Interview with Tiffany Reisz—and giveaway!

Tiffany ReiszTiffany Reisz describes her erotic novels as “literary friction”, and when I read The Siren I was immediately drawn in by its intelligent characters and exploration of what draws different people to different sexual experiences. Whether in her stories, her blog or her Twitter account, Tiffany never shies away from tough questions or frank sexual discussions. I’m so happy she’s here today giving away a copy of The Siren. Welcome, Tiffany!

Hi Kat! *waves*

1. First of all, for readers who aren’t very familiar with erotica, can you explain how it differs from erotic romance?

Erotic romance is a subgenre of romance so it has to follow the same basic path as any romance novel. Couple meets, there’s sexual and romantic tension, and the plot question is simply “How and when will they end up together?” It’s never a matter of if they’ll get together. You know they will because it’s a romance novel.

Erotica has much more freedom. My genre is better classified as “erotic thriller” since my books all contain lots of kinky sex but also a plot line that has a real, dark mystery element to it. Erotica itself is simply a book about sex. You can have a work of erotica with one person along in a room masturbating – no romance necessary. Erotic romance explores the erotic side of love. In erotica, the love is optional.

2. The tagline on your blog is “It’s not erotica until someone gets hurt,” and your books contain scenes of physical pain that some people would find difficult to read. You once told me that it’s not really about physical pain, though. What role does pain play in your stories?

The SirenThe main characters of my books are mostly kinksters. My female lead is a quirky, funny Dominatrix named Nora Sutherlin. She’s a Switch, which means she tops people (for money) and bottoms/submits (for fun and love).

I’ve said before that I like writing BDSM because it’s the outward expression of an inward reality – love hurts. Writing BDSM gives me the chance to play with ideas of pain. Is there good pain? Is it there a difference between bad and good pain? Is there a difference between hurting someone and harming someone?

My characters often face emotional situations where they admit they’d rather take a physical beating than deal with emotional pain. Also, I myself am kinky and enjoy pain play so it’s fun to write a different side of sexuality that people don’t see as often in mainstream fiction.

3. You dropped out of seminary and your erotica explores how BDSM and religion can be closer than most people imagine. Can you tell us more about your Catholic faith and how it influences your writing?

One reader who was defending THE SIREN against criticism that it exploited Catholicism said, “I’ve been Catholic all my life. Catholicism and sadism make perfect sense to me.” She was referring, of course, to the ugly history of religion—the Spanish Inquisition, etc. But for me, the point of the story of Christ is that God loved the human race so much he was willing to suffer horrible pain and humiliation to save us. In BDSM, submissives experience pain and humiliation for a greater good, a higher kind of pleasure, a different kind of love.

4. You shared some very exciting news recently about what’s next for you—you’ve been contracted to write four more novels for MIRA! Congratulations! What can you tell us about your next novel?

Book four – The Mistress – is the conclusion to a plot arc that begins in THE SIREN. Nora finally, once and for all, figures out who she is and what world she belongs in. Only takes her four books to do it. What can I say? She’s complicated. After The Mistress, I’m writing book five, the first ORIGINAL SINNERS prequel. It’s the story of young Nora meeting the man who change her life forever and it’s called THE PRIEST.

5. From the things I’ve seen you say in other interviews and on Twitter, I know that you’ve had Dominant/submissive relationships like the ones you describe in your stories—which not all erotic writers have. Do you have any pet peeves about how other authors portray BDSM sex and relationships?

The AngelI’m a big fan of the philosophy “your kink is not my kink”, which is a BDSM way of saying, “your kink and what you’re into is different from my kink and what I’m into but it’s all kink and it’s all good.”

So if someone writes a spanking scene and treats it like it’s the most hardcore S&M out there, I might giggle a little but I don’t thing they’ve done anything wrong. They just don’t want to go into the harder areas of S&M, and that’s fine.

What does bother me is villianizing BDSM. My characters are damaged and dangerous but they’d be damaged and dangerous even if they didn’t do BDSM. It’s superfluous to the things that make them interesting. Kink is good for them and makes them stronger, saner, better people. A lot of my characters find healing through kink. When an author “saves” a character from his or her kinkiness, it’s aa insulting as “true love” turning a gay character straight.

6. Okay, time for a random speed dating-style question: What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do that you haven’t had a chance to yet?

Butt sex with Daniel Craig!

Giveaway!

Tiffany is giving away a signed copy of The Siren and an early signed copy of The Angel (which other people will have to wait until September 25th to read) to someone who leaves a comment here. I’ll announce the winner on Tuesday September 4th. Good luck!

Plus, anyone who subscribes to my blog and leaves a comment by August 31, 2012, will be entered in my Bookstravaganza! giveaway.

The Siren by Tiffany Reisz (Original Sinners Book 1)

The SirenThe Siren is a modern-day retelling of My Fair Lady with uptight English literary fiction editor Zachary Easton as an unwilling Professor Higgins and well-known wild child Nora Sutherlin as his erotica-writing Eliza Doolittle.

Zach only has six weeks left at Royal House New York before he heads to Los Angeles to take over as Chief Managing Editor at Royal West. When his boss orders him to help Nora Sutherlin rewrite her latest novel, Zach agrees to work with her only if he is given complete control over the fate of her book. If Nora doesn’t rewrite it to his satisfaction in six weeks, Royal won’t publish it.

The Angel by Tiffany Reisz (Original Sinners Book 2)

No safe word can protect the heart…
The AngelInfamous 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.

By Kat

Kat Latham writes sexy contemporary romance, including the London Legends rugby series. With degrees in English lit and human rights, she loves stories that reflect the depth, humor and emotion of real life. She's a California girl living in the Netherlands with her baby girl and British husband.

72 comments

  1. Hello,
    I’m a huge (and new) fan of Tiffany Reisz. Her stories are addictive and they are also an insightful look into the bdsm world for those of us that are seriously looking for more info. Love her books and hope to win a copy of Angel…
    Thank you:)
    Josee

  2. I absolutely adored this book.
    I have read the newest and latest of books claiming to be erotica, but this is the only one I’ve read that delves into the pain and pleasure that comes with that sort of love.
    The characters are so lifelike, they truly take on their own existence.
    Can’t wait for the next book!

  3. Great interview! Big fan of Tiffany’s writing (both book form and tweets!). I’ve read everything on her blog, the two short stories on Amazon, and both books. So excited for the continuation of the series.

  4. I’m currently reading The Siren and so far I’m loving it. I can not wait to read more.

    Thanks for the chance to win the these two books!

  5. I admire Tiffany Reisz so much. From her extremely talented writing to her highly likable personality online and in interviews, she is a truly entertaining woman. I have enjoyed all of her books thus far and look forward to reading many more.

  6. Reading The Siren has ruined me for all other erotica. Intelligent and exciting characters draw you in and never let go. You can’t help getting tied up with them! I can’t wait to read Angel and all the others.

  7. I am two thirds through The Siren and it’s so hard to put down! I can’t wait to see how it ends and read The Angel. Thanks for the chance to win your books Tiffany!

  8. I’ve read Tiffany’s and though BDSM not my fave genre I loved her book. It proves she is an amazing writer. Would love to win her books.

  9. Both of these books are on my “to read” list. I am looking forward to diving into them as soon as possible!

  10. The Siren has gotten such rave reviews. I’ve got it on my TBR pile, just haven’t started it yet because I was waiting for the second book. Best wishes on the release.

  11. Great interview, I have never read any of her books, but I am headed to the bookstore today. I know what I’ll be reading on my day off today!

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