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One Deadly Sin
Coming home is murder…
Revenge. Edie Swann has hungered for it since she fled her hometown as a little girl. Now she’s returned, ready for payback. Armed with a list of names, she leaves each one a chilling sign that they have blood on their hands. Her father’s blood. What happens next turns her own blood cold: One by one, the men she’s targeted start dying.
Sheriff Holt Drennen knows Edie is hiding something. She has a haunted look in her eyes and a defiant spirit, yet he can’t believe she’s a murderer. As the body count rises and all evidence points to Edie, Holt is torn between the town he’s sworn to protect and the woman he’s come to desire. But nothing is what it seems. Long-buried secrets begin to surface, and a killer won’t be satisfied until the sins of the past are paid in full—this time with Edie’s blood.
Revenge. Edie Swann has hungered for it since she fled her hometown as a little girl. Now she’s returned, ready for payback. Armed with a list of names, she leaves each one a chilling sign that they have blood on their hands. Her father’s blood. What happens next turns her own blood cold: One by one, the men she’s targeted start dying.
Sheriff Holt Drennen knows Edie is hiding something. She has a haunted look in her eyes and a defiant spirit, yet he can’t believe she’s a murderer. As the body count rises and all evidence points to Edie, Holt is torn between the town he’s sworn to protect and the woman he’s come to desire. But nothing is what it seems. Long-buried secrets begin to surface, and a killer won’t be satisfied until the sins of the past are paid in full—this time with Edie’s blood.
416 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2009
6 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Annie Solomon
15 books27 followersA native New Yorker, RITA-winning author Annie Solomon has been dreaming up stories since she was ten. After a twelve-year career in advertising, where she rose to Vice President and Head Writer at a mid-size agency, she abandoned the air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps of her professional life for her first love—romance. An avid knitter, she now lives in Nashville with her husband and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 18, 2012
“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”
― Confucius
“We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged.”
― Heinrich Heine
Say what you will about the act, I love a tale of revenge. I found this book when I went looking for books with this specific theme and it sounded like it was exactly what I wanted. No other book jumped out at me like this one did. And it's a romantic suspense!
The tone and the story at the start of the book reminded me a lot of the television show Revenge (this book came out a year or two before the show started). I freaking love that show, so I was excited.
Alas, my excitement was short-lived.
Edie Swann showed up in Redbud looking for answers. She had a plan to get those answers and disrupt the lives of the men she believed were responsible for setting her father up twenty years ago, which lead to his suicide and the total destruction of her family. Edie sends the men on her list a little token – a reminder of what happened and notice that she's coming. Unfortunately, there is someone else in Redbud looking for revenge. And she/he is killing off these men one after the other. This was not part of Edie's plan and she gets derailed and panicky quite fast. I would have liked for her to get further into her plan before this started happening. She had barely done anything by this point. Her planning proved to be weak or non-existent and she ended up on the defensive instead of the offensive, lost control of the situation and had it flipped on her. The whole revenge element petered out really quickly.
The Bride isn't impressed either.
Then, of course, there is Holt Drennen. The tiny town's most eligible bachelor police chief. Lucky for me, he's the single father of a five-year-old little girl, Miranda. The trope I was looking for was a bust, but at least the book had another one of my favorites to fall back on. The reason Edie and Miranda bond was simultaneously cute and hilarious. The sparks fly between Holt and Edie right off the bat to the consternation of single women of the town and his mother.
As the truth slowly unwinds, Edie is thrown into the crosshairs. She was already on everyone's radar because she's a black hair, tattooed, Harley-riding woman in a sea of Stepford ladies. It doesn't take long for the town to turn on her and Holt ends up between a rock and a hard place: his career or his woman. He is a nice guy who ends up caught between the people he loves and the need to do his job.
The story really fell apart for me when Edie developed feelings for Holt. Her objective – a quest to get answers twenty years in the making – became unimportant to her. While part of her problem had to do with the deaths, it really seemed like the sex was the primary factor in her letting go.
Emily Thorne is judging you, too, Edie.
She only kept going because was caught up in the murder mystery as the obvious, and only, suspect. The end was maddening as the killer basically came out of left field. Which isn't a bad thing per se, but his/her motive had absolutely nothing to do with anything relating to the initial set up of Edie's father or any information she was trying to get. The only thing that saved the climax was what happened with Edie and Miranda though not much happened with the killer. In the end we were only given a giant info dump resolving the true plot of the book. Again I ask, what the hell?
The writing left a lot to be desired as well. There were way too many metaphors, some of which didn't make a lot of sense. I almost gave up reading in the first chapter because it was weighed down with metaphors and writing that was trying too hard to be poetic.
"She inched forward, navigating through stars, those pinpricks of light. And memory.
The stars were out that night, too, long ago when the doorbell clanged and shattered the silence into before and after."
"Then maybe the truth would stumble, tattered and worn, maybe, pale but alive, into the light."
"He left her shaking her head, a round apple of a woman in the core of the mess."
"As if she’d been poured into an industrial mixer and the motor set to an endless on.”
The first sex scene was incredibly awkward for several reasons. The greatest of which, again, was the use of metaphors.
"He reached the core of her, the sting of pleasure raw, ragged, a rocket trip to some other plane, some other universe. A galaxy where there was nothing but the thrust of his body against hers, the undulation of desire, the sweet, sweet kick of the coming explosion."
Thankfully, they were mostly in the first part of the book. The storytelling was somewhat smoother in the second half.
The whole book could have benefited from better editing. There were some spelling mistakes and missing words. There was too much staccato writing. With short sentences. Like this. Making it a choppy read. There was also a scene where the first thing one of the characters notices upon entering the room is the presence of another character but then kept wondering where that person was. I was completely confused.
