A Taste of Sin

Sin Trilogy #1

by Connie Mason

Lady Christy Macdonald had been ordered to marry St. John Thornton when she was a mere child. But her wedding day was the last time the spirited Scottish beauty had set eyes on her English bridegroom, who has become the notorious rake they call “Lord Sin”. Now she is a woman, and under pressure to end her sham marriage in order to wed the Cameron chieftain, Yet fiery, independent Christy wants a new groom even less that she wanted the first. So she hatches a plan to secure an heir and deter a suitor by seducing the infamous “Sin”.

Come hell or high water, Lady Christy would have her long-awaited wedding night at last. But first she had to seduce the dashing rogue who has claimed her as bride--in name only!

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Historical Fiction, Marriage Of Convenience, Adult, Enemies To Lovers

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

Connie Mason or Cara Miles is the best-selling author of more than fifty historical romances and novellas. Her tales of passion and adventure are set in exotic as well as American locales. Connie was named Story Teller of the Year in 1990 by Romantic Times and was awarded Career Achievement award in the Western category by Romantic Times in 1994. Connie makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida with her husband Jerry.

Prior to her first published work in 1984, Connie was a full time homemaker. Always an avid reader, writing was one of Connie's dreams.

In 1995 Connie was featured on a segment of the CBS news show 48 Hours, a television production that devoted an entire program to the romance novel industry. Connie was also featured in an article published by National Inquirer.

In addition to writing and traveling, Connie enjoys telling anyone who will listen about her three children and nine grandchildren, and sharing memories of her years living abroad in Europe and Asia as the wife of a career serviceman. In her spare time Connie enjoys reading, dancing, playing bridge and freshwater fishing with her husband.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hero and heroine got married when they were only kids. They haven't seen each other for years. Years later heroine is a woman who is determined to seduce her husband and have a baby so as to escape marriage to a man of her clan. Sinjun is a manwhore and a slut and he easily seduces Christy but when he finds out the woman he seduced is his wife and she is now pregnant with his child he goes to the highlands to be with them. He is forced to leave them for a while but he intents to return that is until Christy sends him a letter saying their baby is dead and that she wants an annulment so as to marry a man of her clan. Wow! So much drama and angst! I couldn't put this book down. I loved Sinjun and Christy. They were perfect together and their chemistry was sizzling. Don't read this if u like flawless heroes because this hero was the biggest manwhore and player but personally I loved that! Still if you are a hero hater stay away from this book lol

[Neus Gutiérrez · Rating 1 out of 5]

He aquí ese cliché odioso que tiene la novela romántica sobre los libros machistas y las relaciones tóxicas que se intentan justificar con algunos momentos y con la época. No, gracias. Te pintan ya desde un principio que la pareja de protagonistas se casaron prácticamente por poderes, sin consumar el matrimonio, y él volvió a Londres y la dejó en sus Tierras Altas sin preocuparse ni por su futuro, ni por el clan, ni por nada.

Partiendo de esa base, él debería representarse como un auténtico gilipollas inglés que quizá por méritos, madurez y poco a poco, consigue ganársela a ella y al final terminan juntos y felices. Eso sería una historia coherente, romántica y "normal". Pero no, para qué pudiendo hacer otro relato más de novela romántica con trasfondo machista y relaciones tóxicas con tiras y afloja durante todo el maldito rato, y encima un dramatismo infernal.

CUIDADO SPOILERS!
¿Qué por qué digo eso? Pues porque, la protagonista llega a Londres dispuesta a seducir a su propio marido con un nombre falso para consumar el matrimonio, prevenir así que ningún hombre en las highlands la tome contra su voluntad y además engendrar un heredero para su clan y darle a ella otro motivo para vivir. ¿Pero qué ocurre? Pues que saltan chispas entre ambos al momento, todo es maravilloso -pese a que él se ha portado como un capullo con ella desde siempre- y tras cuatro polvos, porque no hacen nada más, ella queda enamoradísima y embarazada y huye al norte para no "perder su corazón". Él se entera de todo, enfadadísimo por supuesto, va, se perdonan y están juntos unos meses. Entonces un malo escocés super grande y super rudo, atenta contra la vida de él y amenaza a la pobre protagonista con matarle, entonces ella le miente a su marido, le dice que ya no le ama y que el niño ha muerto. ¿Y él vuelve a Escocia para saber qué ha pasado? Pues no, se queda en Londres volviendo a follar con toda suelta que se le presente por delante. Y cuando ella aparece en Londres, él la trata de puta y de todo, y ella SE DISCULPA y le enseña a su hijo, él no deja que se explique y aún así ella lo busca, y lo quiere y se rebaja constantemente... hasta que estalla una rebelión en su clan y ella le pide a Sinjun que la deje partir, pero él la chantajea con quitarle a su hijo y no dejarle volver a verlo ni a pisar su casa. Y ella aún así se va, para salvar a su gente, él está mega enfadado porque los ha abandonado, la hermana pone paz contándole la verdad, él se va a por ella, la salva... y... ella vuelve a huir porque siente que él ya no la ama por todo lo que ha hecho -porque perdonadme, pero todavía no he entendido que es lo que ha hecho ella como para merecer nada, si desde que se casaron quién la caga una vez tras otra y ni se disculpa es él- y al final se reconcilian y todo es maravilloso. O SEA NO. NO, gracias.

