Review: Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 edited by by Rachel Kramer Bussel

Title: Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, Volume 1
Editor: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Format: Paperback, 248 pages
Pub. Date: March 10th 2020
Source: Rachel Kramer Bussel


Book Description:

Super sexy, sensual, and surprising bondage stories from Tiffany Reisz, Somer Marsden, Valerie Alexander, and more collected in this exciting volume by erotica maven Rachel Kramer Bussel!

A cameraman puts a TV anchor on display in a whole new way… Two NASA officials wage an interstellar battle between protocol and desire, and one is taken captive . . . A gender-bending bounty hunter keeps his bounty hostage for more than just the monetary reward . . . Two warring neighbors discover that bondage can be a powerful negotiating tool . . . “Merlin” and the “Lady of the Lake” invoke the magic of the woods to fuel their fiery passions . . .

Best Bondage Erotica of the Year is back with erotica maven and award-winning editor Rachel Kramer Bussel compiling the most scintillating bondage stories into this one amazing collection. With a wide variety of different pairings, genders, and genres, these stories are all united in their deep desire for the mind-bending thrills of this o-so-delectable act. Whether you are exploring your kinky side, are looking for inspiration in the bedroom, or are simply interested in a sexy read, this collection is poised to please and titillate readers of any experience level who are keen to explore the depths of their own passions and penchants for the perverse.



Table of Contents

Chained—Ria Restrepo

Impropriety—Winter Blair

Over Under—Kendel Davi

Protocol—Angora Shade

Beach Blanket Ballet—Richard Bacula

Kneel—Kate Allure

Pretty Tied Up—Zak Jane Keir

The Deepest Part of the Forest—Deborah Castellano

Connection—Lazuli Jones

BYOB—Elizabeth Coldwell

Contrary—Kim Kuzuri

Freefall—Valerie Alexander

Delicate Matters—Leandra Vane

Boundless—Sammy Rei Schwarz

Stronghold—Leif Often

Necessary Roughness—Rachel Kramer Bussel

Safe Sex—Violet R. Jones

Hold On Harder—Dena Hankins

The Student Seat—Sommer Marsden

The Beguiling of Merlin—Tiffany Reisz

Review:

★★★★★

Every time that Rachel Kramer Bussel and Cleis Press release a new anthology, I get excited. It seems like the newest one is always newer, sexier, and more batshit than the last. And I mean that in the best way possible. There's newer scenarios, a wide variety of short stories, a whole manner of arrangements of kink and couplings and throuplings and beyond.

Between the pages of this anthology include stories that feature gender-bending, non-binary characters, couples (straight, gay, lesbian, the works), throuples, groups, young characters, old characters, disabled characters, POC characters, realistic stories, sci-fi stories, fantasy stories, historical stories, Dommes, Doms, role play, chains, ropes, public play, and way too much to keep listing like this. As the title of the anthology implies, the one strand that weaves all of these radically different stories together is the theme of bondage.

Because it's an anthology, I certainly liked some stories more than others. Though I always review only my top three favorite stories, I always take notes on each story and give each one a rating to help me determine the final amount of stars. I can honestly say that out of all the Cleis Press anthologies I've reviewed over the years, this book has the fewest low-rated stars out of all of them. No 1-star, and only one 2-star. The picks for this ones are pretty great to get your smut on. (In fact, 6 of them get perfect 5 stars from me!)

The ones I didn't care for as much are for various reasons- kinks that I'm not into, language that isn't my thing (I think we all have our preferred sexy words and ones that are y i k e s), one story was a bit disjointed and flowery. But, what didn't float my boat might hyper-float yours.

Because these are 20 stories by 20 authors, this book is easy to read either in one go, or in little bites of a story or two here and there.

As always, I'll highlight my top three favorite stories.

The first story that I'll highlight is actually the last one in the book, ensuring that the collection goes out with one helluva bang. It's called "The Beguiling of Merlin: An Erotic Fantasia" by Tiffany Reisz. It's a story I didn't know I wanted. It involves a hetero couple, an art book, history, roleplay, and obviously, bondage. It's a lovely blend of magic and realism, somehow reading as both a wonderful sort of fairy tale and an extremely steamy erotica. It's both pretty and dirty and I'm here for it.

The second book I'll recommend is called "The Deepest Part of the Forest" by Deborah Castellano. You'll probably notice a theme to the sort of stories that I enjoy reading. This story involves Halloween, a primal energy, a big bad wolf, a Red, a forest and, yes, more bondage. I thought this story had a fun, playful yet primal vibe to it. I love Halloween, I love a big bad wolf, and this was just up my alley.

The third one is one that I loved but also puzzles me, because Rachel Kramer Bussel's anthologies have made me acutely aware of the fact that "lesbian historical erotica" is a thing I'm into. Not weirdly specific at all! The last story is called "Impropriety" by Winter Blair. It involves a female/female pairing, a case of malaise, a historical setting, a tinkerer's workshop, bondage (shocking I know!) and an unusual device that may just give her everything she's missing and more. It's sexy, it's playful, it held my attention, and it left me wanting a longer story. I'd read a whole book of Jessamine and Ada. More of this, please!

All in all this book has a scratch to soothe any kinky itch. There's light stories, dark stories, fun stories, a rainbow of characters and a treasure trove of kinks. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and I'm happy to add it to my shelf.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

Review: Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 5 Anthology edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel

Title: Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 5
Editor: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Format: Paperback, 256 pages
Pub. Date: December 10th 2019
Source: Rachel Kramer Bussel


Book Description:

In Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 5, award-winning editor Rachel Kramer Bussel takes readers on an outrageous journey into the world of female fantasy and desire. These sexy stories offer up wild, hot, and steamy tales from today’s top authors. You’ll be swept away by the sexiest business deal ever, break the rules in a future world where skin-on-skin contact is forbidden, and discover the art of getting off by phone sex.

From threesomes to mermaid sex, fetishes, sex parties, and much more, these authors steam up the pages with tales of trysts, love, and lust where nothing is held back. If you’re looking to escape from the everyday and discover what happens when women are ready to get totally outrageous, this book is for you.

With new stories by beloved authors including Joanna Angel, Balli Kaur Jaswal, CD Reiss, Sierra Simone, and Sabrina Sol, along with newcomers to the genre, you’ll savor every sizzling page.

Review:

★★★★


The theme of this erotica anthology is "outrageous", and on this word alone, I'd say this collection delivers. There are 21 short stories in here, each of them drastically different but all linked by that one word. Each story is short enough to read in a quickie, but long enough that it satisfies. Because each story is unrelated to the others in the book, this is a good book to read in bursts. One story here, two stories there.

This collection does a really good job with inclusivity and diversity. There are people of color represented here, as well as people with disabilities, of a number of body types, and of multiple age groups. There's also LGBT and gender inclusivity here, including non-binary characters. Not only people, but kinks as well. There's all sorts of eroticism featured here, from hardcore BDSM to bondage to age play, to voyeurism, and a whole bunch in between.

Because there's such a wide variety of stories and authors here, if I were reviewing each story individually, the ratings would be everything from a 1/5 to a 5/5. I'm not partial to stories written in first person. Some were too rushed. Some didn't sell me on being sexy and came off forced. Some had kinks that I just don't want any part in, and some had vibes that I thought seemed creepy or coercive. On the other side of the same coin, some of the stories are beautifully weaved with sexy language. They have kinks that are right up my alley with words that I love and scenes that I'd love to be a part of. They have unique concepts and take their few pages of space in this book and create something fantastic.

My point mainly being, that there'll certainly be something in here for you, even if you don't enjoy each and every story. For me, the good outweighed the not so good, and just because I didn't like it, doesn't mean it won't be the thing that drives you crazy.

I won't be reviewing all 21 stories, nor will I be harping on which ones I didn't like. Instead, I'm going to touch on the three stories that I liked best. These are in no particular order.

The first story I feel is worth highlighting is "The Summer of 1669" by Jayne Renault. If the title wasn't a dead giveaway, it's a historic erotica. In a pleasant surprise to me, the couple featured in this story is two women. It largely takes place in a memory, of a time spent on a ship on its way over from Europe to the New Colonies of America. It's a bit taboo, a lot erotic, and being LGBT myself, the fact that it's F/F was lovely. It's sensually written in a romanticized way, while still being plenty dirty.

The next story that I liked is called "If the Ocean" by Loretta Black. It too features a couple that is two females. It also has historic imagery (I guess I'm pretty predictable, eh?). The story occurs when a woman happens across a mermaid. Yes, a mermaid. The book promises outrageousness, does it not? Loretta Black does a really good job here of balancing the sexy elements with pretty imagery and vocabulary that make it seem like it should be part of a larger work (which I'd read tf out of, if you're reading this!).

The last one, and possibly my favorite one, is the last story of the book, called "Spin" by Lauren Emily. It's an exception to my "I don't like the first person narrative" rule. It's also, I just now realize, yet another F/F erotica. This is surprising to me since I also like men, but, here we are. I'd like to just say that there are plenty of men in this book, despite my top picks! I digress. "Spin" involves a public spectacle of eroticism set while doing an aerialist routine. I have an affinity for all things that are carnival and circus, so this was a perfect way to end this collection of stories.

Over all, there's a lot of authors here with a lot of stories to tell. They each do so differently, and it goes to show how so many different people can take one theme and run wild with it in all different directions. There's a lot of different fantasies and kinks here, so there's sure to be something for everybody. If you've enjoyed any of the other volumes from this anthology line, it will find a nice place on your shelf among the others.

I received a copy 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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PRIDE Month Review & Giveaway: Best Lesbian Erotica edited by Laura Antoniou!

Title: Best Lesbian Erotica 2015

Author: Laura Antoniou

Format: Paperback, 232 pages

Pub. Date: Feb. 17th 2015

Source: Cleis Press



Book Description via Goodreads:

"Everyone needs a little magic in their life."

Best Lesbian Erotica 2015 features the fiercest, freshest lesbian erotica of the year, curated by the legendary Laura Antoniou, million-selling author of The Marteketplace series. These stories will make you want to call your girl in the middle of the afternoon and tell her things that make her squirm. Images of girlsex will take over your brain. Read these stories and you'll be compelled by sheer erotic need.

Review:

★★★★★

I was so, so super excited when I got asked to review Best Lesbian Erotica 2015 to help celebrate PRIDE month! As many of my regular readers know, I am an out-and-proud member of the LGBT community (pansexuals and demisexuals represent!). This book is the perfect anthology to help celebrate LGBT love. What I love best about Cleis Press anthologies is that it's more than just sex. Don't get me wrong- this is an erotica anthology. It's explicit. It's sexy. But what I mean is that the talented writers who contribute their short stories care about more than just the sexy bits. There's emotions at play here, there's plots. There's characters and POVs that have been given life. That's what makes anthologies such as Best Lesbian Erotica 2015 so great: there's twenty stories here, and each one is different and diverse. From the writing styles, to the kinks, to the relationship pairings, to even some fantasy, it's a celebration of all things girl love, and I absolutely adore that.

Of course, this is an anthology. This means that they all follow the central theme of girl on girl erotica, but are free to explore anywhere else within that bubble. Because there are twenty small, independent stories, it's easy to read this book one delicious bite at a time, or to just read it all the way through like a novel. Again, because it's an anthology, there is some hit-and-miss going on. I loved some stories, and disliked others, while some fell more towards the middle. However, when looking at the whole rather than the parts, I think this is a really good selection of stories that any one- male or female- who enjoys reading about F/F love shouldn't miss out on.

As always, I'm going to highlight the three stories that I liked the best in lieu of mini-reviewing all twenty stories. These are in no particular order, and are the ones that I most recommend reading (though, seriously, read the whole book. You won't regret it.). The first story I'm choosing to highlight is called "Learning to Cook" by Nan Andrews. This short story involves a picky customer, a fiery chef, and a dinner date that neither of them is soon to forget. I am a huge foodie, and because my father is a chef, I was pretty much raised in a kitchen. I loved the setting and the passion that was shown here. After all, if you can't handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen ;). The second story that I most enjoyed is called "Lovely Lady Liberty" by Nicole Wolfe. This story centers around a WASP pilot, a beautiful USO performer, and one helluva Fourth of July celebration. I really liked the unique setting of a USO show on a military base for this one. Plus, it's close to the fourth so I'm feeling extra patriotic. You'll feel more than just the sparks from the sparklers in this lovely lady's routine, I promise you. The last story I'd most recommend is titled "Arachne" by Catherine Lundoff. This erotica weaves a story (see what I did there?) of the famous Arachne and her challenge to Athena- but I've never seen it told quite like this before. I adore mythology, being a Classics minor myself. I loved the fantasy/myth interpretation of lesbian erotica.

All in all, read this book. If you love girls, if you love girls who love girls, if you just love a really good sex story now and then- this is the book for you. This is probably the best anthology I've read so far this year. Thanks so much for the copy, in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway:

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Blog Tour, Excerpt, and Giveaway: The Big Book of Submission

Title:The Big Book of Submission: 69 Kinky Tales
Editor: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Genre: Erotica, BDSM
Release date: July 15th, 2014
Publisher: Cleis Press
Length: Paperback, 364 pages
Source: Rachel & Cleis Press


Book Description via Goodreads:

Submission takes many forms in this collection of 69 short stories, from straining in bondage to taking a spanking, being put on display, and beyond. By turns bratty and worshipful, these submissives will go to great lengths to fulfill their naughtiest fantasies and are rewarded splendidly by their masters and mistresses. A student returns to show his former teacher who’s really in charge, a photo shoot becomes an opportunity for erotic games, and a man revels in his wife’s past as a former dominatrix. These brats, masochists, and hungry-for-sensation subs go above and beyond for the ones they adore, pushing themselves to new limits while their devious dominants put them through their paces. Edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel, these short stories sizzle with the tension of erotic power play, commands followed, and service willingly performed.

Excerpt:

From Lariat by Michelle Augello-Page

I couldn't move. Pain flashed through my body. The stretch in my arms and legs were severe. He didn't touch me. He just looked at me. His face was sensuous and cruel as he circled me. I was helpless, at his mercy. He could do anything he wanted to me. He had me knotted tightly and bound, completely exposed to him.

"Do you really want this? This is how it is with me."

He walked around the bed, holding a crop, never taking his eyes off me. The lashes from the crop stung my skin. He was hurting me. I wanted him to hold me. I wanted him to touch me. Tears sprang to my eyes. Waves of sensation rippled across my skin. Then the lashes felt like little bites, sharp kisses. I realized that he was already touching me. Intensely. I realized that he was already holding me, more securely than I had ever been held in my adult life.

"Yes," I said through my tears. "This is what I've always wanted."

He freed me, released the ropes binding me, then gathered me into his arms as I cried. "You are mine," he said softly, keeping me bound in his close embrace. Then he kissed my tears, pressed his body against my body, and encircled me with his ruthless and protective love.

Buy it now on Amazon:

Review:

★★★★★

Four and a half stars.

---

It has gotten to the point in my erotica reading career that when I see Rachel Kramer Bussel's name in my email inbox, I quiver in anticipation like a kid on Christmas, eager to unwrap whatever she has next. I was so excited when Rachel and Cleis Press sent me a copy of this book (in exchange for an honest review of course), and I ate it up right away. Why this particular title, you may ask? Well, I identify as a submissive. Ever the bratty little narcissist, I was enamored with the idea of a book of erotica short stories celebrating me!

This anthology is a thick book consisting of 69 hand-plucked kinky tales that all deal with submissives. However, that is the only trait they share. This book has stories and relationship pairings to suit every level of desire and each sexual orientation. There are softer stories, and there are ones that made me wince in the best kind of sympathy pains (I've been there, fictional submissives. I feel your pain). There are stories that contain heterosexual couples, lesbian couples, male/male pairings, and combinations of the bunch. Whether your fantasy is leather, ropes, voyeurism, Femdom.... You like it? The Big Book of Submission has a story waiting for you.

The Big Book of Submission is one of the best erotica collections that I have had the wicked pleasure of enjoying. I'm not going to go into a break down of each of the 69 stories, but I will say that "Sunday in the Art Gallery with George" by Elizabeth Coldwell and "Dear Sir" by Kay Jaybee deserve a special shout out. Coldwell's story is about a bratty submissive who gets punished when she cannot behave herself at an art gallery, and Jaybee's story is written as a letter from a 40 year old submissive to her Dominant, expressing herself beautifully about her feelings about an escapade the two (and a guest) had had.

If I didn't enjoy a short story as much as another, it was simply because I either wasn't feeling the point of view, or it was written about something that is not my particular fetish. I can't win them all.

Another great thing about this collection is that these short stories are not related at all, other than the central theme. This means that you can stop reading at whatever point you'd like. You can jump around and skip stories, because they are each independent. This is great for when you just want a quickie read, say in between classes (like myself).

And though this has absolutely no reflection on the writing inside, I adore the cover of this book. Look at it! Yum.

I would recommend this anthology to anyone who is interested or turned on by BDSM relationships. The heat level is sizzling and the variety of tales is wide. Obviously, this book deals with sex and BDSM themes, so if those types of things bother you, than this is NOT the book for you. Thanks again to Rachel & Cleis Press for my copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Follow the rest of the blog tour for more teasers and fun by clicking here.

Giveaway:

Rules:
-This giveaway will run from August 26th to September 2nd, 2014
-This giveaway is US ONLY
-This giveaway is open to those 18+
-It is open to anyone over that age who can legally enter, receive, and use their prize.
-One (1) winner will win a copy.
-This giveaway is sponsored wholly by the publisher. I am not responsible.
-This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity.
-Winner will have 48 hours to reply, or a new winner will be chosen. Winner will be chosen using random.org.
-Invalid entries will be removed, so please don't cheat.
-Void where prohibited. Odds will vary. No purchase necessary.
-My opinions are my own. Information will not be stored or sold, and will be used only to contact the winners.

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Review: Slave Girl by Lisa Cach

Title: Slave Girl (1,001 Erotic Nights #1)
Author: Lisa Cach
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: July 28th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Pocket Star



★★

Two stars.

---

I got this book because I love two things featured in it: sex and Rome. I'm a Classics minor, and I have an obsession with things that are in any way Greek or Roman in nature. Plus an erotica on top of it? Sign me up. Unfortunately, I didn't like this nearly as much as I wanted to.

That beings said, it did have some high points going for it in some aspects. I really, really like the concept of this book. A man has been training his slave for years, getting her ready so that he can take her virginity. Only, she gives it to someone else against his orders, someone not even of the same side in politics. I really liked the world Cach created as well. The outfits were well described, as were the people and the places around them. It was really easy to place yourself in the story.

But then things got a bit worse.

This is partially to do with me. If the anatomical words in an erotica don't make it a steamier story, than it is hard for me to get into it. Such was the case with Slave Girl. The fact that the girl's nether-regions (I am purposely being clean here, folks) were referred to as a "cunny" just really rubbed me wrong. It made it hard for me not to laugh, which effectively killed the sexual vibe the author wanted. Sexual, but not romantic. Granted, this is a novella serial, so feelings may develop later, but if you're looking for immediate romance with your sex, this isn't the read for you.

I was also kind of off put by the melding of Greek and Roman. While I know that their myths are interchangable (simply speaking of course) and that the two cultures influenced each other, hearing both Greek and Roman myths/names just kind of took me a back a bit and made me go "Wait..."

I was bored for the first half of this book, but I pushed on. My love of Rome made me do it. But then, about halfway in, too much started to happen at once. It got really sexual and political and conniving out of nowhere, and it became rushed and a bit hard to follow.

I mentioned that the word "cunny" killed my sexy feelings towards this book. Well, that was furthered later on in the book. I don't want to give too many spoilers on details, but she has a trick to restore her "bits" so that she feels like a virgin again, and it involves animal organs and blood. I like my sex without that in it, please. I get that it's probably historically accurate, but that does not make it not kill the mood.

While this novella did have some good parts, I couldn't get past some of my issues. Some of them may be solved in the next installment, but I won't be reading on to find out. This is an erotica, so it does of course contain sex. If word choice isn't an issue for you, maybe you'll like it better than I did. Thanks to Netgalley and Pocket Star for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Interview & Review: Frenemy of the People by Nora Olsen

Hello readers. I am really excited to announce the upcoming release of the new LGBTQ young adult book, Frenemy of the People by Nora Olsen. Most of you know that I support and adore this genre, and I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed this book (but more about that later). I'm even more excited that Nora Olsen has returned once more to Bitches n Prose to answer some of my questions. Give her a warm welcome, and let's begin!

Interview

Frenemy of The People features two females- one whose a "nice girl" and athlete, and the other who is an angry punk. What was your stereotype/group in high school?
I was part of a nerdy/arty crowd. I was stereotyped as “lesbian,” which is funny because I didn’t identify that way at the time. The people in my school made a classic mistake, confusing gender presentation with sexual orientation. (They figured if I looked like a boy, I must be gay.)

There's a good chance we would have been friends then. I was one of the nerdy/goth types, called a lesbian as well despite the fact that I'd identified openly as bisexual (at the time). Ain't high school grand? Speaking of, there's nothing quite like high school romance. Can you tell us about one of your crushes or relationships from back then?
My first boyfriend, when I was thirteen, was Carlos, nicknamed Tiger. He was nineteen, had a tattoo, smoked, and could not read. I met him at the bus stop and mostly kept him a secret from my parents. He took me to a kung fu movie in Times Square, but I liked the idea of having a boyfriend more than the actual boyfriend plus I didn’t want to get physical, so the relationship fizzled out.


Did you play any sports or get involved in any clubs in high school?
No sports, but I was in school plays. I was on the school humor magazine and we managed to print one issue.

I wasn't much of a sports person either. It was just GSA and Best Buddies for me. Now, do you listen to music when you write? If so, what are some of the songs that make up the soundtrack to Frenemy of the People?

I do listen to music when I write. The character Lexie and I share some of the same favorite songs: “Pictures of You” by the Cure, “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” by the Ramones, “New Punk Fashions for the Spring Formal,” by Dillinger Four, and “I Am A Poseur” by the X-Ray Spex. And Lexie really likes the Magnetic Fields, just like I do. But she also loves Le Tigre whereas I’m over them.

I remember I was listening to Supertramp’s Breakfast in America album a lot while writing Frenemy. Go ahead and judge me! I have uncoolness pride. :)

I was really excited to see so many music references throughout the book- I personally love X-Ray Spex and get irrationally excited when other people remember they exist. They definitely make my mood better. In fact, Clarissa and Lexie each go through some rough stuff in this book. When you're having a rough day, what's one thing that can always make you feel better?
This is a good follow-up to the music question, because David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album has been 100% reliable so far in making me feel better, as well as just about anything by the Smiths/Morrissey. It’s no exaggeration to say I truly don’t know where I would be without Morrissey and David Bowie’s music.

The Hollywood bigwigs knock on your door right now to option Frenemy of the People as a movie. Who do you want cast?
What a delightful question! Although Lexie is not African-American in the book, I think Amber Riley who plays Mercedes on Glee would be a great actor for her. For Clarissa I would choose Jennifer Lawrence, or Harmony Santana from the movie Gun Hill Road. For Desi I would pick Lauren Potter, who plays cheerio Becky on Glee.

I can totally dig it. I adore Jennifer Lawrence! Now I know Frenemy isn't your first book. Did you know you always wanted to be a writer? If not, what did you want to do before?
I always wanted to be a writer. But when I was small I also wanted to be a scuba diver and an actor. And a mer-creature, or a cat that carried a cane and wore a diamond stickpin.

That... Is quite possibly the best answer to that question I've ever received. Your significant other leaves you a note that says "We're doing something special this weekend." What is your ideal romantic evening?
We go out to see a band, my girlfriend holds my hand, we dance and sing along to every song.

-day dreamy face- That does sound perfect. Do you have any other writing projects currently in the works?
Yes, I have another YA novel forthcoming from Bold Strokes Books in October. It’s called MAXINE WORE BLACK and it is a retelling of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.

Aaaaand consider it added. If y'all wish to add it, you can do so here. And now for a final question- What is the one thing you most want to leave your readers thinking at the end of Frenemy of the People?
Wow, being gay/bi/pansexual is so awesome!

Pansexual reader here, I confirm being queer is pretty nifty. Now in addition to answering some questions for me, Nora was kind enough to play a little game of This or That with me.

This or That
Just pick the one you prefer!
Music or TV? Music.
Black & white or color? Black and white.
Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate.
Gryffindor or Slytherin? Slytherin.
Books or ereader? Books.
History or Science? History.
Cats or dogs? Cats.
Summer or winter? Summer.

Thank you so much for stopping by and playing along with me, and answering my questions. Now, onto my review!


Title: Frenemy of the People
Author: Nora Olsen
Format: Paperback, 264 pages
Pub. Date: May 13th 2014
Source: Nora Olsen & Bold Strokes Books
Buy Link: Amazon

★★★★

Four stars.

---

Lexie is an angst-ridden, critical-minded, punk vegan. She's also the only openly lesbian girl in her high school. Clarissa is a popular girl on the equestrian team, bright and bubbly. Clarissa comes out as bisexual and reaches out to Lexie to start a Gay-Straight Alliance, but there's just one problem; Lexie hates Clarissa to the bone. But when Lexie agrees to help Clarissa's disabled sister run for homecoming queen and Clarissa's posh, comfy world starts to crash down around her, Lexie starts to question if she could be falling for the girl she'd sworn to hate.

I really, really liked this book. I think a large part of that is because Nora Olsen struck gold with me as a reader; I relate to this book on a lot of levels.

In addition to the stunning cover, I was swept in by the blurb on the back because I absolutely hated my girlfriend when we first met. I thought she was weird since she had an obsession with wolves and anime and horrible bands and lord, let us not talk about her appalling spelling and grammar. But eventually, she started sneaking into my thoughts more often. In all honesty, I'm still not really sure what happened but lo and behold here we are four(ish) years later. Lexie is the kind of girl I'd love to date: exceedingly intelligent, protective, passionate, a great taste in music, tattooed with dyed hair? Sign me up for one of those please. She also had a few really good one liners that made me chuckle.

On the topic of characters, this book alternates POVs with each chapter, switching between Clarissa and Lexie. I think Olsen did a great job differentiating the two; the characters each had a definitive speech pattern and vocabulary that made it fairly simple to understand who was speaking and when.

Now, at the beginning, I was a bit frustrated by Clarissa's coming out announcement, having found it to be a bit rash and sudden. But then, I got over it because I got to thinking "Well, wasn't yours?" And it's true. It may seem unrealistic to some, but I've been in Clarissa's shoes and sometimes labeling or recognizing sexuality is as simple as it appears in Frenemy.

Another thing thing that I found to be well done was the writing of Clarissa's sister, Desi. Desi has Downs Syndrome, and I feel that Olsen was nothing but respectful in her representation of a disabled character. She made this book a stronger one for me, for reasons I cannot entirely explain. She's strong and determined, and I like that.

The amount of drama in this book is really high but I mean, it's a high school novel about queer rivals. What did you expect? I thought it was well paced and believable, but this may be because I was friends with the anarchists in my high school. I also thought the progression of the girls' relationship was well done and I was rooting for them throughout (though for Lexie moreso. Did I mention I would date her yet?).

This book left me with a lot of feelings, but almost all of them are positive. Namely, I messaged my stupid girlfriend's face to tell her I love her. I'm mushy that way, apparently. I recommend this book to fans of LGBTQ YA. Thank you so much to Nora Olsen and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All images were provided by the author.

Blog Tour, Giveaway, & Guest Post: The Summer I Wasn't Me by Jessica Verdi

Hello readers. Today, I'm hosting a stop on the blog tour for the new LGBTQ YA novel The Summer I Wasn't Me by Jessica Verdi. Jessica was nice enough to join Bitches n Prose for a guest post on the topic of writing from an LGBTQ perspective. Thanks so much for stopping by, Jessica.

Guest Post:

Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Jill, and for your great question about what it was like to write from an LGBTQ perspective. For me, writing about LGBTQ characters and issues was not really any different than writing any other kind of book. In the end, it’s all the same, right? Life, love, character arcs, story twists. I always include LGBTQ characters in my stories, whether they’re supporting or leading, so writing The Summer I Wasn’t Me felt very natural to me.


That said, I was always aware that this book would be somewhat of a risk, since every single teen character(and most of the adult ones as well) is LGBTQ. But at the same time I wasn’t worried because I know teen readers are eager to understand all different types of characters’ journeys, regardless of whether they mirror their own experience or not. I recently did an interview with an LGBTQ newspaper and was asked if I worried the book would only appeal to gay teens, because it’s a lesbian love story at its core. And I said nope, not at all. I truly believe the YA literary world has made great strides over the past few years and while teen readers still do almost always demand some sort of love interest in the books they read (I don’t blame them! Lexi and Carolyn foreva!), it doesn’t seem to matter all that much whether the couple is straight, gay, or anything else. Love is love, right? And after hearing back from so many readers of my first book, My Life After Now, who had nothing but lovely things to say about the main character’s two wonderful dads, I knew I was on the right path with Lexi’s story.



I’ve always been fascinated by these so-called conversion camps, places where religious leaders claim they can turn gay kids straight. There is no doubt in my mind that they’re claiming to do the impossible, and that telling LGBTQ kids there’s something wrong with them is nothing short of abuse, but the root behind these camps actually, in a twisted way, stems from a good place. The parents who send their kids to these programs truly believe their children are on the wrong path in life and that they will go to hell if they don’t make a change. These parents are desperate to “save” their kids, in their own misguided way. This is something that has long intrigued me, and a world I knew I wanted to explore in the book.

I sincerely wish that more people thought the way you do, in regards to "love is love". Thank you so much for the insightful glimpse into your process of writing The Summer I Wasn't Me.

My Review

Title: The Summer I Wasn't Me
Editor: Jessica Verdi
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: April 1st 2014
Source: Netgalley & Sourcebooks Fire
Purchase: Amazon

★★★★

Four stars.

---

Since the death of her father, Lexi's mother has been acting differently. She's not the same person anymore, void of happiness and life. This only gets worse when she learns that Lexi is a lesbian. Lexi just wants to keep her promise to take care of her mother, and so agrees to attend New Horizons: a gay-to-straight conversion camp. Lexi must decide if she can really change who she is and if love is an emotion that really can be controlled, while discovering what the camp will truly offer her as a "cure."

I loved this book. I'd like to give a little bit of personal insight as to why before giving my review of the actual text itself. It is no secret to my readers that I am an out member of the LGBT community. My girlfriend and I have been together four years now. But of that four years, I have only been out for one. Why? Because I hated myself. I didn't want to believe that I could be attracted to more than one gender. I blocked out that part of me for a long time. I let my guard down when I found a partner in Emily, but still each day I struggled with myself, and with her. How she managed to be patient enough to deal with my screaming at her and constant crying and self-belittlement, I will never know, but I am eternally grateful that she did. I finally cracked when I came home from a visit to her family's house in another state for a holiday, when I called my mom crying and vomiting to tell her the truth. She didn't honestly care. No one in my family really did. I am so lucky for this. The battle I fought, and admittedly still fight, was against myself, not against fear of others.

That being said, I felt a special connection to the young characters in this group who struggled to make sense of a world that too often condemns them and negates their feelings. While I never attended a camp nor thought about it, that feeling of wanting to change is there, was there. I have personally felt what some of these characters have and it broke my heart to read about them. Even the youth campers who are a bit less likable, I felt a connection to. If you, as an author, manage to capture a cast of folks that I bond with, then you have done something great. Lexi and Carolyn, the main couple in this book, of course stood out. But the other two members of their group, Matthew- a rebellious, hilarious, headstrong boy, and Daniel, a younger, more eager to change boy definitely added to the story.

The camp was well written, in a horrid way. The descriptions were really vivid, and I was able to live the program right alongside those seeking their conversion so that they can be saved by God. And, while religion plays a key role in this book (as it is a Christian camp), I didn't feel that Verdi was at anytime mocking or disrespectful to the faith. The "twist" near the end of the book is one that I speculated about halfway through, but still made me irrationally angry and disgusted. (It is 4:26AM as I write this review. I had to finish the shit show that was going down.) I even cried a few times, and may or may not want a tattoo similar to Lexi's. I like the symbolism and girl, I know you're fictional but I know that feel.

Plus, look at the cover. Gorgeous.

I did think that the book ended in a bit of a rush. I would have liked to have seen more... Well, just more. How the relationships between Lexi and both her love interest and her mother pan out. How Matthew's life goes. What happens to the camp. More information about the counselors/employees and the alumni of New Horizons. I was frustrated that I was out of pages. It wasn't a cliffhanger, more of a "write the ending yourself" but -huffs- I don't want to (but I will).

I think this book is a solid addition to the genre of gay and lesbian young adult fiction. This book deals with some serious topics, but tells a story about love, being yourself, and fighting for what you believe in. Thank you truly, Netgalley, Sourcebooks, and Jessica Verdi for the chance to read this. I was given an egalley in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway!

Now, here's your chance to win a copy of The Summer I Wasn't Me!
The Rules:
-This giveaway will run from May 3rd to May 10th, 2014.
-This giveaway is open to those 18+ and is USA & CANADA ONLY.
-It is open to anyone over that age who can legally enter, receive, and use their prize.
-One (1) winner will win a copy.
-This giveaway is sponsored wholly by the publisher.
-This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity.
-Winner will have 48 hours to reply, or a new winner will be chosen. Winner will be chosen using Rafflecopter.
-Invalid entries will be removed, so please don't cheat.
-Void where prohibited. Odds will vary. No purchase necessary.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt, Review, & Giveaway: Twisted edited by Alison Tyler

Hello my lovelies! I'm really super excited for my post for you all today. Cleis Press was awesome enough to host a giveaway with me for the new bondage anthology Twisted: Bondage with an Edge edited by Alison Tyler. Each short story features a steamy scene of, you guessed it, bondage, but each author approaches the topic in very different but equally arousing ways. As if a giveaway wasn't enough, I have the very extra special treat of an excerpt from the book!

This excerpt is from a story entitled "Sylvia’s Transgression” by Tamsin Flowers.

Sneak Peek:

“If you’re going to be noisy, you know what will happen?”
“Yes, Sir,” I whispered.
“Do you want to be gagged?”
“No, Sir.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, Sir. I won’t be noisy.”
He slapped me sharply on the butt with a flat palm as if to
test my resolve, but I was biting my lip and stayed quiet.
“Good girl.”
I heard him pacing round the bed.
“Let’s get this over with.”
I lay wondering what sort of punishment he had in mind. Then his arm swooped under my waist and he pushed a bolster cushion in underneath me, drawing my legs up slightly and raising my arse a foot or so above the bed. I knew what that meant; with the spreader pulling my legs wide, my butthole and labia were fully exposed and vulnerable to whatever pain he devised for them. I shut my eyes and chewed on my tongue, determined not to cry.
He must have been aware of my distress because then I felt his hand gently stroking my arse and down the back of one thigh.
“Don’t be frightened, sweet girl,” he whispered in my ear. “You know I’ve got to do this for your own good. You know you’ll feel much better when it’s over.”
“What will you use?” I managed to say, finishing with a slight sob.
“No, no, no. Nothing given away beforehand.”
He moved silently in the darkening room and as the light faded, I felt as if I was losing myself, sliding into a deep pit from which I would never be able to claw free. All I could hear was his breathing, deeper and heavier than when he’d first come in. He was getting ready to punish me now, psyching himself up, deciding what he would use, how many times he would strike and how hard.
He opened the cupboard where he kept his toys and I heard him rifling through his collection: whips, crops, paddles, belts, a flogger…. He’d been collecting them for years and he’d tried them all out on me. I knew exactly how much pain each would cause and as I wondered which one he would pick, a dull, grinding ache of need made itself felt in my clit and my cunt and my arse. I breathed deeply; I was starting to sweat now with the anticipation. I wanted it to start, but I wanted to wait like this on the brink forever. I longed to hear the whoosh of air and feel the first the blow but I was scared, frightened of the pain, frightened of his anger and of his desire. I pressed my forehead into the bed as time seemed to stand still and all sensation was lost apart from the throb of longing that pulsed from my cunt through to my chest.
Then I heard it. The thin, high-pitched whine of his bamboo riding crop. Instantaneously, I felt it too; a shard of pain that seared through my left buttock and up to the base of my throat. I gasped, and then I wretched as the after-burn kicked in. I fought for breath, desperate to regain my equilibrium before the next inevitable blow. This was one of his favorites; a harsh bestower of pain, of bright red welts that stayed for longer than any others in a sharply delineated pattern.
“Look at you, you’re so wet for it,” he whispered near my ear and at that moment I became aware of hot juice that was dripping from my cunt and running down the inside of my thigh.
Swoosh!

My Review

Title: Twisted: Bondage With an Edge
Editor: Alison Tyler
Format: Paperback, 244 pages
Pub. Date: February 18th 2014
Source: Cleis Press
Purchase: Amazon

★★★★

Four chained & begging stars.

Twisted is an anthology of BDSM erotica that offers a story for every kink and every fantasy. Whether you're into girl on girl, chains, voyeurism, and lord knows what in between, Alison Tyler has included a steamy tale in this collection to scratch your itch. Even the cover draws you in, making this book one that tempts you from cover to cover. Of course, as is sure to happen with every anthology or collection, I did enjoy some stories more than others. I'll highlight briefly my top three, in no particular order, in the lines below.

One of the short stories within Twisted is called "The Customer's Waiting" written by Giselle Renarde. This escapade features two lovely ladies, a boring night at work, and a few cable ties. Add in some sexual tension and some great attention to after care and you've got a sizzling story that will leave you hot and bothered.

The next of my picks is "Bondage Blogging" by Meadow Parker. A huge fan of a husband and wife duo's bondage blog gets the chance of a lifetime when she gets an email from the couple saying that they'll be in town if she wants to get dinner. She never suspected that she'd get a very special BDSM experience that is not available online. As a blogger, this one struck me a biiiiiit personally in a great way. Maybe I should follow more naughty blogs!

My final pick is entitled "Rope Drought" and is written by Teresa Noelle Roberts. When the land finally gets some much needed rain, Zeke and Ellie decide to take a walk to get wet- in more ways than one- out on their farm. The descriptions in this one are particularly lovely, and it made me wish I didn't have such a high population of people and neighbors nearby.

From farms to offices, homes to camp there's a fantasy for everyone. Though these three are the ones that stood out to me, each story is worth reading for different reasons. Each author brings a unique set of characters, kink, and voice to make each one arousing, making you want to read more and more. Another plus of this book is that because the stories are only related by theme, bondage, you can stop and start reading with ease. Fans of BDSM erotica, or even erotica in general, will not be left disappointed by this collection.

Thank you so much to Cleis Press for giving me a copy of Twisted in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway!

Now, here's your chance to win a copy of Twisted!
The Rules:
-This giveaway will run from March 28th to April 4th, 2014.
-This giveaway is open to those 18+ and is USA ONLY.
-It is open to anyone over that age who can legally enter, receive, and use their prize.
-One (1) winner will win a copy.
-This giveaway is sponsored wholly by the publisher.
-This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity.
-Winner will have 48 hours to reply, or a new winner will be chosen. Winner will be chosen using Rafflecopter.
-Invalid entries will be removed, so please don't cheat.
-Void where prohibited. Odds will vary. No purchase necessary.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Ask the Passengers

Title: Ask The Passengers
Author: A.S. King
Format: Hardcover, 296 pages
Pub. Date: October 23rd 2012
Source: Christi the Teen Librarian blog

★★★★★

Five Incredible Stars.

Astrid's world hasn't quite been the same since her mother forced them to move from the big city to a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business- but do they really? Best friends with a deceptively perfect girl, Astrid is forced to keep a secret that would ruin her friend's reputation... But know one knows that she's facing a similar struggle about her identity. She contemplates what love is, and if one can be open about who they truly love in a judgemental town like hers as she looks up at the sky, asking the passengers on planes if they can feel loved too.

---

Wow. I finished this book a few days ago, and I just needed to take the time to process the story that I had just finished, and that I was not entirely mentally prepared for. This book takes a stunning, and more importantly real, look at the struggles that teens have with sexual identity and acceptance.

I've made it no secret that I'm a member of the LGBT community, and so this book struck an all too familiar tone with me. For example, Astrid's almost-girlfriend is out of the closet, and Astrid isn't even sure if she's a lesbian, let alone out of the closet. This was how it was for me and my girlfriend too. She's been openly out to her family and the world since she was about thirteen years old (give or take) and I only recently came out at the ripe old age of 20. We had a few bickering moments, like Dee and Astrid, about how "everyone already knows, just come out already." But it's not that easy, I can tell you that first hand. It's different to "know" and to know. And just because your mom watches shows with gay people on them or doesn't actively picket Westboro style doesn't mean that she wants a lesbian as a daughter. The comparisons to my own life continued when Astrid answered her parents' question of "So are you gay?" with "I don't know." Because you don't always know. It is a terrible, frightening battle that most of us struggle with alone. I know I did. I am bisexual, and for a very long time I hated, and was disgusted, by myself.

I'm seeing a lot of reviews that say the resolutions between Astrid and her suddenly-love-her-again family is unrealistic. And maybe, for some people, it is. But not everyone holds on to hate, and not everyone gets disowned for loving someone of the same gender. My mom was upset at first, and got over it. My dad calls gay people horrible names, but when I came out there was just a few angry swears and he moved past it. And the end of the day, your family is your family, and you want to love and be loved by them. For me personally, this was summed up perfectly.

The amount of drama, romance, and heartbreak in this book is amazing. I never really knew what was going to happen next, and I felt SO HARD for Astrid. I hated certain characters to the point that Emily was getting angry texts of profanity in the middle of the night because I couldn't get over it. I loved characters to the point of crying. I'm not going to give away the ending, but I cried. And I cried hard. Kind of awkwardly cradling my copy of the book and staring into nothing for a bit. It was messy.

For awhile, I didn't much enjoy the excerpts from the passengers on the plane that Astrid connects to to relax and mentally decompress from her life's woes. I thought they'd hinder my reading experience overall- and then the end happened. The unexpected, cry-worthy, take-my-five-stars ending, and I suddenly understood what the author was going for. I got it. It's hard to describe it beyond that- I just got it. I rarely connect to books like this, and I am so glad I've gotten the chance to read it.

This book contains same sex relationships and themes, so if that bothers you, this isn't the book for you. However, if you're a member of the LGBT community, love contemporary YA, or just want a unique way of hearing a story, than I would definitely, definitely give Ask the Passengers a read. Thank you SO MUCH to Christi the Teen Librarian blog for sending me a copy.

Blog Tour: Interview, Giveaway, & Review w/ Rachel Kramer Bussel!

Hello my lovely followers. I hope your week is off too a good start, and that you're not busting your hump TOO much with finals finally being here. I'm so excited and honored to be a part of this blog tour! Today I get to present to you an interview with Rachel Kramer Bussel, editor of The Big Book of Orgasms: 69 Sexy Stories. She was awesome enough to answer some of my questions about the erotica genre, and of course about the book! I am a huge fan of her work, and of Cleis Press, so if you're new to her work- you're in for a treat. PLUS, Cleis Press is being generous enough to offer a copy up for a giveaway! Be sure to thank both for this post today! Be warned- adult content to follow.

Interview!

When did you discover that you had a talent for writing erotica?

I was in law school in 1999 and had been reading a lot of erotica, so decided to try my hand at wirting it. That first story, “Monica and Me,” got published in Starf*cker, a book of celebrity erotica edited by Shar Rednour, and Best Lesbian Erotica 2001, edited by Tristan Taormino. That early success was so exciting—I still remember holding Best Lesbian Erotica 2001 in a bookstore, one that actually no longer exists, that has since closed and having tears in my eyes to see my name in a book in a store—that it inspired me to keep writing. My early stories were largely inspired from my own life, and sometimes they still are, but nowadays there’s a lot more variety and creativity to how I approach my story ideas.

Was it hard to come forward and tell your friends and family what you were writing about?

Not really; it was small at first, a story here or there, and then editing my first anthology, but those were pretty under the radar. As I grew more confident and later started writing a sex column in The Village Voice, which has an international readership, I knew I had to embrace being out as someone who writes about sex. I didn’t think much about it in the first flush of publication, because I was so proud and thrilled, and while occasionally I envy writers who work anonymously, I feel like if people reject me because I write erotica—which has never happened amongst someone I’m close with—then they are not someone I want in my life.

Is there a particular kink that you find is your favorite to write about?

Probably spanking; it’s something I’ve enjoyed in my personal life for a long time and find there’s so much variety when it comes to spanking stories. They can be light and playful or intense and can cover a gamut of emotions, not to mention settings and implements and levels of kink. You’d think I might get bored with the topic after editing 5 books of spanking erotica and writing who knows how many stories, but I haven’t yet. I find there’s always some new angle and way of approaching it that keeps it fresh.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever gotten when it comes to writing and publication?

Read the publication you want to write for; if it’s erotica, read some of the editor’s previous work. If it’s a website or magazine, read it heavily before submitting. It not only gives you a sense of what the editors are looking for, but may spark an idea you hadn’t considered. That’s how I broke into writing for Salon for their mortifying disclosures section with a piece on hoarding (http://www.salon.com/2011/08/23/i_am_a_hoarder_confessional/). So be familiar with the genre and types of writing in it, whether you plan to write in a similar way to what’s been published or try something experimental, and then make it your own. I often recommend that erotica writers try to incorporate anything they have special knowledge about, the way, say, KD Grace does with gardening. I once wrote a story about chess playing for Alison Tyler’s anthology G Is for Games, because I knew what it felt like to sit across a chessboard from another person I thought was hot. This doesn't mean everything or even anything you write has to be literally true, but the more verisimilitude you can bring to the action and emotions, the more readers and editors will appreciate your story.

If you had a chance to sit down and have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Monica Lewinsky, partly because she was the inspiration for my first erotica story, and I still feel sorry for her in that her life became so public and there was no real way for her to take it back, yet she weathered that scandal gracefully. I’m fascinated by her and would love to find out what she’s doing now. I’m not saying we have a zillion things in common, but I think we have enough to make for a good conversation.

I've heard of some writers that need to have a favorite pen or to be drinking a certain kind of pop while they write to channel creativity. Are there any methods or quirks that you have while you're writing?

I don’t have any specific rituals, though coffee definitely helps me get my bearings on a given day. I love writing most when I have the spark of a new idea and just run with it before I let all my internal censors tell me why it’s a bad idea. So, basically, caffeine and a good title or opening line or image, and I’m ready to go.

Did you always know that you wanted to be an author? What led you to this career path?

I’ve always written, but never thought I could truly be a writer. I still don’t feel I’ll be able to consider myself a writer in the sense that I want to be until I author a book with my name on it. But it was through failing at law school and working administrative jobs and writing on the side that I fell into this mishmash of a career, and I’m grateful for all the twists and turns it took me to get to this place. I love that every day is different and that I always have the outlet of the blank page at my disposal, wherever I am, whatever the hour. To me that is the greatest joy of being a writer. Doing it for a living has forced me to mine my own life and the world around me for ideas. I’ve discovered that the more I do that, the more the ideas come to me.

Here's my final question: What makes The Big Book of Orgasms the best title yet?

I truly think it has something for almost every reader. The characters range in single and coupled (and more than couples), from varying points of view and sexualities and genders. They get off in different ways and each story is unique, from coming from being spanked to going commando with a tight pair of jeans. They are short enough that you won’t get bored and can explore a range of authors and writing styles. I know many people read on e-readers, which I encourage and do myself, but the print version to me is so sensual and gorgeous, from the cover to the size. I am just over the moon for this book and consider it my best work and the highlight of my erotica editing career, and I think it’s perfect for new erotica readers as well as those who’ve read tons of erotica.

---

I definitely have to agree with you there, Rachel. I LOVED this anthology! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Now, to those who want to know my thoughts on the matter, here's my opinion on why you ought to read Rachel's new collection!

Review!

Title: The Big Book of Orgasms: 69 Sexy Stories
Editor: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Format: Paperback,
Pub. Date: October 15th 2013
Source: Rachel Kramer Bussel

★★★★★

Five stars.

The Big Book of Orgasms features 69 erotic short stories that get the reader's motor running time and time again. With each new story, a different kink or passion is explored, drawing out the reader's attention and keeping it from from foreplay, to climax, to post sex snuggling. Either read one at a time or as one solid novel, this book has something for everyone.

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Rachel and Cleis Press's anthologies. The one thing that puts these collections at the top of my list is the diversity of the stories. The Big Book of Orgasms is absolutely no exception. Though there are sixty-nine stories to read in this book, each one offers a unique story. One won't get bored reading this, that's for damn sure!

There is a story included in this book for everyone. Every combination of male, female, in between, and groups of the above are written about. Kinks such as BDSM, spanking, exhibitionism, you name it, Rachel's made sure to include it in her longest, sexiest anthology yet.

Of course, though the whole book is one that I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys a bit of naughtiness in their reading, I still had my favorites. As always when I review one of these anthologies, I'm going to spotlight my top three stories (which was a lot harder to narrow down this time around, now that I had nearly seventy to choose from!). The following are in no particular order.

Hellfire by Valerie Alexander features a Domme and a BDSM party where she meets one of the most high in demand Dom males in the local scene. She doesn't want him to see how his presence effects her, until they meet again in much sexier circumstances. This was a tease of a story, and I'd love to read a longer book featuring this plot line. (Please Valerie? Pretty Please?)Pushing Boundaries on Public Transport by Victoria Blisse is a story starring a couple that has a bit of risque fun on a bus, which elevates to a new level when they notice someone's eyes on their every move. This was well written and left me wanting more. And finally, The Morning After by David Salcido is a lusfful account of a newly married couple that adds one more to their morning rendez-vous.

If you're a fan of any type of erotica, this is not an anthology to be missed. Obviously this material is for adults, so there's mature language and situations.

Thank you to Cleis Press and Rachel for my chance to read this.

Giveaway!

Now, here's your chance to win a copy of The Big Book of Orgasms!

The Rules:
-This giveaway will run from December 9th, 2013 to December 16th, 2013.
-This giveaway is open to those 18+ and is USA ONLY.
-It is open to anyone over that age who can legally enter, receive, and use their prize.
-One (1) winner will win a copy.
-This giveaway is sponsored wholly by the publisher.
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-Winner will have 48 hours to reply, or a new winner will be chosen. Winner will be chosen using Rafflecopter.
-Invalid entries will be removed, so please don't cheat.
-Void where prohibited. Odds will vary. No purchase necessary.

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Mini Review: First Love by C.J. Harte

Title: First Love
Author: C.J. Harte
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: October 15th 2013
Source: Netgalley

★★★

Three stars.

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Drew is a rodeo star from Wyoming who pauses her career in order to earn a medical degree, so that she can one day come back and practice medicine as well as ranch. Jordan is the daughter of the President who feels the pressure- her every move must uphold the reputation expected of her from her parents. She hires Drew as a tutor, and what starts as a purely professional relationship grows into something far more unexpected.

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This review won't be very long. Overall, this was an okay story. Not good, not bad, just middle of the road for me.

+I adored Drew. She's strong and smart and is definitely the main player in this book, in my opinion. Maybe it's because I'm a sucker for smart ass characters, and a sucker for rancher/cowboy(girl) types too. I liked Jordan for the sheer fact that she's relatable. She's sheltered and a bit naive, and is confused when she can't really make sense of the feelings she has for Drew. And when she does begin to understand them, she isn't sure what to do with them because it goes against how she was raised. It was an interesting dynamic for me, since I've been in her shoes.

+I thought that their relationship was sweet. Their feelings for each other go beyond sex, and that much is clear in the writing of the text. I was pleasantly surprised by this fact, and I'm glad that made this a book that had sex in it, but didn't make the story explicitly about it.

Though this book definitely had its strong points, for me it just fell flat. It was predictable and because of that, it dragged on for me. I would definitely read other books by this author, but this title just wasn't a favorite.

Fans of lesbian romance might want to give this book a try. It has solid characters and a sweet romance, but it was just not my cup of tea.

Thanks to Bold Strokes Books, Inc. & Netgalley for my copy.

Double Review: Forbidden Fruit & Yank

Title: Forbidden Fruit
Author: Selena Kitt
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: August 30th 2013
Source: Netgalley

★★★★

Four solid stars.

Leah and Erica are best friends that attend the same stuffy Catholic college. Since Erica's mother passed away, Leah's spent so much time over there that she's essentially Mr. Nolan's second daughter. During one of their girl nights, the friends find a box of erotic videos and magazines beneath Mr. Nolan's bed, and it fuels their curiosity and desires, for each other and for the men in their lives.... But that turns into more of a problem when the man in Leah's life becomes her best friend's father.

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Wow. I was not expecting a short novella like this to pack so much steam into such little space. I was very pleasantly surprised.

I liked the actual plot of this short story. Most of the time, with erotic short stories, I don't get a sense of any real plot line, just scene after scene of bedroom activities. But this plot was intriguing- how awkward would it be for everyone involved if you started shagging your best friend's dad in their own house. I was genuinely interested in how long Leah would get away with it, and what would happen once she was busted.

The sex scenes, though frequent, never became boring or repetitive. I'm impressed that Selena Kitt managed to have so much variety in the scenes that she wrote. The descriptions are just the right amount of crass and sensual, and they are more than a little hot. For me, the Catholic school bit was a nice touch, and made it all the sexier.