The book wasn't terrible, and a quick read in the second half, but it wasn't great. I certainly didn't get what I was looking for. I could have dealt with the revenge part of the story being dropped, as disappointing as that was to me, but the killer and his/her motive was a disappointment I couldn't get over. Though I did like the relationship between Edie, Miranda, and Holt. I have to give this a 2.5.
August 3, 2009
I started this book with high hopes. The premise was great – a woman returns to her hometown after twenty years, determined to learn the truth about why her father committed suicide all those years ago and avenge his memory. Armed with a list of names, she sends all the people on that list (that are still alive) a figurine of a black angel – one similar to the black angel guarding over her father’s grave.
But something goes wrong and the people receiving the dark tokens end up dead. And the only connection between them – as far as everybody knows – are the black angels. The truth about the woman comes out, she’s accused of murder, but someone isn’t satisfied with that sentence. Someone want the death penalty for Edie.
As I said, the premise was great, yet the book didn’t convince me fully. I loved the narrative style – the short, staccato sentences a complete opposite from the epic word-flow in other novels.
I loved tough-as-nails, tattooed biker-chick Edie. I loved how the author didn’t leave it at that, showing the other side of the coin as well. Despite her bravado and strength, Edie was still as very vulnerable woman, an the toughness mostly just the mask.
The stereotypical portrayal of the small town in the middle of nowhere with its mob mentality could’ve been toned down a notch, but it wasn’t the biggest problem this book had.
Actually, for me, there were two problems.
The first was the male lead. Police chief Holt Drennen. At first he was a dream come true. Big, blond (not your usual hero), with a protective streak a mile wide, honorable, strong, yadda yadda yadda. The fact he just couldn’t resist the dark-haired new chick in town was just that special cherry on top of the cake.
Unfortunately, the idyllic attitude didn’t last. Somewhere in the middle of the story, this dude took a turn for the worst. I know, we all have our flaws, but his ping-pong attitude toward Edie simply grated on my nerves. First he loved her, than he though she was a murderess and he hated her for loving her, then he suddenly decided he actually believes her story and he was back in love with her…Until a few pages later, when he discovered another lie (she actually lied to protect him) and he went off again. And they say females are fickle!
The second big problem, and the worst in my book, was the ending. With the whole buildup and the possible villains sprouting up from everywhere (I decided to ignore the most obvious one and ended up being right!), the grand finale fell flat onto its face. It was completely out there and utterly ruined an otherwise (hero notwithstanding) good story.
Rather disappointing.
But something goes wrong and the people receiving the dark tokens end up dead. And the only connection between them – as far as everybody knows – are the black angels. The truth about the woman comes out, she’s accused of murder, but someone isn’t satisfied with that sentence. Someone want the death penalty for Edie.
As I said, the premise was great, yet the book didn’t convince me fully. I loved the narrative style – the short, staccato sentences a complete opposite from the epic word-flow in other novels.
I loved tough-as-nails, tattooed biker-chick Edie. I loved how the author didn’t leave it at that, showing the other side of the coin as well. Despite her bravado and strength, Edie was still as very vulnerable woman, an the toughness mostly just the mask.
The stereotypical portrayal of the small town in the middle of nowhere with its mob mentality could’ve been toned down a notch, but it wasn’t the biggest problem this book had.
Actually, for me, there were two problems.
The first was the male lead. Police chief Holt Drennen. At first he was a dream come true. Big, blond (not your usual hero), with a protective streak a mile wide, honorable, strong, yadda yadda yadda. The fact he just couldn’t resist the dark-haired new chick in town was just that special cherry on top of the cake.
Unfortunately, the idyllic attitude didn’t last. Somewhere in the middle of the story, this dude took a turn for the worst. I know, we all have our flaws, but his ping-pong attitude toward Edie simply grated on my nerves. First he loved her, than he though she was a murderess and he hated her for loving her, then he suddenly decided he actually believes her story and he was back in love with her…Until a few pages later, when he discovered another lie (she actually lied to protect him) and he went off again. And they say females are fickle!
The second big problem, and the worst in my book, was the ending. With the whole buildup and the possible villains sprouting up from everywhere (I decided to ignore the most obvious one and ended up being right!), the grand finale fell flat onto its face. It was completely out there and utterly ruined an otherwise (hero notwithstanding) good story.
Rather disappointing.
April 29, 2009
This is the story of Edie Swann's quiet return to her hometown, twenty years after her father's death, to find out why he died. She already knows the "how" - heck, the whole town knows the "how" - but the man everyone said her father was, could not have been her father. So, someone's hiding something. The question is, what? And who's hiding it?
She hatches a plan to scare the answer out of the men who knew her father. However, they turn up dead before she's had a chance to talk to them. Who's killing them off? Why? Things take a turn for the worse when Edie herself is targeted by the killer.
This is a romance/mystery/suspense novel that's full up on all three. I'm not a big fan of the romance genre - they're usually all romance, and not much plot. But Annie Solomon's writing is so tight that you almost forget there's a romantic angle in this story. And it's only slightly a girl-meets-boy, boy-saves-girl kind of story. =)
One Deadly Sin kept me reading until I finished. Not an easy feat considering that I picked it up late last night, and therefore went to bed late. And woke up groggy. And had to go to work... Which is totally beside the point. It comes out April 28. Get it if you like a good juicy mystery with your romantic entanglements. =)
She hatches a plan to scare the answer out of the men who knew her father. However, they turn up dead before she's had a chance to talk to them. Who's killing them off? Why? Things take a turn for the worse when Edie herself is targeted by the killer.
