Sin and Swoon

Blood and Bone #2

by Tara Brown

Not even the warning label on the experimental project could have prepared Jane Spears for the nightmare she would walk into when the Ashley Potter case landed in her lap. Deep inside the victim's mind, Jane finds clues hinting at the worst crimes she has ever come upon. But the bread crumbs don't lead anywhere, and in the waking light Jane discovers nothing is as she believed. The conspiracy goes deeper than she can reveal, and the crimes are too hideous to leave unsolved. But can she stop it all in time, or will she be sucked in - trapped by the deranged mastermind?

Genres: Dark, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Fiction, Paranormal, Psychological Thriller

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 11, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Pen names for Tara Brown
- Tara Brown for science fiction and fantasy (primary author name)
- Sophie Starr for darker books
- Amy March for romantic comedies
- A.E. Watson
- T.L. Brown
- Erin Leigh
- Meg Browne

Caution: Author uses multiple pen names on the same book (different releases/editions). GR policy dictates that the name on the first release remain primary on all subsequent releases. The secondary name would be whatever name is on the cover, if different.

Reviews

[CeCe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started slow and confusing, but in the end I could not stop listening.
We meet Dash's family and ex-girlfriend. I love the way the heroine handled everything.

There is also a HUGE twist regarding the case involving Ashley Potter. Some parts were hard to listen to. Sad.

This series should be made into a movie!!!

[Roxanna Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can count on one hand the authors from whom I will read a new release without waiting for a review from any source; Tara Brown (writing as herself or under any pseudonym) is one of those authors. I waited, not so patiently, for the release of Sin and Swoon...and yes, it's the second of a series. If you haven't yet read Blood and Bone --STOP HERE. Read these in order! Trust me, you'll be glad you did...

I wondered if the second book would be capable of enthralling me as much as the first, or whether it could possibly deliver such powerful shock and suspense. Silly me...not only did I find the plot engaging -- full of nasty little twists and turns that kept me wishing I never needed to stop for bathroom breaks -- I came away very impressed by the depth of character development throughout. I felt like I got inside Jane Spears just a little. She in particular resonates with me, as I'm certain she will for a lot of people. She's a straight-up badass.

Sorry, but you get no plot spoilers from this review. It's too incredibly written for me go and muck it all up here. I'll give you this: if Stephen King, Lee Child, and Steve McHugh had collaborated to create something similar...well, it might have come close.

*I was provided with a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

[Emily Eck · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was brilliant and brutal. I almost vomited and I almost cried. I laughed a few times. It haunted me. I skipped a meal and am starving. I had to see it through. I’m scared to read the final book. Yet I feel compelled. Shit. I need a beer.

[April ♥"LOS" ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading book 1 in this series I thought I was prepared for how the rest of the books would play out. But this one threw such dark and twisted subject matter at me that I was still surprised by it. I could have never predicted who Mr. X turned out to be, but I guess that’s proof of a great writer.

[Romance Readers Retreat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really taken with the first book in this series that really was a journey down the rabbit hole that messed with your head and which you really do need to read to understand this second book. I have been really looking forward to this next installment to see how the characters all fared. While the story wasn’t as mind blowing as book one now that I understand the procedure that takes Jane "in", Tara still delivers a complex and gut-wrenching story.
We are once again sucked into the complexity of Jane’s mind from the off as we find her in the middle of one of her ‘mind visits’ and once again she is sucked into a maze of indicators to try and piece together the puzzle. And what a dark twisted puzzle this is, Jane is trying to piece together what happened to Ashley a young girl found on the brink of death on a frozen river shore. Her story is disturbing even to read and leaves Jane reeling from its impact. 
Jane can’t let Ashley’s story go and is determined to find the person responsible for the things she learned during the mind visit but life suddenly becomes as complicated in reality for her. Her relationship with Dash takes an unexpected turn and suddenly her partner also appears to not be who she thought. The case keeps taking deeper and deeper twists and becomes bigger than Jane ever imagined. Can Jane work through the clues to find justice for Ashley? 
This is a great series that has a superb main female lead in Jane who is an elite army officer. It is complex and really sucks you into each story and I am once again looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Up All Night Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Blood and Bone series. Afer the way the first book ended, I wasn't sure that Tara was going to be able to top it and shock me. We received so much information about what was really going on, I wasn't sure that I would be fooled this time around. WRONG!

Although we know just who Jane is... this story is woven into a whole new storyline. Another go around with Jane the awesome. To say I was shocked in this one is an understatement. Now, I was able to figure out one person, eventually, before I was told it was him. However, the reasoning was more shocking. And the sickness of it all had me gaping and foaming at the mouth for more.

I was completely immersed in this book from start to finish. I was more than pleased with this book. Again, I can't really tell you much about the story itself. This series is one of those that is a mystery from start to finish. I can't spoil the shock and surprise of this awesome book!

Purchase Book One and Pre-Order Book Three

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara did it again with a on the edge of your seat book. This is a series folks so don't read them separate. Anyway, the characters that Tara create are very in depth and detailed. Some books you read, you don't know there background, natinality, jobs etc but in this series you know it all. The only thing you don't know is what to expect of them. You will always be wondering who us what and where they will pop up. Now beware that these books also are quite disturbing but intriguing as well. Tara is a complete mastermind and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an arc from net galley in exchange for an honest review.
Not even the warning label on the expiremental project could have prepared jane spears for the nightmare she would walk into when the Ashley potter case landed on her lap.
Wow. Fantastic read.
I loved the story and the characters.
Angie was my favourite character.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Didn't realise it was book 2.
so I may have to look at book 1.
Highly recommended.
5 *.

[Chris- Bookaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!! Never saw that coming What an awesome book. I can not wait for Soul and Blade!!!!!

[Michelle Hummel vangilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate up this book in 24hrs. Now that we know what is going on (thanks to the end of book 1--which I wont say due to spoilers) We have a better understanding of how this all works. As a woman I will admit some parts of this on was hard to stomach_but because this "group" only gets involved in the worst cases. but It sucked me right in and had me rooting for the group trying to get to the bottom of the "Case". The twists and suspense in this one is great (As expected from Tara Brown) The Suspense will have you needing to finish this book to get the answers everyone deserves. This book is a great follow up to the first, I love Jane, Dash and their life. I love how strong they both are and are not afraid to out the corrupt government at what ever cost. I cant wait to read book 3 which I am onto next. If you have a rainy day or a day at the beach to relax I would def chose this.

[Yellagirlgc · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Sin and Swoon is the second book in the blood and bone series. Jane is mind running to find some answers to why the beautiful young woman she's helping has been through so much trauma. This book was very one note and emotionless. The rare times anyone reacted to anything it concerned Jane. I wanted to like it and hoped things would change but they didn't.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second book in the series. It's difficult to review these without giving away the story. So that being said, there are a couple of roll-your-eye plot "surprises". Am I reading Cinderella or a taut mystery? It is a romance book after all, I keep reminding myself. This is a good follow up to the first. We get to know the characters a little better, and although sad at parts, at least one baddy gets their just desserts, or maybe comeuppance is a better word, and in a most satisfying way.

[Sarah Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much better than book one..

This is still a little confusing and hard to understand but it was a lot better than the first one and I'm looking forward to finishing the series. Not my favorite by her but an interesting read as long as you are able to figure out what she is trying to get across.

[Julia Butterfield - Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to this series on audio and am absolutely loving it. It's dark and disturbing with twists galore, but with a very different type of concept, it's gripping! (tbh, me being British, the narrator's Irish and Scottish accents aren't the best, but I'm ignoring that as the story is so good).

5 stars, can't wait to get to book 3 and the conclusion!

[Christina Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another mind blowing read! Jane takes us along in her crazy life. I liked seeing her relationship grow with Dash. I actually did think Rory would prove to be innocent in real life because Jane was still some how in a mind jump. The story kept going with out ever leaving time for that to get resolved. That’s what’s so good about these books. It keeps you guessing.

[Danielle S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another incredible story!

I am hopping right into the third and final book of this series. Alas, I don’t want it to end. Intense. I loved it AND the audible version. I don’t want it to end! Highly recommend.

[Shon Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second

Okay now I understand. I guess I'm slow. I enjoy the series. Jane is a bad ass. I'm glad and sad that her partner did all those crazy things. Now what will she find out in his mind. Thanks

[Steven Potts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very confusing story line

I could not get beyond 7 chapters. It wanders all over the place and is nearly impossible to track who is the voice of the story, when it is and where it is. This is a VERY dark story.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but then it got boring in between.. and then it got interesting again

[Diksha Garg · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.

Note: This ARC was provided by Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review.

