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From: Celeste801@aol.com
Subject: Celestial Reviews 154 - Feb 1
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Celestial Reviews 167 - March 26, 1997
Note: Remember: even though someone else may be posting my stories for me,
my e-mail address is still Celeste801@aol.com.
- Celeste
"Seduction of the Beloved" by Summer's Rose (mild bondage)
10, 10, 10
"Just the Facts" by Imma Scared (rape) 4, 5, 3
"Knock Knock" by Unknown Author (D&s) 4, 5, 5
"Hyla" by Michael (bondage) 10, 10, 10
"Guided Visualization" by Delta (romantic mood) 10, 10, 9
"The Real McCoys" by Shelby Bush (sitcom parody) 10, 10, 10
"Sweet Home Chicago" by Gregarious (sex at an outdoor concert)
10, 10, 10
"Dreams of a Distant Lover" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (love
letter) 10, 8, 8
"Meditation on Human Relations" by Mary Anne Mohanraj
(meditation) 10, 8, 8
"The Masks We Wear" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (romance)
10, 9, 8
"Would You Live for Me?" by Mary Anne Mohanraj
(vampire sex) 10, 9, 8
* "Chantal" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (hot ff sex) 10, 10, 10
* "Composition in Cream and Chocolate" by Mary Anne
Mohanraj (hot sex with stripper) 10, 10, 10
* "Jinsong" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (poetic cybersex) 10, 10, 10
* "Diana" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (bacchanalia with Diana)
10, 10, 10
* "Newhart: The Made Maid" by Uncle Mike (sitcom parody)
10, 10, 10
* = Repost of a previous review (because the story has
recently been reposted)
"Seduction of the Beloved" by Summer's Rose (SumersRose@aol.com). There's
really not much to this plot, just a short but vivid focus on a woman who
binds her husband's hands and teases him to the point of ecstasy, and then
releases him in time for him to drive her over the edge as well. Normally I
don't like the second person (you) narrative. When somebody calls the reader
"you," I think I should be able to identify with that person; yet I identify
with the "I" person in this story. But this little vignette is otherwise so
hot that I'll forgive this one little peculiarity.
Ratings for "Seduction of the Beloved"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
"Just the Facts" by Imma Scared (forceme@bigfoot.com). This story is
allegedly written by a woman who likes to write forced sex stories. OK, if
you say so.
The guy has been stalking the girl. He grabs her and takes her to his place.
Then he talks nasty to her and forces himself on her. If you enjoy this
story, and/or have ideas on how the author should continue. you should
contact him. I have no idea why this story has this title - except maybe
it's just the facts and no grammar or emotions.
Ratings for "Just the Facts"
Athena (technical quality): 4
Venus (plot & character): 5
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 3
"Knock Knock" by Unknown Author (THC Archive). The girl is late for the
date; and so when she arrives at his apartment, the guy spanks her and then
has sex with her. She loves being punished and dominated like this.
I need a story like this once in a while. It makes my own sex life seem so
much more interesting.
Ratings for "Just the Facts"
Athena (technical quality): 4
Venus (plot & character): 5
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 5
"Hyla" by Michael (michaelml@aol.com). Ray N. Velez at
ii361@cleveland.Freenet.Edu has begun posting a series of stories labeled "A+
Story: Name of Story by Name of Author." I have seen only a few of these so
far, but they look extremely good. It appears that Ray is deliberately
selecting stories that he thinks are of high quality, and he shows good
judgment. In addition, he posts the names of the authors. I appreciate this
kind of service, and I encourage you to let Ray know if you also value his
efforts. I have already reviewed several of these stories in past issues of
CR, and I'll try to repost my reviews when I see Ray repost one of these
stories. In addition, I'll try to review some more of them when I have time.
The present story is about a woman who finds herself securely but voluntarily
bound in her bed by her lover. As much as she tries to escape, she can't;
and as much as she becomes frustrated, the more she enjoys the pleasure that
her lover is bestowing on her. He seems to be happy too.
I occasionally complain that bondage and humiliation stories seem unrealistic
to me, because I cannot understand how a mentally stable person could enjoy
being with a person who is determined to inflict pain on her for his own
selfish gratification. This story does not fall into that trap; it makes
perfect sense to me. The difference, of course, is that the lover is
devoting his attention to HER gratification, not his. The feeling that I am
completely in the hands of a person wanting to satisfy me even beyond the
point where I would satisfy myself is quite different from the humiliation I
read about in other stories. This is an excellent story.
Ratings for "Hyla"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
"Guided Visualization" by Delta. This is part of the "A+ Stories" series
that I mentioned in the preceding review. Delta is one of my all-time
favorite authors; but if I wanted to pick one of her stories to include in
this series, this one would be my least most likely pick. If I wanted to
select my favorite story by Delta, I would have chosen "Anything," "Strip
Chess," or "KIN."
This story describes a woman becoming very peacefully aroused by the image in
her mind of the voice of her lover, who has control over her, yet is
controlled by her. There is no explicit sex in the story - just a beautiful,
peaceful image.
Ratings for "Guided Visualization"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 9
"The Real McCoys" by Shelby Bush (stbush@iglou.com). Grandpappy Amos (played
by Walter Brennan with a limp) has to go into town "to get himself a hoe."
The hoe's name is Carmelita. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Little Luke has
been peeping into his sister Hassie's bedroom to watch her get dressed; but
now he's in deep shit, because she has caught him in the act. Out in the
barn, Pepino and Maria are going at it like bunnies in heat in a secret
compartment under bales of hay. That leaves Luke and Kate, doing what
newlyweds are supposed to do.
This episode's sitcom problems are easily resolved. Hassie teaches Little
Luke to do it with no hands. Pepino (who looks a little like an organ
grinder) introduces Maria to El Grande. Hassie stops calling Little Luke
little. Somebody somewhere says, "Fuck me, senor!" while someone somewhere
else watches Luke and Kate do what newlyweds do.
Sharing each others' sorrows,
Enjoyin' each others' joys.
Like all other fam'lies they quarrel and fuss
But it ain't never serious,
With Grandpappy Amos and the girls and the boys
Of the family known as the real McCoys.
Ratings for "The Real McCoys"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
"Sweet Home Chicago" by Gregarious (gregarious@poboxes.com). The man goes to
the park near Lake Michigan in Chicago for a blues concert. He meets a young
woman in the crowd whose ethnicity is different from his but whose love for
the blues rivals his own. They become friendly, and when the rain begins to
fall, they find it necessary to cuddle up under a blanket. It turns out that
people can do some wonderful things under the influence of good music in a
pouring rain. The curtain call takes place at her apartment. This is an
exceptionally good story.
Ratings for "Sweet Home Chicago"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
"Dreams of a Distant Lover" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu). The
protagonist (apparently, but not certainly, a man) is writing a letter to his
lover, who is probably a woman. He has never met her - they are either
penpals or cyberlovers. He tells her of his dreams about her. This is not a
real hot story, but rather a tender expression of emotions.
Ratings for "Dreams of a Distant Lover"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 8
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 8
"Meditation on Human Relations" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu).
The narrator begins writing a quick short story for its jerk-off value but
winds up writing about the meaning of sexual activity. This is a very short
piece that shows an interesting change of pace between the beginning and the
end.
Ratings for "Meditation on Human Relations"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 8
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 8
"The Masks We Wear" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu). The man and
woman have apparently had a difficult break-up the night before after a long
time together. This morning they make love one last time with feeling.
Afterwards, she wonders how many times this drama will be re-enacted before
it is finally finished.
Ratings for "The Masks We Wear"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 9
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 8
"Would You Live For Me?" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu). This is
more of a vampire story than a sex story. I know a lot more about sex than I
do about vampires - which is just as well, because sex is real, I think. The
author does an excellent job of blending together some basic "facts" about
vampires with the emotions of a young man who can save his lover's life only
by giving himself and the lover over to a vampire whom he finds in a local
cemetery.
