Since NaNoWriMo I haven't touched my words, not looked at them, not opened Scrivener, not thought about the story.

At all.

Yesterday I converted the extracted doc file to epub and threw it on my iPad, and started reading.

258 pages passed in a few hours.

Gobsmacked.

Yes, it needs work. But, yes, it's kinda good.

*happy dance*

Who knew I had it in me.

I loved this dark story, with its gritty world and hardcore woman MC. It took only a few pages for me to completely give in to whatever the author handed me—the voice rang so true, so fast, I bought all the tech and all the world-building at face value, as is, at once. That is quite a feat. 

To FINALLY read of a strong woman lead character is for me truly a form of catharsis, to say the least. I love how she had a job to do, but was still woman all the way, without ever falling into the black hole of bitch/silly babe. She was real, a woman you can meet anywhere. A woman who, through circumstances of life, is having to act tougher and harder than most of us ever have to. 

And a woman who gets the job done.

Then this author goes on to add a brilliant, brilliant male character, both the techie and the love interest, as it were. And Edison? I think I love him. Seriously. Love him. Someone who stands behind a woman on a mission, hands her all she needs to get back on her crusade, silently prays for her safe return, but NEVER stands in her way or diminishes what she needs to do. As I said in my updates, I find Edison to be the complete and total antidote to all the bullying-asshole-male-stalker-leads that are currently running around scaring chicks in the romance genre. (Scaring chicks I say, but they are really falling like headless hens, go figure). 

Edison, you are a sight for sore eyes, a haven for thirsty and strong women. I salute you. And hope to see more of your brethren in the future.

I shall follow this author. Ms Grey has an interesting way with words and she paints a dark and convincing picture. One that is also filled with love. 

As I said, quite a feat.
The only thing that bugs me is when a book ends at 89 %, and then the publisher fills the remaining pages with promos for other books from other authors. I thought there was more left of the story, and was really sad when it ended so abruptly.

This book is for men and women alike— and HOW many books can you say that about?

Kudos Ms Grey. This was awesome. 


***
I was NOT asked to read this book by anyone, and I paid for it with my own money.

"Drawing a deep breath and a huge amount of courage, he said, 'You were never planning on staying. You were always just passing through.' His voice was low and she could hear the hurt vibrating in his last words."

©Anna Lund 2013

Holy smokes, but this was good.

Believable characters, good banter, intelligent language.

I enjoyed this very much, especially the take on violence, and what you do when you're close to violence happening. I also loved the empowerment of women, the celebration of a woman who finds the strength to fight back and kick-ass.

Lucas's: "You are amazing," had me grinning so hard my face hurt.

Yeah, another book that gets five stars from me. It seems that this is all I can do, lately. Lucky me, I seem to be finding all the gems.

What? You haven't read this yet? Go. Now. Just do it. *nods*

***

I was NOT asked to read this book by anyone, I paid for it with my own money.

This is not your classic romance story, but holy hell if it doesn’t include some of the most intricate descriptions of true love that I have ever read.

I went into a highlighting frenzy reading this, and after finishing, it took me well over a week to just digest it.

I adored this book, it took me somewhere else, where I have never been, into situations I have never understood, and ‘splained it all to me. Lovingly. With a bite.

See, most of us have never been close to anything BDSM, and view pain as, well, pain. Not as something to be sought out and relished. I still don’t think I’m into pain, but the submission and bondage parts? Those I understand.

The strong, strong characters in this book make it all feel both believable and true, and the fact that a strong woman is finally taking the floor and speaking straight to my heart is truly a gift. There are so painfully (sic!) few of those around.

Nora is true, honest, raw and absolutely stunning in her perceptions. She sees through mountains of fluff in seconds, and calls every bluff on the block.

Now, the male protags in this story are no less enticing. First of all (in order of appearance I think) is Zach, Nora’s editor. Now, this is a beautiful way of doing things, a Writer writing a book about a Writer writing a book, pure metafiction, and just brilliant.

So, as Nora has to rewrite her book to Zach’s directions it turns into an introduction of BDSM for him, and a lovely challenge for her. In every way.

I love this free woman. She takes what she needs, gives what others need, and smiles and is on her way again. Utterly freeing.

Then Søren enters the scene from the left wing, and everything starts to tingle, a haze descends and a shiver of fear and excitement ripples through the audience. Me, that is. He is the real deal. Honest, true, faithful and the king. Of what, you will have to read the book to understand. My words here cannot describe him. Suffice it to say I am still thinking of him, wondering, wanting to know more about that dark shadow he wears like a cloak, the darkness that he is with his whole being.

There are more people in this story, women and men, all rounded characters that feel real, but the one that broke my heart was Wesley, Nora’s assistant and intern. The boy is utterly lovely and sweet, and so out of his depth he is drowning without knowing it. Ms Reisz really did a magick number on him, poor boy!

A few excerpts are in order, as it is my habit to sprinkle a review with good words:

”J.P sat on the floor of his office, piles of manuscripts stacked about him like a paper Stonehenge in miniature.” What a vision. Zach’s boss is really drowning in it.

“I don’t want to write this story any more than you want to read it.” Wheew. Harsh.

Nora’s book certainly opens with some intense wording. “…a man’s hips were his seat of power.” Now, that is how you describe why you like to watch a man walk by. Yes.

“The Club at Nine. Wait blindfolded.” That’s a voicemail in Nora’s book that is sure to bring the reader up sharp.

And finally, one to describe Nora: “Suddenly, she didn’t look tired or worried anymore. She looked wild and beautiful and so alive. ‘Celibate, Zach? Have you met me?’”

Now, a short word on my experience with the text itself. This book is made of amazing writing; utterly beautiful, and shock-full of backdrops that sing with exquisite wording.

Ms Reisz paints an intense picture in every scene, where words dribble down the canvas, sometimes putting fire to it. Sometimes dousing the flames and cooling the pain. It is plain uncanny how she works her brush.

I love her words, they swirl around me, and pull me in, show me new things, things that are shiny and things that are so dark I choke. Then I wake up, shake my head and wish I was dreaming again. Like I said, uncanny.

When you’re finished with The Siren, you will be hunting for more, more words, more people, more anything, to stave your hunger. To discover her page Tiffany Reisz  and all the extras there was such an added bonus—to the umpteenth degree. There are whole stories there, back stories with the whole world she has created, for free, to peruse, to delve into, to muse over. Go see for yourself.

This was a truly unique experience. Thank you, Ms Reisz, for giving us a story that gets us thinking. Thank you also for showing that BDSM is something real, and not something that you need “curing” from or “saving” from.

Life is about finding your pack, and running wild.

And while I’m scared to pieces of some of the stuff from most every single page of your book, I am also in awe of your display of woman-power, your English usage and your way of portraying (FUCKING FINALLY!) a strong woman. A real woman. A beautiful woman.

Thank you. On behalf of all us other women out there. Thank you.

***

I was NOT asked to read this book by anyone, I paid for it with my own money.