Dirty, Happy Book Reviews: The Catch Up

Ever have one of those weeks where it seems like every time you almost get ahead, something happens and knocks you off your horse? That’s what last week felt like with writing. (I blame my roommate/ significant other and the season four premier of Game of Thrones.) Every time I almost got somewhere, I lost it again. So getting back up on the horse and trying it again today.

In the spirit of catching up, here's a three for review deal, which catch us up for last week. I’m going to work through these fairly quickly, because honestly the best way to experience these anthos is to read them, not listen to me go on about the brilliant little gems that add to the erotica cannon.

First off, a book that continues to resonate with me is Twice the Pleasure: Bisexual Women’s Erotica, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel.

What I Like About It:

It’s surprising array of bisexual situations. This is not a book limited to threesomes, but one that seeks to explore the spectrum of female sexuality. Because, at least in my opinion, that’s one of the best parts about being female, this opportunity to experience an extremely diverse range of sexuality.

What I Don’t Like:

That it ends. :)
  
 
Duty and Desire: Military Erotic Romance ed. Kristina Wright

What I Like About It:

It takes a special kind of erotic romance to appeal to me as a reader. Some collections verge too far toward sweet romance for my taste, and (this is strictly a personal reader preference) I often think that saccharine-sweet romance isn’t realistic. What I love about Kristina Wright’s selections is that they hit that perfect mark, right between too sweet and just right. There’s always a range of emotion in the stories she selects and it makes a very satisfying collection. This antho, again, has some stories that stick in my mind. “Sergeant Rae” by Sacchi Green, “Fighting for Fresno” by Ericka Hiatt, and “Shattered” by Shanna Germain are the first ones to come to mind. It’s a powerful collection that I return to time and time again.

What I Don’t Like:

Again, that it ends.


The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica: Vol. 9 ed. Maxim Jakubowski

What I Like About It:

Any time you pick up a Maxim Jakubowski anthology, you’re getting something wild, something unusual and sensual and literary. I love that these stories are mostly unusual, often quirky, and typically unforgettable. The range of stories is amazing, and they aren’t limited to happy endings. It’s a great blend of the literary and the erotic. The story from this collection that I will never forget is “2.04 a.m., Our Hostess’ Second-Floor Walk-In” by Savannah Lee. All the Mammoth Book of series are available on Amazon and look like fantastic deals.

What I Don’t Like:

Sometimes the stories range to a little too literary, and I’m not sure what happened. Takes me back to reading for sophomore college English, “I know I’m supposed to be blown away by this, and I am, but I don’t have any idea WTF just happened.” This could also just be me not paying enough attention?


So that wraps up the antho reviews. There are a TON more out there, but these are simply my immediate favorites, with stories I go to over and over again for inspiration. Other anthos I love: Exposed by Alison Tyler, Red Hot Erotica ed. Alison Tyler, and Girls Getting Off published by Xcite... Looks like I might need to devote another week to anthos here someday soon. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention both Shameless Behavior and Dirty Little Numbers ed. Lana Fox… definitely will be revisiting the anthology department!