Naked Reader Book Club Discussion: Daughters of Darkness, Edited by Pam Keesey and Girls Who Bite, Edited by Delilah Devlin (October 25, 8-10 PM EST)

As a preview to the discussion, here's Delilah Devlin's introduction to Girls Who Bite, complete with her original Call for Submissions. See how well it worked!


Vampire—vagina. A more perfect sensual pairing couldn’t be imagined. Dark hungers, shocking thirsts... For blood, for connection... A sharing of nourishment and comfort... Inflic-
tion and acceptance of pain... Whether the story depicts a traditional blood-drinker
seducing a meal, a psychic vampire stealing life force from an unknowing host, or a real-life sanguinarian seeking a partner to share a ritual bloodletting to cement a bond, the stories will be varied and unexpected. Writers will be encouraged to inves- tigate vampire myths from around the world, looking for some- thing fresh to add to the pantheon.

That description was included in the call for submissions I sent out when I began this project. This being the first book where I don the editor’s hat and make the selections, I wanted stories the likes of which I hadn’t read before. I write about vampires and werewolves, demons and succubi, and a dragon here and there. I love to read about them. But in this shorter format, I wanted to spark authors to provide me with something rare: a surprise. I made hard, excruciating choices, keeping in mind that I wanted the stories to be beyond simply erotic. If they didn’t pull at my emotions, if they didn’t provide me with a fresh twist and leave me feeling hopeful or haunted, I put them aside. I am at heart a romantic.

Why vampires? Aren’t there enough books and movies to bludgeon the genre to death? Maybe. But I’ll bet there will be a tale or two here that you’ve never read before. Or a twist you didn’t expect. Add the sensual texture of Sapphic love, and it’s a perfect mix. Blood is life. And for a vampire, a blood host is more than food; the relationship is one to be nurtured, and who better to understand that than women?

So, sit astride the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, sail with modern-day pirates, watch a meteor fall to earth and taste the powdery wings of a monarch butterfly. Not things you’d expect in a vampire tale? Then sip O-positive from a femoral artery while tugging at the silky strands of your lover’s hair, or scent a fated mate in an ocean breeze. Not so surprising, but eternally delicious.
Delilah Devlin less

Wow, that sounds really intriguing!

I thought, given my tastes, lesbian-only anthologies would have left me craving a little extra penetration---so I bought myself a copy of Hard Hats this month so I'd still be a Naked Reader! (review will hopefully be up tomorrow). I loved Hard Hats immensely, so I think I made the right choice in the end, but this introduction makes me feel like I should have tried out something even when I didn't think it seemed up my alley. less

Here's a bit more to chew on (suck on?) until more folks get here--Delilah has a list of reviews for us.


From Delilah Devlin, author of “Night at the Wax Museum”:??Some brags:??The responses from readers and reviewers has been thrilling to the writers! Check out some of the early reviews!
“GIRLS WHO BITE is one incredible read. I’d highly recommend this book to everyone straight, lesbian, bi, it doesn’t matter. There are stories here that you need to read and experience… And a final note regarding the editor Delilah Devlin. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say she is borderline genius for putting together this fantastic lineup of stories.”?~5 Paddles from BDSM Book Reviews
“…Absolutely Amazing! Packed with heat, sexuality, and darkness. This book deliveries on so many levels.” ?~Rated: Rose that Rules All! Magnificent!, Romancing the Book
“…The ride between the covers of this fabulous book is a sexy, sensual journey you should not miss… GIRLS WHO BITE was put together incredibly well and all the stories, although each different, flowed together nicely and were very intriguing! This anthology had me wanting more and turned me on to a whole new genre!”?~4 Stars from Dirty Birdies
“…I hope that you’ll give this very hot, very fresh anthology a try, even if you’re not “into” girls. This will definitely give you a different perspective into the world of lesbian erotica and I’m glad I spent my first time with Ms. Devlin’s beautiful choices.“?~5 Stars, Siren’s Songs Reviews
“…GIRLS WHO BITE is an extraordinary entertainment and highly recommended for adult reading lists.”?~5 Stars, Midwest Book Reviews less

Here's a bit more to chew on (suck on?) until more folks get here--Delilah has a list of reviews for us.


From Delilah Devlin, author of “Night at the Wax Museum”:??Some brags:??The responses from readers and reviewers has been thrilling to the writers! Check out some of the early reviews!
“GIRLS WHO BITE is one incredible read. I’d highly recommend this book to everyone straight, lesbian, bi, it doesn’t matter. There are stories here that you need to read and experience… And a final note regarding the editor Delilah Devlin. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say she is borderline genius for putting together this fantastic lineup of stories.”?~5 Paddles from BDSM Book Reviews
“…Absolutely Amazing! Packed with heat, sexuality, and darkness. This book deliveries on so many levels.” ?~Rated: Rose that Rules All! Magnificent!, Romancing the Book
“…The ride between the covers of this fabulous book is a sexy, sensual journey you should not miss… GIRLS WHO BITE was put together incredibly well and all the stories, although each different, flowed together nicely and were very intriguing! This anthology had me wanting more and turned me on to a whole new genre!”?~4 Stars from Dirty Birdies
“…I hope that you’ll give this very hot, very fresh anthology a try, even if you’re not “into” girls. This will definitely give you a different perspective into the world of lesbian erotica and I’m glad I spent my first time with Ms. Devlin’s beautiful choices.“?~5 Stars, Siren’s Songs Reviews
“…GIRLS WHO BITE is an extraordinary entertainment and highly recommended for adult reading lists.”?~5 Stars, Midwest Book Reviews less

I wanted to finish reading Girls who Bite before tonight and finish my review of it, but I have a few stories to read still.

Anyhow, I can talk about my reading experience, and as I've just dropped the book after reading a few stories, I'm soaked. Sorry if that was too much information.

Hey wait, I got one more hour! I'll be done by then. Later! less

Halfway through Daughters of Darkness, and so far, not impressed. There's only been one sex scene, and not only was it not lesbian(well, unless you consider a lesbian vampire possessing the minds of a girl and boy while they have sex... but wouldn't that be masturbation, technically?), it involved a 13 year old girl (EW EW EW &**@#&ING EW!) less