What do you think?
Rate this book
A Little Sin
Sheriff Avery O’Rourke has tried to obey his strict Christian faith and lead a “normal” life. In 1923 in a rural East Texas town, “normal” means heterosexual. A cholera outbreak has made Avery a young widower, so he is married to his job. When a murder investigation forces him to confront his truth, will he finally be able to accept being gay?
Veterinarian Garland Sands has returned from Europe to take over his father’s practice. Struggling with shellshock (PTSD) and heartbroken by the suicide of his French lover, he resigns himself to a quiet, solitary life as a country vet. But the murder of the town doctor brings the sheriff to Garland’s doorstep looking for help with the investigation. Seeing Avery awakens dormant feelings. Can he love a man who hates what he is?
This isn’t the lavish 1920s of The Great Gatsby. This is the flip side of that coin—rural East Texas. No electricity. No indoor plumbing. No flappers. In 1923, the timber barons have left and racism, homophobia, and sexism thrive. A Little Sin is a realistic mystery with unlikely heroes and a timeless romance between lovers caught in a world where their love is forbidden.
This book contains steamy sex scenes and is intended for adults only.
Veterinarian Garland Sands has returned from Europe to take over his father’s practice. Struggling with shellshock (PTSD) and heartbroken by the suicide of his French lover, he resigns himself to a quiet, solitary life as a country vet. But the murder of the town doctor brings the sheriff to Garland’s doorstep looking for help with the investigation. Seeing Avery awakens dormant feelings. Can he love a man who hates what he is?
This isn’t the lavish 1920s of The Great Gatsby. This is the flip side of that coin—rural East Texas. No electricity. No indoor plumbing. No flappers. In 1923, the timber barons have left and racism, homophobia, and sexism thrive. A Little Sin is a realistic mystery with unlikely heroes and a timeless romance between lovers caught in a world where their love is forbidden.
This book contains steamy sex scenes and is intended for adults only.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2018
11 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Sionnach Wintergreen
28 books48 followersSionnach (pronounced shuhn ukh) Wintergreen is a trans male author of gay romance, epic fantasy, and adult fantasy. His character-driven stories usually involve misfits because he is one. Sionnach has always loved writing and animals; he was a grant writer for an animal rescue group. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his husband and six furbabies—one sweet dog and five spoiled-rotten cats. He also has a wonderful human son.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 3, 2019
Really enjoyed this novella about a blossoming romance between a sheriff and veterinarian in 1923 Timberland, Texas. The discovery of a dead body and a subsequent equally grisly murder triggers a mystery which pairs the two together and makes up the rest of the plot, but ultimately it's a historical romance at its heart.
Avery and Garland are well realised characters, fitting of the time and place the book is set. They're falling in love at a time when it's not easy to be a gay, or black, or a woman, and it shows in the characters thoughts and feelings about their feelings for each other and the world around them. A cast of other authentic characters, a black woman named Lucinda in particular, make up the story and add to its authenticity and charm.
Wintergreen adopts a great writing style here, completely different to the other contemporary title of hers I read, Zen Alpha. You can almost hear the drawl in the sentences and there's a poetic flare in the language used. Absolutely beautiful descriptions littered throughout the book are a treat to read and they bring this western feeling, gritty and old world to life wonderfully.
Avery and Garland are well realised characters, fitting of the time and place the book is set. They're falling in love at a time when it's not easy to be a gay, or black, or a woman, and it shows in the characters thoughts and feelings about their feelings for each other and the world around them. A cast of other authentic characters, a black woman named Lucinda in particular, make up the story and add to its authenticity and charm.
Wintergreen adopts a great writing style here, completely different to the other contemporary title of hers I read, Zen Alpha. You can almost hear the drawl in the sentences and there's a poetic flare in the language used. Absolutely beautiful descriptions littered throughout the book are a treat to read and they bring this western feeling, gritty and old world to life wonderfully.
March 4, 2018
** 4.5 Stars **
This book has so much to offer! It's a well balanced historical romance with a puzzling mystery. The story seems quite realistic for the time in which it is set (Rural Texas in the 1920's) . I like the character development, the tension and the bond between Avery and Garland. Lucinda is lovely! The infamous Ku Klux Klan is just chilling, these were dark times. My only niggle is that I wish it was longer. Recommended!
This book has so much to offer! It's a well balanced historical romance with a puzzling mystery. The story seems quite realistic for the time in which it is set (Rural Texas in the 1920's) . I like the character development, the tension and the bond between Avery and Garland. Lucinda is lovely! The infamous Ku Klux Klan is just chilling, these were dark times. My only niggle is that I wish it was longer. Recommended!
