'The Angel' The Original Sinners #2 by Tiffany Reisz

 Received from the Publisher 

From the BLURB:

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.

Following the events of ‘The Siren’, Nora Sutherlin has returned to her old master and first love, Søren. But to fly home to him she had to give up her old intern and would-be-lover, Wesley. Now Nora finds herself in the midst of a potential scandal concerning her beloved priest. Søren is up for a promotion, and someone has made an anonymous tip to war-zone journalist, Suzanne Kanter, that there’s a conflict of interest . . . remembering her own familial wounds regarding a corrupt priest, Suzanne takes it upon herself to unearth Father Sterns’s deepest, darkest secrets.

Meanwhile infamous erotica writer, Nora Sutherlin, is taking it upon herself to hide away in the country with her dearest friend, trust fund darling and occasional lover, Griffin Fiske. Hiding goes against her very nature, but to keep Søren safe and divert attention away from him, Nora will do anything she has to. But two months away from her home and master will not lessen Søren’s hold, and he has one more command to make of Nora before she leaves . . . he asks that she take Michael Dimir with her, the young man Nora introduced to their lifestyle one year ago. Michael was saved the moment Søren realized what he was and his sexual impulses, but the young man still battles with his tyrannical father, his own disgust in himself and a deep yearning to belong to someone.

In two months away from home all of these original sinners will face battles within themselves and against each another.

‘The Angel’ is the second novel in Tiffany Reisz’s ‘Original Sinners’ dark erotica series.

I so enjoyed Reisz’s first outing with ‘The Siren’ that I had quite high-hopes for her follow-up, and if I’m 100% honest, I didn’t know if she could meet them. Well, I’ve got to give major props to Reisz because not only did she exceed my expectations with this second book, but she has made me utterly anxious for third (but, pretty please, not final!) book in the series ‘The Prince’, which is due for release in November.

‘The Angel’ picks up pretty much where ‘The Siren’ left off, give or take a few months. Nora is happily ensconced in her relationship with Søren once again, though her beloved master and priest is concerned that Nora has been ignoring calls from her old intern (and unrequited lover) Wesley. Seventeen-year-old Michael is just as introverted as ever, despite his erotic introduction to the BDSM world courtesy of Ms. Sutherlin – Michael may have found solace in his like-minded fetishist, but he is still cowed by his oppressive father and his own insecurities about who he is and what he desires. Meanwhile, Kingsley Edge has had a break-in at his office, and someone has stolen a single, secret-filled, file … Nora’s. At the same time, an unexpected twist in a church promotion has Father Stearns (‘Søren’) up for promotion and under journalistic scrutiny when war-reporter Suzanne Kanter is anonymously tipped to follow his trail. Nora and Michael, both being the potential biggest scandal stories attached to Søren, agree to a two-month sojourn in the country at the lavish estate of Griffin Fiske, 8th Circle regular, Nora’s friend (sometime bed-mate) and generally despised by Søren.

Also circling these characters’ stories is Wesley, back home in Kentucky and unsuccessfully trying to forget about Nora Sutherlin and what she’s doing (and who she’s doing it with) since they parted ways. Zachary Easton is also a phone call away for Nora, as he’s back in England and trying for a baby with his wife, Grace, but still offering input into Nora’s latest novel and romantic catastrophes.

Early on in the novel Nora recounts for Michael a bit of wisdom passed on to her by the infamous Kingsley Edge, who said: “Fetishes . . . they’re the pet you feed or the beast that eats you.” I think that’s a lovely idiom for the ‘Original Sinners’ series in general, but especially for this mid-way book.

‘The Siren’ was such a fantastic introductory book, not just to the ‘Original Sinners’ universe, but to erotica and BDSM in general. I felt like Tiffany Resiz presented some wonderful, insightful arguments regarding the misrepresentation of erotica (often thought of as ‘smut’ or ‘porn’ etc) and without really pressing on the reader to take a side for or against fetishism and BDSM, but at least asking us to think on human nature and the arguments of ‘to each their own’. Well, ‘The Angel’ feels like Reisz is carrying on that message of exploring acceptance, as we delve into some characters’ dark pasts and current struggles.

