Dangerous Ties anthology
Publisher: Aphrodisia, 2009
Genre: Romance
Sub-genre: Erotica
Rating: 2 1/2 pints of blood
I really like the way the image is cropped, although a giant portion of my brain thinks this is an incredibly tame cover considering the stories in here. Not that I want a triple-x rated cover, but a hint that goes beyond kissing might be a thought.
The first thing you need to know about this anthology is that this is kinky stuff, and some readers might be offended by the content. Each story involves the heroine being introduced to a world of submission and spankings, where at first they feel uncomfortable but eventually come to embrace. Forced seduction is a big part of these stories, in a world where it's not really rape if you're enjoying yourself, even if you said no. If this offends you or makes you uneasy, this is not the erotic anthology you're looking for. Move along.
For anyone who finds this intriguing, allow me to get into specifics...
Personal Possessions by Devyn Quinn
Nikki has never exactly been a "good girl," but running away from the Mexican drug dealers who just killed her boyfriend is a bad day even for her. She winds up in a strange town called Helle, where a man named Jackson is waiting to awaken her darkest desires.
Considering where she's come from and where she's going, Nikki is a surprisingly relatable protagonist. The story itself is a really nifty concept, and without giving away spoilers, I will say the twist wasn't one I was expecting. Fans of paranormal romance should enjoy the supernatural elements, although a few things seemed a bit superfluous. (Did we really need a magically appearing/disappearing basin?) Plenty of variety in the sex scenes keeps things spicy, and the lure of sexy sexy danger helps to keep the story feeling urgent.
3 1/2 pints of blood
Story contains mild BDSM, anal sex, group sex, spanking, and forced seduction.
Captive Heat by Jodi Lynn Copeland
After the death of her abusive ex-husband, Leia sets fire to the small cabin they once shared, hoping to burn all the memories as well. The forest surrounding the cabin catches the fire, though, and Leia isn't fast enough to escape. When she wakes up, she finds herself in an underground prison with a man who isn't quite human, although he assures her she's not dead, merely stuck there with him until she can learn the kinky lessons he has to teach her.
I was willing to go with it when the cave Leia wakes up in is full of lusty, genre-shifting midgets who exist solely to serve (and service) her captor. I was even willing to go with it (albeit with some skepticism) when her wounds are eased by an herbal concoction which then turns itself into a dildo. I think I was entirely lost at about the point where a leather belt is being used as a dildo (ouch) while they're on the ground, writhing in the dirt (uh, wow, infection), and the belt is then ripped out again (OW OW OW sensitive flesh is now torn to pieces!). Spanking with a belt? Ok! But any belt firm enough to spank with will have sharp edges not exactly condusive to tender orifices.
I was also never quite sure what the difference was between the way Leia's abusive ex-husband treated her and Sebastian's treatment of her. We're told one was abusive and the other masterful, but from what we were actually shown, the difference is negligible.
1 1/2 pints of blood
Story contains BDSM, anal sex, f/f sex, spanking, and forced seduction.
Rapture by Anya Howard
Gillian, an attractive waitress stuck in a dead-end town, dreams of nothing more than getting away from all the mundane drudgery she has to deal with every day. The studly and flirtatious Bruce, an officer who stops by the diner Gillian works nearly every day to eat and flirt, promises a tempting break in her routine, but she's afraid to take him up on it. She knows she'll never be satisfied with any relationship that doesn't fulfill her kinky desires, and Bruce is so straight-laced he's unlikely to be accepting of the things she likes. When a stranger shows up and offers a new option, one that will get Gillian away from the town and fulfill all her sexual longings, she agrees, although she quickly finds out the deal she made wasn't what she initially thought at all.
I got about three quarters of the way through this one before I realized there was no way the story would wrap up before the end. The story is to be continued in Submissive
, to be released April 28. So be ye forewarned: this story is not self-contained and doesn't have an ending as such. It's really more of a teaser for Howard's upcoming book.
The first chapter or two start off with a distinctively romantic bend: hero, heroine, conflict designed to keep them apart in spite of their mutual attraction. From there it takes a sharp turn to the left, and the rest of the story doesn't really feel like it fits with the beginning. There's a broad variety in the sex scenes (as well as sexual partners), although I think most readers who find themselves intrigued by "Rapture" are probably best to look for the upcoming novel and avoid the abrupt ending here.
3 pints of blood
Story contains BDSM, f/f sex, group sex, spanking, and forced seduction.
Dangerous Ties is available in print
on April 7.
Genre: Romance
Sub-genre: Erotica
Rating: 2 1/2 pints of blood
I really like the way the image is cropped, although a giant portion of my brain thinks this is an incredibly tame cover considering the stories in here. Not that I want a triple-x rated cover, but a hint that goes beyond kissing might be a thought.
The first thing you need to know about this anthology is that this is kinky stuff, and some readers might be offended by the content. Each story involves the heroine being introduced to a world of submission and spankings, where at first they feel uncomfortable but eventually come to embrace. Forced seduction is a big part of these stories, in a world where it's not really rape if you're enjoying yourself, even if you said no. If this offends you or makes you uneasy, this is not the erotic anthology you're looking for. Move along.
For anyone who finds this intriguing, allow me to get into specifics...
Personal Possessions by Devyn Quinn
Nikki has never exactly been a "good girl," but running away from the Mexican drug dealers who just killed her boyfriend is a bad day even for her. She winds up in a strange town called Helle, where a man named Jackson is waiting to awaken her darkest desires.
Considering where she's come from and where she's going, Nikki is a surprisingly relatable protagonist. The story itself is a really nifty concept, and without giving away spoilers, I will say the twist wasn't one I was expecting. Fans of paranormal romance should enjoy the supernatural elements, although a few things seemed a bit superfluous. (Did we really need a magically appearing/disappearing basin?) Plenty of variety in the sex scenes keeps things spicy, and the lure of sexy sexy danger helps to keep the story feeling urgent.
3 1/2 pints of blood
Story contains mild BDSM, anal sex, group sex, spanking, and forced seduction.
Captive Heat by Jodi Lynn Copeland
After the death of her abusive ex-husband, Leia sets fire to the small cabin they once shared, hoping to burn all the memories as well. The forest surrounding the cabin catches the fire, though, and Leia isn't fast enough to escape. When she wakes up, she finds herself in an underground prison with a man who isn't quite human, although he assures her she's not dead, merely stuck there with him until she can learn the kinky lessons he has to teach her.
I was willing to go with it when the cave Leia wakes up in is full of lusty, genre-shifting midgets who exist solely to serve (and service) her captor. I was even willing to go with it (albeit with some skepticism) when her wounds are eased by an herbal concoction which then turns itself into a dildo. I think I was entirely lost at about the point where a leather belt is being used as a dildo (ouch) while they're on the ground, writhing in the dirt (uh, wow, infection), and the belt is then ripped out again (OW OW OW sensitive flesh is now torn to pieces!). Spanking with a belt? Ok! But any belt firm enough to spank with will have sharp edges not exactly condusive to tender orifices.
I was also never quite sure what the difference was between the way Leia's abusive ex-husband treated her and Sebastian's treatment of her. We're told one was abusive and the other masterful, but from what we were actually shown, the difference is negligible.
1 1/2 pints of blood
Story contains BDSM, anal sex, f/f sex, spanking, and forced seduction.
Rapture by Anya Howard
Gillian, an attractive waitress stuck in a dead-end town, dreams of nothing more than getting away from all the mundane drudgery she has to deal with every day. The studly and flirtatious Bruce, an officer who stops by the diner Gillian works nearly every day to eat and flirt, promises a tempting break in her routine, but she's afraid to take him up on it. She knows she'll never be satisfied with any relationship that doesn't fulfill her kinky desires, and Bruce is so straight-laced he's unlikely to be accepting of the things she likes. When a stranger shows up and offers a new option, one that will get Gillian away from the town and fulfill all her sexual longings, she agrees, although she quickly finds out the deal she made wasn't what she initially thought at all.
I got about three quarters of the way through this one before I realized there was no way the story would wrap up before the end. The story is to be continued in Submissive
, to be released April 28. So be ye forewarned: this story is not self-contained and doesn't have an ending as such. It's really more of a teaser for Howard's upcoming book.
The first chapter or two start off with a distinctively romantic bend: hero, heroine, conflict designed to keep them apart in spite of their mutual attraction. From there it takes a sharp turn to the left, and the rest of the story doesn't really feel like it fits with the beginning. There's a broad variety in the sex scenes (as well as sexual partners), although I think most readers who find themselves intrigued by "Rapture" are probably best to look for the upcoming novel and avoid the abrupt ending here.
3 pints of blood
Story contains BDSM, f/f sex, group sex, spanking, and forced seduction.
Dangerous Ties is available in print
on April 7.