Interesting and sensuous
593806
Enjoyable series book two continues well written fantastic and rich. Recommend to romance fans and fantasy fans alike. Looking forward to book three.
999734
I was surprised by how much I liked this book,  a thoughtful exploration of slavery and BDSM.  This has a lot of button pressing issues and is not for everyone,  but it's sensitively handled and not at all gratuitous.  I liked the main lovers,  esp Rory/Roar,  but I liked all the side characters too,  Maizy and Demon were fully fledged in their own right.  The middle of the book was a bit too much therapy (I should check to see how often the word was used,  it seemed to be on every page for a while there) But then again,  the characters had been through such terrible and confusing things.  I liked to see how Geo also struggled to see what his behavior had contributed.  The whole idea of being 'good slave owners'  was also sensitively explored.

Very happy with this book,  glad to see it's a series,  will buy the next one
4402623
This book explores the place of our bodies in our lives, an an oddly neglected area of philosophical study. Its author, Gabor Csepregi, makes a convincing case for the existence of something like a bodily 'intelligence' or 'cleverness' used by most of us and that goes mostly unperceived, and which remains largely unexamined.

It's a compelling phenomenology suited to the ordinarily curious as well as academics. Although his writing doesn't explicitly target psychologists, athletes or musicians, they too are likely to take an interest in its intriguing analyses.

In fact, Csepregi delves into wonders that, as he acknowledges, never were hidden from musicians, craftspeople or athletes, yet which only recently began receiving attention in phenomenological circles. This Hungarian-Canadian philosophy professor, ex-Olympic athlete and cognoscente of classical music, imparts insights on various subjects related to such bodily avocations. This includes just what people working to perfect athletic endeavours actually do, and how things such as paintings, sculpture, furniture, and the places where we dwell, are contrived with tools - those curious extensions of our bodies with which some manage wondrous things. Also those people who manage to discipline their bodies with a 'cleverness' that near-merges them to musical devices, so closely and with such intimacy as to facilitate making, through those particular extensions of their inmost selves, sound combinations that "move" people in also ineffable ways that are also thoroughly bodily.

The topics discussed also cover areas as disparate as how memories and emotions can imprint on a face; phenomena that make for resemblances between spouses; the flavor of certain syllables, as tasted by children (and poets), but generally neglected by adults; the interpersonal dynamics between chamber music players; etc.

If I had a small misgiving it would be about citations: references that might best lie buried in footnotes or relegated to endnotes tend to detract from the narrative flow and the argument. Also, sex is a non-trivial area of physical life that gets surprisingly scant attention.

But these are minor, and maybe churlish: I so enjoyed this unusual book that enthusiasm is the appropriate note to strike. This intriguing book has much to offer the curious reader, and is heartily recommended.
483939
Many books have been written about special relationships between humankind and their companion animals, but none as intelligent, yet heart-filled, as "Saved". It is a sensuous read. The author's talent for description allows the reader to live in each chapter through tasting, smelling, hearing, seeing, and feeling the unique story.
4794797
This book is actually interesting especially when you're longing for interesting books to read.
3261720
This is an extraordinary work of sexual deviation.  It goes without say that Sacher-Masoch supplied the M in S & M.  This novel which mirrors a relationship in Sacher-Masochs real life is a disarmingly sensual tale.  While I have no desire to be tied up and whipped, I found myself deeply  engrossed in Severins plight into abuse and humiliation.  This philosophy  of the hammer or the anvil is interesting to me.  Obviously, Severin  prefers to be the anvil to Wandas hammer.  This confuses me as I believe in  human dignity but to each his own.  I can not agree with the hammer or  anvil theory but I suppose that it is a formula that works for many people.  It apparently was quite thrilling to Sacher-Masoch.  This is an amazingly  frank work.  It is sensual and poignant simultaneously.  Reccommended.
4398678
Dominant/submissive is very much in this book; presented differently than I've read before. It is very interesting and written quite well. There are family dynamics at play, too.  I believed the characters and situations. I enjoyed reading it.
3746073
Kakar takes the reader deep into sexual ideas and lore, in the classical Indian way, that will certainly enlighten and even titillate some readers.  His imaginative depiction of who the author of the Kama Sutra might have been is also worth the price of admission. His prose - this is his first novel, I think - often falls short of page-turning, but I happily stayed with it to the end nevertheless, and so will you if you're interested in a lively and stimulating depiction of the geography of desire.
2385212
Mannequin opens with a description of a lady so vivid that she literally appears before your very eyes. You see her standing there in 6 inch heels below patterned fishnet stockings under a short, navy skirt covering strong, athletic legs. Her sturdy shoulders are wrapped in an ivory silk blouse that is opened slightly to expose her cream-coloured skin. You read on for more, erotically enticed, and hear about her dark rose lipstick, glossy nail polish and smoky eyes that are completed with extended lashes.