April 10, 2022
The idea was interesting, but the execution could’ve been better.
Besides the fact that the writing itself was a bit unpolished, with many repetitions and short, simple sentences, I think the author tried to pack too much into such a short book. The end result was that the mystery plot felt rushed and chaotic, resolved clumsily on the last couple of pages (literally). There’s also insta-love here — the bane of my existence lately 😩 — as the story spans just seven days, but the MCs are ready to tie the knot by the time it hits the 60% mark, or thereabouts…
On the plus side, both of the characters were well-drawn. I didn’t really like Avery, but Garland was such a sweetheart. I liked the setting, too. It’s clear Wintergreen loves nature and animals, both were mentioned frequently.
All in all, this was an ok read, but nothing outstanding.
Besides the fact that the writing itself was a bit unpolished, with many repetitions and short, simple sentences, I think the author tried to pack too much into such a short book. The end result was that the mystery plot felt rushed and chaotic, resolved clumsily on the last couple of pages (literally). There’s also insta-love here — the bane of my existence lately 😩 — as the story spans just seven days, but the MCs are ready to tie the knot by the time it hits the 60% mark, or thereabouts…
On the plus side, both of the characters were well-drawn. I didn’t really like Avery, but Garland was such a sweetheart. I liked the setting, too. It’s clear Wintergreen loves nature and animals, both were mentioned frequently.
All in all, this was an ok read, but nothing outstanding.
Read
April 22, 2019The premises were great: East Texas in the 1920s, two MCs who fought in WW1 and still bear the trauma of the war in their everyday life, a murder mystery.
However, I’ve found this novella a bit flat. Perhaps it’s the length of the book that left me feeling like things could/should have been further developed or the writing style that at times was slightly stilted.
Lovely main characters, though, and the setting is fascinating.
However, I’ve found this novella a bit flat. Perhaps it’s the length of the book that left me feeling like things could/should have been further developed or the writing style that at times was slightly stilted.
Lovely main characters, though, and the setting is fascinating.
November 3, 2019
In a world full of hatred and prejudice, love was born. Forbidden, punishable love. Love that could get you killed like the wrong skin color, as the white hoods ride through the nights with the flames of their torches ablaze.
Avery O’Rourke is a sheriff in a rural East Texas town; Garland Sands is a veterinarian. They are secret lovers, trying to keep the flame of their passion and love ablaze in the middle of two murders investigation while their little town further sinks into racism, homophobia and sexism.
A Little Sin realistically depicts same-sex love between two young men and romance that transcends the time. Almost hundred years later, we still sometimes wonder whether the time has overcome homophobia, racism and sexism, or the ghosts of hatred from the past still linger in the false glitter of our society, just differently packed in false promises of tolerance and equality.
Avery O’Rourke is a sheriff in a rural East Texas town; Garland Sands is a veterinarian. They are secret lovers, trying to keep the flame of their passion and love ablaze in the middle of two murders investigation while their little town further sinks into racism, homophobia and sexism.
A Little Sin realistically depicts same-sex love between two young men and romance that transcends the time. Almost hundred years later, we still sometimes wonder whether the time has overcome homophobia, racism and sexism, or the ghosts of hatred from the past still linger in the false glitter of our society, just differently packed in false promises of tolerance and equality.
March 9, 2018
The “little” sin in this story—the love that blossoms between two gay men in 1923 Timberland, East Texas—overshadows the “big” sin. Murder. Or rather murders. There are two and they are both brutal, and the odd thing is: in this time of KKK killings, both victims are white. The first, Doc Watkins, is found lynched and bloody-faced in a magnolia tree. If you’ve ever seen a magnolia tree, with its delicate beauty, you’ll appreciate the contrast in this image. The second, is a young mutilated woman. Both are joined by secrets.
Since it’s a small town and the doc is also the coroner, our protagonist, Sheriff Avery O’Rourke must find someone else to assist him in unravelling what happened and why. Enter Dr. Garland Sands: a savvy, big-hearted veterinarian. And soon, Avery and Garland have a secret of their own.
It’s obvious when an author loves her characters. It’s evident in all the tiny details. In the way Garland chugs his milk, and in his naming of animals. In Avery’s dedication to his job, and his love of horses. In the real and natural dialogue. And, in the love-making that is never forced or unnatural, but described to the last detail.
