The first thing that struck me in The Wild Life, by Persephone Jones, was the sense of natural and dynamic emotion. The story begins with a young woman answering a call for a crisis helpline. It immediately sets this story apart.
Frances, our lovely main, is not a typical erotica model. She is overweight, and struggling to lose the extra pounds, and when she doubts her worth and beauty, it makes sense. There's no false modesty here: she has very real reasons to wonder if she'll ever find a man who really desires her. It's a little heartbreaking, but I think its very real. It doesn't overpower her character, though, as it can in some stories where the author really wants to make a point of how miserable their character is with her appearance. Frances' self-confidence struggles are realistic and recognizable; at the same time, when she stumbles on someone who really makes her feel good about herself, she doesn't shy away or question every kind word. Above all, it makes her a touching, lovable character.
The story features an erotic act that, in my opinion, really ought to get more screen time: phone sex. It sets up a great lead-in to the forming relationship in the story's progression. It's also very well laid out, and carries a good, deep-down sultry tone. Bravo to Ms. Jones, on the phone sex alone!
But the story doesn't end there. Frances realizes one of the most common human fantasies -- finding that Special Someone -- in her very own special way. I should note also the shifter is one that I don't see often, but I don't think I'll give it away here... let's just say it was an interesting creature to see in our male lead and I applaud Persephone's originality in that avenue as well!
I think The Wild Life may be the most heartwarming of the Ravaged stories: one that not only satisfied my erotica craving, but left me genuinely happy in the end, and smiling for all sorts of reasons.
Showing posts with label Ravaged. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ravaged. Show all posts
January 4, 2014
Ravaged Blog Tour, Day 2: A Review of "Midnight at the Satyr Inn", by Rebekah Lewis
One of my favorite stories in Ravaged is Midnight at the Satyr Inn, by Rebekah Lewis. I'd been looking forward to reading this one since I first heard what curious shifters it featured: satyrs. For me, a dash of the not-so-often-explored realm of mythological shapeshifters and a departure from the more common weres.
The best thing about Midnight is, frankly, it is sexy. From the first few paragraphs you know this one is going to have a very primal payoff and the anticipation makes it so very, very delicious! The satyrs--four brothers cursed by nymphs--ooze seduction and rough allure. You can't help but find yourself a little hungry for a man like Jacen, this story's ruggedly beautiful lead.
One thing I've never liked about fantasy short stories in erotica is magic without origin. That is, when magic comes along at convenient points without some sort of setting, boundaries, rules or logic. Is that silly? I don't think so. At first I was a little worried that Midnight might contain that sort of magic: the satyr can make a woman forget the truth simply because they say they can. Wonderfully, Rebekah proved more creative than that: the satyr possess a form of magic that all at once contributes to the allure and tone of the story, makes sense for the myth and origin of the satyr themselves, and plays wonderfully into the events of the tale. I won't spoil the details of it but it pleased me very much.
Another thing I loved about this tale is that the sexiness of it fit perfectly with the pacing, events and background. Too often in erotica it feels like sexier details are peppered in at odd times to remind the reader it's a sexy story. In Midnight, Rebekah incorporates some seriously arousing details -- anyone for a satyr foursome? -- without letting them be clunky or non sequitur. Perhaps that's because satyrs are naturally a libidinous and hungry lot and can't help but be sex-obsessed, but even if that's the case, it fits together so well. It's a longer short, but damn if its not worth it. The only thing I can lament about it is that I wanted more.
The best thing about Midnight is, frankly, it is sexy. From the first few paragraphs you know this one is going to have a very primal payoff and the anticipation makes it so very, very delicious! The satyrs--four brothers cursed by nymphs--ooze seduction and rough allure. You can't help but find yourself a little hungry for a man like Jacen, this story's ruggedly beautiful lead.
One thing I've never liked about fantasy short stories in erotica is magic without origin. That is, when magic comes along at convenient points without some sort of setting, boundaries, rules or logic. Is that silly? I don't think so. At first I was a little worried that Midnight might contain that sort of magic: the satyr can make a woman forget the truth simply because they say they can. Wonderfully, Rebekah proved more creative than that: the satyr possess a form of magic that all at once contributes to the allure and tone of the story, makes sense for the myth and origin of the satyr themselves, and plays wonderfully into the events of the tale. I won't spoil the details of it but it pleased me very much.
Another thing I loved about this tale is that the sexiness of it fit perfectly with the pacing, events and background. Too often in erotica it feels like sexier details are peppered in at odd times to remind the reader it's a sexy story. In Midnight, Rebekah incorporates some seriously arousing details -- anyone for a satyr foursome? -- without letting them be clunky or non sequitur. Perhaps that's because satyrs are naturally a libidinous and hungry lot and can't help but be sex-obsessed, but even if that's the case, it fits together so well. It's a longer short, but damn if its not worth it. The only thing I can lament about it is that I wanted more.
January 3, 2014
Ravaged Blog Tour, Day 1: A Review of "Witchy Wolf", by Leona Bushman
Leona Bushman won me over last year with her zombie novella, Slow Burn. This year, she leads the charge in Ravaged with the anthology's first, very sweet, short story, Witchy Wolf.
If you enjoy the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole, you'll love Witchy Wolf. Immediately I felt the tug of that modern fantasy kissed by ancient myth and the magic of the old world. The story follows a young witch named Sabrina (isn't that always the best name for a witch?), making her traditional walkabout to meet her coven at Stonehenge. Sabrina's carrying a secret this year, though... something of which she is certain the coven Mother will not approve.
Along the way she runs into Treyan, a handsome man with a secret of his own: he's a werewolf, and on an errand from his pack leader. He can sense something different about the witch, though, and so he finds himself lured away from his deed to find out what about it is so alluring to his lupine senses.
This story carried the sparkle of urban fantasy magic, witches and werewolves traveling back to their roots in the midst of a modern tourist attraction, playing rugby and craving Coca Cola in the midst of ancient tradition. It makes the characters playful and loveable, as well as helps us identify. It also weaves ribbons of supernatural beauty throughout, taking us through the mysterious monoliths of Stonehenge to a coven's rite at Avebury. The juxtaposition is clever and fun. It's a quick little read but its great to settle down with right before bed, if you want a smile and a laugh and a sexy little sojourn into the night.
If you enjoy the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole, you'll love Witchy Wolf. Immediately I felt the tug of that modern fantasy kissed by ancient myth and the magic of the old world. The story follows a young witch named Sabrina (isn't that always the best name for a witch?), making her traditional walkabout to meet her coven at Stonehenge. Sabrina's carrying a secret this year, though... something of which she is certain the coven Mother will not approve.
Along the way she runs into Treyan, a handsome man with a secret of his own: he's a werewolf, and on an errand from his pack leader. He can sense something different about the witch, though, and so he finds himself lured away from his deed to find out what about it is so alluring to his lupine senses.
This story carried the sparkle of urban fantasy magic, witches and werewolves traveling back to their roots in the midst of a modern tourist attraction, playing rugby and craving Coca Cola in the midst of ancient tradition. It makes the characters playful and loveable, as well as helps us identify. It also weaves ribbons of supernatural beauty throughout, taking us through the mysterious monoliths of Stonehenge to a coven's rite at Avebury. The juxtaposition is clever and fun. It's a quick little read but its great to settle down with right before bed, if you want a smile and a laugh and a sexy little sojourn into the night.
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