Red Velvet and Absinthe - book discontinued by Cleis Press Inc. - review by KrissyNovacaine

This book had multiple authors, none of which were upstaged. Too often I read anthologies that have a few strong authors that overwhelm the weaker ones. I did not feel that way about this book. Each author had a unique style that still fit well within the overall theme of the book.

This book walked a fine line very well. I have read a pretty good amount of erotica, good and very bad, and I find that in an attempt to please all audiences, the editors try to make it into a metaphorical buffet. Unfortunately, more often than not, I find myself speeding through a story that I just can't get into because it is a kink I am definitely not a fan of. This book does NOT have that problem. I wasn't turned off by any story, but I also didn't feel that they were completely vanilla either. Some pieces were more romantic than sexy, but there was nothing that was at all boring.

I enjoyed that all the men in this book were very masculine, but that may just be my personal style of what I like. I am not a fan of man on man sex, so I was relieved when I didn't find any in here.

I didn't think that this book was cheaply made at all, but I wasn't vastly impressed by it either. It was a soft cover with normal weight pages. The binding was tight and didn't break easily, which I do appreciate because I absolutely plan on rereading this and loaning it out.

I have to say that this is a book I plan on enjoying over and over again...with toy in hand.

There were several stories, including the first, that made me have to stop to take care of myself. I think the price is more than worth the pleasure I got.