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Saint Or Sinner
A Match Made in Heaven
Home from the war, Joshua McBride was determined to put his rakish youth behind him and grab a second chance at a life worth living. Yet how could he convince the oh-so-correct Miss Adelaide Stapleton that his hell-raising days were truly over?
People weren't always what they seemed--Addie knew that for a fact. For her own past held secrets that were best left uncovered. But how could she trust Joshua's claims to be reformed, when he was tempting her to lose her heart?
Home from the war, Joshua McBride was determined to put his rakish youth behind him and grab a second chance at a life worth living. Yet how could he convince the oh-so-correct Miss Adelaide Stapleton that his hell-raising days were truly over?
People weren't always what they seemed--Addie knew that for a fact. For her own past held secrets that were best left uncovered. But how could she trust Joshua's claims to be reformed, when he was tempting her to lose her heart?
299 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
27 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl St. John
72 books554 followersCheryl is the author of more than fifty historical and contemporary romances. Her stories have earned numerous RITA nominations, Romantic Times awards and are published in over a dozen languages.
In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real-life situations.”
With a 4.9 star rating on amazon, her bestselling non-fiction book, Writing With Emotion, Tension & Conflict by Writers Digest Books is available in print and digital.
In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real-life situations.”
With a 4.9 star rating on amazon, her bestselling non-fiction book, Writing With Emotion, Tension & Conflict by Writers Digest Books is available in print and digital.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 27, 2021
I love Cheryl St. John. And even though I greatly enjoyed this book, my favorite book by St. John is in fact not this one, it’s Writing With Emotion, Tension, & Conflict. But forgive me, I digress.
Saint or Sinner is a perfectly written romance novel, filled with tension, emotion, conflict (hmm… sounds familiar:) and just the right amount of backstory to keep the reader hungry. The love scenes are impactful and sweet.
St. John knows how to keep her audience turning the page, because she wrote the book on how to do that. But this book has a little extra, it’s the intriguing story of a hero that appears reformed from his sinful ways and a heroine that is so good, it makes you wonder what she’s hiding. A great read!
Saint or Sinner is a perfectly written romance novel, filled with tension, emotion, conflict (hmm… sounds familiar:) and just the right amount of backstory to keep the reader hungry. The love scenes are impactful and sweet.
St. John knows how to keep her audience turning the page, because she wrote the book on how to do that. But this book has a little extra, it’s the intriguing story of a hero that appears reformed from his sinful ways and a heroine that is so good, it makes you wonder what she’s hiding. A great read!
May 12, 2015
This will be my second book that I have read from Cheryl St. John. This author has 50 plus works so my choices are huge, I let Amazon guide my next choice to Saint or Sinner. I absolutely loved my first read from this author and I was not disappointed with my second. Not in the least.
"Joshua McBride had humiliated her, chased her bed sheets across her yard and handled her intimate underclothing! She understood instinctively that the man had the capability to bring about change and disrupt her peaceful life. She knew it as clearly as she knew the color of his twinkling eyes and the shape of his beguiling smile."
This story starts out with a life changing event for Joshua McBride, making him realize that he needs to right his wrongs and make peace with his past. Upon his arrival home he meets Addie. The minute I started reading about Addie I knew this woman was hiding something. Everything she does is structured, it’s routine. When Josh ruins a perfect, routine day, Addie begins her mission to find out who Joshua is and what she can do to get rid of him. He is a temptation and a distraction that she can’t afford to have in her life. When her plan to exploit the Sinner that Joshua is fails, she begins to realize that he isn’t anyone he doesn’t choose to be. He lives by his own rules and his own expectations. She begins to envy him for being so free from his past, and she begins to wonder what it would be like to be that free from her own tainted past.
Joshua’s nearness was the closest thing to security Addie had ever known.
