New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author
SINS OF SEVIN (A standalone)
Release date 9/21/2015
A Contemporary Romance novel
by Penelope Ward
Blurb
What happens when the one you want is the only one you can't have?
My name is Sevin.
Homeschooled and sheltered by my ultra-religious family, I was always taught that lust was a sin.
Elle was the girl who'd been carefully chosen for me.
After a long-distance courtship, I'd be moving into her family's guesthouse so that we could get to know each other in the months before the wedding.
Boundaries were set: no inappropriate touching, no kissing, no sex before marriage.
I'd accepted those rules and my fate.
Until I met the one I wanted to sin with.
That was when restraint became a problem...especially since THE ONE wasn't Elle.
It was her sister, Evangeline.
You know what they say about best laid plans.
My name is Sevin, and I have sinned.
Told in alternating points of view, Sins of Sevin is a full-length standalone novel. Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. Only appropriate for adult readers age 18+.
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SINS OF SEVIN EXCERPT
Copyright © 2015 by Penelope Ward
Teasers:
Copyright © 2015 by Penelope Ward
He quietly followed me into the dining room, carrying the flatware. The tension in the air was thick as he walked behind me around the oval table, setting down silverware after each plate I’d put down. It was like some weird game of musical chairs where awkward silence replaced the music. The hairs on my back stiffened. We weren’t saying anything, but it was as if I could feel the weight of a thousand words along with the heat of his body so close behind me.
When I noticed he’d just put a fork where the spoon was supposed to go, I switched it. “The forks go on this side, actually.” My hand was shaking. I couldn’t believe how little control I had over myself.
Noticing my nerves, he suddenly placed his hand over mine and whispered, “Stop.”
Chills ran through me. My heart started to beat faster. My nipples hardened. I hated my body for responding to him with equal amounts of fear and lust.
I turned to him, his hand still over my knuckles. It felt like I couldn’t breathe as he just looked at me.
My mother’s footsteps caused Sevin to move his hand off mine with lightning speed.
Mama entered, and we continued setting the table as if our stolen moment hadn’t happened.
Lindy's Thoughts:
Rating:
When I read the synopsis for Sins of Sevin, I knew that this was a story that I had to read. As I got to know Sevin, his extremely religious upbringing, and the guilt he felt for his mother dying while giving birth to him, I felt so bad for him. When he gets the opportunity to move out of the oppressive household of his stepmother, he takes it. His father 's old friend offers him a place to live, and to train him in preparation to eventually take over the family business. However, there is a catch. Sevin must agree to court the middle daughter, Elle, and eventually marry her.
Instead Sevin falls in love with the eldest daughter, Evangeline. Elle is a bit naive, doesn't want a whole lot out of life, and the relationship she shares with Sevin is very surface level. Evangeline on the other hand is full of spunk, has ambitions, and connects with Sevin on a very deep level. They share an emotional intimacy with one another as they confide their hopes, secrets, fears, and passions. The two of them start sneaking around to be together. While Sevin wants to leave Elle to be with Evangeline, she has feelings of guilt, and confusion.
I really enjoyed the first half of the story. It flew by, and Evangeline and Sevin were really hot together. I was hooked to their story, and the pages flew by. The second half of the story lost momentum for me when it advanced to a five years later standpoint. As the story advanced, I felt like we were told a lot, as opposed to being shown what happened. Also, I didn't recognize Evangeline's character. She lost her gutsy, and strong personality, and become more meek, and easily pushed around.
Sins of Sevin played on my emotions. There was a lot of angst, and I found myself frustrated by both of the main characters actions at times. There were also some really sad, as well as touching moments. My favorite aspect of the story was the connection and passion that Sevin and Evangeline shared.
Instead Sevin falls in love with the eldest daughter, Evangeline. Elle is a bit naive, doesn't want a whole lot out of life, and the relationship she shares with Sevin is very surface level. Evangeline on the other hand is full of spunk, has ambitions, and connects with Sevin on a very deep level. They share an emotional intimacy with one another as they confide their hopes, secrets, fears, and passions. The two of them start sneaking around to be together. While Sevin wants to leave Elle to be with Evangeline, she has feelings of guilt, and confusion.
I really enjoyed the first half of the story. It flew by, and Evangeline and Sevin were really hot together. I was hooked to their story, and the pages flew by. The second half of the story lost momentum for me when it advanced to a five years later standpoint. As the story advanced, I felt like we were told a lot, as opposed to being shown what happened. Also, I didn't recognize Evangeline's character. She lost her gutsy, and strong personality, and become more meek, and easily pushed around.
Sins of Sevin played on my emotions. There was a lot of angst, and I found myself frustrated by both of the main characters actions at times. There were also some really sad, as well as touching moments. My favorite aspect of the story was the connection and passion that Sevin and Evangeline shared.
Rating:
I give Sins of Sevin, by Penelope Ward, 3 Forbidden Love, Scorching Passion, Hidden Secrets, Angst-Filled Stars!
Mikki's Review:
Rating:
I wanted to read Sins of Sevin from the moment I saw the cover all over my social media. After I read the blurb, I was even more excited to read Evangeline and Sevin' love story. I read my first Penelope Ward book last year. I could not wait to start another emotional reading journey just like the one I had with Stepbrother Dearest.
In Sins of Sevin we follow Evangeline and Sevin. Written in dual POV's, this forbidden love story will captivate you from beginning to end! Their love story is beautiful, heartbreaking and passionate. From the moment that these two meet, you can feel their attraction. It's explosive and intense. They really try to deny what they feel towards each other, but you can't choose love. It chooses you.
When Sevin's father passes away unexpectedly, he is left all alone. He never got along with his stepmother and living with her is out of the question now that his dad is gone. When a friend of his father shows up, he can't refuse what he's offering. Marrying Elle could be the new beginning he's been looking for. He wants to become a better person and forget all of the sinful things he has done. What he did not expect was to fall deeply in love with Evangeline, which is Elle's sister. As days go by, Sevin tries to stay away from Evangeline, but their attraction is stronger than anything he has ever felt. Will he give in to temptation and follow his heart?
There are many things I loved about this beautiful story, but I have to admit that I disliked somethings as well. I truly loved these characters from the beginning, but Evangeline got me really mad on a few occasions. I did not necessarily agree with her actions, but I understood why she did what she did. I don't want to give out spoilers, but if you read the book you will understand why I feel that way about her. With Sevin it was a different story. Gah!!! You could totally see that he was head over heels in love with Evangeline. The things he said to her and the way he shared all of his secrets made my heart melt! His love for Evangeline was bigger than life! His passion and determination to have her in his life was breathtaking and my heart broke for him when one tragic moment changed both their lives.
The last chapters of this book broke my heart. You could really feel the emotions that Evangeline and Sevin were living and I wanted to reach into the book and give each of them a big hug. Penelope Ward's writing style is beautiful and captivating. I really hope one of the characters from this book will get her own story. I know you have no clue who I am talking about, but when you read this book you will want her story as well!
Rating:
I give Sins of Sevin, by Penelope Ward, 4 passionate, secret lovers, heartbreaking, sinfully addictive stars!
About the Author:
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.
Other books by Penelope Ward:
Cocky Bastard
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FEkGjO
B&N:
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1F57x8r
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1KeDQhg
Stepbrother Dearest
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1mFNMeg
iTunes: http://bit.ly/YER0mT
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1fJaaBs
Gemini
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1vgk1SE
iTunes: http://apple.co/1QTaONj
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1BGJ2wu
Jake Undone (Jake #1)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1dJrHBC
iTunes: http://apple.co/1fJayQ8
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1SPKl0M
My Skylar
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1obOG2F
B&N: http://bit.ly/SLO1qi
iTunes: http://bit.ly/SLNOTR
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1kNrtAB
Jake Understood (Jake #2)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1GFdves
iTunes: http://apple.co/1DQQwgC
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1LQ7Fvk
