Wit and Sin: Tiffany Reisz

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Monday, January 4, 2021

Best Books of 2020

2020 was a horrible year in many ways and I can’t lie and say I’m not glad to leave it behind. However, 2020 did bring with it some wonderful reads and it’s pure pleasure to look back on them before I dive into an exciting new year of books. In 2020 I read 146 books, including a few re-reads that I fell in love with all over again. I tried 56 debut/new-to-me authors and discovered some wonderful authors whose backlists I cannot wait to dive into. And finally, I participated in my eleventh A to Z Reading Challenge, a fun challenge that usually leads me to at least a couple of books I might not have moved to the top of my TBR pile otherwise.

I read a number of excellent books last year, but below are my top ten reads of 2020. All of the books on this list were first-time reads (and not necessarily published in 2020) because re-reads are generally books that are already favorites of mine.

My Top Ten Books of 2020

Review: The Pearl by Tiffany Reisz

By Kimberly 2:56 PM // No comments

The Pearl by Tiffany Reisz
Series: The Godwicks, Book 3
Publisher: 8th Circle Press
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance with Paranormal Elements

ISBN: 9781949769166
Release Date: December 1, 2020
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo

When Lord Arthur Godwick learns his younger brother is up to his bollocks in debt to Regan Ferry, owner of The Pearl Hotel, he agrees to work off the tab…in her bed. Soon the handsome but troubled Arthur discovers he's a pawn in an erotic game of revenge--and nothing, including his lover, is what it seems.

The deliciously deviant Godwicks are back in The Pearl. Author Tiffany Reisz takes the eldest Godwick son and his lover on a journey of submission and self-discovery that is a fantastic mix of sizzling eroticism and honest emotion.

I adore Arthur. He loves his family, but he’s the black sheep of the Godwicks in that he’s not as frivolous (as he sees them) or insatiable as the rest (comparatively speaking – he’s still blazingly sensual). The twenty-one-year-old has an old soul and a maturity beyond his years. He’s preparing to start training as a Medical Support officer in the Army, but before that he has to get his youngest brother out of debt to the owner of The Pearl, Regan Ferry. When he agrees to work off Charlie’s debt in Regan’s bed, submitting to her every desire, it unlocks something in both of them. Arthur has kept his submissive desires a secret but with Regan he’s free to be himself. I loved that he desired to both protect and serve; he’s a dreamy mix of dependable hero and dirty sub.

Regan wasn’t born to wealth; she had to sell herself in marriage to an older, controlling man in exchange for the security she desperately desired. She made her choice, but sacrificed much to do so. She’s closed off even to herself at times, but I loved her as much as Arthur. She’s a young widow who has survived a horrible man and I wanted to see her find herself again. She resists falling for Arthur and her reasons are ones I will leave readers to discover.

Regan and Arthur’s journey is decadent and emotional. At the center of it all is art and Ms. Reisz’s knowledge and passion for the subject shines through as it does in all the Godwicks stories. This time it’s female artists who are the starting point for Regan and Arthur’s fantasies. And though The Pearl spends more time grounded in reality than the first two Godwicks books, that doesn’t mean the fantasy elements disappear. If you’re familiar with the Godwicks series then you won’t be surprised that the ghost of Arthur’s great-grandfather, the wickedest Godwick of them all, has a role to play in Arthur and Regan’s story. The interfering spirit is as unsubtle as ever and he’s a true delight.

The Pearl captivated me from beginning to end. Regan tugged on my heartstrings and was a heroine I was happy to root for. Arthur just plain melted my heart and I loved that he wore his on his sleeve. He and Regan made a fantastic couple and I cannot wait to enjoy their story again and again and again.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Rose by Tiffany Reisz

By Kimberly 5:24 PM // No comments

The Rose by Tiffany Reisz
Series: The Godwicks, Book 2
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Erotic Fantasy Romance

ISBN: 9780778307921
Release Date: April 16, 2019
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

On the day of Lia’s university graduation party, her parents—wealthy art collectors with friends in high places—gift her a beautiful wine cup, a rare artifact decorated with roses. It’s a stunning gift, and one that August Bowman, a friend of her parents and a guest at Lia’s party, also has his eye on. The cup, August tells her, is known as the Rose Kylix, and it’s no ordinary cup. It was used in the temple ceremonies of Eros, Greek god of erotic love, and has the power to bring the most intimate sexual fantasies to life.