This is a romance/mystery/suspense novel that's full up on all three. I'm not a big fan of the romance genre - they're usually all romance, and not much plot. But Annie Solomon's writing is so tight that you almost forget there's a romantic angle in this story. And it's only slightly a girl-meets-boy, boy-saves-girl kind of story. =)
One Deadly Sin kept me reading until I finished. Not an easy feat considering that I picked it up late last night, and therefore went to bed late. And woke up groggy. And had to go to work... Which is totally beside the point. It comes out April 28. Get it if you like a good juicy mystery with your romantic entanglements. =)
March 21, 2018
It was above my expectations. The suspense plot is actually pretty good and the ending is a great surprise. Even though I would like more relationship development, I like Holt and Edie as a couple.
March 6, 2009
Author Annie Solomon is a native to New York, a RITA-winner, and has been dreaming up stories since she was ten. After a twelve-year career in advertising, where she rose to Vice President and Head Writer at a mid-size agency, she abandoned her professional life for her first love, romance. Other titles include: Dead Ringer, Like A Knife, Dead Shot, Tell Me No Lies, Black Out, and Blind Curve. An avid knitter and soap opera fan, she now resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and daughter.
Edie Swann has hungered for revenge ever since her family was forced to flee from their small town when she was a child. More than anything, she just wanted answers. Did her father really kill himself? Was he murdered? If so, why? By who? Armed with a list of names, Edie returns to her hometown, leaving each suspect a sign that they have her father’s blood on their hands. Except, one by one, the men she has targeted begin dying- leaving her the ample suspect, and still with no answers. Sheriff Holt Drennan knew the minute Edie stepped foot in his town that she was hiding something. She has a haunted and saddened look to her eyes, despite the tough, defiant exterior. Torn between the town he loves and is sworn to protect, and the woman he’s falling in love with, Holt can’t help but admit that all the evidence points to Edie. As the body count rises, and long-buried secrets begin to emerge, nothing is as it seems…Except the sins of the past are ready to be paid in full- with Edie’s blood.
I have to bow down and give credit where credit is due. Annie Solomon knows how to pace a story better than any other author I know. With the perfect elements of romance and suspense, she takes you on a ride that leaves you guessing until the very end. With realistic and relatable characters, flaws and all, even their responses to stress and surroundings were genuinely convincing. The small town gave credible true-to-life scenarios, making the book all the more powerful. The secondary characters added energy and endearment to the storyline. Without having to issue a spoiler alert, I didn’t see the end coming. Bravo!
One Deadly Sin is a well-written, enthralling, and fascinating read- One that won’t disappoint from this rising author!
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
Edie Swann has hungered for revenge ever since her family was forced to flee from their small town when she was a child. More than anything, she just wanted answers. Did her father really kill himself? Was he murdered? If so, why? By who? Armed with a list of names, Edie returns to her hometown, leaving each suspect a sign that they have her father’s blood on their hands. Except, one by one, the men she has targeted begin dying- leaving her the ample suspect, and still with no answers. Sheriff Holt Drennan knew the minute Edie stepped foot in his town that she was hiding something. She has a haunted and saddened look to her eyes, despite the tough, defiant exterior. Torn between the town he loves and is sworn to protect, and the woman he’s falling in love with, Holt can’t help but admit that all the evidence points to Edie. As the body count rises, and long-buried secrets begin to emerge, nothing is as it seems…Except the sins of the past are ready to be paid in full- with Edie’s blood.
I have to bow down and give credit where credit is due. Annie Solomon knows how to pace a story better than any other author I know. With the perfect elements of romance and suspense, she takes you on a ride that leaves you guessing until the very end. With realistic and relatable characters, flaws and all, even their responses to stress and surroundings were genuinely convincing. The small town gave credible true-to-life scenarios, making the book all the more powerful. The secondary characters added energy and endearment to the storyline. Without having to issue a spoiler alert, I didn’t see the end coming. Bravo!
One Deadly Sin is a well-written, enthralling, and fascinating read- One that won’t disappoint from this rising author!
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
May 6, 2009
Edie Swann plans to seek justice for her father's death. She heads back home to Redbud. She is armed with a list of names and revenge on her mind. At first Edie's plan was to just leave a miniature nlack angel with each person on her list. The angel was to symbolize that she knows their hands are stained with innocent blood. It seems someone has other plans in mind. A plan that involves tring Edie's list into a kill list.
Sheriff Holt Drennen suspects something is up with Edie but he can't quite put his ffinger on it. One thing Holt does know is that he desires Edie, even if she speels trouble with a capital "T" First Holt has a responsiblity to the twon and its people. He has to stop a killer. As much as Holt doesn't want to beleive it, Edie just might be that killer as all the signs point to her.
One Deadly Sin starts out good and picks up speed, the further you get into the story. I first discovered Ms. Solomon when the cover for her book Deadshot caught my eye. Since then I have been wanting to read more by this author. Her latest release seemed just like the book to do so. Edie is this tough woman with a heavy burden on her shoulders and an angel in her pocket. Holt is the type of sheriff ou picture when you think of small town cops. He sticks by the rules, except when it comes to Edie. Holt is the exactly who I would want watching my back. The chemisty between Edie and Holt was just right. I have to admit that my sin was that I read this book in one sitting.
Sheriff Holt Drennen suspects something is up with Edie but he can't quite put his ffinger on it. One thing Holt does know is that he desires Edie, even if she speels trouble with a capital "T" First Holt has a responsiblity to the twon and its people. He has to stop a killer. As much as Holt doesn't want to beleive it, Edie just might be that killer as all the signs point to her.
