I had so much fun writing this! It was originally intended for a group sex anthology, but they sent the first draft back, saying they had too many thrI had so much fun writing this! It was originally intended for a group sex anthology, but they sent the first draft back, saying they had too many threesome stories, and asked me to expand it. That forced me to invent a fourth lover, but her role added so much to the story that it became too long for the anthology. With no more restraints on content or length, I took the time to really integrate that last character, to follow the themes of mutual acceptance all the way through to their natural (erotic) conclusion, and ultimately chose to release it myself.
Female Domination can be a dream for some, a fantasy for others, and (yes) a lifestyle for the lucky few. Even then, it can sometimes be easy to lose Female Domination can be a dream for some, a fantasy for others, and (yes) a lifestyle for the lucky few. Even then, it can sometimes be easy to lose sight of the Female behind the Domme, to forget that they have lives outside the dungeon, needs and desires outside the power exchange dynamic.
With The Heart of the Dominatrix, Inanna Justice collects those real-life stories from 21 women across the world, proving us with an intimate glimpse into who they are in and out of the scene, how they came to it, and why they embrace it. It's a gorgeous book in which the women share their stories in their own words, illustrating them with their own images.
I won't comment on every Domme because these are their stories, their experiences, and their passions, and the fact that we don't share the same fetishes, practices, or limits should not take away from their words. I would, however, like to highlight those that really spoke to me:
MISTRESS CAROL offers perhaps the best explanation I've ever read about the power of hypnosis and how profound the power exchange can be when there's a trance involved - not as a mind control fantasy, but as a psychological experience.
LADY VI provides what may have been my favorite entry in the book, not just talking about the erotic power of perverting religious institutions, but sharing an entire Satanic rite of passage she conducted for a Muslim transgender client that gave me chills.
KAREN CHESSMAN is a legitimate French Countess who describes herself as a "fetish pansexual transgender, non-pro-Domme" (that made me fall in love with her right there) who, among other things, shares her experiences in the world of pony training.
MISTRESS ELIS EURYALE contributes one of the most diverse stories in the book, talking about the power of the femme fatale, the potential for gynarchy in gender dynamics, and how a love of literature shaped her medical amputation fetishes.
DOMINA GODDESS JAGUAR takes an interesting approach with her story, talking about how her background as a dancer gives her an appreciation for fluidity and form, for choreographing pleasure, before addressing the power exchange, pre/post-session rituals, and aftercare.
LUNATIKA makes a wonderful connection with how pleasure guides her in administering pain, but it's how she describes the dynamic of her personal slaves that really spoke to me, with total ownership (body and soul) intertwined with respect and intimacy.
MADAME MARGHERITE contributes one of the longest and most in-depth chapters of the book, talking a lot about the empowerment of animal play (from dogs to frogs), but what fascinated me most was how being gender-neutral creates so many interesting contrasts in her experience, including the fact that while she enjoys prostate play and loves toys, the strap-on illusion of having a penis feels silly and makes her uncomfortable.
While there are obviously some common themes that connect the Dommes, it was interesting (and sometimes surprising) to discover how divided they are on subjects such as gynarchy/matriarchy, the expression of sexuality, gender preferences in their submissives, and even if/how aftercare should be administered. Some are more passionate than others about those subjects, some more deeply invested in those aspects of the lifestyle, but they're all to be admired and respected.
Inanna Justice has put together a wonderful book that's as sumptuous as it is significant. She's given each of the Dommes the chance to speak, to bare their hearts and souls in a way that few of us get to appreciate from afar, and it's a safe bet that more than one admirer will come away from this a devoted submissive. There's no doubt that these are all Exceptional Mistresses and even more exceptional women - and, as a submissive, I am grateful for having had the experience of getting to know each of them through their words and photos.
With its dreamy (almost haunting) cover and oddly curious tagline, one could be forgiven for dismissing Addicted to Charlie as just some supernatural-With its dreamy (almost haunting) cover and oddly curious tagline, one could be forgiven for dismissing Addicted to Charlie as just some supernatural-themed story of transgender domination and coercion, but that would be a mistake. J.S. Morbius often celebrates transgender women in his fiction, and he does so with as much passion as sensitivity. Here he has crafted a romantic, erotic, inspirational tale of true love, a gorgeous story that works on both a physical and an emotional level.
Karl and Charlie are a cute couple, two young people who seem to have an honest shot at love. The only thing standing in their way of taking the relationship to the next level is Charlie's secret. How that revelation is explored is important to me, and my entire opinion of a book pivots on how it plays out. Fortunately, I already had confidence that Morbius would do it justice, and he does not disappoint.
