She's On Top - erotic fiction by Cleis Press Inc. - review by Airen Wolf

She's On Top edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel is an anthology of stories that show how powerfully attractive a strong woman can be. It is also the amazing counter point to He's On Topwhich is also edited by Ms. Bussel. In this series the editor is not looking to put forth the same old, tired, stereotypes but instead she is trying to show how powerfully erotic powerful people can be! Accordingly the heroines in this story have all the traits we have come to know and love about Dommes but they also have an endearing touch of vulnerability that make them disarmingly human.

These women understand how hard it is for a man to shed his macho exterior and immerse themselves in the erotic thrill of being controlled...and even used by a strong woman. These women never forget the precious gift they are being offered and this sense elevates the anthology beyond the usual female dominance storybook.

There are 18 contributing authors in this anthology, most are 'old friends' I have met in other anthologies but I was pleased to meet a few new authors: Donna George Storey , Debra Hyde, Kristina Wright, MinaRose, Saskia Walker, Lisette Ashton, Teresa Noelle Roberts, Tara Alton, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Alison Tyler, N.T Morely, Andrea Dale, Noelle Keely, Kathleen Bradean, Adelaide Clark, Stan Kent, Lisabet Sarai, and Kate Dominic.


Some of the stories catch you right from the first sentence like The Mistress Meets Her Match by Kristina Wright. Her heroine is a professional Dominatrix who has discovered that while her soul craves the power found in commanding another human being her body is bored. She meets a man who could, quite possibly, change her life completely.

Imagine, if you will, a day that left you feeling frustrated and angry. Now imagine arriving home to your Adonis on his knees, your favorite drink on a tray, ready to perform your every whim. Beautiful picture isn't it? MinaRose's Waiting For Me we meet a woman who has just this!

Saskia Walker introduces us to Daniel who has a gift for seeing the Inner Vixen trapped in his Mistress. They meet in a public venue and quickly it is apparent that they are going to make a perfect pair. Don't we all wish someone would help us release the inner vixen in us?

For a trip into the intoxicating Victorian era we can look to Lisette Ashton, who treats us to a glimpse into an unusual proposal in her story Victoria's Hand. Algernon is all aflutter with excitement and desire as he kneels to ask Victoria for her hand in marriage. What she does next sets him ablaze and seals for them both how, exactly, their married life will be. This is my favorite story in the book and well worth the read!

Alison Tyler treats us to a quirky tale that asks the question, Why Can't I Be You? In this tale our heroine loves her man enough to want to possess him totally, to the point of desiring to actually BE him. She lets him know her desire in a most unusual and satisfying way!

For those readers who appreciate cutting and scarification stories Mark of Ownership by Teresa Noelle Roberts is a must read. In this story the heroine is facing the end of her relationship with her beloved sub. As a finale to the relationship she marks him more permanently that she has before and then bravely lets him go on and build a life with the woman he loves. This is an amazing story in it's own right but it hit me on deeper levels that left me wondering if I would have the courage to be so mature with my own 'toys'.

Just about every conceivable situation is explored in this book and the best part for me is the way that each of the stories is so down to earth and real. These are situations that could exist in anyone's life, not things that are fanciful but not safe, sane or consensual. While some of the stories left me bemused, all of the stories I have read again and probably will read again in the future. High praise for this avid and voracious reader!

The book doesn't have terribly blatant cover art and as long as it doesn't come under close scrutiny could be safe for work. The cover shows a woman's foot in a sky high heel with a gorgeously smiling man laying on the ground beside it. Not too terrible given the subject matter.
She's On Top is a slightly oversized paperback and it offers an Introduction by Rachel Kramer Bussel as well as a short bio of all the authors and the editor at the end of the book.

This is still a great book with great stories about strong women and the men who love them. The book has been loaned out many times and each time I have to nearly steal it back! Definitely recommend it for people who like good stories about strong women in charge.