The reason I have reviewed four stories by Mary Anne Mohanraj in this issue
is because I wanted to draw attention to her work. She has recently
published her book, "Torn Shapes of Desire: Internet Erotica," a collection
of short stories with photographs by Tracy Lee. The book's official
publication date is March 31, but you can order a copy now.
The publisher says that Mary Anne Mohanraj has a unique approach to erotica,
setting her writing apart from the rest of the genre. "I write stories with
strong consenting women, to remind people that strong women are sexy and that
consent is crucial," she says in the Introduction to the book. "I write
stories with characters of various sexual orientations and genders, to spread
a little awareness. Mainly, I try to write stories with real people -- people
who love and hate and fear and sometimes have sex for all the wrong reasons;
people who have lives and hopes and dreams beyond the immediate sex act. I'm
trying to shape a healthier world...."
I suppose what you should do to help the cause is walk into you local
bookstore or library and ask for the book. You can get more details about
the book from the publisher at http://www.iam.com/books.
The stories that I have reviewed above are good stories, but they are NOT
among Mary Anne's best. These are "remainders" that Mary Anne sent me after
I had already reviewed many, many excellent stories by her. I'll repost
reviews of four of my favorites. My advice is that you can safely pick up
any story by this author and expect an enjoyable and rewarding reading
session.
Ratings for "Would You Live For Me?"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 9
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 8
* "Chantal" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu). No offense to the
rest of you authors out there - and I may say the same thing about someone
else right after I have read his or her story - but Mary Anne Mohanraj may be
the best writer to post stories on this group. I would be absolutely
astonished if this author has not written other stories that have gained
recognition in high-quality, mainstream, non-erotic publications.
A lesbian woman is comforting a non-lesbian friend to whom she is
non-reciprocally attracted and who has recently broken up with a jerk of a
guy. She longs to hug and caress her friend and to make tender love to
Chantal, but she knows that any attempt at closeness will drive Chantal away.
A knock comes at the door; it is a phony pizza man, who threatens to kill
the woman unless Chantal surrenders herself to his will. At the crucial
moment the woman breaks free and demands that the man rape her instead of
Chantal. The rapist at first seems ready to comply, but then he tells the
two women to get it on together for him. Ironically, the woman's attempt to
rescue Chantal will enable her to achieve her fondest desire - but under
highly undesirable circumstances.
I've told you all but the very end of the story; but I think you'll still
find immense pleasure in reading this well-crafted and highly erotic story.
Ratings for "Chantal"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
* "Composition in Cream and Chocolate" by Mary Anne Mohanraj
(mohanraj@mills.edu). I found it difficult to determine exactly what was
happening in this story. After reading a paragraph or two I often found
myself reaching a point where I gained a new piece of information and had to
back up to fit it into the picture that was gradually emerging in my mind's
eye. This ambiguity is not a flaw; it's intentional - end it's very well
done.
The theme is unusual: a male stripper gradually revealing himself and
offering his attentions to a female patron. I have never attended such a
show myself, and all my vicarious experiences have consisted of films and
stories about female strippers. I HAVE gone with my husband to bars with
striptease dancers (while we've been away at conventions - so that none of my
students will see me entering the establishment and so that I won't
accidentally discover one of my coworkers at her night job.) My impression
has invariably been one of disappointment; the dancers were simply not very
sexy. They seemed to be in worse shape than myself, bored with their jobs,
and concerned primarily about squeezing tips out of patrons before putting on
a tawdry display that wasn't really sexy at all. Nevertheless, it seems
reasonable to FANTASIZE about exotic dancers in terms of wonderment; and this
story turns the tables by making a male dancer the center of attention. I
guess what we have here is the male stripper equivalent of the ideal lap
dance. This was a new and very erotic experience for me.
The show starts in near darkness, as does our understanding of what is going
on. Even at the end of the story, I wasn't sure exactly what had happened.
The sex had been explicit, though conducted by candlelight in a dark room;
but questions remained unanswered. All along I had assumed that the woman
was a patron - but at the end we hear an audience applauding. And near the
very end we have a reference to a pile of cream and chocolate skin; and I am
struck with the realization that the woman is brown-skinned and the man is
white. OK; the two must BOTH be dancers, and they've been putting on a show
for an audience.... That's why it's called "Composition in Cream and
Chocolate." Wait a minute! I'm going to have to reread major parts of this
erotic narrative - maybe even the whole thing - to see if my new theory fits.
Gee, that's too bad. I'm already turned on, and you can never tell what a
second reading is going to do to me....
In recent reviews I have railed against what I have called a demeaning use of
interracial sex in some of the stories. This story does NOT fall into that
category. The skin color is part of the ambiance - music, skin color, facial
features, nipples, actions, etc. - that create a sexually charged, poetic
atmosphere. This is an excellent story. This author has a whole collection
of her stories on the Web at http://www.iam.com/maryanne.
Ratings for "Composition in Cream and Chocolate"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
* "Jinsong" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu). There's incredible
variety in this author's writings. This story started slowly. At first I
was concerned that I might have accidentally downloaded somebody's garbled
e-mail instead of the story I had expected. Then I realized that the story
was written in the form of e-mail messages between a woman with the "handle"
Jinsong (who has just broken up with her boyfriend) and a Pennsylvanian named
Matthew Danzener (a shy guy who at first seems incapable of romance).
Matthew is extremely awkward in his communications, except when he speaks in
poetry. After a few mundane messages, Matthew hits Jinsong with a 627-word
poem that describes his anticipated first date with Jinsong. What he wants
to do is actually pretty tame; but it sure sounds great the way he puts it.
You'll have to read the story yourself. It's impossible to convey its mood
without the e-mail and the poetry.
Ratings for "Jinsong"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
* "Diana" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (mohanraj@mills.edu). The young man, just a
few years out of college and a bit disillusioned with the way his life has
gone, has gone off for a couple of days of hiking in the Berkshire forest.
Thinking he is alone, he is surprised to hear the sound of a woman's voice;
and when he follows that sound he comes to a clearing in which there are
seven blonde women and one red-head - all beautiful and all naked. What has
he stumbled onto? He realizes that he won't be welcome, and he starts to
retreat; but suddenly he is summoned to join them. Does this sound
interesting? Then read this well-written story. If you're familiar with
Robert Frost's poetry, you'll probably get a little more out of it than you
would otherwise. And it won't hurt to recall that Diana was the Roman
goddess of the hunt and of the moon and the protectress or women.
I love this author! I'm tempted to make my students read this story for
English class, but then I'd have to explain where I got it. Actually, it
will be easier simply to forbid them to read it; they'll enjoy it more that
way.
Ratings for "Diana"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
* "Newhart: The Made Maid" by Uncle Mike (fr582@cleveland.Freenet.Edu). At
first I was disappointed with this story. I was expecting a parody of the
Bob Newhart Show in which Bob plays a psychologist in Chicago. Instead I
found a parody of the more recent Bob Newhart Show, in which Bob plays a
writer who is also the owner of an Inn in New England. I wasn't as familiar
with the latter series, and so I expected that I wouldn't enjoy the parody as
much. I was very pleasantly surprised!
The plot is perfect; it actually fits in with the personalities and
mannerisms of the characters. Stephanie (the ditzy, lazy, rich girl who is a
maid but never does any work) develops a rivalry with Joanna, and to prove
her case she seduces Dick (the Bob Newhart character). In retaliation,
Joanna seduces Michael (Stephanie's preppie boyfriend). In further
retaliation, Joanna tricks Stephanie into having sex with Larry and his two
brothers (Daryl and Daryl). Finally, to make amends Joanna makes love to
Stephanie herself.
As I said, the parody is very well done. For example, it is easy to imagine
the Bob Newhart character reacting just the way the author shows him as he is
seduced by the young vixen. I strongly recommend this story.
Ratings for "Newhart"
Athena (technical quality): 10
Venus (plot & character): 10
Celeste (appeal to reviewer): 10
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