One Deadly Sin starts out good and picks up speed, the further you get into the story. I first discovered Ms. Solomon when the cover for her book Deadshot caught my eye. Since then I have been wanting to read more by this author. Her latest release seemed just like the book to do so. Edie is this tough woman with a heavy burden on her shoulders and an angel in her pocket. Holt is the type of sheriff ou picture when you think of small town cops. He sticks by the rules, except when it comes to Edie. Holt is the exactly who I would want watching my back. The chemisty between Edie and Holt was just right. I have to admit that my sin was that I read this book in one sitting.
March 27, 2012
I have to say overall I was pretty let down with this one. So let down I almost gave this one two stars. The writing is okay but the inconsistencies really got to me. A bad girl who wants revenge but doesn't really do much to get it, a cop from the big city who doesn't really do any detective work, sex in the back yard of the house of a woman you're staying with...a woman whose husband passed away a week prior...a woman with early parkinsons shoving another woman in a closet and tying her up? ...i could go on but I won't. The more I thought about this after I finished it, the more irritated I got.
May 25, 2011
What a great read from Annie Solomon! Tremendous chemistry between her two principal characters, with the perfect balance of romance, tension and suspense. A very real, very riveting read.
October 12, 2018
First line: “She came at night, creeping into town like a shade.”
Another book on my wish-list bites the dust, so to speak. I have never heard of this author (to my own narrow recollection), but I have enjoyed my first experience with her.
This novel was an interesting read from beginning to end, leaving me trying to figure out exactly what the heck was happening many times. I enjoyed the main characters and how well they’re connections were portrayed.
I was definitely surprised by how the novel came to a close, which is always a nice thing when it comes to a novel!
Another book on my wish-list bites the dust, so to speak. I have never heard of this author (to my own narrow recollection), but I have enjoyed my first experience with her.
This novel was an interesting read from beginning to end, leaving me trying to figure out exactly what the heck was happening many times. I enjoyed the main characters and how well they’re connections were portrayed.
I was definitely surprised by how the novel came to a close, which is always a nice thing when it comes to a novel!
December 31, 2020
Book was okay. There were times when I was drug in and couldn’t put it down, then there were times where I just couldn’t get into it. Overall, it was a good book and definitely did not expect the book to end the way it did. Lots of twists that I wasn’t expecting!
May 25, 2020
Nothing of what I expected since going in this one blind but ended up really enjoying it. Intriguing story, lovable characters. Interesting story that I'll remember.
March 7, 2022
DNF 30%
No chemistry between Hero and Heroine and not loving them all that much.
No chemistry between Hero and Heroine and not loving them all that much.
May 4, 2009
Edie Swan has returned to her home town of Redbud for revenge. Armed with a list of names and a bag of tiny black angel figurines, a mimic of the black angel that stands over the grave her of her father, she is ready to make the men she feels are responsible for the death of her father pay for their crime. Her father, Charles Swanford, was reported as having committed suicide after being caught extorting money, but Edie feels it was really murder and the charge was made up to protect the still living men involved.
Coinciding with her arrival is a streak of murders-- the murders of the very men she has on her list and has been leaving black angels for. She finds herself the prime suspect in the murders after her small roll in their lives is revealed. This cuts short her budding romance with chief of police Holt Drennen who must arrest her despite his growing doubt of her guilt. Not only faced with a life in prison for murders she did not commit, someone is out to scare or kill her.
I always worry when I read books like this because I fear your typical ‘kick ass female’ character. And by fear I mean that they just annoy me-- they are unrealistic, loud mouthed, and suspiciously Mary Sue. When Edie waltzes in with her tight clothes, her messy dark hair, her dark black eyeliner, her aptitude for working behind a bar and making ANY drink, and her suped-up Harley, I worried for this book. But, joy of joys, I found Edie to be a great character full of flaws and limitations, but still strong and independent. She isn’t perfect-- gorgeous yes, but prone to her own personal issues and troubles, and certainly not infallible in any sense. And no, she would not be able to punch out a biker four times her size as some characters like her can. Comparing her to some of the awful female characters I’ve read, she is a great female lead character.
From when the murders started to when the culprit was revealed, I thought I knew who was committing the crimes. In fact, I was almost absolutely certain that I had the ending of the book pegged. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I found out that I was not only wrong, but completely unsuspecting of who it truly is. When a book can catch me by surprise and prove me wrong, I automatically reward it with extra credit.
This book is definitely not for someone younger than 18. There is violence, death, and a few steamy love scenes. It’s not gratuitous, though, so you might not be offended if you have an aversion to something listed above. Given the title of the book, the plot, and the main character, it is to be expected that some uninhibited sexy things are going to happen. If erotica isn’t your thing, no worries. The scenes are few and not very lengthy. They are just enough but not too much.
The only thing that bothered me while reading wass the occasional choppy passage here and there. There are times in the book that new sentences are started that are awkward and unfinished. I guess that’s what Word likes to call Sentence Fragment when you grammar check? I don’t know. I am a major culprit of them myself, at least according to Word. It isn’t awful by any means, and it certainly isn’t indicative of a poor writing style. Indeed, Solomon is a wonderful writer-- her book is an engaging page turner. Just now and then I sort of had to pause and connect things because there was a period there that didn’t feel right.
So what is One Deadly Sin? It is thrilling, unsuspecting, and well written. The characters are realistic and well rounded, full of personality and individuality. The pace of the book is great because it never lags or staggers, it never lingers or drags on too long. The book has enough edge to keep it exciting, but not enough to over-do it.
Coinciding with her arrival is a streak of murders-- the murders of the very men she has on her list and has been leaving black angels for. She finds herself the prime suspect in the murders after her small roll in their lives is revealed. This cuts short her budding romance with chief of police Holt Drennen who must arrest her despite his growing doubt of her guilt. Not only faced with a life in prison for murders she did not commit, someone is out to scare or kill her.
I always worry when I read books like this because I fear your typical ‘kick ass female’ character. And by fear I mean that they just annoy me-- they are unrealistic, loud mouthed, and suspiciously Mary Sue. When Edie waltzes in with her tight clothes, her messy dark hair, her dark black eyeliner, her aptitude for working behind a bar and making ANY drink, and her suped-up Harley, I worried for this book. But, joy of joys, I found Edie to be a great character full of flaws and limitations, but still strong and independent. She isn’t perfect-- gorgeous yes, but prone to her own personal issues and troubles, and certainly not infallible in any sense. And no, she would not be able to punch out a biker four times her size as some characters like her can. Comparing her to some of the awful female characters I’ve read, she is a great female lead character.
From when the murders started to when the culprit was revealed, I thought I knew who was committing the crimes. In fact, I was almost absolutely certain that I had the ending of the book pegged. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I found out that I was not only wrong, but completely unsuspecting of who it truly is. When a book can catch me by surprise and prove me wrong, I automatically reward it with extra credit.
This book is definitely not for someone younger than 18. There is violence, death, and a few steamy love scenes. It’s not gratuitous, though, so you might not be offended if you have an aversion to something listed above. Given the title of the book, the plot, and the main character, it is to be expected that some uninhibited sexy things are going to happen. If erotica isn’t your thing, no worries. The scenes are few and not very lengthy. They are just enough but not too much.
The only thing that bothered me while reading wass the occasional choppy passage here and there. There are times in the book that new sentences are started that are awkward and unfinished. I guess that’s what Word likes to call Sentence Fragment when you grammar check? I don’t know. I am a major culprit of them myself, at least according to Word. It isn’t awful by any means, and it certainly isn’t indicative of a poor writing style. Indeed, Solomon is a wonderful writer-- her book is an engaging page turner. Just now and then I sort of had to pause and connect things because there was a period there that didn’t feel right.
So what is One Deadly Sin? It is thrilling, unsuspecting, and well written. The characters are realistic and well rounded, full of personality and individuality. The pace of the book is great because it never lags or staggers, it never lingers or drags on too long. The book has enough edge to keep it exciting, but not enough to over-do it.
April 30, 2009
I LOVED this book! It was a great book that had me totally sucked in from the beginning. Once I picked this up, I didn't want to put it down. Besides, when you build a story around a big, hunky cop, you can't go wrong! (My hubby was a big, hunky cop when I met him!!)
Edie is set on revenge. So, she takes on the role of the bad guy in her pursuit of the truth about what happened to her father who died when she was young. When some of the folks that Edie is hoping to get answers from begin to die, she is quickly considered the likely suspect. Plus, she's the new kid in town. When Edie starts to fall for Holt, it gets a little messy considering that he's the town police chief, and his dad is on Edie's list of suspects in the cover up that killed her father. As Edie is trying to keep herself from becoming a victim, she's also trying to protect Holt and keep herself out of jail.
I liked that the villain of the story was female. That left the hero to be the hunky cop, Holt. Going in I knew that Holt and Edie would eventually hook up, but it was still interesting how it all came about. When Edie and Holt finally shared their first kiss, I found myself actually smiling! I love a good mystery thriller that has just a little romance/smut to it. They are my favorites and this one really hit it!
Throughout the book I tried to figure out who the real killer was, and just as I'd figure it out, my mind would be changed with a new twist in the story. The author kept me guessing all the way to the end. Each and every character that was a part of this story had a story of their own, so it was interesting trying to figure them all out. I loved Holt's character. He was loyal, dependable and a total gentleman. He was the good guy! He's a widowed father to a young girl and I liked this about him. It fit with the story and made him believable. He was painted as such a nice guy that as a reader I wouldn't have liked him being a divorced man. Edie was wild! She rode a Harley, had several tattoos and was stubborn. She had such a great attitude and personality! I couldn't help but want Holt and Edie to get together.
Overall, I really liked this and have already ordered another book by this author. I plan to keep my copy of this book. It's one that I would definitely read again and share with friends!
Edie is set on revenge. So, she takes on the role of the bad guy in her pursuit of the truth about what happened to her father who died when she was young. When some of the folks that Edie is hoping to get answers from begin to die, she is quickly considered the likely suspect. Plus, she's the new kid in town. When Edie starts to fall for Holt, it gets a little messy considering that he's the town police chief, and his dad is on Edie's list of suspects in the cover up that killed her father. As Edie is trying to keep herself from becoming a victim, she's also trying to protect Holt and keep herself out of jail.
I liked that the villain of the story was female. That left the hero to be the hunky cop, Holt. Going in I knew that Holt and Edie would eventually hook up, but it was still interesting how it all came about. When Edie and Holt finally shared their first kiss, I found myself actually smiling! I love a good mystery thriller that has just a little romance/smut to it. They are my favorites and this one really hit it!
Throughout the book I tried to figure out who the real killer was, and just as I'd figure it out, my mind would be changed with a new twist in the story. The author kept me guessing all the way to the end. Each and every character that was a part of this story had a story of their own, so it was interesting trying to figure them all out. I loved Holt's character. He was loyal, dependable and a total gentleman. He was the good guy! He's a widowed father to a young girl and I liked this about him. It fit with the story and made him believable. He was painted as such a nice guy that as a reader I wouldn't have liked him being a divorced man. Edie was wild! She rode a Harley, had several tattoos and was stubborn. She had such a great attitude and personality! I couldn't help but want Holt and Edie to get together.