Just when you think it's safe to delve back into a Tara Brown book, she does what she does best and throws you for a loop. Yes, fellow bookaholics, the mindfuckery has reached an all new level with the second book in the Blood and Bone series, Sin and Swoon. I thought I knew what to expect with book two, what with the explanation of criminal profiler Jane Spears' job and her ability to perform mind runs. But nope, I should have learned my lesson with book one and expected the unexpected because it wasn't just one thing that caught me unaware here. Not that I'm complaining because if it's one thing the author does well it's hook her reader and reel them in with a uniquely absorbing story and formidable characters with a hint of vulnerability to them. In short, if you want a kickass book to read, I'm specifically recommending this one.

The case that Jane is tackling is a complicated one, but then her expertise would be wasted on those that are easily solved. There's more than one victim and the case isn't limited to merely one crime or offense, which makes it even more pressing for Jane to solve. When the person behind Ashley Potter's kidnapping and subsequent death was revealed, I had to stop for a few minutes to gather the fragmented pieces of my brain that scattered everywhere. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but I did find myself at a loss and my mouth was hanging open in shock. My heart kinda broke and I was hoping that there was some other explanation for why things turned out the way they did, but that's the way the world of Jane Spears goes, I guess. There is a cliffhanger (Surprise! Not really? Okay then...) so my fingers do remain crossed for a bit of redemption.

One of the things I liked best about this sequel is being able to see more of Jane and her fiancé, Dr. Benjamin Dash, outside of work. A lot of the lighthearted moments had to do with Jane and Dash dealing with their engagement and Jane realizing that she was quite clueless when it came to Dash and his family background. Of course, there's conflict that erupts, but then isn't that the case when it comes to meeting the in-laws? And while there are those times that levity comes into play, the darker elements that are part of the Blood and Bone series are ever-present and suck you in whether you're ready or not. I do suggest that you read the books in order so that you can better understand what Jane and the rest of her team do. This is a series worth reading and has become a 2015 favorite. Sin and Swoon gets five out of five stars. ♥

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Book #2 in the Blood and Bone series. Definitely read the first book because the story, relationships and especially the work that Jane and her teammates do is pretty complicated/convoluted and it would be hard to follow without the introduction.This book continues from the first, after the twists are revealed so if you have not read Blood and Bone there will be small spoilers in this review.

In this second book, the main character Jane Spears, is in the mind of a young woman, Ashley Potter, trying to determine who tortured her and left her for the dead. This leaves her having to go back to Ashley's mind more than once and what she finds there is nothing short of twisted and horrific and involves more than one missing woman. Her fiance and teammate Dash, breeches investigation protocol which messes up Jane's mind runs and her ability to find out who the perp is. The crimes go unsolved but Jane continues to investigate on her own, finding it is the tip of the iceberg of a whole world of depravity that is far reaching into some powerful circles. Meanwhile, Jane meets Dash's family and learns information he has been hiding that could threaten their relationship.

I was concerned that since the twists of what Jane and her team do were revealed in the first book, the suspense of this one would suffer. However, the pace and thrills were still there and I liked the way the story unfolded better in this book. There is still a fair amount of suspension of belief that is required to accept both what Jane does and how, as well as the crimes, villains, and how elaborately planned they are, and how deep the conspiracies reach. it is also a very dark read, violent and sexually graphic so if you struggle with that, this isn't your book.

It ends better than the first, setting the tone for a third book with a storyline that gets very personal for Jane and has me intrigued at what will happen next. Still can't quite bring myself to give 4 stars as I am not to the 'really liked" point yet, so 3.5 stars for me overall. If the next book continues this way, this series may eek 4 stars out of me yet. ;-)

Note: I received an ARC of this eBook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. I was not compensated and my feelings and opinions are my own.

[Michelle Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 #MindScrew Stars!!!

*You will not get any plot spoilers in this review, you MUST experience the #MindFuc* for yourself to get the entire experience, you wouldn't understand if I posted it anyways without reading the book. And if you haven't read the first Blood and Bone already (umm, why haven't you?), you need to start there to understand the entire mind running.

Tara Brown has done it again, she has screwed with my mind in her devilishly wicked ways! Tantalizing us even more as we dive deeper in the world that is Jane Spears and her journey into the victim's mind.

More suspense, more plot twists and more crimes will leave you sleeping with the lights on and always looking behind you.

Every twist, every character, every scene is so intricately woven that you will be on the edge of your seat with anticipation for the next chapter, keeping you up till wee hours of the morning until you finish the entire book (if you are like me and just couldn't put it down until you devoured every last word).

Jane is trying to get information from Ashley's mind to find a killer, she only gets bits and pieces because someone screwed up.

But, what Jane finds is not what she expects; it's much, much worse.

There's more secrets, more lies, more victims and the pieces just aren't adding up.

Jane must now sort through the memories of the victim and her own, deciding what is real and what is not. Are her memories colliding with that of the victim? Will she be able to sort through all the jumbled memories to catch the suspect in time?

Read Sin and Swoon to find out!

[Zita · Rating 4 out of 5]

The depth and breadth of depravity…

This is the second book in the Blood and Bone series that should be read in series order to gain insight into and to better comprehend what this clandestine team does. The first book is where you are first introduced to the main characters and their timeline continues here.

Jane Spears has never not solved a case until she walks the mind of Ashley Potter and is left with no perpetrator, a view into one of the worse crimes she has ever seen, and many unanswered questions from the clues she was able to glean which are tainted by a change in their normal procedures. Though the mind run is over and the intelligence discovered passed along to the authorities Jane can’t let it go and continues to investigate with the assistance of her teammates. Armed with the shadowy memories of the victim she follows those breadcrumbs into a world of deceit and depravity the likes of which the world has yet to know.

Part of the reason that I liked the first book so much was the surprising mind run twist that the reader isn’t privy to until the ending. I wondered how this author would be able to continue the series with us now knowing. She gave us another awesome complex storyline and then added elaborate depth to it with many twists and turns. I was fascinated as well as appalled at the magnitude of it. This book was full of suspense, seriously depraved perpetrators and an incredible conspiracy. I loved the epilogue which held a curve that I wonder what will do to our tough heroine who has had her world turned upside down both professionally and personally. I look forward to the next book.

There is more depth added to the relationship between Jane and her fiancé as Dash joins her in the field and as they move forward toward their new lives together. They are a most intriguing oddly matched couple that works and I’m glad Jane has such a love in her life considering what she does for a living.

There was anal play in one sex scene with a finger that was a total turn-off, ruining the scene for this reader. I wish there were warnings in the blurb when such is included. I miss the days when I could count on romances NOT to have this.

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

4.5 stars

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really liked the first book in this series but only made it through the first 20% of this one. It jumped right into the storyline from the previous book which would have lost anyone who hadn't read the first one. additionally, it felt to me like the author was trying too hard to get the reader back into the back-and-forth of the character "mind meld" in a way that was just too jumpy to get into either story. The first book is good but I would avoid this one.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story with unexpected twists that ensures you cannot put this book down!

As others have mentioned this book is book 2 in the Blood and Bone series and it is advised to read book 1 before reading this one. In book 1 they introduce the team and the way they solve cases and this one picks up right as the other one finishes.

Jane Spears is a mind runner who is ex-military who works on a highly classified joint task force and works with a team who is able to get her mind to get in to the mind of unconscious people to try to solve crimes. Along comes the case of Ashley Potter who was found after nearly drowning during her escape attempt from a house of horrors. Jane enters her mind to get the details of her abduction and discover clues that can locate her abductor and the other girls that were held captive with her before it is too late. Unfortunately she never sees a clear image of the perpetrator and she has to try to piece together the clues to solve the case.

In the first book the twist that Jane was really on a mind run was similar to the movie The Sixth Sense where the very end is completely unexpected. This book seems to be just solving another case but this time you know all the players, Jane, Angie, Dash and Rory. You see more about their relationships with each other including a few twists like meeting Dash’s family. I totally love the scene when Jane completely analyzes Dash’s entire family to his brother Henry. I was completely in awe of how the plot had so many twists and turns and where you could not have remotely imagined the complicated conspiracy behind the abduction of Ashely Potter and who is willing to protect their secret. But again Tara Brown is able to completely pull the rug out from under you at the last minute. It is amazing and leaves you at a point in the story that you are impatiently waiting for the next book!

An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara Desmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got an ARC from Net Galley.

Anyhoo I do like this cover. I kinda wish the name of the author and the name of the book were the same color as the eyes. I think that would have made it pop more but that's a minor detail. It is kinda a creepy cover which totally fits because this is a bit of a creepy book. It can get pretty disturbing. I do think fans of Bentley Little will enjoy this book.

The new show Stichers came to mind while I was reading this book. I did read the first book but I didn't know until the end what was going on. I think it is possible that could have turned people off so they wouldn't try out this book but once you know what's going on I think it is a good read. I enjoyed the other one and I did like this one too. I will be continuing this series. When I saw this name when I was searching Net Galley I just had to request it because I recently read two books by her that she wrote under another name. Tara has been added to the ever growing list of authors I will keep an eye out for.

Jane Spears jumps into peoples heads so this is a science fiction type book with a little bit of romance thrown in among the horror. She jumps into the head of a young girl that was kidnapped and held captive until she escaped. They are trying to find the person responsible for this. She basically gets into peoples heads so she can try to figure out who the bad guys are. It is a bit strange but I like strange. I don't think this book is for everyone. If you don't mind something that's a little off the wall this just might be the read for you. It is a quick read which is ideal during the long days of summer. If you have the day off you might want to just relax and read a good book. I suggest this one. This book focuses more on Jane and Dash unlike the other one. It has one hell of a twist.

http://www.ficgal.com/book-club/sin-a...

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a difference knowing what’s really going on makes. I loved this book. Even though we as the reader know what’s going on this time around that doesn’t mean it wasn’t full of shockers (surprises is just too weak of a word to use for the things that happened in this book).
**SPOILERS IF YOU HAVENT READ THE FIRST BOOK**
Now that we know what Jane Spears, her fiancé Dash and her friend Angie do for the government things really get interesting when the latest case she goes under for doesn’t get them the identity of the killer they were hoping to find. Unlike the first book the majority of this one is spent in the real world. I liked that we got a close look into Jane and Dash’s life. Jane is not a typical woman. She’s lost her family early in life so she has issues with intimacy with people. Job wise she has been a spy for the United Nations, a Major Sergeant and now a criminal profiler for a secret UN project that requires her to go inside the minds of the victims to learn about the killer.

As I sit and think about what to write for this review its hard because it would give away too much of the story. There were surprises when it came to Dash’s life but the shockers was everything that was discovered about what they thought was a just a serial killer. It was so much more than that and even though many of the things described were sick and twisted the author’s sense of humor in describing the scenes and how her characters reacted were downright funny.

This is a three part series with the first two books ending in cliffhangers. After finishing this one I am cannot wait to see how all of this ends.

[Christine Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

I read the first book about a month before #2 was published. I was lost for the first chapter as I have read at least 20-30 books since I read the first of this series by Tara Brown. I wish newly published books in series would have a refresher on them as I'm an avid reader and typically have 10+ books I'm waiting to be published. I get lost easy as a result and I'm clueless as to what happened in the last book.

It only took me a chapter to get adjusted and I read the book in two sessions, the first only stopped as I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

Tara does something different with this series that I find fascinating. She took a basic idea (mind-surfing) and turned it into an original idea. Think CSI SVU where the investigators find out the perp via first-person by re-living the abuse in an interactive environment inside the victim's mind!

You don't know this when you read book #1 until the very end and it was mindblowing. This book spends half the time in the latest victim's mind and the rest living in the life of the investigator. I thought that strange, as book 1 was entirely in the mind of the victim. I knew it was important and that someone close was the perp and I was not wrong!

I had a suspicion as to who it was based on the beginning and what caused issues with the initial mind-surf. Good foreshadowing and it was perfectly done to not ruin the story and prepared me for the end.

I cannot wait for the next installment! Will we get to be in Rory's mind? What will we find? I'm so excited!!!

[Solfreedom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley and Montlake Romance in exchange for my honest review! Thank you for this adventure!

Wow!! This book had me anticipating the turning of the page!! This book made me guess at every turn!! I am a reader, who can usually figure out where the next step is taking us, but not this book or it's predecessor. The books revolves around Jane, an elite agent for a very special does not exist government agency and her team. I will leave it at that, because to give anymore away would give the next reader too much information. This would not help, because you have to experience these adventures for yourself. The discovery of the plot and what is going on is one of my favorite aspects of these books. I was so confused and loving it with these books. You never know who to trust!!! This kept my anticipation on high!!
The story is very well developed, it just reveals itself with lots of twists and turns. There is violence and lots of sexual context, you feel for the victims. This is the 2nd book in the Blood and Bone series and I highly recommend you read the 1st one to understand where this story is leading you. The betrayal!!! I cannot wait to read the next one.
Thank you for one heck of an intense adventure!I would read this author again and again!