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Thicker Than Blood #3
Ties that Bind
Alt Cover: ASIN B00CT65S6Y
On a quest to find her father, a young woman discovers she has two sisters who have no idea she exists.
Newly released from prison, Brynn Taylor is determined to find her father, a man she's never met. Her only clue to his whereabouts is an address she finds in a rare volume of Jane Austen's "Sense & Sensibility" which he inscribed to her years ago. Armed with a bus ticket, a backpack, and her grandfather's gun, her search leads her to Elk Valley, Colorado where her plans and her life begin to unravel.
On a quest to find her father, a young woman discovers she has two sisters who have no idea she exists.
Newly released from prison, Brynn Taylor is determined to find her father, a man she's never met. Her only clue to his whereabouts is an address she finds in a rare volume of Jane Austen's "Sense & Sensibility" which he inscribed to her years ago. Armed with a bus ticket, a backpack, and her grandfather's gun, her search leads her to Elk Valley, Colorado where her plans and her life begin to unravel.
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First published January 1, 2014
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About the author
C.J. Darlington
15 books388 followersC. J.'s love of reading began when she was a kid dragging home bags of books from the library. When she was twelve she started dreaming about becoming a published author. That dream came true when her first novel Thicker than Blood won a national writing contest. It became the first book in the Thicker than Blood series, which also includes Bound by Guilt, Ties that Bind, and Running on Empty. She has also written Jupiter Winds and Jupiter Storm the first and second books in the Jupiter Winds series. Her children's fantasy Alison Henry and the Creatures of Torone has also been well received. She lives in Pennsylvania and is the horse care manager at a stables in Lancaster County.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 19, 2015
This plot is so much fun! I just love how the Jane Austen set of books come into play! Finding two sisters she didn't know she had? Awesome!
This is the third book in the Thicker than Blood series, but it could be a story all on its own. Very touching and sweet, but you'll be on the edge of your seat too.
This is the third book in the Thicker than Blood series, but it could be a story all on its own. Very touching and sweet, but you'll be on the edge of your seat too.
January 9, 2016
Hopefully I'll have a review up soon!
April 17, 2018
{3.5 stars}
With a mix of horses, antique books, and family ties, a story comes to life that will not soon be forgotten. I was pulled into Brynn's and Roxi's story and I loved the progression of it!
It's been awhile since I've read the other in this series, but thankfully this third book refreshed my memory and it was nice to see May and Christy again. If you're a horse lover, than you'll really love this book! I've never been a big horse person, but I did find the training scenes interesting. Now the book parts...those were the best!!
There is quite a lot of drug usage in this book, and the struggle of trying of addiction. I never was uncomfortable reading, but definitely would give a warning for younger readers. Romance was completely clean, and there were only very brief mentions of a couples interest and it is NOT a theme to the book. I loved the spiritual content and the salvation message is strong and real in so many of the characters. There was an euphemism used a few times that I find dirty, but besides that the language is clean.
This book ends happily, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the next book has in store!
With a mix of horses, antique books, and family ties, a story comes to life that will not soon be forgotten. I was pulled into Brynn's and Roxi's story and I loved the progression of it!
It's been awhile since I've read the other in this series, but thankfully this third book refreshed my memory and it was nice to see May and Christy again. If you're a horse lover, than you'll really love this book! I've never been a big horse person, but I did find the training scenes interesting. Now the book parts...those were the best!!
There is quite a lot of drug usage in this book, and the struggle of trying of addiction. I never was uncomfortable reading, but definitely would give a warning for younger readers. Romance was completely clean, and there were only very brief mentions of a couples interest and it is NOT a theme to the book. I loved the spiritual content and the salvation message is strong and real in so many of the characters. There was an euphemism used a few times that I find dirty, but besides that the language is clean.
This book ends happily, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the next book has in store!
December 20, 2015
Love this!
November 22, 2016
Even though this is only my second time reading the series, the books feel like old friends. Yes, I remember what happened (mostly), so not many surprises, but still there are enough to keep me being like "Wait, did *this* or *this* happen?" Plus, the characters. Ahhh! The characters. And the setting. It's so vivid to me. As I was reading through the series this time, all of my mind-pictures from two years ago when I read it kept popping up. It literally felt like I was visiting with friends.
My two little itty complaints would be: 1) The main character is 24, but most of the time I imagined her as in her late teens. I'm not sure why that would be, but she didn't exactly seem old enough for all she'd gone through. Although, now that I think about it, I have no clue why that would be, so that's probably just my fault. 2) There's a minor word that I didn't appreciate that was used several times throughout the book.
Other then that. Goodness. These books. They are amazing. And one of my favorite series. Although once again, I have no clue how to explain why. They're just beautiful. Beautiful and heartfelt.
My two little itty complaints would be: 1) The main character is 24, but most of the time I imagined her as in her late teens. I'm not sure why that would be, but she didn't exactly seem old enough for all she'd gone through. Although, now that I think about it, I have no clue why that would be, so that's probably just my fault. 2) There's a minor word that I didn't appreciate that was used several times throughout the book.