Be warned that this is an erotic story, and contains sex, Catholicism, toys, girl-on-girl, and strong language. It's a hot, short, kinky read and won't be the last I read by this author.


Title: Yank
Author: Selena Kitt
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: August 28th 2013
Source: Netgalley

★★

Two stars.

Dawn, a foreign exchange student from America, is headed to Surrey for her studies, to stay with childhood friend David. His world becomes shaken up the moment she arrives back, because he's not the little girl that he remembers anymore, and it becomes increasingly more difficult for either of them to resist the temptation that lives only down the hall.

I wasn't so much a fan of this one, in compared to the other Selena Kitt story that I have read.

I didn't feel connected to the plot or the characters. I understand that this is a short story, and an erotic one at that, but there still has to be some level of interest in characters or the rest of the story breaks down. That's how I felt about this one.

The smutty scenes, as always however, are well written and full of blazing heat. If I could rate these separately, I would, because Selena Kitt is a great author when it comes to the x-rated scenes within her stories.

Selena Kitt is known for approaching more taboo subjects, which I found odd seeing that this book seemed relatively tame. True, her host mother insists that the two act like siblings, and the school has a "no relationships with the host family" rule, but that little detail didn't seem so rebellious to me. But then I started reading reviews of this book, and saw that in the original edition of this story, they were related. I very much hate to say that, but I think I would have preferred that they were. It would have added the missing depth to the characters, the plot, and the "taboo" factor.

This is a book intended for adults, so be aware that this book contains vulgar language, crass British slang, and graphic detail. Thanks to Netgalley and eXcessica Publishing for my copies.

Review: Anything For You

Title: Anything for You: Erotica for Kinky Couples
Editor: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Format: Paperback, 244 pages
Pub. Date: August 7th 2012
Source: Rachel Kramer Bussel

★★★★

Four stars.

Anything for You: Erotica for Kinky Couples is an anthology of nearly twenty erotic short stories. This collection is unique, in that it focuses on a very particular reader audience: couples. This book contains a story for everyone, and is sizzling hot from cover to cover, and on each page in between.

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The thing that I adore about Rachel Kramer Bussel's anthologies is the amazing variation that she includes in each book. Anything For You is absolutely no exception to this. Within this anthology, there are stories between girls, boys, mixes of the two, female Dominants, male Dominants, public play, old couples, young couples. You want it, this book has got it.

As I always do when I'm lucky enough to get my hands on one of these collections, I'll highlight my three favorite stories from this collection. These are in no particular order. The first is entitled "Teppanyaki" by Janine Ashbless. This steamy little morsel tells the story of a couple that decides to have visitors for dinner, and it quickly becomes an entirely different kind of "party", much to the kinky surprise of one of the guests. The well written food and humiliation scenes made me want to have a dinner party of my very own, and soon *winks*. The next story that I most enjoyed is called "Notes from Her Master" by Kathleen Tudor. In this tale, a submissive women is given a little present for her plane ride on a business trip away from her Master. Little does she know that there are several directions for her to obey- and He'll know if she didn't. This one contains public play, airplane fun, and humiliation. Something about one gave me chills in the best possible way. The final one in my top three is called "Lap It Up" by Kay Jaybee, and involves two lovely ladies, puppy play, and Domination. It's not a kink I see represented a lot, and personally it's a refreshing change.

The lesser liked stories were marked as such due to one or more of the following: a lack of emotional writing (I hate when sex scenes are just that), a kink that I don't enjoy/am not into, or featured a second person narration (a personal peeve, no fault of the authors).

This book is a perfect read for couples that play together to enjoy together. Fans of erotica and kink, as well as Rachel's other publications, won't be disappointed by this book. It's a welcome addition to my fun shelf.

Thanks so much to the editor for my copy

Review: Cheeky Spanking Stories

Title: Cheeky Spanking Stories
Authors: Rachel Kramer Bussel & Various
Format: Paperback, 224 pages
Pub. Date: October 16th 2012
Source: Rachel Kramer Bussel

★★★★★

Four and a half stars, rounded up.

Cheeky Spanking Stories is a collection of over twenty little morsels of writing all centered around the central theme of spanking. The tales inside this book range from hardcore to light and sweet, and involve men, women, and every combination of them in every orientation. Whether you like your spanking stories delivered with a crop, a paddle, or a good old fashioned open palm, Cheeky Spanking Stories has got something to satiate.

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I love the concept of having a collection of erotica stories all centered around the act of delivering a good smack. It lets you know what you're in for throughout the book... But only just. Each individual author takes the idea and runs with it, making each story unique and kinky in its own lustful way.

It goes without saying that there will always be stories that I love and ones that I'm not so crazy about. That's sort of to be expected in an anthology such as this. With that being said, my top three selections deserve a special shout out in my review. The first is Mermaid by Teresa Noelle Roberts. This story features two very lovely ladies, a pretty shoreline, and more than a little rope. The writing was detailed and intriguing, and the unique story line stood out to me. I also really enjoyed Bitch by Elizabeth Silver. It's a story about a sexy, no-nonsense Domme and the new plaything she gets to explore. I felt that the Domme was written really well (which I tend to be picky about in my readings). And last, was the story Marks by Rachel Kramer Bussel, which follows a couple at an adult resort and a very tempting beauty with inviting marks on her perfect bum.

The stories I didn't like so much were either due to a pairing that I'm not so fond of, or more commonly were written from a perspective that I don't enjoy (mostly second person).

Also, I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but just look at it. It's so cute. I love it!

All in all, if this kink is one of yours, this is a great little collection of stories to enjoy and fuel your fantasies further. Fans of Rachel's anthologies definitely won't be disappointed with this one. If explicit sex, kink, or homosexuality bother you, then don't pick this one up.

Thank you so much to Rachel for my copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Serving Him

Title: Serving Him: Sexy Stories of Submission
Editor: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Authors: Various
Format: Paperback, 232 pages
Pub. Date: April 9th 2013
Source: Editor, Rachel Kramer Bussel

★★★★

Four stars.

Serving Him: Sexy Stories of Submission is an erotica anthology in which each teasing little story features bottoms who are eager to serve and strong, male Doms who are happy to boss. Serving Him contains 22 stories that feature a variety of kinks and desires that will be sure to satisfy anyone's lustful hunger.

Rachel Kramer Bussel has a great skill for piecing together stories in an anthology that are radically different and yet all stick to a central theme. It's no wonder that so many people gobble these anthologies up, myself included. Though all of the stories follow the same general theme, they never grow boring or redundant.

For me personally, three stories stood out more than the others:

Coffee Break by Kristina Wright tells the tale of a no-nonsense Dom who coaxes his sub into trusting his instruction and into being a bit naughty in the bathroom of a coffee shop. A steamy note, an unlocked door, and delicious writing? Yes please. A double shot of that.

I Always Do by Kiki Delovely is a story that circles around a baby girl style relationship and perfectly narrates the needs, pride, and satisfaction that comes from pleasing your partner in a relationship. I rarely find well written stories on this topic, so this one definitely popped for me.

Pinky by Kissa Starling follows a sub who rebelliously changes her hair color without permission from her Dom and must face the punishments. This particular story contains surprise menage, which was very steamy in its writing and had an overall warm tone throughout.

Of course, I did enjoy some stories more than others. In some instances, that fact was due to a personal issue with the view point of the writing. But mostly, it just happened that those stories that I didn't like involved a kink that I don't have. You can't win 'em all.

Plus, look at that cover. I know that's not how you should judge a book, but it's pretty hard not to in this case.

To any fan of male Doms, BDSM, kinks, and general naughtiness- this collection is bound to have at least one story that makes it worth the read. If sex or BDSM and the various topics surrounding them bother you, this isn't for you.

I received this book from the editor, Rachel Kramer Bussel, in exchange for an honest review.