Stevie‘s review of Sinner’s Creed (Sinner’s Creed, Book 1) by Kim Jones
Contemporary Bittersweet Love Story published by Berkley 01 Mar 16
Every once in a while, I get to a point where I’m ready to give up on finding new-to-me authors in a subgenre because I’ve been burned once too often. Then a book comes along that makes me rethink my whole position: something I can really get my teeth into, or that’s completely different to everything else I’ve read recently. This novel turned up at just the moment when I was prepared to write off MC romances, barring a couple of series, and completely blew me away. Be warned, though, it’s not your typical romance, and it doesn’t have anything like a typical happy ending.
Now, I like anti-heroes – a lot – but Dirk is extreme even by my standards. He’s a Nomad, enforcing justice for the National ruling council of Sinner’s Creed MC, and that means he’s killed a lot of people. He’s proud of his record, and we get to see more of his handiwork through the course of the book – although some of his targets are even more twisted individuals than Dirk himself. The one constant element in Dirk’s life, possibly even beyond his fellow Sinners or his bike, is the beautiful woman, Saylor Samson, whose path keeps crossing his over the course of five years.
Eventually the two are flung together, when Dirk intervenes in a fight between Saylor and an overly possessive boyfriend. He walks away after roughing the guy up, but the next day decides to find out who Saylor really is, and how she feels about him. The two take off together, even though Dirk’s just been given another enforcement job to carry out, and the ride gets even wilder.
Over the next few months, we get to accompany Saylor and Dirk on an emotional roller coaster. Saylor has serious health problems, and Dirk is drawn into a war between the Sinners and a rival MC who want to control various illegal operations in Texas. It’s obvious that none of this can end well, but you keep on hoping for a miracle – and at times it seems like one might be just around the corner.
The whole story is told from Dirk’s point of view, which leaves Saylor as a little bit of an enigma, and also leads to a lot of very gritty descriptions, both of Dirk’s work for Sinner’s Creed and of the day-to-day problems that come from Saylor’s illness and the treatments she receives for it, not to mention their side effects.
A refreshingly different kind of romance, and I’m looking forward to the next in the series, no matter how unconventional a story the author decides to spring on us the second time around.
Grade: A
Summary:
Dirk lives in the shadows—performing hits, maintaining order, and upholding the no-holds-barred legacy of the Sinner’s Creed Motorcycle Club. A nomad with a restless spirit and a cold heart, the open road is his world. One of the few constants in his life: his desire for the one woman who has consumed his thoughts for years.
Saylor Samson grew up far from the harshness of Dirk’s world. But ever since she was seventeen she’s been drawn to this dark and mysterious man who always seemed to show up just when she needed him.
After years of fated encounters, he’s back. This time he’s taking her. This time she’s ready for the ride. But just when the darkness in Dirk’s life begins to fade, Saylor reveals a secret that puts them both to the ultimate test. Now, Dirk has to make a decision: submit to his destiny with the MC, or choose his own.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
