Customer Reviews

Bound By Sin (Cin Craven Novels)

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Bound by Cin by Jenna Maclaine
Paranormal Romance- December 29th, 2010
4 ½ stars

Bound by Cin is a exhilarating read that is sure to please devoted fans of the series and become a great find for lovers of paranormal, vampires and Urban Fantasy (although readers of very dark and moody fantasy may find it a little light). Jenna Maclaine skillfully writes a novel brimming with danger, mystery and mythical characters that raise the stakes for Cin and her friends.

In this latest installment, Cin (who is a vampire and powerful witch) is called back home to find a distant relative, named Claire who has been kidnapped to the Americas. There Cin finds danger and black magic which she has tried to suppress. And Cin must find her courage to overcome her darkest fears. Adding to Cin's stress, the retrieval of Claire isn't as straight forward as it appears especially when a troublesome ghost and interfering Gods have plans for Claire, too.

What makes this series extra-ordinary is the author's ability to reinvent Cin by placing her in new and exciting situations that are thrilling and fascinating. Cin is constantly challenged and learns more about herself and her powers. Each story delves into the mystery behind Morrigan, the goddess of war and death and Morrigan's deep interest in Cin's destiny. (The author definitely does not take her readers for granted with recycled plots lines.)

Another reason I adore this series so much is because the main characters have a real feeling of camaraderie and I enjoy their interplay. And although each has their own past and struggles they are likeable and engaging. The story invites you to enjoy it.

But what I love the most about this series is something that is rarely found in any series. A strong, mature and loving relationship between the 2 main characters. (In most books once the hero and heroine have found each other the story promptly ends. But what happens later? Do they still carry on?) This series is a real treat because the reader gets to read more about the main characters' relationship. And it doesn't disappoint!

While most authors end their series because the 2 characters are finally together and they therefore feel the tension is gone. Jenna Maclaine is just beginning. She skillfully maintains the deep love between the 2 characters and keeps a simmering, sexual energy brewing. It is never boring!

And although the main characters, Cin and Michael don't always agree, Michael and Cin each have a devotion for the other that carries throughout the entire series, even in times of crisis. Plus, it doesn't hurt that Cin's love interest, Michael is dangerous, gorgeous and loyal. (But don't think he is a push over; he has his own strong personality, too.)

The 2 characters really complement and support each other. A nice switch from the heroine who has to do everything or the love interest who is: unemotional, unresponsive or questionable. And this is why I feel lovers of dark fantasy may not find this book as interesting because while there is plenty of tension in the story, the characters actually have a healthy relationship and are happy together. (Shock!) So, it doesn't have the angst and despair found in many of the relationships in that genre. But if you are a little bit more of a romance reader like me and like the happy ending/couple and at least some resolution to your story you will definitely enjoy this series!

This series is constantly evolving; I can't wait for Jenna Maclaine's next book! If you haven't tried the Cin series I cannot recommend it enough! But I strongly suggest reading the first, Wages of Sin to really find the most satisfaction.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Plot Summary: Witch/vampire Cin Craven and her husband Michael are enjoying Paris when she feels compelled to return home to England. One of her relations has used a summoning spell to ask Cin for help. Her cousin was kidnapped by an American, after Claire had come to own a very rare Greek urn. Cin takes a ship to America, along with Michael, Devlin and Justine, and they locate Claire on an island off Savannah. What should be a simple task of rescuing her cousin is far more dangerous and complicated than Cin could have imagined. Her enemies exploit the vampires' weakness for sunlight, and Cin must battle the call of the dark magic inside herself.

I blasted through this book like a blowtorch through tissue paper. I've always thought that Jenna Maclaine's writing style is extremely easy-to-read, but something about Bound By Sin had me turning the pages in record time. I'm becoming very fond of historical paranormal romances, and the Cin Craven series holds a special place for several reasons. The first is because it follows the same heroine, almost like an urban fantasy series, and the second is because it covers a lot time and distance.

Almost 50 years have passed since the first book, Wages of Sin (A Cin Craven Novel), and Cin is dealing with one of the pitfalls of immortality - watching her loved ones die of old age. I can't recall another vampire story that touches on this topic in any meaningful way. It's also interesting to see whether immortal love is really possible, because the relationship between Cin and Michael is full of ups and downs. I almost wish they would fight more, because it adds credibility and spice to their relationship.

My favorite part of this series is how it changes location. This time Cin and Michael must travel to America and run the Union blockade during The Civil War to rescue her kidnapped cousin. The story definitely took off for me once they were in the South, and I particularly liked several new characters who were introduced. Now I'm wondering where they'll go next. Will it fast forward 30 years to a rough and tumble western town like Tombstone? Or maybe they'll visit New Orleans when jazz starts to bloom. Whatever happens, life will never be dull for this witch-vampire heroine.

I love, love, love this series. I was very disappointed when the book came out and it was not available on the kindle. I waited a while, hoping that it would eventually come out on the kindle, but it never did. So I had to go to the book store and buy the book. I am so glad that I did. I love this book and the whole series.

I would highly recommend this series to everyone!

My first Cin reading was a short story, got me hooked, read all three books ASAP. Fun reading, sexy, enjoyable. The bad news - the series was dropped by the publisher, even with strong sales. The good news - Jenna Maclaine will self-publish from now on (according to her Facebook messages.)

I just love the Cin Craven books.The author makes it seem like you right there in the story. They are page turners and you done want them to end.Bound By Sin (Cin Craven Novels)

This is my first time comming across this author Jenna Maclaine, and let me tell you i am so happy i did for i would have missed out on the best series written so far this year(Cin Craven Series). Imo anyway. Bound by Sin is the third in her series and the most enlightened one i think, dont get me wrong wages of sin an grave sin were also great, lots of action romance suspence everything you can ask for in a good series. Like another reviewer stated if you like Cin you will love this one even more, very little action in this one but what was there was perfect, this one deals more with Micheal an Cin, Cin growing an learning to deal with her dark magic. I am telling you this series you wont be disapointed in it, its absolutely fabulous, i am not great with words but you will love this series. Thank you Jenna Maclaine and please let there be more of Micheal an Cin.

Now, this book has it all. There is a haunted plantation, a cat who only lets the ghost pet her, a murderer, a voodoo queen, Ares, the god of War, and Morrigan, the Celtic goddess.
And vampires. How could I forget the vampires.

We enter into this book with Cin being summoned back to London from France, and her descendants asking her for help. One of her cousins has been kidnapped by an American who wants an urn from her. We also see a bit of sisterly bickering and bonding between Justine and Cin. One of the reasons for the bickering is that Cin has kept her human ties to her family and her old life, while Justine cut all ties with her human life after she was turned. I think this whole series has done a fabulous job of showing the bittersweet aspect of immortality, of watching one's loved ones die and getting close to the next generation only to watch them pass too.

Once the location is discovered, Cin, Michael, Justine and Devlin hop a ship to Georgia and think it will be an easy grab and go. In fact, they go right up to his house and knock on the door in the middle of the night. IN fact, Cin was worried about the propriety of one showing up on someone's doorstep in the middle of the night.

"The bastard had kidnapped my cousin. If that didn't warrant two vampires knocking on your door in the dead of night, I don't know what did."

The jerk wouldn't let them in, so Michael bought the island for Cin. Then they called in Adrien's mortgage and evicted him.

I think that the vampire aspect in this book was touched on, but it wasn't quite as involved as the previous 2 books. Here we deal more and more with Cin's dark side, and how all the voodoo on the island is calling to her dark magic. In fact, Pandora, the voodoo queen from New Orleans, helps Cin to understand that both the light and the dark magic are part of her, and trying to repress the dark magic will only make it "hungrier," so to speak. She needs to find a balance in herself and with her magics.

Michael hates the dark magic and worries constantly. Devlin and Justine are in Jamaica securing their return passage to England, so they aren't in the bulk of the action, but while at first I was sad they weren't in there, by the end, I realized why and how well it had worked.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Meanwhile, I do believe I mentioned a haunted plantation? The villain of the piece, Adrien, the kidnapper and coveter of the urn, killed his wife, and she still haunts the place. Miss Evangeline cracked me up. Seriously snarky ghost.

Now the urn that we've been touching on is the reason Cin's cousin Claire was abducted. It's an urn housing the Greek god of war, Ares. Claire accidentally summoned him, after Morrigan gave him unto her keeping.

Adrien wants to unleash Ares onto the battlefields of the Civil War and kill of the Yankees. Wow. But the urn has to be handed over, not taken, so he took Claire and is trying to "persuade" her to hand over the urn.

I'll stop the spoilers there, but let's jsut say the ending is soo open, and I'm furious that Jenna MacLaine didn't put an excerpt of the next book, after leaving me with that ending. Never fear, it's not quite a cliffhanger, but it's just enough information to leave me with my jaw droppped and flipping the last blank page, thinking "No, no that's not it! What happens next?"

Anyone who loves Cin, will love this one too, even if it's not as action packed as the previous books, we do see more of Michael and Cin,and we see Cin growing and learning to deal with her darker half.

A great book, a great series, and I'm dying for more Cin and Michael.

In 1862 France, the Righteous vampire team consists of Cin, Michael, Justine and Devlin. Their mission is to hunt down rogue vampires who kill humans. Of the quartet, Cin is the unique one as before she was changed she was a hereditary witch. She and Michael are lovers and have been for a while.

Adrien Boucher kidnaps Claire Gordon; taking her from her home in London to Savannah. He makes it clear to Cin's witch ancestry that the ransom is the Greek urn the vampiress refused to hand over to him. Rushing across the Channel to obtain information on her third cousin's abduction, Cin promises the victim's mother Raina Macgregor Mahone to rescue Claire. She and her three allies sail across the Atlantic to the United States where the Civil War is raging as Adrien awaits them in Georgia.

The third Cin historical fantasy (see Wages of Sin and Grave Sins) is a deep moving tale that not only brings the quartet across the Atlantic, but provides a profound look at death during the short stay in London. Her second cousin Raina looks just like Cin's Aunt Maggie (Raina's late grandmother) who died a decade earlier and she last saw her back in '28. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action, but also provides enough tidbits like the time to cross the ocean to anchor the era. Jenna Maclaine provides her audience with a super entry as Cin's sinful world seems to be getting increasingly dangerous.

Harriet Klausner