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Review
4.5 stars
A part of the Original Sinners Pulp Library, this novella is set three years before The Siren, and is a fun, sexy and heartfelt look into the life of Mistress Nora, a now in-demand Dominatrix, as she meets a man with the potential to change her world.
Nora meets Lance at the 8th Circle, and she is immediately entranced. She wants him. Lucky for her, he’s a sub, and wants her right back – in any and all ways. They share an intense evening together which is cut short by a security risk, but both of them know that they want more. Except that Kingsley is locking down his staff, and Mistress Nora more than most, and he gives her a bodyguard with the rule that she is to keep her hands off – of course, it’s Lance.
So instead of getting all kinky, they spend time together actually talking. He watches her work, spends time in her home, and the two of them open up to each other and truly get to know each other. Emotion becomes involved, so that by the time they’re able to make it back to the bedroom, it’s deeper and way more intense than their first encounter, and of course it’s all kinds of steamy.
Lance is gorgeous. He’s been through a lot, and he may be a sub, but he’s a strong, alpha guy who knows what he wants, and who holds nothing back in going for it.
“You’re like a queen. You’re strong and fearless. Men serve you. They want to serve you. Hell, they should serve you. You don’t answer to anybody. You don’t apologize to anyone … You make me wish we lived a thousand years ago. I’d slay dragons for you, Mistress.”
Nora continues to be deeply fabulous. She is supremely confident, and embraces her extraordinary life, owning her decisions and her flaws, and doing whatever (and whoever) the hell she wants.
“I’m not one of those angst-ridden types who constantly worries about whether or not she’s doing the right thing, making the right choices or God forbid, pissing someone off. I piss off more people before 10 a.m. than most people do all day.”
But her feelings are complicated by her continuing, undying love for her ex, Søren, and by what Lance actually needs. There’s a lot of soul-searching in this one, and it’s quite emotional. I loved the storyline, and way the story unfolded, and I thought it was beautifully written while staying true to the characters.
As much as I loved Nora and Lance, the true magic of this book, once again, comes from Nora and Søren’s all-too-brief interactions. Their dynamic is too complex to get into here, but reading this makes me want to go back and read the entire Original Sinners series, just to experience it all again.
“You came when I called. You came several times if I remember correctly, and I always remember correctly.”
“That was just sex.”
“Say that again. I might believe you.”
“It. Was. Just. Sex.”
He raised his chin and looked down at her. With his eyes narrowed he said softly, “No…still don’t believe you.”“You still love me.”
“So? I love this, too. I’m not ready to give this up yet. I’m just finding out who I am finally.”
“Mine,” Søren said. “You are mine. That’s who you are.”
I loved this novella. It’s a great read, full of all the wonderful characters, sensational dynamics, and yes, all the kink, that I expect from the series.
4.5 stars.
A Review Copy was generously provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review.
Check out The Original Sinners series, including the Pulp Library collection here