Other then that. Goodness. These books. They are amazing. And one of my favorite series. Although once again, I have no clue how to explain why. They're just beautiful. Beautiful and heartfelt.
March 1, 2024
Brynn just got released from jail where she had been incarcerated for five years. She had been arrested for drug related charges. Now that she is free, she decided to look for her father, whom she never knew. Her mother had made that request before she died from cancer six years earlier. All Brynn knew was that he was from Elk Valley, Colorado, and so she heads in that direction. There, she learns that her father is dead, but she has two sisters that she knew nothing about. She is reluctant to tell them who she is since it would be difficult for them to discover that their father had an affair. She is also uncertain that they will accept her once her past catches up to her. All Brynn wants is to be loved and accepted by family.
June 18, 2019
Love This Series
This is Book 3 in the Thicker Than Blood Series and each book is better than the previous one. The Series revolve around two of my favorite things - horses and books. I have been a reading addict since I learned to read as a child and I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. The author is obviously a fan of both, as well, and her knowledge is clearly shown in the series. A delightful reading experience!
This is Book 3 in the Thicker Than Blood Series and each book is better than the previous one. The Series revolve around two of my favorite things - horses and books. I have been a reading addict since I learned to read as a child and I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. The author is obviously a fan of both, as well, and her knowledge is clearly shown in the series. A delightful reading experience!
January 7, 2025
Har bara läst 100 sidor än så länge men de här böckerna blir ju bara bättre och bättre! Wow vad spännande det är att se hur en första upplaga av Stolthet och Fördom leder Brynn i sökandet efter sina rötter. Och hur den här tredje och avslutande delen otroligt skickligt binds ihop med de föregående delarna. Jag verkar har en till favoritförfattare nu! Och det är lika mycket kärlek till hästar som till böcker i alla tre böckerna 🥰
June 29, 2018
Excellent series
This series is excellent. Good storyline, good depth of characters, excellent combination of God's grace and people's failure. And people making beauty out of their ashes.
This series is excellent. Good storyline, good depth of characters, excellent combination of God's grace and people's failure. And people making beauty out of their ashes.
August 26, 2018
Hard to put down!
C. J. Darlington is an awesome author! Ties that Bind is an excellent read, exciting, always wanting to see what happens next and how each situation that appears is handled.
C. J. Darlington is an awesome author! Ties that Bind is an excellent read, exciting, always wanting to see what happens next and how each situation that appears is handled.
October 18, 2018
Newly released from prison, Brynn Taylor is determined to find her father, a man she's never met. Her only clue to his whereabouts is an address she finds in a rare volume of Jane Austen's "Sense & Sensibility" which he inscribed to her years ago.
July 31, 2018
Another interesting book
This book has characters who were searching for some stability in their lives. I kept reading to see What would happen next.
This book has characters who were searching for some stability in their lives. I kept reading to see What would happen next.
December 19, 2019
Excellent read!
February 20, 2020
AWESOME!!!!!!!!
This is an awesome book!!!!!! I can't imagine what the 4th book will be like, but one looking forward to reading it!!!! These get better and better!!!!
This is an awesome book!!!!!! I can't imagine what the 4th book will be like, but one looking forward to reading it!!!! These get better and better!!!!
February 29, 2024
Excellent read
Excellent written book, story was excellent, loved the faith sprinkled in their lives, the challenges were real! Kept your interest!
Excellent written book, story was excellent, loved the faith sprinkled in their lives, the challenges were real! Kept your interest!
April 22, 2016
The books in the series have been consistent so far and I don't think it'll change even if I've yet to read the last installment. Again, each book can be read on its own but it is best to go through them chronologically.
Ties That Bind talk about three sisters: May and Christy, who we've both met since book number 1; and their half-sister Brynn. Brynn grew up a Christian but wavered and turned to unbelief when life's trials became too much for her. Knowing that she had to keep on the straight and narrow, she succumbed to temptation (no book thief this time) and, it took time for her to acknowledge that she is not beyond hope. While a lot of us may not have the same struggles as Brynn, we may find looking at ourselves through the other characters in this book. As much as Sunday mass homilies may sound repetitive, the stories of the various lives of the different characters in the book also serve us reminders of how God loves each one of us.
Here is my favorite line from this book: "She'd come all the way out here to Elk Valley searching for her father. Well, it looked like she'd found Him. He just wasn't Who she'd expected."
Ties That Bind talk about three sisters: May and Christy, who we've both met since book number 1; and their half-sister Brynn. Brynn grew up a Christian but wavered and turned to unbelief when life's trials became too much for her. Knowing that she had to keep on the straight and narrow, she succumbed to temptation (no book thief this time) and, it took time for her to acknowledge that she is not beyond hope. While a lot of us may not have the same struggles as Brynn, we may find looking at ourselves through the other characters in this book. As much as Sunday mass homilies may sound repetitive, the stories of the various lives of the different characters in the book also serve us reminders of how God loves each one of us.
