Sweet Confessions - erotic fiction by Cleis Press Inc. - review by KinkyKrissy

This was my second erotica book, Please, Sir being the first, so I was unfamiliar with many of the authors. Like Please, Sir, Sweet Confessions is also a Cleis Press book. Edited by Violet Blue, it has a mix of stories to provide an interesting variety of fantasies for readers. Erotica readers may be familiar with some of the author names, which are:

1. Smell As Sweet by Heidi Champa
2. Bad Influences by Devyn Christopher
3. Internet Cafe au Lay by Kayar Silkenvoice
4. Silver Screen by Portia Da Costa
5. The Contender by Jacqueline Applebee
6. Sacred Places by Sophie Mouette
7. Counterpane by Alison Tyler
8. Waisted by Angela Caperton
9. Underpants by K. D. Grace
10. Red by Piper Morgan
11. The Hotel by Anika Ray
12. Underwear by Kay Jaybee
13. All Shaved Up by Liv Olson
14. New Day, New Life by Andrea Dale
15. An Age Play by Regina Kammer
16. Are You Sure? by Alexander Liboiron
17. Jenna's Gambit by Jeremy Edwards
18. The Female Gaze by Rachel Kramer Bussel

The only consistent authors between the two books were Alison Tyler and Rachel Kramer Bussel. I'm not familiar with either author enough to write a bio, so here are short bios that the book gives:

Rachel Kramer Bussel: "(rachelkramerbussel.com" is an author, editor, blogger and In the Flesh Reading Series host. Her books include the novel Everything But and the nonfiction The Art of the Erotic Love Letter. She's edited over thirty erotica anthologies, including Passion, Fast Girls, Spanked, Peep Show, Please, Sir, and Please, Ma'am (pg. 189)."

Alison Tyler: "(alisontyler.blogspot.com) has published short stories in more than eighty anthologies including Rubber Sex, Dirty Girls, and Sex for America. SHe is the author of more than twenty-five erotic novels, most recently Melt With You, and the editor of more than forty-five explicit anthologies (pg. 192)."

This is a slightly longer book at about 188 pages with 18 different erotic stories portraying different fantasies. This book is meant for couples who may have a fantasy that they are too nervous or unsure of how to share it with their partner. Each author presents their own style of writing and if you are new to erotica and/or have a partner, this might be a good place to start to see what you would like to try in case you decide to pick up another erotica book at some point.

I have to say, I had a hard time finishing the majority of the stories in one sitting. This is either because: A. The story seemed to drag on a bit or B. The story I was reading got me in the mood and I would set it down to go have some "me" time and then not have the energy to write anymore afterwords. I also did not have a partner to read this with so I don't know if it would have helped with opening up about a fantasy to someone, but it definitely could be a great starting point, a sort of ice breaker if you will.

The audience definitely appealed to couples, however if you are single like I am, this book may also work as a transition into letting future partners know about certain interests or fetishes you have, or even just something you want to try. In the future I'll definitely consider using this book as an aid in opening up to partners about different interests I have.

The front and back cover of the book display a person leaning in to another's ear. Even though the cover doesn't look inappropriate, it does say "Erotic fantasies for couples" on the front so it isn't very discreet in that sense. The back includes a list of authors and a description of the book. There are no pictures in the book besides that.

The book itself is softcover but appears to be made well enough that it will hold up to being tossed around, but not to extensive wear and tear being as it is a paperback.

Some of the stories I really enjoyed, some even more than I would have expected to. Some of the stories I really liked were "Smell As Sweet," "Bad Influences," and "New Day, New Life." There was a story or two that weren't really up my alley, such as "Sacred Places," about a woman who has a fantasy about monks, and "Jenna's Gambit," which was about a woman who fantasies about her lover watching her urinate. Although this isn't really my type of thing, I can appreciate the book including stories about fantasies that are less common, or more taboo. I could definitely see how it might help bringing the topic up with a partner a little easier so they can understand or at least look at it from that person's point of view.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The stories were a good length and had a great variety. The different writing styles were interesting and refreshing. I look forward to reading more erotica in the future.