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Sinful C.O.R.E. #3
Sinful Vows
Marriage can be murder…
Former Chicago Vice cop, Sloan North, is back working undercover, this time for the investigative agency, CORE. He’s missed being on the streets, taking on a fake persona and going after dangerous bad guys. Instead of the dark heart of Chicago, Sloan’s planted in a quiet, boring suburb of Cleveland, pretending to be married to an irritating, too hot for words, Cuyahoga County Detective, Whitney Russell.
Whitney can’t believe she’s saddled with a bearded, tattooed behemoth of a man as her phony husband. He’s crude, rude and has a bad enough attitude no one on their cul-de-sac will buy their ruse. But as they’re forced into fake wedded bliss, Sloan surprises her in more ways than one. Beneath his harsh, sexy exterior is a man worth loving. Too bad she doesn’t believe in love.
While Sloan tries to avoid his gorgeous, leggy partner, deal with mind-numbing suburbia, and determine if his neighbor is indeed a big time drug lord, a body is unearthed on the neighboring street. Then another…and another. Life in the burbs goes from boring to deadly because this killer doesn’t just murder his victims. He buries them alive.
Former Chicago Vice cop, Sloan North, is back working undercover, this time for the investigative agency, CORE. He’s missed being on the streets, taking on a fake persona and going after dangerous bad guys. Instead of the dark heart of Chicago, Sloan’s planted in a quiet, boring suburb of Cleveland, pretending to be married to an irritating, too hot for words, Cuyahoga County Detective, Whitney Russell.
Whitney can’t believe she’s saddled with a bearded, tattooed behemoth of a man as her phony husband. He’s crude, rude and has a bad enough attitude no one on their cul-de-sac will buy their ruse. But as they’re forced into fake wedded bliss, Sloan surprises her in more ways than one. Beneath his harsh, sexy exterior is a man worth loving. Too bad she doesn’t believe in love.
While Sloan tries to avoid his gorgeous, leggy partner, deal with mind-numbing suburbia, and determine if his neighbor is indeed a big time drug lord, a body is unearthed on the neighboring street. Then another…and another. Life in the burbs goes from boring to deadly because this killer doesn’t just murder his victims. He buries them alive.
- GenresRomantic Suspense
456 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2017
About the author
Kristine Mason
38 books310 followersKristine Mason is the bestselling author of the popular romantic suspense trilogies, C.O.R.E. Shadow and Ultimate C.O.R.E. She is currently working on her next series, C.O.R.E. Above the Law, along with more Psychic C.O.R.E. novels.
Although Kristine has published a few contemporary romance novels, she focuses most of her energy on her romantic suspense stories, which she loves for their blend of dark mystery/suspense and sexy romance. She is fascinated with what makes people afraid, and is famous for her depraved villains whose crimes present massive obstacles for her heroes and heroines to overcome.
Kristine has a degree in journalism from Ohio State University and lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband, four kids, and two dogs. If she’s not writing, she’s chauffeuring kids, gardening, or collecting gnomes. Oh, and she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie!
Connect with Kristine on Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads. Or sign up for her newsletter at www.kristinemason.net.
Although Kristine has published a few contemporary romance novels, she focuses most of her energy on her romantic suspense stories, which she loves for their blend of dark mystery/suspense and sexy romance. She is fascinated with what makes people afraid, and is famous for her depraved villains whose crimes present massive obstacles for her heroes and heroines to overcome.
Kristine has a degree in journalism from Ohio State University and lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband, four kids, and two dogs. If she’s not writing, she’s chauffeuring kids, gardening, or collecting gnomes. Oh, and she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie!
Connect with Kristine on Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads. Or sign up for her newsletter at www.kristinemason.net.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 14, 2017
Kristine Mason can go from light and sweet to dark and deadly at the snap of a finger.
A secret to be kept. How far to go to keep it? He went all the way, and once started, his nightmares drove him.
Whitney was patiently waiting for the right man to come along, taking a ribbing from Andy. Her and Andy had an easy relationship, working side by side, sharing lively banter. She looks at him as an older brother.
Whitney is the first female detective in the narc unit of Cuyoga County Sheriff’s Department in Cleveland, Ohio. But, her biological clock is tick, tick, ticking away, so when she goes undercover in the burbs, with a fake husband and ‘white picket fence’, I know there is romance in the air. Enter CORE. And a hunka burning love is coming her way.
Let’s meet Sloan North, ‘a giant, hairy beast, covered in leather, denim and chains.’
She’s an ‘Amazonian Barbie’ and a bit too mouthy and bossy for him. Guess he’ll need to get over it, because between you and me, they will be hooking up for the long term.
Kristine Mason has a way with writing and descriptions, bringing her characters to life with a humorous hint and lively banter.
“How do you fit in this thing?” “Just fine.” They are talking about her Fiat 500 hatchback.
“You should too. If not, I’ll open the sunroof and you can put your head through there.”
It keeps on going and I can’t help but laugh out loud. Wonderful dialogue and I commend Kristine Mason’s ability to write it. It appears to be done so effortlessly.
I love when he pulled off his shirt at the department store, to try on the shirt Whitney had chosen for him in his new role as a suburban husband. WHOA, I can see it now. And the women shoppers reaction. “I’d keep him naked.” LOL
Hilarious writing of Whitney and Sloan’s dialogue and thoughts. Kept me in stitches.
Usually Kristine Mason’s stories are dark and dangerous and I have a feeling we’ll get to that, but I am liking all the fun dialogue and thoughts running through their heads.
I love when he forgot he was carrying her around their new fake home…and she let him.
The kids at the door were so sweet and funny.
I love Whitney leaving sticky notes for him everywhere, bossing him from afar. For being so organized, she sure is a slob.
Suburbia – we have the slut, the gossip, the dickhead…Sloan fights the whole shebang…suburbia, fake wife…but begins to nest, fixing this, planting that, buying this.
The Goldhirsch brothers…
I even feel bad for the serial killer. How is it possible for me to feel bad for someone that buries people alive? I hope that doesn’t say bad things about me. LOL I think it just says great things about Kristine Mason’s writing. She has several plots running simultaneously.
Whitney and Sloan act like a couple of teenagers trying to show the other they don’t like each other, afraid of being hurt or embarrassed. When they finally confront their interest, it is so cute, innocent, and childishly sweet.
Her best friend, Morgan…what a hoot. Sometimes the peripheral characters pop in and steal the show.
When Whitney’s parents come to their pretend home, I couldn’t help but laugh at her mother’s comments. Kristine does seem to sneak in an Ohio State fan in her novels. I catch it, because I am a Michigan Wolverine fan. Have no fear. We get along great.
I bounced back and forth on the rating, because I LOVE Kristine’s ability to take me into a deep, dark place with characters that scare the holy crap out of me and make me revel in the evil that men do. Sinful Vows does not quite take me there. Sure, we have some evil guys, doing evil things, but we are in suburbia, playing pretend house and enjoying all the humor that entails.
BUT, as you can see from my rambling review, I just want to keep sharing more and more and more, so…you bet ya…5 Stars it is.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Sinful Vows by Kristine Mason.
See more at fundinmental
A secret to be kept. How far to go to keep it? He went all the way, and once started, his nightmares drove him.
Whitney was patiently waiting for the right man to come along, taking a ribbing from Andy. Her and Andy had an easy relationship, working side by side, sharing lively banter. She looks at him as an older brother.
Whitney is the first female detective in the narc unit of Cuyoga County Sheriff’s Department in Cleveland, Ohio. But, her biological clock is tick, tick, ticking away, so when she goes undercover in the burbs, with a fake husband and ‘white picket fence’, I know there is romance in the air. Enter CORE. And a hunka burning love is coming her way.
Let’s meet Sloan North, ‘a giant, hairy beast, covered in leather, denim and chains.’
She’s an ‘Amazonian Barbie’ and a bit too mouthy and bossy for him. Guess he’ll need to get over it, because between you and me, they will be hooking up for the long term.
Kristine Mason has a way with writing and descriptions, bringing her characters to life with a humorous hint and lively banter.