But Lia is skeptical of August’s claims of the cup’s mythology and magic—after all, he’s a collector himself, and she suspects he just wants to get his hands on this impressive piece of art. So he dares her to try it for herself, and when Lia drinks from the Rose Kylix she is suddenly immersed in an erotic myth so vivid it seems real—as though she’s living out the most sensual fantasy with August by her side…

Realizing the true power of this ancient and dangerous relic, Lia is even more wary of giving it up, though August insists it is only safe with him. He’s willing to pay the full value of the cup, but Lia has another type of trade in mind. One that finds them more tangled up in each other—and in fantasy—than either was prepared for.

Myth and magic mix with eroticism and exploration in The Rose. In Lia’s story, Tiffany Reisz has delivered a fast-paced, uninhibited sensual journey that’s feminist, sex-positive, and oh-so-much-fun to read.

Lady Ophelia Anne Fitzroy Godwick is no ordinary young lady. She’s a lover of Greek mythology, which she incorporates into her tapestries. She’s also inherited her family’s wild streak and their business acumen, for she’s a madam who has been running an escort service for the past few years. Lia’s mix of daring and vulnerability endeared her to me and I was eager to follow along on her journey. At her university graduation party her parents gift her with an ancient artifact known as the Rose Kylix. It’s a gorgeous gift, but according to collector August Bowman, it’s also highly dangerous. The kylix was used in the temple of Eros and it can bring your sexual fantasies to life. Curious but skeptical, Lia allows August to guide her and together they set off on an erotic adventure like no other. They journey through various myths and I loved how Ms. Reisz wove their fantasies, keeping the base myths but turning them into something erotic and enjoyable. Women tend to not fare well in Greek myths and legends, but Lia and August change the narrative and turn their lusty adventures into a positive experience for both.

Lia and August’s forays into famous myths are a lot of fun, but I was also drawn to the romance between the two. August is not simply a collector with a passion for the past, though I’ll leave it to readers to unwrap August alongside Lia. I adored the banter between the two of them and their shared love of Greek mythology made for fascinating conversations. Most of all, it was the quiet, emotional moments really grabbed me. The two of them make a fantastic pair and it was fun to watch them fall in love.

The Rose is the sequel to The Red, which starred Lia’s mother, Mona. If you don’t mind minor spoilers you don’t have to have read Mona’s book in order to enjoy Lia’s (though you would be missing out on a devilishly good time). Whether or not you’ve read The Red, you are sure to love any scenes that feature Lia’s parents. Mona and Spencer are hilarious, bawdy, and loving parents and they light up the page whenever they appear. I desperately hope Lia’s brothers get books if only to see these two again.

The Rose is a breath of fresh air with its characters who joyfully embrace their sexuality and the story’s open, positive view of sex workers. Ms. Reisz never fails to deliver a unique, interesting read and The Rose is no exception. I really hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of the Godwicks, for their love of art and literature and the way it’s incorporated into their stories just takes their books to the next level.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Best Books of 2018

By Kimberly 12:00 AM // No comments

2019 is here and with it comes a bunch of highly anticipated reads. But before I fully dive into the new year looking for some new favorite books, it’s time to take a look back at the best books of 2018. I read 117 books last year, including a few re-reads that I fell in love with all over again. I tried 26 new (to me) authors and discovered some wonderful authors whose backlists I cannot wait to dive into (Lauren Blakely is now an autobuy author for me). And finally, I participated in my ninth A to Z Reading Challenge, a fun challenge that usually leads me to at least a couple of books I might not have moved to the top of my TBR pile otherwise.

I read a number of excellent books last year, but below are my favorite reads of 2018 – my top ten new reads, two bonus children’s books that I thought deserved their own category, and my favorite re-reads.

Top Ten Books of 2018
Top Children’s Books of 2018
Top Re-Reads of 2018

My Top Ten Books of 2018

Note: My picks weren’t all published in 2018, but all were new-to-me reads for the year.
Also note: The books are alphabetized by author as I love them all equally.

1. Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely
My Review | Purchase Link

2. Smoke and Iron (The Great Library, Book 4) by Rachel Caine
My Review | Purchase Link

3. Heroine’s Journey (Heroine Complex, Book 3) by Sarah Kuhn
My Review | Purchase Link

4. The Chateau (The Original Sinners, Book 9) by Tiffany Reisz
My Review | Purchase Link

5. Misbehaving by Tiffany Reisz
My Mini Review | Purchase Link

6. Picture Perfect Cowboy (The Original Sinners, Book 10) by Tiffany Reisz
My Review | Purchase Link

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, Book 7) by J.K. Rowling
Purchase Link

8. Rainy Day Friends (Wildstone, Book 2) by Jill Shalvis
My Review | Purchase Link

9. Ocean Light (Psy-Changeling Trinity, Book 2) by Nalini Singh
My Review | Purchase Link

10. Royally Wed (The Royals, Book 3) by Teri Wilson
My Review | Purchase Link

Top Children’s Books of 2018

1. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Marlon Bundo and Jill Twiss
My Mini Review | Purchase Link

2. The Joy of Cookies: Cookie Monster's Guide to Life by Sesame Workshop
My Mini Review | Purchase Link

My Top Re-Reads of 2018

1. Aidan & Ethan (Seeking Redemption, Book 1) by Cameron Dane
Purchase Link

2. Purity in Death (In Death, Book 15) by J.D. Robb
Purchase Link

3. Angels Fall by Nora Roberts
Purchase Link

4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, Book 2) by J.K. Rowling
Purchase Link

Review: Picture Perfect Cowboy by Tiffany Reisz

By Kimberly 7:56 PM // No comments

Picture Perfect Cowboy by Tiffany Reisz
Series: The Original Sinners, Book 10
Publisher: 8th Circle Press
Genre: BDSM Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 9781984085863
Release Date: November 5, 2018
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Jason “Still” Waters' life looks perfect from the outside—money, fame, and the words “World Champion Bull-Rider” after his name. But Jason has a secret, one he never planned on telling anybody…until he meets Simone. She’s the kinky girl of his dreams…and his conservative family’s worst nightmare.

Jason “Still” Waters is a retired champion bull rider who lives a quiet life on his horse farm in Kentucky. At least it’s a quiet life until he has to sub in for a friend and pose naked for a charity calendar. Jason’s already out of his comfort zone when he meets gorgeous photographer Simone Levine, but then she knocks him for a loop by bringing out the secret that he’s long been trying to hide. Jason’s a dominant, but his ultra conservative upbringing makes him ashamed and afraid to act on his fantasies. But with a little help from Simone, a professional submissive, Jason may just find the courage to embrace his kinky side.

Picture Perfect Cowboy is utterly divine! It’s sexy, sweet, and oh-so-much fun to read. Jason just about melted my heart. He’s not just a drop-dead sexy cowboy (though that doesn’t hurt), he’s kind, sweet, and polite enough to make you swoon. He’s also a man at war with himself. To call his upbringing strict would be an understatement and it isn’t easy for him to overcome that and accept that (1) he’s a dominant and (2) there’s absolutely nothing wrong or bad about what he enjoys. I loved watching Simone help him come into his own, to overcome what was drilled into his head and find joy with someone whose kinks complement his own.

As for Simone, she’s a delight. She’s bright, funny, generous, and open. She’s a vibrant heroine who lit up the page and I adored her from the very first. Simone loves Jason’s brand of dominance and she’s patient, honest, and open with him. She’s a wonderfully sweet and bubbly heroine who has a spine of steel. I loved watching her and Jason explore a master/slave relationship. They’re hot as hell together, but what’s more, they click on every level. They fall in love fast and hard and it’s easy to see why – these two are made for each other.

Picture Perfect Cowboy is part of Tiffany Reisz’s Original Sinners world, but it easily stands alone. But never fear: Søren and Nora do appear and they are a wonderful addition to this story whether you’re an old fan or are just diving into the Original Sinners. Every book I’ve read by Tiffany Reisz has been nearly impossible to put down and this book continues that streak. Her characters are always compelling and the pages of her books seem to fly by. If you love sexy cowboys, vivacious heroines, and a sweet but kinky romance, Picture Perfect Cowboy is the book for you!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Chateau by Tiffany Reisz

By Kimberly 12:00 AM // No comments

The Chateau by Tiffany Reisz
Series: The Original Sinners, Book 9
Publisher: 8th Circle Press
Genre: Erotic Thriller

ISBN: 9781548681951
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

As the Jack-of-All-Wicked-Trades for a secretive French military intelligence agency, Kingsley Boissonneault has done it all—spied, lied, and killed under orders. But his latest assignment is quite out of the ordinary. His commanding officer’s nephew has disappeared inside a sex cult, and Kingsley has been tasked with bringing him home to safety.

