"This powerful love story is a keeper!"

Aileana MacDonell has spent most of her life isolated from her clan, guarding the clan's sacred amulet. The previous guardian, her sister, succumbed to the dark arts and used the amulet for evil purposes. Aileana's father swears it will never happen again by ensuring Aileana stays away from evil influences. Lonely, with only occasional visits from her brothers, Aileana misses the love and companionship of her father, but he views her as only the keeper of the amulet.

Duncan MacRae spent 13 years in an English prison, deserted by his overlord, who chose peace with the English. Tortured and maimed, Duncan survived by keeping alive his hatred of the MacDonells, who murdered his wife and sold him to the English. The first step in the MacDonells' destruction is securing the amulet for his clan. Duncan raids and kills MacDonell, but Aileana hides the amulet. Bent on obtaining it, Duncan takes Aileana as his leman, determined to humiliate and break her.

Aileana refuses to bend, earning Duncan's respect. They strike an uneasy truce, until the evil from the past returns. Only their newfound love has the chance to free them of the past.

Ms. McCall creates a compelling tale of one man's struggle to come to terms with the past and the woman who heals the open wounds in his heart. THE SWEETEST SIN is a powerful, satisfying love story that belongs on every reader's keeper shelf.

Reviewed by Suan Wilson
Posted May 12, 2004