautiful new novel, Bound. Today I will be reviewing Bound and interviewing the lovely author herself! There is also an awesome giveaway that I will be sharing! So stay tuned for a rollicking time!

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Author Bio:

Victoria Lynn is in her 20s and if she’s not writing, she is probably sewing, singing, playing the piano, washing dishes, creating something with her hands, or learning something new. She has a passion for serving her Creator, encouraging others and being creative. She blogs at http://www.rufflesandgrace.com about writing, fashion, modesty, her walk with God and life. She lives in Michigan with her parents and 8 siblings.

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You can find Victoria on her: Blog, Website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Author Interview

Welcome, Victoria! I am so excited to have you with me today. Now, what inspired Bound? Was it a movie, a book, personal life experience?

It was a picture prompt that I wrote for my blog. While there are a lot of my life experiences intertwined in the book and the stories of the characters, I wouldn’t necessarily say that they are what inspired the book itself. Between that original picture prompt and Gods inspiration, that is what created this book.

How many years have you been writing?

Since I was very small. I have a notebook from when I was nine. I have always enjoyed creating my own worlds. . . probably because I have an extremely active imagination!

What’s your favorite genre to write in?

To be honest, I don’t really have a favorite. Which is the reason that I write under the very broad umbrella of Christian Fiction. I love trying my hand at pretty much everything, except gruesome horror stuff of course. I enjoy fantasy, modern fic, historical fiction of course and many different branches of those.

Have you ever had a story take a turn you weren’t expecting in the least?

In a way, yes. When writing Bound, as the story was still forming in my mind, I was at an event and a plot twist hit my head and I literally gasped out loud and dove across the table for a notebook and pen to record the thought before it could escape. I got a few strange looks that day. LOL! 

Out of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is most like you.

Mmm. . . That is a tough one. After going through them all, I would probably say Dudley from London in the Dark. His personality is most like mine. I am very empathetic, and try to make things better and fix problems. I would have to say so far that he is the most like me, though his story is a little too underdeveloped (since he isn’t a main character) to tell yet.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing or reading?

I love to design things. Sewing would probably be my highest thing I find enjoyment in aside from those two things you mentioned. I got to design and create a wedding dress this year and that was an experience to remember!

If you could meet one author, alive or dead, who would it be?

Dang. . .These questions are so hard!!!! Victor Hugo or E.D.E.N. Southworth.

Favorite book of all time?

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Anne of Green Gables, and Three People by Isabella Alden. I could survive on those three.

Biggest book crush? I mean, let’s be honest, we all have one!

Gilbert Blythe. *blushes* All the way. I would marry him in a heartbeat. 

Now, for the most important question of all. Milk chocolate or dark? 😛

I like them both, it depends on my mood. But generally dark chocolate.

Thanks so much for having me, Gabriellyn!

You bet, Victoria! It was great to get to pick your brain! 

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Bound Review

Two souls don’t find each other by simple accident. ~Jorge Luis Borges~ 

Levi thought he was making this journey alone. But when he meets an eight-year-old girl at the train station, that plan is turned on its head. 

Casey is running away and finds out that Levi is too. They decide to journey together and their lives are suddenly bound together in a journey they will not soon forget. 

Both children come from abusive situations and are running from the dangers of their previous life. Levi is confident he can handle this on his own, but when Casey is injured on the journey, he must seek help from the first person that comes into his path, or rather people. Mr. and Mrs. Bellworth are simple farm folk with a heart for kids and a passion for serving God. When their unconditional love and gentle care surrounds Levi and Casey, the troubles of their previous lives melt away and they start to flourish. But when Casey is dragged back into the abusive world she came from, the emotional trauma, pain and distrust resurfaces. Will they be forever bound by their past? Or will God answer their prayers? 

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Overall Impression

Bound was heartwarming. It tells the story of two sweet kiddos who are lost in more ways than one. I was involved from the first chapter and rooting for the characters all the way. The honest truth is, I wasn’t expecting a story this good. I  read Victoria Lynn’s London in the Dark, and had didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped. So, when I read Bound, I was rather awestruck.

Bound, in my opinion is so special because of the level of heart behind it. Not only does it surpass London in the Dark, but it surpasses the level of heart you’ll find in many well-known authors. Bound means something. It is STRONG. It is TRUE. It is God’s HEART. 

Another thing I especially appreciated was that the story wasn’t whitewashed. Something that really annoys me in Christian fiction is when authors whitewash evil. Victoria didn’t do that with Bound. But, at the same time, she found a graceful balance in the amount of evil she showed. Victoria was able to expose the complete total depravity and hellish conditions many children are sadly living in without over doing it. She kept the truth that the world needs to hear without making it unnecessarily dark.

I would recommend Bound to single readers 12 and up and some families. For a few content reasons (more later), I would recommend parents skimming through before handing to very young children. 

Characters:

Levi was a sweetheart. I loved how even though he had been so horribly mistreated and had the people he loved the most horribly treated, he was full of life in his wishes to protect Casey. 

What could have made Levi focused on protecting himself only and trying to gain security for himself above all else, instead nurtured a desire to protect someone who was in the same situation as he was. It was beautiful. 

Casey. Awww! Poor little thing! I loved Casey so much and felt so bad for her. No child should have to go through

 what she did. And, while I understand that Casey isn’t a real child who actually has gone through these awful things, her character is powerful because she puts a face on the thousands of children who have and are living in hell around this country. ‘

Casey was quite a well-balanced character. She had so many God awful things done to and around. She was ‘mature’ in a way that no child should ever be. But, at the same time, her true, un-violated childlike spirit would peek out occasionally. And, by the end of the book, it showed with a true force. Casey was superb.

Mr. and Mrs. Bellworth, (HOW SWEET WERE THEY! ❤ ❤ ❤ ) Mikayla, Jason and the other more minor characters were also done quite well. 

Plot:

From the first chapter, I was drawn completely in. I NEEDED to know how Casey and Levi’s journey would end. From the moment at the train station, all the places between, and our lovely ending, I loved it. 

Victoria did a wonderful job on the character and story arcs. The POV’s made sense, the reactions to new things happening were on point, it all was very cohesive. 

Also, those plot twists with Jason, did NOT see them coming! 

The plot and progression was solid and engrossing all the way.

Bravo, Miss Lynn! 

 

Warnings:

Language/Profanity: None

Violence/Frightening Scenes/Gore: Some light descriptions of injuries. Mentions of blood. Children are hit by their parents. Multiple instances of physical abuse-never any sexual abuse. Several intense parts/memories. I would advise for ages 12+. 

Sex/Nudity: None

Other: Some of the plot has to do with drugs and drug dealing-it is looked upon as evil. 

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I received this book free from the author for promotional purposes. No reviews, positive or otherwise, were required. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

 

Giveaway!

OFFICIAL GIVEAWAY POST!

(This includes all the info on what you will actually be winning!) 

GIVEAWAY LINK!

 

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Well, that’s about it for our Bound festivities! Thanks for hanging with me today, guys! I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday! 🙂