Grave Sins (Cin Craven, Book 2)

I just found a new author and a new series. I enjoyed the characters and their humor. The story line was good and kept me interested.The sex was very good and didn't over-power the story. I have read both books and can't wait for the third.

I have really gotten into reading vampire books about a year ago. So I am always on the hunt for a good one. I really like this authur. After reading one of her short storys I thought I would give her a try, and she really did meet my expectations.

This story takes place in 1828. It has been 13 years since the events in the first book (Wages of Sin) took place. Cin has grown into her position with The Righteous and as a vampire. In this installment feelings of jealousy arise, and relationships are tested. This story has action, romance and mystery, really a who dunnit story which I thoughly enjoyed. I feel that Cin starts doubting herself a little but she comes back fierce and stronger then before. She makes a great heroine.

Cin Craven is a witch who is also now a vampire and is part of the justice group known as The Righteous. She is known as the Red Witch of The Righteous - one that no one wants to get on the wrong side of. Cin lives, fights and travels with her consort, Michael and the other couple, Devlin and Justine, who make up their group. While taking one of her rare vacations and visiting her family, Cin and Michael get a visitor who sends The Righteous on a mission to see if one of the queens has gone mad. Once there, Cin knows that what is happening has nothing to do with madness and lots to do with magic and mind tampering. Now she just has to convince the rest of The Righteous, the people around the queen and most importantly the vampire sent by the High King to make a report on Cin herself. Oh and capture the bad guys of course. All in the day of a hard working vampiric witch, but things are going wrong and the results are getting deadly. Things are moving very quickly and not always on the side of good. On top of that Michael is acting strangely and Cin is beginning to wonder if she will lose the man she loves before they can go home. I'm going to start off by saying that historicals are not my normal subgenre of choice, but there was something in the blurb for Grave Sins that made me pick it up. It was a great decision. Cin, Michael, Justine and Devlin, more commonly known as The Righteous, are off on another mission. This time they have to determine if a queen has gone insane or is just murderous. I could instantly feel the deep love between the two couples and the friendship that lets them do their jobs. There were times when I was afraid that Cin and Michael would not make it together by the end, but I was surprised and happy to find the depths of what they feel for each other. The suspense, humor, mystery and kicking action grabbed my attention and did not want to let it go. Yes the plot is set in historical times, but the focus is more on whom the characters are and what they do than when they are living. Grave Sins is a suspenseful and fun paranormal that you won't want to put down. A serious keeper. While this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone, which I did. However if you are anything like me, you will be headed back to the bookstore to find the first book, Wages of Sin. I will be waiting and watching for the next adventure of Cin and her friends. Jo Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

In 1828 vampire "Red Witch" Dulcie "Cin" Cravan is visiting her human relatives the Mackenzies at her former home (before she died) Ravenworth Hall when vampire Drake, the Sentinel of the High King arrives with a mission from his sire. Cin refuses to allow the attractive vampire inside the home. Cin's beloved Michael and their fellow Righteous Dark Council of Vampires Devlin and Justine arrive at the Hall. Drake explains they must visit the home of the Queen of the Western Lands Marrakesh, to determine if as reported she has broken vampiric law by killing humans. The team knows Marrakesh's husband King Macleod will refuse to give her up without a fight; the pair are two of the most powerful vampires on the continent. When they arrive at their destination, the Righteous are coldly welcomed as everyone knows who they are and why they are there. Their witness is dead having died in a mystical "locked room" manner. However she rescues the queen who she found chained to the roof just before dawn. As the quintet make inquires the evidence grows that the Queen is guilty and either should be executed or exiled; only Cin thinks otherwise though she has not found a viable alternate suspect even as her Michael is acting strange while Drake flirts with her and a guest at the abode and Bel flirts with Michael. The sequel to the delightful historical romantic fantasy WAGES OF SIN is a fabulous entry in what looks like will be a strong saga. The story line is action-packed once Drake arrives and never slows down as the Inquisition Righteous investigates the goings-on while the romance between Cin and Michael flounders. Although the culprit seems obvious early on, fans will enjoy this terrific tale as Cin exploits her exaggerated reputation as the unique vamp the Red Witch to bluff and obtain cooperation that her more typical vamp partners cannot. Harriet Klausner