[Lady Jaye · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the second time I have tried to read a book by Ms. Mason, only to be defeated by the inane writing and idiot characters.

Our hero is the most unpleasant male character I have read in a while and I just couldn't stack him or his foolishness. Our heroine is not better. Stupid girl.

An Sinjun is such a STUPID nickname, don't care if it is a play on the name St. John - it is stupid. Utter waste of time.

I gave up 16% of the way through and that was 16% too much.

[Liriom_Land · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ❤

El libro me ha gustado, pero reconozco que Christy (la protagonista) me ha sacado de "quicio" las 3/4 partes del libro 😣. Creo que no me he topado antes con un personaje tan inseguro de si mismo 🤔.
Va contando mentira tras mentira y cada cual lia mas el tema (!!!! chica, piensa un poco antes de actuar a la desesperada constantemente!!! 😕).
Tambien, gracias a ello, se mantiene la tensión y no pierdes interés por saber como se resuelve tanto lio. 😬

[Christel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Bad!! At least this author does not write in an Irish Brogue.

Sin and Christy had been married when Christy was 7 and Sin was just 14. Sin being English and Christy being Scottish was not a match made in heaven. But when they finally consummate their wedding vows, a fire begins to burn.

[Addicted2Luv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love the book. I found it hard to empathize with the heroine because of the serious lies she told the hero. It made me not like her. Sure, he was a rake and a rogue, but she knew that when she sought him out.

I was relieved that the heroine didn't have the Scottish brogue of her kinsmen...the usual ye didna, ye couldna, etc. But why did the kinsmen have the brogue, and she only had a slight accent?

I liked the hero's honesty in telling her he didn't know if he could change his ways or not, but that he did attempt to do so...until she lied to him yet again.

I did enjoy the characters' chemistry and the many erotic episodes.

[Raffaella · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plot: Sinjun and christy married when they where children, then he left her in the highlands and became a profligate and a rake. 14 years later Christy, comes to London to have a baby with her estranged husband. Of course he doesn’t recognize her and makes her his mistress. Then, when she’s pregnant, she comes back to the Highlands. Soon Sinjun discover her ruse and goes to live with her in the highlands. The book should end here, instead there are some Big Misunderstandings and Other Very Stupid decisions from both Christy and Sinjun that drags this book to eternity. None of the characters behave with coherence, they change their mind and their mood in a disturbing way. Christy’s decisions are the most stupid and unforgivable And it’s difficult for me to follow them. Ok it’s not great prose here but a little bit of respect for the reader’s intellect should be preferred. Vote:3/10
Hero. I don’t understand how women writer can conceive male characters which are so shallow and stupid and mean that even in real life it’s difficult to meet them! Is it supposed to be a hero? A male character a girl can dream of? Sinjun is a manwhore, spineless man, doesn’t care about anything and has no respect nor consideration for his young estranged wife. Even after they have a misunderstanding he immediately goes whoring about as if nothing happened. Because he is a man and for man is different is his excuse. I think that if I were a man I would be very offended by this kind of picturing male characters by a woman. It would be just like if a man writer writes that the heroine is a bitch because women are all bitches!! Men even in real life are not so shallow and stupid. I can’t forgive nor accept a man going after women only because he’s angry with the woman he loves. This is a stereotype and it’s very serious that are women writers that carry this on. In this case dear writer, I believe women are the worst enemy of themselves!
Vote: 1/10
Heroine: in the beginning I like her, until she made the Big Mistake! Huge! To lie to his husband to save his life. No, really. Stupid stupid woman! Vote :4/10