The cult’s holy book is "Story of O," the infamous French novel of extreme sado-masochism. Their château is a looking-glass world where women reign and men are their willing slaves. Or are they willing? It’s Kingsley’s mission to find out.

Once inside the château, however, Kingsley quickly falls under the spell cast by the enigmatic Madame, a woman of wisdom, power, and beauty. She offers Kingsley the one thing he’s always wanted. But the price? Giving up forever the only person he’s ever loved.

Working for a secret branch of the French military by day and seducing a number of women by night may be enough to occupy some men, but not Kingsley Boissonneault. No assignment, no assignation can fill his mind enough to rid him of the dreams of Søren, the love he can never get over. Until, that is, he’s tasked with going undercover and rescuing his commanding officer’s nephew from a sex cult run by the mysterious Madame. Madame’s world is like nothing Kingsley has ever seen. In the château, the women rule and the men serve. And as Madame’s brand of sadism feeds Kingsley’s soul, he’s faced with a choice: he can have everything he’s ever wanted, but the price is giving up forever the beautiful monster who haunt his dreams.

The Chateau is an interesting, evocative read that’s a fantastic mix of dark and light. Kingsley’s journey through the looking glass and into Madame’s world is filled with surprises, erotic adventures, and masochism. The château is a sort of reverse Story of O where the women rule and the men serve them in every way. In many ways it’s a lovely world, with warmth, humor, and sensuality. Madame is a sadist and a master at mind games, and she’s an interesting, well-developed character. It’s easy to see why Kingsley is fascinated by her and why he’s taken with the other women in the house. Whether or not the world Madame has created is what it seems or if there are darker elements at play, I’ll leave readers to discover. I will say that nothing is ever simple and straightforward when you’re playing with characters this clever and I loved the twists and turns Kingsley encounters over the course of the story.

At the center of The Chateau is the story of Kingsley finding himself again. Kingsley is a delightful protagonist. He’s young, arrogant, charming, protective, and funny as hell. He’s strong and deadly, to be sure, but he’s also incredibly vulnerable and I found the contrast appealing. Life in the château holds great appeal for him: beautiful women, the chance of a family, and a masterful sadist who can give him almost everything he needs. The almost part comes in because of Kingsley’s dreams about Søren, the former lover whose hold on him is still strong. I loved watching Kingsley learn more about himself and about his relationship with Søren over the course of the book.

The Chateau is a standalone book set in the world of Tiffany Reisz’s Original Sinners series. I haven’t yet read the rest of the books, but if I wasn’t already planning to I definitely would now because I was so intrigued by Kingsley and Søren’s relationship. Ms. Reisz is a master of pushing boundaries and mixing eroticism with emotion and charm. Her writing is always engaging, so much so that I started The Chateau late and night and read until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer, only to finish the book when I woke up the next morning. So whether you’re a fan of the Original Sinners series or are new to the world, this is an exceptional ride.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Best Books of 2017

By Kimberly 12:00 AM // No comments

2018 is here and with it comes a batch of highly anticipated reads. But before I fully dive into the new year looking for some new favorite books, it’s time to take a look back at the best books of 2017. I read 138 books last year, including quite a few re-reads that I fell in love with all over again. I tried 31 new (to me) authors and discovered some wonderful authors (like Rebecca Brooks, Santino Hassell, Stefanie London, and Heather McCollum) whose backlists I cannot wait to dive into. And finally, I participated in my eighth A to Z Reading Challenge, a fun challenge that usually leads me to at least a couple of books I might not have moved to the top of my TBR pile otherwise.

I read a number of excellent books in 2017, but I did manage to narrow the list down so I could spotlight my 17 favorites of '17 – the ten best new reads and the seven best re-reads.

Top Ten Books of 2017
Top Re-Reads of 2017

My Top Ten Books of 2017

Note: My picks weren’t all published in 2017 (one is even a 1930s classic), but all were new-to-me reads for the year.
Also note: The books are alphabetized by author as I love them all equally.