When I saw that my fave Tamsen Parker had a short story in this collection, I jumped on it! She is always apart of the best compilations and anthologies, so this book became a must read for me. And of course, this book did not let down! There are stories for every erotica lover (whether you love the crazy hot and heavy, or the sensual and romance).

The best part about this collection is that there are so many varieties of stories. Not only does this introduce the reader to each author's work, but it's just enough to get your mouth watering for more. When I read anthologies like these, I love picking out new authors to follow. You can test the waters with each little story to see the true potential of each author to open up your bookshelf for a few more readers.

I definitely had my faves from the collection - Tamsen Parker, Alessandra Torre and Mica Kennedy to name a few - but they were all fantastic! I think this is the best way to check out some new authors without committing to 12 300 page novels.

Each story had a few chapters to sink the reader's teeth into, and all of them were spicy! The diverse types of stories is also a nice touch - BDSM, existing couples, new couples, experimenting, kinks and more! It dabbles in each "category" of erotica to spice up the reader's life.

Overall, I think this is an excellent collection. There's a little bit of erotica for every type of reader and it is truly the best way to find a new author (or two!) to add to your collection.

Five out of five stars!

I received an ARC of this book from the editor. ( )

The latest volume of Cleis's Best Women's Erotica of the Year series is big and bold and immensely satisfying. This collection is as diverse as it is exciting - familiar and new, kinky and sweet, fierce and tender - and filled with women from across the spectrum of life's experiences. It's a good thing the book is long, because each story leaves you hungry for more.

There's a lot of f/f mixed in with the m/f and groups. *cheers*

The theme is "Outsiders," which is a loose guideline and every author interpreted it a bit differently. Here's the line-up (as of my advance copy) and my thoughts on a few of the stories:

Take the Shot, by Mica Kennedy - This is about a teacher who's doing a favor for her photographer sister by posing for some "sensual photos." Her partner for the shoot? Her much-younger teaching assistant. There's that touch of the forbidden, but its mostly a story about a woman of a certain age getting made up for a photo shoot, feeling herself, and then having a sexy man feel her, too. It's just the right balance of sweet and heat. This is the first story I've read by Mica and it was fabulous.

The Dressing Room, by Alessandra Torre - In this story, a woman is in a dressing room, trying on clothes, when she overhears a couple going at it in the stall next door. Soon she's pleasuring herself, joining in from outside. Really hot.

Mark, by Rosie Beth Randall - An m/f D/s relationship with an interesting car ride.

O Captain, My Captain, by Calliope Bloom - Halloween sex party on a boat with an f/f/m grouping and disability rep. Then the ship's female Captain joins in...

The Jump, by Rebecca Chase - Skydiving!

On Display, by Louise Lagris - 2nd person, but it works.

The Pick-Me-Up, by Suleikha Snyder - Starts in a bar, ends in a bed... with a hope for more.

Belonging, by Tamsen Parker - F/f in a kink club.

With Honors, by Sofia Quintero - Single mom with teen kids ends the semester with her sexy professor... with a bang. (Sorry, I had to.)

Breathe, by Patricia Elzie - F/f with tickling.

Aftershock, by Jo Henny Wolf - A woman tries to find her way to her long-distance boyfriend who she was planning to visit in Mexico when an earthquake hits. Sexy flashbacks, plus a happy reunion.

Her Invisible Prison, by Jocelyn Dex - The title refers to agoraphobia, therapy for which is somehow intensely sexy.

The Invitation, by Regina Kammer - Historical! A widow in her fifties and a young artist.

Protest of Passion, by Eliza David - Two people on opposite sides of a protest find common ground.

Words with Benefits, by Tamara Lush - WORDS WITH FRIENDS TINDER

Essential Qualities, by Alyssa Cole - Sexytimes with a robot

Eight Seconds, by Madeline Moore - Can you tell this takes place at a rodeo?

Seven Sweets and Seven Sours, by Megan Hart - F/f with two women saying goodbye as one leaves the Amish community in which they both live.

Baby Doll, by Sienna Saint-Cyr - A Daddy/Little Girl dynamic

Beautiful Dirty Wonderful, by R.M. Wood - A husband gives his wife the thing she's always wanted: a whole bunch of men at once.



And that's it! This is a diverse collection of erotica (not romance) that will keep you and/or a partner warm all winter.

We talked to Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel a few months ago, if you want to read more about these anthologies and her work!



Suzanne received a copy of this book from the publisher for review ( )