We've got a different review for you this week. This time, it is a book called "Parlor Games". It is compilation of three erotic stories written by three different modern writers, Jess Michaels, Leda Swann and Julia Templeton. Parlor Games is published by Avon Red.
Avon Red is a division of HarperCollins. That surprised me, as I hadn't realised that any of the big publishing houses would touch stuff like this. Although, I guess if they can see a market, there's no reason why they wouldn't. And I would think that, in certain circles at least, erotic fiction would have more credibility and less "smut" factor than a skin flick. I don't know if these stories have been published elsewhere, as they are all copyright their authors in 2006. Although written for women (and 2.5 of the 3 authors are women) they are very similar in style to much of the erotic fiction which was prevalent in Victorian times. Chic-lit they may be (imagine Mills & Boon romances, written by Candida Royalle instead of Barbara Cartland) but as Dave discovered (to his great advantage), they certainly worked for getting my juices flowing.
Jess Michaels wrote Fallen Angel, the first of the trio. Set in London in 1815, it concerns Arabella Nichols, a notorious brothel owner, and John Valentine, a disgraced Bow Street Runner (for those who don't know - they were the forerunners of the modern-day police force). She hires him to protect her from the person who is threatening her life, but the fact that they are both sexually attracted to one another helps. Although they have sex early (and graphically) the sexual tension in the story comes from the fact that each is trying to manipulate the other. The story is an easy read, and very enjoyable.
Leda Swann (a husband and wife writing team - hence the .5 of a male author) wrote Parlor Games, which gave the book its title. Sarah Chesham is the well-brought up daughter of a curate. However, she's out of work, her parents are dead, and she's desperate to find some new work to keep her off the streets. Little does she realise it, but the "coffee house" that she's gone to for work, is a "gentlemen's club" instead. Not strictly a brothel, the girls employed there are able to have sex with their customers, or not, as they choose. What they are employed for instead, is to play games with the clients and tease them. Some get sent home unfulfilled, others get lucky. Deciding that this fine line between hostess and whore is worth treading, rather than the decidedly dangerous occupation of street-walker, Sarah accepts the offer of employment. She meets a number of clients, one in particular whom she likes and one in particular whom she loathes. While this story was more graphic than Fallen Angel, it was well-written and didn't solely rely on sex for plot development.
The last story, Border Lord, was written by Julie Templeton. Terri Campbell is a modern-day gal from Virginia, living in London with her fiance. Upon discovering his infidelity, she flees across the border to Scotland in an attempt to sort herself out. There she gets caught up in a time-travel mystery and a war between two Scottish clans. This was a great story, as her modern-day reactions to situations confused those around her. There's great sex (and not only between the two main characters), there's characters to like and dislike, there's Scottish scenery and castles. What's not to like here? This story was slightly longer than the first two, and I have to admit to being sorry to have reached the end of it.
These stories aren't great literature. They are, however, fun to read and as I mentioned earlier, work (at least for me) to stimulate the body as well as the mind. They are great for a lazy Sunday morning in bed (if you distract the children with the TV), or, alternately, go to bed early and read them instead of watching TV yourself. Either way, the results were good for us.
The edition of Parlor Games that I have is from the USA, and I don't know if it was published in Australia. If anyone wants to get hold of it and needs the ISBN or similar, leave me a comment and I'll provide what information I can.