Sionnach’s writing moves with an easy flow, like a Texas drawl. A stylist, she writes with a literary flare, and always throws in a line or two to make you smile. A Little Sin is primarily a romance novel—early Brokeback Mountain with a happier ending—but it’s also a murder mystery and social commentary. At a time when they could easily be lynched themselves, Avery and Garland, throw aside caution to grasp love and, in the process, bring a murderer to justice. I must say: I was worried for these boys right from the outset because I cared about them.
Favourite Lines:
“I can’t make you my husband, but I can make you my deputy.”
“They were members of a velvet gang who lived on the fringes of a ruthless, heterosexual tyranny. They were shadow men.”
“Loving someone—even if others said it was wrong, couldn’t be sinful. Love was pure, as pure as the sunlight glinting off the dust motes.”
“He had fallen back to it like Icarus, his wings in tatters, his heart broken. He had returned to the red dirt and haunted forests to bury his sorrow.”
“Men are either miracles or they’re monsters.”
Garland and Avery are clearly miracles. Both, men of heart and courage, they defy the odds.
Since it’s a small town and the doc is also the coroner, our protagonist, Sheriff Avery O’Rourke must find someone else to assist him in unravelling what happened and why. Enter Dr. Garland Sands: a savvy, big-hearted veterinarian. And soon, Avery and Garland have a secret of their own.
It’s obvious when an author loves her characters. It’s evident in all the tiny details. In the way Garland chugs his milk, and in his naming of animals. In Avery’s dedication to his job, and his love of horses. In the real and natural dialogue. And, in the love-making that is never forced or unnatural, but described to the last detail.
Sionnach’s writing moves with an easy flow, like a Texas drawl. A stylist, she writes with a literary flare, and always throws in a line or two to make you smile. A Little Sin is primarily a romance novel—early Brokeback Mountain with a happier ending—but it’s also a murder mystery and social commentary. At a time when they could easily be lynched themselves, Avery and Garland, throw aside caution to grasp love and, in the process, bring a murderer to justice. I must say: I was worried for these boys right from the outset because I cared about them.
Favourite Lines:
“I can’t make you my husband, but I can make you my deputy.”
“They were members of a velvet gang who lived on the fringes of a ruthless, heterosexual tyranny. They were shadow men.”
“Loving someone—even if others said it was wrong, couldn’t be sinful. Love was pure, as pure as the sunlight glinting off the dust motes.”
“He had fallen back to it like Icarus, his wings in tatters, his heart broken. He had returned to the red dirt and haunted forests to bury his sorrow.”
“Men are either miracles or they’re monsters.”
Garland and Avery are clearly miracles. Both, men of heart and courage, they defy the odds.
February 27, 2018
A Little Sin is just what the title says: I want to say, sex, lies, and video games, only in this case, it’s sex, lies and murders. Unexplained murders in the little town had two most unlikely characters working in close proximity to each other to try and solve them.
Avery was the town sheriff, all business and Garland was the town veterinarian, looking to get his work done, while he tries to get over the tragic death of his lover. They soon found they had more than one thing in common, and while they work on solving these murders, they took the time to explore just how different they were and yet so similar.
If you love M/M romance and you can imagine it taking place in 1923 in a town in rural East Texas, then you will enjoy this book.
Avery was the town sheriff, all business and Garland was the town veterinarian, looking to get his work done, while he tries to get over the tragic death of his lover. They soon found they had more than one thing in common, and while they work on solving these murders, they took the time to explore just how different they were and yet so similar.
If you love M/M romance and you can imagine it taking place in 1923 in a town in rural East Texas, then you will enjoy this book.
March 3, 2018
I loved this absorbing story of mm romance that takes place in 1920’s Texas. The author knows how to build sexual tension and emotional intensity. Smart writing, realistic dialogue, and unforgettable characters made this a great read. I want more.
May 4, 2018
4 stars
April 28, 2019
This week's book review comes with a confession... I read this entire novel in just a little over two hours. Yes, that's right folks, I devoured this puppy! There were so many questions and intriguing possibilities I couldn't possibly bring myself to stop.
We start with a dead body. Crazy beginning, amirite?? I literally had no idea where it was going to go from there because I have read both amazing and... less than romantic suspense stories which start out in a very similar fashion, so I braced myself for this to go either way. I am so happy to report it was solidly in the former camp.
One of our leading men, Avery, is the Sheriff of a small town in Texas in the 1920's. So let's just start by stating the obvious, this is not going to be the most open-minded and tolerant of settings.