The relationship that Addie and Joshua build is a slow process. I really enjoyed how hard this man worked to get her to open up to him. Joshua wants Addie, plain and simple. He doesn’t want to just simply have a one night affair, he wants to possess her and never let go. The issue that he comes across is that his past affairs are not making him look too good in Addie’s eyes. She feels she will never live up to his expectations and doesn’t want to ruin her reputation she had worked so hard to build. I loved Joshua for his determination. Even when he was knocked back by her so many times, he was still stubborn. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer, he was going to make her see that he can love her, that he can make her love him.
“People are only human. They hurt each other even if they don’t mean to.”
This story has so many different messages that I don’t think I can put them all down. On the front of the cover there is a blurb that is so true to this story, “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” I love that line. I’m a firm believer in forgiveness, now I might not forget but that’s not what I am talking about. Addie believes that if she gives off the appearance of a well structured woman, she will be accepted and that no one would ever know the horror of her past. Joshua wants to go back to the town he has a tarnished name in and create a new one. Give back to his community but his bad name will never leave him, it follows him. This story is a true testament to people can change, and people can be forgiven for their wrongs. Addie and Josh were perfect for each other. I loved their chemistry, their banter and I loved how their struggles taught them to be who they were always destined to be, humans with faults, that deserve love and forgiveness.
"Joshua McBride had humiliated her, chased her bed sheets across her yard and handled her intimate underclothing! She understood instinctively that the man had the capability to bring about change and disrupt her peaceful life. She knew it as clearly as she knew the color of his twinkling eyes and the shape of his beguiling smile."
This story starts out with a life changing event for Joshua McBride, making him realize that he needs to right his wrongs and make peace with his past. Upon his arrival home he meets Addie. The minute I started reading about Addie I knew this woman was hiding something. Everything she does is structured, it’s routine. When Josh ruins a perfect, routine day, Addie begins her mission to find out who Joshua is and what she can do to get rid of him. He is a temptation and a distraction that she can’t afford to have in her life. When her plan to exploit the Sinner that Joshua is fails, she begins to realize that he isn’t anyone he doesn’t choose to be. He lives by his own rules and his own expectations. She begins to envy him for being so free from his past, and she begins to wonder what it would be like to be that free from her own tainted past.
Joshua’s nearness was the closest thing to security Addie had ever known.
The relationship that Addie and Joshua build is a slow process. I really enjoyed how hard this man worked to get her to open up to him. Joshua wants Addie, plain and simple. He doesn’t want to just simply have a one night affair, he wants to possess her and never let go. The issue that he comes across is that his past affairs are not making him look too good in Addie’s eyes. She feels she will never live up to his expectations and doesn’t want to ruin her reputation she had worked so hard to build. I loved Joshua for his determination. Even when he was knocked back by her so many times, he was still stubborn. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer, he was going to make her see that he can love her, that he can make her love him.
“People are only human. They hurt each other even if they don’t mean to.”
This story has so many different messages that I don’t think I can put them all down. On the front of the cover there is a blurb that is so true to this story, “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” I love that line. I’m a firm believer in forgiveness, now I might not forget but that’s not what I am talking about. Addie believes that if she gives off the appearance of a well structured woman, she will be accepted and that no one would ever know the horror of her past. Joshua wants to go back to the town he has a tarnished name in and create a new one. Give back to his community but his bad name will never leave him, it follows him. This story is a true testament to people can change, and people can be forgiven for their wrongs. Addie and Josh were perfect for each other. I loved their chemistry, their banter and I loved how their struggles taught them to be who they were always destined to be, humans with faults, that deserve love and forgiveness.
August 25, 2021
After reading mostly western historical romance books this year, I can tell you that Cheryl St. John is one of my favorite authors and this book was just as great as her others. She has such a gift for creating believable characters with flaws, emotions and insecurities.
This story was all about starting over, forgiveness from yourself and others, moving forward, family and learning what real love is all about.
This story was all about starting over, forgiveness from yourself and others, moving forward, family and learning what real love is all about.
