There is a beauty (FOR ME) in the push and pull romance stories, stories when the characters moral stand ground makes adversary but their attraction compels them find a middle ground, which is the case here. Delicious for me.

This is the third book in the Sinclair family series, and if you haven’t read the first two, you won’t be lost, but you will have missed out on some information, and you won’t understand the references to Tamsin’s story, and you will be curious about her. Go back and read the first two books first.

This is Andrew’s story—the card sharping rake who gambled and charmed his way to helping support his family while they were poor. Now that his older brother is the Earl, Andrew is looking for some better purpose. He receives an unexpected bequest: a farm that an opponent wagered in a card game. Andrew saw that the opponent was desperate and ill and intentionally lost the game to ensure his opponent did not lose his home. Apparently the opponent noticed, and has decided to set things right by giving Andrew the farm he should have won.

Andrew sees an opportunity to sell the farm in order to stake an investment with friends. He’s great with numbers and wants in on a legitimate business opportunity.

The catch? The farm comes with a widow he can’t evict due to the terms of the bequest.

Hester doesn’t miss her elderly gambling husband. Good riddance to a drain on her farm’s finances. For it is *her* farm. She has worked hard to make it successful and has employees whose own livelihoods depend on her to keep the farm.

A battle of wills ensues? Who will win? Maybe both of them…..

There is some mystery afoot, and a lot of passion develops between Andrew and Hester (this is not a “clean” story). I enjoyed both characters, and look forward to the next installment. These books are not long reads, but have plenty of story with some twists that raise them above standard tropes.

Snakes, roosters and horses oh my! What a wonderfully diverse cast of characters in the newest addition the the “Five Deadly Sins’ series. Throw in a battle of wills between the sexes and a bit of mayhem and hot d*mn…you've got a book so enjoyable, it could only come from Kathleen Ayers!!!

Sinfully Mine is positively delightful, a real “War of the Roses” type book…but ya know…one done with a historical romance feel and crafted with a way better story. Talk about a fun read!!!

Andrew Sinclair is a Deadly Sin and he has just inherited Blackbird Heath from some random dude he met over a game of cards. Drew hates the country but at the very least, he could sell it and use the extra coin for his endeavors. Unfortunately this estate comes with conditions, namely a widow named Hester Black who is intent on maintaining her home. A battle of wills will determine who wins the estate complicated by the growing attraction between the two. When Drew is attacked, suspicion arises, calling into question the limits of Hester's devotion to Blackbird Heath. Would she be willing to kill for her home even as their relationship starts to grow.

Sinfully Mine is such a wonderful read
..from beginning to end. Although there is this one scene…and you'll know which one I'm talking about when you read the book – towards the end – that made me turn my face up. One of the characters has a quirk and I kept thinking in my Charlie Brown voice…”good grief”! Anyhow…get the book. Read the book. LOOOOVE the book as I do!

What a enjoyable read! Andrew Sinclair must go to the country to try to claim his inheritance, one small problem though, Hester Black. The first widow needs to move out but she will fight Andrew every step of the way. With returning characters from the other books in the series.Kathleen Ayers has written a story that's filled with characters that weave a story that will hold you spellbound, the book flowed well from one thing to another without being forced, plot brims with enjoyable twists with humourous dialogue, passion and family unity. With setting descriptions and action sequences that are wonderfully vivid that brings the story to life.

I read all Kathleen Ayers books and find them all enjoyable. This one, on the scale of books of hers is a bit lower down the scale. I've enjoyed the Deadly Sins so far but not quite as much as some of the other series.

This book pits our clever ambler against a farming widow and... well its a fun read but I've definitely enjoyed other couples in the Ayersiverse more.

It is nice to see the Sinclairs settle down though. Worth a read.

Great book. I love the interaction between the H&h! Hester just wants to be left alone at Blackbird Heath and enjoy her life now that her husband is deceased. Andrew just wants to sell Blackbird Heath, that he won in a game of cards, and get back to London. You'll never think of cabbage the same again! Great story, great heat, great happily ever after. I have loved this whole series.

I really enjoyed watching Drew and Hester find love. Drew has been your typical rake about town while Hester had grown up without any love or support. I loved that Hester would do anything to keep her home.

My only issues with the story are that the ending felt rushed and a bit like it wasn't possible time-wise and the epilogue was really short.

This is by far my favorite of the series! Hester and Drew were perfect! The first half of the books was good; they had great banter and I loved how feisty Hester was! Watching their barriers lower while bickering was so entertaining. But what took me compelling off guard was the last third of the book; I did not see that coming!

This is Book 3 of The Five Deadly Sins series. It is a captivating enemies to lovers romance between a dashing rake and a widow who is determined to keep control over her late husband's estate. Hester has put her heart and soul in keeping Blackbird Heath prosperous. She doesn't need some entitled, roguish, stubborn man taking it all away from her. The funny thing is Drew doesn't even remember the man that left it to him. All he wants to do is sell the property and rid himself of it. But he can't do so until Hester leaves and there is no way she will willingly vacate the premises without putting up a fight. Their clash of wills made for some very witty and fun banter between them. Both were stubborn and unwilling to budge from their position and as they each stood their ground, they were unable to fight the strong attraction that developed between them. But when Drew is attacked, misunderstandings and misconceptions create a hurdle for their blossoming romance.
The story was well-written and entertaining and flowed smoothly. The characters were interesting and well-developed and I enjoyed following their story. An excellent addition to the series!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book and this is my freely given opinion.

This is book 3 of the series and takes place after the engagement of Tamsin and the Duke of Ware (book 2). Andrew Sinclair, of the younger brothers, has grown up hating Dunnings and cabbages. He learned at a young age to use his facility for numbers to play cards and wager to help augment their meager income, and to use his charm and good looks to get him into events and house parties. Despite his attempts to help financially though, the ostracized Sinclairs were still forced to live in penury at Dunnings, and he was not able to stop his mother from dying, or his family from living in poverty until their hated half brother died in his racing accident.

Now that their brother, Jordan, is the Earl, they all are living better, but are still stigmatized socially. Drew no longer has to rely on cards to make his way, and while he may like bedding widows and bored housewives, he is looking for a different path on his own. He is hoping to invest in a financial venture with his friend Worth, but is reluctant to ask his brother for the funds to do so. However, and unexpected windfall comes his way in the way of an inheritance. He was gifted a country estate/farm, Blackbird Heath, from a former gamester he had engaged in the past. He hates the country and has no intention of becoming a farmer, but he could sell the property to fund his investments. Except for one iron clad barrier in the will - he cannot sell while the widow stays on the property.

Hester Black has had it with rakes and gamesters. Her father and husband were such and failed her in every ways possible. But at least with her marriage to Joshua Black, she was given a chance at a stable home, and while he was off on his jaunts to wager and gamble at will, she dug down and made a success of Blackbird Heath, raising sheep, chickens, growing beets, cabbages, bees, etc. Then when he dies, she is torn up to find out that instead of inheriting the heath, he has left it to another gambling wastrel and she is now a guest in her own home.

When Drew arrives at Blackbird Heath, instead of an elderly widow in black, he finds a copper haired virago. Despite their instant butting of heads, he cannot help but be attracted to her. Hester underestimates Drew, and attempts to scare what she thinks is a spoiled, soft, citified rake and fop from the farm. But Drew, aggravated by Hester and her refusal to take his generous offer, digs in and does what he can to roust her from the farm.

Drew and Hester strike sparks from the moment they meet and are both two characters that I got a lot of pleasure reading about. Their open door sex scenes are very sensual and an added pleasure to read, and I loved their enemies to lovers vibe. There is love triangle intrigue that leads to a dangerous misunderstanding that almost breaks up their relationship and out both Drew and Hester in danger. I genuinely loved their connection and passion - both as enemies and then as friends/lovers. Especially when Drew opens up and shares his story with her, and Hester realizes how much they do share in their past. The ending and how Hester was introduced to the family was abrupt - but very cute, and I do wish that there was more to their story, especially how Hester fits in with the rest of the family (considering how eccentric the Sinclairs and their mates are).

4.5 stars out of 5

Sinfully Mine by Kathleen Ayers is an entertaining story of a rake and a widow. Drew Sinclair had supported himself for years by his winnings from card games but when he took all of the money of an old man named Joshua Black and then was offered his estate/farm, his conscience got the better of him and he lost the farm as well as all the money he had won from the old man, and put it out of his head. Now, two years later, he is notified that the old man has died and left it all to him, with the proviso that the widow live there as long as she liked. Assuming that the widow was of the same advanced years as Joshua had been, he packed to go inspect his new property with alacrity, only to discover that the widow, Hester, was young and beautiful and determined never to leave her home. She had worked hard to make it profitable and was now working to make it even more so. She hoped to convince Sinclair that it would be a good investment, left in her hands. So began the war between the two, each trying to convince the other to leave.

This was an amusing story until it wasn’t, and a mad man entered the scene. To be fair, he had been mad all along, they just hadn’t noticed. Hester placed the rooster’s food just under Sinclair’s window and tried to put a snake in his bed. Sinclair invited his London friends for a visit. Both were so stubborn. It wasn’t until someone took some shots at him that he realized that the things that had happened to him weren’t random. Someone was after him and who was the one that would benefit? He left and sent her the deed. He was done with her. She was heartbroken, but was adjusting. What a good novel. Intriguing characters, both with active imaginations; an entertaining story, with some other interesting characters. The pacing was excellent, never letting us know what was going to befall Hester until it did. Thanks for the read!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Sinfully Mine by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #KathleenAyers #SinfullyMine

I’ve really enjoyed this series, but this particular story just wasn’t for me. It was well written and I was glad I read it. I will keep going with this series!

I received an ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Such a great book! I like historical romance the most when the girl works or want to do something besides having children and being in charge of a household. I mean, is there something wrong with wanting to be a full memeber of a society? As you can see I wouldn't have survived those times (or I would be trying to make changes... lots of them). Please, keep with the good work! Hope to read more from you soon!

A clash worthy of … Titans?
Andrew Sinclair, the third ‘Deadly Sin’ as they are called by the ton, is thoroughly surprised when he inherits an estate from a long forgotten fellow cardplayer. Long ago, he had cheated to avoid causing total ruin to the gentleman. Largely reformed Andrew wants to invest the value of the estate to generate his own revenue. But there is a catch. He cannot sell the estate as long as the widow does not leave voluntarily.
A very entertaining story of two equally obstinate personalities, who absolutely refuse to change their point of view and to acknowledge that something is growing between them.

What can happen when two willed people both want something different? Andrew Sinclair has just found out he has inherited Blackbird Heath from someone he barely remembers. There are only two problems, first it is out in the country and Andrew does not like the dirt and everything associated with the country. The second thing is, man who left Blackbird Heath to Andrew has also left a widow and the farm cannot be sold as long as she wishes to remain there. Heath Black has worked hard to get this farm in shape and does not want to leave it. Get ready for a story where each person does their best to make the other person give up and leave. Who do you think will win in the end?

Andrew 'Drew' Sinclair the younger brother of the now Earl of Emerson, Jordan Sinclair, is a prolific card player, gambler and rake. When he receives a note from his solicitor informing he has inherited a 'farm' in Lincolnshire from a Joshua Black who lost it to him at cards a few years prior. When Drew arrives at the farm he is surprised to meet Hester Black the widow who rather than being old and decrepit is young and fulsome. They immediately come to loggerheads though as she knows the will stipulates that she can stay on the farm as long as she wishes and Drew wants to sell and invest in his friend's financial company. The banter between these two is invigorating to read and then the mutual attraction overcomes the resistance and some steamy scenes ensue. A good well told yarn. Received this arc and have voluntarily reviewed.

Thoroughly enjoyed this next in the series from Ayers. Drew and Hester were just wonderful characters and I loved their story both separately and together.

Can't wait to see whose story is next!

thank you for the early copy

Hester and Drew an unlikely now favorite couple! I thought couples couldn’t get any more odd than Tamsin and Ware but these are not complete opposite!
Hester the daughter of the town drunk and wastrel married an elderly man to obtain a roof over her head and some stability!
She runs the farm and makes it prosperous by sheer grit and determination!
Then her gambling husband gambled the farm and only made her steward as long as remains!
Which meant to Drew he could drive her out! Drew is a rake and womanizer and yes a gambler!
The latter because their experience at Dunning shaped the family in ways no one can forget! They survived the fires of a horrible place but their beloved mother did not!
Hester knows she’s not much to look at with careworn hands and no bosom but she is when Drew sees her!
But there is something sinister in a person that Hester trusts!
When the couple is driven apart by a mysterious shooter all bets are off!
Can Drew realize the enemy in time to save the only woman he not only loves but is his match!
Hester not realizing how deranged this person is had invited the madman into her home!
Will Hester and Drew survive to have a future they desire!? Bravo
I received an ARC copy for my unbiased opinion!

This was another great read. Drew is a dashing gambling rake who is looking for his purpose in life. After years spent banished to a crumbling home and playing cards to help support his family Drew has spent his life since his bother became the Earl of Emerson partaking in all London has to offer. When he’s given a farm in country quite unexpectedly he finds himself faced with more than he bargained for.

Hester Black runs the farm, is quite used to drunken men wasting away what money they have and is not at all happy to find her home has been given away to yet another gambling dandy.

Forced to content with each other they both stubbornly refuse to budge and thus ensues a battle of wills as they each try to get the other to leave. I really enjoyed the back and forth and the tests they put each other through to try to win the farm. The banter was great and I loved the slow progression from enemies to lovers. I also really liked that Hester was the one in charge of the farm, capable, strong and self sufficient, her love of her home was infused into the story on every page. Slowly, despite his dislike of the countryside Drew finds himself more and more content to stay.

The plot was compelling and I the subtle build up to the ending was fantastic. I didn’t expect it to get anyone near as extreme as it did but it was quite the explosive ending! The romance was delightfully steamy but not overdone and I enjoyed learning about Drew and Hester and seeing them fall for one another.

An entertaining read with a countryside setting, banter, enemies to lovers and high stakes.

I have really been enjoying Kathleen Ayers’ Five Deadly Sins series, though this entry works just fine as a standalone. Hester and Drew’s story has steam, wit, mystery, and suspense and is thoroughly enjoyable, While the villain is pretty easily ascertainable fairly early on, the questions of how everything will play out prevents the book from falling flat even when the reader has this knowledge. There is nice character development for both Drew and Hester. Definitely one I recommend reading.

4.5 stars, rounded to 5. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.