The Siren - Review

The Siren (The Original Sinners #1) 
by Tiffany Reisz

Publication date: 24 July 2012 by Harlequin MIRA

ISBN 10/13: 0373605692 | 9780373605699
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Category: Adult Erotica/Romance
Keywords: Erotica, romance, BDSM
Format: Paperback, eBook
Source: Library

Synopsis:

Notorious Nora Sutherlin is famous for her delicious works of erotica, each one more popular with readers than the last. But her latest manuscript is different—more serious, more personal—and she's sure it'll be her breakout book...if it ever sees the light of day.

Zachary Easton holds Nora's fate in his well-manicured hands. The demanding British editor agrees to handle the book on one condition: he wants complete control. Nora must rewrite the entire novel to his exacting standards—in six weeks—or it's no deal.

Nora's grueling writing sessions with Zach are draining…and shockingly arousing. And a dangerous former lover has her wondering which is more torturous—staying away from him...or returning to his bed?

Nora thought she knew everything about being pushed to your limits. But in a world where passion is pain, nothing is ever that simple.

Review:

“Love isn’t always gentle. Sometimes love is rough and brutal. Sometimes it needs to be.”

The quote above is from a free short story on Tiffany Riesz’s website (Daniel, Chapter 7) which is a prequel to Seven Day Loan, in which The Siren’s main character, Nora, first appears. While it isn’t in specific reference to The Siren, I think it perfectly sums up how I felt about the first book in Reisz’s Original Sinner series. Let’s be clear. The Siren is not a traditional love story. The relationships in it are complicated, messy, and painful. Happily ever after is not a foregone conclusion and love doesn’t always conquer all. You’ve been warned.

The Siren is the story of best selling erotica writer and Dominatrix, Nora Sutherlin, who is writing her next and most personal novel. A major publishing house agrees to publish Nora’s book, but only if editor Zach Easton can get the novel up to his high standards in three weeks. Zach doesn’t want to be Nora’s editor, and hopes to intimidate her into quitting. But things don’t work out quite the way that Zach anticipates and he finds himself drawn to Nora and her world. They push each other to their breaking points and each must decide what they really want.

I don’t think I’ve ever met another character like Nora. Unapologetic and full of life, Nora is a woman that you both love and hate. She’s complicated and constantly evolving. Nora is a rare bird in the BDSM world. She’s a switch - a person who can be both dominant and submissive. I think this matches her personality well, as she is a blend of both extreme confidence and extreme vulnerability.

The Siren also has a great cast of male characters. Zach is the hard assed editor who challenges Nora to be a better writer. He’s a bit lost at the beginning of the book, but he eventually finds his way. And Wesley, sweet Wesley. His innocence is such a contrast to Nora and the affection and love they have for each is surprisingly tender. Then there’s Soren, who is probably the most mysterious character on the book. He and Nora have a...complicated relationship. I don’t know if I like Soren or not but I am looking forward to learning more about their relationship as the series continues.

The Siren isn’t for the faint of heart. Don’t expect to come out of it with the warm and fuzzies.Though it broke my heart a little, I think the ending was perfect for these characters. Brutal and raw but also hopeful, The Siren is a book that you will think about long after you’ve put it down.

 

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Visit the author online at tiffanyreisz.com and follow her on Twitter @tiffanyreisz. You can also find some free great short stories set in the Original Sinners world on Tiffany's blog (but read The Siren first).