A Bound Heart was a beautifully written story set in the 1700s. The story begins in Scotland and travels across the Atlantic Ocean to colonial Virginia. Here is what I liked about the book: The historical details, the use of the Scottish brogue/dialect in the dialogue, well developed and unique characters, and the strong faith thread. Things I struggled with were: The glossary of the Scottish words was not easy to access reading a digital book so I had to guess at the meanings. The romantic spark between Magnus and Lark never ignited for me. They spent too much time apart in the story. I found myself skimming through the last several chapters because I lost interest and was overwhelmed with too much side story and not enough of the story focused on the main characters.

Laura Frantz is a gifted writer. I have read several of her books and have enjoyed them very much. With that said, I had a hard time getting into this one. Maybe it was the prose, the Scottish words, I'm not really certain. I found myself skipping on ahead. I did feel the historical elements were very good. So, if you enjoy history then this one will be good for you. I give it 3.5 stars.

A Bound Heart was an entertaining roller coaster for the emotions. The story is a long one, and in some places the story dragged, but the overall story is a good one. Lark begins her story in the Scottish Isles, then she is on a ship for America. Magnus is from the same island, and the two have been friends since childhood. She is accused of killing his wife, then sentenced to being an indentured servant in America. He is also sentenced to being an indentured servant, and sent to Jamaica. The story is a good one, and I enjoyed reading it.

The cover of A Bound Heart is gorgeous and eye-catching, transporting you to the rugged cliffs of Scotland before you even open the cover! If you love the cover, prepare yourself for a soul stirring journey that will leave you breathless! The name Laura Frantz is synonymous with excellence in historical fiction. First off, this book was epic, EPIC! It should win a Christy Award, and after that be made into a movie where it will win Oscars! I did not want this book to end. A magnum opus, the magnificence and heritage of the Scottish Highlands in contrast to the newness of colonial Virginia will keep you glued to the pages. One of the major pitfalls I find with reading digitally is not mentally preparing myself for the end of the book. I don't have the feel of the last few pages to warn me the story is nearing its conclusion and this one left me feeling slightly upended. I was not ready to say goodbye to these beloved characters, I was totally invested in their story and after a somewhat abrupt finish, was left wanting more. I am hoping with all my heart there will be a sequel to this book. I would definitely buy this book for yourself or for a friend. It is my new favorite by Laura Frantz.

A Bound Heart will be available for purchase from your local or online book retailer, January 1, 2019.

Thank you Revell and Net Galley for the free e-copy of A Bound Heart. The opinions expressed here are my own.

As with all of Laura Frantz’s novels her attention to research is flawless, filling the pages with breathtaking scenery, braided in biblical truths that will speak encouragement to your heart.
This is a book that is a must read for every historical romantic.

I generally love books like this. I have actually read a lot of Christian historical romance books that take place, at least partially, in Scotland. It is a genre I enjoy – they are clean, simple romances, often with typical second act conflicts that are always resolved, sometimes miraculously, in the third act. While these books always seem to follow typical plot points, I never seem to get bored with them because they are refreshing, sweet, positive reads. And I love the historical aspect of these books. I’ve read so many books that take place in 17th, 18th and 19th century Scotland that I almost feel like I have been there in real life!

This book, however, did not creep up to my list of favorites in this genre for 3 reasons:

1. I didn’t feel like there was enough interaction between Magnus and Lark. During the first act, Magnus was married to someone else. During the second act, they were separated or had little real communication during their voyage to Virginia. During the third act, they were separated geographically again. Heck, they weren’t even communicating with letters (albeit it wasn’t their fault). The majority of the book they weren’t even together. It is hard to be interested in a love story where there is so little communication between the lovers. Even the angst of them not being together wasn’t strong enough for me to maintain interest.

2. There wasn’t enough backstory for Magnus and Lark. I didn’t feel like there was a romantic connection between them until far into the second act. As a matter of fact, the first act led the reader to believe Lark’s romantic interest was possibly for a ship captain named Rory!

3. I got bored. Super bored. When Magnus and Lark weren’t together, the rest of the story just felt like filler to me. I could have skipped about 80% of the second act and probably 60% of the third act not missed anything relevant or interesting to the story.

Typically these books will have an issue of some sort before the main characters can “be together”. Either parents don’t approve, one is too high or too low in society so it isn’t proper, or some other contrived misunderstanding between parties. But, they are typically at least in each other’s presence or communicating throughout the story. Magnus and Lark just seemed too apart for this to be a believable love story for me.