If this description hasn't already drawn you in by now, the fact that she is being watched all this time, will. An obsession is introduced as we learn of a character who plans his morning to the tee, to see her, fantasize about her, but then know he cannot have her. Why? Read the book to find out.....

 Meet Viola, a shy, timid Country girl who moved to the city three months ago. Shes a busy lady on her way to work via a caf where she picks up a coffee and a croissant but bumps into a man on the street and stains his expensive shirt with coffee. Not having enough money to cover the cost, a lunch date is suggested in exchange for payment by a tall, handsome well-dressed man. Viola accepts, hurries off to work then meets this mystery man later for the briefest of encounters.  After a quick lunch that leads to dinner, she finds herself in a romantic corner of a restaurant being hand-fed olives and humus.

The build-up of the two characters is so engaging that you are literally right there in the restaurant with them; whether you're her, feeling uneasy yet excited, or him, confident and controlling. The lunch that turned swiftly into dinner then evolves erotically into an invitation of a weekend away. Viola considers that this whole charade was perhaps planned, yet still accepts.

Without giving too much away, this erotic tale turns into a mnage a trois of masters, mistresses, hair cutting, shaving, tying up and so much more. Its wonderfully descriptive, erotic, face-paced and leaves you with a desire for more. The dialogue is riveting, the characters feel real, the story captivates you and the writing is some of the best I've ever seen in this genre.

The next time I pass a Mannequin on the high road looking down on me will never be the same again.
3377191
Enticing and exciting enough for the pleasure reader, complex and academic enough for the scholarly reader. I would reccomend this to any fans of war novels, romance novels, historical fiction, psychology or criminal nature, or lovers of high literature
1233468
The book is a little slow, but definitely worth reading. Enticing, seductive and challenging the purpose and beauty of mortality.
1599617
Beautiful Julia Freemont is a lady, and one who would never consider marriage to a man born on the wrong side of the blanket.  Unwittingly Miss Freemont makes her feelings known to the man in question, who advises her that one day she may come to regret her words.

Brandon Barrister is rich and handsome, but being born a bastard has been a strike against him with Miss Freemont, the lady with whom he is infatuated.  Her scorn at his station is evident, and he has too much pride to pine for a woman who has such a low opinion of himself.  Instead, he plans on dedicating his time on finding an appropriate bride.

Now Julia has found herself in a vulnerable position after her father has gambled away his fortune and in shame, ended his own life.  Rather than living with her pride in poverty, Julia decides the best alternative is to become a rich man's mistress.  Knowing of Brandon's high regard for her, and the debt her father owed him, she approaches him with a proposition: she will become his mistress if he will consider the debt paid in full for her services.  He finally agrees, but only if she will follow his wishes to the letter: she must be willing to allow him to fully train her in the art of seduction.  Only neither of them anticipates the intense passion and emotion to consume them both.....