Overall, I really liked this and have already ordered another book by this author. I plan to keep my copy of this book. It's one that I would definitely read again and share with friends!
April 27, 2009
Edie Swann heads back to her hometown, Redbud, with one intention only -and that is revenge. She has a list given to her by her dying aunt that has the five names of the men that her father had dealings with shortly before his tragic death. Her only problem is that someone starts off-ing these men making her the main suspect in their murders.
Local lawman and the man that makes Edie's heart race - Holt Drennen is handling the death cases of these prominent Redbud residents... but are they accidental deaths or murders? As his feelings for Edie grow so do his suspicions of her somehow being involved.
This book can be emotional when it delves into Edie's insecurities and fears. Although on the outside she might look tough riding a Harley, tattoos all over and wearing leather - she is rather fragile on the inside. She is a strong character that has to overcome her past and learn to live for herself and her future.
While spine-tingling is not a word that is usually associated with romance Annie Solomon makes it so by her masterful descriptions of these crimes. The not over descriptive intimate love scenes are frequent and varied throughout this read - add in a mysterious murderer, and you have a true page-turner.
There were some interesting plot lines, and the narrative was good enough to keep me intrigued, sometimes to push me to go to the next chapter when I know I should stop and go to bed. It definitely had me guessing as to the twists and turns it was going to take and I was never able to guess whodunnit until the very end. Overall, I enjoyed the book as a nice little romantic suspense read and would definitely recommend it.
Local lawman and the man that makes Edie's heart race - Holt Drennen is handling the death cases of these prominent Redbud residents... but are they accidental deaths or murders? As his feelings for Edie grow so do his suspicions of her somehow being involved.
This book can be emotional when it delves into Edie's insecurities and fears. Although on the outside she might look tough riding a Harley, tattoos all over and wearing leather - she is rather fragile on the inside. She is a strong character that has to overcome her past and learn to live for herself and her future.
While spine-tingling is not a word that is usually associated with romance Annie Solomon makes it so by her masterful descriptions of these crimes. The not over descriptive intimate love scenes are frequent and varied throughout this read - add in a mysterious murderer, and you have a true page-turner.
There were some interesting plot lines, and the narrative was good enough to keep me intrigued, sometimes to push me to go to the next chapter when I know I should stop and go to bed. It definitely had me guessing as to the twists and turns it was going to take and I was never able to guess whodunnit until the very end. Overall, I enjoyed the book as a nice little romantic suspense read and would definitely recommend it.
April 26, 2009
Edie is new in town. She is a dark haired mysterious beauty that arrives in town on a Harley and on a mission. Of course Edie's mission is her own, and she has no intention of getting too attached to this town. This is the town that cost her everything, and certainly she wants revenge on her own terms. However, Edie is not going to get in and out that easily. She meets the handsome sheriff whom she is drawn to despite her own intentions. But someone else seems to have their own agenda with regards to revenge and it is looking that Edie just might be set up to take the fall.
This novel holds a little suspense, a little romance, a pinch or two of sex and a lot of guessing. I put myself in Edie's shoes. Would I be able to go back to the place of so much pain in order to find justice and redemption for a wrong? I believe if every good thing in life was pulled away from me I just might, but again, if you hold on to pain you can not let go for love. It was nice to see the romance blossom with Edie and Holt. It was nice seeing them let go. Edie was very different from anyone Holt had known in the past, and Holt simply was the first man it seems to get into Edie's heart. It was nice to see this thread in the story. Of course, the greatest thing for me is just finding a mystery that I couldn't solve too quickly. That was a gift and I am so glad that Annie Solomon chose to share that gift with us.
If you like suspense with a little bit of romance mixed in, and some serious sex, definitely pick this one up.
This novel holds a little suspense, a little romance, a pinch or two of sex and a lot of guessing. I put myself in Edie's shoes. Would I be able to go back to the place of so much pain in order to find justice and redemption for a wrong? I believe if every good thing in life was pulled away from me I just might, but again, if you hold on to pain you can not let go for love. It was nice to see the romance blossom with Edie and Holt. It was nice seeing them let go. Edie was very different from anyone Holt had known in the past, and Holt simply was the first man it seems to get into Edie's heart. It was nice to see this thread in the story. Of course, the greatest thing for me is just finding a mystery that I couldn't solve too quickly. That was a gift and I am so glad that Annie Solomon chose to share that gift with us.
If you like suspense with a little bit of romance mixed in, and some serious sex, definitely pick this one up.
June 25, 2014
Romance novels are not my thing. However, I was intrigued by the fact that “One Deadly Sin” was inspired by the author’s trip to a cemetery in Iowa City, and its legend of the Black Angel.
Edie Swann has returned to the hometown she and her mother fled 20 years ago after her father was accused of embezzlement, and subsequently committed suicide. Convinced her husband was innocent, Edie’s mother never got over his death and the public humiliation it brought their family.
What’s more, his gravestone is topped by a gargoyle/angel that turned black a day after it was installed. The legend states that the angel turned black because Edie’s father was a guilty man, but if his innocence can be proven it will turn back to its original color. Edie is back to prove his innocence.
Edie has come to town armed with a list of men she believes was involved in her father’s railroading, along with a bag of tiny plastic black angels she plans to send to each man to hopefully shake things up around town. Unfortunately, each time one of the men receives their angel, they immediately die afterward.
In more ways that one, beautiful Edie found she has attracted the attention of the town police chief, Holt Drennen. It doesn’t take them long to begin a relationship, and Edie dreads his investigating these deaths and how they will link back to her.
Less of a romance novel, more of a murder mystery, this turned out to be pretty palatable for me.
