Customer Reviews

Stronger than Sin (Sin 2)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The mad scientists are still on the loose and they are looking for those subjects who come willingly with money or forcibly, it does not matter. Jesse Bradford had the injury and the money so he was a perfect fit for the insane group trying to control DNA any way possible.

Jesse was the golden boy of football until the day he received a career ending injury and then made an even worse decision to fix the problem anyway he had to. Conventional medicine could not put him back onto the playing field but a physician of questionable reputation said he would and Jesse bite into the apple that took him straight to perdition and punished him unspeakably for his decision. The price Jesse paid was unbelievable and he thought he would never see daylight again but then in walked Dr. Lilianna Carrera straight out of the darkness providing him with light to heal, a balm to cool his anger and love to temper his soul. She was there courtesy of the FBI and stood her ground with them but seriously questioned if the FBI really did hire goombas as bodyguards?

Lilianna was on a mission to find a cure to the destruction the gene replication caused because it touched her personally and now Jesse was showing the same signs of the disease and she thought there was hope to stop this insanity and she was going to find it. But Jesse was lying to her, keeping secrets and coming off friendly but deep down inside he was raging with anger that Lilianna wanted no part of, once was enough in anyone's life. But Lilianna also saw the tender and caring Jesse and knew that what he wanted more than anything in life was to be a normal person again and not some creature that needed to be caged and tortured to behave.

Lilianna grew day-by-day closer to Jesse and as the secrets spill out between them she hatches a plan that will save them both and possibly cure Jesse for good. But Jesse is still leery of his desire for her and not sure he can let the walls come down completely around his heart. Jesse knows that he is not good enough for her but will Lilianna accept what he has to offer even if it damaged goods? Separately they are strong but together they are powerful and can help each other quiet the demons and shut down the madness and forgiving each other for any sins.

This 2nd book in the series following the wonderful 2009 Sins of the Flesh is just as amazing. Jesse as the alpha male is complicated and well written to show the depth of his desire and feelings. Lilianna as the female counterpart is a sassy, brash and powerful woman who knows how much she will take. It is a great match and adding the family, friends and complexities of the medical drama you have a great mix and when the bad guys come off this strong you know you have a winning combination.

Dr. Liliana Carrera has devoted all her free time to analyzing the strange experimental gene therapy that was forced on her sister-in-law by Wardwell scientists who she herself nearly lost her life to not long ago. And she has now made it her personal mission to help all the other patients as well, that is if the FBI can find any of them. When she is presented with the opportunity to assist in helping yet another victim of the gene therapy gone wrong she finds herself face to face with former pro athlete Jesse Bradford. Jesse is well known by his tabloid appearances as not only a womanizer but of having a horrible temper. Somewhat familiar with his case prior to the gene therapy, Liliana is aware that a rare undiscovered bone degeneration problem is the cause of his career-ending injury. But can she handle what happens to Jesse's bones after the gene therapy?

Although she is highly suspicious of the situation surrounding the care of Jesse Bradford, she cannot turn away the opportunity to help him. It does not take long for an attraction to spark between doctor and patient... but Liliana also discovers quickly she is being lied to- by everyone. Not only is her patient deceiving her, but the FBI agent providing protection for Jesse is as well. Her determination to help Jesse pushes her to continue her research and therapy, but as their attraction grows, she realizes she must confront her suspicions with Jesse. Jesse finds himself in the same boat fighting to keep his family safe by keeping secrets from the doctor, the only person to care for him in a very long time. They both must make difficult decisions that could easily result with dire consequences.

I found the story to have both its ups and downs. I was left playing a little bit of catch-up as I did not read the prior book in the series. I would recommend readers interested to read the first installment before diving into this one. There are many references in this book that left me confused and a bit lost. Otherwise I found the characters charming and very likable. You even find a way to make connections with the "bad guy." The ending was somewhat predictable and came too easy in my opinion. The romantic suspense is palpable in the story which helped keep my interest throughout, but it even seemed a bit curious to me how the two characters "clicked" so well, so quickly. It was a good story overall, the suspense played well, the romance exciting and the characters personalities extremely enjoyable. So do pick up this book if you're in for a good paranormal, romantic suspense... just make sure you grab the first in the series, Sins of the Flesh, first!

Author Caridad Pineiro is a NY Times and USA Today best-selling author of more than twenty novels and novellas in the romance genre. Other titles include: Fury calls, Death Calls, Darkness Calls, Danger Calls, Temptation Calls, Devotion Calls, and Blood Calls. Caridad is also a wife, attorney, and mother. She resides in New York, New York, with her husband and daughter. When she's not writing, Caridad enjoys cooking and traveling, her favorite place being the beach.

A few months earlier, Dr. Liliana Carrera nearly lost her life to Wardwell scientists when her brother fell in love with one of their victims and they came after them. There are more Wardwell patients out there who still need to be found after the doctors escaped. Wardwell's experimental gene therapy treatments are creating side effects unlike anything scientists have ever seen. Determined to help these patients, Liliana has been working on curing them, including her new patient, Jesse Bradford. The former pro athlete once had the best hands in the NFL, but now every injury he sustains turns his tissue to bone thanks to the therapy. Wardwell has threatened Jesse's family, and he can't tell Liliana what he knows or it puts her at risk. As a heated passion between them intensifies, so does the threat against everything they hold dear. Now it's become a race against time to cure Jesse before others succumb to the fate of men who will destroy anything in their way to pursuing greatness.

This is the second book in the "Sin" series, following Sins of the Flesh. Though part of a series, this is a stand alone read.

What I truly love about this new series from a wonderful author is that it has something for everyone-- a little science, a little paranormal, a lot of suspense, and a lot of romance. The perfect read! Though a work of fiction, it poses a fascinating argument for what happens if we take our pursuit of science too far. What will curing diseases mean in the long run? How far will the human determination for prominence take us? In saying that, the romance and suspense were captivating, as always from Caridad. She's a bestseller for a reason. Her writing style-- a mix a dry humor and clever emotional tugging-- makes her a stand alone author. The simplicity in which she sets her stage allows readers to easily transition to the characters surroundings. A hero you can fall for and a heroine to admire. Highly recommended! No, scratch that. Not to be missed!

Kelly Moran,

Author and Reviewer

Bookpleasures

The books doesn't have to be read in order, but doing that you will know more about these genetic experiments. And as for the paranormal romance label, well there is noting paranormal here so far, it's more scientific romance suspense. The "paranormal" is all man-made. Let me explain.

Plot:

There are this evil kind of scientists that wants to make perfect soldiers and such. By implanting animal DNA into humans. In the last book one escaped and was rescued, and Liliana managed to get the things going on in Cat's body under control. In this one a man shows up claiming to be FBI, and wants Liliana to treat another escapee, Jesse Bradford, a hunky ex football player who joined the treatment in order to get better since he is suffering from a disease. The implanted genes into him, and now those genes are going crazy and he is getting an exo-skeleton, because where he gets a wound, bone heals it. And when the whole of you are just bone, well then you die. The evil guys are also threatening him. There you go, another sort of paranormal romance.

My thoughts:

I liked Liliana already in book 1, she was in a bad relationship and I wanted her to find someone nice. Nice here is Jesse who the "FBI" tells her is out of control and could go crazy and punch someone. She really should be careful but she meets him, she is gentle and sweet, and he falls for her at once. No one has been that nice for a while. He also used to quite the player, but who can hold it against him. He was famous and goodlooking.

I also like Jesse because he feels so bad for lying to her, but he wants to save his sister, and Liliana is one smart women and she has doubts about the whole thing. Something weird is going on. But she still stays, she is tough too.

There was suspense too, the race against the clock because he needs treatment, and his body is out of control. The danger from the Wardwell gang who wants to keep their test subjects and make the process better. The abuse he is suffering from Whittaker, the FBI agent, and so on. And then there is the romance, the slow romance that is building up between these two. She is skittish, and it's wrong on more than one level. But there is passion between them, and when they finally make a move, then it's bliss.

Recommendation and final thoughts:

I say yes, I would recommend this book. It's different than usual paranormal books, it's like Dark Angel, but without the bleak future. A book for you paranormal and UF fans, for those that like suspense, and romance, and in the end to everyone that would like something different.

It's an easy book to read, even when she in the lab being all smart. I could not turn the pages any faster to see what is going to happen. It was even better than book 1. And when it ends, omg, I do not know what to say. Perfect ending, but also an opening and I sure hopes she writes more.

I will give it a 4, because that it kept me entertained and I didn't want to put it down.

Stronger than Sin (Sin 2) by Caridad Piñeiro

Paranormal Romance -Oct. 26th, 2010

3 1/2 stars

Stronger than Sin is the 2nd in Caridad Pineiro's contemporary paranormal series. It is a solid story with minor paranormal elements and includes 2 very believable and down to earth main characters.

Jesse Bradford's famous career in football ended with a terrible injury and as a result he volunteered for experimental procedures which caused him more changes than he bargained for. Now his life is lived in a test tube environment under constant security. If it wasn't for the threat to his sister, he would leave. The experiments have caused his body to break down and in addition there are sudden rages that take over him. Jesse doesn't like not being out of control and is afraid of what he might do. He also doesn't want to reveal his weaknesses to the new Dr Liliana Carerra whom he is attracted to.

Dr. Liliana Carerra has dedicated her recent work to finding a cure to help her friend Caterina who has been experimented on by the evil Wardwell Laboratories. When she is pressured by the FBI to add a new patient with similar symptoms named Jesse Bradford, she find herself in over her head as secrets and intrigue surround her on all sides.