Love story aside, I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book. I liked reading about the stillroom activities, and I was interested in the information provided regarding the treatment of slaves and indentures, both in Virginia and the West Indies.

I did not dislike this book, but it wasn’t my favorite of the genre. Admittedly, I can be overcritical at times – I am an engineer and I tend to be very analytical and critical. As such, I am not the type of reviewer that gives 5 stars for every book I read. I have not read any other books by this author so I cannot judge this one in comparison to her other work. That said, I cannot write a book at all so I am in awe of anyone that can! That alone warrants praise from me. I do recommend reading it for people that are strong fans of the genre or strong fans of the author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Revell for a free advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you like “clean” historical romance stories? You will enjoy reading about Lark, a young Scottish lass in her twenties who is a herbalist and beekeeper in 17th century Scotland. Lark grew up with Lord Magnus on Kerrera Island, a remote but beautiful place where farmers and fishermen eked out a living and they had to resort to getting stolen food from Captain Rory MacPherson’s ship, The Merry Lass as it was brought to shore by the islanders.
Lord Magnus’s wife, Lady Isla, is barren and unable to produce a child, even with the help of Lark’s potions and the help of physicians.
Lark goes across the island to visit a new mother and she comes back to find she has been accused of being an accessory to murder when Magnus’ wife Isla gets ahold of one of Lark’s unfinished potions for fertility and throws herself off of a cliff and dies.
In 17th century Scotland, Lark is unjustly sentenced to “indentured servitude” and she is sent off to Virginia, even after Magnus tries to plead her innocence in court.
Magnus and Lark are both sent away, you will have to read the story yourself to find out what they endure and how God is with them.

Laura Frantz has written an exceptional historical in the phenomenal book, A Bound Heart. The book releases on Jan 1st, but it is already on my best of 2019 list! Engaging stories like this that sweep me away to another time and place are why I love to read inspiring historical fiction!

The characters of Lark McDougall, the mistress of the castle stillroom who concocts herbal remedies, to Laird Magnus McLeish who oversees his holdings and the people who live on his Kerrera Island, are nothing short of fascinating. The journey they travel takes them from their Scottish legacy to an unknown future. Seeing the darkest side of human nature only allows the light shining within them to shine all the brighter. Even though they suffer pain and false accusations, Lark is pure goodness and Magnus is a strong man of faith determined to set wrongs to right. His prayers throughout the ordeal they endure prove he is a man dependent on God's strength and not his own. His actions spoke loud and clear where Lark was concerned, but it only took one comment from him to make my swoon-worthy guy list.

This is a powerful story that deals with issues and injustices common to the 1750's and yet Magnus and Lark's humanity and beliefs are timeless based on the truths they learned growing up and attending the island kirk.
This story so captivated me I was left awestruck by story's end wondering what I could possibly read next, I just wanted to start reading the whole thing over and experience it all again. That particular feeling is what puts a book on my best books of the year list!

I applaud Laura Frantz's outstanding storytelling! I appreciate Revell Publishers for making a copy of A Bound Heart available for review.

I have been reading Laura Frantz’s historical fiction for years and have been swept away by her colorful prose and rich descriptions. A Bound Heart is no exception. Lark is an endearing heroine and Magnus is the strong man one has come to expect from Frantz. I found the story to be quick moving, even though it did lag some about three quarters into the book. Some readers maybe put off by the amount of Scottish words, but after a few chapters it is not a hindrance (and context typically provides a general definition if you are not interested in flipping to the glossary in the beginning).

The only reason I didn’t give five stars was due to the character of Ilsa. I believe that the difficult subject of miscarriage should be handled with greater sympathy.

All in all a sweeping saga that I definitely recommend.

Whenever I see a book with Laura Frantz's name on it, I know it will be good. A Bound Heart did not disappoint me.

I will admit the author had me wondering who the love interest for Lark MacDougall was in this book. But only for a few chapters and I loved how she kept me guessing! In the end, though, it is clear, that Lark and Magnus are meant to be together, but their riveting story is fraught with heartache and when it is finally over, you feel bereft that the characters are gone.

The author's vivid descriptions of scenery, combined with her well-developed characters, made this story one I was unable to put down. I highly recommend it!

Wow! I had heard great things of Laura Frantz's works and she didn't disappoint!
This novel is a full length book that will take you on a compelling journey through different countries, giving a glimpse at life and love while America was being settled. Interwoven throughout are glimpses of the issues of racism, infertility, & infidelity. Yet she gently, and clearly, shows that with each hardship life can bring us to, faith in God can bring us through it. A fantastic read!