This is Edwina (Eddie) Columbia's first published story and I was completely engrossed by it right from the start.  "Mistress in Training" has both an innocent and a sensual quality to it, and I felt drawn into the private world of Julia and Brandon as he slowly yet thoroughly introduces her to the delights of the desire between them.  I especially enjoyed how Eddie does not give us immediate gratification, but rather draws out the tension between the lovers so we can savor each experience between them.  Their relationship is earthy was well as romantic, which is evident in the way Brandon wishes to protect Julia from the scandal of becoming his mistress and by her desire to please him in and out of the bedroom, yet still maintaining her independent spirit.  The secondary characters are extremely engaging, and I especially enjoyed how Eddie has delved into the "sisterhood" of the female characters and how they support each other when desperate times call for desperate measures.  I will be eagerly awaiting Ms. Columbia's next story, and hope it won't be a long wait.
3814577
The descriptive language is beautiful. It really invokes the senses. The plot is an interesting blend of sweet and creepy, and it offers an insightful perspective about the nature of love itself.
3725138
Ms. De Maupassant gives us a well written, erotic historical tale. At first, I thought there were two storylines paralleling each other, a sort of dance, where I would hope they would intersect at some point.

We are introduced to Maud, a young woman whose days are filled with mundane and serene interests. All pursuits are governed by strict societal rules as befits her station during nineteenth century London. Maud is intelligent, educated and portrayed as a bit of a bluestocking. But there is more to Maud we will later find. It is the revelation that is most intriguing and I never guessed it.

Lord Henry McCaulay is a bored and entitled aristocrat whose sole endeavor is to aspire to live a life rich in the enjoyment of experiences new and unexpected. Most evenings he can be found at his gentlemens club where men can indulge in sexual pleasure and debauch exploration. After a few evenings at the club, Henry is intrigued by Mademoiselle Noire to a point of infatuation. Mademoiselle is seductive and alluring and fascinating. She is like no other woman he has ever met, and Henry realizes, at one point, he is obsessed with claiming Mademoiselle. She has ruined him for any other woman because, with Mademoiselle, his sexual fantasies become real.

The Gentlemens Club is the first book in the Noire series. The author weaves a story that is richly descriptive with vivid characterization and highly erotic scenes.  You will be absolutely surprised with the ending. I admit rereading the story for clues that I missed entirely. What a great beginning to this series and I look forward to Maud and Henrys story in Italian Sonata, the second book of the series.  Wonderful job, Ms. De Maupassant.
4374991
A friend told me about this, and I wanted to read it because it had drawings and different formatting.  As a fan of ergodic literature, meaning literature that can't just be read, but requires more of a challenge for the reader, I knew this would deliver an experience I would enjoy.

The readability of the formatting was pleasant, and the metaphors made sense and were satisfying.  I found myself anxious when the characters were making discoveries, heightened by the addition of things like drawings, pictures, notes.

I'm a little confused about some things, but not to the degree that it diminished the experience.  I like the idea that the book holds some secrets that I don't know about after reading it.  Or maybe I do and I'm lead to believe there are more secrets.  Either way, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and have a feeling a re-read in a few years will also be enjoyable.

Highly recommend for someone seeking an experience that's a bit more than regular reading.
1661505
The story is intriguing and yet convincing, and the characters are likable.
2746259
I found "Arousal" to be a fascinating analysis of sexual fantasies.  Through the use of case studies - the feminist whose biggest turn-on was the idea of being be raped by a custodian, the man whose fantasies involved turning invisible, the fellow who imagined having sex with a bubbly, underage highschool student, and many more - Bader ably demonstrates how a psychoanalyst who is sensitive and open-minded might go about understanding the genesis of a patient's sexual fantasies and turning these insights into something of therapeutic benefit.
Each of the fantasies profiled has a very logical premise that Bader explains clearly and believably.  For instance, the feminist fantasized about being raped because she felt stronger than most men, and only in the arms of the fantasy rapist - who was all muscles and ruthless about taking what he wanted - could she just think about herself and surrender to her own excitement.  With her own husband, she didn't feel nearly as comfortable about being selfish sexually (she was instinctively sensitive to his feelings), and thus didn't experience the same level of arousal as in her fantasies.
Bader makes an interesting distinction - between people who have fantasies, and people who act on their fantasies.  I would have enjoyed seeing him go into greater detail in this area.  However, his explorations regarding the background of various common fantasies - domination, submission, masochism, sadism, fetishism, underage, invisibility (and myriad others) - more than make up for this lapse.
This book is wonderful for anyone who is curious about the underpinnings of their fantasies, or who is interested in how a psychoanalyst might dissect those same fantasies (and then put that understanding to work).  The book is fascinating, provocative and well worth checking out.