A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz will make your reader heart cry for joy, “Great Scots!”
about the book
Though Magnus MacLeish and Lark MacDougall grew up on the same castle grounds, Magnus is now laird of the great house and the Isle of Kerrera. Lark is but the keeper of his bees and the woman he is hoping will provide a tincture that might help his ailing wife conceive and bear him an heir.
But when his wife dies suddenly, Magnus and Lark find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of accusations, expelled from their beloved island, and sold as indentured servants across the Atlantic. Yet even when all hope seems dashed against the rocky coastline of the Virginia colony, it may be that in this New World the two of them could make a new beginning–together.
Laura Frantz’s prose sparkles with authenticity and deep feeling as she digs into her own family history to share this breathless tale of love, exile, and courage in Colonial America.
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my thoughts
My reader heart desired and delighted in this story like a cozy blanket and a mug of rich hot cocoa on a damp and dismal winter day. Frantz’s always exquisite storytelling graces this literary journey with intimate, gentle pacing, vivid settings, and genuine characters. This book is wholly engaging to the most all-consuming, sleep-defying sense of the word.
Lark’s life, faith, fears, and loves leaped from the page and blurred the line between fiction and my truly tangled emotions. Her innocence and compassion are the characteristics which I found most endearing yet Lark’s growing strength and courage sustain her through the darkest valleys.
Magnus is a true hero… honest, humble, hard-working, and sacrificial. His dedication to duty, friends, and family is evidenced by the loyalty shown to him in return (especially by Lark’s granny and Magnus’s precious dog, both of whom who I adore). He is fiercely protective, intelligent, and charming!
The sights and sounds of Scotland are authenticly depicted as A Bound Heart evokes an entire spectrum of emotion. I highly recommend this story and fully expect this first review of 2019 to land on my year-end favorites list.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
about the author
Award-winning, bestselling author Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage.
She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750.
Frantz lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky. Visit her website!
also available
The Mistress of Tall Acre is featured in our BOOKISH BARGAINS!
giveaway
Laura Frantz has generously provided a paperback copy of A Bound Heart with bookmarks and a signed bookplate for one fortunate Faithfully Bookish reader!
paperback US only
complete giveaway rules
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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This story was inspired by the author’s own family history!
Do you have Scottish roots, reader friends?
Faithfully Bookish 
Beautiful review!
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Thank you, Susan!
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Sounds wonderful. Laura Franz is a must read author.
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It is and I agree, she is!
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Hi! I can’t wait to read Laura’s newest book. Thanks so much for the chance to win!
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I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, Cheryl!
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Hi! Happy New Year! This book sounds emotional and has excellent setting and characters. Can’t wait to read it.
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Happy New Year, Danielle! I hope you can get your hands on a copy soon!
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sounds great
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It’s SO great!
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I love reading Laura’s books! I can’t wait to read this new one! I do have some Scottish ancestry on both sides of my family tree.
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Very cool! I’m not sure if I have any Scots but my husband got me an Ancestry DNA kit for Christmas so I’ll find out soon!
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Scotland? Yes, please!
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Exactly!!!
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I just finished this book! I loved it! It’s definitely one for the keeper shelf and Best of 2019 list!
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I completely agree and I love that we were reading it together even though we are miles apart!
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I know I had some English ancestors on my mom’s side of the family. She thought we had some Scottish in the mix too but we haven’t gone back far enough to find any evidence of that. I do love Laura’s books so am wanting to read A Bound Heart.
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I love to think about how my own ancestors may have been living during these time periods as well! You’ll definitely enjoy this story, Pam!
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I love when authors use their backgrounds in their stories. I have Scotch/Irish on my grandmother’s side.
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Seems to give the story more heart, in my opinion. I love it too!
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I’m a full European mutt! Scotland is just one of the lovely countries from which my ancestors came! I hope to be able to visit Ireland and the UK someday.
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That would be an exciting adventure!
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I have never read anything from Laura Franz. This sounds good.
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Oh Terri! I hope you get your hands on a copy! The Lacemaker is equally wonderful so grab them both! 🙂
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I am so excited to get my hands on another Laura Frantz book! I don’t think I have Scottish roots, but definitely Danish, Irish, and English, so who knows? 😉
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Heidi, You’re a keeper even without Scottish roots 🙂 Thank you for being here and wanting to read ABH!
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This story sounds fascinating, and, yes, I do have some Scottish roots. I have tracked one line back to the 1700’s in Scotland, shortly before they came to the US. I have some other “probable” lines.
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Cathy, That’s so interesting your Scots kin came over about the same time as mine. They may have even known each other as Scotland is smaller than the state of Indiana. I appreciate your wanting to read!
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Don’t think i have any Scotthish roots but am a mix of English, French, German, and Dutch.
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Vivian, Thanks for being here. So interesting to know about everyone’s ancestry, yours included!
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Love Laura Frantz, such a gifted writer – I won’t be surprised if this book makes it onto my Best Reads 2019 either!
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
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This sounds like one close to her heart. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Hi Cynthia, Good to see you here! Happy 2019!
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I am excited to read your review and look forward to reading the book. I don’t think I have Scottish roots.
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Hi Connie, Bless you for being here. Beth Erin writes wonderful reviews! She could teach a class on how to do that:) And I’m honored you want to read this historical of mine!
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I remember my grandfather saying we were a bit Scotch-Irish but I don’t know the origin of that. It’s interesting that Laura Frantz wrote about her own family. It will be on my “must read” list.
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Perrianne, So good to see you here 🙂 Love those ‘must read’ lists. 2019 looks like a banner year for books!
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I’m not really sure. I would like to research my roots. Too busy reading Christian Fiction though.
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Emilee, We need undistracted readers like you :). Those roots can wait! Bless you for being here.
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Oh, thank you ALL for the wonderful comments and your heart to read! I’m late to the party as I’ve been under the weather and catching up. Thank you, Beth Erin, for being such a gracious hostess. The reading world is sure blessed to have you!
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Laura Frantz books are so beautifully written! Thanks so much for the chance to win her new release.?
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As far as I know I don’t have Scottish ancestry, but it’s entirely possible. As far as I know my family background is German and English.
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Love the review. My husband has some Scots in him, along with Rnglish & Irish. I have English & German. Thanx for the giveaway!!!
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Thanks for this giveaway! I have read one of her books and loved it!
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Absolutely love all your covers.
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I do not have Scottish roots. Mine are almost entirely German. When I read the premise for this story it reminded me a bit of Love’s Reckoning which I love. So I’m excited to read this!
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No Scottish roots for me. Mine are English and German
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Sounds like a great read beautiful cover thanks for the chance to win!
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I love all of Laura’s books. Her attention to detail and the way I feel like I’m a part of every story is my favorite part! Can’t wait to read A Bound Heart
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Lovely review! I keep hearing amazing things about this book and desperately want to read it! ❤ I have some Scottish roots on my mother's side, but I think the Polish on my dad's side is stronger. Love both though!
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I love your books! Keep writing!
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Sounds captivating and I love the cover!
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Would love to have a chance to win this! This book is literally everywhere on my social media feeds. Seems like everyone is reading and loving it! So I added it near the top of my to read list for sure!
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I absolutely love Laura Frantz’s books! Always so good! I do have Scottish roots, on my mom’s side. Thanks for the giveaway!
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This would be a great read during all these snow storms in the Midwest.
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Hello.
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