Limecello’s review of L is for Leather by Alison Tyler
Erotic anthology published by Cleis Press 21 Jan 08
I’m not much of one for erotica, but I was asked to write a review for one, and I happened to have this book lying around, so I decided to read it. I admit to being intrigued, but still somewhat unsure. This was a good , and rather clear that the majority of the stories were written by women. I find the contrast very interesting.
The stories we well written, and perfect for this format. There are 13 stories in only 137 pages. Of course, some are longer than others, but there’s a wide variety, and I’m pretty sure any reader of erotica would find something to fit their taste. Especially a leather fetishist.
Personally, I like leather. It makes me a bit sad how it’s made/what it comes from… but shoes, purses etc – sometimes leather is best. That being said, leather played a greater or lesser role in each of these stories, but it was a focus. It came in all forms and had varied uses throughout the anthology, and many I’d never read before.
I was definitely impressed with some of the novellas, how the author managed to write such a powerful story in only 4 pages. Others, didn’t appeal to me as much. It’s just not my thing to read girl/girl action, and strap-ons. I don’t really understand what is so compelling about them, but I haven’t though about them much. Even so, the stories are provocative, and there’s a good flow to them.
This book is also perfect as a “short bite” – you can read a few and put it down, or read the whole thing in an hour or so. If you like erotica, and especially leather, this is definitely a book you should look into. For those of you who like erotica, or simply want to try it, this book, or any in the Erotic Alphabet series might be something you’d like to look into. (I haven’t read the others, but each has a main theme or subject, and with 27 different ones to choose from, there should be something for everyone.)
Grade: C
Is it better in leather?
Leather chaps, combat boots, black leather gloves, stilettos, belts and hoods all give way to kinky stories of leather adventures. Zip yourself into a skin-tight full-length coat, redolent with the feral fragrance of animal passion. Meet a cowboy after church who knows a good trick with leather belt. Luxuriate in the sensuous texture of gloved hands on tender skin. Fell the collar snap shut around your neck. Sit down, strap it on, L is for Leather will make your skin tingle and your senses awaken.
Alison Tyler has one of my favorite blogs, Trollop with a Laptop. This month she is giving away tons of free books; she has lots of contests in general, often for some pretty cool stuff. You can also find some pretty scorchy erotica samples on her blog, if you are curious as to what might be in some of the anthologies.
Laura – thanks for letting me know. I didn’t have much time, but the few minutes I clicked around, I decided I really liked her website – love the candy hearts! [Wish there were excerpts but for the anthologies with such short stories… I understand.]
And oooo contests 😉
Oh and ps – I kept playing with grades on this anthology, and then b/t C and C but I’m afraid a case of the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad mood day struck. Still, as I said, this is quality writing. [Just the subject wasn’t all my cup of tea.]
Whatever – I guess I’ve been too Mary Sue/Polly Anna. I really try to be positive online, because there’s so much negativity… but I’m going to just have to be more clear when books aren’t that great.
The C review says it’s not good, but not bad. It’s just average. I don’t love erotica and want to have it’s babies, but I like it well enough.
Oh snarking and perfection. Hopefully karma works.
But you can’t evaluate a book according to your personal preferences. You grade the writing etc that you’ve referred to.
If you don’t like erotica, then how can you review it impartially?
I never said I don’t like erotica. I’m just not a slavering fan of it. Perhaps I should have taken an entire paragraph explaining how erotica is not my favorite genre, and although I’ve enjoyed some of what I’ve read, I haven’t formed a concrete opinion of it. I can review it perfectly impartially because I began reading the book with no bias, and no opinion – just ready to read some great, raunchy writing, and enjoy doing so.
My review, is based entirely on my own opinion, and I am unable to give anyone else’s opinion. I felt that this was an average book, and graded it according to the guidelines of this site. I would never have thought my giving an average grade would have caused such an uproar. If other people loved it and thought this was the best book ever written, they are more than welcome to give their opinion. Or if they disliked it. That’s how blogs work. At least this one does.