Book Reviews of Born in Sin: A MacAllisters Novel

It's not perfect but within the realms of light, easy historical romance, it is close. The portrayal of a tortured, abused and unloved hero has seldom been written better. Sin, the bastard son of an unloving father and hateful mother had such a horrendous childhood that no one even considered the possibility of redemption. Callie does not know this, however, and having never heard of the infamous Sin, chooses to look past his reputation to find the man underneath. This story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. One thing is for sure, it is undoubtedly and completely sigh worthy

Catching read!!

I really enjoyed the story and the couple Sin and Caledonia. I saw them mentioned several times in the "Favorite Romance Couples" forum topic and was very pleased with the book.

What a fun book! This was my third book in this series I have read and I plan to read them all. It's light hearted, probably historically inaccurate. Sin was very much like one of the Dark-Hunters MacGregor / Kenynon created.

I loved both characters and it was great to see all the brothers interact together. My only complaint was that the women in this series seemed to be a little too perfect, but I love how sassy and crazy they are.

Great read.

MacGregor's style of writing historical romance is to write as if everything is happening today. The dialogue, save a few "ayes" and "miladys", is contemporary, as well as all notions of age, the language of emotion (how it is discussed or thought about), and general social behavior. While today a sixteen or eighteen year old young man would be considered a child, certainly in the 12th century a male of 16 was considered a man. He would fight in wars, even be married at that age (as were most girls). I sincerely doubt women and men discussed their Feelings to such great degree. I can suspend disbelief for a good romance, but the constant use of very contemporary language and social ideas is distracting from the story. Several scenes felt so out of place and time it was nearly cringe-worthy.
The hero of this book was remarkable in that he was both a virgin and a man who had suffered such terrible mistreatment and torture as a child, with more abuse revealed on almost every page, it is difficult to imagine him being capable of almost any normal human behavior at all. There is a kind of allure to heroes written that way but MacGregor's rather silly approach to his healing romance was off-putting. Sin was a very compelling character but was easily persuaded into silliness that made no sense to the character.
I've read a contemporary romance by Sherrilyn Kenyon (MacGregor's alter ego) and had similar complaints - characters too chipper, dialogue not fitting the people and their station, general silliness that seemed out of place.
Probably my last by this author.

Writing as Kinley MacGregor, Sherrilyn Kenyon is not as potent as her later works under the more popular pen name. This book was decent, but I didn't like the relationship (or lack of one?) between Sin and his brothers. I would have liked to see more tension there, but the way she wrote it still works. If you like historical romances, this one is worth reading.

Ok I loved this book. A very nice love story. Now I have to read the others.

Great book!

a sweet read. very enjoyable. characters were fun.

LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT!

After reading the first 2 in the MacAllister series, I thought Sin was the least interesting character. I was wrong. This book has become my favorite story, and I can also say I thought "sin" was a ridiculous name, but now I get it. A very pleasant surprise.

Great, great series. Your heart breaks for hero but of course everything turns around & all is well.

I really enjoyed this book. Very hard to put down. I was angry, happy and tearful. This book has it all.

This book was sinfully delicious. I loved it. Love all the MacAllisters novels.

I LOVED this book! The MacAllister brothers are awesome.

This book was so good! The hero trully thought he was unlovable but I love how the heroine never gave up on him!! I needed a box of kleenex at the end!! So very romantic and sweet!

Book 2 of the MacAllisters.
I really really enjoyed this book.I think it is the best one.I liked that he had issues and had a good reason for having them.Great read.

I don't usually like Kinley MacGregor, or what she writes as Kenyon, but I really loved this one. Of course, I am a sucker for a tortured hero. It's definitely a keeper.

The best in the McAllister series in my opinion. I loved it. Great ending.

Good love story about a man with no self esteem. Loved it!

Likable characters. Well written, keeps your interest.

A good read, but not one of my favorites.

the fiery highborn lass will sacrifice almost anything for her beloved highlands - even marry a dangerous man whom everyone fears but she cannot resist... the man the call "sin".

Another great story from MacGregor/Kenyon.

Tortured hero, a bit repetative.

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 in him a perilous need he's never known.

Outstanding series- Sin's story

This was my favorite of her series. Sin is a much more interesting character than some of her other heros.

You can't go wrong with Kinley MacGregor! A quick, light, and entertaining read.

First that I've read of this author and I LOVED it. Excellent characters.

Wonderful story. You just want to jump right in there and save Sin from himself. And Callie is doing a wonderful job. I'm just saying I could of done it better. HA! LOve it. Now is Kieran still alive? I truly hope so.

Loved it!!!

Another excellent book by a very talented author. Kinley MacGregor rocks! The style of her books is such that one wouldn't know she was also Sherrilyn Kenyon without being told.

1st MacAllisters book I've read and I loved it. Can't wait for the next one.

good read

Sequel to CLAIMING THE HIGHLANDER. 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 in him a perilous need he's never known.

While romantic, the author takes the tortured hero too far for my tastes.

5 stars - 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 in him a perilous need he's never

known.

Excellent Book

This was a wonderful story, loved the hero!

This was a good read, I like it!

This is Sherrilynn Kenyon writing as Kinley MacGregor. Her characters are avid and you will be drawn into this great Highlander romance.

A fiery highborn lass will sacrifice anything for her beloved highlands, even marry a dangerous man whom everyone fears. The man they call \"Sin\" and he is one man she cannot resist.