Category Archives: EdenFantasys

I’ve been reading a variety of erotica lately. Most of the books have been theme-centered, and a lot of them have been fun reads, presenting some ideas that we’ve either tried to act out or hope to try out. In February, I got to read two selections of the Sexis Naked Reader Book Club – the first, Passion, was for the most part an incredible read, with some extremely hot stories. The second, Best Lesbian Romance 2011, was a bit different.

Best Lesbian Romance 2011 is published by Cleis Press, and edited by Radclyffe. It contains 17 stories, an introduction, and about sections for both editor and authors in its 200 pages. This is an oversized paperback, with a glossy, understated cover.

Radclyffe, has over 35 novels and anthologies in print. She’s a retired surgeon, and she’s won several awards for her writing. In the introduction she talks about what romance and love are, whether the relationship is just beginning or well into blossoming into something more, and leads into the stories presented in the book.

These stories are fairly romantic and well written, but they aren’t what I’d consider erotica. They’re more along the lines of soft-core stories or light romantic reading with just a hint of sex, for the most part, beyond kissing and an occasional feel. They really focus more on the feelings experienced by the women involved rather than raw sexual arousal. Good to read? Yes. Arousing? No, at least not for me.

The stories are a mix of first and third person tellings, and deal with dates arranged by Moms, new relationships, relationships that are yet to form, and chance encounters that lead to something much more. Whether in an apartment, a slave laundry, or a forest, the women find something special to share with each other.

While there weren’t any stories that I thought were bad or out of place, there were some I enjoyed reading above the others:

“Hearts and Flowers” by Theda Hudson Jen’s not one for hearts and flowers, and her one year anniversary with Gina is coming up. They toss around ideas to celebrate, but what Gina wants more than anything is for Jen to tell her what their anniversary means to her. Can Jen discover what being with Gina means before she loses her for good?

“Lost and Found” by Andrea Dale Lara gets an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii, but it doesn’t start out well when the airline loses her luggage. Her friend Jeanne tells another member at the conference about the problem and Evie shows up at her door to help her out. The two hit it off, but Lara’s nervous – she really LIKES Evie. And Evie lives in Hawaii, while Lara’s in Chicago. Can their relationship work?

“Rock Palace” by Miel Rose Taylor wants to take her girlfriend Lilly to visit her farm, but she’s not sure if she should. All her other girlfriends have been too city to appreciate it. Lilly is different, however, and Taylor takes a chance, showing off the country and her special hidey-hole.

The saddest story in this collection is “Dirty Laundry” by Cheyenne Blue. Eileen ends up in a Magdelene Laundry in Ireland, sent there by a priest and her family to be imprisoned. She meets Maura, another lost, imprisoned soul, and over the years they share a tender, hidden love to keep them going. Will they ever be able to escape?

Probably the most unusual lesbian romance tale is “When Hearts Run Free” by Radclyffe writing as L. L. Raand. She was bitten by a rogue werewolf, and now she’s a mutt in the pack. She’s smitten by the pack Alpha, Sylvan, and the feeling is mutual. But in the world of the pack, will a mutt have a chance with a Were born and bred?

If you’re looking to read some enjoyable romantic tales and not steamy erotica to get off to, Best Lesbian Romance 2011 is a book to pick up, and you can get your copy at EdenFantasys by clicking here or on the widget below.

The Naked Book Club discussion about Best Lesbian Romance 2011 and Passion was held February 22 on the EdenFantasys forums, with host Kristina Wright. The first of two March discussions will take place on March 3, where we’ll be discussing Hide and Seek. Hope to see you there!

$14.95Best Lesbian Romance 2011 Book by Various Authors Format: Paperback Publisher: Cleis Press Inc. Buy from EdenFantasys

This product was provided free of charge to the reviewer.

This product was provided to me for free in exchange for an unbiased review.  This review is in compliance with the FTC guidelines.

February is the time for love, with Valentine’s Day a celebration of lovers, both new and old. As such, it was a fitting time to read the SexIs Naked Book Club selection Passion.

Passion (Erotic Romance for Women) is a collection of 20 stories revolving about the passion a man and woman can feel towards each other. Whether old or new, fresh or rekindled, the feelings are strong and overpowering.

This book is an oversized paperback with a glossy cover. Containing 226 pages, it was published in 2010 by Cleis press and is edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. In addition to the stories, the book contains an introduction by Rachel where she talks about what passion can mean, an about the authors section, and a few pages about the editor.

Rachel is based in New York, and has edited over 30 books of erotica. Her stories have appeared in over 100 anthologies, including this collection. She’s a columnist for SexIs Magazine, the Senior editor at Penthouse Variations, and has written for publications including Playgirl, Penthouse, the San Francisco Chronicle, the New York Post, Newsday, and the Huffington Post. She’s also appeared on television, on the Martha Stewart Show and Family Business. She writes a blog, and has been the host of the In the Flesh Erotic Reading Series since October 2005.

The stories here all embrace the passion two people can feel. Sometimes the passion is newfound and fresh, sometimes it’s ongoing, and sometimes it’s discovered anew and rekindled in long relationships. Both single couples and married couples (and even relative strangers) find intense encounters (and even a daydream) in the pages of this book. The stories are a mix between first and third person tellings, and some deal with different cultures and nationalities. All of the couples are heterosexual.

I enjoyed almost all of the stories in this collection, but several stood out from the others for me:

“Big Bed Sex” by Donna George Storey Staying at the Beverly Hills hotel for the first time, in a room her sister has splurged for while in town for a reading, she wishes her husband could be there. The room calls out for wild, passionate sex ,and they’ve always had hot and wild sex in hotel rooms. He’s tied up in business meetings in another town so she reminisces about past encounters in hotel beds. She sends him a picture of the Arabian love nest she finds herself in. He can’t resist, and joins her for a passionate romp (or two).

“Dear in the Headlights” by Angela Caperton It’s been five months since she and her husband have “done the dirty”, and she is ready to spend a well-thought out and passionate night with her overworked husband. Fate intervenes when he runs off the road on his way home and has to wait for 2 hours for the tow truck to arrive. Cass goes out to meet him and they have wild sex on his car before the tow arrives and they head to their planned rendezvous at the Hilton.

“Third Time’s the Charm” by Charlene Teglia Lynn and Nick have broken up but find themselves stuck in an elevator. The phone doesn’t work, and neither has a cell, but they find a way to rekindle the passion of their relationship in the dark confines of their trap. Is it fate that brought them together, or has Nick arranged this moment to bring them back together for another try?

My favorite story by far was “Five Senses” by Rachel Kramer Bussel. Sometimes familiarity brings rote sex and monotony, and the passion needs to be rekindled. They’re planning to celebrate her husband’s latest booking, but instead of going out, he tells her they’re going to stay in, and all of her senses come alive with the evening he has planned to relight the fire of their relationship.

This is a great collection, and one you’ll enjoy if you like erotica that deals with passionate loving couples (whether they’ve recently met or have been together for years). They may even inspire you with ways to add some extra passion in your own love life. This February selection of the SexIs Naked Reader Book Club was discussed on the EdenFantasys forum, and can be picked up at EdenFantasys by clicking the widget below. Watch for the next Book Club meeting coming soon!

$14.95Passion Book by Various Authors Format: Paperback Publisher: Cleis Press Inc. Buy from EdenFantasys

This product was provided free of charge to the reviewer.

This product was provided to me for free in exchange for an unbiased review.  This review is in compliance with the FTC guidelines.