KissinBlueKaren

Erotic Tales of Immortal Desire edited by D.L. King the same mastermind that gave us Carnal Machines (a book I absolutely loved!). This book includes short stories by Aurelia T. Evans, Kaysee Renee Robichaud, Elizabeth Brooks, Michael M. Jones, Kannan Feng, V. K. Foxe, Evan Mora, Sasha Bukova, Jay Lawrence, Anya Richards, Nan Andrews, NJ Streitberger, Angela Caperton, J. S. Wayne, Mina Murray, Giselle Renarde, Robin Tiergarten, Cynthia Rayne, Jean Roberta, Elizabeth Thorne and Kate Dominic. I am not familiar with all of these authors but I trust D.L. King to deliver quality erotica. I was really excited to review this book.

From the back:

She’s beautiful. She’s enchanting. She’s mysterious and unfathomable. She’s your fondest dream and your worst nightmare. She’s sweet and sublimely submissive. She’s dark and fully in charge. She’s flirty yet mysterious. She promises safety in her arms but there’s danger in her eyes. One look, one scent, one taste, one sigh and you’re rock hard or dripping wet. She’s sex incarnate. Succubi are sexual vampires, women who steal the life force from their victims — but what a way to go! Some say succubi visit their victims in dreams; others say they seduce them in the flesh. Whether your succubus is a shape-shifter, has permanent bat wings, or wears a miniskirt; whether her victims are taken unawares, follow her with glee, or scream bloody murder as they come, these stories are hot — as hell.

I am really into the supernatural. It seems so easy for this topic of a Seductress to be a successful collection of erotic stories. Honestly though not all the stories really were all that. The book started on such a high note with the first story really drawing the reader in. The next story sort of fell flat and left me wondering if the book was going to be worth my time. I am happy to report that the book did have a few excellent stories. By the end of the book I was pleased with the collection, I would have left some stories out, but the majority of them were worth the read.

Right off the bat this book was really hot. The first story, Harvest by Aurelia T. Evans, was a steamy hot story of a succubus that got me all kinds of hot an bothered. The seductress in this story is dominating and has no mercy as she takes control of her summoner. Succubus, Inc. by Elizabeth Brooks was another delicious story that ignited my imagination about how a succubus could fit into this modern world. What devices could a succubus use to get more people to serve their needs? The author nailed this story with a never-ending list of possibilities in a world where sex can be bought and sold.

Minions Have Needs Too by Anya Richards told the story of a succubus sent down to earth to get energy for her master. She then has to release her energy in the form of story telling to her master. This is a very erotic short story with lots of snippets of sex-full scenes. The lesson in this story is to never forget to tend to those who serve you. The Girl on the Egyptian Escalator by NJ Streitberger was a dirty tale of about viscous cycle. The Egyptian Goddess Sekhmet has no trouble finding prey in this day and age. Textual by Robin Tiergarten was another good story about how easy it would be for a crafted succubus to in-debt a servant with a sexy picture and the promise of sex.

However….

In the Service of Hell by Michael M. Jones disturbed me on so many levels I can barely contain myself. In this story the succubus is sent down to release a shy lesbian from denying herself by living a life of heterosexuality. The idea that perhaps a true lesbian might need help finding a potential lover from a demon, or that only hell would be able to help her (since heaven doesn’t care) is troublesome to me. Phone Hex was another story of succubus trying to find a foothold in this modern age, but unlike Succubus, Inc. it fell a bit flat on the delivery of steamy seducing.

One story I was really on the fence about is Soaring by Kate Dominic. This story takes place in a war torn country and the succubus is in the guise of being a photo journalist of some sort in the company of soldiers. This story may fall too close to home for those of us that have served or have loved ones still serving. The soldiers are obviously American as their accents betray. The story has some sexy aspects but the whole idea to me was a bit of a turn off.

The book was able to capture my imagination and did, at the very least, inspire some new fantasies. It is probably worth a read for anyone who finds succubus a sexy subject. The majority of the book was very well put together. (With the exception of the few I mentioned that I really wish I would have skipped over.) The book Seductress can be purchased here and here.

I received this product from Cleis Press free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This review is in compliance with the FTC guidelines.