Review: Room by Emma Donoghue

Title: Room
Author: Emma Donoghue
Format: Paperback, 352 pages
Pub. Date: May 18th 2011
Source: Goodwill


Book Description:

To five-year-old-Jack, Room is the world. . . . It's where he was born, it's where he and his Ma eat and sleep and play and learn. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma it's the prison where she has been held for seven years. Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in this eleven-by-eleven-foot space. But with Jack's curiosity building alongside her own desperation, she knows that Room cannot contain either much longer.

Room is a tale at once shocking, riveting, exhilarating--a story of unconquerable love in harrowing circumstances, and of the diamond-hard bond between a mother and her child.

Review:

★★★★★

Four and a half stars, rounded up.

I'm not quite sure how to review this book. It seems wrong to say that I liked it, given that it's about rape and abduction. But, it was so hauntingly and beautifully written, that it was enjoyable to read, even with the dark (and it is DARK) subject matter.

I didn't realize when I picked this book up that it was going to be written from the perspective of the five year old son, Jack, who has been held captive in the "room" his entire life. It was shocking, but it works so well as a literary tool. He doesn't understand life, not like you or me. Because there is no life outside of "room". He doesn't understand why his mom gets sad, or angry, or tired with him. He doesn't understand that she was raped and enslaved and kidnapped. But as an adult reading through his eyes, you can see between the lines, and see how much fight the mom has in her, and how she copes with this horrible life she's been dealt, and how much she does for her son so that he can try to have happiness, even in personal little hell.

The emotions are high and tense because children feel so deeply. Each cutting word, each sigh, each scream, it's all vivid and it's all felt. You grow to care for Jack and his mother, hoping that they will be safe, that they will live, that they will get free. Jack is written as so brave but so frightened at the same time. When outside of Room, he has to learn things that I would have never thought about, like how to climb stairs. It's heartbreaking but hopeful.

The room is written in such vivid detail that I feel like I could envision every part of it, from the worn floors to the ceiling window. The characters are well described too, Donoghue is very good at showing instead of telling, and it visualizes very well. It's no wonder that someone read this and thought it would make a good movie. It's very dramatic and cinematic, and while I have not seen the movie (and I'm not quite sure I want to), I can totally imagine it on screen.

This book covers so many hard to swallow topics: child abuse, rape, kidnapping, enslavement, suicide, depression, miscarriage, overdose, the "need to know all the gory details" coverage of the media. And Emma Donoghue navigates them expertly. This is a raw, emotional, powerful, and often times painful story, measured with hope, perseverance, and love. It's not an easy book to get through, but it's a book that I'm very glad that I read.

If you are a fan of things like true crime and ID channel, than this book might be something you want to read. If you have any aversion to any of the topics that I've mentioned here, than I don't recommend it, because you will probably find it incredibly troubling and upsetting.

Review: It by Stephen King

Title: It
Author: Stephen King
Format: Hardcover, 1156 pages
Pub. Date: September 15th 1986
Source: Lisa


Book Description:

To the children, the town was their whole world. To the adults, knowing better, Derry Maine was just their home town: familiar, well-ordered for the most part. A good place to live. It was the children who saw – and felt – what made Derry so horribly different. In the storm drains, in the sewers, IT lurked, taking on the shape of every nightmare, each one’s deepest dread. Sometimes IT reached up, seizing, tearing, killing . . .

The adults, knowing better, knew nothing. Time passed and the children grew up, moved away. The horror of IT was deep-buried, wrapped in forgetfulness. Until they were called back, once more to confront IT as IT stirred and coiled in the sullen depths of their memories, reaching up again to make their past nightmares a terrible present reality.

Frightening, epic, and brilliant, Stephen King's IT is one of the greatest works of a true storytelling master.

Review:

★★★

This is without a doubt the longest reading experience that I have ever had. I'm a quick reader, and this took me months. Overall, I didn't hate this book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.

Stephen King is a complicated writer. And by that, I don't mean his plots. His resume speaks for itself- the dude can sell a story. I found that this book was in parts, very well written. He is a master at metaphor and description. His language is so detailed that it's often poetic, and it's almost impossible not to be sucked into the storyscapes that he creates. I could picture Derry. I felt like I was in the Barrens, in the house on Neibolt street, and even in Bev's apartment. The language is vivid, and the both the settings and the characters are well thought out and well examined.

This book should be overly complicated, but it isn't. Not only does it follow seven different characters, with chapters that change focus between the seven, but it follows them in two different time periods- when they are children and then when they are adults. He did a wonderful job of making each person distinct enough that it's easy to tell who each chapter is following.

My problem with the writing is that there was too much of it. It often got stale and long, and a bit repetitive. If this had been edited down a bit more, I would have enjoyed it more.

The actual plot of it was fine. I didn't find it scary, though I'll give you that it's disturbing. Most of the scare factors were just ick for me as opposed to fears- blood, guts, bugs, corpses. It's certainly unpleasant, but I didn't quite get the "I need to sleep with the lights on" type of feeling that I was hoping for in this book. Pennywise, beyond his glamour of a clown, is a very odd monster with very odd origins. The book takes a lot of really weird turns that left me a bit confused, although with some closure.

And then there's the whole pre-teen love fest bit. Which.... While nowhere near as graphic as the internet and other reviews had led me to believe... It was a very odd choice to put in the book.

I won't be reading this book again. It was perfectly fine, but because it was so rambling and not really scary, it wasn't my cup of tea. Stephen King doesn't need my validation though, and I already know there are thousands who disagree. More power to them and to him, because he keeps his audience coming back for more.

Valentine's Day Review & Giveaway: Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 3 edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel!

Title: Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 3
Editor: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: December 12th 2017
Source: Cleis Press


Book Description:

Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 3 delivers the kind of sexy stories you want most: daring, bold, and surprising tales of women who pursue their boundless passions anywhere and everywhere. Edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel, winner of multiple Independent Publishing Book Awards, these scintillating scenarios turn the tables on how women are "supposed" to behave. Instead, these uninhibited vixens indulge in their favorite fetishes, do deliciously intimate "Body Shots," and get tied up with "Red Satin Ribbons." They pose nude, dress up, and roleplay, always obeying their most exhilarating impulses. These lusty ladies take your most cherished, private fantasies--from making a sex tape, to taking part in a thrilling threesome, to having a stud delivered to your door hot and ready--and make them come alive. Written by beloved authors Abigail Barnette, Annabel Joseph, and Charlotte Stein along with several genre newcomers, these are erotic encounters you'll want to savor again and again and again...

Review:

★★★ ★

I love Cleis Press anthologies. The main reason why is that they are so diverse, and this book is no exception. There are 21 short stories in this book, but other than being labeled erotic, they couldn't be more different. There are characters of color. There are characters in the LGBTQ category. There are women who are submissive, and women who dominate. There's monogamous couples and polyamorous ones. There are characters in their senior years and ones who are squeaky clean and new. There are ones with realistic body types and even disabilities. It's pretty all inclusive, character-wise.

That expands to kinks and fetishes too. There's a little something for everyone. BDSM play. Exhibition. Ropes. Professional dominants. Roleplay. Even a paranormal experience. I appreciate that they're not all the same bland "oh I have handcuffs" type of erotica, which I see a lot of.

As any anthology will be, it's a bit of a mixed bag. The stories I didn't care for so much, it was either because I didn't care for the writing style or that the kinks involved are not my own (and that's okay!).

Rather than give a mini-review for 21 stories, I'm just going to highlight my top three favorite stories.

The first story that made my list is "Bibliophile" by Dee Blake. It involves a woman with a passionate love for all things books and literature, a mysterious book author, and a shared book appreciation that goes far beyond your local Barnes and Noble employees. It's well written, and because I also have a bit of a book fetish, I really enjoyed the angle of the plot.

The second story is called "Overexposed" by Brandy Fox. This story includes a photographer back in her home state for work, a former lover in the unlikely guise of a street performer, and a luxury hotel. I felt that in the few pages of story, the author really managed to make these two characters connect and have feelings beyond a night at a hotel. It seems hard to do, so well done there.

The final story that rounds out my list is titled "Romance and Drag" by Lyla Sage. This short story is a bundle of queer/gender-bendy deliciousness and includes a drag king, a drag queen, and a lot of flaming hotness shared between them. My partner is gender fluid, and I am queer, and this just happened to hit all of the right buttons for me.

Of course there were other stories I liked too, and some honorable mentions include: "Demon Purse" by Sommer Marsden (paranormal cosplay), "A Love Affair All My Own" by RJ Richardson (ballet, f/f), and "Tanked" by Lynn Townsend (private aquarium).

If you love erotica in all shapes and colors, this is something that'll heat up your winter night. The stories are quick and can be read in any order since they're independent from one another.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway:

Does this sound up your alley? Good news! Rachel Kramer Bussel has generously offered a copy to ONE US reader 18+.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Big Book of Submission, Volume 2 by Rachel Kramer Bussel

Title: The Big Book of Submission, Volume 2
Editor: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Format: ebook
Pub. Date: December 19th 2017
Source: Cleis Press


Book Description:

Whether you are simply curious about submission or regularly revel in the delights of BDSM, these sixty-nine erotic short stories about submissives will turn you on! From participating in a musical recital that takes a very kinky turn to making a grocery run while using sex toys to indulging in a risqué office encounter during working hours, these subs delight in obeying (or deliberately disobeying) their masters and mistresses in public and in private. They are rewarded and punished in the most wicked of ways that will leave you breathless. Edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel, with stories by Selena Kitt, Jade A. Waters, Dorothy Freed, and Sommer Marsden among other talented writers, The Big Book of Submission, Volume 2 offers arousing tales that delve deep into the thrills of spanking, bondage, power dynamics, service, exhibitionism, erotic adventure, and much more.

Review:

★★★★ ★

Rachel Kramer Bussel and Cleis Press have done it again. It's no secret that I absolutely adore these erotica anthologies. This one is no exception- in fact, The Big Book of Submission, Volume 2 goes above and beyond. There's so much erotic goodness to unpack here.

As mentioned, this is an anthology of erotic stories, the connecting theme of which is submission. There are 69 stories total. People tend to think of submission and domination as strictly black and white, perfect puzzle pieces. But this book just goes to show that if you ask 69 people what "submission" means to them- you will get 69 very different interpretations. Which is good news for us, since it ends up producing books like this one.

Submissives of so many different types get a story here. This is hands down the most inclusive erotica (anthology or otherwise) that I have ever read. There are switches. There are dominant Females both with men and with women. There are Dominant males, both with men and with women. In some instances, there's more than those two in the scene. There are some that fit into neither gender category. There are people of color. There are those who are young or new to the idea of BDSM. There are those who are more experienced (such as a grandmother) and those who have been in the scene a long time, sometimes even professionally. There are different body types; those who are small, or curvier, or scarred, or surgically affected. They have representation of so many folks here, it's awesome. Proof that not all erotica is a stuffy white hetero dude in a suit and a doe eyed brunette who has no idea what's going on. *cough* moving on.

As for kinks, there is absolutely something for everyone. Kinks for days, my friend. Including some very specific ones that I enjoy that I did not expect to see. (But which ones? That's up to you to figure out, a lady never tells unless we're Fetlife friends). Here's a very oversimplified list of some of the things you can expect in the way of kink: BDSM (obviously), bondage, rope, training, power struggles, pet play, spanking, a host of different toys, affairs, pegging, role play, blades, gender play, tickling, different time periods, accents/language, food, and strangers. There's bound (pun intended) to be something on this list that sets off your fires.

There are some stories that focus heavily on the connection or romance between characters, so if you're more vanilla-minded don't be scared away!

The few issues I had with this anthology are pretty standard comments about anthologies. Namely, they won't all be winners to everyone. There are some kinks that are not my kinks (and that's okay!) so I didn't enjoy them as much. There are some names/titles/euphanisms that turn me off. There are some writing styles that I just don't enjoy. But the good thing is that in 69 stories, the ones I enjoyed far outweighed the ones I did not.

Plus, each story is completely independent of the other stories, so you can scan or skip or delay the stories you don't think you'll enjoy, without effecting story lines or anything like that.

Rather than talk about all 69 stories and their negative and positive traits, I'm going to highlight my three favorite stories from this collection.

The first is "Chased by the Wolf" by Mischa Eliot. It involves a male Dominant and a female submissive, a costume party, collaring, and a Predators and Prey themed party hosted at the zoo. This party- where dominants dress as predators, and submissives as prey- sounds like one I would absolutely go to. The writing style is playful but alluring, and stands out to me because of costuming and event type.

The second story is called "My Girl, My Boy, My Enby" by Annabeth Leong. The pairing in question here involves a female Dominant, and a submissive who is gender non-binary, who has "girl days" and "boy days" and "non-binary days". This stands out to me because it is honestly the first erotica I have ever read that has a non-binary character in it. And that means the world to me. My fiance is NB, so I was more into, more connected to this story and it set off sparks I didn't know I had. Well done you. It felt very intimate while still being dirty, it was a good balance.

The final story I'd like to highlight is called Oktoberfest Addiction by Roxanna Cross. It involves a male Dominant and a female submissive. It also involves Oktoberfest, risque themed outfits, hair ribbon bondage (fantastic idea), and German mustard in some very interesting places. I like women in dirndl dresses, food, and Germany. Sue me. It was very fun to read, and again the tone was a bit playful and a bit cheeky. It sounded like a fun festival that I'd love to be a part of.

Some other 5 star stories that get a shout out include "Metamorphosis" by Emanuelle de Maupassant (books, public play, libraries), "Imago" by Anna Sky (tattoo guns), "Cari's Recital" by Rod Harden (ha) [public play, bondage, piano], and "Apprendimento" by Kathleen Tudor (punishment, clothes pins, f/f).

All in all this book is one that has a secure place on my erotica shelf. It's such a mixed bag (in a good way!) of different stories and pairings and fantasies and even time periods. It's like hitting "shuffle" on my dirty thoughts, and that's a great thing.

If you're a fan of BDSM, erotica, RKB's other anthologies, or even sex in general, there's something in this book for you.

Thanks to Cleis Press who gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Secrets in the Cellar by John Glatt

Title: Secrets in the Cellar

Author: John Glatt

Format: Hardcover, 248 pages

Pub. Date: January 1st 2009

Source: Purchased from Goodwill.



Book Description via Goodreads:

Josef Fritzl was a 73-year-old retired engineer in Austria. He seemed to be living a normal life with his wife, Rosemarie, and their family--though one daughter, Elisabeth, had decades earlier been "lost" to a religious cult. Throughout the years, three of Elisabeth's children mysteriously appeared on the Fritzls' doorstep; Josef and Rosemarie raised them as their own. But only Josef knew the truth about Elisabeth's disappearance…

For twenty-seven years, Josef had imprisoned and molested Elisabeth in his man-made basement dungeon, complete with sound-proof paneling and code-protected electric locks. There, she would eventually give birth to a total of seven of Josef's children. One died in infancy--and the other three were raised alongside Elisabeth, never to see the light of day.

Then, in 2008, one of Elisabeth's children became seriously ill, and was taken to the hospital. It was the first time the nineteen-year-old girl had ever gone outside--and soon, the truth about her background, her family's captivity, and Josef's unspeakable crimes would come to light.

John Glatt's Secrets in the Cellar is the true story of a crime that shocked the world.

Review:

★★

So, I'll be the first to confess that I was swept up in this case when it was first brought to the public eye. It's morbid, yes, but it's also fascinating. I had done research online to find out all that had happened, and learned that there were some books on the subject. Coincidentally, I stumbled upon this one at a thrift store and I couldn't resist picking it up. Unfortunately, it wasn't that great of a book.

This is a part of the True Crime book series, that is, a series of factual books that examine real life crime cases. True crime. So it really bothered me that the author used fictionalizations on the people in this book who are real people, and not characters. More than once, things like this were said: "He must have known he was evil" or "she must have been scared". The author doesn't know that. Stick to the facts, and quit trying to make an already horrible story more dramatic. This extends to the passages about Josef's personal life, where the prostitutes talked about how rough and violent he was, so that only a few of them would let him be a client anymore. He makes himself look evil- we don't need to look at his BDSM lifestyle to make him even more villainous. The prostitutes did take him as a client, and did their job. While it might be morally wrong since he had a wife, this seemed like an unnecessary add on to a guy who could already be a Batman villain. He doesn't need puffing up, he's horrid on his own.

The book as a whole also wasn't written very well. It was really repetitive. You could tell when the author was really proud of a phrase or a thought, because it would show up multiple times throughout the book. There were sentences that were awkward and ended with prepositions. There's also misuse of the word "irony". It feels rushed and it probably was, as everyone was quick to make a buck off of someone else's tragedy.

Personally, I also didn't really learn that much more from this book. I knew most of this from previously reading articles online. If you've never heard of this case or only know the rough story of what happened, I'm sure that you'd find it more interesting and engrossing than I did.

That said, the case is fascinating, so the book isn't a total loss. I appreciated the fact that in the middle of the hardcover edition, there's a few pages of photographs. I did think it weird though that the author vividly describes some photographs that are not included in these pages. I thought for sure it would be included, since he was so detailed, but nope.

I'm not sorry I read this book, but I'm not holding onto it either. It's the kind of book you only need once. If you're interested in crimes, nonfiction, or this case in particular, I'd recommend at least flipping through it, but maybe get it from a library instead of running out to the store to buy it.

Review: When the Balls Drop by Brad Garrett

Title: When the Balls Drop

Author: Brad Garrett

Format: egalley

Pub. Date: May 5 2015

Source: Gallery Books



Book Description via Goodreads:

A refreshingly candid and wickedly funny look at life's second half from Everybody Loves Raymond TV sitcom star and comic Brad Garrett.

In this no-holds-barred book of comedic and personal essays, Brad Garrett waxes hilarious--and irreverently honest--about the gaffes, challenges, and ultimately the joys of middle age as he advises us on how to best approach the dreaded "second half" of life.

Ranging in topics from genetics to genitals, weight to women, and dating to diarrhea, Brad leaves no stone unturned in this laugh-out-loud look at getting older. With pieces such as "No Scales in Heaven," in which Brad points out the essential pointlessness of overthinking diet and exercise, and "Celebrating Your E.D. (erectile dysfunction) During Your Mid-Life Crisis," the star comedian encourages you to forget the overwhelming concerns that accompany middle age and to welcome the laughs--even if you have a fifty-fifty chance of throwing your back out in doing so.

Penned in Brad's signature witty, conversational, no-nonsense style that has cemented his status as an icon in the comedy industry, this autobiographical book will teach you the most important thing: that, no matter what, we're all in this together. So embrace it.

Review:

★★★

I've always loved the show Everybody Loves Raymond. I watched it all the time growing up, and I recently fell in love with it all over again, since all of the seasons are currently streaming on Netflix. Garrett's character, Robert, is my favorite on that show. So, when I came across this memoir, I figured I'd give it a shot. Overall, it's a pretty entertaining read.

What I didn't expect was his sense of humor. I only really know him from his two sitcoms, Everybody Loves Raymond and 'Til Death, and maybe a few spots on talk shows like The Talk. He is way edgier and funnier than I expected. He's pretty racy, and often makes racial and sexual jokes. I honestly didn't expect that! It made me laugh, but sometimes I thought it went too far or got too personal. Comedy is subjective, so I'm sure not everyone else will think so. He's pretty blunt and honest, and in some sections this really worked, but others not so much.

I will say that I recommend "reading" this on audiobook instead of an ebook or paperback. Garrett has a tremendously recognizable voice. Whether you know him from the sitcoms, or things like Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, or Night at the Museum, when his voice comes on screen you know it's him. I think a lot of the comedy is lost in not being able to hear him say it himself. Recently, I had this same problem with comedian Jim Gaffigan's book Dad is Fat too.

This is a pretty solid book. It's a fairly fast read and gives interesting insight into his life. I would recommend the audio version so you can truly appreciate jokes that otherwise fall a bit flat. If sex or bad language offends you, you might want to read the memoir of a different comedian. Fans of his stand-up or acting should give it a go.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Bald New World by Peter Tieryas!

Title: Bald New World

Author: Peter Tieryas

Format: Paperback, 214 pages

Pub. Date: June 2014

Source: Goodreads First Reads



Book Description via Goodreads:

Selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the Best Science Fiction Books of Summer 2014 and listed on Buzzfeed's 15 Highly Anticipated Books of 2014, Bald New World asks the question:

What if everyone in the world lost their hair?

Nick Guan and his friend Larry Chao are a pair of eccentric filmmakers who choose to explore the existential angst of their balding world through cinema. Larry is heir to one of the most lucrative wig companies in the world. Nick is a man who’s trying to make sense of the tatters of his American dream. Taking place throughout China and America, the pair set off on a series of misadventures involving North Korean spies, veterans of an African War, and digital cricket fighters. Their journey leads them to discover some of the darkest secrets behind wig-making and hair in a hairless world.

"After my heart gives out and I'm on the operating table for emergency surgery, I will have told my physicians and surgeons to replace my heart with Peter Tieryas Liu's Bald New World, or any of his books really, because that's what I think of when I think of Liu's writing--heart. Similar to the work of Philip K. Dick, this parodic dystopia is steeped in futuristic technology that further bridges the gap between man and machine. Still, whether watching the latest episode of the immensely popular reality show Jesus the General or sparring against an opponent in the blood-sport known as cricket fighting, the humanity of our narrator shines through. Although we humans are capable of doing and creating sad, funny, glorious, devious things, we also persevere and adapt, survive. I wonder what Huxley would think of this, but he's dead. You're not, so read this book, feel alive."
-Jason Jordan, author of Pestilence, editor of decomP

"The boldly imaginative Bald New World follows Nicholas Guan, a military type tasked to digitally touch up scenes of carnage, in his misadventures from Korea to a futuristic California and in his frenzied dash from Gamble Town to China . The novel tells of beautifully flawed characters, the blurring distinction between reality and virtual environments, the comical yet chilling wave of religious fanaticism, and a world battling a strange malady called the Great Baldification, an ingenious symbol of human vanity. Peter Tieryas Liu’s Bald New World is vivid, exhilarating, and wildly entertaining." –Kristine Ong Muslim, author of We Bury the Landscape and Grim Series

"Bald New World is a hypnotic, surreal, and insightful novel, blending Blade Runner and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle to create a dark, funny, and captivating story. One of the best books I've read this year."—Richard Thomas, Staring Into the Abyss

Review:

★★★

Every once in a while, there exists a book that is really hard for me to review. This is one of them. Through no real fault of the book or the author that I can identify, this book and I just didn't click very well.

It wasn't badly written or anything. In fact, I absolutely loved the world building throughout this book. Bald New World is an adult-age dystopian novel that involves the entire human population losing their hair for an unknown reason. It's a fascinating concept and overall it was executed pretty well. There's a good amount of humor in this book, and the author is often well detailed in his descriptions. The plot tends to wander now and again, so it was hard to follow in some parts. There was also a bit of repetition with vocabulary: it didn't bother me TOO much, but it was abundant enough that I noticed it while reading it.

I can't really think of anything that I didn't like, but there's not too much other than the world building that I loved either. It was a book that while I'm not sorry I read, I don't think that I will read it again in the future. I recommend it to people really enjoy science fiction. I definitely think that this was just a case of it's not you, it's me book, and that a lot of other people will really love it!

I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads Program in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

PRIDE Month Review & Giveaway: Best Lesbian Romance edited by Radclyffe!

Title: Best Lesbian Romance of the Year

Author: Radclyffe

Format: Paperback, 244 pages

Pub. Date: June 9th 2015

Source: Cleis Press



Book Description via Goodreads:

The stories in Best Lesbian Romance 2015 will have readers falling in love with love all over again. A celebration of the swooning sensation of a first crush, the dizzying feel of a first touch and the raw electric elation of sexual passion are all captured here. Radclyffe, the highly lauded romance novelist and master editor always covers the full range of lesbian love- a real spectrum of experience with plenty of room for passion and possibility, as praised by The Advocate, "Every story the human heart can tell."

Review:

★★★

Ah. Lesbian romance. I'm a sucker for a good female/female romance, since my partner and I are happily in love and she is in fact a female. I was excited when Best Lesbian Romance fell into my hands. I love Cleis anthologies, I love lesbians, and I love romance- what's not to like? Overall, this was a really enjoyable book that offers something for everyone. There are different pairings that make each story unique- new lovers, old lovers, "straight" women, butches, femmes. There are tons of variations in these stories, and I think that's part of what makes this book a pleasant one to read. There are 18 independent short stories in this book, so it's easy to read either all at once, or in bite sized little pieces.

Since it's an anthology, the stories were hit and miss for me. I loved some, but didn't enjoy others as much. It's unprofessional and disrespectful to call out specific stories and why I didn't like them, in my opinion, so I'll be vague. There's a negative stereotype in the LGBT community that lesbians move too fast in relationships. It's a running joke. That's how I felt about some of these. These are short stories, so you only have a limited space to create love- I understand that. But a lot of them felt rushed, and not in a whimsical love-at-first-sight kind of way. I was also irritated at a story that kept referring to a girl as a nerd or a geek (I got it the first time) and a story where it closed with the main character saying "Love you too." "Love you" and "I love you" are two very different tones to this reader.

Now that the unpleasant bits are out of the way, I'd like to take my review space to highlight the good stories instead of going over all of the bad. I'd like to share with you my three favorite stories in this anthology. The following stories are in no particular order. The first story that I loved is called "Red Velvet Cake" by Tamsin Flowers. I've read Flowers' work before and loved it, and this story definitely lives up to my admiration of her. This story involves a barista, a loyal customer, and a flirty game of "do you like girls or not". The title drew me in first, admittedly, as I adore red velvet cake. But the whole coffee shop romance thing came off as steamy as a good espresso and sweeter than a frappe. The second story that stood out to me is called "Waterfall" by LT Masters. This tells the tale of a lover left waiting, a stranded and injured hiker, and a hidden cave in the woods. I thought this one was really sincere and it made me all warm and fuzzy inside. I'd really like to see it become part of a longer story arc, but that's just me being greedy, I'm sure ;) I love hiking and the woods, so this was an extra fun read for me. The last one that I'd like to highlight is called "Gargoyle Lovers" by Sacchi Green. This is another author whom I've read before and really enjoyed, so it's not at all surprising that this is one of my top picks. This story includes a honeymoon trip to Paris, a chained rendez-vous on a balcony, a fascination with gargoyles, and a trip to the local adult shop. This one was equal parts of dreamy and sexy, and honestly has created a whole new fantasy that I'd like to bring to life, s'il vous plait.

I tried to just do three, but I am giving an honorable mention to "Like a Breath of Ocean Blue" by Elizabeth Banks, and the story she weaves using the ocean, Kahlua, and a tourist-y t-shirt shop. It's summery and nice, and it's summery and nice while I'm reading it, so it was an extra nice treat.

All in all, I think that this is an anthology that blends together the sex scenes Cleis Press is known for, softened by the melty, warm feeling of falling in love all over again. I'd recommend it to lesbian readers, fans of F/F romance, or even just romance in general. I'm happy to display this on my shelf, and I'm sure I'll revisit some of these stories again.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Get It Now

Amazon | Cleis Press | BN

Giveaway:

Cleis Press was awesome enough to offer up a copy for one lucky reader! 18+, USA only.

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Mini Review: W.W.W.O.M. Witches, Wizards and Winks?...Oh My! by Mary Puma

Title: W.W.W.O.M. Witches, Wizards and Winks?...Oh My!
Author: Mary Puma
Format: Paperback, 208 pages
Pub. Date: 2012
Source: Goodreads Firstreads


Book Description via Goodreads:

"A powerful, moving story of a woman who lived, lost and wants to live again."

W.W.W.O.M.is an 'authentic' autobiography from the Wicked Witch of the West who has been trying to get her true story out for centuries using the only form of communication available to her -- conduit authors.

The Wicked Witch knows the only path to obtain her freedom from purgatory, find restoration (and obtain a pulse again), is to break a curse as old as her translucent green skin. And unfortunately, she must pass through our level of existence to get there.

She has been attempting to punch through long before conduit authors L.Frank Baum and Gregory Maguire. Her truths have been misinterpreted, misunderstood and distorted more times than she cares to count...

Her latest conduit author is refreshingly accurate in her ability to translate an uncensored account of the Witch's life. (Don't mistake this remark as kindness...) for this witch, there is 'real' freedom in truth.

Review:

★★

Oh dear. I didn't much care for this one at all, so I'll keep my review quick. I was really excited to get a chance to review this, because I love the Wizard of Oz, and really enjoyed the book Wicked. However, this won't be added to my shelves any time soon.

First, on Goodreads, there are people labeling this book as young adult and children age range- NO. This book is chock full of profane language. While I'm an adult and not really offended by such language, it is definitely not a children's retelling. And honestly, even as an adult, I thought it was a bit over the top. It brought to mind the idea that those who can't speak well fill it in with swear words.

I hated the characters. They were each unlikeable. If this book was a way to try and get to know the wicked witch better in order to garner more sympathy or something, it definitely didn't work. By the end, I didn't really care what was happening to any particular character. The witch was mean and nasty, and honestly kind of trashy.

The writing was hit and miss for me. The beginning of the book was really boring and disconnected, but it picked up speed and my interest gradually.

This book did keep my interest enough to read until the end. I also really, really like the concept. I see what the author was going for, but for me it was too harsh. The concept and the fact that it held my attention are what let this book maintain its second star.

If you're a die-hard fan of Wizard of Oz, or are offended by sex, profanity, and violence, this is not the book for you. This is also not a children's story, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone younger than adulthood.

Thanks to Goodreads First Reads program for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Best Sex Writing of the Year edited by Jon Pressick!

Title: Best Sex Writing of the Year: The Year's Most Challenging and Provocative Essays on the Subject of Sex
Author: Jon Pressick
Format: Paperback, 256 pages
Pub. Date: March 17 2015
Source: Cleis Press


Book Description via Goodreads:

This first volume of Best Sex Writing of the Year features a number of significant bloggers and some of the most important stories of the past two years. Alexandria Goddard is the blogger who made the important connections in the historic Steubenville Rape Case; Epiphora is the most renowned and saucy sex toy reviewer who has legions of dedicated followers; Lux Alptraum has recently sold the wildly successful Fleshbot and taken an editorial position at Nerve. These contributors (and many others) know the words that sell online, and their presence in this collection will carry tremendous weight with readers.

At the same time, this anthology features topics that have not received as much attention in previous editions. Jiz Lee raises exasperated hands to the ongoing ban of fisting in porn. Internationally acclaimed musician Ember Swift recounts her sexual appetites while she was pregnant. David Henry Sterry remembers his experience as a sex worker providing service to an 82-year-old woman. People — including those beyond the sex community — are learning to consider sex from many different angles, and this collection covers a great number of them.

Review:

★★★★

I have to say, I think this is a great concept for a book. Most of the books that I get published by Cleis Press are fictional short stories, but this book isn't that kind of writing. This is a collection of scholarly articles, each written under the blanketed category of "sex". I'm currently in college and I'm getting a minor in Sexuality Studies. I can say with certainty that I will be citing at least some of these articles in my research in the future as I earn my degree.

I'm not going to lay out all thirty-ish essays that are featured in this book (buy it and read it!), but I will talk briefly about some of the essays that I found the most interesting. One of these is entitled "I Am the Blogger Who Allegedly 'Complicated' the Steubenville Gang Rape Case- and I Wouldn't Change a Thing" written by Alexandria Goddard. As the title suggests, this as an article that reflects on the awful rape case that happened a few years ago, written by a blogger who had captured screenshots and tweets and posted them to spread some light on the situation of just how bad the case was. I'm pretty sure that there's not an adult or teenage American who hasn't heard of this case. It's fascinating to see the shitstorm unfold from such a perspective as Alexandria's, who was both praised and looked down on for her posting of content that the teens had willingly posted (rather stupidly) themselves to social media. I digress. Another essay that I found really interesting is called "When I Was a Birthday Present for an Eighty-Two-Year-Old Grandmother" by David Henry Sterry. Again, the title kind of sums it up, it's about the author's job, where he was hired as an escort for a woman's birthday. It's an interesting view of things, and you get an emotional and almost satisfaction hearing his story.

This book is enlightening and brings a lot of unique voices to the table. It's definitely worth giving a read if you at all have sex- er go, all of you adults should read it. It's insightful and informative, and very smartly done. It's my understanding that this is the first edition of this, implying that there will be more. I definitely hope that's the case, because I think it fills a need that's lacking in modern publication.

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Review: Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor

Title: Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic: And Other Opinions I Can't Back Up With Facts
Author: Stefanie Wilder-Taylor
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: April 7th 2015
Source: Gallery Books


Book Description via Goodreads:

From the popular mommy blogger and seasoned author of Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay and Naptime Is the New Happy Hour comes this hilarious book of honest, no-holds-barred musings on motherhood.

Stefanie Wilder-Taylor is officially fed up with the endless mommy fads, trends, studies, findings, and facts about how to raise children. Tiger Mom or Cool Mom? Organic or vegan? TV is the devil or TV is a godsend?

The mother of three young girls, Stefanie has finally decided to hell with Google she's going to find out how to be a mom all on her own. In this latest mommy book from the popular blogger, author, and TV personality, Stefanie will share her secrets for achieving a balance in motherhood between being protective and caring, and downright batshit crazy. She'll debunk some of the looniest parenting myths and reinforce others; she'll describe how, through as simple a process as good old trial-and-error, she's learned to pick and choose what works for her and her family, and tune out the rest.

Filled with sage advice, laugh-out-loud stories, and Stefanie's signature wit, Gummi Bears Should Not Be Organic is sure to appeal to any and every renegade mom who's forged her own path to childrearing.

Review:

★★

I really wanted to like this book. The blurb sounded great, the title is hilarious, and who doesn't want to read a book with a big red gummi bear on the cover? Unfortunately, I think this book is another example of "just wasn't for me".

I don't have kids, but I can enjoy a book about parenting if it's well done and if I connect to it. I didn't have that connection to this book. I had never heard of the author before, so I was unfamiliar with her type of humor. She's funny, no getting around that. But I didn't laugh as much as I was meant to, I don't think. There were quite a few places where it was trying way too hard to be funny, which had the opposite effect of laughter. Other times (and I had this issue not that long ago with Jim Gaffigan's parenting book), the humor just comes off as smug.

Actually, that's kind of how I felt about this book. That "here's an example of all the things I do with my kids and I support your own systems, but mine is better and I'm judging you a bit". I know that no two parents agree on every method of raising a kid, but this book serves as a reminder of how judgy the parent pool can be. I also didn't really learn anything from this book. There were no moments where I thought "Wow, that's such a great idea, I'll have to remember that for my kids!" That's not to say that the author gives bad advice: she doesn't. It's very reasonable advice that in general just has to do with finding balance- not too much, not too little. I agree that this is a good approach to parenting. There just wasn't anything new to me.

Despite my issues with this book, I think people will like it more than I did. Like I said, I think this is an example of it's not you, book, it's me. Maybe it's funnier and more relatable if you're a parent, or if you're older than I am. Or maybe you just need a different sense of humor than I have. This isn't a bad book, but it's one I was disconnected to.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review- Sex and Cupcakes: A Juicy Collection of Essays by Rachel Kramer Bussel!

Title: Sex and Cupcakes: A Juicy Collection of Essays
Author: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Format: Kindle Edition, 64 pages
Pub. Date: October 16th 2014
Source: Thought Catalog Books & Rachel Kramer Bussel


Book Description via Goodreads:

Sex and Cupcakes is a collection of essays from writer Rachel Kramer Bussel reflecting on her years as a sex columnist and cupcake blogger, detailing her dirty and sweet sides as well as sexual adventures, politics, heartbreak, tattoos and more. Sex and Cupcakes reveals the woman behind the stereotype, one far more complex than Carrie Bradshaw and her Manolos, a woman willing to expose herself, on paper and in the flesh, who takes risks and gets hurt and keeps on searching for love, sex, passion and happiness. Includes essays such as “I’m Pro-Choice and I F***,” “Wearing My Tattooed Heart On My Sleeve,” “My Boyfriend’s Fat,” “Champagne Sex,” and “Monogamishmash.”

Review:

★★★★

Sex and Cupcakes is a collection of thoughtful and thought provoking essays from erotica writer (and so much more) Rachel Kramer Bussel. I've read a countless number of her short stories, articles, and anthologies, but this collection of essays is the one that most connected me to her. I feel like these essays act as a window into what makes Rachel, well, Rachel, and it was definitely an interesting read.

What I like about these thoughts is their honesty. They cover a wide range of topics, from body image to erotica writing to cupcake blogging, and each chapter serves to talk about a different facet of life. It kind of underlines the fact that each of us has so many different sides and pieces and masks that we show to different people. What makes me most appreciate her honesty is that it is done with utmost respect while still not sugar coating anything. For example, in one of the essays she talks about how her experience with polyamory was not a good one and that it didn't seem to be for her. However, while talking about that, she never insults the culture or the people in it, which is sadly something that happens a lot when people offer their opinion. It was something that I definitely noticed, in a positive way.

This collection of essays is a sincere one that is fairly quick to read, but offers a lot of information. I've toyed around with the idea of writing erotic short stories myself, but I always somehow manage to talk myself out of it. Rachel offers advice and tips on how to go about writing and getting published, and honestly she made me have a motivation, a want to test my writing skills to see what I could do. Props for that.

I also liked that these essays had citations/recommendations. If she thought a topic needed more exploring, she provided names of books or authors so the reader could go and investigate further. If she had something to say in response to a particular book or article, it was quoted and cited and then intelligently responded to.

This collection gives an interesting insight into the world of erotica, sexuality, and writing in general. I'd recommend it to those in the erotic writing field or to fans of Rachel Kramer Bussel's other works.

Thanks to Thought Catalog Books & Rachel Kramer Bussel for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Blog Tour- Double Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway of A Story of Submission Trilogy by Alison Tyler!

Book One:

Title: Dark Secret Love

Series: A Story of Submission #1

Author: Alison Tyler

Release Date: September 17th 2013

Publisher: Cleis Press

Book Summary:

Dark Secret Love is a modern-day Story of O, a 9 1/2 Weeks-style journey fueled by lust, longing and the search for true love. Inspired by her BDSM lifestyle and based on her private diaries, Tyler draws on her twenty-five years' experience penning sultry stories to create a scorchingly hot work of autobiographical fiction, a meta-novel with reality at the core.

Take a deep breath and get your safe word handy. Alison Tyler will push your boundaries to their limits—and have you begging for more.

Review:

★★★★

Alison Tyler is one of my favorite erotic writers. I've read a fair number of her anthologies, but never an independent story/novel until I got a hold of this trilogy. Her excellent writing shines even more when she is given more pages to work with. She has a gift for pulling her readers (at least, for pulling) me into her stories, and this one is no exception. I was drawn into Dark Secret Love from the prologue. Tyler's writing ensured that I was with Samantha for every scene, every emotion, and every pain that she felt, and I loved it.

Part of this attachment is probably because this book is a blend of nonfiction and fiction, as Tyler explains in the introduction. I think this gives the book a more personal feel, a raw honesty that I don't often find in BDSM-related books. Maybe that's why I like Samantha so much. I related to this main character so much. The desire for pain, the silent "know" that some people just have about those into the scene. These are all things I've experienced, so I felt for Samantha all the stronger. She was my favorite character. I wasn't always the biggest fan of some of her Dom's decisions, so I wasn't as connected to him.

This is a book about exploration into a dark, sexual place. It was fascinating to see Samantha and her emotions and relationships shape over the course of the novel, and I think that it's something that a lot of people in the BDSM scene will relate to. While I can't speak for everyone, I can certainly say that this sub did.

The sex scenes are well written to say the least. They're detailed, dirty, and I'm sure other D words that I've forgotten. There's plenty of them, and they're sure to arouse you. Even some of the darker scenes- and this book is definitely dark- will tug at people and take them by surprise. That said there is more to sex in this book. It's a blend of romance and erotica and nonfiction and fantasy all with a haunting dark tone lying underneath. It sounds like it has a lot of things put into one, but somehow it works. It works really well.

A quick note on the cover: I think it's perfect. It's feminine and almost innocent looking, but blended with the cuffs it perfectly symbolizes the journey it holds between the covers.

This is one of the few full length novels featuring BDSM themes that I've ever read, and I'm glad that I gave it a try. This is the first book in a trilogy, and I will definitely be continuing on with the series. This is an adult book with adult themes: explicit sex, BDSM, profanity, and things of that nature. If you're a reader over 18+ who have an interest in erotica, bondage, BDSM, or sex in general, I definitely recommend that you check this book out.

I was provided a copy by Cleis Press in exchange for my honest review.

Book Two:

Title: The Delicious Torment

Series: A Story of Submission #2

Author: Alison Tyler

Release Date: December 16th 2013

Publisher: Cleis Press

Book Summary:

The second in a series of novels by bondage connoisseur Alison Tyler features heroine Samantha progressing with her predilections and exploring the deepest recesses of her master's dungeon and her heart. The Delicious Torment is a Story of O meets 9 1/2 Weeks coming-of-age tale fueled by lust, longing, and based on the author's personal diaries. The Delicious Torment takes readers to Sunset Strip, way up in the sky in a penthouse apartment overlooking Los Angeles with a love affair ensconced in an S&M relationship filled with corsets, crops, and plenty of kink. In the introduction Tyler notes, "This is a novel with me at the center. That is, my heroine is based on me. I’ve sketched her with broad strokes, but at our core we are the same. She’s gotten herself entwined with an older man — nothing new there. But now she has to learn how to maneuver a 24/7 relationship."

Review:

★★★★ ★

4.5/5 stars.

Wow. Unlike book one of this trilogy (which don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoyed), The Delicious Torment has left me with far more feelings. The problem is, these feelings are more complex and plentiful than I'm used to, and are harder to process. I was expecting to like this book, but I wasn't expecting to like it better. Please excuse me in advance if this review isn't the most cohesive thing that I've ever written.

This book is a stunning example of Tyler's writing. I think it's absolutely incredible the way that woman can weave a story. She is so detailed that I would swear I was right there in the story. Logically, I know that this is (at least somewhat) a work of fiction and that's not possible. But the emotions are so intense that it's scary, and the visuals are so clear that it's almost filmic. This is especially skillful, because she uses something almost like subliminal detail: there's no long winded paragraphs that talk about the colors of the sunset for three pages, or wordy sentences about the way an autumn road looks. Her words are compacted, to the point, and precise. Each word feels hand-plucked for the page, like an elaborate puzzle.

Honestly, if you had ever asked me if I'd ever describe a BDSM romance that way prior to reading Tyler's work, I would have probably laughed and told you no way. But here we are. It's fantastic.

I think part of why I enjoyed this work more than the first book is the menage turn that the story takes. Jack and Samantha are the main stars of this book, but it isn't too long before Jack's assistant, Alex, gets involved. This makes everything more challenging, more intense, and just more. I'm a sucker for a good menage story, and this book definitely scratches that itch.

Samantha continues her self-exploration and honestly, I kind of love her. She's so strong and dedicated and my inner submissive longs to be a bit more like her. She puts herself through so much pain and struggle and so many obstacles/challenges that it's rather impressive. I felt the same attraction and relation to her that I felt in book one, possibly even more so.

A note on the cover of this book: I absolutely love the way it matches the first (and third) books in the trilogy. I also think it's a great reflection of the book, because her hands are open and up in a more submissive pose than the first one and the shading and colors of the books are darker. Just like Samantha.

This is a sequel, but in my opinion it can be read by itself. Though, I would recommend reading book one and really as much of Alison Tyler's work as possible. This is a dark but beautifully written BDSM novel that I'd recommend to any erotica or BDSM fan who wants more from their book than just sex. (Though don't worry- there's plenty of that too!)

Thanks to Cleis Press for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Book Three:

Title: Wrapped Around Your Finger

Series: A Story of Submission #3

Author: Alison Tyler

Release Date: September 9th 2014

Publisher: Cleis Press

Book Summary:

Entirely suited to one another, Jack and Samantha continue to explore their sultry, kink-drenched love affair. Jack, a dominant’s Dom, pushes Samantha’s boundaries, making Sam do things she’d never thought she wanted to — never believed she would. He takes her in public, on stage, punishes her with both sensory deprivation and erotic overload. And then he proves to her that all of those actions suit her to perfection. Costumes, erotic toys, role-playing, and a 24/7 BDSM-lifestyle fulfill Samantha’s dirtiest dreams. Yet can she manage to stretch her love for Jack to incorporate his carnal need for his male assistant, Alex, as well? Take the ride with this deviant trio and enjoy their complicated, intricate, happily ever after

Excerpt:

From Book 3, Wrapped Around Your Finger

I never smoked.
So when he saw me with that cigarette in hand he took the symbol to mean that I was messing with him. At least, that’s how he acted.
“Where did you get that?”
First words out of his lips.
I didn’t even try to inhale. “Found it.”
He laughed darkly, a 180-degree flip of the laugh he’d given me when I’d appeared as a French Maid. This was his don’t-lie-to-me laugh. I’d been hoping for some “Daddy’s gonna teach you not to smoke” scene, and what I’d walked into was, “Daddy’s gonna teach you not to go through his drawers,” which was something different
entirely, let me tell you
“Give me that.”
I walked forward, so meek already, the cocky attitude disappearing in a breath. I handed over the cigarette and watched as Jack walked to the balcony and stubbed it out. I was already trembling. The events of this evening kept catching me off balance. I felt as if I didn’t know where I was, what I was doing.
“Now tell me,” Jack said, returning to the living room and sitting down on the sofa, so that I was standing in front of him like the naughty fucking schoolgirl I was dressed as. “What was going through your twisted mind when you grabbed that pack?”
“I thought…” I started.
“No,” he interrupted, “you weren’t thinking. If you’d been thinking, you wouldn’t have opened the drawer.”
“I mean,” I said, feeling the flush of heat creeping up my jaw. “I was trying to find something else. Something extra for the outfit.”
He nodded, as if he understood, but his face had that look I couldn’t read. Was he playing with me or was he actually upset? I could never tell. Didn’t matter though.
The results would be the same.
“Bend over the table,” he said now. The coffee table was low, and I had to kneel in order to obey, but I did so immediately, supremely grateful not to have to be looking at him anymore. His eyes were scaring me. That wasn’t a comforting feeling.
Jack didn’t move, and I didn’t speak. Time played with my head. I knew he was staring at me. I could feel his gaze on me. But I kept my face down, aware of the fear running through my body and the arousal building by the second. I would not fail again. I would wait, no matter how long he took, for his next instruction.
Finally, Jack stood, and relief made me sigh. Relief that didn’t actually materialize. I’d thought he would unbuckle his belt, but Jack headed to the bedroom instead. I heard his footsteps, heard the sound of his cabinet opening, but kept my head down. I would behave, I told myself. In spite of being dressed as the most insolent schoolgirl of all time.
I would make Jack proud.
When Jack returned, I didn’t look up to see what implement he’d chosen. I kept my eyes lowered, trying to show him with my attitude that I was learning, that I was submissive and humble and…
Jack would have none of that. “Kiss it,” he said, brandishing the paddle in front of me.
Jack had chosen the one with the studs, and I had to muster pure courage to raise up and press my glossy lips to the hateful thing.
“What are you being spanked for?” Jack asked next, and my shoulders sagged. I wanted him to simply spank me. I hated lectures or being asked to name my sins. I understood that this was why Jack insisted on this part of the scene. Still, I didn’t even try to get away with, “Because I was smoking.” We both knew I’d gone way beyond that lie.
“I went through your drawers.”
“Yes, you did.”
“I shouldn’t have done that without your permission.”
“Right again,” Jack said.
“I’m sorry, Jack.” I actually glanced up at him this time, and he gave me a little half smile, as if he couldn’t help himself. I must have looked so fucking pathetic.
“No,” he said, as I’d known he would. It was almost a ritual between us, the words he said next. “No, you’re not sorry. Not yet. But you will be.”
He started by spanking me against the plaid pleated skirt. The pain was muffled, and Jack knew this. I think he was giving me a moment to gather my thoughts, to steal my emotions.
He raised my skirt after only a few blows, smacking the paddle on top of my panties. I always managed to forget how much this particular paddle could hurt. I drew in my breath, trying to find a way to deal with the sensation, but Jack was working too quickly. Slapping the paddle repeatedly from one cheek to the other, then covering both with the full length of the mean thing. I white-knuckled the edge of the table to keep myself steady. I didn’t want to make a mistake and try to cover my already smarting ass with my hands, didn’t want to irk Jack any more than I already had unintentionally. I didn’t even want to think about what would happen if I failed again.

Buy it here: Amazon | BN | Cleis Press

Giveaway:

Cleis Press has generously offered a set of ALL THREE BOOKS to one winner! 18+, US/CAN only. Full rules in the form below :) Good luck!

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Blog Tour Interview, Review, & Giveaway: The Ultimate Guide to Sex After 50 by Joan Price!

Title: The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Fifty: How to Maintain or Regain a Spicy, Satisfying Sex Life
Author: Joan Price
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: December 22nd 2014
Source: Cleis Press


Book Description via Goodreads:

The population over age 50 is larger than ever in history. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 32.1 percent of the U.S. population were age 50 and over in 2011. This demographic is also healthier, more aware, more youthful, and more vocal than any previous older generation. Thanks to ongoing medical discoveries, the sexual revolution, and the Internet, today’s seniors are also sexier than ever or at least they’re now willing to talk and ask about sex as never before. They are the generation that discovered clitoral orgasms, vibrators, and Viagra, and there’s no stopping the thirst for knowledge and pleasure now. Since 2005, Joan Price has penned Better Than I Ever Expected: Straight Talk About Sex After Sixty and emerged as the go-to sexpert for the over-50 population. Price's savvy advice, honesty, helpfulness, and humor garnered awareness in the media, in professional circles of therapists and sex educators, and among the huge population of people over 50 who hunger for real information from an age appropriate author. Price tackles it all in this definitive guide to sex and aging: health, fun (and function), disability, dating, illness, orgasms, G-spots, P-spots, polyamory, kink, and much more.

Interview with Joan Price:

I am very excited to have sex expert Joan Price on the blog today to answer some questions about her new book!

*How did you begin your work as a senior sex expert?

I was led by passion – literally! I had fallen in love with a 64-year-old man when I was 57, and I didn’t understand why there were no books that reflected how hot an older-age love affair could be! So at age 61, I wrote Better Than I Ever Expected: Straight Talk about Sex After Sixty to celebrate the joys of senior sex.

After that book came out, readers deluged me with questions and concerns that were making their own sex lives less than satisfying. I started on a quest that has lasted 10 years (so far) to provide people of my age group with the information they need to enrich or revive their sex lives, partnered or solo. Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud about Senior Sex was my next book, and it won multiple awards.

People continued to write me – they wanted more information, more depth. I realized that I needed to write a book that would be the most comprehensive and up to date senior sex guide possible. That book became The Ultimate Guide to Sex after Fifty.

*What is one of the most common issues that arises between couples, in regards to their sex lives?

I use “the old ways don’t work anymore” as the umbrella term for all the changes, physical and emotional, that wreak havoc on our sex lives. For couples, this can be mismatched libidos, medical problems, staleness in a relationship, and much more. The less couples communicate about these changes, the worse the problems become. I see many couples who love each other, but sex is not satisfying, and they haven’t found a productive way to talk about it.

*Sometimes sex just stops all together, whether both partners want it to or not. Do you have any tips on how to start a dialog about how to bring sex back into the relationship after it has taken a hiatus??

Yes, in fact, I have several dialogues in The Ultimate Guide to Sex after Fifty that readers can adapt to their own situation so that they’re bringing up the subject in a loving, non-accusatory, welcoming way. It’s important not to blame or shame the partner, but to propose that you would both be happier by working to regain the intimacy that has fallen away. It’s a journey you’re going on together, and the rewards are worth every effort.

*Did you always know that you wanted to write books to help others?

Yes, I’ve always wanted to help people, even before I became a professional writer. I was a high school English teacher for 22 years. After that, I wrote health and fitness books and articles for many years until I switched topics to senior sex. I have to say, this topic is the most enjoyable!

*Can those who are affected by pains such as arthritis or fibromyalgia still maintain an active sex life?

Yes, I have plenty of information in the book about arthritis and other medical conditions, timing medications, positions that work when our old favorites don’t, and other ways to adapt so that our aging bodies can have sex actively and joyfully. I also suggest that we should be direct about asking our doctors for help, and we should be prepared to say, “If you can’t help me, please refer me to someone who can.”

*What are three "tools" (so to speak) that every couple should have on hand?

1. Lubricant
2. Vibrators
3. Communication

*A lot of people assume that because there's little-to-no chance of pregnancy, that safer sex isn't a necessity at a certain age. That can't be true, can it?

No! STIs are rampant in our age group. We have to insist on barrier protection every time, with everyone, until or unless we’re in a committed, sexually exclusive relationship. I’m on a safer-sex soapbox, as you saw from Chapter 16. I give some scary stats about how susceptible we are to STI transmission. We’re in charge of our own sexual health.

*I know that it can be hard to seek new partners, especially when your own confidence isn't very high. What's a good way to boost self-esteem or self-comfort?

That’s a huge question. We have to do the inner work, maybe get some counseling if we have low self-esteem. No partner can “complete” us. We have to feel complete in ourselves, then we’ll attract the partners who are drawn to the person we are.

*Can you tell us a bit about your new book in your own words?

