Best Bondage Erotica 2012 - bdsm toy by Cleis Press Inc. - review by winterseve

This work is a great selection with each piece being written by a different author. I like that they each have their own style and bring something new to the mix. It keeps things interesting as well as unpredictable. I have read a few pieces by authors in the book, but I couldn't tell you which is which. I recognize the names and love the stories. I like it that way as it keeps me from reading too many "patterns". Unlike with most novels there is no cut and dry pattern to the stories (that I noticed anyway). Each has its own flow pattern; you can't just say "the characters are introduced, x happens, y happens, z happens, the end." At the end of the book there is a bit of information about each author. Some of their other works are mentioned as well as anthologies that they've been in. This is one of my favorite features as it gives me plenty of new books to add to my ever expanding reading list.

The focus of the book, as the name says, is bondage. There are examples of many different scenarios within this book. Some are more intense than others which is awesome. If you're in the mood for more vanilla bondage or something more intense you will find it here. The audience targeted here is anyone who is interested in bondage or a seasoned fan of practicing bondage. I think it would be a nice easy way to show someone a taste of bondage if they are new to it. The books shows different scenarios to give them an less scary inside look (compared to some bondage porn). I like that the relationships between each d type and s type. There is a decent mixture of homosexual and heterosexual couples (though the focus is hetero) in these stories.

I like the design and flow of the book. No similar stories are put together. The layout is great and easy to follow and reference if needed. The paper cover is bright and sexually appealing, with a strong binding that is so far holding up to my moving and bending and folding. I love the high quality paperbacks that Cleis Press puts out.

I love to sit down with a great erotic book at the end of the day. It helps me unwind from work or even get myself a little more sexually ready if my body is horny but my mind isn't. I also just like to read erotica for enjoyment even if I won't be masturbating or having sex after reading. It doesn't hurt to have around for some inspiration when I do want to play though. It's giving me plenty ideas for scenes between my husband and I...never a complaint here. My favorite stories are:
"A Night at the Opera" by Elizabeth Coldwell which tells a story of a female dom whose husband is her sub and an adventurous night of fun at the Opera.
"Tied Down" by Elise Hepner which gives a scenario about a lesbian couple in which the dom is going to break up with her sub, but they have one more night of fun.
"Pawns" by Billey Thorunn which is the story of a wife who is paying back her husband after she lost a bet. Things get a bit more interesting when the husband invites his friend over during the bet payoff.
"The Cupboard Under the Stairs" which is a story of a husband/wife that has a makeshift dungeon under their stairs. The husband tries something new and the wife is pleasantly surprised.
My favorite of all in this compilation is "The Spider and The Fly" which tells of a sub and his mistriss and a display at a local bdsm club. The reason I love it so much is because it evokes so much feeling and really gets into the head of the main character.