Review: The Angel – Tiffany Reisz

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.

Series:  The Original Sinners #2
Release Date:  September 25, 2012
Publisher:  Mira
Source:  NetGalley
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Reviewer’s Thoughts:

With The Angel Tiffany Reisz has become one of my favorite authors.  She has created this group of characters that you love to hate while their story pushes the envelope of what a reader may or may not be comfortable with.

Nora Sutherlin, erotic writer and ex-dominatrix finds herself being shipped off to the country estate of her friend Griffin Fiske when Soren’s life is suddenly under scrutiny.  Hoping to keep Nora away from any possible questioning he hopes the summer away will help her deal with some of her personal demons while he deals with those at home.

I didn’t think it was possible to change the way I felt about Soren, but I’ve been swayed.  The man had a horrendous life (what we find out is quite disturbing), but given all that he truly is a remarkable man who will do what he needs to for those that he cares for.  He’s a bit unconventional in his personal life, but after getting his history, it’s understandable why he has a need for control and goes the route he does.

What amazes me even more, after finishing the book, is how faithful Soren is to Nora.  He knows she uses other men and women for her own gratification, but he allows it.  He, on the other hand, when offered the chance to be with the reporter Sarah, pushes the opportunity aside.  He tells Sarah he doesn’t belong to her and doesn’t go any further than a kiss.  While Soren may be Nora’s master, it was very clear that she is the master of his heart.

It’s not surprising that if my opinion of Soren can change from one book to another, my thoughts on Nora can too.  I think Griffin summed up my feelings on Nora.  He told Soren Nora used people and threw them away.  He’s right.  I think Nora hides behind a lot of bravado, but at the heart of it she doesn’t know what she wants or needs.  She’s torn between 2 men who are at complete opposite ends of the Nora spectrum.  While she may love Soren, I don’t think she’s in love with him.  If she was, giving up Wesley wouldn’t be tearing her up the way it was in this book.

While the Nora and Soren storyline was at times heavy and very cringe worthy, the bright spot in the story (for me) was the Michael and Griffin storyline.  While I may have been a tad uncomfortable with how seventeen year old Michael got involved with this group, he found the one person that could help him move on from his past and not shy away from who and what he was.  Griffin brought levity to the story when it was needed, but also proved that if you truly love something it’s worth fighting for (which I though was a pretty valuable point to prove to Nora).

The lives of Nora, Soren and their group of “friends” is captivating and will challenge readers.  It’s not an easy, feel good read, but it will force you to step outside your comfort zone and become a part of their world.   I never knew I had a “line” an author could cross when it came to certain subject matters, but Tiffany Reisz finds that line (yet again) with this story.  But this series is definitely one that I will willing let Tiffany cross in order to find out what happens, time and again.