Review: The Angel by Tiffany Reisz

The Angel 

Book 2 in the Original Sinners series

Author: Tiffany Reisz

Publisher:  Harlequin MIRA

Release date:  9/25/12

Author's website:  Link

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.

After reading and loving the first book in this series, I didn't think that the author Tiffany Reisz could write a better book.  It was outstanding and so well written that I just didn't think it could be possible.  Boy was I wrong because The Angel more than exceeded my expectations.  Wonderful storytelling combined with interesting characters made this book one of my favorite reads of the year so far!  The main character of Nora has her emotions and thoughts even more exposed in this story as the reader gets the opportunity to learn more about her past with her mother as well as her lover Soren.  The author does a great job at giving us glimpses of the past in the storyline at the right time when it's needed.  This is also the same for Soren's past as we finally get a better idea as to why Soren has sadistic tendencies.  His relationship with Nora is explored in greater detail and this allows a view of another side to Soren.  He absolutely scared me in book 1 because of his intensity and now I am happy to have a greater sense of his past and the man that he is.  There is much more to him and the author does a great job of showing that. 

The Angel is Michael, a teenager that is introduced in the previous book.  He's very withdrawn and unhappy as he deals with not truly understanding why he feels the way that he does.  He's a masochist and Nora takes him under her wing to help him.  She does this with patience and care because of Michael's fragile personality.  I was somewhat uncomfortable while reading about their relationship in The Siren, but I now have a better understanding as to why things progressed the way that they did.  Nora herself has experienced some of the same feelings that he has and is the perfect person to help him.  Michael also receives support from Griffin Fiske who generously allows Nora and Michael to stay with him as Soren deals with a very pressing matter.   Griffin's character is lots of fun which adds a bit of humor to the storyline which I loved as the story didn't feel as dark and heavy as book 1.   Being with Nora and Griffiin is exactly what Michael needs as he finally finds the support system that he's been desperately craving.  It gave him the confidence to

make the decisions that he needed that would finally allow him to be who he really wants to be. 

I'm giving The Angel a rating of:

The Angel quickly became one of my favorite reads of the year as I was able to take an emotional journey with the characters. I wanted them to find love, acceptance, and fulfillment during their journey and was not disappointed. Through her writing Tiffany Reisz has the ability to allow her readers to see her characters in a true light. They don't pretend to be something that they are not, and I find that to be eye opening and refreshing.  I'm looking forward to continuing the journey with these characters as I'm sure there is so much more that they will experience. 

Other books in the series:

The Siren:  review