April 19, 2010
Small town bad-boy Joshua McBride returns home after a near-death experience that turned him into a new man. But small town good-girl Adelaide Stapleton is suspicious of his true motives--and with reason. Her own highly secret past is not at all what it appears.
St. John sets up such an interesting situation here. Joshua and Adelaide are both trying to achieve basically the same thing--a fresh start--but their paths are very different. Despite his bad reputation, Joshua's journey is pretty simple: he's been to heaven and back, literally; he has absolute faith to guide him. Adelaide's problems are far more complex and she is considerably more tormented.
This is compelling as a story but less so as a romance. Perhaps it's because Joshua seems a bit larger than life, but I had trouble feeling chemistry between the two. Despite several mildly steamy love scenes, the book overall has a bit of an Inspirational Romance feel--not so much that it made me uncomfortable or put me off, but perhaps too much for me to feel the earthly love. Still, worth reading.
St. John sets up such an interesting situation here. Joshua and Adelaide are both trying to achieve basically the same thing--a fresh start--but their paths are very different. Despite his bad reputation, Joshua's journey is pretty simple: he's been to heaven and back, literally; he has absolute faith to guide him. Adelaide's problems are far more complex and she is considerably more tormented.
This is compelling as a story but less so as a romance. Perhaps it's because Joshua seems a bit larger than life, but I had trouble feeling chemistry between the two. Despite several mildly steamy love scenes, the book overall has a bit of an Inspirational Romance feel--not so much that it made me uncomfortable or put me off, but perhaps too much for me to feel the earthly love. Still, worth reading.
September 30, 2017
This is my first book by this author, and I will read others after this. Like other reviewers said, it has a faith-based theme without being "preachy". Smooth read.
A recurring theme is "acceptance by the townspeople", and it wasn't clear to me how/why Addie, a relative newcomer, was quickly accepted and rose through the ranks to become a leader of the Dorcas Society while Chessie -- who apparently had lived there all her life -- wasn't accepted until Addie made it happen.
A recurring theme is "acceptance by the townspeople", and it wasn't clear to me how/why Addie, a relative newcomer, was quickly accepted and rose through the ranks to become a leader of the Dorcas Society while Chessie -- who apparently had lived there all her life -- wasn't accepted until Addie made it happen.
February 24, 2013
Review coming soon
November 10, 2022
Reading challenge making up ground; getting through a small stack of harlequin historicals.
I really liked the first book by St John I read. That was much earlier in my romance reading life and my preferences -- and awareness of tropes and all that -- weren't as discerning yet. This isn't to undermine having liked that book or her authorship, more it's a perspective take I remind myself of when I keep snagging books by her wanting to recapture that experience and realizing that no, I probably won't.
This was a decent read. But there's enough that rankles me, that I notice and skim, to make a difference.
St John is very good at the internal life of her characters (leads), and their meaningful development. They're also rigid almost to a fault and adherent to their defining traits, but at least they bend and grow because of one another and their relationship.
Good details in personalities. I know who the secondary characters are. Good details and sense of place.
There's a lot of found family and gosh darn decency and acceptance. These aren't bad things. I actively like a lot of these things. I like that the leads are good people who are flawed and wounded and heal in each other, and heal each other, and collect strays and make friends who deserve more than small-minded judgment. Things slow way down when we get to the decency and forgiveness aspects; there's a lot of talking and remarking and going over the same ground as they dither.
Reformed wild boys now the very best man a town has ever seen. I can handle a hero, but completely goodly isn't necessary.
Bad boy coming home, rebuilding his life and mending his family, and a woman with a past who needs healing. A good baseline. The tale of this one is unhurried, almost too unhurried, and their internal struggles wrestle too long. When we get the revelations and actions it all goes pretty easily. I'm glad for their HEA and the found family they collect and will make likewise happy thereafter.
Her characters aren't prudes; they're mature and honest and have desires. But they're also endlessly preoccupied with propriety and decisions and always wondering what-will-he-think-of-me. And the books aren't preachy, however, it reminds me of watching inspirational movies, the almost-hallmark with the notch up in being 'thankful' and 'living a purpose' and that all.