Edie Swann has returned to the hometown she and her mother fled 20 years ago after her father was accused of embezzlement, and subsequently committed suicide. Convinced her husband was innocent, Edie’s mother never got over his death and the public humiliation it brought their family.
What’s more, his gravestone is topped by a gargoyle/angel that turned black a day after it was installed. The legend states that the angel turned black because Edie’s father was a guilty man, but if his innocence can be proven it will turn back to its original color. Edie is back to prove his innocence.
Edie has come to town armed with a list of men she believes was involved in her father’s railroading, along with a bag of tiny plastic black angels she plans to send to each man to hopefully shake things up around town. Unfortunately, each time one of the men receives their angel, they immediately die afterward.
In more ways that one, beautiful Edie found she has attracted the attention of the town police chief, Holt Drennen. It doesn’t take them long to begin a relationship, and Edie dreads his investigating these deaths and how they will link back to her.
Less of a romance novel, more of a murder mystery, this turned out to be pretty palatable for me.
June 12, 2009
Synopsis
COMING HOME IS MURDER...
Revenge. Edie Swann has hungered for it since she fled her hometown as a little girl. Now she's returned, ready for payback. Armed with a list of names, she leaves each one a chilling sign that they have blood on their hands. Her father's blood. What happens next turns her own blood cold: one by one, the men she's targeted start dying.
Sheriff Holt Drennen knows Edie is hiding something. She has a haunted look in her eyes and a defiant spirit, yet he can't believe she's a murderer. As the body count rises and all evidence points to Edie, Holt is torn between the town he's sworn to protect and the woman he's come to desire. But nothing is what it seems. Long buried secrets begin to surface, and a killer won't be satisfied until the sins of the past are paid in full--this time with Edie's blood. (Barnes&Nobles.com)
This was the first book I read by this Author and I loved it. This novel kept me entertained and guessing from start until end. Great mixture of romance and suspense. I highly recommend this book if someone loves romantic suspense.
# Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
# Publisher: Forever (May 1, 2009)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0446178446
# ISBN-13: 978-0446178440
COMING HOME IS MURDER...
Revenge. Edie Swann has hungered for it since she fled her hometown as a little girl. Now she's returned, ready for payback. Armed with a list of names, she leaves each one a chilling sign that they have blood on their hands. Her father's blood. What happens next turns her own blood cold: one by one, the men she's targeted start dying.
Sheriff Holt Drennen knows Edie is hiding something. She has a haunted look in her eyes and a defiant spirit, yet he can't believe she's a murderer. As the body count rises and all evidence points to Edie, Holt is torn between the town he's sworn to protect and the woman he's come to desire. But nothing is what it seems. Long buried secrets begin to surface, and a killer won't be satisfied until the sins of the past are paid in full--this time with Edie's blood. (Barnes&Nobles.com)
This was the first book I read by this Author and I loved it. This novel kept me entertained and guessing from start until end. Great mixture of romance and suspense. I highly recommend this book if someone loves romantic suspense.
# Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
# Publisher: Forever (May 1, 2009)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0446178446
# ISBN-13: 978-0446178440
June 20, 2013
Edie Swann has wanted revenge for years, and finally she is back to the town is all happened in. Twenty years ago, Edie's father jumped to his death in the quarry. He was accused of embezzlement, and she is positive he was innocent. She blames the men who accused him for her father's death. Now, back in the town of Redbud, Edie wants to scare those men. She has little black angels that she randomly sends them. It's only to scare them, to make them remember. But soon, those very same men she targeted are turning up dead, and now Edie is scared she will be targeted as the murderer.
Holt Drennen is the town's Chief. He falls hard and quick for Edie, but knows she is hiding something behind her tough exterior. When he finds out who she really is and what she has been doing, Holt is devastated. He has to put choose between his love for Edie or the town. But before long, secrets from the past start to unravel, and its not just those targeted men's lives who are at stake.
Full of passion, mystery, and down to earth characters, ONE DEADLY SIN is a page-turner! I was up late into the night reading. Edie is a unique character full of grit, determination and heart. If you love romantic suspense novels, don't miss out on this one! You will not be disappointed!!
Holt Drennen is the town's Chief. He falls hard and quick for Edie, but knows she is hiding something behind her tough exterior. When he finds out who she really is and what she has been doing, Holt is devastated. He has to put choose between his love for Edie or the town. But before long, secrets from the past start to unravel, and its not just those targeted men's lives who are at stake.
Full of passion, mystery, and down to earth characters, ONE DEADLY SIN is a page-turner! I was up late into the night reading. Edie is a unique character full of grit, determination and heart. If you love romantic suspense novels, don't miss out on this one! You will not be disappointed!!
February 1, 2011
As a fan of romantic suspense,this was an AWESOME book,The hero,Holt,was hot and likeable.Eddie was feisty,fun but on the inside she has always felt alone and when she meets Sheriff Holt,a single father despite knowing that she shouldn't get too close with him they got close and went on dates and just when their relationship seems to be getting on really well,Holt's find Eddie's darkest secrets and he begins to wonder,could he have been so wrong as to fall in love with a cold-blooded killer or is there something more to the story?
