You have placed our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your presence. "In the dark they dig into houses, They shut themselves up by day; They do . "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man.
Table of contents
There is an escape; there is a safe place. But the time is urgent and short. God can turn a day of reckoning into a day of amnesty. God makes this offer to both Christians and non-Christians. Obviously non-Christians remain in sin bondage. But many Christians are also in the bondage to a secret sin they fear to expose. They were offered a forbidden fruit, they listened to their deceitful desires, and they ate.
The Bible is very clear and our experience confirms that we who are new creations in Christ 2 Corinthians 5: We live with a regenerated nature and a corrupt nature, a new heart but an old disease still infecting our beings. And we are called to direct our regenerated heart to follow Jesus Proverbs So, it is to our deceitful, sinful desires that this proverb is addressed: This describes the deceitful nature of all sin, not just the sexual kind dominating the news. But the sexual kind is a prime example of how sin ensnares us into slavery.
In the soft, hazy light of seductive temptation in the unreal world of our fallen imagination, we appear autonomous, others appear soulless, and sin appears consequence-less — all of which are lethal lies. Then, having believed the promise and obeyed sin, we find ourselves ruled by condemnation and fear. Meanwhile, weakened by indulgence and shame, sin re-entices us as a poisonous form of seeking comfort, and the cycle keeps repeating till escape seems hopeless.
This is the ancient serpentine strategy to imprison us in dark, damnable dungeons in order to alienate us from God and others — and, if possible, to destroy us. There is an escape. Into the dark dungeon of sin, where we followed our desperately sick, sinful desires, came Jesus. And when he did, Jesus made a door — he became the door John In Christ, God, who is the most fearsome adversary of the sinner, who has the power to throw us into hell, becomes our one safe place free from all condemnation and fear Romans 8: Jesus offers us safe escape out of the dungeon.
But this offer — an offer made to both non-Christians and professing Christians — is made to those who will confess their sin, repent of it, and follow Jesus. This offer is made to perpetrators who have selfishly abused and damaged others and live in a cell of secret shame. It is made to their victims living in dark cells of bitterness and resentment. The full price for sin has been paid; full justice has been done. He stroked his hand along the curve of her hip, then slid his fingers between her thighs. She shifted and slapped his wrist. Then slapped him again when he didn't withdraw quickly enough for her liking.
With a grin, he went back to stroking her hip. So when they met, there was definitely attraction but also a deeper kind of recognition and connection that both of them denied for various reasons. But destiny was obviously at work and though they were separated for a time but often thinking and even dreaming of each other , they were far more intimately linked than they realized It's quite the ride.
But in this one, we get the HFN we need and I love Dagan's choice , Roxy's response, and how it ends - even as the last line before the epilogue cracked me up before launching into the next part of the tale. I knew right from the start that these two were 'meant to be' but that they'd have quite the trip ahead of them before they reached their destination. And, once again, I was more than happy to take it with them. Reviews for other books in the series: Sin's Daughter The Sins Series, 0. View all 17 comments. This is the first of a trilogy so it's a little hard to rate without getting the entire story arc.
But I give it 4 stars for the world building which is complex but enjoyable nonetheless. They form a bond that sticks with them through many years of separation. That's the short version. In the long version there are gods and demigods of the Underworld and their minions. There are cultists "Topworld" and their minor supe This is the first of a trilogy so it's a little hard to rate without getting the entire story arc.
There are cultists "Topworld" and their minor supernatural helpers. There's death and murder and family drama. I really like Silver's writing she's the author of the post-apocalyptic romance, "Driven" that I rave about. I'll admit it bogged down in the middle with a little too much inner monologue non-action, but outside of that things were pretty snappy. While it doesn't end on a cliffhanger exactly, it does end mid story arc. There are a lot of things set up that we don't get to see.
This is very much an introduction to the world book but the romance between Roxy and Dagan is very nice. Even with its insta beginning, it feels real and organic. They're both excellent characters. They remind me of the lead characters in the aforementioned "Driven" but that's no drawback at all for me. I've already bought the rest of the trilogy which also has a fourth book, but who's counting? So far it's a story line that's kept me engaged so here's hoping that continues.
Roxy Tam is a child of the system. Abandoned suddenly by her mother when she was five, Roxy was passed from foster family to foster family, never truly being alone but always incredibly lonely. Freshly turned out into the world of adults, Roxy is quick to trust resulting in her being abducted, bound and held in a cell until her captor can languish in the blood bath that will soon be her death.
Fortunately she's saved but by the most unlikely of strangers, someone who is most definitely NOT a sav Roxy Tam is a child of the system. Fortunately she's saved but by the most unlikely of strangers, someone who is most definitely NOT a savior. Daegan Krayle is a soul reaper. Half mortal, half god, Daegan scavenges the Topworld to harvest the most soiled of human souls to feed his father, Sutekh. A man of many names, Sutekh is a God of the Underworld, a realm divided neatly into thousands of territories each with its own master jockeying for power.
Pushing, pulling and jousting for allegiances, all this havoc of past and future betrayals is orchestrated without crossing a tenuously thread-thin line that if broken, could ultimately lead to the complete annihilation of mortals and immortals alike. Now, after his three hundred year long dark existence, Daegan's life is forever changed when his coming fate aligns with that of a young girl. Never has a mortal glimpsed his face and lived to tell about it until Roxy Tam. Skip eleven years to the present and the afore mentioned thread-thin line maintaining the world's continued existence has gotten fearsomely near its snapping point.
One of Daegan's three brothers has been murdered which is virtually impossible. As a soul reaper like Daegan, Lokan can only die one way and only in the Underworld. But dead he is which can only suggest the hand of a powerful supernatural was involved. Knowing that Sutekh has countless enemies, the list of suspects is vast but incriminating evidence suggests that the Daughters of Aset are to blame leading Daegan's quest for revenge right to Roxy's front door.
Having lived with the need and loss of her savior for over a decade, Roxy has given up hope of ever dispelling Daegan Krayle from her mind completely. He haunts her dreams, igniting her body aflame with lust making any relationship in reality a complete waste. He's also changed her into a parasite, an animal in need of taking blood and to forgo means facing unbearable pain. He did this to her and then left her with a wad of cash and the warning to stay away from the Daughters of Aset. It only took a year from that day for Roxy to find them and join their ranks, and however low her position may be, she finally has a family to call her own.
But when the unprecedented death of a soul reaper finds Roxy being charged with the task of gathering information that will keep the reaper dead, Roxy begins to uncover some startling revelations that includes the possibility of the Daughter of Aset being behind the murder. Knowing that the Daughters of Aset are Sutekh's number one enemy, that would be a really bad, bad thing for humanity.
However, nothing can be worse than Daegan Krayle re-entering her life. Daegan has dreamed of Roxy for a eleven endless years and it rankles him greatly to learn that after all the this time while he'd forced himself to maintain distance, hoping that Roxy had attained the life he'd wanted for her - a normal life - she'd instead gone and joined the ranks of his eternal enemy but nothing irritates him more then his uncontrollable desire to possess her body, mind and soul.
It's a desire that has never waned but rather only increased and now faced with fact that Roxy has knowledge regarding his brother's death, Daegan delights in the need to keep her close until she's compelled to spill all but he never thought he'd join forces with her. As enemies circle ever closer with Roxy as their main target, Daegan realizes that it will be the end of him to lose her. And while knowing that his change in allegiance from Sutekh to Roxy will surely spell his doom, Daegan will do anything to keep her heart shielded within the protective strength of his arms forever.
Having loved Eve Silver's gothic novels before, I was desperate to experience her new dark paranormal series from Harlequin but the wait, unfortunately, was more unbearable then usual. After being disgruntled with the lack of available information regarding this series - it's a bit of a pet peeve of mine when author sites aren't consistently updated - it was therefore a relief to find that the grueling wait for Otherkin Trilogy book one, SINS OF THE HEART, was genuinely worth all the pain and suffering it indirectly caused.
Roxy is a caustic, hard as nails, hard to manage female who's currently torn in her allegiance making her wonderfully vulnerable. She's suffered early from her naivete which has inevitably lead her to clam up around any who make any probing movements leaving her once again never alone but incredibly lonely. There's only one whom she can truly share her heart and soul with and that's Daegan but his abandonment has both hurt and angered her making their getting-to-know-each-other scenes tension filled. It also doesn't help that her heart is threatened from two conflicting fronts: One, from Daegan's loving possession, and two, from Daegan's soul reaper claw.
I for one enjoyed the conundrum Roxy faced. And then there's Daegan. He's a man who isn't afraid to get right down to the point and the way he does it will leave you absolutely squirming in your seat. While like Roxy, Daegan has grown up lonely but with the sad exception of being surrounded by people. Instead his isolated childhood took place in the Underworld resulting in Daegan's stilted and direct conversation skills. It also makes his fascination with Roxy utterly consuming as though he's looking at her with blinders.
As though no one else is worthy of his regard but her thereby making Roxy the sole fixture of his complete and intense attention. Twenty-five to fifty pages more and this would have been a stellar read for me, instead it ends abruptly with me flipping the final pages thinking "No way! While the plot holes in the over-reaching plot arcs are to be expected, and really there were no significant plot holes in terms of Roxy's and Daegan's romance, there was, however, precious little to show for it.
In light of that, I do acknowledge that this particular plot had to be a challenge for Ms. Silver given the fact that much needed to be accomplished and set up before diving into the good stuff between the hero and heroine and the abruptness of the ending while disappointing, was not deal breaking. Rather it left me with a few nagging questions that could have easily been cleared up with some additional page time. View all 4 comments. This is a one day offer so be sure to look out for it! This book is amazing, I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. I think I love it more than 'The Game' series, which was one of my top favourite trilogies from last year.
I love the characters, the plot and how unique the story is. I love the banter between different characters and how the world building is. This book is so unique and I look forward to reading more of this ser Heads up: This book is so unique and I look forward to reading more of this series in the future! Dagan's job is to go to the Topworld to harvest the darkest souls of mortals to feed to his father, Sutekh, a God of the Underworld. After his brother is killed Dagan is on the hunt to find the person who caused this in order to avenge his brother's death.
Roxy Tam is a girl who never hesitates to speak up, she is strong and independent. She feels alone and isolated from society after she was abandoned by her mother when she was five years old. Dagan and Roxy's worlds collide after an incident that leaves their lives in chaos. The plot of this book is so complex, I feel like if I said too much in the summary, it may ruin the book for those who are planning on reading this.
Anyway, I loved the characters in this book so much. Roxy was so different from the heroines that I usually read about in books. She is so strong and I love how she does not hesitate to say anything she pleases, even if it can get her into crazy situations. She has a smart mouth, as Dagan would say and she is so strong. She's a great role model and I love her for it. Dagan is a guy who never hesitates to protect those he loves.
He is funny, loves teasing others and has a heart of gold: Mal is snarky and funny, I feel like I could relate to his character the most, even though he wasn't in the book much. Sutekh was a character that was so cold, I could feel goosebumps while I was reading. He is so powerful and I loved how well his character was described in this book. The plot was very complex, there were so many things that happened.
At first, when I started reading this book I thought I wouldn't understand it because of the amount of characters and how the Underworld was divided, but in the end I did. It was very unique, I loved how everything was set up. The writing style in this book is beautiful, I couldn't get over how good it was. It flowed so well, I couldn't stop reading until the very end.
The pacing of this book was amazing, it wasn't too fast or too slow. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of insta-love, but for some reason it didn't bother me that much in this book. It felt realistic, even though there were parts where it got very cheesy. I loved how Dagan and Roxy supported each other and they were ready to protect each other. Although Dagan wants Roxy to be his, I love how Roxy says she does not belong to anyone but herself.
I loved her character even more when she said that and I loved how Dagan reacted to that. Although I predicted the murderer of Dagan's brother correctly, there were many parts where I was left surprised with what had happened. I enjoyed this book a lot, I can't wait to read more of this series. I highly recommend it to those who want to get out of a reading slump or for those who want to read a unique book with amazing characters.
Don't forget that there is a sale on March 6th for this novel, it is only one day! View all 5 comments. Roxy Tam is strong, yet venerable at the same time, a member of the Artesian Guard. She was abandoned by her mother when she was only five then experienced the care system and suffered a tragic event which lead to her becoming strong, self reliant and afraid of being alone forever. She has no real family and is scarred by her early life. He was entranced by the female who was shaking with fear yet did not scream and was defiant towards him.
Although he is a soul reaper, an immortal, he allows Roxy not only to go free but to see his face, and live, unheard of. But Dagan has some sort of connection to Roxy and when he sees her pendant tries to warn her ageist the Daughters of Aset. Warned her noting more he can do. He tries to forget about her. Dagan Kryale is a soul reaper, he harvest dark souls for the consumption of his father Sutekh. Dagan is one of four brother Sutekh bred with human women and raised all of them apart, Dagan the only one raised in the Underworlds. The brothers bonded and become very close. Eleven years later Roxy and Dagan are reunited when chasing information which turns out to be about the same case, but Roxy has not been told the full story about what is going on, as usual.
Both Sutekh and the Asetian Guard want to find the body first but for very different reasons. Dagan wants vengeance and a chance to resurrect his brother, all the evidence seems to point towards the Daughters of Aset being responsible. Dagan can not understand his overwhelming reaction to Roxy, Soul Reapers do not have much emotion, certainly not towards their enemies, the Daughters of Aset.
Throughout the eleven years Roxy had dreams about Dagan in a strange overly real way, which would waken her sweating. Dagan had what can best be described as waking dreams of Roxy, but he tells him self soul reapers do not dream. The attraction between Roxy and Dagan burns under the surface for a long time before they finally give in to desire. Theirs is an attraction between two venerable and distant people who are just right together. The perpetrators of the crime are not what the reader anticipates, the twists and turns kept me interested and I did not feel that the murderer was made to obvious too soon.
The other characters were all well written and developed, even the minor ones. A lot of the information given about each will probably become even more relevant as the trilogy develops. Sins of the Heart is dominated by lots of detailed world building with a lot information about the many characters, Topside and the various realms of the Underworld. Egyptian mythology is heavily used in building the world and the detail was fascinating, even if it does make you concentrate on which bit is about who!
The complex information is a lot to take in but made the story really powerful and much more intriguing. Sins of the Heart is a great first book in the Oherkin Trilogy. It ends on a real cliff hanger and I am really looking forward to Sins of the Soul and Sins of the Flesh. Can they put old hurts and rivalries aside in their common goal to discover the truth and prevent an all-encompassing war that may result in the destruction of humanity? This review has been updated following Eve Silver's re-release of the book with a new cover, edited content and added material.
An advance copy of the new release was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. The new release resolves the slow start of the initial edition by streamlining the chapters, which results in a faster pace and a clearer conceptualization of the complex connections between characters and events.
It should be noted that the story still ends on a minor cliffhanger, but this only leaves the reader gasping for more. Even though this is my second read through, the mystery is still compelling and the process of following the clues is as enjoyable as ever.
The unanswered questions from the first version remain. However, they are ultimately resolved by the end of the series, and the journey is well worth the effort. Roxy and Dagan have an intense and sensual relationship, and both are extremely likeable. Roxy is strong willed, defiant and honorable, and Dagan is intelligent, charming and sensitive despite his occupation as a soul reaper. The push and pull between them is captivating, and seeing them reconcile their conflicting loyalties makes for entertaining reading.
Silver's writing flows smoothly and the banter between characters, especially between the hero and heroine, is witty and engaging. There are still some disjointed transitions between scenes and chapters, but the world of the Otherkin is very intriguing. Overall, a bold beginning to an excellent series although some readers may find it too dark and gritty for their tastes. Looking forward to reading the rest of the re-releases.
Sins of a Dark Age
This was an interesting book. At least to me.
- Sin and its Effects on the One Who Commits it - leondumoulin.nl;
- The Secret to Self-Discipline;
- Jean Genet (Critical Lives).
I really enjoyed the execution of the story and at first I was turned off by the multiple POVs it's a thing I can't stand in books, reads too much like TV but the way the author did it, made it so it wasn't so obtrusive to the story. Anyways the book is primarily This was an interesting book. Anyways the book is primarily about Roxy and Dagan. Dagan is a soul reaper who feeds his father the darksouls he collects. Roxy is an interesting female he runs into while on a job, but there is more to her than meets the eye.
I enjoyed the whole story, I wanted to continue reading the parts that bugged me to a degree were the fact that one they said view spoiler [ I love yous hide spoiler ] it was at a weird time and with Dagan not being human it didn't seem to take him long to come to that conclusion even though he doesn't understand human emotions.
It was weird and seemingly out of place and too early. The plot is also not finished. While we know some pieces we do not know the whole story and we do not know who killed the soul reaper, well not entirely. Still I'm very interested to see where this goes and how it turns out. For some reason this book also reminded me of though they aren't exactly alike at all. But I think I drew parallels from their execution into their stories.
They were similar in that regard. There was no love triangle or cheating in this book. HEA is TBD since this appears to possibly be series long but they did view spoiler [ declarations of love hide spoiler ] And while Rene didn't actively recommend the book to me, I saw her review on book 3 with some quotes from the book that intrigued me and happened to be what I was in the mood for, so thank you Rene for the suggestion ; ETA: Woah, I just read the synopsis for the novella, which I didn't read yet, and it's funny because it says The books in the Sins Series are mature, gritty, dark, violent, sexy and straddle the line between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.
Besides that, this book was just good, period. Sins of the Heart is sexy, mysterious, fun, humorous, exhilarating and most definitely swoon worthy. Roxy Tam is this badass powerhouse who is just trying to find her place in the world and a family to call her own after living most of her childhood and all of her adult life alone.
The chemistry between these two was sizzling from the very beginning of the book and there is nothing I love more than great chemistry between characters. If you get me with the relationship, you basically have me hooked. But more than that, this book was just wonderfully executed. Much of the story centered around Dagan and Roxy, their personal demons and figuring out their roles in each others life, but the underlying story arc was also riveting as well. Every turn in this book was a surprise and every twist, shocking, smart and beautifully executed.
I loved that this book kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I was up until four in the morning reading and did NOT want to put this book down even though I needed to be up for work in 4 hours. It was just that good.
Bible Theasaurus
Sins of the Heart ended with a cliffhanger which Eve Silver has proved time and time again to be wonderful at executing. This book introduces three of Dagans brothers. Another thing I loved about this book. Nothing gets me like a great sibling relationship especially between brothers. The Half human son of an Egyptian god, Dagan is a Soul Reaper whose job it is to collect the dark souls which sustain his father. On a hunt, the dispassionate Dagan's interest is stirred by a soon-to-be victim of the ones Dagan is hunting.
Dagan admires young Roxy Tam's brave spirit and sassy mouth - even in the face of the danger Roxy doesn't give up - and Roxy awakens something in Dagan which causes him to free her once he's harvested her captors' souls. The action for the bulk of the story co The Half human son of an Egyptian god, Dagan is a Soul Reaper whose job it is to collect the dark souls which sustain his father. The action for the bulk of the story continues 12 years later, with Roxy and Dagan on opposing teams, both seeking the soul of a murdered reaper.
Roxy is now a powerful warrior for the goddess Aset, and Roxy's patron and Dagan's father, Sutekh, are enemies. But even with all the time that has passed - and even though Roxy blames Dagan for a transition which has made her more than human - there is still a connection between the pair, and despite the reasons for the enmity between them, they will need to figure out how to work together to find the killer and the answers behind the Reaper's death.
I thought all of that all of the different mythological elements mostly Egyptian added an interesting flavor to the story. I also really like the intense loyalty between Dagan and his brothers and I am looking forward to more of the sons of Sutekh when the series continues with Sins of the Soul. They are soul reapers. This book is the eldest Dagan Krayl son's book.
I love that, but it was presented way too complicated. It just starts running this complicated story, and it took me until I was half way through to figure out who was who. A faction or temple was mentioned, and chapters later there would be a d 3. I did not have a draw to the heroine Roxy. She just never appealed to me at all. Dagan was supposed to be a mega hot guy, but the ugliest gas station attendant is pictured on the cover. The writing and style is good.
It's a keeper as far as sticking with the series now that I finally figured out whose who. Listened to this on audible. This was the best ending to a love story I've read in a while. That last sentence killed me. Day is so inhuman the shit he does is just so hilarious.
Развитие и Улучшение:
Going to listen to book 2 next. Aug 12, Adele rated it did not like it Shelves: I like the concept of this book but the execution was really disappointing. The writing is very repetitive, and relies way too much on telling instead of showing. The "mystery" was both obvious and yet, when the characters "figured it out", felt unearned. Finally, I know there are some people who are turned on by rape fantasy which isn't really my thing, but it's fiction, so whatever works for you and others who are so offended by it there is no redeeming a book that has it which I also total I like the concept of this book but the execution was really disappointing.
Finally, I know there are some people who are turned on by rape fantasy which isn't really my thing, but it's fiction, so whatever works for you and others who are so offended by it there is no redeeming a book that has it which I also totally understand. However, I can't figure out who this wishy-washy, pseudo-aggressive nonsense is supposed to work for: I want to kick this door down and ravish her. Hey the door is unlocked. That means she wants it, right? There is no lock on the bathroom door! I'll just leave then. Sins of the Heart was a deliciously fun read.
With a semi-cliff hanger ending, I'm left wanting more and wanting it now. I won't get into the mythology in the story much because 1 I'm sure someone else's review can give you that and 2 I'd probably screw it up. He's a yr old soul reaper who is tasked with retrieving malevolent souls for his father to feast on. Dagan has four immortal, half human sons h Sins of the Heart was a deliciously fun read. Dagan has four immortal, half human sons he bred specifically for this duty. Although they grew up apart, they have bonded as brothers.
For reasons each their own, they all love and hate their father. But, they serve him as they are told. While out on a harvest, he encounters a girl he cannot help but admire. She's bound, but not screaming. Clearly trapped and about to be tortured by Dagan's prey, but showing no weakness, she's a fighter. Roxy Tam, at the time only nineteen "and a half" , assumes he's here to kill her. Once he reassures her that "This is not your night to die" , he helps free her. After spotting her necklace, he tries to warn her off pursuing the Daughters of Aset. Flash forward eleven years, neither Dagan nor Roxy have been able to forget their "moment" together.
They are both experiencing "waking dreams" which leave them craving the other. But, now, having joined the Daughters instead of avoiding them, as Dagan warned, Roxy is sent to retrieve a kidnapped girl. She's not being told everything though. Soon Dagan and Roxy's paths cross again. Dagan is on the hunt for his baby brother's killer. It should've been impossible for someone to kill him, yet he's gone, no one can find his body or soul.
Once together again, they are both found wondering The beginning of the story is full of world building and mythology, but all of it was interesting and flowed in a way that wasn't painful to the reader. Once the story got going it didn't let up. Dagan and Roxy are a good match. Roxy is a fighter, made tough by her childhood experiences and Dagan has found a connection he thought impossible. They have both been alone for the majority of their lives and now they have each other.
I am looking forward to jumping into the rest of the trilogy, Sins of the Soul and Sins of the Flesh. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for giving me the opportunity to read this book free-of-charge. View all 12 comments.
Darkness, As A Symbol Of Sin
Want a story that's full of plot twists? With a male lead that's hot and yet aloof, and a female lead that's feisty and has a backbone that would put badass warriors to shame? Search no more, for this book has it all! Roxy Tam was once saved by Dagan Krayl, a sugar-loving soul reaper. Ever since then, her life has never been the same. Becoming one of the Daughters of Aset, Roxy is now trying to find the remains of Dagan's dead brother and make sure they're not used to resurrect said brother.
But D Want a story that's full of plot twists? But Dagan isn't going to let anyone stand in his way of taking care of his family business, nor is he willing to let her go a second time. Turns out they might have to work together after all, even if they stand on opposing sides of this supernatural war. I'm telling you, I loved this book, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one! Not only was it fast in pace, full of suspense, and I was left constantly wondering who the heck was the traitor who had caused all this mess, the main couple was HOT!
Dagan was dominant and yet adorable in his possessive, lollipop-sucking ways, and Roxy was a match made in heaven for him, with her tendency to stand toe-to-toe with him and prove that's she's not the little girl he had saved so long ago. Alastor and Calliope were also very interesting secondary characters. I can honestly say, I'm very much looking forward to reading more about them in the books to come!