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Sins #2
Sins of the Flesh
I enjoyed Sins of Omission and while reading had to order this second book and wish Fern Michaels had written a third. From two young servicemen to grown men, Reuben and Daniel's friendship never wavers, even though complicated by family members. From powerful lives in Hollywood to France being invaded with characters rescuing people and children, survival seems to be the theme of this novel....whether in the corporate world or private world. A surprising twist as to who Reuben really loves, and a lot of love and intrigue in this second book.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 13, 1990
254 people are currently reading
669 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
428 books6,550 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 8, 2024
Love Her books
August 18, 2025
In this book BB had really grown up & had started to take love more seriously. I came to like her a lot in this book. I loved that Jane & Daniel became a strong couple, & Daniel's daughter was a version of Bitchy selfish BB all over again who really made things difficult for everyone to just be happy, but I'm so glad that their love overcame It all. I hated that Daniel wouldn't see his daughter's, Nelly's failings & even when people brought evidence in front of him, he refused to accept the truth until the very end. It was sad that Phillip couldn't be with the woman he truely loved because of a stupid decision to marry Nelly on the spur of the moment, but then he instantly regreted It, but Nelly refused to give him a divorce. Even when she had palmed a child on him which wasn't his own, & she had minipulated & schemed to get all his riches, she refused to let Phillip truely go. Seeing Ruban going back to France, & when he found Mickey, she was shot in war & he had to lose her all over again which was terribly sad. Wonderful series, & I can't wait to read more of Fern Michaels in time.
March 16, 2023
Sins
These people were the best friends forever and the ending was the absolute best. It left me wanting more of the characters I feel like the saga is incomplete if we cannot find the ending for children or their generation. MS !Michaels is an excellent storyteller, she makes you feel each of the characters and it is so easy to visualize them. I truly hope that she gives us a ending to this saga with the conclusion of the younger generation and Nellie gets what is coming to her with no consequences to her son.
These people were the best friends forever and the ending was the absolute best. It left me wanting more of the characters I feel like the saga is incomplete if we cannot find the ending for children or their generation. MS !Michaels is an excellent storyteller, she makes you feel each of the characters and it is so easy to visualize them. I truly hope that she gives us a ending to this saga with the conclusion of the younger generation and Nellie gets what is coming to her with no consequences to her son.
July 17, 2025
Most satisfying book I've read this year!
I particularly liked the characters. After 80 decades, I know we all have had to deal with bad people. Anyone who reads this story and is presently dealing with "bad people" will get the message several times over to stand up, take the next step and deal with it. Life is too short to be miserable. I recommend these two books to everyone. I llaughed, cried, felt discouraged and loved every minute of both boos. A real joy! Karen Selby, Springfield, MO
I particularly liked the characters. After 80 decades, I know we all have had to deal with bad people. Anyone who reads this story and is presently dealing with "bad people" will get the message several times over to stand up, take the next step and deal with it. Life is too short to be miserable. I recommend these two books to everyone. I llaughed, cried, felt discouraged and loved every minute of both boos. A real joy! Karen Selby, Springfield, MO
March 16, 2022
depth of story coincides with current events
It took a chapter or so to decide I wanted to continue- but definitely worth it. I had not read the first book of this story but still grew quickly to care about story and characters. I only wished for a third book because one of the characters you grow to despise does not have a satisfactory resolution and punishment! O, dear Fern Michaels - let us have part 3!
It took a chapter or so to decide I wanted to continue- but definitely worth it. I had not read the first book of this story but still grew quickly to care about story and characters. I only wished for a third book because one of the characters you grow to despise does not have a satisfactory resolution and punishment! O, dear Fern Michaels - let us have part 3!
June 20, 2023
I really liked this book too and the ending took me by surprise. The character of Nellie....I swear she was fashioned after my youngest Aunt and that's who I thought of every time I saw/read the Nellie character's scheming, lying ways. Wow - some of these books really make me think that Fern Michaels is watching from the outside and writing books! I could give her some insight that would curl her hair!
March 25, 2022
I listened to the audiobook of this story. Enjoyed the narrator. This story spans 20 years, where best friends Reuben and Daniel and Madame Mickey are in France. Now Mickey wants Daniel to come back to France, to bring Philippe back to America. He is the son, Reuben never knew he had. Follow their journey from France, Hollywood and Washington DC.
July 14, 2018
This book will rivet you to your seats. I had a difficult time putting it down. Taking place during WWII, there is intrigue, romance, twists and turns.
I would definitely recommend!
I would definitely recommend!
January 8, 2019
I enjoyed this book very much.
February 24, 2021
Loved this book! would rate it 4.5 if you could give it 1/2 point values...
Going to read the predecessor book next: Sins of Omission.
Going to read the predecessor book next: Sins of Omission.
March 3, 2021
Sins of the Flesh
This is ano ther good story by this author and about family and friends and sins of flesh and love and family
This is ano ther good story by this author and about family and friends and sins of flesh and love and family
Read
July 21, 2021Gloria’s
February 15, 2022
Fabulously done
I spent many sleepless nights reading and reading because I was enthralled and just couldn't stop! Masterfully do e! Is there going to be a sequel?
I spent many sleepless nights reading and reading because I was enthralled and just couldn't stop! Masterfully do e! Is there going to be a sequel?
May 27, 2022
Incredible!
Every book I have read from Fern Michaels have been extraordinary. The characters are so real ! I enjoyed these books and hated for them to end.
Every book I have read from Fern Michaels have been extraordinary. The characters are so real ! I enjoyed these books and hated for them to end.
August 14, 2023
Great read but I was so disappointed in some parts of how it ended. Will there be a sequal?
Read
September 17, 2023Great read
It is a wonderful story.. Would love to see the end with lizzie and Philip getting married. Would like for them to find the child's real father
It is a wonderful story.. Would love to see the end with lizzie and Philip getting married. Would like for them to find the child's real father
September 11, 2024
I liked this plot and how the characters worked in it much better than the previous book in this series. I especially enjoyed how Bebe transformed herself.
April 30, 2025
The best sequel I have ever read!
This is a wonderful sequel with a cast of vivid characters you won't soon forget. It would make a great movie!
This is a wonderful sequel with a cast of vivid characters you won't soon forget. It would make a great movie!
January 23, 2011
"When Reuben Tarz and Daniel Bishop met, they were hardly more than boys, brought together by their connection to beautiful, worldly Marchioness Michelene Fonsard, known to all as Madame Mickey. Twenty years later, Reuben is a Hollywood mogul and Daniel has become a renowned Washington D.C. lawyer. Life has rewarded both with riches, success, and beautiful wives, if not always contentment.
Out of the blue, an urgent telephone call from Mickey summons Daniel to France to rescue Philippe, the son Reuben never knew existed, and bring him to America. Philippe’s arrival will be the catalyst that changes everything – unearthing old secrets and betrayals and forging surprising new bonds. And with each revelation comes that rarest of gifts: a chance to learn from the sins of the past and forge a path to happiness at last…"
This book was OK, but not great - there were too many major players for me to get a personal view of any of them. Fern does a good job of showing the choices a character makes and even tells us the motivation behind the action, but the old adage - show don't tell - does not happen here. Also, I had a problem with the portrayal of Daniel's step daughter, Nellie. I have known evil people and people who were pathological liars, but her scheming and deceptions did not ring true with me. She is too one sided and the other characters accepting of her threats does not agree with their actions in the rest of their lives.
Out of the blue, an urgent telephone call from Mickey summons Daniel to France to rescue Philippe, the son Reuben never knew existed, and bring him to America. Philippe’s arrival will be the catalyst that changes everything – unearthing old secrets and betrayals and forging surprising new bonds. And with each revelation comes that rarest of gifts: a chance to learn from the sins of the past and forge a path to happiness at last…"
This book was OK, but not great - there were too many major players for me to get a personal view of any of them. Fern does a good job of showing the choices a character makes and even tells us the motivation behind the action, but the old adage - show don't tell - does not happen here. Also, I had a problem with the portrayal of Daniel's step daughter, Nellie. I have known evil people and people who were pathological liars, but her scheming and deceptions did not ring true with me. She is too one sided and the other characters accepting of her threats does not agree with their actions in the rest of their lives.
March 24, 2012
I liked that this book (and the first one) covered a period of 20+ years so A LOT happens. I also like that none of the characters are perfect (a few did some horrible things) yet I still wanted them to get their happening ending. The only thing I was disappointed with was the ending (at least in part). Some things get resolved but other are left open. But life goes on and if the author tried to wrap up every storyline then the books would never end.
January 1, 2013
Excellent book. It was pretty long but she had several different things going on at once. It is well worth the read, it's not like it ever gets boring along the way, in fact quite the opposite, you just can't wait to see what's going to happen. YOu go through it seems all your emothions along the way, you cry, you laugh, you get so mad you want to scream. It's just an overall good book, I would reccommend it to all.
January 30, 2011
What can I say. This book follows Sins of Omission but the storyline is so 'out there' that I lost all respect for the characters and what goes on. The only saving feature is the storyline and descriptions of France and the Resistance fighters in WWII. Once again this book is very wordy. I persevered and finished but that's all I can say.
August 9, 2011
The book was a good continuation of the first. The only thing I did not like was, I was hoping to find out what happens with their son and his wife. I felt like I was left hanging. Fern Michaels made me laugh, cry and be mad. She brought the a part of war that you usually do not hear. Good book.
March 12, 2012
The book was a good continuation of the first. The only thing I did not like was, I was hoping to find out what happens with their son and his wife. I felt like I was left hanging. Fern Michaels made me laugh, cry and be mad. She brought the a part of war that you usually do not hear. Good book.
July 24, 2011
Although this book stared off slow, it was a most interesting read. Unusual in its style, it made me nostalgic for books in my past. It is certainly unpredictable and full of plots. Recommended as a good read.
April 12, 2012
It was an entertaining book but did not like the ending, but I guess i will have to read the next one in the series.
Merged review:
A great story once again. I am looking forward to reading the final book in the series.
Merged review:
A great story once again. I am looking forward to reading the final book in the series.
December 27, 2012
I loved this book. I laughed, I cried, I got frustruated, I got angry. All in all, I truly enjoyed this book and the first one Sins of Ommission. Wonderful story. I felt as if I were there. Well done, Fern.
October 21, 2010
I enjoyed the first book in this series and am looking forward to delving into book #2. This was a great followup book.
October 20, 2010
In my opinion, one of Fern Michael's best. Didn't realize that this was book #2 of a series and might have enjoyed #1 but I feel that I'd be going backwards now....
November 30, 2010
WONDERFUL AS ARE ALL OF HER BOOKS
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews