Best Women's Erotica 2006

The book is by women and for women and it opens with editor Violet Blue's admonition for it "to be read nice and slow, like a slippery hot afternoon f--" well you get the picture. That's a magnificently straightforward intro, honest, and to the point, with no euphemism or hollow propriety. I, as a 40-something guy who enjoys the occasional collection of adult fiction, found it fun, most definitely coming from a female point of view. I had to wonder if this content was providing what was expected, or if this is really how women think. In the end, I really have no idea. As a guy, I expected stories of female power and strength, of tables turned on traditional sexual roles and expectations, featuring empowered and deliberate women. I expected the women to be demanding and straightforward, completely in control, knowing what they wanted, when and how they wanted it, with no vacillation. I didn't expect raging butch--well, I did expect some, and you get enough--but I was surprised by what to my reading was a preponderance of women sure of what they wanted but not spelling it out, willing to be the bottom, willing to give up control and direction for the sake of becoming a sexual object. I guess one could argue that behind this is a true position of power, realizing one's value and power in the sexual context, deciding to be taken and then allowing it to take place. Being conscious of this as I read, I really didn't see this come out in most of the stories. I saw women who like it hard and rough, who are just as randy and ready as men; maybe in the end this really is the attitude I expected, just presented in an unexpected manner. So, if you like stories of the torrid takeover, the struggle and surrender, the drippy-quiet longing at last requited fast and hard, then many of these stories will work for you. Coffee figures often, as does leather, and spices. Clothing gets a lot of descriptive attention, as do interiors. There's a lot of sensuousness in these stories, attention to tactile and other sensory experiences. Scent plays a major role, with characters remembering smells distinctly, or being immediately drawn in by a scent. This seems to me to be a uniquely feminine perspective, and for the men reading and paying attention, is highly instructive. One can't help but notice that most of the adult fiction in the US comes out of San Francisco, and this Cleis Press release is no different. The author bios at the back show a range of author locations, from Canada to Maryland, Seattle and the UK. But, it struck me that a great many of these stories are set in the UK, and are written using British English. The use of "arse" and "wanking" are dead giveaways, as well as references to UK locations, motorways, etc. I tip my brimming pint of Guinness to Elizabeth Coldwell and her story "Heat" for including a line about a new boyfriend, who is "a burly prop forward for the local rugby team." Good on ya, Lizzie; every woman should date a ru

Best Women's Erotica 2006 is enjoyable - it has a nice variety of scenarios and nothing too freaky.

The writing is excellent. This is not a substandard book intended strictly to make a lot of money off people looking for cheap thrills while shopping at the grocery store. The variety of stories is also good.

Is it hot in here, or what?? Loved this collection of naughty provocative stories. When does the next one come out?

Normally when I find erotica "by women for women" I find it to be a bit cheesy, but this collection is superb. This book does not depict its heroines as meek women who want a lovey dovey relationship with their sexual partners. Rather, the stories in this collection depict women as ravenous sexual beasts, intent on devouring her lust interest du jour. These heroines are real, these heroines are hungry, and these heroines are horny. A perfect read for sexually hungry veterans or beginners testing the waters of literotica.