I like how their relationship developed at first before the suspense sets in,usually its suspense then romance.this was sort of like a change of scenarios and it was more entertaining.Also,its hard to find a good romantic suspense nowadays bec there's either too lil romance or suspense or too much of either but this was just perfect.The right blend of romance and suspense and it was real easy to like and connect with the H/h.So,if u are a die-hard fan of romantic suspense,trust me!u won't be dissapointed with Annie's,One Deadly Sin:)
I like how their relationship developed at first before the suspense sets in,usually its suspense then romance.this was sort of like a change of scenarios and it was more entertaining.Also,its hard to find a good romantic suspense nowadays bec there's either too lil romance or suspense or too much of either but this was just perfect.The right blend of romance and suspense and it was real easy to like and connect with the H/h.So,if u are a die-hard fan of romantic suspense,trust me!u won't be dissapointed with Annie's,One Deadly Sin:)
April 26, 2009
Edie Swann is not your girl next door. She's a tattooed biker chic with attitude. She returns to the quiet small town of Redbud to clear her father's name. The town declared it suicide, but Edie's conviced that's not the whole story. Or if it is, someone pushed him to end his own life. Finding out the truth is er only mission. Until she meets dreamy Sheriff Holt Drennan. Holt and Edie are instantly attracted like magnets.
When people start dying and the evidence points to the woman he wants he's torn. Should he continue as the straight laced officer of the law or believe Edie?
If you're searching for a fast-paced, gripping read, this is your book. Within the first chapter you will be hooked. Annie Solomon keeps you on the edge of seat. I didn't want this book to end. I've added the author to my list of favorite authors.
When people start dying and the evidence points to the woman he wants he's torn. Should he continue as the straight laced officer of the law or believe Edie?
If you're searching for a fast-paced, gripping read, this is your book. Within the first chapter you will be hooked. Annie Solomon keeps you on the edge of seat. I didn't want this book to end. I've added the author to my list of favorite authors.
May 4, 2009
This romantic thriller was definitely a page-turner, one that kept me guessing right until the end. The writing was crisp, and the evolving relationship between Holt and Edie was compelling. The only weak spot for me was eventual revelation of the identity of the killer- I didn't feel there were any clues to help the reader solve the mystery along the way and so didn't appreciate the deus-ex-machina feel of the solution. That sai, reading this book reminded me of an early Kay Hooper or Iris Johansen thriller and I would definitely read other books by this author. Would have been four stars if I hadn't felt like the solution came out of nowhere.
December 5, 2011
Wowza! Trying to remember the last Suspense-Contemp Romance I read that had me at the edge of my seat, biting fingernails to find out WHO resemble for the deaths. Solomon kept me stomped - which was good.
Sometimes with Suspense you catch on early who the perp/bad guy is. You yell and scream at the hero and heroine to get their head out of their butt. Not so here. When I thought it was this person... only to find out it's not.
Edie Swan has to be a favorite heroine. I am the daughter of a biker. I grew up around Harley's. Edie Swan is a biker chick! Her Harley is her baby. I have intense respect for the woman who show men that a female can drive those powerful bikes!
Sometimes with Suspense you catch on early who the perp/bad guy is. You yell and scream at the hero and heroine to get their head out of their butt. Not so here. When I thought it was this person... only to find out it's not.
Edie Swan has to be a favorite heroine. I am the daughter of a biker. I grew up around Harley's. Edie Swan is a biker chick! Her Harley is her baby. I have intense respect for the woman who show men that a female can drive those powerful bikes!
April 27, 2009
I really enjoyed this book! It was the perfect mystery book. I did not see the ending coming AT ALL! And I couldn't put it down. In fact, last night I stayed up until midnight reading, something I haven't done in a long time. I really felt for Edie, the main character. I wanted her to find out what happened to her father and I wanted thing to work out for her and Holt. And there was just enough passion and romance to keep me hooked without being too much. I defnitely want to read another book by Annie Solomon.
July 13, 2012
This was the first book I had ever read from this author, so was not sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The story sucked me in. Revenge can be a great plot device, or a boring waste of time. Here I thought it worked well. A few times the story was getting a little predictable, but by the end, a complete surprise (halfway thru a book I can usually figure out "who did it", not this one!) I loved the interaction between Holt and his daughter. If Annie Solomons' other books are as good as this one will have to check them out!
March 20, 2016
This was a really well written romantic suspense book. The mystery was at the forefront of the book, but the romance was a nice addition to the story. Edie comes home to clear her father's name after he committed suicide 20 years before. Her efforts stir up lots of ugly secrets being kept by the small town. The love interest is the sheriff whose father is right in the middle of all those secrets. Lots of atmosphere. I would like for the characters to have been a little more delineated, but the mystery was well done. Definitely worth the read.
August 30, 2009
A great book with a good mix of mystery and suspense with romance. I like that the romance is there but it doesn’t concentrate too much on it. The story does concentrate on the two main characters but in between you also get narratives from a few other characters so you get to see their perspectives as well. When I was reading the book I was trying to figure out who a killer was and there were a few oblivious choices but in the end it was someone I never expected.
March 9, 2013
I would only give this 2.5 stars, I hated the heroine, could not really put my finger on why but I did not warm up to her at all and the hero also didn't do much for me! I nearly gave up half way through but the suspense plot kept me reading and the last quarter of the book picked up pace leading to a very unexpected ending. So 2.5 stars because the plot was good but no higher because I did not like the protagonists.
October 2, 2014
It's been a while since i read annie salomonbut this was a nice refresher. Need to pick up some more of her books.
The characters are likable and fun to be with. The story is ok. I just had a hard time with people not recognizing Evie.
Fun.
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The characters are likable and fun to be with. The story is ok. I just had a hard time with people not recognizing Evie.
Fun.
Ich habe ein Buch bei BookCrossing.com registriert!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12926478
April 21, 2009
It took me over half the book to really warm up to the main character. I had a hard time believing that a woman that strong and independent would be so trapped in a past that happened when she was only like 10, but overall the book was really good. The mystery was full of twists and turns, and I, for one, didn't guess the ending. I enjoyed the romance, too, it felt real.
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