Review: Sinfully Scandalous by Rosalie Stanton

Title: Sinfully Scandalous
Series: Sinners and Saints, #2
Author: Rosalie Stanton
Published: January 16, 2012
Pages: ebook
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased with my own money
Rating: B
Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: "Sex isn't a big evil, you know. We're kinda wired for it. The fact that you wanna do the nasty doesn't make me think any less of you."


summary from Goodreads
Thou shalt not commit adultery. It’s an order that Luxi, Sin of Lust, never saw coming. When you work for Lucifer, though, you tend to lay off the questions. She isn’t comforted when she discovers her assignment is to intern for a preacher-turned-politician, especially when her directive goes no further. As Luxi prepares for a long ride to nowhere, she can’t help but wonder if something else is at play…or what the King of Hell has up his sleeve.

 Grayson Bailey’s run for state senate is going nowhere fast. The poll numbers are depressing, his campaign advisor is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and someone out there has a bullet with his name on it. Yet when temptation herself struts through the door with a sassy smirk and an attitude to match, Grayson finds it very hard to remember which obligations are at the top.

 The closer Grayson gets to Luxi, the stranger his life becomes. With Election Day—and a psycho with a gun—just around the corner, he can’t afford any detours. And while Luxi never puts her heart on the line, there’s something about this man that tests her resolve…though it might end up costing her more than she can afford.

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Marq's thoughts:
Luxi is the Deadly Sin, Lust. She is sent on an assignment to work for preacher, turned politician, Grayson Bailey, as an intern. Lux isn't given any instructions beyond that. She's not supposed to seduce him or sleep with him. Lux isn't happy that she doesn't know what Lucifer has in store for Grayson but she is going to be a good employee and do what she is told. Grayson is a liberal preacher and the people of Springfield aren't too happy with his views. His polls numbers are in the toilet and he needs to get them up, fast. When Luxi walks into his campaign headquarters, poll numbers are the least of Grayson's worries. Grayson's attraction to Luxi is instantaneous and his priority is no longer his campaign.

Luxi is now one of my favorite PNR heroines. She is sassy, snarky and outrageously funny. She has no filter and I love it. I didn't expect there to be so much humor in Sinfully Scandalous. The funniest parts are when Luxi and Grayson's campaign manager, John, are going toe-to-toe with the insults. Luxi definitely held her own in dishing it. Grayson is a great hero. I wondered how his character was going to be written since he is a preacher. Grayson is sexy with a sense of humor and a great personality. He lives his life the best way he knows how and doesn't judge people based on appearances (unlike his campaign manager).

I know that the fact that Grayson is a preacher and is fornicating outside of marriage will probably turn people off but I loved it. It showed that even though he's a man of God, he's still just a man. Stanton did a great job of blurring the lines between good and evil. The running theme throughout this book is that it's not black or white; what's good isn't always good. And what's bad isn't always bad. Plus, I wouldn't have been mad if Grayson went over to the "dark side" cause I figured that that would be the only way for him and Luxi to be together.

Sinfully Scandalous is sinfully sexy. Remembering that Grayson is a man first, there are some smoking hot sex scenes between him and Luxi. I liked that there was a balance of sex and relationship development.  It would have been too easy to have Luxi and Grayson to hump like rabbits and then at the end, have their HEA. Throughout the book, both Luxi and Grayson have to look at themselves and their issues. Luxi may be Sin but she has her own insecurities. Her exterior is snarky and confidence but inside she has insecurities like a normal woman.

Sinfully Scandalous exceeded my expectations. So far it is my favorite of the series (even though this is only book 2). I loved Luxi and Grayson. I loved the humor, the introduction of the other Sin siblings. We revisit Ava and Dante who are still happy and in love. I liked that I had no idea how Grayson and Luxi were going to end up together. I was completely taken by surprised. But I felt that how it was done, it was the only option.

Sinfully Scandalous is a great addition to the series. I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. I could not put it down. If you're looking for a funny, sexy read, I highly recommend this one.