His charming love interest, the new veterinarian in town Garland who took over the practice from his father, is brought onto the scene because the body I mentioned earlier? Yeah that was the town doctor/coroner. Heavy emphasis on the was. Since the good doctor certainly couldn't perform his own autopsy, Garland is commissioned to try to use his animal skills for human use.
And what a love interest! Those two light several pages on frickin fire with their chemistry and attraction. When they finally give in it is just as big of a relief to the reader as the characters themselves, let me tell you.
In the midst of their smexy times, they are also trying to solve not only the murder of the town doctor, but a second body that pops up of a young woman who was not only murdered, but also mutilated. The hits just keep on coming, let me tell you.
Now I will admit one of my biggest downfalls as a reader is that I try to figure out the ending from page one with suspense stories, but this ending? The whodunit of it all? Folks, I did NOT see that one coming and that is all I will say about that!
Not only did the author create some wonderful suspense, they also tackled some very weighty topics. Remember my whole talk about the setting? Yup. Racism and homophobia are major issues at play. I did appreciate that the author didn't simply pretend those issues weren't real in 1920's Texas. Realism is key.
If you enjoy MM historical romance with heavy suspense, grab a copy of A Little Sin today.
We start with a dead body. Crazy beginning, amirite?? I literally had no idea where it was going to go from there because I have read both amazing and... less than romantic suspense stories which start out in a very similar fashion, so I braced myself for this to go either way. I am so happy to report it was solidly in the former camp.
One of our leading men, Avery, is the Sheriff of a small town in Texas in the 1920's. So let's just start by stating the obvious, this is not going to be the most open-minded and tolerant of settings.
His charming love interest, the new veterinarian in town Garland who took over the practice from his father, is brought onto the scene because the body I mentioned earlier? Yeah that was the town doctor/coroner. Heavy emphasis on the was. Since the good doctor certainly couldn't perform his own autopsy, Garland is commissioned to try to use his animal skills for human use.
And what a love interest! Those two light several pages on frickin fire with their chemistry and attraction. When they finally give in it is just as big of a relief to the reader as the characters themselves, let me tell you.
In the midst of their smexy times, they are also trying to solve not only the murder of the town doctor, but a second body that pops up of a young woman who was not only murdered, but also mutilated. The hits just keep on coming, let me tell you.
Now I will admit one of my biggest downfalls as a reader is that I try to figure out the ending from page one with suspense stories, but this ending? The whodunit of it all? Folks, I did NOT see that one coming and that is all I will say about that!
Not only did the author create some wonderful suspense, they also tackled some very weighty topics. Remember my whole talk about the setting? Yup. Racism and homophobia are major issues at play. I did appreciate that the author didn't simply pretend those issues weren't real in 1920's Texas. Realism is key.
If you enjoy MM historical romance with heavy suspense, grab a copy of A Little Sin today.
May 1, 2019
I absolutely loved this M/M novella! As the author details in the beginning, this is a M/M romance with a mystery and a western flavor but ultimately a story where two gay men and a black woman solve crimes in 1920's East Texas. And wow! It's so refreshing to find a book exploring these issues set as a western historical. The writing was so well done and I could tell that the author really researched the terms and atmosphere of the time period. Watching Avery and Garland fall in love, even though it was "forbidden", was so beautiful. Love is love and as I expand my reading to be more inclusive, I love finding stories like this. A very beautiful romance with diverse characters, it just gave me all the feels!
March 7, 2018
I will preface this with the fact that I read this book during one of the most stressful times I’ve had in a while. With that said, Sionnach succeeded in getting my mind off of life with this book almost instantly. Reading it every night was like an escape from reality, a trip into a time long ago in Texas.
As a lover of both m/m romance and historical fiction, A Little Sin is really right up my alley. Beyond just hitting the key genres that interest me, the book is extremely well written, with just the right amount of detail to help the reader imagine the scene perfectly. The book is romantic, dramatic and sexy, not to mention deep, delving into topics such as prejudice, religion, illness and death. And of course there is the captivating murder mystery! A final plus is that it is historically accurate even down to the character’s attitudes, outlooks and fears, which seem to be very realistic concerns for people living in this time and place. That in itself is a huge thing for me as someone with a history degree.
I really fell for the character Garland. His outlook on life, views and desires captivated me. The mystery aspect kept me on my toes. This book is definitely one of my favorites and when I find myself feeling stressed or down, I fully plan to immerse myself into it once again, and go back to those dark quiet Texas nights where the fireflies are out and love and passion abound.
