Book Review--BELTANE by Erin O'Riordan
by Kimber L.
Originally published at gather.com, December 5, 2009
I recently read Beltane by Erin O'Riordan and wanted to write a short review on what I
thought of it Erin is a Gather author and her Gather page is http://erino.gather.com/
Before I review this I would like to preface this for some of my less open minded connections
- I love and accept mostly everyone NO MATTER THEIR PATH in life. I am MOSTLY
Christian in my beliefs and I do not condemn others for what they believe. I find all
celebrations and prayer and worship of a higher power to be interesting to study and read
about and learn about and I have several friends of several different religions. I have
observed pagan rituals, Jewish ceremonies, catholic ceremonies, Amish ceremonies, even
Native American ceremonies and I welcome opportunities to observe others as well. I find the
psychology of them interesting too. Part of why I enjoyed this book so much is because I
have some friends who do follow a pagan path and I was impressed with how many
accuracies Erin nailed in her book without sounding preachy or annoyed or like she was
typing a text book! I have read books in the past that I hated simply because the author
sounded like she was teaching/scolding rather than telling a story - Erin definitely did not do
that - she told a wonderful story.
The book was about sisters Zen and Allie and relationships in their lives and the pagan
holiday Beltane. I don't want to tell too much about the story and ruin it for you so I will limit
the review to my opinions. I liked the characters and I enjoyed how Erin wove the holiday
throughout the story. She was able to weave the traditions and celebrations throughout
without making the reader feel like she was simply trying to educate or preach. She made it
a living part of the story and it was interesting and vivid. The story was sexual and erotic but
so is Beltane - fertile and rich. The story also fit the holiday very well. For my connections
out there if you are pagan I recommend it she does a nice job and the story in it - though a
little predictable is still very well told and very good. For my Christian and Spiritual
connections and friends out there if you are open minded it is a very interesting and erotic
story and accurate to a Pagan celebration. I would give it an NC-17 rating for the sexuality in
it though. I enjoyed it very much.
Book Review--Like a God's Kiss, edited by Cecilia Tan and
Jennifer Levine
by Sharon R.
Originally published at gather.com, January 13, 2010
A few weeks ago I was chosen to review a book with 7 amazing, erotic, mythological stories.
One of our very own, Erin O'Riordan (the person who chose me), has an inclusion in this
book.
If you are not into erotica, this is not for you. This book brought back many memories of my
high school reading of 'Bullfinch's Mythology.' The mythological gods were a randy bunch.
Nothing was beyond their imagination when it came to the opposite sex, or even the same
sex.
Erin's story, 'In the Lair of the Monster' - the monster being Medusa, was from a very
different view than what I expected. She turned it into a tender love story. I really enjoyed this
one.
The first story in the book 'The Pillars of Hercules' - gives an unexpected take on our world
being balanced on the shoulders of Atlas.
I think my favorite story was 'Arachne' - it shows us of the jealousy of the god's. But also that
the god's were not always perfect, or even as good as they thought they were.
A couple of the stories were a bit long, and I had to go back and reread to be able to follow.
But if you have the time to read at one sitting, very gripping, keep you on the edge of your
seat, keep you 'turning the pages', or scrolling, in this case, exciting.
I loved each and every story in this book. I saw the ancient gods in new ways. I saw things I
never dreamed of before. Truly a wonderful read.
Book Review--Like a God's Kiss, edited by Cecilia Tan and
Jennifer Levine
by Rhetta A.
Originally published at gather.com, January 12, 2010
Before Christmas, our own Erin O'Riardan sent me a copy of the ebook anthology Like a
God's Kiss to review. Erin has a story in the collection," In the Lair of the Monster, "which is a
truly unique take on the myth of Perseus and Medusa. I was super busy, but I finally got time
to read the book. And I have to tell you, it's probably just as well it was freezing here because
this book is HOT, HOT, HOT.
Let me just say right now that those of you who may not realize what "Mythological Erotica"
entails and who are in the least bit prudish about..well, anything..had better stay away from
this book. Everyone knows the gods are a horny bunch and not too particular about gender
or even species but..wow.
I've always loved mythology but I never read any myths like this before. The language is
crude. The sex is twisted. Very twisted. There's a lot of same sex action, and a lot of man to
god and woman to god and man to supernatural creature..you probably think you're getting
the picture, but you probably don't.
The language in this collection varies between crude and poetic, and the stories are funny,
tender, bloody... some of the stories are truly touching and some are hilarious and some are
both at the same time.
I loved this ebook, but then I'm not easily shocked. Erin's story is actually milder than many of
the stories here, although if you read it as a stand-alone you would find that hard to believe.
Odysseus makes a couple of appearances, and Zeus is here, but interestingly, not as part of
the real action.
I really don't quite know what to tell you about this book except what I said at the beginning..
it's HOT, people. It's crude. It's often violent. I found it delightful.
Book Review--Vamps: A Lesbian Anthology With Bite, edited
by Lorna Hinson
by Keta Diablo
Originally published at gather.com, January 16, 2010
VAMPS, A Lesbian Anthology with Teeth
Torquere Press, www.torquerepress.com
Edited by Lorna Hinson
ISBN: 978-1-60370-901-9, 1-60370-901-0
4.5 Stars, Reviewed by Keta Diablo, Erotic Romance Author
VAMPS, A Lesbian Anthology With Teeth is series of short stories that explores the lesbian
side of vampires from historical to avant-garde. Stories from Las Vegas to ancient Rome
enter into the mix, as do shorts from ménage to HEA and not-so-HEA.
I was pleasantly surprised by this anthology and must say; the writing shines. You’ll be
engaged, entertained and invested in these stories; will feel as if you’re right there with these
hotter than hot characters who deliver in spades. VAMPS is an eclectic mix of lesbian love
that will have your heart racing while you squirm in the chair.
Well done, authors! And kudos to Lorna Hinson who edited this anthology released by
Torquere Press.
Stories in VAMPS
Seven Come Eleven, J.T. Langdon, murder, mystery and mayhem in Vegas. Honors, J.T.
Langdon.
Ways and Means, Kate Cotoner, escape to ancient Rome with demon hunter and her lover.
High recommendations, Ms. Cotoner.
Vamp Girl, Penelope Friday, two misfits find temporary love and perhaps themselves. Well
done, Ms. Friday!
Heatsong, Shanna Germain, lyrical prose explores primal need among the undead. Woot!
Ms. Germain.
Neighbors, Elizabeth Black, look-alike roommates introduce neighbor to kinky ménage a
trois. Applause for Ms. Black.
Wherein Elen Encounters The Ladies. Teresa Noelle Roberts, servant finds fulfillment with
knowledgeable spinsters. High praise, Ms. Roberts.
Strange Relationship, Tracey Shellito, boss seeks employer’s credentials and gets
glamoured instead. Accolades for Ms. Shellito.
Oakley Falls, Erin O’Riordan, pain of past relationships bring two opposites to terms and
love. Spellbinding, Ms. O’Riordan.
The Power That Dreams Have, Mercy Loomis, dreams really do come true in Athens.
Mesmerizing, Ms. Loomis.
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Love Bites A collection of tales of dark romance from Torquere Press |
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