Heartache & Sin by Charles Soto is a powerful, emotional tale of love, faith, family, and survival. This is fiction for the thinking reader that may have you revisiting your beliefs on abortion and perhaps questioning your opinions of organized religion.

Holy cow! Charles has this way of writing that just draws you in and through his words he is able to make you angry, sad, heart broken, I ran the gamut here. I was so mad at Pastor Ryan. He literally made me ill. I couldn't understand how this whole congregation couldn't see through him, but such is the cult mentality. My heart broke for Karen and Steve and her health problems, and without giving away the ending, I so wanted her baby to be ok. For her to be ok. For something to happen that would allow both to survive. Each character plays such a role in this story it would feel very incomplete if it was written any other way!
Steven sees the pastor for what he truly is: a lying, deceitful, brainwashing psycho, who must control everything and everyone around him. Steven struggles with the thought of losing his wife if she attempts carrying the baby to term. Pastor Ryan convinces Karen to continue the pregnancy despite the serious health risk, and begins to use Karen to further his campaign against a local abortion clinic.

I hurt for Mary, the pastor's wife. This woman who is beaten down emotionally, physically. Yet she has no escape. None. She is held captive by her love for her children.

Overall a Great Read! Tension, fear, and suspense to keep readers riveted throughout the 510 pages. This is his first novel, however, he writes like a seasoned pro. His characters are well developed and believable. He descriptions are vivid; his dialogue authentic. This book is difficult to put down and will be long remembered after you turn the final page. Highly Recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley Charles Soto and the Publishing company this is a great read!