When Charlie finally reveals the truth of her transgender nature, Karl is understandably taken aback. He loves her, but he's not sure whether he can handle the thought of making love to someone with a penis of her own. To her credit, Charlie understands his uncertainties, and she refuses to rush him into a decision. In a genre that is all to often marked by 'shocking' revelations and bedroom ambush 'trap' tactics, the honesty, the realism, and the sincerity here was quite refreshing.
Had the story that follows taken place over a matter of months, or even weeks, it would have been an almost perfect love story. While I can understand (and even appreciate) why Charlie's chose to propel Karl from uncertainty to curiosity to sexual experimentation in just a matter of days, it did feel rushed. As much as I admired Karl for not allowing fears of homophobia to get in the way of true love, and as much as I am a sucker for a happy ending, I'm just not sure any lover could realistically have come so far, so quickly.
Issues of timing aside, however, I appreciated where the transition ultimately took the story, and as Addicted to Charlie as I was, I absolutely cannot quibble with the climax.
A naughty, dirty, smutty tale of lusty fantasies come true, Ivori does the Neighbors was a lot of fun. Ivori Faith immediately won me over with the inA naughty, dirty, smutty tale of lusty fantasies come true, Ivori does the Neighbors was a lot of fun. Ivori Faith immediately won me over with the introductory chapter, in which a transsexual woman is delighted to discover her neighbor's crossdressing, but annoyed to find him stealing lingerie from her clothesline. There's a the promise of domination and sissification to come, but as a friendly exploration of shared fantasies and identities, rather than a cruel punishment.
There are a few anxious moments for Martin as Ivori and Eileen put their plan into action, but he soon realizes there's nothing to fear - and, more importantly, nothing to be ashamed of. Heavy on the sex, and delightfully messy in the process, this is a fun, happy tale of erotic indulgence where everybody gets what they want. Ivori is a fantastic character (I look forward to reading more of her adventures) and Eileen is just about the perfect wife.
Perhaps what struck me most was a comment by Eileen at the end, where she thanks Ivori for turning what could have been a bad situation into something that strengthened her marriage. That, right there, speaks volumes about the power of open-minded kink and just made me smile.
Twinning is a latest story of gender-bending, age-regression sweetness from Courtney Captisa. It is a cute little fantasy of finding one's self, takinTwinning is a latest story of gender-bending, age-regression sweetness from Courtney Captisa. It is a cute little fantasy of finding one's self, taking a chance, and (ultimately) being accepted.
It all begins when Dana brings her boyfriend, Liam, home to meet her wealthy, conservative family. While there is some expected tension between Liam and her father, the surprise is how well he gets along with Hailey, her younger sister. The two immediately bond over shared interests, to the point where they begin chatting every day, sharing more with each other on social media that Liam and Dana do in real-life.
The interesting thing about this story is that it is all about friendship and bonding rather than jealousy, revenge, or gender identity. Liam has never once thought about crossdressing, but he gives in to gentle, teasing pressure from the girls to spend a day as Hailey's twin.
Of course, if you are a fan of Courtney, then you know she never stops at just a day of play. She takes this all the way, follows it through to the most fantastic, dream-come-true conclusion, and even throws in some creative surprises in dealing with issues of social acceptance - final twists that, for me, elevated this from unrealistic fantasy to plausible dream. Twinning is a story to make you smile, and we all need that lately.
If you have yet to encounter Strange Little Girls, it is a dark saga, full of dark deeds, and marked by dark sexuality . . . but it is also a story ofIf you have yet to encounter Strange Little Girls, it is a dark saga, full of dark deeds, and marked by dark sexuality . . . but it is also a story of hope and redemption. What Terri Peterson has crafted in this four-part saga is a trans-positive thriller that is daring, challenging, edgy, and ultimately satisfying.
I have really struggled as to how to approach Back in Black because I do not want to give anything away, or spoil any of the twists in store. Even talking about the emotions it evokes is a challenge, but I owe it to Alice, Emily, Steph, and Stephen.
Where I think I need to begin is by talking about Stephen. This whole story began with him, with the tragedy that sort of splintered his reality and created these other personalities, but we have not really heard much from him in the first three books. While some reader may chafe at that twist, it is entirely in keeping with the gender-positive approach that Terri has taken all along. This has always been a story that is as much about identity as it is expression, about embracing the entire trans community, and paying homage to erotic fetishes as well as lifestyle choices.
