Masked Pleasures
Authors: Michael M. Jones, Anya Levin, Victoria Pond, and Brandi Guthrie. Edited by Jennifer Levine
Publication Date: 2/27/11
Publisher: Circlet Press, Inc.
Blurb (GR): This anthology of erotic fantasy features stories inspired by the cover photo. Writers were challenged to use the photo as their muse or inspiration and to let their imagination take over from there. The result is a collection of stories at once nostalgic and looking toward the future, finished off with a dash of hope and a sprinkle of romance.
Everyone knows the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words." But what if the picture begs for more than a thousand words? This anthology features stories that were inspired by the cover photo. Writers were challenged to use the photo as their muse or inspiration and to let their imagination take over from there. The result is a collection of stories at once nostalgic and looking toward the future, finished off with a dash of hope and a sprinkle of romance.
Michael M. Jones's "Devil's Masquerade" takes us through an erotic masquerade filled with disguised nobles, following the lovers Agents Starling and Grace as they search for a rogue sex demon; Brandi Guthrie's "The Seer's Mask" lets us into the mind of Gadeah, a powerful seer tormented by the lack of meaningful love in her life; Victoria Pond's "Heir Apparent" tells of His Lady Highness, a princess forced into playing the role of a knight after both her brother and husband are killed, who discovers a long-lost loved one hidden in a tower far away; and Anya Levin's "An Unusual Legacy" explores a futuristic world in which a group of rebels creates Freedom, an invitation-only chance to temporarily experience life without the constant informative babble of the identification interface.
Through this compilation of stories, editor Jennifer Levine has once again given readers the chance to get to know an interesting variety of characters, desires, and circumstances, proving that a picture really can be worth much more than a thousand words.
Contents:
Devil's Masquerade by Michael M. Jones
The Seer's Mask by Brandi Guthrie
Heir Apparent by Victoria Pond
An Unusual Legacy by Anya Levin
Review:
Devil’s Masquerade by Michael M. Jones--
Writing - 4/5
Story - 3/5
Spiciness - 2/5
In this short story, two undercover ducal agents are infiltrating a Devil’s Masquerade evening where the highest echelon of society gathers to engage in a night of debauchery. An incubus or succubus has been sighted in the area and the two agents are tasked to weed the demon out of the crowd, because everyone knows a sex demon can’t say no to a night of zero inhibitions. I don’t want to spoil the seksy times but I was surprised that it was lady on lady action. I’m glad to see this story being written but it did absolutely nothing for my nether regions. (Erm, awkwardness) Continuing with the awkwardness, I find the idea of orgies fascinating. How people can just let go completely and then, presumably, return to their everyday lives I may never know. What if you saw the person you caroused with somewhere random? Also, I’ve always wanted to go to a masquerade ball. Sometimes I think that if I ever get married, it would be pretty sweet to have a masquerade ball wedding…then I realize that I hate that kind of stuff (themed weddings) and I’d hate myself a little bit for doing something like that. I’d better settle on a masquerade ball-themed New Year’s Eve party and cross it off my bucket list. (which I also don’t have)
Michael M. Jones is skilled enough in his writing. I’m sometimes wary of ebook releases but there were absolutely no editing errors that drove me up the wall which was refreshing and I quite liked Jones’ style. My only gripe—there seemed to be waaaay too much silk flowing around curves and between legs and, well, everywhere. I mean, I like silk as much as the next girl…actually, maybe I don’t.
The Seer’s Mask by Brandi Guthrie
Writing - 3/5
Story - 3/5
Spiciness - 3/5
The Seer’s Mask is about, wait for it, a seer that places irremovable masks on prisoners of war. Gadeah, the seer in question, is head of a group of Sisters who rule the kingdom and Aamir is a sexy POW who I picture to look like Khal Drogo (HOT). Anyway, Aamir wears the seer’s mask and he is relegated to be Gadeah’s sexual slave, though she has never utilized his services despite her impotent consort. Guess what? Not fo long, bitches. This story takes place almost exclusively in the bedroom and I totally would’ve given it 4 stars in the spiciness department if it weren’t for a few sentences that had to do with areolae and sacs…ew. Buzz Killington.
Short stories are hard for me because I always want more of everything—character development, plot, description, and that is just not possible. Especially in the case of an erotica anthology where the authors have to include sex scenes in their short page allotment. I think this story of Ms. Guthrie’s could easily be elaborated into a longer novella or inserted into a full-length novel and I would read it. Just less mentions of those aforementioned words, please!