“How do you fit in this thing?” “Just fine.” They are talking about her Fiat 500 hatchback.
“You should too. If not, I’ll open the sunroof and you can put your head through there.”
It keeps on going and I can’t help but laugh out loud. Wonderful dialogue and I commend Kristine Mason’s ability to write it. It appears to be done so effortlessly.
I love when he pulled off his shirt at the department store, to try on the shirt Whitney had chosen for him in his new role as a suburban husband. WHOA, I can see it now. And the women shoppers reaction. “I’d keep him naked.” LOL
Hilarious writing of Whitney and Sloan’s dialogue and thoughts. Kept me in stitches.
Usually Kristine Mason’s stories are dark and dangerous and I have a feeling we’ll get to that, but I am liking all the fun dialogue and thoughts running through their heads.
I love when he forgot he was carrying her around their new fake home…and she let him.
The kids at the door were so sweet and funny.
I love Whitney leaving sticky notes for him everywhere, bossing him from afar. For being so organized, she sure is a slob.
Suburbia – we have the slut, the gossip, the dickhead…Sloan fights the whole shebang…suburbia, fake wife…but begins to nest, fixing this, planting that, buying this.
The Goldhirsch brothers…
I even feel bad for the serial killer. How is it possible for me to feel bad for someone that buries people alive? I hope that doesn’t say bad things about me. LOL I think it just says great things about Kristine Mason’s writing. She has several plots running simultaneously.
Whitney and Sloan act like a couple of teenagers trying to show the other they don’t like each other, afraid of being hurt or embarrassed. When they finally confront their interest, it is so cute, innocent, and childishly sweet.
Her best friend, Morgan…what a hoot. Sometimes the peripheral characters pop in and steal the show.
When Whitney’s parents come to their pretend home, I couldn’t help but laugh at her mother’s comments. Kristine does seem to sneak in an Ohio State fan in her novels. I catch it, because I am a Michigan Wolverine fan. Have no fear. We get along great.
I bounced back and forth on the rating, because I LOVE Kristine’s ability to take me into a deep, dark place with characters that scare the holy crap out of me and make me revel in the evil that men do. Sinful Vows does not quite take me there. Sure, we have some evil guys, doing evil things, but we are in suburbia, playing pretend house and enjoying all the humor that entails.
BUT, as you can see from my rambling review, I just want to keep sharing more and more and more, so…you bet ya…5 Stars it is.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Sinful Vows by Kristine Mason.
See more at fundinmental
December 8, 2017
Sinfully humorous. The witty banter between the main couple has you in stitches from laughing and the author also manages to yet again have you feeling sympathy for the killer.
The suburbs of Cleveland is the location of this latest in the Sinfully Core series. CORE agent Sloan North is sent to help the local police department take down a drug lord who is running his business out of a quaint little cul-de-sac neighborhood. Sloan is a motorcycle riding, long hair and beard, tattooed gruff of a man. He doesn't bother reading the dossier on the job before going – just knows it's an undercover job which he likes getting lost in. Well turns out the job is pretending to be a married couple with his “wife” being a Cuyahoga County Detective who takes a major disliking to him on their first meeting.
Whitney Russell has worked hard to get to detective. When we first meet her she got quite the stick up her butt and her and Sloan embark on a whole chapter of verbal sparring between them that I thought was brilliant writing from the author.
Whitney and Sloan are playing wedded bliss to watch a family they think are supplying the drugs that are killing people. Turns out there is a serial killer also living in the neighborhood and when his stash of bodies is found nearby the game changes.
This book had such a different feel to it from others I've read from this author, more humor with a dash of tongue and cheekiness.
The suburbs of Cleveland is the location of this latest in the Sinfully Core series. CORE agent Sloan North is sent to help the local police department take down a drug lord who is running his business out of a quaint little cul-de-sac neighborhood. Sloan is a motorcycle riding, long hair and beard, tattooed gruff of a man. He doesn't bother reading the dossier on the job before going – just knows it's an undercover job which he likes getting lost in. Well turns out the job is pretending to be a married couple with his “wife” being a Cuyahoga County Detective who takes a major disliking to him on their first meeting.