With the amnesia that opens the story, and with the way the hospital strips him of his expression, Back in Black sort of lays Stephen bare in the opening pages, and then proceeds to rebuilt his identity (or identities) in a way that is still dark and edgy and dangerous, but with a new sense of self-awareness that leads to some difficult questions and internal conversations as the story goes. Fear not, there is no holding back from the vengeance narrative that has carried the series, but that self-awareness puts a new spin on things.
I really do not want to say much more than that, but I will promise two things. One, as dark as this final chapter gets, there is some light to it . . . moments of happiness . . . and, most importantly, moments of self-acceptance. Two, if you have been waiting for something big . . . some extravagant act of justice . . . a climax that offers full bang for your buck . . . it is most definitely here, and that promise is as much to be feared and anticipated.
For a while, I really wondered where Terri Peterson was taking Back in Black, how she was going to wrap things up without just sort of stopping (or, worse, leaving us hanging), but I love what she has done with both the narrative here and the character development. Just a wonderful read!
In reviewing Christine: Love, I mentioned that I love Christine so much, that I feel so protective of her, I needed to pause before opening myself to In reviewing Christine: Love, I mentioned that I love Christine so much, that I feel so protective of her, I needed to pause before opening myself to Christine: Pain. I needed to compose myself, to prepare myself. As the evening wore on, however, I found myself needing to know she would be okay, so I took that deep breath and picked up the next book.
This was still a lovely story, and still wonderfully romantic, but it was a difficult read at the same time. I have so many questions for Aleson Alexander, so many things I want to know about the 'why' behind Christine's behavior, but that is something she and I can chat about later since it is hardly fair to review a story with info or insights not available to the reader.
We already know that Christine is a fragile soul, a woman who has been hurt physically and emotionally, and I have to give Aleson credit for tackling that lingering pain, even if I did not like reading through it. What this story boils down to is insecurity, an inability to accept that Alex loves her unconditionally, leading her to throw out a series of increasingly darker, more daring, more taboo tasks. Were this just another work of erotica, Alex would accept the challenges, the story would get super kinky, and we would move on. Instead, we continually see Christine shocked by his acceptance, and forced to backpedal from things she does not really want him to do.
I will admit, as much as I love Christine, I became somewhat exasperated with her tests, sympathizing with Alex's frustration. I honestly began to wonder if there was more to it than insecurity, if perhaps she were suffering a mental break.That brings me back to that title, Christine: Pain. The story opens and closes with physical pain that bookends the emotional pain throughout. There are two very similar scenes of rough sex, one more intense than the other, but what really differentiates them is who initiates them and why. If I was a bit uncomfortable with the first, I was really uncomfortable with the second.
Even now, having slept on the story for the night, I do not know how I feel about where we leave Christine and Alex. Maybe I am reading too much into this chapter, or maybe I am reading too much of myself into Christine, but my heart is in my throat waiting for their final chapter. I can tell you that Aleson and I have talked, and knowing the title of the next book does settle my heart a little, but I am still anxious to see what it entails.
Christine: Courtship was an altogether lovely story, the very definition of a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance. Aleson Alexander presented us withChristine: Courtship was an altogether lovely story, the very definition of a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance. Aleson Alexander presented us with a young woman I came to love in 40+ pages. The glee, joy, happiness, and love of the final scenes left me smiling for days and made me anxious to read the next chapter.
Having led us through a lovely, romantic, gender-positive courtship, Alexander takes us deeper into romance and relationships with Christine: Love. The story picks up almost right after the first, introducing us to an entirely different woman. With Alex having given her the love and support she has always craved, Christine is free to open up. She is almost childish in her unrestrained glee, in her teenage-like lust, and that makes her an absolute delight.
The sex here - and there is a lot of it - is smoking hot, but it is also full of romantic passion. Alex is a wonderful lover, patient and supportive of Christine's needs, and deliciously inventive when it comes to inventing new ways to pursue her pleasure. We get a bit more of Christine's past, enough to help us understand her anxieties in the first story, and more than enough to make us appreciate what Alex's love means to her.
I love Christine so much, I already feel protective of her . . . and that is what has given me pause. I was going to review the next book along with this, but the title (Christine: Pain) and the blurb (which talks of needs that Alex can't meet and an explosion when Christine pushes him too far) mean I need to compose myself, prepare myself, and take a deep breath first.
For those who may not have been following along, Strange Little Girls is a dark saga that is full of dark deeds. It is a story of punishment, justice,For those who may not have been following along, Strange Little Girls is a dark saga that is full of dark deeds. It is a story of punishment, justice, and revenge . . . and one of friendships tested and oftentimes torn. What Terri Peterson has crafted here is a thriller that is daring, challenging, and oh-so-very edgy.
