Review: Bending Over for Jeff

Bending Over For Jeff by July Cumming
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wish I had chosen a different July Cumming as my first, simply because it's hard to judge a smut writer by her satire. Cumming's protagonist is as frustrated as the rest of the indie writing world, and the author wraps this frustration into a fun, smutty story. We are all being held over a barrel by the high and mighty online ebook sellers, and the story's Ms. Cumming takes it. Just like "the others," indie authors' colleagues/competition.

The story hit home on many points (and it's the kind of story in which subsequent readings will reveal details missed on the first reading)--the "all knowingness" of the retailer, the instant delivery of any item imaginable, the "others." It made for awesome satire.

It's difficult to judge the "steaminess" of this story though. I was kind of ticked off the whole time because I understood the author's point so clearly, so I didn't enjoy the sexy parts the way they were meant to be enjoyed. For me, they were the sharpness of the satire. I'll have to read another July Cumming for the full effect. Which sends me right back to the "one-click" button. The circle of smut...

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Review: Compatible Gardens

Compatible Gardens by Angora Shade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Compatible Gardens is a delightful lesbian tale about fate. It's short, and the sexual contact is limited to a sexy girl-on-girl handjob, but it's woven so well through the fabric of the story. Shade gives an excellent example of erotic realism, even if the idea of a stranger reaching into your pants seems a bit far fetched. Regular people, riding the bus, looking for apartments, real people judging the participants, including a grumpy nun, right in their faces.

Shade's writing is super slick, propelling the reader bus stop-by-bus stop to the climax, both the story's and the young woman's. What I enjoyed the most was the internal dialogue and the uncertainty. Was Ms. Greencoat touching her on purpose or not? I found it entertaining and arousing.

I also noted the realistic description of the moving bus. Anyone who has ever walked to a seat on a moving bus will recognize the exact motions made in the story. It was that extra layer of storytelling that brought it to life.

An excellent quick read. I highly recommend it.

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Review: Celebrity Quickies

Celebrity Quickies by B.J. Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These stories are some hot little strokers. B.J. Taylor's strong suit is the quickie. Like a nooner at a no-tell motel, these stories get the job done and get the hell out of the way. This collection also displays some of the slickest writing I've seen from Taylor, with relatively few errors (although there are some nagging jumps from past to present tense).

What sold this for me the most was the title, "Celebrity Quickies." I got exactly what I expected--short, stroke stories. I wasn't looking for a complex story or long, slow lovemaking. Taylor could fill volumes with this kind of story--quickies, nooners, afternoon delights, wake-up sex. I'd like to see him do it.

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Review: How the Lotus Blossoms

How The Lotus Blossoms by Fionna Guillaume
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have had a strange fascination with the Chinese foot-binding tradition, ever since I read the book Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. The practice was absolutely barbaric, and it's difficult to imagine how a tradition so horrible came to be. Fionna Guillaume blends true history with conjecture, creating a fascinating and believable story of a young Chinese woman, born with club feet, to peasants forced to sell her to a circus freak show.

She binds her feet with silk to provide support and hide her deformity, and the pain of walking on her tiny half moons causes her to walk with a seductive sway, which catches the eye of the emperor. When he takes her to his bed for the first time, she displays the acrobatics force on her by her cruel husband and uses her tiny silk-wrapped lotus flowers to bring him to orgasm. He is so smitten by her disability, he takes her as his concubine, develops a deep fetish for her three inch feet, and declares that any woman who comes to his bed must have bound feet, a completely likely explanation for the longstanding tradition.

Guillaume's writing is very slick and efficient, and the story moves at a smooth pace toward a pleasant, happy ending. The sex is titillating and quite unique. An enjoyable story all-around, especially for those with an interest in Chinese women's history.

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Review: Rannigan's Redemption Part 3: Ransoming Redemption

Rannigan's Redemption Part 3: Ransoming Redemption by Pandora Spocks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pandora Spocks did not disappoint with the final installment of the Rannigan's Redemption series. In addition to the characters I love and the fun sexy scenes, this book is an emotional roller coaster, showcasing Spocks's ability to yank on the heartstrings. Hard.

No spoilers here, but if you read the second book, you know that Michael Rannigan wasn't in good shape. I read the entire book with a sinking feeling in my stomach. Spocks handled his battle so beautifully and with such finesse.

(My little complaint in this one was lack of blowjobs. I'm not sure there were any. Bobby deserved at least a couple oral delights!)

This book is an excellent balance of happiness and sadness, sex and sickness, love and friendship. Read it with your box of tissues.

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Review: Inner Beauty

Inner Beauty by S.J. Hermann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this, not knowing anything about what the author usually writes, and I didn't know if I should expect erotica or what. I was pleasantly surprised to find a sexy short story, rather than a sex scene or a chapter of a story. The author succeeded in making me detest the protagonist, right from the start, and the ending was very satisfying.

The writing is excellent as well. No errors, no extra fluff. Just clean, enjoyable writing. 

This is a great short read!

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Review: Okay Now What by M.S. Tarot

Okay now what? by M.S. Tarot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

M.S. Tarot can write about anything. In this series, he writes about a man who's been in love with his brother's ex-wife since he was too young to have such intense feelings. When they meet by chance, she's grateful for someone to talk to, and his old feelings rush back.

And this is where M.S. Tarot shines. Older woman, younger man, and a romance which no one else approves of. Their feelings for each other are intense, but Ash's family hasn't forgotten how bitter Melinda's divorce from Ash's brother was. And they don't want him to forget either.

There are scenes in these books that took my breath away with their heat. Kisses so passionate, I reread the passages over and over. And then Ash's family steps in, and they're terribly irrational. Anyone with a crazy family will be able to relate.

With true-to-life conflict and stunningly sensual love scenes, this series is special.

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