Søren was very much an unknown element in ‘The Siren’, and all the more intimidating for how characters spoke about and around him, but readers were given very little page-time with his pervading presence. That’s all turned on its head in ‘Angel’, and Søren actually takes up quite a lot of the book’s spotlight. It’s wonderful that readers are now ‘in’ on the Søren story, because reading about journalist Suzanne Kanter’s investigations into him put us in a most curious, sympathetic position. It’s easy to see how so much of Søren’s life and secrets could be horribly, damnably misconstrued from Kanter’s probing. And where once I’m sure a few readers were disgusted by the thought of Søren (based on Wesley’s dislike and Nora’s curious recollections) we are now in a position to be almost defending him. It’s a great little alliance Reisz has formed for the reader, and a great way for those of us (even readers who adamantly disliked Søren and thought him a vile leading man for Nora) to see a different side and rethink our judgements. Søren is also pieced together because in her unearthing, Suzanne Kanter finds the terrible truth of Søren’s past … and it is awful, perhaps especially because it’s so coloured in grey. I will give nothing away, save to say Reisz has added layers and colours to Søren that, even if you don’t find him a fulfilling romantic interest, any reader will surely find him a complex and tough character to admire.

But on the subject of Søren and romance … I appreciated and was surprised at how much ‘The Angel’ is an examination of Søren and Nora’s love. And even though these two are separated (again) in this book, their love definitely shines through. It’s a conundrum, when readers know the degrading, harming foundation of their sexual relationship (and there is a confronting scene very early on which won’t sit well with many readers) but to then read about how their relationship is still very much about love and romance? That was interesting, and again a way that Reisz was expanding the characters and readers misinterpretations about the BDSM world.

When Father Stearns started counselling him after his suicide attempt, Michael finally worked up the courage to ask him about Nora, who Father S called Eleanor. For some reason the first question that came out was, “Is she pretty?”
Father Stearns answered, “Michael, Eleanor is without a doubt the most beautiful woman who has ever or will ever live. If you could take a night time thunderstorm and turn it into a woman, you would have a very good idea what she looks like. And a fairly good idea how she behaves as well,” he’d said and smiled.

On the subject of unconventional romances, a wonderful focus in ‘The Angel’ is on Michael and his growing infatuation with dominant, Grififn Fiske. Griffin is an ex-addict, playboy, trust-fund baby, despised by Søren but beloved of Nora. When Michael lays eyes on Griffin he has a whole new set of internal conundrums – having recently reconciled his sub-tendencies, to then realize he’s also attracted to men? ‘The Angel’ is a book of upheaval for both Michael and Griffin, and it was so interesting to read their coming together (and, again, very romantic).

I feel like I should also stress that while Reisz’s writing may come across as dripping in noir erotica, she is a writer of many shades and she is funny. The same way that Nora Sutherlin is both a seductress and a comic-wit, Tiffany Reisz can write an uncomfortably violent sex scene one moment, and then write a funny turn-around laden with pop-culture references. Like this scene, in which Nora says what we’re all thinking about Søren;

“Yes, sir?” she said when Michael lay safely out of earshot. “How are you, little one?” came Søren’s voice over the line.
“Lonely for a certain six-foot-four blond Scandinavian guy I know.”
Griffin started to go back into Michael’s room and Nora barred the closed door with her body.
“Anyone I know?” Søren asked.
“Alexander Skarsgård.” Griffin feinted to the right before attempting to duck under her arm. She raised her leg and braced it on the door frame to block him.
“I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the gentleman.”
“He’s a Swedish vampire. Anyway, how are you, sir?”

Wesley is on the perimeter for most of this book, but towards the end his role in upcoming third book, ‘The Prince’, becomes apparent and he’s partly the reason I am now left desperate for that third instalment. But as I said, I am now hoping the ‘Original Sinners’ won’t be over with just three books. Reisz’s characters, their struggles (both internal, and with each other) are so compelling and ever growing with endless storytelling possibilities … and the fact that I’m saying that about an erotica series should let people know Tiffany Reisz does not write your typical, run-of-the-mill, empty sex, no substance erotica novels. She is in a league all of her own, and if ‘The Siren’ and ‘The Angel’ are any indication, ‘The Prince’ is going to be one hell of a third act!

5/5

'The Siren' The Original Sinners #1 by Tiffany Reisz

 Received from the Publisher 

From the BLURB:

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 gruelling 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.

Zachary Easton has just been given the hardest job of his career – to take on popular erotica author, Nora Sutherlin, as his new pet-project before he leaves his New York publishing firm in six weeks time, and moves to Los Angeles.

