Born of Sin

By: Pamela Hart Vines

Narrated by: Dirk Watson

Conceived out of wedlock and "born of sin," Jacob Dewitt suffers deeply at the hands of his resentful stepfather. In the midst of family chaos, Jacob is shipped off to boarding school. Years later, when the school expels him, he believes he can't go back home.

As a young man alone on the streets of Pittsburgh, Jacob lies about his age and assumes a new identity. Intelligent and ambitious, he soon gets recruited by the city's crime organization. Yearning for acceptance, Jacob embraces his new family that consists of an up-and-coming Madame, his primary mentor, and other drug runners.

He grows up fast. It doesn't take long for the big boss to discover Jacob's quick mind and other talents. Despite his rising status, Jacob yearns for a righteousness the streets can't provide. To fill the void, he attends the local university and uses his gifted knowledge about the Bible to encourage his crew. Word of mouth spreads and miraculous things happen to the people he helps. Unfortunately, Jacob discovers that church and crime are an unholy union.

Alternating between the fictional town of Edgeboro, North Carolina in 1976 and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the early 1980's, Jacob must choose between leaving the street family that embraced him and seeking a legitimate life with the family that disowned him.

Born of Sin follows a complex and layered African American family as each member deals with the universal affects of betrayal, unrequited love, and the desire to have something more.

©2015 Pamela Hart Vines (P)2016 Pamela Hart Vines

I want more.

I enjoyed the book. it left me want more. it was refreshing to read a different type of storyline. Waiting for book 2.

Book 1 in the (currently unnamed) series.

When I picked Born of Sin I was under an impression that it was a stand alone book. Nothing in it's description indicated that it was a part of a series. Turns out, most of the book is a back story and an introduction to the characters and events that were foreshadowed at the very beginning of the book. As such Born of Sin left a lot of situations and relationships unresolved. The only way for that to be acceptable is to view Born of Sin as a part of a series rather than an independent novel.

Looking at this book as a part of a series I can honestly say WOW. I loved it. A multitude of complex characters and interesting events kept me engaged and eager to find out how they'd cope with everything that life threw at them. It was refreshing to encounter imperfect heroes and antagonists who, at least at some point, had a pure heart and good intentions. The insight into family dynamics was well written and convincing. Another well presented and interesting topic to explore was the rift between dreams and reality that several characters experienced and handled differently.

Out of all the characters I liked Jacob the best. What impressed me most was his determination to persevere on his quest to gain good education and become successful. He is likable despite the mistakes he made and the shady paths he traveled. Hopefully, future books will give him a chance to fully redeem himself.

I found Born of Sin exceptionally well paced. It felt just right without any too slow or rushed parts.

The narration was good and pleasant for the most part. One thing that I found slightly distracting was the narrators tendency to drawl out certain words, for example says, at times.

I truly hope that Born of Sin is indeed first in the series. I am already looking forward to reading the next one.

This audiobook was given by the author at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Self made

I received this book in exchange for a honest review. This story had my emotions going up in down with the story of Jacob. Treated miserably by his step-dad, then kidnapped and force to live away from his mother, Jacob decides he will make his way. Jacob is smart, real smart, he can imitate anyone and any situation. He becomes a man he is not truly proud of but never lose site of his reunions background. I cannot wait for the story to continue as he becomes a man he truly wants to be.

Christian and crime fiction

If you could sum up Born of Sin in three words, what would they be?

Everyone has flaws

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jacob was my favorite and the main character. I felt endeared to him from what he went through in his childhood but because of how his mother raised him he fared well and handled himself as best he could even in his young years. I could sense his spirit as being loving and wanting to do good mostly. He's young and everyone has flaws and sins while finding their way. Some continue to live in the ways of the world but you get a sense that that's not Jacob's intent.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the part where Jacob reunites with one of his siblings and gets to hear about what has happened since he's been gone and also share the truth behind his disappearance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, unless the book is short, I'd rather listen over a few day time frame. If there is a long book that is so good to make me want to listen in one sitting I've never come across it. Long to me is over 9 hours, average is about 7-9.. Anything 6 hours or less is short in my opinion. So this book fell into the long audio category for me.

Any additional comments?

I felt this book was unique in the aspect of mixing crime and religion within the same person. Jacob was a complex character, intelligent with a good heart underneath it all even when he wasn't using his brains for good. I felt this book was a solid 3.5 stars in narration, storyline and writing. It was realistic in showing that you can love God but still fall into sin and that doesn't make you a bad person just a person who still has growing to do. I look forward to the next installment as I thought this book was going to showcase more of Jacob's start as a pastor and it actually ends right when he decides to start that journey. Also, the narrator did a great job reading this story. I liked how he used different inflections in his voice when speaking for the women characters and differentiating between the male characters somewhat. His tone and speed were very good.

Awesome, Intriguing, Riveting, Recommend

Where does Born of Sin rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is in the top ten. I am on the second listen of the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was JD, I love how he overcomes and proves that he is capable of what comes his way.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to in one sitting and just restarted listening again.

Any additional comments?

I would certainly recommend. I will listen and looking forward to the second.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Born of sin

Any additional comments?

t want to read the continuing story of these characters. Vines has written a tapestry of complicate and dynamic characters, gripping plot twists, and insightful emotional theme It is an engaging debut novel.

An Insightful Emotional Roller Coaster

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Junior. Actually, I liked all of the characters, even the so called "Bad Guys".

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was sad at times..

Any additional comments?

Ok, I'm going to try and write this Review without any spoilers..
maybe just a few spoilers.

The story is set largely in the 1970's and 80's, it has Strong Language, Sexual Situations but those are not the main focus.
The story goes back and forth between the past and present.

Jacob Dewitt was considered Born of Sin by his Step Father because his parents were not married when he was conceived and born.
His step father was cruel and mentally abusive towards Jacob because he was not his own son.
I know it happens a lot but his step father's behaviors and treatment of Jacob, as a child was deplorable.
Instead of teaching Jacob things that he could use in school, teach him about unity and love,
he would rather call him names.
Its a shame that Jacob's step father and half siblings focused on and worried about the wrong things, like, hair color, hair texture, skin tones, which child looked the best, etc..

I worried about Jacob from the beginning:
He studied and watched his step father while he slept and in vulnerable states, taking note of his house and children.
Even though Jacob's step father didn't really act like a father,
I can't believe that Jacob tampered with farm equipment, the chain saw, around the farm and was the cause of his step father loosing his left fore-finger.
And, if that wasn't bad enough, Jacob's inner dialogue states that he did it on purpose and wanted to see what would happen
AND that his step father was dim-witted and would never suspect that he was the cause.

Jacob had to grow up way too fast and he acted more like an "Adult" than the real adults in his life.
I was kind of angry with Jacob's mother, Rebecca, and felt that she took advantage of her husband, John Charles.
There were so many times when she could have made the situation better.
And, no, I do not condone her husband putting his hands on her.
And, when she smacked John Charles, I felt bad for him. She should not have put her hands on him either.
Rebecca's mother was Horrible Person and her actions were the catalyst for everything.

Rebecca acted like a spectator in her own life.
Like she did not have any control over the things that she did or did not do.
There were times where she should have done more
And then there were situations where she should Not have done anything at all,
like meeting Isaac in the woods.
Rebecca is a Mother First, Wife and ex girlfriend but her children should have come first.
What she did to John was horrible, his response was even worse.
It was a domino effect and the situation and events went downhill.
I did not like how Jacob changed after the Silas incident.

There were times during the book where I chuckled, there were times when I shook my head
BUT, there were too many times where I just felt sadness, more than what I was comfortable with when reading a book. The children's struggles bothered me, Rebecca and Isaac's strained relationship bothered me, Isaac's father's illness bothered me, and even John Charles's bitterness bothered me.

The characters were raw, the plot twists were gripping and an insightful emotional roller coaster.
I liked how Vines, the author, was able to portray how smart Jacob was in the story without him appearing conceited.
Overall, The story was really good and well written.

The author states that while the story is fictional, that Jacob is based on a real person.
This story was very sad and I hope that the real person that it is based on has had the chance, to heal and grow.


Note:
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in
exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

I can't wait for the next book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would absolutely recommend this audiobook; actually I was recommending it even before I was finished listening. The story is amazing, and I was really intrigued by the main character and his complexities.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Born of Sin?

There were many scenes that stand out, but the scene in which Jacob's mother wonders out of the house into the woods was a scene that stuck with me long after. I supposed it is because I could identify with her.

Have you listened to any of Dirk Watson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any other of his narrations. In this performance, he mispronounced several "normal" words, and some phrasing was "off". This was distracting at times.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, indeed.

Any additional comments?

I loved Pamela Vines' writing style. It was easy to follow, and I was pulled into the story right away. Her descriptions of the characters easily allowed me to picture them, and feel connected to them. The pace was just right. At the end of the book, I found myself sad that it was over. I wondered about the characters, and what would happen to them. I'm looking forward to the next installment!

Oprah, take a look at this book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I'm not even a big reader (listener) and it held my attention the whole way through!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Born of Sin?

The characters were layered; so much depth to each one of them. And that Noreen--more than a few times I caught myself shouting something at her aloud. She's a slick one, but I loved her.

Have you listened to any of Dirk Watson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

That's putting me on the spot, lol! It's too early in the morning to think of one.

Any additional comments?

First things first, I am not an avid reader. I wouldn't even say I'm a reader. But when I had the opportunity to read Born of Sin, I could tell I was going to commit to this book. The cover caught my eye right away, and I must say, the title. "What could this be about? Sounds intriguing. Even better, sounds like I won't be bored!" I fully intended to flip through the paperback, as pictured in the bookstore with it, but when it became available on audio, that was more my vibe. I decided to listen to Born of Sin while I was on the treadmill at the gym. I can't stand the treadmill and needed something to make the time go fast. Boy, did it ever! I was immediately immersed in the life of JD. Living in Pittsburgh, the friends (frenemies?) he met, the trouble that surrounds him, and the task of balancing the angel and devil on his shoulders. From the perfect spoken words of each character, this book came to life. And made my workout fly by. A sequel is on its way and I'm ready to continue to story!

Hard to get interested.

I struggled to finish this book. It could not keep my interest in the story.