Joan Johnston's SINFUL is based on an interesting premise. Is it a sin to have feelings for someone even if no attempt is made to act on these feelings? How is it a sin to love someone from afar? Surely if you keep your feeling hidden than no harm is done. SINFUL zeroes in on an age old family feud where the next generation feels almost obliged to continue the hatred. Deep felt hatred that candidly has its base in events from long ago and for this next generation is still a mystery. Hard to think of such an alien rather old fashioned concept such as a feud. But Joan Johnston in SINFUL does an amazing job convincing us that feuds are alive and well.

In SINFUL you get the feeling that there is some greater force at play here. There is a years old feud that candidly impacts these two families in ways they don't even realize.

Why didn't these two young people act on the attraction that they felt for each other?

We learn that each spent many years hiding the fact that there was something very tangible in their feelings for one another. Of course life has a way of throwing curves. Add to those normal obstacles families that can't forgive and forget.

Love leads to guilt. So although they never acted on this mutual attraction - dare we call it love - both Eve and Connor are still in denial and guilt ridden. Connor because he regrets that he had strong feelings for Eve his wife Molly's best friend. Eve because she chose to step aside and remain in the shadows because of her friend.

Life steps in and the practical solution to each of their current problems lies in casting aside all that guilt and doing something that seems very drastic, but would allow each of them to salvage things that are so important to them.. Each is willing to pretend that their heart in not vested in this convenient solution.

Despite all family pressure and potential economic woes Eve and Connor desperately want this chance together. Neither one is ready to admit to the other how deeply their feelings have always been and still are. For now love is almost a luxury that neither can afford. They have much bigger fish to fry as they say. Their arrangement is instantly met with resistance and anger from both families. Eve and Connor know that at the heart of their relationship is providing a stable home for Connor's two little children. Their love for these kids is the driving force. Anything other feelings -- well those are pushed to the rear for now. But love has a way of giving people strength in the face of adversity. Eve and Connor's love story is heartwarming and tragic at the same time.

Joan Johnston has created a wondrous story about love, family and commitment. In SINFUL. Johnston makes it impossible to avoid getting caught up in this amazing family drama.

You know when you are fully invested in a book or storyline when you realize you are at the last page. Oh no comes to mind. You want more -- you just don't want to leave this place and these people. Expect that when you finish SINFUL by Joan Johnston. But don't be dismayed -- there's more to come. SINFUL is the first of a series of stories based on the King Brats and I reason the Flynn bad boys as well. SINFUL is full of poignant moments that resonate with feelings of joy, angst and unfortunately disappointment as well. SINFUL is about learning to reach beyond what is expected and permitted to attain what you want and need. SINFUL short and sweet is about love. And fans of Joan Johnston are going to love SINFUL.

Book Summary

WHILE HE SEEKS A HAVEN, SHE SEARCHES FOR A PLACE TO CALL HOME After a tragic accident leaves Delta sergeant Connor Flynn a widower, he faces the toughest fight of his life: battling his in-laws for custody of his two young children. To win he’ll need a make-believe bride to take care of the kids while he runs his Wyoming ranch. Who better than a woman he already knows and likes—his late wife’s best friend? Ruthlessly forced from her home by her powerful father, King Grayhawk, Eve needs somewhere to go . . . and so does the herd of wild mustangs she’s rescued. Connor’s offer sounds like the answer to a prayer. But Eve has a guilty secret she’s guarded for years: She’s always been in love with Connor. Now forced to live under the same roof as her heart’s desire, Eve must hide the love that has never died, while Connor vows to resist his growing need for a woman who was forbidden fruit during his marriage. Can two lonely people set adrift by fate and haunted by guilt find redemption in the healing embrace of love?