Picking up on the events of Alice and Billie, we find that Danni, Laura, and Fiona are safe, but are now largely in the background. Instead, Katya puts the focus squarely on Alice, Emma, and Stephanie - who faithful readers will know are one-and-the-same. The multiple personality aspect is a bit more . . . well, I hate to use the word normalized, but that is the best I can come up with. The shock value is gone, the surprise is gone, and we get to see the personalities swapping in and out to get the job done.
This third book is all about revenge, about tracking down the monsters responsible for the pedophilia and sex slavery, with some brutal executions in the early chapters to remind us of what we are dealing with. Those murders lack some of the erotic thrill of the first two books, coming across as a little more efficient and matter-of-fact, but that may just be familiarity . . . which probably says more about me than the story.
Interwoven into that revenge tale, however, is a powerful love story between Alice and Katya - also known as Di Polar, transsexual icon, and lead singer of The Slingback Sluts. Theirs is a love born of violence, but it is also one that shelters from that violence - even as they collaborate in trapping, drugging, seducing, and literally riding one of their victims to death. What starts as a crazy sort of European road trip to begin a new life, however, turns into a fight and a flight for their lives, with the evil they're fighting having long fingers and even longer memories.
Over the past year and a bit, Teri Peterson has made me shudder, she has made me laugh, and she has made me cheer - albeit with a guilty flutter in my stomach. What she has not done, at least until now, is make me cry . . . but, without spoilers, Katya made me cry tears both happy and ugly. I love her for this entire mad story, but I also find myself hating her at times for what she's putting these women through. Not that I can hold a grudge for long when friends are involved, but her writing is that passionate, that intense, that it makes you feel.
With an advance copy of Back in Black already open, I know a bit of what comes next, but I will hold off a bit before sharing my next review, which gives you time to catch up. Do it, please, because you do not want Alice coming for you next.
One of the things I love most about M.C. Questgend is that, even with roughly 30 stories published, she never writes the same thing twice. Oh, she hasOne of the things I love most about M.C. Questgend is that, even with roughly 30 stories published, she never writes the same thing twice. Oh, she has favorite themes and character types, but what she puts them through - and, more importantly, how and why she puts them through it - is never the same. Even knowing her as well as I do, she still manages to surprise me with each new tale.
From Sissy to Sensational is no exception. It starts out rather sweet and affirmative, exploring Jamie's early crossdressing adventures, often aided by his sister, before allowing the question of guilt and shame to creep in. It them moves on to crossdressing while watching his Aunt's house, where he gets to spend an entire weekend dressing, which seems like a dream come true - until the landlord catches him, blackmails him, and then leaves him locked in the garage. After that, I was sure his Aunt would be sympathetic, maybe even supportive, but she feels so violated and disgusted that she refuses to even drive him home.
If you think you know where the story is headed next, trust me, you have no idea. I was spun around with this one, constantly guessing and second-guessing myself. I didn't know where it was going or what was coming next, and it does not help that much of it hit so close to home, leaving me reading a lot of my own experiences into Jamie's. The role of his mother really threw me for a loop, putting a vindictively maternal sort of spin on forced feminization that I am still struggling to grasp, and which further distinguishes this as something entirely new and different.
As always, M.C. plays with the cliches and tropes we all know and love, but in ways that do nothing to make us feel comfortable or secure in the story. Safe, innocent, familiar things suddenly become dark and tragic, and our expectations of the worst, the nastiest, the kinkiest developments rarely turn out as we would expect.
In a story where gender identity is fluid, From Sissy to Sensational does a fabulous job of exploring Jamie's gender issues, questioning his identity and his expression. The concept of a mentor here was wonderfully done - again, not what I expected, and better for it - and I thought it was a lovely surprise the way the story strides so boldly and confidently into a world that mixes business and pleasure, sending the very clear message that we do not have to deny the sissy inside in order to succeed as sensational.
Having sampled the shelves of Aleson Alexander with the slow-burn romance of Christine: Courtship, I have been anxious to explore the wilder, kinkier Having sampled the shelves of Aleson Alexander with the slow-burn romance of Christine: Courtship, I have been anxious to explore the wilder, kinkier facets of her imagination. Cat's Tale: The First Lesson is not a fetishistic tale - Cat makes that clear very early on - but it is one the deftly explores the blurry intersection of fetish and attraction. It is a story where the content almost contradicts the characters, but the spirit of it all stays true to the core sentiments of adoration and respect.
For starters, take a look at the cover. That hauntingly beautiful woman staring back at you is Cat. As much as she warns of fetishistizing the transgender community, she has chosen to fetishistize herself, dying her hair and eyebrows silver, painting her lips, and leaving her flesh a pale contrast. The difference is that, as a transsexual woman, she has has chosen to accept and embrace a fetishized role. She does a wonderful job of instructing Jason (and the reader) on how to positively and respectfully interact with the transgender community, but she also reminds him (and us) to use the labels, terms, and definitions of each individual woman.
Cat is definitely the dominant in their dalliance, but not in the whips-and-chains, collars-and-cages kind of way. She loves breaking in newbies - they are her fetish - but she is more a guide and a teacher, instructing Jason in how to give and receive pleasure. I love that Aleson was so bold about exploring their relationship, including scenes that might have been sordid and trashy under other circumstances, but which have a beautiful role to play here.
There is, of course, an element of fantasy here - multiple orgasms, high volume ejaculations, the ease of penetration, and the ways in which Jason proves to be such a natural. Cat silently remarks upon Jason's talents herself, wondering if she really is his first, and she addresses the other fantasy aspects as well, which makes them easier for the reader to accept. I loved that the story was so self-aware, never losing sight of the fact that Cat speaks as loudly to the reader as she does Jason.
As it turns out, Cat's Tale: The First Lesson has a lot in common with Christine: Courtship, and I am delighted to see Aleson maintaining her positive themes of erotic and romantic acceptance throughout both. These are stories that feel as if they are written as much for transgender readers as those that love them, so hopefully a few of those readers can enjoy them together.
Aleson Alexander is a fresh new voice on the romance and erotica scene, an author with a passion for characters and a flair for relationships who I amAleson Alexander is a fresh new voice on the romance and erotica scene, an author with a passion for characters and a flair for relationships who I am excited to read more of!
Christine: Courtship is just an altogether lovely story, the very definition of a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance. It is, as the title suggests, a prolonged courtship that begins with weeks of simple conversations, occasionally over dinner (Dutch, not a date), but mostly over the phone. If that sounds too tame or too boring for you, trust me it is not. That dialogue is funny and witty and heartfelt and engaging, and it reveals so much about Christine and Alex.
As their story progresses, we do get a few actual dates, with the pivotal moment coming once she finally accepts an invitation back to Alex's place for a movie and some wine. We already know Christine has secrets, and we already can sense she has been hurt before, but the depth of her fear and loneliness . . . well, it is as shocking as it is heartbreaking.
I cannot remember the last time I felt for a character like I did for Christine, but the way in which Alex coaxes her back from a breakdown, and the ways in which they begin to reconnect after bearing all, is beautiful. Since the fact of a sequel, Christine: Love, already promises that breakdown is not an end, I will allow myself to say this - the glee, the joy, the happiness, and the love of the final scenes still have me smiling a day after.
The T-Girl Experiment is a new three-part novella from M.C. Questgend that is sure to challenge reader expectations. It is a story that is equal partsThe T-Girl Experiment is a new three-part novella from M.C. Questgend that is sure to challenge reader expectations. It is a story that is equal parts drama, romance, and erotica, with several surprise twists and revelations awaiting the reader.
The first story introduces us to Alex, a successful bachelor who rushes into relationships too soon, and who has never found someone special enough to bring home to meet his family. When he meets Gabby there is an undeniable spark between them, one that burns even brighter because of their private natures and reluctance to discuss personal issues.
The slow, anxious, tender way in which Gabby comes out as transgender is exceptionally well done; Alex's reaction is realistic in the pain and anguish it causes; and the way in which his sister helps him to see beyond the secret is quite lovely.
It is in the second story that their relationship both advances and changes, which makes it a difficult one to talk about without getting into spoilers. Here we see two lovers becoming comfortable in one another's arms, with Alex learning how to satisfy his girlfriend's unique needs. There are some exquisite moments of romance and erotica here, with the way in which Alex opens himself to experimentation my favorite part of the story. As for how their relationship changes, all I will say is that Gabby has more secrets she has not shared, and the legitimate pain they cause Alex left me heartbroken.
From there, it should be no surprise that the final story takes things in an entirely different direction, making this less the story about a transwoman coming out and more about a genderfluid man discovering himself. I am hesitant to say much about this story, because readers need to find their way here naturally, but it does a lovely job of exploring friendship, romance, and erotic exploration, with some female domination elements that I particularly enjoyed, and an exhibitionist climax that is absolutely glorious.
As always, M.C. Questgend does a wonderful job of building characters and establishing realistic relationships, never shying away from emotional conflict in leading us to erotic discovery, which makes the fulfillment of our hopes and desires that much more significant.
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