This was a quick, fast paced novel. I think it would have been an easier reading if I had read the first book in the series since there were many players and secret agendas. So I had trouble getting myself involved in the story. I did feel for Jesse who went through a lot of anguish.. I also admired the heroine and her determination to find a cure. I just wish Jesse had opened up to Liliana sooner so their relationship could move forward faster.

This was a solid romance with more suspense than paranormal. I would suggest reading the first book in the series to appreciate it fully.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Stronger than Sin by Caridad Pineiro is a paranormal romance that brings in medical science and action with the FBI and criminal elements. Dr. Liliana Carrera is a pathologist that almost lost her own life to the evil Wardell scientists. After her life is setting back to normal, Jesse Bradford becomes her newest patient that escaped from the facility. He has an amazing body (ex-pro football player), and is in serious need of her help - in more ways than one.

I love paranormal romances. This one isn't really very "paranormal" in the sense of vampires, werewolves, witches, etc. It is more conspiracy theory and science gone bad, which isn't a bad thing. It was an interesting mix and was researched well enough for the medical aspects to also be believable.

I found the characters to be likeable and fun to read. Sometimes the transitions in-between the character's point of view didn't work out quite that well, but this is just something I'm picky about. I don't think most people would be bothered by it.

This is a great book to read while on vacation or even while traveling. It has enough action and excitement to keep you interested, and isn't a very lengthy book to not finish while on the vacation. Give it a try - you'll be glad you did!

* Thank you to the publisher of Stronger than Sin, Grand Central Publishing, part of the Hachette Book Group for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

After reading and reviewing Ms Pineiro's first book Sins of the Flesh , I was elated getting her e mail asking our Review Team to review the second book in the series called Stronger Than Sin.

We are re-introduced to Dr Liliana Carrera who was instrumental in helping her brother Mick in the first book. He was working on a case, and fell in love with what they thought was a cold blooded killer. We learned that a bunch of mad scientists, were doing medical experiments on humans, trying to change their DNA. Liliana worked as a team with her friend and partner Carmen at the local hospital to save her .

In this book, Dr. Carrera is brought to the home of a very well known and popular ex Football Player Jesse Bradford by an FBI agent Hank Whittaker. Jesse's career was ended with a severe injury. He was quite a player in his day on the field as well with the women. His brashness has put him in the position he is in now, buying his way to use unorthodox means to fix himself. He has now become a prisoner of these mad men. DNA experiments have changed him as well, his skin turning to bone.

Although this book and the first could be stand alone, the author gives enough back story to not have to have read the first. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them in order. STRONGER THAN SIN is fast and furious. Liliana is a smart woman and is not fooled easily. Jesse is just a good soul trying to do the right thing. Thank goodness they meet. The chemistry is electric, the story believable. The characters come together like an explosion.. Great story flow, and an ending so powerful it will leave you looking at that last page and just BLINK.

Bravo Ms Pineiro a job well done.

Reviewed for Paranormal Romance Guild

Gloria Lakritz senior reviewer

The Wardwell scientists almost killed Dr. Liliana Carrera so she has dedicated her life to save others from these evil maniacs. Her current patient is former NFL player Jesse Bradford whose receiving career was cut short by an injury. As she tries to help the football star recover, he conceals from her that he works for her enemy, the Wardell scientists who are blackmailing him to steal her secrets by threatening to harm his ailing sister.

Liliana falls in love with her patient; he feels the same way about his healer. Thus he also feels guilt as he is caught between the two women he loves in the world; for whichever one he saves the other is dead.

The second scintillating Sin story (see Sins of the Flesh) is a stupendous action-packed science fiction romance starring two survivors. She is a dedicated doctor while he is tacked behind the line between saving his sister and his soul mate. With a terrific medical twist re his health, fans will enjoy the latest mad scientists' saga as love is Stronger than Sin, but love also leads to conflicting multiple relationships.

Harriet Klausner

I really enjoyed this book. Like alot of the others, I didn't read the first book, "Sins of the Flesh" I wish I would have if this book is indicative of the talent of the writer. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters Liliana and Jesse. It took me a chapter or so to get into but once I did, it was one of those all night reading sessions. Anyone that likes suspence novels, like myself, would like this. I would definitely recommend it. Looks like a lot of people felt the same way. Great book!!

I am so sad I didn't read the first book in this series, Sins of the Flesh, since I fell in love with the characters and writing style of Caridad Pinero. I don't think that I was completely lost though because the first chapter brought me up to date on the details. This one can really stand alone as far as plot goes. I picked right up on the action and pretty much read this one straight through. I think this is more urban fantasy than paranormal since ex football player, Jesse is infected with a mutated gene from a mad scientist at Wardwell. Lilianna is a doctor looking to help cure her sister in law, infected with genes also.

Again, I am trying not to give away too much plot here.There is plenty of action and the characters are nicely drawn. I have read a few of Pinero's vampire romances and these will not disappoint if you are looking to fill in those hot stops. I have enjoyed all of her books.