{"id":3710,"date":"2014-03-27T06:09:58","date_gmt":"2014-03-27T13:09:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=3710"},"modified":"2024-04-11T04:06:22","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T08:06:22","slug":"3710","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=3710","title":{"rendered":"Review: The Mistress (The Original Sinners: Red Years, #4) by Tiffany Reisz"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Paperback<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\r\n <\/div><\/div>\n
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Review<\/strong><\/h4>\n

What a wild ride this series has been! After three books full of love, lust, secrets, stunning revelations and a whole lot of smut, Tiffany Reisz has given us a fantastic ending to her sordid and erotic story, providing us with some much-longed-for resolution, and tying everything up beautifully.<\/p>\n

Warning \u2013 this will contain spoilers for earlier books in the series.<\/b><\/p>\n

Thank God this book picks up immediately after the cliffy of The Prince<\/a>. Nora is being held captive \u2013 and although her captor is out for revenge, it\u2019s not exactly clear who their ultimate target is. And this is where the games begin! Nora is her brave, shameless self, doing all she can to get out of the situation. And meanwhile, fearing for her life, her loved ones come together in their torment, trying to find a way to save her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is nothing I wouldn\u2019t do to protect you\u2026 Nothing I wouldn\u2019t do to help you. And nothing I wouldn\u2019t do to save you. Nothing.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What I really like about this series, is that each book has its own feel. They are each unique, and this book is truly the culmination of everything \u2013 in order to save herself, Nora tells stories of her past to her captor, revealing some of the most personal details of her past, and giving us a lot more insight into her relationships with S\u00f8ren, Wesley and Kingsley. And as all of the other main players come together under the one roof for the first time, it provides a unique opportunity for questions and answers, explanations and understanding and finally, resolution.<\/p>\n

I love that this series has kept me guessing. I usually have a very strong feeling about how I want a story to end, but Tiffany Reisz has scrambled me completely with her cast of incredible characters! Getting to see these final pieces of the puzzle all put together, it wasn\u2019t until the halfway point of this book that I finally picked my team and knew how I wanted it to end.<\/p>\n

We get more stories of the past to fill in the gaps, as well as some big reveals about the current state of play, which all come together to provide a clear picture of what everybody needs, and exactly where they need to end up. And I must say, after everything that these characters have been through, and all that they have experienced, I was really happy with the outcome of the story.<\/p>\n

Griffin doesn\u2019t feature much in this book, but he already has his happy ending, and the little bits we get to see of him were really sweet \u2013 with a great finish for his story. Zach and Grace haven\u2019t really appeared much since the first book, but Grace is a big part of the action in this one, and while I wasn\u2019t happy with every aspect of her appearance (see my rant below), I was happy to see some further progression for them. Wesley has always been the bright light in this dark world, and I have loved his inclusion, and the twists that his presence has brought, and that continues in this book.<\/p>\n

And then there\u2019s the unholy trinity \u2013 Nora, S\u00f8ren and Kingsley…<\/p>\n

<\/span>Spoiler <\/div>
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S\u00f8ren and Nora<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aaaaahhhh. It took me a while to get there, but I got there! S\u00f8ren is such a mysterious character. I\u2019ve always been intrigued by him, but wasn\u2019t sure if he was the right choice for Nora, because I thought that she deserved better than what he offered her. But finally seeing the sensitive side of S\u00f8ren made me see things very differently.<\/p>\n

\u201cTelling her the truth seemed like the greatest of risks, and yet I loved her too much to keep her in the dark any longer. I\u2019d feared she would spurn me. Instead, she said she belonged to me and knew she belonged to me from the moment we met, and her body was mine to do with what I wanted. She loved me. She trusted me. She knew I wouldn\u2019t hurt her even if I hurt her. And we kissed for the first time, and I felt something I never dreamed I\u2019d feel.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u201cHappy?\u201d <\/em>
\n\u201cNormal.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I have never been in doubt of how much these two love each other, and the incredibly deep bond that they share. But seeing it all laid out so beautifully \u2013 from both of their perspectives \u2013 was somebody very special.<\/p>\n