Here is my favorite line from this book: "She'd come all the way out here to Elk Valley searching for her father. Well, it looked like she'd found Him. He just wasn't Who she'd expected."
August 22, 2014
Brynn is released from a five-year stint in prison to find no one waiting for her. With nothing more to her name than an old book, her grandfather's gun, a backpack, and a sleeping bag, she sets out on a quest to find her father whom she has never seen. Instead of finding him, in small-town Colorado, she discovers that she has two sisters. And that changes her life.
Families come in many forms, as Bynn soon understands. But is she ready to tell the truth? This is a spellbinding story of self-exploration and forgiveness. I read it in two days, because I could't put it down. What would happen next stayed in my mind all day. Darlington's writing style sinks to the background in a way that makes you forget you are reading. You begin to live the story along with the characters. You are there. You feel what they feel and experience the action they do. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
Families come in many forms, as Bynn soon understands. But is she ready to tell the truth? This is a spellbinding story of self-exploration and forgiveness. I read it in two days, because I could't put it down. What would happen next stayed in my mind all day. Darlington's writing style sinks to the background in a way that makes you forget you are reading. You begin to live the story along with the characters. You are there. You feel what they feel and experience the action they do. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
September 2, 2013
Jennie Buchanan photographs needy children. She's having a show of her photographs for her charity, Photos of Hope, that helps the children receive medical care and food. When someone trashes her photos on display for the show, they send Jennie a message not to open the show. She teams with the Justice Agency for protection and brainpower to decide who is behind destruction of her photos and also her house. Ethan Justice heads up the case. Jennie broke Ethan's heart and her own a few years ago when she walked away from their relationship. Jennie couldn't live with her past, much less explain it to Ethan. Can she now work with him as he protects her from harm but at the same time makes her heart flip?
January 17, 2016
Loved this book! Heartwarming, inspiring and you'll need a box of Kleenex. A wonderful story of finding yourself and learning what family means. I hope those of you who enjoy a good heartfelt read, will pick this book up. I've read all of C.J.'s books, and enjoyed them; can't wait for the next one.
October 24, 2015
I really enjoyed the previous two books in this series, but I had a hard time getting into this one and staying interested. I think it is because I didn't really connect with Brynn. I did finish it though, because I did want to know what was going on with the sisters. Overall I was happy with the way it ended.
June 30, 2015
Really enjoyed this book. Probably would have liked it more if I had read the series in order. This is as my first read by this author but from other reviews I think it's the last book in the series. Will definitely try to figure out which of the others in this series is first and read the rest of the series.
December 6, 2015
Great series
I really loved this series it is so focused on family relationships. I found the first book in the series on bookbub. That book hooked me from the beginning. All I wanted to do was finish this series-it was that good! If you want to read a good Christian book(s) pick up this series you won't be disappointed.
I really loved this series it is so focused on family relationships. I found the first book in the series on bookbub. That book hooked me from the beginning. All I wanted to do was finish this series-it was that good! If you want to read a good Christian book(s) pick up this series you won't be disappointed.
November 28, 2014
God works in mysterious ways!
How God works to bring people together. Whether they be family or friends. Just trust that will always take care of you. Sometimes it doesn't matter what the situation can be. Just trust.
How God works to bring people together. Whether they be family or friends. Just trust that will always take care of you. Sometimes it doesn't matter what the situation can be. Just trust.
April 5, 2015
Held my interest always through. GOD'S blessing shows always
The story on all continues without leaving information out. God's word is shown in reality. A very good read. The series is great
The story on all continues without leaving information out. God's word is shown in reality. A very good read. The series is great
April 18, 2015
C. J. Darlington has written a wonderful trilogy of books here. Her characters are flawed but real, well developed, and very believable. Her writing keeps you turning pages deep into the night, when you should be sleeping. I highly recommend this series to anyone!
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May 11, 2015
Super Read
The girls in this book remind me of some of the girls I have taught in the past 40 years. The problems they faced and the progression of the plot were super. I could not put the book down.
The girls in this book remind me of some of the girls I have taught in the past 40 years. The problems they faced and the progression of the plot were super. I could not put the book down.
March 11, 2015
Thicker than blood series
This series was a cannot put down stories your hooked quickly waiting to see how it pan's out I hope there is a fourth installment coming
This series was a cannot put down stories your hooked quickly waiting to see how it pan's out I hope there is a fourth installment coming
November 20, 2015
great book so must read
February 1, 2017
I really enjoyed the book. I went out and bought the next one in the series right after I finished it.
April 14, 2017
Great story
C. J. Darlington done it again. Great story about how God gives second chances. Can't wait to read the next book.
C. J. Darlington done it again. Great story about how God gives second chances. Can't wait to read the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews