Like it or Not Edited by April L'Orange
Title: Like it Or Not
Editor: April L'Orange
Authors: Angelia Sparrow, Naomi Brooks, Sean Michael, Gryvon, Stella Harris, Heidi Belleau, Violetta Vane, S.L. Armstrong
Tags: rough, anthology, short stories, violent, angst, drama, mm slash, November, review, mixed
Length: 192 pages
Rating: Mixed
Blurb: Be it forced seduction/dubious consent, non-violent intimidation, or pre-negotiated fantasy, there is something wickedly taboo about non-consensual sex, where consent is muddled. While rape is a crime of power, focusing on exerting physical control over another person, non-con is all about the gray area where verbal consent is either never given (not a 'yes', but not a 'no' either) or doesn't match the arousal and passion both parties share during the act.
In Like It or Not, we push the boundaries of consent without fully breaking them. When Connor's rent money is due and not even hooking can make up the shortfall, he really is Out of Options. So when playboy Jarrett makes him a very generous offer, he doesn't look too closely at the terms-and lives to regret it.
Then, werewolf Trevor is subjected to Obedience Classes when his pack alpha becomes fed up with his rebellion. Dirk, the wolf charged with this task, though, seems more interested in claiming Trevor for himself, by any means necessary.
Writer Ian Richards has to decide What It's Worth to get his story when his contact meets him in a private club. In fact, Vincenzo has no intention of letting his information go easily, if at all.
In Blindside, freshman Matt is tired of enduring the hazing by (admittedly gorgeous) upperclassman Dylan, when Dylan ups the ante significantly. And as much as Matt wants Dylan, he can't be sure the whole thing isn't one more bizarre prank.
Confessor Isak must resort to Unnatural Means when he is charged with the task of forcing Sain to confess his sins of murder and witchcraft before inevitable execution. Torturing in the name of the Divine is difficult enough, but when Sain's seductive magic takes hold of him, he isn't sure it will be Sain who breaks under pressure to find release.
Finally, Salting the Earth becomes Ronan's only choice when he suspects his sister has been taken by the fairies. However, this only draws the interest of ruthless King Finnbheara, who extracts a price for his cooperation that may be too high for Ronan to pay.
This was not an easy anthology to read, in fact I actually put it down a number of times and picked it back up once and a while before finishing it. I think that my biggest issue with this anthology was the predictability of the outcomes. That is not to say that the stories inside were bad. However, it was one of those anthologies were all the stories ended in a graphic sex scene, nothing more nothing less. Now, granted these scenes are not the typical sex scenes but deal with less than consensual situations. But, despite the subject matter both parties always enjoyed themselves; which, I think sets these stories apart from their darker counterpart--rape.
I honestly don't think that I would read this volume again, it's one that's just too heavy on the sex. But there is a wonderful array of stories and imagination's that went into creating these stories. I do enjoy seeing the variety of things that people come up with, when presented with one topic or subject.
Of all of the stories in this anthology the three best stories were 'What It's Worth', 'Blindside' and 'Salting the Earth'. I think because there was more going on in these stories than just the obvious. While some of the other stories contained these component's... These three worked the best. :) BTW, I think I enjoyed 'Salting the Earth', the most because it also ties in with 'The Druid Stone' by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane.
Editor: April L'Orange
Authors: Angelia Sparrow, Naomi Brooks, Sean Michael, Gryvon, Stella Harris, Heidi Belleau, Violetta Vane, S.L. Armstrong
Tags: rough, anthology, short stories, violent, angst, drama, mm slash, November, review, mixed
Length: 192 pages
Rating: Mixed
Blurb: Be it forced seduction/dubious consent, non-violent intimidation, or pre-negotiated fantasy, there is something wickedly taboo about non-consensual sex, where consent is muddled. While rape is a crime of power, focusing on exerting physical control over another person, non-con is all about the gray area where verbal consent is either never given (not a 'yes', but not a 'no' either) or doesn't match the arousal and passion both parties share during the act.
In Like It or Not, we push the boundaries of consent without fully breaking them. When Connor's rent money is due and not even hooking can make up the shortfall, he really is Out of Options. So when playboy Jarrett makes him a very generous offer, he doesn't look too closely at the terms-and lives to regret it.
Then, werewolf Trevor is subjected to Obedience Classes when his pack alpha becomes fed up with his rebellion. Dirk, the wolf charged with this task, though, seems more interested in claiming Trevor for himself, by any means necessary.
Writer Ian Richards has to decide What It's Worth to get his story when his contact meets him in a private club. In fact, Vincenzo has no intention of letting his information go easily, if at all.
In Blindside, freshman Matt is tired of enduring the hazing by (admittedly gorgeous) upperclassman Dylan, when Dylan ups the ante significantly. And as much as Matt wants Dylan, he can't be sure the whole thing isn't one more bizarre prank.
Confessor Isak must resort to Unnatural Means when he is charged with the task of forcing Sain to confess his sins of murder and witchcraft before inevitable execution. Torturing in the name of the Divine is difficult enough, but when Sain's seductive magic takes hold of him, he isn't sure it will be Sain who breaks under pressure to find release.
Finally, Salting the Earth becomes Ronan's only choice when he suspects his sister has been taken by the fairies. However, this only draws the interest of ruthless King Finnbheara, who extracts a price for his cooperation that may be too high for Ronan to pay.
This was not an easy anthology to read, in fact I actually put it down a number of times and picked it back up once and a while before finishing it. I think that my biggest issue with this anthology was the predictability of the outcomes. That is not to say that the stories inside were bad. However, it was one of those anthologies were all the stories ended in a graphic sex scene, nothing more nothing less. Now, granted these scenes are not the typical sex scenes but deal with less than consensual situations. But, despite the subject matter both parties always enjoyed themselves; which, I think sets these stories apart from their darker counterpart--rape.
I honestly don't think that I would read this volume again, it's one that's just too heavy on the sex. But there is a wonderful array of stories and imagination's that went into creating these stories. I do enjoy seeing the variety of things that people come up with, when presented with one topic or subject.
Of all of the stories in this anthology the three best stories were 'What It's Worth', 'Blindside' and 'Salting the Earth'. I think because there was more going on in these stories than just the obvious. While some of the other stories contained these component's... These three worked the best. :) BTW, I think I enjoyed 'Salting the Earth', the most because it also ties in with 'The Druid Stone' by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane.