To Sin with a Stranger

Overview

Meet the "Seven Deadly Sins"

The seven Sinclair brothers and sisters live for scandal and delight in disgrace . . . until their father decrees that they must reform. Propriety has never come easily, but now they have no choice. Marry in haste . . . or regret in poverty!

The Sinclairs of Scotland are known throughout society as the Seven Deadly Sins. Cast out by their father and denied their inheritance unless they mend their wild ways, they travel to London to seek respectability. No member of the clan is more scandalous than Sterling Sinclair, the Marquess of Blackburn. The ladies of the ton are powerless to withstand his rakish charms . . . until Miss Isobel Carington comes along.

Ten thousand pounds if she marries Sinclair!

Isobel is horrified to learn that's the amount wagered at White's Club--and now all of London is eagerly betting on her future! She's already publicly spurned the marquess, a man she hardly knows, but she's sure he is up to something, as he launches a bold campaign of seduction anyway. But soon she is surprised to learn there is much more to this man than reckless adventure and bad behavior . . . and, against her will, she begins to relish the thrill of sinning with this stranger . . .

Editorial Reviews

Both plot and historical ambience fall by the wayside in Caskie's Regency romance series launch. The seven Sinclair siblings, known collectively as the Seven Deadly Sins, are forced from their ancestral home in Scotland by their father, who insists they mend their ways in London or be disinherited. Sterling Sinclair's attempt to provide for his family by prizefighting is nearly derailed by his interest in--and disastrous encounters with--the beautiful Isobel Carrington. Unfortunately, the Sinclairs are nearly indistinguishable, despite each one's association with a different sin, and Isobel's interest in social causes is as unconvincing as her sudden emotional shifts and eccentric behavior. Caskie (How to Propose to a Prince) tosses in so many violations of period norms and etiquette that the Sinclairs' shock value drops to nil, leaving nothing to anchor the story. (Dec.)
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Author Information

Bio of Kathryn Caskie

Kathryn Caskie invented the dime novel. Or so she thought...until she was about thirteen and learned that the first dime novels were actually published by Beadle and Adams in 1860. Before this revelation, as a child growing up outside Washington, DC, Kathryn amused herself by writing and illustrating her own fanciful stories. Sure, lots of kids did the same thing. But Kathryn made color copies (by hand of course--being a budding Martha) and proceeded to press friends and neighbors into buying her 'novels' for a dime each--which also happened to be the going rate for a strawberry Popsicle from the Good Humor man. Just a coincidence. Really. As she reached high school, her creative writing caught the eye of an English teacher who steered her toward journalism class and the school newspaper. Writing for publication was exciting, especially since it provided an excuse to run through the halls while the other kids were stuck in class. And, interviewing cute football players and wrestlers, well, that was what reporters did, right? It seemed it was the freedom Kathryn enjoyed more than journalism itself, because as a Communications major in college, she soon realized that she didn't much like to write the truth--the 'just the facts, ma'am' sort of reporting newspapers embody. Her first job out of college plunked her firmly down in the world of Marketing, a field where she would remain for years. During that time, she worked as a magazine editor, television producer, wrote copy for radio, television, commercials and even the internet. She tried it all in her search to find an outlet for her writing. Eventually her career path led her to America Online, where it was her job to find new and annoying ways to blanket the world with AOL software. Ever find a CD in your delivered pizza? Have one fall out of your cereal box...or bank statement? If so, you can likely blame Kathryn and some of her more creative deals. Around this time, Kathryn and her family moved into an old stone house in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She had no way of knowing that she was about to make an abrupt career change. Being a devotee of things of old, she started researching life in the early 1800's, the period when her home was built. And, as writers' minds will do, stories began to swirl. There was no help for it. She had to write a novel. No more facts, figures or product blurbs. She was going to stay at home with the kids and write a Romance. Luck was on her side. Kathryn's first attempt at a novel earned her dream agent, if not that elusive publishing contract. Her second effort won the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award for Best Long Historical--and the keen interest of several publishers. In the end, she accepted a contract, then another, from Warner Books, her publisher today. Kathryn is quick to remark that she is not writing dime novels anymore. Hers are $6.50--which also happens to be the going rate for ...a strawberry daiquiri. Just a coincidence.

Customer Reviews

• More like 3 1/2 stars

  Posted January 01, 2009 by Jessica G., Easton, PA

  "To Sin with a Stranger" begins what sounds to be a promising series, about 7 brothers and sisters cast out of Scotland to make a name for themselves. Called the "Seven Deadly Sins," each sibling represents a particular vice.
  
  Sterling, the eldest, is supposed to be "Greed," but I really don't see it. He is concerned with money, but has the clear excuse that his family is completely broke. After meeting Isobel, he begins to change his ways (donating to her charity, etc.). But that change is only implied, as there is not much to show that he was a spendthrift in the past.
  
  All of the characters are likable, but I felt there was a lack of development on all sides. The story is set up so there is supposed to be tension between the two main characters, but it just isn't there. Any conflict is quickly overcome. They fall in love quickly and that's all there was to it. I guess I just expected a little more...oomph.
  
  All in all though the book is enjoyable. The characters are likable and the storyline is interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing where Caskie takes the rest of the characters.

Additional Info

Imprint

HarperCollins e-books

Filesize

809.75 KB

Number of Pages

368

eBook ISBN

9780061722660