Heir Apparent by Victoria Pond
Writing - 4/5
Story - 3/5
Spiciness - 3/5
Heir Apparent feels like a short story written in a well-established fantasy realm. Margaret, heir to the throne since the death of her brother and husband, is sent on a soothsayer’s quest to find one whom she believed to be lost forever and, since this is part of an erotica anthology, I think we all know what she finds at the end of her quest. The writing was fluid and I enjoyed the fact that there was more dialogue and a sense of humor inserted into this story. I was/am skeptical about some aspects of the story (climbing a tower in full armor? I don’t think that is possible. ) However, I was invested in this story’s characters more so than in the preceding stories—I only wish there was, and excuse the pun (or don’t), more completion in the sex department. As it is, it is a bit unfulfilling.
My only other minor annoyance was about how/why he was in the tower. Unanswered questions abound but I guess it is a good sign that I enjoyed it enough to want to know the answers. This is the perfect time to fess up that I know the author of this short story. Also that I will saturate her with wine at the next book club until she answers ALL the questions for me. Bwahahahaha.
An Unusual Legacy by Anya Levin
Writing - 3/5
Story - 2.5/5
Spiciness - 4.5/5
Oo-ee, voyeurism and sex with a stranger? Obviously, this is one hot little story. However, I had to reread the first two pages three times before I resigned myself to having no clue what was going on. Maybe it is because I was reading it in the middle of the night or perhaps I am an idiot? Hopefully it is the former, otherwise I should probably give my degrees back. Anyway, this one kind of reads like The Matrix except when the main character takes the red pill and goes down the rabbit hole, it is sexy time with strangers and Laurence Fishburne isn’t there telling her what to do. This story was rather frustrating because I loathed the setup, loved the middle, and thought the ending was interesting if still a little bit confusing. I’d love to blurb the plot but I would probably muddle it up--how depressing is that? Either way, I wish Ms. Levin would’ve just simplified it, taken out the entire Jenny/Leonie love backstory and proceeded with a standard VR-type storyline.
Overall, I thought this anthology was well done. The editing was fabulous and I didn’t find any errors—a wonder in the ebook world! (Seriously, I find errors in my Kindle books all the time—even the ones with major releases.) All four stories were entertaining and varied enough to keep my interest. I only wonder who the primary audience is for the book—it seems like there is something for everyone and that is a risky move to take. Being something for everyone almost necessarily means that a lot of the book might not appeal to each reader. Regardless, it is worth its $3.99 price tag and I’d definitely read more from each of the authors. It was interesting to see how the prompt picture inspired their stories and if any readers know of any more good picture prompted anthologies, rec them to me because I enjoyed the idea.
Authors: Michael M. Jones, Anya Levin, Victoria Pond, and Brandi Guthrie. Edited by Jennifer Levine
Publication Date: 2/27/11
Publisher: Circlet Press, Inc.
Blurb (GR): This anthology of erotic fantasy features stories inspired by the cover photo. Writers were challenged to use the photo as their muse or inspiration and to let their imagination take over from there. The result is a collection of stories at once nostalgic and looking toward the future, finished off with a dash of hope and a sprinkle of romance.
Everyone knows the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words." But what if the picture begs for more than a thousand words? This anthology features stories that were inspired by the cover photo. Writers were challenged to use the photo as their muse or inspiration and to let their imagination take over from there. The result is a collection of stories at once nostalgic and looking toward the future, finished off with a dash of hope and a sprinkle of romance.
Michael M. Jones's "Devil's Masquerade" takes us through an erotic masquerade filled with disguised nobles, following the lovers Agents Starling and Grace as they search for a rogue sex demon; Brandi Guthrie's "The Seer's Mask" lets us into the mind of Gadeah, a powerful seer tormented by the lack of meaningful love in her life; Victoria Pond's "Heir Apparent" tells of His Lady Highness, a princess forced into playing the role of a knight after both her brother and husband are killed, who discovers a long-lost loved one hidden in a tower far away; and Anya Levin's "An Unusual Legacy" explores a futuristic world in which a group of rebels creates Freedom, an invitation-only chance to temporarily experience life without the constant informative babble of the identification interface.
Through this compilation of stories, editor Jennifer Levine has once again given readers the chance to get to know an interesting variety of characters, desires, and circumstances, proving that a picture really can be worth much more than a thousand words.