Which leads me to my "but" in all this against what I do like, is the undercurrent of wholesome midwest hard work worthiness that itches at me after a while. I get it, it's all very redemptive and christian, and fine with me if that's your jam, but it isn't quite mine (I will say, it's a nice notion of being christian and redemption, for that). So the times I've read St John books since that first, it's been /almost/, without being able to ignore what's nettling me.
Still. I bet if I see another St John at a library sale or cheap I'll grab it and give it a try, all the same. That first book worked for you magic, and parts of the next and next and next being decent enough, is a powerful force. lol
I really liked the first book by St John I read. That was much earlier in my romance reading life and my preferences -- and awareness of tropes and all that -- weren't as discerning yet. This isn't to undermine having liked that book or her authorship, more it's a perspective take I remind myself of when I keep snagging books by her wanting to recapture that experience and realizing that no, I probably won't.
This was a decent read. But there's enough that rankles me, that I notice and skim, to make a difference.
St John is very good at the internal life of her characters (leads), and their meaningful development. They're also rigid almost to a fault and adherent to their defining traits, but at least they bend and grow because of one another and their relationship.
Good details in personalities. I know who the secondary characters are. Good details and sense of place.
There's a lot of found family and gosh darn decency and acceptance. These aren't bad things. I actively like a lot of these things. I like that the leads are good people who are flawed and wounded and heal in each other, and heal each other, and collect strays and make friends who deserve more than small-minded judgment. Things slow way down when we get to the decency and forgiveness aspects; there's a lot of talking and remarking and going over the same ground as they dither.
Reformed wild boys now the very best man a town has ever seen. I can handle a hero, but completely goodly isn't necessary.
Bad boy coming home, rebuilding his life and mending his family, and a woman with a past who needs healing. A good baseline. The tale of this one is unhurried, almost too unhurried, and their internal struggles wrestle too long. When we get the revelations and actions it all goes pretty easily. I'm glad for their HEA and the found family they collect and will make likewise happy thereafter.
Her characters aren't prudes; they're mature and honest and have desires. But they're also endlessly preoccupied with propriety and decisions and always wondering what-will-he-think-of-me. And the books aren't preachy, however, it reminds me of watching inspirational movies, the almost-hallmark with the notch up in being 'thankful' and 'living a purpose' and that all.
Which leads me to my "but" in all this against what I do like, is the undercurrent of wholesome midwest hard work worthiness that itches at me after a while. I get it, it's all very redemptive and christian, and fine with me if that's your jam, but it isn't quite mine (I will say, it's a nice notion of being christian and redemption, for that). So the times I've read St John books since that first, it's been /almost/, without being able to ignore what's nettling me.
Still. I bet if I see another St John at a library sale or cheap I'll grab it and give it a try, all the same. That first book worked for you magic, and parts of the next and next and next being decent enough, is a powerful force. lol
May 14, 2017
I like Cheryl St John's style. Can almost always read her books, though I may not love them. Her books are consistently readable to me and her characters somehow always make a connection with me. This book has her signature style, a pair of lead characters one can relate to. Both needed a little understanding and forgiveness. Both struggled with their past. But I cannot like one thing in this book and that's why this book got 2 stars from me: this Christian bit.
Joshua was repentant of his past, and it was mentioned a few times that "he read the bible" and "the Lord" would want things a certain way. As a principle I do not like organized religions. I respect spirituality. But organized religion or any hint of "I am now reborn in Christ" doesn't sit well with me. Joshua's "transformation" was a given in this book. He just decided to become this God fearing man before this book started. And Addie was this pretentious woman who believed that if she acted a certain way the world would be alright. A rather self-righteous character. Their relationship started alright but was rather boring because Joshua was now this sinner turned saint. He seemed like a pillow case, one that you punch because you know you can. He wasn't my kind of hero, and his religious side did not endear him to me. I am sorry to say that this was a rather boring read.
