Sweet Confessions - erotic book by Cleis Press Inc. - review by Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama

I've been happily married for over 30 years now and will admit that I've had my share of fantasies. I often thought I was alone - and I would consider my husband and I to be a "vanilla" couple when it comes to our sexual experience. We are learning and growing and sharing more of our thoughts with each other. I have even started to open up and share fantasies with him.

I share this to say that I have never heard of Violet Blue, the editor of this book, nor have I ever heard before of any of the authors of these stories. I basically came into reading this book with a blank slate when it comes to their reputation and repertoire of work.

In the back of the book, there is information about the various authors and the editor. Violet Blue, the editor is considered to be the "foremost expert in the field of sex and technology". Some of her work is featured on Oprah Winfrey's website (The Smart Girl's Guide to Porn) and she has been on shows like "CNN", "Oprah Winfrey" and "The Tyra Banks Show".

The book is made up of 18 stories, each of which tells the story of someone living out a fantasy. In some stories, like "Hotel" and "Red", the fantasies were shared with a partner and planned ahead of time. In other stories, people were thrust into situations where they acted upon the fantasies they'd had when given the opportunity, such as "Underwear" and "Sacred Places".

There are a wide variety of fantasies represented in this book. Some involve pain and BDSM while others involve dressing up in costumes. Still yet, another story has a woman leaving her thongs in the limousine while going to an event. There is even a story involving a man with a "panty fetish".

The stories are very easy to read and get into and they are short enough that you don't feel overwhelmed by the length and yet long enough to make you feel like they're complete in themselves.

The book cover states that it is "erotic fantasies for couples" but I would like to clarify this and say that it is more about erotic fantasies for heterosexual couples.

As an older "vanilla sex" woman, there were three stories that I enjoyed the most. "Red" involves character play and costumes and I loved the details that were included. "Hotel" was something that I could see myself and my husband doing sometime because it was nonthreatening and yet fun.

However, "Are You Sure?" really sucked me in from the very first page. Let me share the part that called out to me.

"...She hated this part, when she wanted to back out, but the conversations, the revelations about personal fantasy, the dares and the insinuations had finally gone too far. It was amazing how you could love someone, and know they loved you, and still be worried about revealing something to them. She knew she was committed."

I connected with this because it reminded me of how it felt the first time I ever shared a fantasy with my husband. There was fear and excitement and wonderment and so much more. I was actually in tears as I read this story and saw how much her man wanted to please her.

I would like to point out that if you are an advanced reviewer with Eden Fantasys, you can join the "Naked Reader Book Club" and receive a free book every month to review. This book is one of the two selections offered for the January 2012 discussion meetings. You can find the 2012 book list and then follow the instructions on the page listed here.