Cheap-thrills erotica may be all the rage at the moment, but Zach is not amused by the thought of editing smut. But, as his boss J.P. points out to Zach, in this current economic climate if you can’t eat it people aren’t buying it (and a credible reviewer called Sutherlin’s latest novel ‘edible’). So Zach is tasked with editing Nora’s latest work, and overseeing the possibility of a contract for her at the prestigious publishing house.

Smut her writing may be, but Zach is surprised when he meets Nora Sutherlin in person – and finds a beautiful, articulate, straight-talking and quirky woman. But while Zach is impressed with the woman behind the guttersnipe persona, he also quickly comes to realize that some of the more outrageous rumours about this famous erotica writer are indeed, disturbingly, true. . . . and in the case of Nora Sutherlin, some things are even stranger than the fiction she writes.

She has a nineteen-year-old ‘house boy’ called Wes. A sweet Southern gentleman and determined virgin living under the same roof as the infamously sexy Nora Sutherlin. Nora also has a strange, tangled history with a man called Søren – whom she had been in love with since she was 15, and was in a 13-year relationship with him until a recent, disastrous break-up that is still hurting her. About this, Zach can sympathise. It was the degeneration of his marriage to Grace that sent Zach to New York, and he’s still heartsick over losing the love of his life.

But perhaps the strangest truth that Nora Sutherlin holds close is the fact that she really does participate in the BDSM scene she also writes. But Zach has no idea just how deep into the sadomasochistic culture Nora is, until she tempts him to join her dark side. . .

‘The Siren’ is the first book in a new erotica series called ‘The Original Sinners’ by Tiffany Reisz.

Truth be told, I was a little hesitant to start this book. I hate the cover – HATE it. I kept thinking that was a pair of knickers falling down around ankles instead of rope (either way – I still get the impression of seeing ankles under a bathroom stall door). I know that there is some great erotica out there; it has just been a small gripe of mine that those books don’t have covers that reflect their worth.

Cover judging aside, I can imagine that there are many people starting this book who may be going in with some trepidation and eye-rolls at the ready, assuming (like I did) that this would be part of the uninspired ‘Fifty Shades’ band-wagon. Weisz counteracts that initial hesitation though, by beginning the book introducing us to Zachary Easton who is just as reluctant to edit erotica as some people may be to read it. I loved the few opening scenes with Zach arguing with his boss, J.P., about his having to take on renowned ‘guttersnipe’ erotica author, Nora Sutherlin. I can actually imagine that there are many publishers and editors having this very argument right now;

“Nora Sutherlin?” Zach infused the name with as much disgust as he could muster, a considerable amount at the moment. “You must be joking.”
“Yes, Nora Sutherlin. I've thought about it, looked at the sales projections. I think we should acquire her. I want you to work with her.”
“I will do no such thing. It’s pornography.”
“It’s not pornography.” J.P. peered at Zach over the top of his glasses. “It’s erotica. Very good erotica.”
“I had no idea there was such a thing.”
“Two words - Anaïs Nin,” J.P. retorted.
“Two more words – Booker Prize.”

Thus begins ‘The Siren’ and my pleasant surprise at finding a truly great erotica novel, hidden under that garish cover.

Reisz’s book is actually a hard one to pin down. On the one hand, it’s very much a story-within-a-story, with Reisz acting as a veritable erotica magician and revealing some of the wonderful techniques behind a genre that most people would describe as ‘throw-away’, ‘low-brow’ trash (or, in Zach’s words, ‘pornography’). I loved that Reisz partly used ‘The Siren’ to put to rest a few uninformed opinions about ‘guttersnipe’ erotica. She pulls out names like Anaïs Nin (one of the first female erotica writers) and discusses the literary techniques behind writing *good* erotica – and for anyone who thinks ‘literary erotica’ is an oxymoron, I'd call you close-minded and point you to Reisz’s book for an education;

“I've noticed you usually shy away from the long descriptive passages in your book,” he said.
“I know people think erotica is just a romance novel with rougher sex. It’s not. If it’s a subgenre of anything, it’s horror.”
“Horror? Really?”
“Romance is sex plus love. Erotica is sex plus fear. You’re terrified of me, aren’t you?”
“Slightly” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
“A smart horror writer will never put too much detail in about the monster. The readers’ imaginations can conjure their own demons. In erotica you never want your main characters to be too physically specific. That way your readers can insert their own fantasies, their own fears. Erotica is a joint effort between writer and reader.”

But in beginning ‘The Siren’ I did think the book would be a straight-up erotica romance (in the same vein as ‘Fifty Shades). It’s not. And it is. Like I said, this is a hard book to pin down. Initially I thought this would be a love story between Zach and Nora – the erotica writer and her reluctant editor. But that idea is quickly dispelled, when it becomes apparent that Zach is still very much in love with his wife, Grace, who he left behind in London after a year of their marriage slowly (but not entirely) collapsing in on itself.

Then there was Nora’s relationship with Wes – her ‘house boy’ she so enjoys flirting with, but who she must remember is for looking at, not touching. Wes is a Southern, church-going virgin who Nora met in a class she took at Wes’s school (he’s a medical student who needed an arts strain). Nora pays Wes to maintain her house while she’s in a writing fugue – but there is also something of forbidden love between them. Wes is very preoccupied with keeping Nora away from her old BDSM lifestyle, particularly from a man named Søren who Nora recently left after a 13-year love affair. But while there is something romantic, there’s also a hopelessness between Nora and Wes – that she is also recapturing in her latest novel (under the character names of Caroline and William).

And that finally brings us to Søren – Nora’s first love, and old ‘dominant’. He is the biggest mystery of all, and still a pervading presence in Nora’s life. Søren was a very tricky character – before readers (and Zach) meet him, we learn a lot of unpleasant things about him that are at war with Nora’s romantic notions of what they used to have. And when we do meet him, it becomes apparent why he is such a giant in Nora’s romantic life – but we’re also meant to be very wary of him for a number of reasons (not least of all being his profession).

‘The Siren’ is really about Nora connecting with these three men in her life – Zach, Wes and Søren. But readers shouldn’t expect a romance to come straight away because Reisz is a true believer, like Nora, that erotica is more akin to horror than romance. All three characters, Nora especially, are messy and imperfect – they make poor decisions and live with the weight of their mistakes. Throwing them all together creates a masterfully tangled web, and by the end of ‘The Siren’ I was relieved to learn that Reisz has at least two more books due to continue Nora’s story – ‘The Angel’ coming September, and ‘The Prince’ in November. Because I can assure you that nothing is settled by the end of ‘The Siren’ – not by a long shot.

Tiffany Reisz’s ‘The Siren’ may be being touted as a ‘fill the void’ read after ‘Fifty Shades’, but I would say this is a far richer story than that best-seller. Reisz’s writing is, on the whole, marvellous and further help in putting to bed that old rumour that there’s no such thing as ‘literary erotica’. I generally loved her writing. There were some scenes and lines that really struck me and stayed with me;

“Genesis 1:1, God said let there be light and there was light . . . God created the world with words, Eleanor. Words are the thread in the fabric of the universe.”

She does not sacrifice character for smutty plot, but neither does she skimp on the nitty-gritty details of the BDSM world. But perhaps best of all is that she shows both sides to this sexual underground – never denouncing its practice, but at least explaining the compulsion behind sadomasochism. Zach and Wes are the ones who don’t understand Nora’s need to hurt and be hurt. And Reisz does write murky waters – Søren certainly won’t be every woman’s cup of tea let alone their idea of a romantic hero, and I think many more will be frightened/revolted by him because he is a pure sadomasochist – only able to feel sexual gratification in hurting others. But for all that the sex and discussions of BDSM are uncomfortable, I appreciated that Reisz showed both sides to the lifestyle – and I really don’t think she set out to convince or disapprove either way. Some readers will come away from ‘The Siren’ thinking that Nora’s relationships are unhealthy, others may be more lenient and see that sex is as complicated as love in its manifestations. The point is that Reisz writes from all sides in a most spectacular way.

If I have any complaints about the book it’s that quite a lot of emotional action is jam-packed into the last sprint, particularly concerning Zach, and I finished the book wishing we could revisit him but guessing (from the blurbs of her upcoming books) that we won’t I have it on good authority (the lovely author Tweeted me!) that Zach will be making another appearance in the series! That being said, there is more than enough drama between Nora and Wes, Nora and Søren and a few interesting secondary character to carry this story over a series . . . and I do fully intend to read everything else Tiffany Reisz writes.

There is erotic and then there is good erotica, ladies and gentlemen, and Reisz writes damn good erotica – just read ‘The Siren’ if you don’t believe me.

4.5/5

The Siren will be available from 29 August online at Harlequin www.harlequinbooks.com.au and in bookstores nationally for RRP AUS $19.99.