As a lover of both m/m romance and historical fiction, A Little Sin is really right up my alley. Beyond just hitting the key genres that interest me, the book is extremely well written, with just the right amount of detail to help the reader imagine the scene perfectly. The book is romantic, dramatic and sexy, not to mention deep, delving into topics such as prejudice, religion, illness and death. And of course there is the captivating murder mystery! A final plus is that it is historically accurate even down to the character’s attitudes, outlooks and fears, which seem to be very realistic concerns for people living in this time and place. That in itself is a huge thing for me as someone with a history degree.
I really fell for the character Garland. His outlook on life, views and desires captivated me. The mystery aspect kept me on my toes. This book is definitely one of my favorites and when I find myself feeling stressed or down, I fully plan to immerse myself into it once again, and go back to those dark quiet Texas nights where the fireflies are out and love and passion abound.
August 31, 2018
4.5 Starts - This novella is the perfect combination of story, characters and history. It is a male/male romance and has a few steamy scenes that enhance but not detract from the mystery in this small Texas town in the 1920’s. The book opens to hanging of the local doctor and the sheriff is left without a person to act as coroner so he goes to the only other medical professional in the area – a vet. The glimpses of back story on Sheriff Avery and the vet, Garland as well as the details of their current lives make this a book where it is easy to fall into the story. Add in the danger of the situation that arises as Avery and Garland find themselves falling for each other, the local KKK doing a cross burning, and this was a book I could not get through quickly enough.
I have read other books by this author and one of the things I always enjoy is how they present the characters and entwine them into the story. Once again I am in awe of the quality and uniqueness of stories that Indie Authors are putting out.
I have read other books by this author and one of the things I always enjoy is how they present the characters and entwine them into the story. Once again I am in awe of the quality and uniqueness of stories that Indie Authors are putting out.
March 14, 2018
4.5 stars.🌟 This was a first read for this author for me. Brilliantly written and scenes refect the time frame. The mystery of who the killer was is cleverly hidden. Avery and Garland worked as a great team together for a mystery and a romance. I did find it strange why would the town have a so young sheriff usually there older men.
Sheriff Avery 23 yrs found the towns Doctor hanging by a rope from a tree. Set in 1923 he needed the next type of doctor...a vet. Dr Garland would be a huge help..
Sheriff Avery 23 yrs found the towns Doctor hanging by a rope from a tree. Set in 1923 he needed the next type of doctor...a vet. Dr Garland would be a huge help..
August 31, 2018
Set in East Texas in 1923, Wintergreen has written a compelling love story at a time when homosexual love was not only illegal, but it could result in death by judgmental neighbors. The story is well written and researched for a true picture of the area during the early 1920’s. The KKK was popular, blacks and whites were not to be together and homosexuality was forbidden. The struggle of being different is beautifully and painfully described as we read of the slow beginnings of change in social norms taking place. In the middle of all this a murder occurs: is it racially motivated?
A great Weekend read!
A great Weekend read!
October 6, 2019
Being Southern and growing up in the 60's I saw so much of what spoken in the story from hangings, cross burnings, murder and being raised to stay on one certain side of the railroad track and who to socialize with and who not. When you listen to in this story was true in the 1920's up to the 1960's it was a very dark time in American history for everyone no matter who you was the church and religious class rules all most today as then using terror and the bible. This auibal is so real I could not stop listening to it because I had lived it and seem it as a child to adulthood.
Being gay could and would get you banished and either killed or beaten and I some cases tared and feather. These men who both were veterans of the great war fought for this country and could not love each other and had to hide their love for each other out in public and I am sure at their homes.
Two murders are committed in town and the killeing was due to a white women loving a black man and a white doctor due to he delivered the mix race child. The doctor murdered by hanging the white women was brutally murdered and disfigured. And even now in the country we still see this behavior
and we have not learned from the past and hopefully one day we will
There is so many storylines in the audible I can guarantee you will not be able to stop listening.
Being gay could and would get you banished and either killed or beaten and I some cases tared and feather. These men who both were veterans of the great war fought for this country and could not love each other and had to hide their love for each other out in public and I am sure at their homes.
Two murders are committed in town and the killeing was due to a white women loving a black man and a white doctor due to he delivered the mix race child. The doctor murdered by hanging the white women was brutally murdered and disfigured. And even now in the country we still see this behavior
and we have not learned from the past and hopefully one day we will
There is so many storylines in the audible I can guarantee you will not be able to stop listening.
March 14, 2018
A tender Texas romance
This story combines a sheriff solving a crime and the mm relationship he develops with the local veterinarian. The story’s set in a small town in rural Texas, in 1923, and there are a lot of thoughtful details here.
