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.
Tammy's Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
Tammy's Review:
“Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it. Song of Solomon 8: 7.”
I had a really hard time rating this one, there were parts of this book that pushed me VERY far out of my comfort zone giving me a feeling of unease at points, but in the same sense, this book captivated me. I was so intrigued by Tiffany’s writing and the story she told that I could not flip the pages fast enough. In the end, I decided to base my stars off the writer and her amazing ability of storytelling. It is not often that I will finish a book that holds triggers for me. It screams of Reisz’s talent as a writer, not only did I push through those sections I devoured her book. I couldn’t even begin to think about setting the book a side and calling it a day.
“You are my heart,” he said. He’d said those very words to her that morning. But that morning, they’d sounded affectionate and playful. Now he said them as if he were stating a fact of anatomy. “I will not lose you. I’m sending you away to keep you safe. Do you understand? Say ‘Yes, sir.’”
Nora nodded and swallowed a sudden lump in her throat.
”Yes, sir.”
Søren bent his head and kissed her long and slow before pulling back.”
“Are you threatening me, Ms. Sutherlin?” Sutherlin only smiled. “No. Of course not. All I’m saying is that I’ll do anything to protect him. Anything at all. But there’s no need to worry. I’ve hurt people. I’ve hurt them badly. I’ve left permanent scars on some clients. Some outer scars. Some inner. But all that pain I’ve inflicted…it was all consensual. I’ve never hurt anyone without their permission. All I’m saying, Ms. Kanter, is…” Sutherlin leaned forward and pressed the lightest, softest, most terrifying kiss onto Suzanne’s lips before pulling back an inch and whispering, “There’s a first time for everything.”
“Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it. Song of Solomon 8: 7.”
I had a really hard time rating this one, there were parts of this book that pushed me VERY far out of my comfort zone giving me a feeling of unease at points, but in the same sense, this book captivated me. I was so intrigued by Tiffany’s writing and the story she told that I could not flip the pages fast enough. In the end, I decided to base my stars off the writer and her amazing ability of storytelling. It is not often that I will finish a book that holds triggers for me. It screams of Reisz’s talent as a writer, not only did I push through those sections I devoured her book. I couldn’t even begin to think about setting the book a side and calling it a day.
“You are my heart,” he said. He’d said those very words to her that morning. But that morning, they’d sounded affectionate and playful. Now he said them as if he were stating a fact of anatomy. “I will not lose you. I’m sending you away to keep you safe. Do you understand? Say ‘Yes, sir.’”
Nora nodded and swallowed a sudden lump in her throat.
”Yes, sir.”
Søren bent his head and kissed her long and slow before pulling back.”
Wow, Søren and Nora were not what I expected in the least
bit when I picked this book up to read. A priest, yes you read that right, an
alpha/omega underground dominant catholic priest, and a dominatrix! Never in my
life did I think I would find a story such as this so riveting. Their
characters were so well developed and the chemistry, wow, just wow! Our priest
and our dominatrix have known each other for 20 years, and their love has
spanned that time, in some shape or form. Søren was the "father
figure" Nora never had, he protected her and shielded her from the
"bad pain" until she was old enough to understand him and the "good
pain" he could offer her. Their love for each other runs deep down into
their souls and there is not anything either of them would not do to protect
the other. The scenes between Nora and
Søren were beautifully executed; their emotions flowed off the page with
intensity. My heart utterly ached for them at times. Especially towards the
end. My heart was so heavy with pain, I wanted to throw my Nook, but I got it.
I totally understood why the author did what she did, even if I did not agree
with it. Nora's heart belonged to Søren and Wesley. You could not ask for two totally
different men (one dominant and one vanilla). The only thing they had remotely
in common was their love for Nora. They loved her with their heart and soul,
and I must admit I felt a little jealous for our heroine. I also hurt for her,
because no matter whom she chose she was going to tear out somebody's heart,
including her own.
“Are you threatening me, Ms. Sutherlin?” Sutherlin only smiled. “No. Of course not. All I’m saying is that I’ll do anything to protect him. Anything at all. But there’s no need to worry. I’ve hurt people. I’ve hurt them badly. I’ve left permanent scars on some clients. Some outer scars. Some inner. But all that pain I’ve inflicted…it was all consensual. I’ve never hurt anyone without their permission. All I’m saying, Ms. Kanter, is…” Sutherlin leaned forward and pressed the lightest, softest, most terrifying kiss onto Suzanne’s lips before pulling back an inch and whispering, “There’s a first time for everything.”
The parts of the story that pushed my triggers were the
scenes with Nora, Griffin, and Michael. Michael is a 17-year-old kid, and I
found that I had to skim the sex scenes with him in them. I do not believe in
this type of forbidden love. Grown adults and 17-year-old teenagers, really
just do not do it for me. In fact, it makes me so upset and angry. It is
something I will never understand or agree with, no matter how
"mature" he or she may appear to be. With that being said, Tiffany
came close to having me understand the emotional and physical growth needed by
these characters. Michael was lost and abused at home by his father, who just did
not understand him. He was so lost and damaged that he questioned life, almost
taking his own. Nora, Søren, and Griffin offered Michael emotional stability
and the love he craved. Between the three of them, they showed him that he was
not a freak, he was desirable, and there was nothing wrong with being bisexual
or a submissive masochist. In addition, Michael thrived on pain, causing self-inflicted
pain for sexual gratification on multiple occasions. As much as I disagree with
the sexual scenes, I found that I could understand the how and why of their
relationship with him and the introduction in to a lifestyle that allows that
type of addiction/need within a safe environment. I still cannot bring my mind or my heart to
justify this type of relationship, maybe it is the mother in me with a 14-year-old
son, I just cannot think of it as right. That would be why it is called
forbidden. However, Tiffany is such a brilliant
writer that she had me opening my mind and seeing beyond my own judgments.
Although Søren fascinated me the most in this book, I also
fell head over heels in love with Griffin. He was a dominant playboy who only
cared about himself, that is until Michael. He showed a soft protective side
and it just blew me away. Griff placed Michael's needs above his own, always making sure he knew he was special and worthy of every ounce of love he craved. he helped Michael grow, and see beyond "the freak."
I HIGHLY suggest this series. I can not wait to catch up on books 1 (The Sinner) & 3 (The Prince).
“Jeg elsker dig. Du er mit hjerte.” I love you. You are my
heart. -Søren”
Thanks to edelweiss for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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