Title: Bound By Hope
Author: Kally Jo Surbeck
Published in by Vintage Romance Publishing
Genre: Historical Romance
ISBN: 0-9770107-0-8
Other Books by Kally Jo: (1) For The Love Of…, (2) Sudden Fall, (3) She Blinded Me With Science Fiction
Katy O’Connel works as a hotel maid but life has never been easy for her. She lost her parents at a tender age and was placed on a train traveling across the country searching for adoptive parents. Luckily she was one of the fortunate few that were able to survive the orphan train. Still she felt a loneness even after being adopted by a nice family in Missouri. There were still too many childhood nightmares that haunted her, not to mention the pain that could not be erased in her heart from the fear of loneliness. After reading a newspaper article on how an Irish immigrant by the name of Calum Banagher made it huge in a promising business, she begins to feel something for the man. In the same paper she reads a clipping about a job offer in New York to find homes for orphan children. Feeling as if she has found her destiny, she decides to leave for a new opportunity in her life. What could give her more possible joy then to be guardian to thirty children on the orphan train? But no sooner after accepting the task of finding the children a home to rest their weary heads, miners abduct three of the boys. Katy can only think of one man that could have done this. Calum Banagher, the man she dreamed about after reading his article in the newspaper. Could he have kidnapped the children then use them for slave labor? It is something that she has to discover at any costs.
Katy has an inner duty to protect the children that are coerced onto the orphan trains. It is something that she has always dedicated her life to since she was an orphan herself and knows firsthand of the experiences. After reading the article in the newspaper where the Children’s Aid Society needs someone who has no ties or obligations that could ride the rails and help the youngsters, Katy is certain this job is for her. She knows that she will have to travel to New York to inquire about the position but she is certain she will be accepted, it’s just a strong gut feeling she has. It is a long awaited job description that she had dreamed would come her way. When she meets Calum, she believes that he is imposing labor on small children and sets out to stop him. But somehow amidst the entire shuffle she feels an attraction toward him but is it real or just a passing fancy? When they begin their search for the missing children, Katy not only finds her feelings for Calum getting stronger but finds herself in a dangerous situation. Will she live long enough to disclose her real feelings to Calum?
Calum Banagher is a man who does not like to disappoint his family or friends. Since he is a flourishing businessman, he decides that by expanding into coal mining, he will find even more success. When he first sees Katy, he is infatuated with her. For some reason he senses that she is skeptical of him, especially when she points a questionable guilty finger his way and the only way to win her over is to prove to her that he is not abusing any of the children in the mines. He would like nothing more than be with Katy and he will fight tooth and nail to confirm his innocence of any charges that she suspects, as well as help her look for any of the stolen children.
Calum is extremely proud of the huge mining businesses that he owns in Duluth but when a young woman comes along claiming that he is kidnapping children and using them to work inside the mines, he is shocked. He would never do anything that she implies. He is even more offended that a stranger would even come into town and express such. He has never met her even though his first glance at her; there is something inside him that feels something and to hear her accusations do not sit well with him. After he hears her story about the missing children, he is more than eager to help her in her search. But in the midst of their search, they discover that something is drawing them closer together. Is it something that will last or will circumstances cause him to lose her before they even get to know each other better?
Bound by Hope is a stylish historical romance that is a lovable gripping read. It holds the reader spellbound with the characters of Katy and Calum. Their exchanges are really touching. I loved the part where Katy tore part of the parchment of the paper so not to mess up Calum’s handsome face. The dialogue the two share is well developed and the secondary characters balance in exceptionally well to support the story and keep ones attention throughout the read. Bound by Hope is a tender story that this reader did not want to put down. The characters are strong; the story carries an interesting plot and is a delightful read. This story is a classic. There are just so many things in this story that keeps the pages turning. It is loaded in action and even the setting is something that the reader can visualize because everything is so picturesque and uniquely detailed.
Kally Jo Surbeck has created a heartrending and encouraging romance that really packs the power. I found myself saying why did it end? I wanted it to continue. She pens a story that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. She gives us a woman heroin with great strength and determination in her goals. She instills a character where the reader can actually feel the courage, the struggle and the love that is emitted in the pages. Even the hero is a character that is well liked and respected. Ms. Surbeck has created an extraordinary heart-stirring read that I can’t say enough about. It is a powerful riveting story that will have the reader enthralled until the last page. Ms. Surbeck really delivers in this noteworthy read. The incredible history that she gives the reader as well as all the emotional conflict was definitely well worth the read. Bound by Hope is a winner! So grab your tissues, sit back in your cozy chair and get ready for the book that needs to be on the New York Times best selling list! This reviewer really loved this book. Visit Kally Jo at Kally Jo Surbeck.Com and find out more about Bound by Hope at www.vrpublishing.com. You won’t be disappointed. Be sure to read the other titles by Kally Jo Surbeck: For the Love Of, Sudden Fall, Whispered Promises, She Blinded Me with Science...Fiction, and Friendly Fire.
Sincerely good reading,
Linda
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