Contents:
Devil's Masquerade by Michael M. Jones
The Seer's Mask by Brandi Guthrie
Heir Apparent by Victoria Pond
An Unusual Legacy by Anya Levin
Review:
Devil’s Masquerade by Michael M. Jones--
Writing - 4/5
Story - 3/5
Spiciness - 2/5
In this short story, two undercover ducal agents are infiltrating a Devil’s Masquerade evening where the highest echelon of society gathers to engage in a night of debauchery. An incubus or succubus has been sighted in the area and the two agents are tasked to weed the demon out of the crowd, because everyone knows a sex demon can’t say no to a night of zero inhibitions. I don’t want to spoil the seksy times but I was surprised that it was lady on lady action. I’m glad to see this story being written but it did absolutely nothing for my nether regions. (Erm, awkwardness) Continuing with the awkwardness, I find the idea of orgies fascinating. How people can just let go completely and then, presumably, return to their everyday lives I may never know. What if you saw the person you caroused with somewhere random? Also, I’ve always wanted to go to a masquerade ball. Sometimes I think that if I ever get married, it would be pretty sweet to have a masquerade ball wedding…then I realize that I hate that kind of stuff (themed weddings) and I’d hate myself a little bit for doing something like that. I’d better settle on a masquerade ball-themed New Year’s Eve party and cross it off my bucket list. (which I also don’t have)
Michael M. Jones is skilled enough in his writing. I’m sometimes wary of ebook releases but there were absolutely no editing errors that drove me up the wall which was refreshing and I quite liked Jones’ style. My only gripe—there seemed to be waaaay too much silk flowing around curves and between legs and, well, everywhere. I mean, I like silk as much as the next girl…actually, maybe I don’t.
The Seer’s Mask by Brandi Guthrie
Writing - 3/5
Story - 3/5
Spiciness - 3/5
The Seer’s Mask is about, wait for it, a seer that places irremovable masks on prisoners of war. Gadeah, the seer in question, is head of a group of Sisters who rule the kingdom and Aamir is a sexy POW who I picture to look like Khal Drogo (HOT). Anyway, Aamir wears the seer’s mask and he is relegated to be Gadeah’s sexual slave, though she has never utilized his services despite her impotent consort. Guess what? Not fo long, bitches. This story takes place almost exclusively in the bedroom and I totally would’ve given it 4 stars in the spiciness department if it weren’t for a few sentences that had to do with areolae and sacs…ew. Buzz Killington.
Short stories are hard for me because I always want more of everything—character development, plot, description, and that is just not possible. Especially in the case of an erotica anthology where the authors have to include sex scenes in their short page allotment. I think this story of Ms. Guthrie’s could easily be elaborated into a longer novella or inserted into a full-length novel and I would read it. Just less mentions of those aforementioned words, please!
Heir Apparent by Victoria Pond
Writing - 4/5
Story - 3/5
Spiciness - 3/5
Heir Apparent feels like a short story written in a well-established fantasy realm. Margaret, heir to the throne since the death of her brother and husband, is sent on a soothsayer’s quest to find one whom she believed to be lost forever and, since this is part of an erotica anthology, I think we all know what she finds at the end of her quest. The writing was fluid and I enjoyed the fact that there was more dialogue and a sense of humor inserted into this story. I was/am skeptical about some aspects of the story (climbing a tower in full armor? I don’t think that is possible. ) However, I was invested in this story’s characters more so than in the preceding stories—I only wish there was, and excuse the pun (or don’t), more completion in the sex department. As it is, it is a bit unfulfilling.
My only other minor annoyance was about how/why he was in the tower. Unanswered questions abound but I guess it is a good sign that I enjoyed it enough to want to know the answers. This is the perfect time to fess up that I know the author of this short story. Also that I will saturate her with wine at the next book club until she answers ALL the questions for me. Bwahahahaha.
An Unusual Legacy by Anya Levin
Writing - 3/5
Story - 2.5/5
Spiciness - 4.5/5
Oo-ee, voyeurism and sex with a stranger? Obviously, this is one hot little story. However, I had to reread the first two pages three times before I resigned myself to having no clue what was going on. Maybe it is because I was reading it in the middle of the night or perhaps I am an idiot? Hopefully it is the former, otherwise I should probably give my degrees back. Anyway, this one kind of reads like The Matrix except when the main character takes the red pill and goes down the rabbit hole, it is sexy time with strangers and Laurence Fishburne isn’t there telling her what to do. This story was rather frustrating because I loathed the setup, loved the middle, and thought the ending was interesting if still a little bit confusing. I’d love to blurb the plot but I would probably muddle it up--how depressing is that? Either way, I wish Ms. Levin would’ve just simplified it, taken out the entire Jenny/Leonie love backstory and proceeded with a standard VR-type storyline.
Overall, I thought this anthology was well done. The editing was fabulous and I didn’t find any errors—a wonder in the ebook world! (Seriously, I find errors in my Kindle books all the time—even the ones with major releases.) All four stories were entertaining and varied enough to keep my interest. I only wonder who the primary audience is for the book—it seems like there is something for everyone and that is a risky move to take. Being something for everyone almost necessarily means that a lot of the book might not appeal to each reader. Regardless, it is worth its $3.99 price tag and I’d definitely read more from each of the authors. It was interesting to see how the prompt picture inspired their stories and if any readers know of any more good picture prompted anthologies, rec them to me because I enjoyed the idea.
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