\u201cEleanor does not do anything the normal way.\u201d <\/em>
\n\u201cAnd you love her for it.\u201d \u2026 <\/em>
\n\u201c\u2026 Utterly and unrepentantly.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYears later she finally realized what he\u2019d been doing by making her wait so long. He\u2019d given her a reason to leave him. A very good reason. He loved her enough to let her go even before he\u2019d had her. And she\u2019d loved him enough to wait for him.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The way that Nora and S\u00f8ren reminisce about their history shows us some truly beautiful moments and makes it very clear that they were meant to be together, and I am so glad that they found their HEA.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am yours,\u201d she whispered. \u201cI always was. Even when I was with someone else\u2026I was always yours.\u201d <\/em>
\n\u201cI know,\u201d he said.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Kingsley<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oh Kingsley \u2013 each book makes me love you more! So damaged and scarred, but absolutely unapologetic about everything, and utterly hilarious!<\/p>\n

Kingsley turned on his booted heel and gave Wesley a gallant mock bow. \u2026 \u201cThe bitch\u2026at your service.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I didn\u2019t know how he was going to find his HEA, but I thought the way it all unfolded was perfect. I would have liked to have seen more of him and Juliette together, but I love that we very clearly got to see his feelings for her. She is a great match for him, and I\u2019m really happy with the way things ended up between them.<\/p>\n

Kingsley and Nora\u2019s resolution was really gorgeous. I love their relationship. It\u2019s had its ups and downs, but they share a unique bond as the two great loves of S\u00f8ren\u2019s life, and they accept that, and all that it entails, willingly and with great pride.<\/p>\n

And, of course, S\u00f8ren\u2019s acknowledgement of Kingsley\u2019s importance to him, and the fact that he still loved him, was amazing. After all that Kingsley has been through, I love that S\u00f8ren allowed him back into his life, and I think the way it ended up was perfect for them.<\/div><\/div>\n

\u2026 They really are the soul of this series, and their dynamics are incredible! The fact that they know each other so well allows for epic banter and teasing, the many facets to their personalities create epic opportunities for conflict and passion, their sex scenes (in whatever configuration) are scorchingly hot, and of course the love between them is pretty freaking amazing. Those last few scenes with them together were beautiful, and I thought their ending was perfect.<\/p>\n

However\u2026 I did have some issues with the events prior to the ending. Standby for major ranting\u2026<\/p>\n

<\/span>Spoiler <\/div>
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S\u00f8ren and Grace<\/strong><\/p>\n

WHAT. THE. FUCK?!?!?! OK, I get that Nora had had her moment with Zach, and monogamy really isn\u2019t a big deal to this bunch. I also get that Grace was drawn to S\u00f8ren \u2013 really, who isn\u2019t? The man is charisma personified! Grace and Zach had discussed her curiosity with kink, he had given her a \u2018free pass\u2019, and I even understand that she wanted to experience that with S\u00f8ren, and the reasons behind the two of them having their moment. But the sex? NO! Such a big deal is made about S\u00f8ren\u2019s fidelity to Nora (and Kingsley) throughout the series. He has used other subs on multiple occasions, but has never had sex with them. And even though they had some deep and meaningful conversations over the two days they had known each other, I just thought it was really strange that he would break his own vow and be with her like that.<\/p>\n

The fact that Grace was there and so involved in the first place was a little weird (are her and Nora really that close???), but I could get past that, it’s just the stuff with S\u00f8ren that really annoyed me.<\/p>\n

And then the whole pregnancy thing. Ugh. Just not a fan of how that particular little storyline played out.<\/p>\n