Whitney Russell has worked hard to get to detective. When we first meet her she got quite the stick up her butt and her and Sloan embark on a whole chapter of verbal sparring between them that I thought was brilliant writing from the author.
Whitney and Sloan are playing wedded bliss to watch a family they think are supplying the drugs that are killing people. Turns out there is a serial killer also living in the neighborhood and when his stash of bodies is found nearby the game changes.
This book had such a different feel to it from others I've read from this author, more humor with a dash of tongue and cheekiness.
December 11, 2017
This book was very different from the other Core books but just as good. I kind of felt sorry for the bad guy and what he went through as a teen. The sign of a great author is when they make you feel so many emotions. The main couple have great chemistry. I love the way they interacted with each other.
December 11, 2017
This book was amazing and the reality of this happening in a suburb anywhere in the states is chilling! If your neighbors are wholesome and sweet....BEWARE!!! Take a ride in this realistic suspense novel that will have you biting your nails. Hats off to Kristine Mason!
December 10, 2017
Rarely do I feel a gambit of emotions when when reading a book, but Sinful Vows made me feel all of them in spades. Whitney has been assigned a new partner to go undercover with in the "Burbs". CORE Agent Sloan North does not like to work with partners, he is used to going it alone, imagine his surprise when he meets his new wife Whitney. Their partnership made me laugh, lust, and love right along with them. After they have joined the Suburbia life they start to second guess all of their lintel, how can any of their neighbors be a Drug Lord? They all seem so normal. Now through a serial killer into to the mix and you will never look at the Suburbs the same way again. I felt anger as we find what turned this person into the killer they are and sorrow as you read about decisions made. This book had me laughing on one page and crying on another. Once you start you will not be able to put it down.
December 10, 2017
Loved Sinful Vows. Sloan and Whitney became one of my favorite couples. The banter between them, the teasing and humor and the sexy electricity was definitely a turn on.
Getting in the head of the killer, makes you try to understand his reasoning and feel his anguish that you almost feel sorry for him.
If you like suspence, romance and humor this book won't disappoint you.
Getting in the head of the killer, makes you try to understand his reasoning and feel his anguish that you almost feel sorry for him.
If you like suspence, romance and humor this book won't disappoint you.
December 15, 2017
I think this just may be my favorite one yet! I loved all the story lines and how they somewhat related all to each other. No matter what, I feel you’ll never know your neighbors 100%, and know what truly goes on behind closed front doors. It was interesting to read
about Sloan’s background, to get to understand him a bit more. I struggled a little with the Whitney character, as a like/dislike for her. Overall, the book flowed very well, and was a fast easy read!
about Sloan’s background, to get to understand him a bit more. I struggled a little with the Whitney character, as a like/dislike for her. Overall, the book flowed very well, and was a fast easy read!
December 14, 2017
Loved. Loved. Loved this book! Great primary and secondary characters. The leads are hilarious with their jokes and quips. I even felt sorry for the bad guy. Lol. As always, Kristine Mason has written another stellar Core series book. This one can be read as a stand alone. Very fast read. Fast paced read it in one night book.
December 14, 2017
Another great installment to the CORE series! Living in the suburbs isn't as picture perfect as it seems!! This book has Sloan North, a CORE agent going undercover to help bring down drug dealers. He along with his fake wife, Whitney (a Cleveland detective), move into the suburbs for surveillance. This suburb isn't like most - there are drug dealers and a serial killer on the street! You'll be shocked at the drug dealer, find yourself feeling slightly bad for the serial killler and fighting for Whitney and Sloan to figure out what they might have in the romance department! Great book - I found myself chuckling on one page and biting my nails on another! Highly recommended if
December 11, 2017
Wow! This book certainly keeps you on your toes, so many relationships and characters and stories unfolding in this one small cul-de-sac. Our hero Sloan and heroine Whitney, meet and while seeming like opposites initially,learn that they are in fact perfect for each other,all whilst working undercover in a drugs bust. Kristine certainly kept me guessing right up until the end. No other author can make me feel sympathy for a serial killer! But that's what her writing did for me! I could not put it down,highly recommended.
