18th & Castro

I wasn't exactly sure what I was getting into when I ordered this book. Some friends said it was great, others said it was terrible. In fact, I didn't even know it was a series of inter-related stories until I started reading. Not generally a fan of anthologies or short stories, I have to admit to thoroughly enjoying this newest offering from Kallmaker. There is a story in her for everyone to enjoy. There is the jilted former lover who is asked to teach her ex's new lover how to please her in bed. There is the disintegrating lover who is suffering from MS. There are the young lovers who never quite make it to the party. There is the new couple, who don't know they're a couple yet. There is the couple who gets stuck to the bed with handcuffs. There is all that and everything in between. Kallmaker masterfully transitions from one story to the next by including elements of many of the stories throughout the book. One example, the "mobile" lover from the handcuff story goes next door to get a key from her neighbor. The next story is about the neighbor and her lover trying to have a romantic evening, despite the interruptions. What a great book! Recommended accompaniments are Witches' Brew and a caramel apple...

After penning more than 20 novels, award-winning author Karin Kallmaker has once again given the reader a fresh look at romance. 18th & Castro is a witty and sexy collection of short stories with a unique, creative, and fun approach. 18th & Castro is a compilation of stories that occur in one apartment building in San Francisco's Castro District on the biggest night of the year, Halloween. They include accounts of couples, singles, women looking for love and those just wanting a one night stand. The individual vignettes embrace threesomes, strangers, friends and lovers. Some are erotic and steamy. Others are loving, sweet and full of yearning. But all of the tales are short, concise and to the point. Kallmaker has capitalized on her trademark in this book, her versatility as a storyteller and her inclusiveness of her varied audience. While every story is a little different, some overlap with the same apartment dwellers, lending continuity to the collection so it acts like a novel more than an anthology. Kallmaker writes each to fit the individual situations. There is not one size fits all for her. Her characters, their setting and the erotica all match the story told. This author knows the language of love and sex and is not stuck on one style when sharing with her readers. Kallmaker's strength as an enduring well-liked author has been her understanding that we, the reader, want and need fantasy. She delivers on this every time whether in a short story, anthology or novel. Within this fantasy, she has learned to reach out to the reader with a bit of realism mixed in that does not overwhelm us. Her story "Tick, Tock" does that well in 18th & Castro. It is a pause in the middle of the book that is sobering and heartfelt, but it fits perfectly with the overall theme and advances the book naturally. This clever and exceptional collection is a must for anyone who enjoys a little diversity in their erotica. You will look at Halloween with new appreciation after reading 18th & Castro.

Terrific anthology - you'll read this more than once This is one of the few, the very few, anthologies that you will read again and again. With most anthologies there is one or two standout stories that you remember long after you give a book away or put it on a shelf. The stories in 18th & Castro are all memorable. Passionate, romantic, funny, emotional sweet, sad, and best of all - well written. They are also hot, really really hot. This book is filled with stand out stories - Come Hither, Woman The Works Brand New Woman Nine-Inch Nails Avast! From Behind You Looked Like... Borrowed Plumage And you not soon forget the poignant `Tick, Tock' I could list them all because they are each so memorable, Another thing about anthologies, you very rarely remember which story is which until you re-read it again. The Bella Books anthologies standout from other publishers in that respect - each one I have read has been a winner.

This book takes place, with two exceptions, in an apartment building at 18th Street and Castro in San Francisco on Halloween. There are 16 stories held together by the location. Most of the stories are explicit. It is apparent that each reader will choose which of the stories speaks loudest to her. Two of the stories that are outstanding are the one that deals with the loss of the woman's lover to death and the one that deals with love after a ravaging disease attacks one of the partners. The concept of the book is creative. The writing is exceptional. The language vivid. And the stories are intense. In short, this is a remarkable book on so many levels. Kallmaker has also captured the craziness of Halloween in the Castro, which has to be experienced to truly appreciate.

From the seductive tales of myth to the fantastic legends of true life romances, Ms. Karin Kallmaker allows us to peek into the happenings of 18th & Castro on Halloween. Ms. Kallmaker spins the colorful thread of each unique character's fabric of fate to weave a magical tapestry of lust and love. With sensuously skillful caresses of erotic imagery, Ms. Kallmaker reminds us that each of us leaves an impression on those around us, knowingly or not. Once again, Ms. Kallmaker craftily passes on the passionate conviction that all women are sexy, even those covered in maggots. It's Halloween on 18th & Castro. Laugh, shed tears, and be seduced. You won't be disappointed.