Best Christmas gift ever!! (yes, to myself, but whatever.) There is nothing like knowing you will love a book before you even open the pages. All Tiffany said was that it was about Nico...and I was mesmerized. The opening story about Nora meeting him for the first time was so moving...I just wanted to jump into the pages and have a group hug with all of them. And after finishing the story, I was hungry for more. I hope and pray that Tiffany has the next in store for us. I've already gifted this book to a friend for Christmas and know she will love it as much as I do. Just the journey of reading Tiffany's wordcraft gives me great pleasure...the complex feels in the story are just icing on the cake. She's also included "The Christmas Truce, "Poinsettia" and "The Scent of Winter". I've read them previously but adored the timely reread on each of them. She closes with a new short story "Blood & Snow", which I suspect sets us up perfectly for the upcoming 2020 release of "The Priest". Which I already love without even seeing. Yes. I admit my addiction. And I don't want to quit. Ever.
It's hard for me to guess if someone would enjoy these without the richness of their backstories. I treasure each of Tiffany's sinners and hope she never tires of sharing them with us.

I enjoyed this book quite throughly. Reisz gives you multiple stories with beautifully constructed plot lines that pull you in, keep you interested and make you fall in love! I loved all of her characters and her ability to make you want their love stories to end happily is absolutely amazing. There wasn't one section I didn't enjoy.

Yet again, I spent a sleepless night in bed and it's all Tiffany Reisz's fault.

You'd think, having read all of the Original Sinners series, that I would learn my lesson and at least start an anthology of short stories set in that universe on a Friday night. Nope: foolishly assuming I could put Winter Tales down after the first story was the most excellent mistake of my week..

See full review here: https://jessicasettergren.com/2019/11/25/review-winter-tales-by-tiffany-reisz/

I didn’t realize that this was an anthology of stories from an expansive, already-published series. As such, I had no backstory and couldn’t keep characters and situations straight. The fact that the stories are out of chronological order made it more confusing. Having said this, if you aren’t into BDSM, avoid this one, because the sadism is harsh and, as one who doesn’t understand it, cruelty and love don’t seem compatible. It’s also very hard to understand how these bisexuals can have both men and women in their lives that they love equally and all parties seem okay with it. This seems to play into the stereotypical and antiquated notion that bisexuals are promiscuous and unfaithful. Yes, this is erotica, so sexual boundaries are blurred, but I was really disturbed by the infidelity, the fact that the sadistic protagonist was a Jesuit priest with a very damaged soul, and that Reisz seemed to use bisexual urges to condone infidelity. If you haven’t followed the series, don’t bother.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from 8th Circle Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Thanks Netgalley for the ebook. This review is my honest opinion but just another opinion, you should read this book and judge it by yourself 😊]
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I love Tiffany Reisz and her Sinners, and I love this book. I'm not a fan of Christmas novellas but I love Tiffany Reisz ones, they're so touching, funny and kinky. There's nothing really new in this novellas but Tiffany Reisz give us some puzzle pieces about the complex relationship between Nora, Soren and Kingsley, pieces that you didn't know were missing! But they made the Sinners Universe more complete.
I had previously read Ponsettia, The Christmas Truce and The Scent of Winter (❤), but I was looking forward to read December Wine. Oh, what a story! You can enjoy the first meeting between Nora and Nico (although I'm team Soren, I love Nico too -maybe I'm a bit like Nora 😆) and you also can have a little of Nora and Zach, which I needed since The Siren. This story is kinky, funny and touching and I loved it.
(And it has a bonus story with Soren! Perfection).
If you are a Tiffany Reisz's Sinners fan you need to read this book.
And if you haven't read The Original Sinners series, you have to start with The Siren! And follow the series order.
No soy objetiva con Tiffany Reisz porque la adoro, así que esta antología de novellas navideñas se tiene que llevar la máxima puntuación. Ya había leído todas las anteriormente publicadas, pero me parece estupendo poder tenerlas en un mismo libro. En cuanto a las nuevas... Ay, cómo le gusta a Tiffany Reisz jugar con nuestros corazones. Las dos historias (December Wine y el bonus con Soren) no avanzan la trama con respecto a donde la dejamos en The Queen pero añade piezas al puzle que es la relación entre Nora, Soren y Kingsley, piezas que no sabías que faltaban y que hacen que entiendas un poquito más la compleja relación que tienen.
He disfrutado muchísimo de December Wine, ya que me encantan Nora y Zach juntos y The Siren se me quedó corta. Además, ha sido estupendo ver cómo Nora y Nico se conocen.
No hay nadie como Tiffany Reisz para mezclar secuencias sexuales de alto voltaje y dolorcitos de corazón (esa especie de amargura que Nora nos transmite reconozco que me afecta mucho), y en esta novella no falta nada. Por supuesto, tampoco falta el sentido del humor tan peculiar que tienen nuestros Sinners.
Por cierto, el bonus final con Soren me parece estupendísimo, pero, claro, es que soy Team Soren total.
En fin, un libro imprescindible para los fanes de Tiffany Reisz. Pero, si no la habéis leído, empezad por The Siren y seguid el orden de las series!

It’s always exciting to take a new journey with my favorite Sinners. The gang is all back in a collection of Christmas novellas that is sure to please even the most subdued sinner!! Soren, Kingsley, Nora and Nico all make appearances in this anthology.

December Wine is the latest addition to the collection. It is a journey that Nora embarks upon to give a piece of Kingsley’s life back. With the aid and sexual prowess of her editor, Zack, Nora travels overseas to find out of her information is correct about Kingsley’s past. It is a journey of secrets and discovery that will lead Nora on a journey that will definitely alter all of the Original Sinners’ lives.

There is nothing better than visiting the Sinners that lead us on some of the most delicious temptations to date. The holidays wouldn’t be complete without Tiffany Reisz’s reprise of the characters that tempt you with their sexual kink!!

Every year, Tiffany Reisz releases an Original Sinners Christmas story as a gift to her readers. This year, we get a WHOLE ANTHOLOGY containing three reprints and two new pieces, and what a glorious gift it is. Nico and Fionn, two sons raised by non-biological fathers, sit at the heart of most of these stories; an appropriate choice at Christmas, given the series’s religious roots. Even without that neat bit of imagery, though, this is a bloody good book. “Poinsettia” and “The Scent of Winter” are probably my faves, but there’s not a dud among them. As always, Reisz writes with pure affection for her characters and a deep respect for their personhood.

Highly recommended to Original Sinners fans. New readers should start with THE SIREN instead

5 Stars
Tiffany Reisz is THE MASTER-PERIOD. IF you have read the Original Sinners Series then this will be a perfect addition to your experience. This was a mixture of sensual, erotic and spiritual.
The care and intensity... the beauty of it all is Classic Reisz.

I don’t think there is another author that could get me more in the holiday spirit than Tiffany Reisz!

There is always something utterly intoxicating in the way that she weaves sex and spirituality together. And while reading Winter Tales, I was blissfully delirious.

Her iconic characters continue to take on a depth all their own. They are formidable and yet vulnerable. Strong and yet fragile. Ruthless and yet compassionate. Their never-ending dedication to each other is the stuff of legend. Now, it’s just not Christmas without them.

"The school’s choir was small—only ten boys—but they were well-trained and had won competitions for their angelic singing. They were singing an old song - “In the Bleak Midwinter.” Standing there with his hand in Søren’s hand listening to the choir, Kingsley heard the lyrics in a way he never had before. Mary in the stable with the newborn Christ...

Angels and archangels may have gathered there
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air
But his mother only in her maiden bliss
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss

Kingsley wished there were angels here to worship Søren. He deserved it, all of it, the seraphim and the archangels and all the heavenly host. But Kingsley couldn’t give that to him. So he kissed him instead.
And lo, a Christmas miracle occurred, and the only miracle Kingsley wished for.

Søren returned the kiss."

Open your heart and embrace them once again in all of their kinky wonder. And you may even find yourself shedding a tear or two along the way…

Fans of The Original Sinners rejoice! For here we get five snippets with our beloved characters – some that have been published before, and some that haven’t, but all together for the first time in one delicious collection.

Because of the incredibly complex story told throughout the Original Sinners series, I would not recommend reading this one without having those books first. These characters and their twisted dynamic are a fave of mine, so I jumped at the opportunity to visit with them once again.

December Wine – 4 stars

This is the story of how Nora meets Nico, the previously unknown adult son of Kingsley. Travelling to France with her editor, Zach, Nora tracks the young man down to give him the news about his secret parentage, giving us the chance to see that first initial meeting, the flirtation that comes just from Nora being Nora, and the emotion of her difficult mission.

It’s an emotional one, but it’s balanced by the brilliantly witty interplay between Nora and Zach – both of whom have been given the freedom to embrace their short time together in all the ways, which they take full advantage of!

With a quick glimpse of Søren, Kingsley and even little Fionn, this is a great little read.

The Christmas Truce – 5 stars

I loved this one! And not just because it’s super smutty, but because it’s the unholy trinity of Nora, Søren and Kingsley reuniting for one illicit night in the midst of Nora and King’s estrangement from Søren. Of course it’s ridiculously sexy, but it’s the closeness and the banter between these three that is so incredibly captivating, and I loved this chance to see more of them together. Nora and Kingsley, in particular, have a fabulous dynamic, the every word, touch and glance between them is just magic.

“You think we should go upstairs now?” Kingsley asked. “Our lady probably fell asleep waiting on us to make up our cocks.”
“Our lady is probably at the top of the stairs eavesdropping on us,” Søren said.
“Am not!” Nora yelled down.

Poinsettia – 3.5 stars

A quick story featuring 20 year old Marcus Sterns who is in Rome and training with the Jesuits. He has befriended a local madam who helps him exercise his sadistic needs, and he visits her on Christmas Eve where they share secrets and very special gifts.

A sweet read which gives us insight into a young Søren during his early separation from Kingsley.

“You never kiss Caterina.”
“Kissing is for lovers,” Marcus said. “We’re friends only.”
“You flog her, cane her, cut her, burn her, and ejaculate on her back when you’re finished.”
“This is why I have so few friends.”

The Scent of Winter – 5 stars

I think this one is my favourite. A beautifully emotional story between Søren and Kingsley set after the events of the whole series. We get both a flashback to their high school days, as well as a heartwrenching encounter between them as Søren opens up about his feelings, and the secrets he has been keeping from his Kingsley. My heart ached for them both as they confront their complex feelings for each other, but it’s ultimately a beautiful story with lots of feels (and some sexy times) and I loved seeing these two together.

“I missed you,” Søren said. “And I…I ached for you. And not your friendship. I had that. I ached for you physically. I wanted you in bed again, on your knees again. I wanted to be inside you again. I wanted to own you again.”

Kingsley inhaled again. “I love the scent of winter,” he said. “I love the scent of winter enough to suffer the cold for it.”

Blood and Wine – 3.5 stars

A moment of vulnerability from Søren as he visits his old friend, Magdalena, in Rome shortly after the birth of Fionn. Seeking counsel and comfort, he opens up about his fears and we get the chance to see the not-so-strong side of this fierce character, which I really enjoyed. Plus, Magdalena is so freaking entertaining.


This is a great collection for fans of the series. I loved it!

I am probably one of the few who have never read The Original Sinners series. This novella definitely has me wanting to read it ASAP. With that being said you do not need to read the series to read this novella but you will want to binge read the series right away. I love Ms. Reisz' writing, she never ever disappoints. Absolutely a must read!

Winter Tales is the Christmas story for The Sinners series. I love this series so much and I’m such a fan of Tiffany’s writing that I was excited for this book. To really understand this story I would recommend reading the series. It follows all the characters from it and it would be hard to understand if you haven’t read it prior. With that being said, this is such a fun read for any fans of the series and you are going to absolutely enjoy it. There are some new things and lots of spicy sexiness. Hands down a must read for any Tiffany Reisz fans.

***I received an ebook copy from the publisher at no cost***

Every time I think I've fallen as in love as I can with the Original Sinners gang, Tiffany comes along with something that makes me fall even harder for them. 

Winter Tales is a collection of short stories featuring different characters from the Original Sinners series. Each story gives readers a glimpse into a snippet of time. From Nora and Zach searching for Kingsley's son Nico in France, to Søren and Magdalena on a quiet Christmas Eve, Reisz delivers short, sexy, and endearing stories set during the holiday season. As a reader, these short stories gave me answers to some of the nagging questions I had after reading the full-length novels. 

I was thrilled beyond words to see a story that featured Zach. Next to Kingsley, he's my favorite of the sinners gents. His connection with Nora is one of my favorite elements and when they're lovers ... I can't get enough of it. 

Søren and Magdalena's story hit me in the feels. I know that there's a heart somewhere inside this sadistic man, and any time that he shows it, it makes me smile. 

And Kingsley ... Oh, Kingsley. If you love the French man you'll be happy, because Reisz gives us a healthy does of him throughout the stories. 

Reisz's characters are well-developed and have so much depth. Each time I pick up a book, I feel like I'm peeling back another layer of the characters, and finding out new things about them that I didn't know existed. 

This is the perfect collection of holiday kink stories, just in time for the holidays themselves. I don't think this could be read as a standalone, simply because in order to understand the stories you need to have knowledge of the characters and the past. So, if you haven't read any of the Original Sinners stories, go out and get started on that right now. And if you're an Original Sinners fan, snatch this book up right now! Trust me, you don't want to miss it. 

Five stars to this novel!

My very first outing into the kinky world of the Sinners, and WHY THE HELL HAVEN'T I GOTTEN TO THIS SERIES SOONER?! The writing, characters and naughtiness is exquisite. Oh my Jesus, I'm in pretty strung out shape after reading but in the very best of ways. I'm so getting my booty to starting this series ASAP, and I can't wait to sink my teeth into it. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
4.5 Stars

Aaahhhh love this one, story of Nora's submissive, Søren's turmoil, story when Søren still young, King's weariness, oh yesss as an original sinners series big fan, I can't not love this one. It's so nice to read their story, I miss them and their kinkiness, they bring laughter and put a big smile on my face.

If you love Original Sinners series, you will love this book too.

An unconventional read. Whiter Tales is a mix of previously released titles plus an additional extra. A little back story with a lot of sexy times. If that what you are in the mood for then this is the one for you.

I have always been a big fan of Tiffany Reisz, especially the Sinners series so this was a fantastic read to reminisce and also learn more about Soren, Kingsley and of course our favourite Madam Eleanor. I just love how Tiffany draws you into the story with the perfect amount of humour and intensity.

A very steamy at times read with good character arcs and interesting story overall.
I think I would’ve loved to have a book for each couple separately but it was nice to read it this way too.

With Winter Tales, Tiffany Reisz proved once again why she is one of my most beloved authors. Her dynamic characters, their interwoven relationships, the intensity of the love they share, the darkness in their souls, the unraveling of secrets, the witty dialogue, and above all - the extreme kinkiness - happily lured me back into the Sinners world, never wanting the experience to end. Here, as with each publication, Reisz delivered sheer brilliance in her prose that left me both satisfied with these short stories, yet thirsty for more. She's cunning and genius in that regard - consistently feeding my addiction and curiosity when it comes to Søren, Nora, and Kingsley, while knowing there is so much more to explore when it comes to these characters. Reisz's unique and masterful writing style, coupled with several captivating story-lines, the Mistress of Erotica earned ten plus stars for this Christmas holiday-themed anthology.

December Wine - M/F

Taking place after Søren and Nora's night of terror, this compelling novella featured Nora and Zach during their free-pass getaway in France. Nora is on a mission to seek out Kingsley’s long-lost son, Nicolas "Nico" Delacroix. Here we see some of the many conflicts a morose Nora is struggling with - a new and uncertain future that will include both Nico and Fionn (Zach and Grace's son fathered by Søren) and how their presence affects the trio. Their relationships may be forever changed, and Nora bears the weight of these worries on her shoulders.

Sexy, steamy, and somewhat melancholy, the highly anticipated December Wine gave insight into these characters' lives that I longed for since reading The Mistress. Also, it was an opportunity to learn more about the old soul that is Nico, who I absolutely adore.

The Christmas Truce - M/F/M

Set before The Siren, this little treat was a flashback to one passionate night shared between Søren, Nora, and Kingsley. An unforgettable ménage where the quarreling trio briefly set aside their grievances to enjoy the holiday and make their Christmas wishes come true. Be warned ~ this tidbit is off-the-charts erotic. But all kinkiness aside, there are several emotional and tearful moments laced throughout the novella.

Poinsettia & Blood and Snow

There are countless reasons why I adore all things Søren. His omnipotent and dominant personality has fascinated me since my first read of The Siren. Sadistic, enigmatic, charismatic and intense, he is the heart and soul of this series, in my opinion. A master manipulator, this is Søren's world as all other characters have no choice but to gravitate towards him. A true paradox, he is both savage and saintly.

However, in these two short stories, we see a different side of Father Marcus Stearns in both the present day and in the past as a young man in the seminary. Seeing him conflicted, struggling, and vulnerable, added another layer to his multifaceted persona as he sought counsel from Mistress Magdalena (a cruel but witty Dominatrix, whose brutality rivals that of Søren's). Witnessing his fears, seeing his humanity, I fell in love with the mighty Søren all over again.

The Scent of Winter - M/M

Of all the tales within this anthology, The Scent of Winter was, without a doubt, the most emotional. Never have I witnessed two characters so in love cause each other such tremendous pain. It's a common theme throughout the series, but for me, this was extraordinarily intense as their sorrow was gut-wrenching. For decades, Kingsley and Søren have both loved and loathed each other for a variety of reasons, and it is here where a major issue comes to an explosive head - as secrets are finally confessed, confronted, and resolved. Beautifully written and overly touching, this novella was truly a remarkable story.

Merci Tiffany Reisz, for yet another outstanding read, as Winter Tales has joined the ranks as one of my most favorite reads of this year. I consumed this anthology not once, but twice before composing my thoughts for this review - it was that fantastic. Until the next release, I will mourn the loss of these characters and all their craziness. Another magnificent tale and a must-read for all Original Sinners fans!

You must have read something of the Original Sinners series to understand the relationship between Soren, Kingsley, and Nora. These are stories between books, in different time periods, but connected at Christmas. Some questions get answered, others develop and the desire to keep reading grows. A heads up before you read, if you are reading reviews you probably know Reisz's style and nothing will shock you. If you aren't bothered by mistresses, sex between consenting adults (married but not to each other) or MM scenes you will enjoy this book. These novellas give a new meaning to an open relationship. Netgalley provided my early copy.