December 13, 2017
This was a wild ride! Although it wasn’t as dark as she usually writes, I really enjoyed it. I loved the heroine, Whitney. She was quite feisty with a side of OCD thrown in and that made her extremely likable. And Sloan was Yum-a-licious. Great chemistry between these two. And lots of humorous banter.
Now, her main, dark, bad guy. I really wanted to hate him, but at the end, I just felt sorry for him. Sometimes, in trying to escape the evil that has been done to us, we end up becoming that very evil.
Now the other story line had a surprise ending. I never suspected who it was. What a great twist! This story really was well thought out and kept me engaged. It was very hard to put it down! This author is an auto buy for me. I recommend not only this book, but the whole series!
Now, her main, dark, bad guy. I really wanted to hate him, but at the end, I just felt sorry for him. Sometimes, in trying to escape the evil that has been done to us, we end up becoming that very evil.
Now the other story line had a surprise ending. I never suspected who it was. What a great twist! This story really was well thought out and kept me engaged. It was very hard to put it down! This author is an auto buy for me. I recommend not only this book, but the whole series!
December 26, 2017
Gotta say this story is a Another great thriller by Kristine Mason.
Whitney and Sloan are paired together to go undercover as a married couple. They are living in a home in the suburbs investigating drug dealers. What happens between the couple is a mix of two people who are falling for each other but doing everything to fight it and avoid the connection. Sloan is not someone Whitney sees as being her ideal partner. Until they give in to the attraction and she realizes that sometimes opposites attract. The case they are working on is boring to them, under cover is very slow job, but they are good at it. What they find in their new neighborhood is way beyond what they were investigating. I loved learning about their neighbors. We currently live in the suburbs you feel like you know your neighbors, but you really never know what happens inside closed doors. While the story is about investigating drug dealers there is a murder plot that has you feeling sorry for what the killer went through in his past but wondering how someone could kill. I wanted to know what the wife did when she found out. What a tough call. Loved the book, it took me longer to read with the holidays but I can not wait to read about Vlad Next. I love love love that these stories continue to build on past characters. Keep it up
Whitney and Sloan are paired together to go undercover as a married couple. They are living in a home in the suburbs investigating drug dealers. What happens between the couple is a mix of two people who are falling for each other but doing everything to fight it and avoid the connection. Sloan is not someone Whitney sees as being her ideal partner. Until they give in to the attraction and she realizes that sometimes opposites attract. The case they are working on is boring to them, under cover is very slow job, but they are good at it. What they find in their new neighborhood is way beyond what they were investigating. I loved learning about their neighbors. We currently live in the suburbs you feel like you know your neighbors, but you really never know what happens inside closed doors. While the story is about investigating drug dealers there is a murder plot that has you feeling sorry for what the killer went through in his past but wondering how someone could kill. I wanted to know what the wife did when she found out. What a tough call. Loved the book, it took me longer to read with the holidays but I can not wait to read about Vlad Next. I love love love that these stories continue to build on past characters. Keep it up
January 20, 2018
C.O.R.E
Love this author and the series is amazing! The books are never to short which just makes me angry.You actually get to know the characters in the one book.You don't have to read them all but you would sadly miss out.This book had the best love story plus mystery plus you don't want to go to sleep before reading one more chapter.
Love this author and the series is amazing! The books are never to short which just makes me angry.You actually get to know the characters in the one book.You don't have to read them all but you would sadly miss out.This book had the best love story plus mystery plus you don't want to go to sleep before reading one more chapter.
January 24, 2018
Nothing Bad Happens In The Burbs. Or Does It?
I absolutely love this series! I really enjoyed this story and loved the setting in “the suburbs”. Sloan and Whitney definitely had sizzling chemistry. Their neighbors were fascinating characters and very enjoyable. I could even identify with the killer. Loved the plot! Well done!
I absolutely love this series! I really enjoyed this story and loved the setting in “the suburbs”. Sloan and Whitney definitely had sizzling chemistry. Their neighbors were fascinating characters and very enjoyable. I could even identify with the killer. Loved the plot! Well done!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews