The Mistress by Tiffany Reisz Blog Tour - Review + Q&A

Today we are hosting a stop of The Mistress Blog Tour. I love this series and am super excited to be participating in the tour. Thanks to The Novel Tease for putting together this tour and for including us in it. This is going to be a pretty long post with a review, short Q&A and a giveaway. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to stop by the other blogs on this tour. Full tour schedule here.

The Mistress (The Original Sinners #4) 

by Tiffany Reisz

Publication date: 30 July 2013 by Harlequin MIRA

ISBN 10/13: 0778315703 | 9780778315704

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

AMAZON  

Book Synopsis:

There's punishment-and then there's vengeance.

Nora Sutherlin is being held, bound and naked. Under different circumstances, she would enjoy the situation immensely, but her captor isn't interested in play. Or pity.

As the reality of her impending peril unfolds, Nora becomes Scheherazade, buying each hour of her life with stories-sensual tales of Søren, Kingsley and Wesley, each of whom has tempted and tested and tortured her in his own way. This, Nora realizes, is her life: nothing so simple, so vanilla, as a mere love triangle for her. It's a knot in a silken cord, a tangled mass of longings of the body and the heart and the mind. And it may unravel at any moment.

But in Nora's world, no one is ever truly powerless-a cadre of her friends, protectors and lovers stands ready to do anything to save her, even when the only certainty seems to be sacrifice and heartbreak…

The Prince - Review

The Prince (The Original Sinners #3) 
by Tiffany Reisz

Publication date: 20 November 2012 by Harlequin MIRA

ISBN 10/13: 0778314103 | 9780778314103
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Category: Adult Erotica/Romance
Keywords: Erotica, romance, BDSM
Format: Paperback, eBookSource: e-ARC received from Netgalley

**This review will contain spoilers for previous books in the series. Do not read if you have not read The Siren and The Mistress and don't want to be spoiled.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer...preferably in bed. That's always been Kingsley Edge's strategy with his associate, the notorious New York dominatrix Nora Sutherlin. But with Nora away in Kentucky, now it's Kingsley's chance to take her place at the feet of the only man he's ever wanted -- Søren, Nora's on-again, off-again lover -- until a new threat from an old enemy forces him to confront his past.

Wes Railey is still the object of Nora's tamest yet most maddening fantasies, and the one man she can't forget. He's young. He's wonderful. He's also thoroughbred royalty and she's in "his" world now. But Nora is no simpering Southern belle, and her dream of fitting into Wesley's world is perpetually at odds with her dear Søren's relentlessly seductive pull.

Two worlds of wealth and passion call to her and whichever one Nora chooses, it will be the hardest decision she will ever have to make... unless someone makes it for her.

Review:

Amazing! I think I stared at this book in awe and shock after reading it and them immediately went back to re-read my favorite parts (of which there are many). I know I've waxed lyrical about this series before but The Prince really blew me away and has taken The Siren's place as my favorite book of this series.

**spoilers ahead - if you haven't read the first two books in the series, you may want to skip this.**

The Prince picks up right after the events of The Angel. Nora has gone off with Wesley to Kentucky to see if they can make a relationship work. While she's away, Søren and Kingsley must find out who stole Nora's file and if they mean her harm. But to solve the mystery, they must both go back to a place neither of them wants to see again and revisit painful memories.

The Prince finally shows us how Søren and Kingsley met and how their relationship developed. Calling their relationship complicated would be a vast understatement. Love, hate, lust and obsession all mingle in the tangled web of Søren and Kingsley. And Kingsley, oh how I adore Kingsley. He has definitely become my favorite character in the series.

The other part of the book focuses on Wes and Nora as she tries to fit in with Wes's conservative family in Kentucky. Wes is sweet as always and Nora is...Nora. There's no one else like her. While I like them together, their part of the story was the least interesting for me and I found myself wishing for more Søren and Kingsley. I really just don't see how Wes and Nora will ever work, no matter how much both of them want it to.

I was really surprised by how emotional I got while reading this book. Søren and Kingsley won my heart and I can't help but hope for a happy ending for them. I love Nora, too, but I just feel that Søren and Kingsley are meant to be together.

As you can see, this series has me firmly in its hooks (or handcuffs). Ever the tease, The Prince ends with a big cliffhanger. Good thing I have The Mistress Files, a collection of short stories set in the Original Sinners world, to keep me warm while I wait for the next installment.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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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 onTiffany's blog (but read The Siren first).

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

The Mistress Files - Review

The Mistress Files (The Original Sinners #3.5) 
by Tiffany Reisz

Publication date: 01 June 2013 by Harlequin MIRA

ISBN 10/13: 1459239091 | 9781459239098
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes 

Category: Adult Erotica/Romance
Keywords: Romance, erotica, BDSM, short stories
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Kingsley Edge, king of kink himself, wants Mistress Nora to write a training manual to instruct his other professional Dominants how to take better care of their clients. But Mistress Nora can't put pen to paper without churning out a sexy short story and Kingsley's training manual quickly turns into true tales of her adventures with her favorite clients.

A female submissive who can't orgasm.​

A male Dominant too scared to do kink with his blind wife.​

A rock star with a secret.​

A vanilla gay woman with an embarrassing little problem. ​

A male switch with an itch for more than just pain.​

These are their stories.

Review:

I hate to give this collection such a low rating. I am a really big fan of The Original Sinners series and was looking forward to The Mistress Files. While The Mistress Files was entertaining, there was just something missing from these stories that I can't put my finger on. Maybe I just have high standards after reading the first three books in the series but I really expected more from this collection.

The "files" start off in first person but then switch to third person, and thank goodness for that. Nora's inner monologue is a little too manic for me and starts to grate if left unchecked. I much prefer her in third person.

The majority of the stories are not not memorable to me. They were entertaining but I wasn't invested in any of the characters. I've read all of Reisz's free short stories on her website and I love most of them.This collection is very flat and felt very clinical. There was kink but I was missing some of the emotional connection that I usually have with her characters. They felt a little rushed and the characters under developed. The exception to this was The Story of the Secret Switch, which is about Kingsley, and is my favorite of the bunch. I love Kinsley and this story showed a different side to him. I really liked seeing the dynamic between him and Nora and it gave me some insight into their relationship. It was also ridiculously kinky and hot.

If you're looking for something to tide you over until The Mistress hits bookshelves and you've already read her free short stories, I think this is still worth the $1.99 price tag. The Story of the Secret Switch alone is worth the price of the book for me. While you don't have to have read the whole series before reading this, I would definitely recommend at least reading The Siren. You don't have to. You won't be lost without it but I think you'll get more out of it if you do. While this wasn't my favorite release by Tiffany Reisz, I am still really excited about The Mistress. I love Nora, Kingsley and Soren and can't wait to see what happens next!

 

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Visit the author online at www.tiffanyreisz.com and follow her on Twitter @tiffanyreisz


Please note that this post contains affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here. 

The Angel - Review

The Angel (Original Sinners #2) 
by Tiffany Reisz

Publication date: 27 Sept 2012 by Harlequin MIRA

ISBN 10/13: 0778313999 | 9780778313991
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Category: Adult Contemporary Erotica/BDSM
Keywords: Erotica, BDSM, romance
Format: Paperback, eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley

* If you haven't read The Siren yet, you may want to skip the synopsis and review as it contains spoilers for book 1. You have been warned.

Goodreads synopsis:

No safe word can protect the heart.

Infamous erotica author and accomplished dominatrix Nora Sutherlin is doing something utterly out of character: hiding. While her longtime lover, Søren—whose fetishes, if exposed, would be his ruin—is under scrutiny pending a major promotion, Nora's lying low and away from temptation in the lap of luxury.

Her host, the wealthy and uninhibited Griffin Fiske, is thrilled to have Nora stay at his country estate, especially once he meets her traveling companion. Young, inexperienced and angelically beautiful, Michael has become Nora's protégé, and this summer with Griffin is going to be his training, where the hazing never ends.

But while her flesh is willing, Nora's mind is wandering. To thoughts of Søren, her master, under investigation by a journalist with an ax to grind. And to another man from Nora's past, whose hold on her is less bruising, but whose secrets are no less painful. It's a summer that will prove the old adage: love hurts.

Review:

Wow. Tiffany Reisz continues to impress me with her ability to write original and emotional character driven stories. She continues to push the envelope while still remaining accessible to all readers (as long as you’re not afraid to try something new). When I read a Tiffany Reisz novel, I go through the gamut of emotions – joy, lust, rage, sadness, frustration, fear – and that’s just in the first few pages.

The Angel takes us deeper into Nora’s world and explores old relationships as well as new ones. It picks up about a year after the events of The Siren, and Nora finds that she must leave town when a journalist comes poking around Søren’s congregation. Nora holes up at the estate of Griffin Fiske, a friend and fellow Dom. She takes with her Michael Dimir, the damaged young man that we met in The Angel. Michael is Nora’s protégé for the summer and Nora plans to teach him everything she knows.

Before reading The Angel, I was on the fence about Søren. I wasn’t his biggest fan after the last book but the Angel sheds a lot of light on his past and now I can see why Nora fell in love with him. He is an extremely compelling character with a very dark past. There’s so much that makes up Søren and I think we’ve only scratched the surface.

The other half of the book focuses on Michael, aka The Angel. Michael is struggling to figure out who he is and to accept himself. I loved that Nora and Griffin encouraged him to be himself. Under their tutelage, he sheds his painfully shy exterior and lets out the confident, funny, and thoughtful young man inside. Ultimately I think Michael’s story is one of healing and acceptance. One summer with Nora isn’t going to cure all his problems, but he is getting there.

I have to say that I fell in love with both Michael and Griffin. They were the cutest couple and it was fun watching them both try not to fall in love and failing miserably. I know that the age difference (Michael is 17) might bother some people, but I did not feel that at all. Age is never an issue as they are well matched in personality and maturity.

With each book, I fall deeper into the rabbit hole that Tiffany Reisz has created. Well written, sensual, emotional, and unapologetic, The Original Sinners series is one that you won’t soon forget. I cannot wait to read The Prince, which will give us more insight into Søren and Kingsley’s relationship. I have a feeling it’s going to be the best one yet!

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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Visit the author online at www.tiffanyreisz.com and follow her on Twitter @tiffanyreisz

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
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

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).

Sapphire - Review

Sapphire by Jeffe Kennedy

Publication date: 24 October 2011 by Carina Press

ISBN 10/13: 1426892497 | 9781426892493
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N 

Category: Adult Romance/Erotica
Keywords: Romance, BDSM, erotica
Format: eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley

Synopsis:

A successful executive, M. Taylor Hamilton is on track with her ten-year plan. Too bad her personal life consists of hitting the gym and grocery shopping. Enter the seductive Adam Kirliss. They may have a working relationship, but everything changes at an office party when he handcuffs her to the rail of a yacht.

Taylor writes off the adventure as too much champagne, but when Adam challenges her to a date, she agrees to meet up with him. And follow his rules. They share a night of exquisite intimacy, brimming with both pain and pleasure. But afterward, fearful of losing her heart, Taylor pulls back emotionally.

Adam is determined to prove that she longs for the loss of control he can give her--and the passionate release it provides. How can he make her see that he wants her, and not just her body?

Review:

Let me start off this review by saying that I am not that familiar with BDSM. I don't read too many books about it and know very little about the lifestyle itself. I can't really comment as to the authenticity of the BDSM relationship and can only share my opinion of the char
acters and story and what I personally felt about it.

The book jumps right into things when Taylor Hamilton, buttoned up businesswoman, finds herself handcuffed to a yacht railing by her colleague Adam Kirliss. Adam's had his eye on Taylor and he's ready to make his move (he really is ready because her brings handcuffs onto the yacht). Adam thinks Taylor needs to loosen up and he's just the right Dominant to do it. After bringing her to a quick orgasm, Adam promises Taylor much more if she'll agree to see him again. Taylor can't resist and the next day she shows up at Adam's house for a weekend of sexual experimentation and maybe something more.

This was definitely a steamy read. If you like your love scenes pretty tame then this isn't the book for you. Taylor and Adam were both likable characters. Taylor is very buttoned up and rigid and it's interesting to watch her evolve and realize that she doesn't always need to be in control. Adam's sexual dominance allows her break down some of her walls. While I definitely felt like they had a sexual connection, the emotional connection was less developed and I wish the book had been a little bit longer so we could have explored that part of the relationship a little more.

Adam was still a bit of a mystery at the end of the book. I wanted to know more about him and his motivations and I am not sure I really got that. And the scene at the end with Taylor seemed a little implausible to me. Again, I don't know much about BDSM, but it seems like Taylor got Adam to give up control pretty quickly when their roles were reversed. To me, it seemed like it would have taken them much longer to get to that point.

Overall I enjoyed this brief, sexy look into the BDSM lifestyle. The writing was good, though I would have liked more time for further character development, especially with Adam. I think readers interested in BDSM romances would enjoy getting their feet wet with this novella.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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Visit the author online at jeffekennedy.com and follow her on Twitter @jeffekennedy