"Anything-goes sexy novellas from well-known erotica authors."
"Ecstasy" by Bertrice Small Bertrice Small practically invented the erotic romance
single-handedly. When she's at the top of her game, she is
unbeatable, with strong heroines, sexy and dominant heroes,
exotic locales and historically accurate details. This
story is NOT Small at her best. In fact it's devoid of
everything that made her famous except for steamy sex, and
even that is pretty boring here. Prince Dagon is betrayed by his power-hungry brother and is
sold as a slave to the High Procuress of Kava, a city where
all men are slaves and women rule. It appears their Queen
has been unable to find true love, and Zenaida, the
Procuress, hopes Dagon will win her heart as well as other
parts of the ice maiden Kalinda. Of course he does, after
orchestrating all the set scenes from a porn video,
including anal sex and a threesome with a cute gardener. I don't like writing pans, but this story isn't worth a
read. Dagon is endowed with a humongous penis and no
personality, Kalinda is a dead bore, and there really isn't
a plot to speak of. I got extremely tired of everyone being
thrilled at the size of Dagon's penis (it should have a
name, since it's really the hero of this novella). In fact,
this book seems more like a male fantasy (give the gal the
right male organ, and she'll stop being interested in
anything but him)than a female one. It reminded me a lot of
John Norman's Gor series, and that is NOT a compliment. "Bound and Determined" by Susan Johnson Hugh Dalsany is bored with his life of decadence and has
sworn to give up casual sex — but when he's kidnapped by a
mysterious woman, he finds he doesn't have a choice in the
matter. Sofia's husband, a cruel Balkan prince, has no
interest in women, but requires an heir — and he wants him
sired by a man whose lineage is as good as his own. Hugh
has been chosen for the role of royal stud. Unwilling at
first (to the point where she has to tie him up to get him
to perform), he begins to care for his beautiful and tragic
captor, as he realizes that she is as much a pawn in her
husband's schemes as he. As the month draws to a close, he
is bound to her by chains of love, and wonders if he can
bear to give her up. As usual, Johnson takes a cliché and stands it on its head.
Hugh begins as a jaded, bored playboy who cares for
nothing, but as he learns to care for Sofia, he grows into
a man worth loving. This was my second favorite story in
the book, and while it's not the best Johnson story I've
read, it's still a fun read. "Dark Desires" by Thea Devine It's very hard for me to write a review of this novella. I
freely confess that I am not a fan of Devine. She writes
well enough, albeit with a florid, Victorian style, but I
don't much care for her characters, male or female, and I
particularly dislike the way she handles sexuality.
Bluntly, I find her unpleasant, and I heartily dislike the
way she handles kinky sex. Oh yes, be warned — if you like
your sex sweet, avoid this tale. This novella is typical. Drue Caledon is forced to marry
Courtland Summerville in order to keep her father from
being jailed for gambling debts. She is determined to keep
her heart for her true love, Gerard. Court is equally
determined to possess her, and sets out to make her his. He
uses chains, nakedness, and humiliation to break her,
refusing to f*** her until she begs him for her (and f***
IS the correct word here; there's nothing of love-making in
that act). Of course, she falls madly for him, stupid
woman. And, of course, he comes practically every time he
looks at her (the man is gonna have a heck of a dry-
cleaning bill, because he keeps climaxing in his trousers). Like Norman's Gor books, this novella assumes that if a
woman is dominated completely by a Real Man, she'll find
her rightful place — kneeling at his feet. I have NO
problem with real life bdsm; but this sort of book has
nothing to do with real bdsm, which is always consensual.
Court is an abusive jerk, not a Dominant. Drue is a Gorean
kajira at heart, and they deserve each other. The sex in
this tale is of the "forced seduction" sort, which comes
very close to rape. I am sick and tired of "spirited"
heroines who say "no" when they really mean "yes". But if
you like your sex of the sweet-and-savage variety, you
might like it. I didn't, but turn-ons are highly
individual. "A Lady's Pleaure" by Robin Schone The shortest and best novella in the books is Schone's tale
about a lonely spinster and a soldier. On a stormy night,
Colonel Robert Coally bursts into the carefully regimented
life of Abigail Wynfred, a thirtyish spinster who has come
to the remote village seeking a few last days of freedom
before she accepts her destiny. She has brought with her a
choice collection of erotica, her secret pleasure and vice.
With Coally, a man she will never see again, she reveals
her true self, and together they explore sexual fantasies
they have never dared to speak about with anyone else. This was a wonderful story, with fully realized characters
and sex that is both hotter than a roaring fire in December
and tender as the touch of warm spring breeze. Abigail, the
prim spinster on the outside, is every woman who has had to
give up her dreams for practical reasons, but still harbors
them rebelliously in her heart. Coally, the wounded
soldier, is every man who has seen too much and has given
up the hope that he might find a love of his own. Schone's
knowledge of late-Victorian England (including apparently a
thorough knowledge of its erotic books and magazines)
contributes to the ambiance of the story, and makes these
two achingly real characters people you won't forget. Sensuality Guide: NC-17 or perhaps XXX. You name the sexual
act and this book has got it, from bondage to threesomes
(two men, one woman). NOT for those who like their
sexuality soft and gentle.
Reviewed by Gillian Fitzgerald
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted May 15, 2002
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