Wesley\u2019s change of heart<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yeah, talk about a sudden turnaround!!! Wesley has been deeply in love with Nora throughout the entire series, and at the beginning of this book is actually engaged to her! (in his mind, anyway). I thought that Wes and S\u00f8ren\u2019s big moment together in this book was amazing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve loved Eleanor as long as you\u2019ve been alive but it\u2019s wrong of me to dismiss your feelings for her simply because they\u2019re younger than mine.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They both opened up, and Wes finally got to see the real S\u00f8ren, and not just the sadist, and finally came to realise the depth of love between him and Nora. You can see how it was all leading up to Wesley making the sacrifice to let Nora go as he realises that they could never give each other what they need, and that she and S\u00f8ren are meant to be together. But when he finally does let her go, he jumps straight into bed with Laila! And it\u2019s not like it was angry \u2018forget about my ex\u2019 sex. It was sweet and passionate, and very emotional. And he takes her virginity no less! Really?!?!?! He spent most of the series as a virgin because he thinks somebody’s first time should be with someone they love and he waited all of those years for Nora. And just one month after losing his virginity to her, and an hour after finally letting her go, he has no qualms about jumping into the sack with this girl and being the perfect, confident, experienced lover!!!<\/p>\n

Laila\u2019s whole appearance in this book was obviously as the mechanism with which Wesley would move on from Nora. She is the absolute perfect match for him, and I am happy they end up together, I just thought it was all too fast.<\/p>\n

OK. Rant over.<\/div><\/div>\n

Reisz\u2019s writing is spot on as she cleverly brings everything to its conclusion, and I love the depths that she went to in ensuring that everybody had their story told.<\/p>\n

The strength of this series is the characters and the dynamics between them. Each of the characters in this book are entirely unique, and watching them go through all that they have has been fascinating. The focus on the hard core BDSM lifestyle provides a unique setting, and while I did find parts of it to be shocking, the psychological and emotional aspect of the relationships were incredible and, be it kinky or vanilla, the way that Reisz wrote the relationships, the emotion and the love between the characters is sensational.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you love me so much, you stupid man?\u201d
\nHe smiled down at her.
\n\u201cBecause I met you.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s been quite an experience, but I\u2019ve enjoyed it all the way.<\/p>\n

A great finish \u2013 4 stars.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Original Sinners series<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Red Years Quartet<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The adventures of Nora Sutherlin, Dominant and erotica writer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"9780778313533_smp.indd\"<\/a>\u00a0 \"The<\/a>\u00a0 \"The<\/a>\u00a0 \"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The Siren (#1)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Buy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Griffin in Wonderland<\/strong>
\nFree on Tiffany Reisz’s website<\/a><\/p>\n

The Angel (#2)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a> |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

The Prince (#3)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

A Christmas Maggie<\/strong>
\nFree on Tiffany Reisz’s website<\/a><\/p>\n

The Mistress (#4)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The White Years Quartet<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The adventures of Eleanor Schreiber, submissive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>\u00a0 \"The<\/a>\u00a0 \"The<\/a>\u00a0 \"The<\/a> \u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

The Saint (#1) (Original Sinners, #5)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

The King (#2) (Original Sinners, #6)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Christmas in Suite 37A<\/strong>
\nFree on Tiffany Reisz’s website<\/a><\/p>\n

The Scent of Winter <\/strong>(novella)
\nFree on Smashwords<\/a><\/p>\n

The Virgin (#3) (Original Sinners, #7)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

The Queen (#4) (Original Sinners, #8)
\n<\/strong>Review<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a> |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

The Priest (Original Sinners, #9)<\/strong>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just because we think they look amazing, we wanted to show you the alternate covers for this series.\u00a0 We both have these books in paperback, and they look sensational on the shelf!<\/p>\n

\"The\u00a0 \"The\u00a0 \"The\u00a0 \"The\u00a0 \"The\u00a0 \"The\u00a0 \"The\u00a0 \"The<\/p>\n

You can find this collection of The Original Sinners paperbacks for sale at The Book Depository<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

For more information, see our Original Sinners Series Info page<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Buy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0Paperback Review What a wild ride this series has been! After three books full of love, lust, secrets, stunning revelations and a whole lot of smut, Tiffany Reisz has given us a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3670,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":4,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"Product","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1548,47,9,29],"tags":[48,226,227],"class_list":["post-3710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-age-gap","category-dark-gritty","category-romance","category-steamy","tag-review","tag-the-original-sinners","tag-tiffany-reisz"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/The-Mistress.jpg?fit=150%2C231&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/s7gaNL-3710","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3710"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3710\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3670"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}