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually quite good. I'm really surprised. This book was a freebie and I'm glad that it was as I doubt that after I've read Caress and Conquer, I would have wasted money on another CM book. This one is no bodice ripper but a highland / regency romance. I think that I'll probably also will read the other books of her Sin series (A breath of scandal / A touch so wicked )

[Idoia Martínez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me ha gustado cómo escribe la autora, la ambientación, la historia y los sentimientos, aunque he de reconocer que hay demasiadas repeticiones, que en la prosa se repiten constantemente pensamientos o acciones que ya sabemos y eso lo alarga innecesariamente.
Me ha molestado cómo Christy actúa, aunque es parte de la trama. Me cuesta encontrar la lógica para actuar cómo lo hace y esperar que Sinjun la perdone. Hay cosas imperdonables, a pesar de la lógica que puedan tener. Él se porta bien con ella, le demuestra cuánto la quiere en muchas ocasiones y ella debería corresponderle.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tenia potencial para 5 estrellas, pero se queda en 4 por las estupideces que hizo Christy, a pesar de esto me gusto mucho la historia.

[Patricia Tata · Rating 5 out of 5]

He disfrutado de este libro de principio a fin. Precioso...😍

[Maura · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this started out at 3 stars from when I read it so long ago. I've dropped it down to two. I've decided that these characters are idiots. Really. Basically, it comes the heroine lying to the hero over and over and over and over again. And it comes to the hero being an unforgiving ass who won't LISTEN to the heroine's reasons for lying because that might actually solve their problems. Really...who says, "I'm sorry, I'm just not ready to listen to your explanation." for a whole month!!! And then of course he's finally ready, just as she's about to run off to save the Highlands or something and she says, 'There's no time." You've been waiting for a month to tell him!!! Just spit it out. But of course she doesn't and we have another misunderstanding. But then the book would have been about a hundred pages shorter...and I would have been okay with that. This book should be handed to newly wedded couples as a warning about the danger of not communicating with one another.

[Fina Andres garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una vez que lo empiezas, no puedes parar, engancha y te transporta a otra época donde la mujeres son casadas a los 7 años, en las Tierra Altas escocesas, aunque en este caso le fue bastante bien, gracias a su inteligencia consigue enamorar a un granuja redomado y superar muchas dificultades. Muy bien escrito y traducido y la encuadernación del libro es inmejorable. Os lo rcomiendo

[Lady Raven RAVE! · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good and entertaining read for me personally. Sin's character was good along with Christy. I also like Sin's family. good read

[LIBERTY · Rating 3 out of 5]

BUGIE E TENTAZIONI di Connie Mason aveva tutte le carte per diventare uno dei miei romanzi rosa preferiti, ma ha perso molto del suo mordente nell'evoluzione della storia.
Ci troviamo dopo la fine di Culloden, con gli scozzesi vinti e smarriti, dopo il fallimento della rivoluzione giacobita. St. John Thornton, giovane marchese di Derby, ha solo 14 anni quando la sua famiglia decide di farlo sposare con Christy MacDonnald, la figlia di solo 7 anni di un potente capo clan. Lei è l'erede designata e la prassi è quella di far sposare le figlie dei nobili scozzesi con degli inglesi, privandoli quindi delle loro terre. St. John è un ragazzino che già sembra mostrare il potenziale di seduzione che lo trasformerà nel famoso Lord Sin, mentre Christy è una bambina ribelle, che odia il nemico che l'ha privata del padre e dei fratelli. Costretti a sposarsi praticamente bambini, i due si lasciano con l'impressione di un feroce disgusto. Dopo quasi 15 anni, Sinjun, come si fa chiamare dagli amici, vive la sua vita dissoluta a Londra, ignorando la moglie che non vede praticamente dal giorno delle nozze, utilizzando la scusa di essere sposato per evitare tutte le madri a caccia di un marito per le proprie figlie, godendo invece i favori di vedove e donne sposate.
Un giorno, durante una festa, la sua attenzione viene attirata da una giovane donna, Flora Randall, arrivata da sola senza il vecchissimo marito lasciato in Cornovaglia. La donna, che vive con un uomo praticamente impotente, è a caccia di un amante che possa darle un figlio per poi scomparire dalla sua esistenza. L'attrazione è immediata e Sinjun prova per Flora un'infatuazione che non ha mai sperimentato prima. Peccato che dopo meno di tre mesi, Flora scompare dalla scena lasciando Sinjun con il cuore spezzato, il sospetto che li porti in grembo suo figlio e l'incapacità di dimenticarla.
A complicare le cose arriva la notizia che la moglie scozzese è rimasta incinta di qualche suo amante e St. John decide finalmente di cambiare area e di raggiungere la pestifera creatura che ha sposato per chiederle l'annullamento, non intenzionato a dare il suo cognome al figlio di un altro. Grande è il suo stupore quando scopre che Christy non è altro che Flora, arrivata a Londra per costringerlo a consumare il matrimonio e a darle un figlio che possa permetterle di assicurarsi il controllo della proprietà.
In Scozia St John si trova ad avere a che fare con una moglie singolare, corteggiata da un pretendente che vorrebbe appropriarsi anche della terra della donna. Quando però l'azione riporta Christy a Londra, le vicende si appiattiscono.
Se la prima parte si presenta avvincente, la seconda scivola nella noia del tira e molla dove i due protagonisti non fanno altro che incontrarsi furtivamente, cedere alla passione e separarsi dopo, con continue scene di sesso (spesso anche descritte nello stesso modo) che nulla aggiungono, neanche a livello emotivo o di coinvolgimento, al punto che si va avanti per inerzia. Ovviamente si arriverà al ritorno in Scozia, che crea un minimo di movimento con il rapimento di lei, ma dopo aver svilito la storia riempendola di cose improbabili la magia iniziale si è persa. Peccato perché le idee erano ottime, non sempre ben sviluppate.

[Nessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHILE THIS STORY VEXED ME A LITTLE, AND I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT THE HERO IS AN ADMIRABLE MAN AT TIMES...I STILL ENJOYED THIS.

OUR HERO is overly arrogant about his bed play and the fact that he is attractive adds to his nickname, Lord Sin. Wedded to a Scottish lass he vehemently dislikes when he was 14, it serves a good purpose to ward off marriage minded mamas and allows him to indulge in sexual fervors with married women and widows. One night, he meets the most strikingly beautiful woman and like a fever in his blood, he pursues her and claims her, even believing her silly made up story about wanting his child to pawn off for her old, decrepit husband. Okay, let me just say that woman is in actual fact his wife...but even so, the decisions he made when he DIDN'T know it was her...was the shittiest thing a man can do. It was quite hurtful. To impregnate, and keep fucking strangers (they were all his wife in disguise) was just....bleh in bad taste. The only reason to forgive him for it, is because we know the author knows that we know that the woman is the heroine herself. Anyways, when Lady Flora abandons him, he wallows in misery and is heartbroken. Receiving news of his own pregnant wife, he travels back to the highlands to confront the chit for a divorce only to discover Lady Flora is Christy. Now, he wants to play house, except he has a lot to learn about being a Laird's husband. If you ask me whether he and Christy work well as a couple, the answer in No. Why? Because both were too absorbed and selfish in their personal needs and affliction.

OUR HEROINE is Laird of her clan, and there are some who are not happy about it. And said man forces her to wed him and annul her current marriage to Sin. So, she makes a plan. Go to London, seduce her husband and get pregnant! That goes awry when she falls for Sin's wicked touch and never expected him to come to the Highlands. But she wants love and if he's not ready to become the husband she wants, then he's not going to stay for long. I don't know if I approve of Christy's method of protecting her husband's life because it caused quite some problems...

OVERALL they weren't the best couple combination or they would have worked out fine if only they communicated more and had a better understanding of where each other is coming from. I didn't see any of that here...so yea...

[Aikaterini · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Taste of Sin" by Connie Mason is an enchanting book that immerses readers in a world of intense and sweet romance. From the first page to the last, the palpable chemistry between the main characters leaves an indelible mark on your heart.

Mason's vivid and evocative storytelling transports you to a realm where passion ignites, and emotions run wild. The love story that unfolds within these pages is an intoxicating blend of desire, vulnerability, and undeniable attraction. The tale keeps you captivated, eagerly flipping through the chapters to discover what happens next.

The hero Lord Sin or ‘Sinjun’ is a rake, an impossible womanizer. The heroine Christy is a fiery stubborn woman. They both had their faults but their characters were crafted with depth and complexity. Their journey is filled with tender moments, stolen glances, and heart-melting gestures, creating a perfect blend of excitement and tenderness.

[Rei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una historia muy entretenida donde que te atrapa de principio a fin con personajes que te atraen desde el principio la decisión de Christy por salvar a su gente tal vez no sea la mas acertada y ni la mas segura para su corazón pero el amor por su tierra y por proteger a los suyos la llevan a adentrarse en las fauces de el mujeriego y seductor de Londres, Lord Pecado. Sinjun no se imagina que esa hermosa mujer que le ha cautivado lleva mas secretos que una caja de sorpresas pero tal vez sea la solución a su vida desenfrenada y libertina.
La historia me ha gustado mucho es el primero que leo de esta escritora y se me ha hecho una historia atractiva, a veces me daban ganas de darle una sacudida a Christy por sacar conclusiones tan rápido y no atreverse a decirle a Sinjun la verdad. Pero en general la historia vale la pena.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lady Christy Macdonald was ordered to marry St. John Thornton when she was 7 and he 14. Neither wanted it and both ignored the marriage. Sinjin went on to become "Lord Sin", a rake. Christy became a beautiful woman and Laird of her clan. When trouble starts brewing in the clan for her to set aside her marriage to marry the Cameron chieftain, Christy decides to go to London and seduce her husband until she's with child and then go back to her clan. All works perfectly except that they fall for each other. When word reaches Sinjin that his "wife" is pregnant, he finally goes back to Scotland to annul the marriage. When he finds Christy instead, he begins to take an active role in his holdings which were being overtaxed by his manager. Several misunderstanding come between them but eventually all works out. Lots of sex.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christy Macdonald is laird of her clan. But she was married to St. John Thornton when she was seven and he was fourteen. They promptly went their separate ways and never did their paths cross. While Christy is trying to quell a rebellion in her clan, St. John is living the life of a carefree bachelor, only using his married state to avoid entanglements and expectations.

Now Christy is being pressured to annul her marriage to St. John and marry the Cameron chieftain. But Christy has another plan. She will go to London (in disguise -- not that St. John would recognize her as he last saw her when she was seven) and seduce St. John. Her goal is to get with child and return to her clan with an heir on the way.

[Amparo TD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una historia muy entretenida y amena. Cuenta la historia de un matrimonio por conveniencia de una escocesa de 7 años y un ingles. El es un libertino al que se le conoce como Lord Pecado, y ella es la jefa de su clan. Ninguno se ha visto desde hace 15 años. Ella tiene un objetivo cuando va a Inglaterra para proteger a su clan. Tiene intriga, celos, amor, despecho, odio, envidias, mentiras, desconfianza...

[KV · Rating 2 out of 5]

My rating - 2.5 star.
Why I picked this book? Because I love book 3 in the series so much. Here this one is a complete opposite & disappointing. In the beginning the story is interesting but the plot loose its spark due to bad characterization. Both the Sinnun & Christy's characters were really sucks!!!

[. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

El anterior libro que leí también fue de esta autora y aunque estuvo entretenido, no me gusto debido a sus personajes.

Con este libro pasó exactamente igual. La historia me entretiene pero sus protagonistas me hartan. Inmaduros a más no poder, incluso en algunas situaciones hasta ridículos.

[KAR · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just awful. H was a man whose who cheated. Story about her being head of clan so dumb. And she was an absolute idiot and her lies were sickening. Like just tell the truth. I actually bought this book. Now I can't get rid of it fast enough.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sinjun (super dumb name) is awful and without any redeeming qualities. Christy’s lies are pretty unforgivable and unnecessary 90% of the time. I like that she is strong but it’s completely unbelievable she would be “laird” of these clans.

[Влади Тасева · Rating 1 out of 5]

Не съм чела толкова лоша книга. :)
Безлични герои, предсказуеми, повърхности и лишени от характер. Много драматични и глуповати, особено Кристи - лъжлива и елементарна фигура. "Историята" има някаква идея, но е много зле пресъздадена, липсва дълбочина.
Не препоръчвам да си губите времето.

[Laura De la Quintana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanta esta historia, aunque no apoyo las mentira de la Prota, me gusta la tensión entre ellos, me gusta como el protagonista se va dando cuenta de lo que realmente lo llena en la vida! Me lo he releído muchas veces y siempre es una historia muy fácil de leer, atrapante

[Silviana Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy

Que linda novela,me cautivo el paisaje agreste como lo describen,una novela muy entretenida,con mucha pasion una buena docis de amor me encanto la recomiendo.

[Pilar Descalza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Argumento atractivo pero algo repetitivo en el desarrollo.

[Rabia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will be reviewed and shelved later when i have find time and energy after this tiring times.