Many aspects of modern life has still to reach this area. Both men are still haunted by their service in the Great War, and feel guilty about being gay, a sin in the eyes of the religious community they live in. The sheriff realises how his unconscious racism and sexism are hindering his work.
The murder mystery is rather incidental to the romance, and if that had been expanded, I could happily have read another 100 pages, but this novella has a lot to commend it.
This story combines a sheriff solving a crime and the mm relationship he develops with the local veterinarian. The story’s set in a small town in rural Texas, in 1923, and there are a lot of thoughtful details here.
Many aspects of modern life has still to reach this area. Both men are still haunted by their service in the Great War, and feel guilty about being gay, a sin in the eyes of the religious community they live in. The sheriff realises how his unconscious racism and sexism are hindering his work.
The murder mystery is rather incidental to the romance, and if that had been expanded, I could happily have read another 100 pages, but this novella has a lot to commend it.
April 1, 2019
SPOILER ALERT!!! I give a few tidbits away in this review. Be careful.
I love the concept of this book. A murder mystery involving gay people in Eastern Texas in the early 1920s. It’s a great idea. However, you still have to write a good novel. This book feels rushed. It’s full of good ideas that never really seem to get off the ground. The murders and the mystery part are all interesting but they need development. The final resolution of the book is thrown at you like a snowball. New facts are given, boom, it’s all resolved. Consequently, the characters are rather two dimensional, you really don’t get to know them. The storyline is dissappointing because it feels incomplete. It’s a great premise but falls a bit short in the execution.
I love the concept of this book. A murder mystery involving gay people in Eastern Texas in the early 1920s. It’s a great idea. However, you still have to write a good novel. This book feels rushed. It’s full of good ideas that never really seem to get off the ground. The murders and the mystery part are all interesting but they need development. The final resolution of the book is thrown at you like a snowball. New facts are given, boom, it’s all resolved. Consequently, the characters are rather two dimensional, you really don’t get to know them. The storyline is dissappointing because it feels incomplete. It’s a great premise but falls a bit short in the execution.
October 14, 2018
Mystery set I East Texas after WWI
Sheriff must find the killer for the town doctor and an unidentifiable woman. A baby is abandoned and found on the railroad tracks. The town Veternarian helps with the autopsies. For adults only.
Sheriff must find the killer for the town doctor and an unidentifiable woman. A baby is abandoned and found on the railroad tracks. The town Veternarian helps with the autopsies. For adults only.
December 23, 2018
I have to admit I was a virgin when it came to gay male romance, but Sionnach popped my cherry. Many people say they regret their first time, but I do not regret reading this gay male romance novel at all!
July 16, 2019
4 stars.
A good solid historical set in a time and place I rarely have read....East Texas, 1923. I have some past history of this kind of life devoid of modern conveniences, my grand parents did not have running water, my dad was a pastor in the Imperial Valley, CA just before WWII and was sometimes paid in chickens and produce. I think the author got the feeling right about the place, time, and especially the sentiments of the people of Wakeforest, TX.
Kind of a grisly crime that is the story plot with a side of burgeoning love between the vet and sheriff that flows with the story. I think Garland Sands was almost perfect in his knowledge, temperament, physicality and compassion. Sheriff Avery O’Rourke was also a good guy but he had some fast learning to do if he was going to be with Garland. He learned that white men are not always trustworthy and that women and African Americans often know more of what is going on. He was still a little trigger happy for me, but maybe that was life in 1923 East Texas.
I thought these men were more or less equal, yet their sex lives seemed pretty fixed, but maybe hard to show that in the length of a novella. I would have thought the lawman would have fought for dominance more just due to the macho quality that sheriffs seem to always have.
A good solid historical set in a time and place I rarely have read....East Texas, 1923. I have some past history of this kind of life devoid of modern conveniences, my grand parents did not have running water, my dad was a pastor in the Imperial Valley, CA just before WWII and was sometimes paid in chickens and produce. I think the author got the feeling right about the place, time, and especially the sentiments of the people of Wakeforest, TX.
Kind of a grisly crime that is the story plot with a side of burgeoning love between the vet and sheriff that flows with the story. I think Garland Sands was almost perfect in his knowledge, temperament, physicality and compassion. Sheriff Avery O’Rourke was also a good guy but he had some fast learning to do if he was going to be with Garland. He learned that white men are not always trustworthy and that women and African Americans often know more of what is going on. He was still a little trigger happy for me, but maybe that was life in 1923 East Texas.
