Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Review: The Prince by Tiffany Reisz

Review: The Prince by Tiffany Reisz

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

For more information on the author or back cover blurb visit the author's website here

The 3rd book in the Original Sinners series left welts, big nasty ones, along with a cliff hanger ending that's got my eyeballs rolling around in my head. We pick up in The Prince where The Angel ended, Nora has left Soren to be with Wesley. Of course she's got Soren's permission to do so of course. What Nora doesn't realize is that Soren's just getting her out of the way. He's on the hunt for the person seeking to harm her, and Kingsley won't stand by and let Soren search alone. Between Nora's antics and attempts to vanilla sex her lifestyle, and Kingsley desperate attempts to seduce Soren back to his bed for one more romp I couldn't put this story down! 

There's 3 sections to this story, and Reisz does a masterful job of weaving in and out them. First we have the North, which follows present day Soren and Kingsley as they attempt to find out who's after Nora. Kingsley could really care less, in his opinion Nora has abandoned them for Wesley. There's also the little bit of Kingsley being in love with Soren... leading up to the 2nd section of the book: Soren and Kingsley's past. How they met, how they came to know one another, and how Kingsley has always been Kingsley. He's flawed, selfish, and just an all around man whore. That is until Soren is able to put him in his place. 

The 3rd and final section is the South, which follows the misadventures of Dominant Queen of the Underground and the Prince of Kentucky. There's horses, races, a few awkward moments with some rich folk, and a couple encounters with the infamous red riding crop. Add in a ton of sexual tension, which of course will lead to some naughty romps and it's an emotional roller coaster. 

What I love: Description, dialogue, and ultimately voice. There's a presence to the writing that screams '"I'm naughty", and this dirty little bit keeps the pages turning. I think characters with flaws and imperfections jump out at me as well. I like knowing that none of the characters are perfect. They possess an innate confidence that I myself lack so I've got some Original Sinner envy too. 

Why this isn't a 5: I knew who the bad guy was. I saw it coming a mile away, and had no problem with the predictions. Also, my personal madness cliff hanger hell. Reisz ends the story with a situation that left my jaw hanging. When the next book will come along is another question. The sensuality and encounters between Soren and Kingsley could affect those faint at heart or those who have suffered from sexual abuse in the past. This is a hardcore story, and not a typical romance or erotica novel. If you're ready to feel emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other Reisz will make sure that happens in all of the Original Sinners books. 

Overall, I liked this story. It wasn't my favorite, that special spot belongs to The Angel. I still love Kingsley, the seriously vain and flawed Frenchman. I've got a soft spot for Soren, but I'm a dominant at heart so I'd like to beat him. I'll keep an eye out for future Original Sinners works, and these grubby paws will definitely be all over them. If I said it once, I'll say it again: "Reisz is a auto buy every time." 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Things Every One's Talking About: Sandy and Voting Day

She blew in from the south waters of the Atlantic, and crapped on the eastern seaboard. Then it spurned up thunderstorms, snowstorms, and a bunch of other weather messes further in the Mid-Atlantic region. Millions were and still are without power. NYC went dark. It's Mother Nature at her most potent. So, it's got me thinking about a couple of things.

Food, water, and the bare necessities: What are people doing out there to survive? They need help that's for sure. How can I do anything? Donate to the American Red Cross. For Americans everywhere all it requires is a quick text message and $10 gets tacked onto your bill. The number is 90999 for those who may have missed all the hubbub. Others outside the United States can still donate by going to www.redcross.org. I just can't imagine being in a disaster where I can get my children a drink of water or cook them dinner. Thankfully I haven't experienced a catastrophe of that nature.

It's Dark in NYC: Alright, I'm not knocking the city that never sleeps, because New York definitely doesn't sleep, but when I told my hubby that NYC went dark he said he was glad he lived here and not there. Our minds immediately went to the potential crime rise that would occur. I'm sure plenty of the people I know in the writer world are fairing just fine in the area. At least I hope and pray they are, but I've lived in the big cities and I don't like the crime insanity that follows a natural disaster. My prayers are not just for those without power but it's for those just trying to keep their personal property and families safe. "Hide yo kids, hide yo wife." People are inherently good, except for the 2% of the population who's in general a bunch of a-holes.

Now to the big news for Tuesday: It's voting day. Millions of American citizens are casting our votes for the next President of the United States, but it's more then just Romney vs. Obama. In each state there's other issues, we're casting votes on the definition of marriage, the right to legalize marijuana, State Representatives, County Judges, State Senators, and so many other things. So voting and exercising the ability to vote at first may seem like it's about the big race, when in fact it's about the little ones. Those little races and laws have a direct impact on day to day life and deserve every one's voice.

I don't talk about my personal politics on this blog, and for good reason. A friend and romance author, Beverley Kendall, once said that she loses far to many good friendships due to differences between religion and politics that it's better to not discuss them. I'm with her. So instead I'll just implore people to exercise their right to vote. You've got the ability, where others in some countries don't get the pleasure, so flaunt it, strut into that voter's booth and get your vote on.

To NYC and Jersey love you all and stay safe. I've already heard from the infamous shark, Janet Reid, who's been out to cast her vote on the streets of NYC. So even a hurricane won't get those folks down. In the word's of another president:

"...let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

Nothing will stop us from being heard except the fear that our voice doesn't matter. Don't fear, don't cower, vote.