Born in sin [Hardcover]

Kinley Macgregor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2003

Though few can equal her skill with the sword, Caledonia MacNeely fights an unfamiliar shiver when she is offered in marriage to the infamous "Lord Sin." Though Callie fears this mysterious, unreachable stranger -- less for the dark whispers that damn him than for the heat of his touch -- she is under the order of the English king. And with the fate of her troubled clan hanging in the balance, she has little recourse.Banished as a child, "Sin" MacAllister learned to despise his Scottish heritage. Yet now, to unmask King Henry's foes, he must return to the hated Highlands -- wedded to a bewitching lass whose flaming red hair matches the fire of her spirit. A cold, hard heart has always been the key to Sin's survival, but this beauty awakens inhim a perilous need he's never known.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 372 pages
• Publisher: Avon (2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739431641
• ISBN-13: 978-0739431641
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,001,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More bittersweet than the usual Kinley read, February 10, 2003

By 

baltimore0502 "Hon!" (BALTIMORE, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born in Sin: A MacAllisters Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

Typically, this author's stories are fast and funny, but this book is more bittersweet, sad and a bit slower paced. That's not to say that there is no humor here - Sin displays his trademark sarcasm and then there's Simon who's perpetually cheerful and mischievous. But this is a story of a man who has lead a tragic life bereft of love, companionship, compassion and exposed to cruelty, pain and death - and often death has occurred by his own hand. He is not proud of the things he's done, but he did them in order to survive. And until he met Caledonia MacNeely, he never really cared what anyone thought of him. But she's different. First, she's not afraid of him, but more importantly, she's not repelled by him and seems to almost like him as incredulous as that seems to Sin MacAllister.

Which is a good thing since King Henry wants them to marry in order to bring her clan under his control. Though neither is thrilled about the marriage, both see no way out. Sin figures on bringing the rebels in her clan to justice then annulling the marriage - for surely she will not want to stay married to a man like him. Though he finds himself wishing he could be the kind of man she deserves. She's so warm and sweet and determined to look past his reputation and deeds and see him as no one else does. Too bad she won't accept that he has no heart, no soul.

Meanwhile, Callie sees the marriage as her fate and the way to bring peace to her people. And staying married to him seems less of a sacrifice the more she gets to know him. Not only is he handsome (as, well . . . sin!) he is ever kind and considerate of her and he has a warm and playful side that no one else ever sees. She is aware of his plan to leave, but is determined to prove to him that he is capable and worthy of love. That she loves him and that maybe he could love her, too - if he would let himself. She's in for a frustrating fight, but she's more than up to the challenge!

A good read, but at times I found Sin's pathetic life almost too sad, too much. It's amazing that he never just slit his wrists and ended his misery. But thankfully, he didn't and we get to see him and his adorable brothers in this second installment of the series. Fans will worry for Ewan, however, (who will be the subject of the next book) who seems to spend all his time drowning in ale and his own guilt over brother Kieran's death. Another lost soul to be redeemed!

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A rare find, June 7, 2003

By 

Funfan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born in Sin: A MacAllisters Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

It takes a truly exceptional book in this day and age to really touch my heart and this book does it. By the third chapter, I knew that this would be one of those rare classic books like Jackson Rule, Wolf and the Dove, Whitney My Love or Keeper of the Dream. The kind that you put on your shelf and reread over and over again. Lord Sin was the first real hero I've read in a long time. He rises above his past and with the help of his brothers and the kind, carves a spot for himself. He is a man respected and feared by everyone. He wants nothing more than what he has until the day his best friend, the king of England makes him promise to wed Caledonia to stop the trouble of the unknown Raider in her clan.

Neither Callie nor Sin expect anything from the marriage. Sin expects to annul it as soon as possible while Callie true to her upbringing promises to uphold the church law and be a dutiful wife. But it's not duty that makes her welcome her husband, it's his strong, loving heart.

I think I fell in love with Sin while reading Claiming the Highlander, but I had no idea just how wonerful and touching his story would be. Thank you Kinley for writing this book. I have been telling everyone I know to read it. It is filled with lovable, real characters who I can't wait to meet in future books. I saw that Ewan and Simon's books are next and I'm counting down the days to them both.

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Wow! & More Wow!, February 27, 2003

By 

B. Lawrence "prance" (San Ramon, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Born in Sin: A MacAllisters Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

The moment I finished this book I wanted to pick it up and read it again. This book caught me from the very first page. Sin's story is the saddest think I have ever heard. My heart hurt so much during this book. I loved the way Sin & Callie's relationship played out. I liked Callie's sence of humor and the way she made Sin laugh. In some parts you could almost feel Sin's heart opening up to Callie. This book was truly amazing it is my favorite out of all of Kinley MacGregor books so far. If you are looking for a wonderful story this is for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.