Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Guest Post with C.J. Darlington, author of Bound by Guilt & Giveaway

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I’m happy to welcome C.J. Darlington, author of Bound by Guilt to Peeking Between the Pages today. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading C.J.’s novel yet but will be soon as it sounds fantastic and I’m crazy about the cover with the books pictured on it. Looks great! Today C.J. Darlington is going to share with us her Inspiration Behind Bound by Guilt…


When I first started writing Bound by Guilt I was intrigued by the concept of a person making a living stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores and selling them for a profit. I’ve been involved in the antiquarian book trade for over twelve years, so I was able to imagine the logistics of how this would work. Then I read an article about a young man who’d been arrested in California for doing this very thing. It was such an interesting crime, I knew I had to put it in a book! My fictional Dawson’s Book Barn, which was introduced in my first novel Thicker than Blood, was the perfect setting. It’s based on the real-life bookstore Baldwin’s Book Barn in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I have many fond memories of losing myself among the shelves at Baldwin’s, and I’ve literally gotten lost trying to find my way down to the entrance room from the fifth floor.

In Bound by Guilt one rare book in particular takes center stage. First editions of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald with their dust jackets, can fetch from thirty to even a hundred thousand dollars in good condition. I didn’t make that up. In fact, all of the rare book collecting facts and tidbits in Bound by Guilt are based on things I’ve heard or they’re from my own personal experiences traveling the country in an RV to book sales.

Another idea which propelled this novel was a scenario that came to me one night while out walking in my backyard. I remember stuffing my hands into the pockets of my jean jacket and taking in a deep breath of the cool air. My shoes crunched in the dirt, and the thought hit me—what if I suddenly found myself with nothing but the clothes on my back? Where would I go? What would I do? It was a concept that stayed with me for years and one my main character, Roxi Gold, experiences first hand. Roxi is a girl who yearns for a family and will do anything to fit in. She touched my heart while I wrote her story, and I hope she’ll touch yours too. Roxi’s feelings are universal. We all long to be loved. We’ve all felt guilt.

I began writing Bound by Guilt with these thoughts in my mind, but I didn’t know how they would come together into a cohesive story yet. After several months of writing and rewriting the first chapters I decided to write the rest of the book really fast. I gave myself six weeks. That meant I needed to type 1500 words a day, five days a week. But here’s the kicker—I would not be allowed to re-read anything I’d written the day before. Impossible you say? I thought so too until I gave it a try. It ended up really working for me.

I’m so excited to be able to finally share this story. It was an adventure to write, and I hope it’s an adventure for you to read!
__________

Thank you so much for sharing this great guest post with us C.J.! I always find it fascinating to hear the stories behind what inspires an author! I’m really looking forward to reading Bound by Guilt!
__________

About the Book (from C.J. Darlington’s website)

Shuttled between foster homes, Roxi Gold will do anything to fit in. Soon she’s traveling the country stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society—and not just at work. One fateful night, both their lives are changed forever. One searches for justice, the other finds herself on the run. Will the power of forgiveness set them free?

Check out the book trailer

About the Author (from C.J. Darlington’s website)


C. J. Darlington won the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest with her first novel, Thicker Than Blood. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over twelve years, scouting for stores similar to the ones described in her novels before cofounding her own online bookstore. In 2006 C. J. started the Christian entertainment Web site www.TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. A homeschool graduate, she makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats.

C.J. Darlington’s website
Follow her on Twitter
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Check out the other tour stops.
Buy at Amazon, Christianbook.com, and Barnes & Noble!
__________

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Bound by Guilt by C.J. Darlington to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know in your comment as the extra entry is yours as well.
  • For 3 entries tweet or blog this giveaway and spread the word!

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, April 9/11. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I loved the post so much! This is really intriguing. I've seen rare expensive books online being sold. Don't include me in the giveaway – not a US/Canadian resident.

  2. Sounds like a great book! Beautiful cover!

    I am a follower.

    Posted on my right sidebar.

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  3. Sounds like a fascinating novel. Thanks for including the trailer, and thanks for the giveaway.

    I am a follower through Google.

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  4. I hadn't seen this book before, but it sounds interesting.
    seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)Com

  7. The book and the creation story behind it are just fascinating and make me really want to read this one! I would love to be entered in your giveaway, Dar!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

    I am also a follower of your blog!

  8. Interesting concept for a book. I'd really enjoy this.

    I am a follower of your blog.

    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  9. I have not read any of CJ's books yet. This one sounds great.

    I am a follower.

    nisethusfarATyahooDOT

  10. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to win this.

    I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  12. This is a definite must read for me: I help to run a non-profit used bookshop, so the rare book angle fascinates me. Thanks so much for this review!

  19. I would love to be entered. How could I pass up a story about a book thief?

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

    I'm a follower, by the way.

  21. I would really like to read this book. One of our neighbors adopted a preteen boy who had been shuffled from one foster home to another all his life. He had got into lots of trouble. His adoptive parents were not what you call "warm".

    One time, I saw him peering into our family room from outside. I wondered if he was looking for a real family. I have always wondered what happened to him. This book gives me some hope that he might have found some help later. Please enter me for this contest.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  24. Wonderful post! I've always been intrigued by the true stories of those who steal from libraries.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  28. Great post!!! Thanks for the chance to win!! I also follow!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  29. Darlene , it has been too long since I spent some time reading your terrific blog.

    Please enter me in this great giveaway. The book sounds really good.

    I am a follower. I will post this in my blog's sidebar.

    suko85(at)gmail.com

  36. Don't enter me for the giveaway because I already read/reviewed this book, but I love this piece on C.J! She's the sweetest and one of my editors at TitleTrakk.com! 🙂

  38. Thanks for the opportunity!
    I am already a follower, and I also retweeted this on twitter!

    kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com
    twitter.com/kdaze10

  42. Not only do I want to read this one but I want to get lost in that bookstore in PA!!!!!

  43. 1. I follow by Google Reader! the (dot) zealous (dot) reader (at) gmail (dot) com.

  47. The premise of this one sounds intriguing. Great guest post! Interesting how she didnt allow herself to re-read what she'd written the day before while writing.

  48. This sounds like a great book! I look forward to it. It reminds me of the book thief. I am following your blog. Happy Reading!

  53. Great post! It never even occurred to me that people would steal from libraries on purpose, call me naive. This sounds like an interesting book.

    GFC Follower

    hopester777 at gmail dot com

  58. I've had my eye on this book since the first time I saw a review. Would love to win a copy.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

  60. This book sound great! I would love to win it. I just started following your blog and I can be reached at kelly(dot)baker92 (at)gmail(dot) com.

  62. "[…] what if I suddenly found myself with nothing but the clothes on my back? Where would I go? What would I do?" Those questions made me think.

  66. This sounds like a great book. I really want to read this one.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

  68. I am a new follower. Can't wait to read this intriguing novel. Will pass it on once I read it. Will tweet about you and link you to our facebook page.

    quellever@aol.com

  69. I really like the cover of this one. The premise sounds wildly unique and interesting. You have a lot of great books up for giveaway. 😀

    My e-mail is wakeupangel at googlemail dot com

  78. This book would make a great read. I would enjoy it very much. Please enter me. Thanks!

    GFC Follower!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  81. This sounds like a great book! And I love the cover! Count me in!

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

  87. This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net