The Ultimate Guide to Sex after Fifty covers a myriad of topics about older-age sexuality with accurate, up to date information, tips, warmth, and humor. It covers the concerns of singles as well as couples, and is LGBT inclusive. It covers reviving relationships, medical issues such as ED and vaginal pain, medications, dating at our age, grief, and all those elements that affect our sexuality whether they directly involve our genitals or not. I’m very proud of this book!

*What is one piece of advice or knowledge you'd like your readers to walk away with?

Whatever problem you’re facing, there is a solution. Arm yourself with solid information and be willing to use creativity and a sense of humor as you explore solutions. Don’t give up!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer some of my questions today, Joan. I'm positively honored!

Visit the Author!:

Website | Blog

Review:

★★★★★

I have to say, Joan Price really did think of everything.

When I was asked to be a part of the blog tour for this title, I opted to do a review despite the fact that I'm in my twenties out of the interest of being a pro-sexual health and all inclusive blog. I definitely wasn't expecting it to be so jam packed with information- I'm really glad I gave this a read!

No matter what problems you may be facing in the bedroom, Price has offered solutions, or at the least, help to help you find your own solutions. Whether the problem is something stemming from problems in communication, pain or illness, or just trying to find the "mood" again, the bases are covered in this book. There's a focus on health in this book which I find super important, from finding positions that "work" to avoiding things like STIs- just because you've gotten older doesn't mean the risks get less scary!

There's also a lot of helpful starts to dialogues in this book, which I think is a great and well-needed inclusion. It can be awkward to talk about feelings and sexual desires no matter what your age is. Price offers safe conversations to have in the interest of avoiding discomfort or fighting, and I think people of any age can appreciate that.

I was also really happy to see that this book is LGBT inclusive. It's a dynamic that's often missed, in my personal opinions, in sexual help books.

I think that any adult can benefit from reading this book. Though the main demographic is for those over 50, I am 23 and I still learned from it because there is so much cohesive and helpful advice in this guide. Though I may not need all of the advice just quite yet, I will definitely be keeping this book on my sex positive bookshelf for future reference (and may be discreetly giving copies to some people in my life I think could benefit from reading it!)

Thank you so much to Cleis Press for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway:

-This giveaway will run from November February 19th to the 27th, 2015
-This giveaway is US & CAN ONLY
-This giveaway is open to those 18+

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Review, Trailer, & Giveaway: Secret of a Thousand Beauties by Mingmei Yip!

Title: Secret of a Thousand Beauties
Author: Mingmei Yip
Format: Paperback, 320 pages
Pub. Date: November 25th 2014
Source: Author


Book Description via Goodreads:

Set against the vibrant and intrigue-laden backdrop of 1930s China, Mingmei Yip's enthralling novel explores one woman's defiant pursuit of independence.

Spring Swallow was promised in marriage while still in her mother's belly. When the groom dies before a wedding can take place, seventeen-year-old Spring Swallow is ordered to become a ghost bride to appease his spirit. Under her in-laws' protection, she will be little more than a servant, unable to know real love or bear children. Refusing to accept her fate as a "bad-luck woman," Spring Swallow flees on her wedding day.


In the city of Soochow, Spring Swallow joins a community of renowned embroiderers. The women work for Aunty Peony, whose exquisite stitching once earned her the Emperor's love. But when Aunty Peony agrees to replicate a famous painting--a lucrative assignment that will take a year to complete--betrayal and jealousy emerges within the group. Spring Swallow becomes entangled in each woman's story of heartbreak, even while she embarks on a dangerous affair with a young revolutionary. On a journey that leads from the remote hillsides around Soochow to cosmopolitan Peking, Spring Swallow draws on the secret techniques learned from Aunty Peony and her own indomitable strength, determined to forge a life that is truly her own.

Trailer:

Praise:

"A unique and enthralling style…flawless." –Baltimore Books Examiner on The Nine Fold Heaven


"Surprising and often funny….Part epic, part coming-of-age story, part modern fairy tale." --Publishers Weekly on Song of the Silk Road


"A serious, engaging story of faith, devotion, and the commingling of cultures." –Booklist on Petals From the Sky

About the Author:

Mingmei Yip was born in China, received her Ph.D. from the University of Paris, Sorbonne, and held faculty appointments at the Chinese University and Baptist University in Hong Kong. She's published five books in Chinese, written several columns for seven major Hong Kong newspapers, and has appeared on over forty TV and radio programs in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China, and the U.S. She immigrated to the United States in 1992, where she now lives in New York City.

Review:

★★★★★

This book is beautiful. It lingers with you even after you've finished, set it down, and walked away. In part this is because of the plot, in which the main character Spring Swallow escapes her fate as a ghost bride after her arranged-to-be-husband's demise. This sadness, this ghost haunts the overall tone of the book, giving each layer of beautiful prose a melancholy undertone. But this book also stays with you because of the rich detail that's put into the writing. Like Yip's other books, there's something almost song-like about the way this was written.

Secret of a Thousand Beauties is a book that comes off as well informed. I learned quite a fair bit about the art of embroidery in this book, which is something that I have no shame in saying that I knew absolutely nothing about. In addition, it blends this old tradition with the cultures of China. It was fascinating to read about their daily lives and traditions and customs as I navigated along Spring Swallow's journey.

It sucks you in from the beginning with its alluring use of language and the shroud of mystery that hangs over it all. The more you read, the more characters you meet who have secrets of their own. You cannot help but to continue to read in the hopes that you'll discover all of them, and what makes them act as they do.

I recommend this book to anyone who has an appreciation for art, historical settings, Chinese culture, or beautiful, poetic prose. Thank you to Mingmei Yip who gave me a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway:

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Blog Tour Mini Review- Submission: Erotica for Women edited by Alex Algren

Title: Submission: Erotica for Women
Editor: Alex Algren
Format: ebook, 45 pages
Pub. Date: September 16th
Source: Cleis Press

Book description via Cleis Press:

Eyes blindfolded. Mouth gagged. Hands chained to the headboard. You’re on display, ready for him—ready to be used. And the only sound in the room is your own breathing...until you hear him close the door behind you.

Let these tales give you inspiration for the next time you find yourself in a tight spot. This collection of stories featuring guys dominating their eager, submissive lovers is bound to fill your imagination with kinky playtime ideas!

About the Author:

A graduate of Mills College with degrees in semiotics and mathematics, Alex Algren lives in Oakland, California. She is an avid reader who writes and edits to make more things to read. She is also the editor of Stories of O and Kinky!. Currently working on a novel about revenge, she also quilts and volunteers at her local animal shelter.


★★★ ★

Three and a half stars.

---

Submission: Erotica for Women is a collection of six erotic short stories, each one of them featuring a Dominant male who wants to push their submissive to the limit in the sexiest ways possible. I prefer my men to be Dominant, so the theme of this mini collection is right up my alley. This collection is a short and fast read, which is perfect when you just want a hint of a story, just enough to tease you. Literature foreplay, if you will. It was a bit shorter than I expected or would have liked, but that's partially my own fault for not realizing its length before I started reading it.

I'm not going to review each story individually, but I will say that there was one story I loved, one that I didn't like at all, and four others that were solid reads. I'm not going to put the majority of them in order, but I will give a shout out to "Reclaiming" by Teresa Noelle Roberts, which was my favorite story of the bunch. It features a woman who has just come home from a long stint away on business, and the Dominant who has a very, very distinct way of showing her just how much that he missed her.

Though there was one story I didn't care so much for, I know that when I see names like Alison Tyler and Rachel Kramer Bussel that I'm going to be reading something good. Overall, I feel this is a steamy and enjoyable taste of erotica. The whole collection spans about 45 pages, so as I mentioned earlier, I recommend it for anyone looking for a quick fix of kinky reading.

Thank you to Cleis Press who provided me with a copy in exchange for my completely honest review.

This book is an ebook exclusive published by Cleis Press. You can purchase it by clicking over to Amazon, B&N, Kobo, iBook or Google Play.