Bound by Hope

by Kally Jo Surbeck

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0977010708
• ISBN13: 9780977010707
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Vintage Romance Publishing
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.9" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Bound by Hope

The year is 1907. Haunted by memories before the adoption as well as the happy reminiscences of life with her new family, Kaitlyn O'Connel (Katy) accepts a job as a rail rider for the Orphan Train. As one of the lucky ones who managed to find a family, helping orphaned children find loving homes is a task close to Katy's heart. Though Katy had been lucky enough to start a new life, the loneliness of being an orphan had never really went away. Apart from her charges, Katy felt had no one to share her life. Bound by Hope is both an inspiring and heart breaking story. Many of the children on the real Orphan Trains were lucky enough to find loving families. Others were taken advantage of and were abused by those individuals who were supposed to ease their pain, suffering, and loneliness. This book shares the stories of both endings while exploring a different kind of love story in which the heroine's passion and love for children that the world had abandoned is foremost and the romance action is secondary.

"...a touching, dramatic, hopeful romance..."

History and heartbreak are all too commonly linked. The orphans in Kally Jo Surbeck's vivid "vintage" romance, BOUND BY HOPE, are in very good hands, however. While tragic circumstances unite these children, Ms. Surbeck's crusading heroine is a calm, nurturing influence and strengthens the children's fragile hopes for the future...Wiser-than-his-years Davis and dear little Allan are especially endearing...Regrettably, Katy and Calum's paths are slow to intersect. The wait is worth it, of course, but their relationship is a little too underdeveloped -- a little too limited in their interactions with each other -- to fully satisfy this reviewer...Nonetheless, BOUND BY HOPE is a touching, dramatic, hopeful romance from Kally Jo Surbeck and Vintage Romance Publishing. I was reluctant to turn the last page, in fact, because I didn't want to say goodbye to Katy, Calum and friends quite so soon. The plot is an incredibly inspiring one; heartbreaking, too -- this is the first I've heard of the Orphan Trains -- and will leave its mark on a reader. A warm and glowing one, at that. Review excerpt by Cheryl Jeffries, [...]

Wonderful, sweet romance, rivoting historical detail

I was touched by Bound By Hope. This is one of those books that stay with you long after you're done reading it. The children, the suspense, the romance...all are top rate. I especially enjoyed the interaction of Randall and Allan, the two small boys in the story with Lucas, the hero's friend and business partner. The big man is so gentle with the little ones and they take to him like a bear to honey. Calum the hero is just to die for. So sexy, so strong and yet so gentle. Can there be any better hero? Not in my mind. He and Katy are destined for each other. She is the perfect heroine. Strong, smart, sassy and independent. Taking matters into her own hands to do what she believes in. The history of the Orphan Trains is facinating to me. This was a sad time in our history and the good and bad of the time is told here with compassion and honesty. A better job could not have been done. Bravo Ms. Surbeck, for taking on the challenge of telling the tale of this sad time and doing it in such a way, that it comes alive. And thank you for leaving us misty eyed and hopeful. I can't wait for more stories from your talented mind.

Sweet romance with satisfying suspense!

Setting: early 1900's US Kaitlyn O'Connel is a woman haunted by her past and resolves to become a guardian to children on the orphan trains heading west. But not all people are looking out for the best interest of the children and when she discovers a horrible plot to use children, she must trust Calum Banagher, a self made business man, to help her. As soon as he meets her, Calum knows Kaitlyn is the one for him, so he says he will help her to clear his name but he is actually aiming to win her heart. Kally Jo Surbeck has done it again! Using her trademark descriptive passages, she pulls the reader in from the beginning. Weaving a story full of suspense and heartwarming love is no small feat, but Surbeck does it seamlessly. The emotional depth of this book is stunning, and her readers will once again be astounded by her diversity. Her lyrical decriptions enthralled this reader. The setting and subject are as original as the tale she spins. Want a satisfying suspense wrapped around a sweet and passionate romance? Bound by Hope hits the mark!