I thought these men were more or less equal, yet their sex lives seemed pretty fixed, but maybe hard to show that in the length of a novella. I would have thought the lawman would have fought for dominance more just due to the macho quality that sheriffs seem to always have.
July 8, 2020
Authentic and well-written
Wonderful sense of place. Well-rounded, authentic characters. This gem of a book has it all. Understated and tenderly told love story wrapped in a mystery that is fully resolved. There's not a false note in this little gem of a novel!
Wonderful sense of place. Well-rounded, authentic characters. This gem of a book has it all. Understated and tenderly told love story wrapped in a mystery that is fully resolved. There's not a false note in this little gem of a novel!
December 15, 2021
I couldn’t resist “A Little Sin” by Sionnach Wintergreen. It’s a quick read that takes place in 1923, East Texas, where living conditions are still very rough and society is very intolerant.
Avery O’Rourke is the sheriff in the town of Timberland. He’s all business as the sheriff and finds himself in a dilemma when local, Doc Watkins is found dead. Not having any other options he relies on the next best thing.
He heads to the Sands Farm to seek out advice from Garland Sands the local veterinarian. Arriving at Garlands he speaks to Lucinda Gattis, Garlands secretary. Garlands out on a call at the Flanders Farm and being anxious Avery heads to the next stop.
He finds Garland enjoying himself, eating blackberry cobbler and drinking milk. He seems relaxed and quite the mischief maker and Avery doesn’t know what to make of Garland. But Avery sticks to business and they head back to the Sands Farm, with the body in tow.
There’s a definite friction between Avery and Garland, and Garland is quick to let Avery know he’s picked up on his secret.
As Avery and Garland get immersed into this chaotic murder mystery, there’s a bond that gradually grows between them. But they can’t escape the danger that’s bound to come.
Sionnach Wintergreen created a complex and dangerous murder mystery with a beautiful romance between two young men. Besides the murder, Garland and Avery both have their own issues to overcome.
This is also a time of the KKK, bigotry, homophobia, beliefs of religion, and equality that all the characters have to endure.
I liked the characters that also graced this story, especially Lucinda Gattis. She was a bright spot in this story. There’s wonderful moments with her daughter Ruby, Katydid and the kittens.
I like that the author wanted to stay true to the issues and bigotry during the era. “Author’s Note” is very important and expresses the feelings of the author.
I highly recommend this story! It’s one I would read and listen to again! I really enjoyed the audio version. Anton Rush, is perfect narrating this story. He has just the right amount of drawl for all the characters, both male and female, and it sets them all apart. He brings out the seriousness, emotions, romantic moments and humor to make “A Little Sin” even more entertaining.
Avery O’Rourke is the sheriff in the town of Timberland. He’s all business as the sheriff and finds himself in a dilemma when local, Doc Watkins is found dead. Not having any other options he relies on the next best thing.
He heads to the Sands Farm to seek out advice from Garland Sands the local veterinarian. Arriving at Garlands he speaks to Lucinda Gattis, Garlands secretary. Garlands out on a call at the Flanders Farm and being anxious Avery heads to the next stop.
He finds Garland enjoying himself, eating blackberry cobbler and drinking milk. He seems relaxed and quite the mischief maker and Avery doesn’t know what to make of Garland. But Avery sticks to business and they head back to the Sands Farm, with the body in tow.
There’s a definite friction between Avery and Garland, and Garland is quick to let Avery know he’s picked up on his secret.
As Avery and Garland get immersed into this chaotic murder mystery, there’s a bond that gradually grows between them. But they can’t escape the danger that’s bound to come.
Sionnach Wintergreen created a complex and dangerous murder mystery with a beautiful romance between two young men. Besides the murder, Garland and Avery both have their own issues to overcome.
This is also a time of the KKK, bigotry, homophobia, beliefs of religion, and equality that all the characters have to endure.
I liked the characters that also graced this story, especially Lucinda Gattis. She was a bright spot in this story. There’s wonderful moments with her daughter Ruby, Katydid and the kittens.
I like that the author wanted to stay true to the issues and bigotry during the era. “Author’s Note” is very important and expresses the feelings of the author.
I highly recommend this story! It’s one I would read and listen to again! I really enjoyed the audio version. Anton Rush, is perfect narrating this story. He has just the right amount of drawl for all the characters, both male and female, and it sets them all apart. He brings out the seriousness, emotions, romantic moments and humor to make “A Little Sin” even more entertaining.
June 4, 2023
This is a beautiful book. I fell in love with the main characters of Garland, Avery, and Lucinda. I was swept up in the setting of 1923 rural, bigoted East Texas and in the gruesome murder mystery wracking the fictional town of Timberland, a land of secrets and shaming.
This no mere M/M romance novel. The sex is there, but intense passion and love drive the story. And what a story! The layers of meaning that Sionnach Wintergreen infuses into this book make it a rich and satisfying reading experience.
From the lives ruined and haunted by WWI to the prescient mention of the 1918 pandemic to interracial love to equality for women to the precursor of gay marriage, the author spins a compelling tale that speaks to an audience 100 years into the setting's future. How much or how little has changed? Is history repeating itself? These are questions that make this book deeply rewarding and set it apart from a genre that frankly I'd had little interest in. Wintergreen has won me over!
Which leaves me with one lingering question: Where's the savvy movie producer who'll option A Little Sin for the incredible movie this book would make?
This no mere M/M romance novel. The sex is there, but intense passion and love drive the story. And what a story! The layers of meaning that Sionnach Wintergreen infuses into this book make it a rich and satisfying reading experience.
From the lives ruined and haunted by WWI to the prescient mention of the 1918 pandemic to interracial love to equality for women to the precursor of gay marriage, the author spins a compelling tale that speaks to an audience 100 years into the setting's future. How much or how little has changed? Is history repeating itself? These are questions that make this book deeply rewarding and set it apart from a genre that frankly I'd had little interest in. Wintergreen has won me over!
Which leaves me with one lingering question: Where's the savvy movie producer who'll option A Little Sin for the incredible movie this book would make?
December 21, 2024
Set in East Texas in 1923, this well-researched book has an authentic feel for the era and the author did not gloss over some of its ugliness. Avery is sheriff of the small town and, when the town's doctor is maimed and lynched, he gets the biggest case of his career.
With the doctor/coroner deceased, Avery contacts the town's veterinarian, Garland. Garland seems happy-go-lucky, but it hides some past traumas. Both men identify each other as homosexual. They are very attracted to each other, but must be discreet due to the dangers of the time. Also, Avery has some very conservative interpretations of the Bible and believes his own inclinations are a sin.
The mystery continues to deepen with new events. Avery and Garland talk out what is happening with the help of Garland's Black secretary, who has her own helpful insights. Avery and Garland's relationship develops. This book has an unusual setting, intrigue, an engaging mystery, passion, and a beautiful love. Highly recommended!
With the doctor/coroner deceased, Avery contacts the town's veterinarian, Garland. Garland seems happy-go-lucky, but it hides some past traumas. Both men identify each other as homosexual. They are very attracted to each other, but must be discreet due to the dangers of the time. Also, Avery has some very conservative interpretations of the Bible and believes his own inclinations are a sin.
The mystery continues to deepen with new events. Avery and Garland talk out what is happening with the help of Garland's Black secretary, who has her own helpful insights. Avery and Garland's relationship develops. This book has an unusual setting, intrigue, an engaging mystery, passion, and a beautiful love. Highly recommended!
August 19, 2023
A Little Sin captured my attention in the first chapter and held it throughout. Sionnach Wintergreen's talent for setting the scene made East Texas come alive on the pages of his book. He does an incredible job weaving the problematic topics of racism and homophobia into a rich romantic suspense. This whodunit leaves you guessing until the very end, as Avery O'Rourke and Garland Sand discover their true selves while a madman runs amok in their rural community. A great read! I am looking forward to what Wintergreen creates next!
April 15, 2021
I enjoyed the characters and the setting of this book and I overall felt it was wellwritten. However, I think it would've been better had it been a little longer. Trying to fit a full mystery and a romance from start to finish in so few pages takes a lot of skill and this just wasn't quite there and both ended up feeling rush. Definitely will check out other books by this author as I found the writing to be enjoyable
October 12, 2019
mystery is not my normal genre but this one pulled me in and would not let me go until the end. i think it is a well thought out story with everything to hook you and keep you interested until the end. would have loved to have been able to spend more time with Avery, Garland, and the other characters hoping for a second book.
June 22, 2022
I really enjoyed this one. The chemistry between the two MC's - Sheriff Avery O’Rourke and Veterinarian Garland Sands is well done and the murder mystery they have to solve kept me involved in the story. Wintergreen does a good job keeping this within the time period while avoiding over-the-top stereotypes. This is the second murder mystery I've read by him and I'm totally a fan!
July 22, 2019
I wanted to give this 4 stars! The characters are interesting, the setting is fascinating, and even though the subject matter was a little dark for my taste, it is handled very well. However, with as ambitious as this story is, it needed more room to develop.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews