Review: The Siren- Tiffany Reisz

I hope everyone enjoyed their Saturday. I didn't kill any idiot tourists, so I give myself a pat on the back. And I actually got some things accomplished today. Yay me.

Onward to my review.

The Siren is my first book by Tiffany Reisz. It won't be my last. I will admit though it had been recommended to me several times..I avoided it because it was usually in comparison with 50 Shades. Which, in case you didn't read, annoyed the hell out of me. But I follow Tiffany on Twitter, so I dug a little deeper. There is no comparison between 50 Shades and The Siren. They aren't even on the same planet.

The Siren is the story of Nora Sutherlin. Erotica writer, submissive and paid dominatrix (which technically makes her a switch). Nora only subs for one man. Soren. The rest of the time she gets paid to beat the hell out of the rich and famous.

The majority of the story follows Nora working with her editor Zachary Easton to publish her new novel. Zach has left England and unresolved marital issues for the East Coast. He is working with Nora before he heads to L.A. and is not happy about it. He doesn't think much of Nora's writing or her at first. So he gives her the almost impossible task of practically re-writing her book before he leaves.

Throughout the story you are introduced to key people in Nora's life. Wes, her 19 year old intern/roommate/constant temptation. Soren, Nora's dominant (I am not giving anything away, but holy crap) and Kingsley Edge, who sets up Nora's dominatrix gigs.

I can truly say, it has been a long time since I have been so emotionally invested in a book. I want to hug and shake Nora all at the same time. And I seriously cried for Wes.

I am continuing the habit of not revealing too much of the book. There is a heavy BDSM element in this book. Not play time people...the real thing. I personally have no issue with it, but if you do...I suggest you put this one back on the bookshelf. The only (and I mean only) thing that I wasn't so sure about was Nora's interaction with someone underage. But that's my thing.

This book will stay on my bookshelf..and I am REALLY looking forward to reading The Angel when it comes out in September. And I will continue to seek out more books by Tiffany Reisz.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I think a Sunday would be perfect day to sit down with The Siren.  ;)

As always...feel free to comment and follow me on Twitter @jessieobrien25

Vanilla Rant

Vanilla. The term, well label really, has been become more mainstream lately with the popularity of the FSOG Trilogy. For those not in the know, here is what "vanilla" means in reference to sex. (Wikipedia link below)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla_sex

This rant comes from a discussion/argument I had with an acquaintance today. The subject of people who have "vanilla sex" came up. And this asshole got tone...like he was better than me. Now, I know his preferences (not all of them mind you, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out some of them just by conversation alone) and frankly I don't care. People feel comfortable talking to me about certain things because I am relatively open-minded and non-judgemental. What goes down in your bedroom (kitchen, bathroom, dungeon) is your business not mine. I don't refer to your proclivities as deviant, dirty or sick. Those are labels (and insults) and as I have friends the BDSM lifestyle, they are also hurtful and mean. Plus they perpetuate a stereotype. I fucking hate stereotypes.

So why do you label others? Why is okay for you to call what others do vanilla...which basically means conservative, boring and dull. Which I find insulting. So, you like to get whipped. You wear a collar. You like to dish out pain. Why do get to cast judgement on those who don't?

I guess my point is, at some period in our lives most of us felt insecure about something sexually. Whether it's those dominant tendencies it took you forever to figure out were "normal" to have. Or realizing that the desire to be controlled is what you really need to feel free. Or after reading, watching or talking to people who are into BDSM you realize you aren't...that's perfectly fine too.

Please note, I know not everyone feels this way. Which is why this is a rant...and not end-all, be-all of truths. (I must say though, that would be AWESOME if what I said was indeed just that.)

So in the end...I won't label you...if you don't label me.

So please, take your "vanilla" and go fuck yourself. (I figure that's about as conventional as it gets.)