Joshua was repentant of his past, and it was mentioned a few times that "he read the bible" and "the Lord" would want things a certain way. As a principle I do not like organized religions. I respect spirituality. But organized religion or any hint of "I am now reborn in Christ" doesn't sit well with me. Joshua's "transformation" was a given in this book. He just decided to become this God fearing man before this book started. And Addie was this pretentious woman who believed that if she acted a certain way the world would be alright. A rather self-righteous character. Their relationship started alright but was rather boring because Joshua was now this sinner turned saint. He seemed like a pillow case, one that you punch because you know you can. He wasn't my kind of hero, and his religious side did not endear him to me. I am sorry to say that this was a rather boring read.
February 22, 2021
When Joshua McBride doesn't die in a battle of the Civil War, he has an epiphany and then several months in a Union hospital to recover and rethink his life. He doesn't like the life he's led and decides to do things differently. He goes back home, where he caroused, chased women, and gambled his nights away. When he arrives in his hometown, he meets Addie Stapleton, a starchy miss who refuses to talk about her past. Addie quickly sees Joshua as a distraction she cannot afford. She tries to get rid of him, but the town has other ideas.
The romance between Joshua and Addie builds slowly because Addie wants no part of him. Addie has worked hard for the stellar reputation she has in town. However, one day Addie's past comes into her present and she is absolutely shattered.
This is a story about forgiveness and proof that people can change if they have enough motivation and fortitude. This is one of Cheryl St. John's earlier novels and it has a powerful message. Overall score = 4.5 stars
The romance between Joshua and Addie builds slowly because Addie wants no part of him. Addie has worked hard for the stellar reputation she has in town. However, one day Addie's past comes into her present and she is absolutely shattered.
This is a story about forgiveness and proof that people can change if they have enough motivation and fortitude. This is one of Cheryl St. John's earlier novels and it has a powerful message. Overall score = 4.5 stars
March 5, 2023
Good Story But....
Addie got on my nerves. She was too weak at time and with her past her judgmental attitude toward Josh became annoying. I like that she stood up to her father and stopped running in the end. Josh was very understanding and forgiving and he and Addie made a good couple.
Addie got on my nerves. She was too weak at time and with her past her judgmental attitude toward Josh became annoying. I like that she stood up to her father and stopped running in the end. Josh was very understanding and forgiving and he and Addie made a good couple.
July 14, 2018
Meh
Too religious for my liking. Best to avoid stories like this in the future. The characters were likable enough, but again, the hero found religion and turned boring to the point that he didn’t want to have sex until the heroine was married to him. Lol
Too religious for my liking. Best to avoid stories like this in the future. The characters were likable enough, but again, the hero found religion and turned boring to the point that he didn’t want to have sex until the heroine was married to him. Lol
May 27, 2025
Wow!!
I wasn’t expecting this!!! Turned out to be a great book with a lovely message. I loved all the characters, especially Yancy and Cully!! Thank you for writing such a wonderful story. I truly enjoyed it.
I wasn’t expecting this!!! Turned out to be a great book with a lovely message. I loved all the characters, especially Yancy and Cully!! Thank you for writing such a wonderful story. I truly enjoyed it.
September 28, 2024
Beautiful Story
Nice to read about people who didn't think they were worth much live to become great and good people. Truly a great read.
Nice to read about people who didn't think they were worth much live to become great and good people. Truly a great read.
September 27, 2013
In "Saint or Sinner" St. John helps us understand that our past can be overcome, especially with the help of others. Her superb writing takes us back to the lives before the two characters come together, again. Second chances can be there if you just are ready to venture out of your comfort zone. That is what St. John shows us with Joshua and Addie. We are taken though the old and new lives of two extraordinary people though the words of St. John.
November 9, 2014
double eh.
bordering on why did I waste my time...
bordering on why did I waste my time...
September 23, 2015
Enjoyed reading this.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews