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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
If you enjoyed the series "New Camelot" you will definitely enjoy this as it takes place in the same D.C. Universe as New Camelot and you get references to the characters from it.
Also, if you haven't read "Salt in the Wound," you need to. It's the prequel to this series, setting up one of the dominant relationships. The more I think about it, I would honestly say to read it after reading this book. If you don’t read it first, you will have the same views as Tristan in this book. However, after reading this and because you are eager for more of the story, you can go to the free prequel “Salt in the Wound” to learn what you didn’t know and gain a better perspective on Mark and Isolde.
I was under the impression that this book would be all about the Tristan/Isolde part of the relationship because like anyone who hasn't read that story, I googled it and just read that bit about the journey to the wedding where Tristan and Isolde fall in love. So, I went into this book thinking that it would be about that journey. Well, color me shocked when it was really about the relationship between Mark and Tristan and Isolde is not even mentioned in the story until she is brought out as the fiancée to be escorted from Ireland to D.C. when Mark was unable to do it himself. This part the Tristan/Isolde part of the story takes up the last 15% of the book.
The story in a nutshell:
Mark Trevena - Very kinky, rich and goodlooking owner of D.C.'s premier and ultra elite kink club "Lyonesse" has need of a very personal body guard. He is also engaged to Isolde Laurence, the only daughter of a major bank owner. She isn't brought up until much later in the book.
Tristan Thomas - Recently honorably discharged war hero who just happens to be the son of the man who just married Mark Trevena's sister. A younger man who still is a virgin and has the uncomfortable "curse" of "becoming too attached" to someone who kisses him with any real emotion. He is battling his own demons having to do with what he had to do while in war. He misses the regimented life of the military and agrees to become the bodyguard to Mark.
Tristan quickly becomes infatuated with Mark, and the feelings end up being reciprocated and a D/s relationship blooms. That is this story. It fleshes out the relationship between Tristan and Mark so that we have a reason to want Mark and Tristan to be together. In fact there is no mention of an engagement or Isolde at all except in allusions that go over Tristan's head. Out of 35 chapters in this book Isolde isn't even brought in until chapter 24. HOWEVER, despite Tristan's initial determination to hate Isolde, as soon as he meets her eyes, they fall away and he ends up as lost in her as he was with Mark.
If you read the "New Camelot" or otherwise known as "American Queen" series and enjoyed it here are some character matchings to help
Mark Trevena = Maxen Ash Colchester
Tristan Thomas = Embry Moore
Isolde Laurence = Greer Galloway
The D/s dynamics are the same as well as a lot of the surface personality traits. However, that is only the beginning. It was almost like the author knew that people really enjoyed the previous series and the chemistry and dynamics of that thrupple and decided to offer a bit of the same here so that people will gravitate to it as well. While they are NOT a rehashing of the same characters the familiarity of the general relationship and characteristics will put people immediately into the story.
I waited a while to read this and honestly only did because I am in a book slump and anything that Seirra Simone writes is without a doubt going to break that slump. I had hoped to wait until more of the trilogy was out because the books take a long time between them, and only because "Honey Cut" is coming out in less than a month, I figured I could chance it.
Definitely this is a great beginning, and like I said if you enjoyed the authors previous books, you will enjoy this one.
Also, if you haven't read "Salt in the Wound," you need to. It's the prequel to this series, setting up one of the dominant relationships. The more I think about it, I would honestly say to read it after reading this book. If you don’t read it first, you will have the same views as Tristan in this book. However, after reading this and because you are eager for more of the story, you can go to the free prequel “Salt in the Wound” to learn what you didn’t know and gain a better perspective on Mark and Isolde.
I was under the impression that this book would be all about the Tristan/Isolde part of the relationship because like anyone who hasn't read that story, I googled it and just read that bit about the journey to the wedding where Tristan and Isolde fall in love. So, I went into this book thinking that it would be about that journey. Well, color me shocked when it was really about the relationship between Mark and Tristan and Isolde is not even mentioned in the story until she is brought out as the fiancée to be escorted from Ireland to D.C. when Mark was unable to do it himself. This part the Tristan/Isolde part of the story takes up the last 15% of the book.
The story in a nutshell:
Mark Trevena - Very kinky, rich and goodlooking owner of D.C.'s premier and ultra elite kink club "Lyonesse" has need of a very personal body guard. He is also engaged to Isolde Laurence, the only daughter of a major bank owner. She isn't brought up until much later in the book.
Tristan Thomas - Recently honorably discharged war hero who just happens to be the son of the man who just married Mark Trevena's sister. A younger man who still is a virgin and has the uncomfortable "curse" of "becoming too attached" to someone who kisses him with any real emotion. He is battling his own demons having to do with what he had to do while in war. He misses the regimented life of the military and agrees to become the bodyguard to Mark.
Tristan quickly becomes infatuated with Mark, and the feelings end up being reciprocated and a D/s relationship blooms. That is this story. It fleshes out the relationship between Tristan and Mark so that we have a reason to want Mark and Tristan to be together. In fact there is no mention of an engagement or Isolde at all except in allusions that go over Tristan's head. Out of 35 chapters in this book Isolde isn't even brought in until chapter 24. HOWEVER, despite Tristan's initial determination to hate Isolde, as soon as he meets her eyes, they fall away and he ends up as lost in her as he was with Mark.
If you read the "New Camelot" or otherwise known as "American Queen" series and enjoyed it here are some character matchings to help
Mark Trevena = Maxen Ash Colchester
Tristan Thomas = Embry Moore
Isolde Laurence = Greer Galloway
The D/s dynamics are the same as well as a lot of the surface personality traits. However, that is only the beginning. It was almost like the author knew that people really enjoyed the previous series and the chemistry and dynamics of that thrupple and decided to offer a bit of the same here so that people will gravitate to it as well. While they are NOT a rehashing of the same characters the familiarity of the general relationship and characteristics will put people immediately into the story.
I waited a while to read this and honestly only did because I am in a book slump and anything that Seirra Simone writes is without a doubt going to break that slump. I had hoped to wait until more of the trilogy was out because the books take a long time between them, and only because "Honey Cut" is coming out in less than a month, I figured I could chance it.
Definitely this is a great beginning, and like I said if you enjoyed the authors previous books, you will enjoy this one.
The storyline was interesting but the whole domination thing is not for me. Lesson learned.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was just smut, smut, smut, and more smut. I was hoping it would lead into the club more and the world of secrets but it was just smut. I was also hoping for the downfall of her father but none of that. We don’t even know Mark better. Like wtf!?
→4 stars
this is gonna be MESSY and i'm here for it.
this is gonna be MESSY and i'm here for it.
I am a loyal congregant to the church of Rev Sierra. So actually getting an ARC of Salt Kiss in exchange for my thoughts seems almost surreal. I knew I couldn’t wait to hear this story. I read the prequel, Salt in the Wound, which is told from Isolde’s POV and has a lot of useful information.
But - it made me wonder how Salt Kiss would feel if I hadn’t read it first? What would my impressions of Mark and Isolde be? Like I know what Isolde’s damage is because I read the prequel. Would she currently be a more sympathetic character if I hadn’t?
But, this is Tristan’s book. Told from his POV. He’s a sad boy ex soldier. He literally doesn’t know what to do with himself now that he’s not in the army. So, when Mark Trevana invites him to apply for a job as bodyguard, he figures - why not? It’s just another way to live my life in service and following orders. And he does that for Mark in spades.
As Tristan becomes less of a soldier and more of a servant, he opens his mind to the ways in which service can actually help him. He craves to please his new boss Mark. And realizes he himself gets pleasure from pleasing Mark. It’s quite something to be in Tristan’s mind as he slowly lets down his preconceived ideas and falls hopelessly to the point of being pathetic in love with Mark. Like he knows, and we know, and even Mark knows, that Tristan will be hurt and yet he gives himself up to it anyway.
Tristan is so hurt when he finds out that Mark is engaged, and has been for years. Tristan is nothing if not loyal, however, and goes to retrieve Isolde and they take a big fancy boat from Ireland to Manhattan.
Lo and behold, Tristan also falls in love with Isolde - because he’s a horny masochist with a gooey inside that loves to fall in love with emotionally unavailable people with secrets.
We’ve met Mark before in American King, as the owner of the sex club Lyonesse and the man who teaches Ash to be a dominant. And he’s very good at his job. And this story contains small glimpses in to the New Camelot story as well, with references to Ash’s death, Embry as current president and current husband of Ash’s widow. And the Carpathian conflict is still very much present.
I expect k!nky fun times from Rev Sierra. And in this series opener, we have MM and MF pairings. And as always, she delivers in a way that is so beautifully and emotionally written it sits heavy in my chest. In the best way.
And now I am left in a book hangover. As usual, I am left contemplating these vivid characters and their motivations and desires for a long time after the last chapter. Next installment, Honey Cut, can’t come soon enough!
Re read on audio Dec 23. I appreciated the connection with Tristan and Isolde this time. His term of endearment “Honey” was much more impactful, esp knowing the next book is called Honey Cut.
Reread May 24 after reading an ARC of Honey Cut. OMFG! The connections! I just imagine Sierra with a murder board of all the breadcrumbs that you don’t even know are breadcrumbs.
But - it made me wonder how Salt Kiss would feel if I hadn’t read it first? What would my impressions of Mark and Isolde be? Like I know what Isolde’s damage is because I read the prequel. Would she currently be a more sympathetic character if I hadn’t?
But, this is Tristan’s book. Told from his POV. He’s a sad boy ex soldier. He literally doesn’t know what to do with himself now that he’s not in the army. So, when Mark Trevana invites him to apply for a job as bodyguard, he figures - why not? It’s just another way to live my life in service and following orders. And he does that for Mark in spades.
As Tristan becomes less of a soldier and more of a servant, he opens his mind to the ways in which service can actually help him. He craves to please his new boss Mark. And realizes he himself gets pleasure from pleasing Mark. It’s quite something to be in Tristan’s mind as he slowly lets down his preconceived ideas and falls hopelessly to the point of being pathetic in love with Mark. Like he knows, and we know, and even Mark knows, that Tristan will be hurt and yet he gives himself up to it anyway.
Tristan is so hurt when he finds out that Mark is engaged, and has been for years. Tristan is nothing if not loyal, however, and goes to retrieve Isolde and they take a big fancy boat from Ireland to Manhattan.
Lo and behold, Tristan also falls in love with Isolde - because he’s a horny masochist with a gooey inside that loves to fall in love with emotionally unavailable people with secrets.
We’ve met Mark before in American King, as the owner of the sex club Lyonesse and the man who teaches Ash to be a dominant. And he’s very good at his job. And this story contains small glimpses in to the New Camelot story as well, with references to Ash’s death, Embry as current president and current husband of Ash’s widow. And the Carpathian conflict is still very much present.
I expect k!nky fun times from Rev Sierra. And in this series opener, we have MM and MF pairings. And as always, she delivers in a way that is so beautifully and emotionally written it sits heavy in my chest. In the best way.
And now I am left in a book hangover. As usual, I am left contemplating these vivid characters and their motivations and desires for a long time after the last chapter. Next installment, Honey Cut, can’t come soon enough!
Re read on audio Dec 23. I appreciated the connection with Tristan and Isolde this time. His term of endearment “Honey” was much more impactful, esp knowing the next book is called Honey Cut.
Reread May 24 after reading an ARC of Honey Cut. OMFG! The connections! I just imagine Sierra with a murder board of all the breadcrumbs that you don’t even know are breadcrumbs.
Holy guacamole this was spicy and I loved it. Tristan is a babe . Can’t wait to see how it’s gunna end up for the three of them!
4.5/5 - The way I DEVOURED this book. Reading the novella set a lot of it into a bigger perspective. I’m so intrigued to where this is going to go!