Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Steamy Review: The Labyrinth of the Dead

The Labyrinth of the Dead by Sara M. Harvey



Jacket Blurb:
In ghostly worlds, souls are the only currency. When lost lovers and ancient enemies meet, a rescue mission becomes a fight for the survival of all that is real.

Portia Gyony, Nephilim and warrior, is sworn to protect the human race. But when her ghostly lover, Imogen, has the chance to return to life in her own body once again, Portia must brave the twisted forces of the shadow-world to rescue Imogen and prevent the world of the dead from bleeding through into the land of the living.


Sara M. Harvey, you're on my list. Another cliffhanger?? I mean, you have to know that people would follow your wonderful trilogy without all the emotional torture... Right? You do know that, don't you?

Yes, Portia Gyony is back, being awesome as usual. In The Labyrinth of the Dead, Harvey goes deeper into the universe she has set up, drawing readers into the afterlife, a hellish twilight realm where the dead are no better than currency. Portia ventures there alive, like Orpheus, in an attempt to bring Imogen back to life once and for all. And, wow, does she ever take us for a ride.

I may complain about Harvey's shameless cliffhangers, but they are SO worth it. Whereas Convent, necessarily, had to spend a lot of time in set-up, Labyrinth gives us a better sense of who these characters are, and what they're capable of. We also get to see more of this mystical steampunk world, and are shown exactly what's been at stake since the first page of the first book.

So, to sum up all my rambling: this trilogy is amazing so far. Go and pick it up if you like angels or steampunk or dark fantasy or women being hardcore badasses. Then you can join me in suffering the wait for the next one.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Steamy Review: The Convent of the Pure

The Convent of the Pure by Sara M. Harvey



Jacket Blurb:
Secrets and illusions abound in a decaying convent wrapped in dark magic and scented with blood. Portia came to the convent with the ghost of Imogen, the lover she failed to protect in life. Now, the spell casting caste wants to make sure that neither she nor her spirit ever leave.

Portia's ignorance of her own power may be even more deadly than those who conspire against her as she fights to fulfill her sworn duty to protect humankind in a battle against dark illusions and painful realities.


Words cannot express how excited I was when I heard about The Convent of the Pure for the first time. I was told that Sara M. Harvey had written a dark fantasy that featured Catholic mythology, Nephilim, badass lesbian heroes, and steampunk themes. Basically, one more author decided to write something just for me (shhhh, don't burst my bubble). I pre-ordered Convent from the Apex Book Company, which meant I got a signed copy, and inhaled it the moment I got it.

I've read this book twice now. Each time I got something new from it. The first time I breathlessly followed Portia as she haplessly stumbled through a sinister conspiracy that encompassed heaven and hell and all points in between. The second time I was slowly drawn along by the hopeless love between Portia and the long-dead Imogen. I felt myself being swallowed by an acute sense of dread and betrayal. I reveled in Harvey's clever use of Catholic prayers and trinkets, and gleefully studied every piece of steampunk technology that appeared.

This is a short book, but it has a tight plot, and an evil cliffhanger. To top it off, it is lovingly illustrated by Melissa Gay, who simply seems to life the characters off the page and spin them into visual reality. I can't recommend it enough for its freshness, suspense, and steampunky goodness.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Steamy Review: No Priest But Love

No Priest But Love: The Journals of Anne Lister from 1824-1826 edited by Helena Whitbread



This book is a follow up to Whitbread's previous collection I Know My Own Heart, which excerpted Anne Lister's diaries from five of the most tumultuous years of her life. No Priest covers three years, but in greater detail.

Whereas the first collection often buried the "juicy bits" amid more commonplace entries, this second book focuses almost exclusively on Anne's love affairs. Though it covers a shorter time period than the first, there is more to cover, as this was a very intense and important period in Anne's life.

Specifically, it deals with her affair with Maria Barlow, a woman she met, then lived with, in Paris. This relationship is held in contrast with her continued engagement to the married Marianne Lawton. She finds herself torn between them and, strikingly, at one point she writes, "I have a wife and mistress of my own."

I wrote before that I fell a little in love with Anne Lister while reading I Know My Own Heart. After reading this, well, the honeymoon is over. The book itself is a more engrossing read than the first, with a quicker pace and more events chosen to be of interest to a modern reader. However, Lister herself suffers in this light. She was a selfish, womanizing, hard-assed woman. She was astounding, but incredibly complicated, and not someone most people would want to deal with now.

All that being said, you should read this. Yes you. I don't care who you are. This book is fascinating, and the fact that it's all true makes it even more absorbing. I invite you to meet Anne Lister yourself, and judge her by whatever standard you wish. Whatever conclusion you come to, you will not regret the experience.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

New Release: 1901: A Steam Odyssey


1901: A Steam Odyssey
by Lionel Bramble
ISBN: 978-1-885865-96-0
Word Count: 82,987
List Price: $6.99

Available from:

Circlet Press
Amazon Kindle Store
Fictionwise
All Romance eBooks
Smashwords
Scribd

For the next two weeks the title is on sale at up to 20% off from most partner sites, so don't dawdle, download a copy today!

Aliens! Corsets! Tattoos! Steam! Join the intrepid Lady Cheyenne as she battles Lunar soldiers and Venusian love-warriors in her quest to save the Earth, and Her Majesty's Empire, from the sinister machinations of voyeur Martians! Discover this and much more in Lionel Bramble's 1901: A Steam Odyssey!

It seems only fitting that now, as a new age of digital publishing is dawning, we would see a resurgence in the kind of fiction associated with the beginning of cheap print publishing. In the Victorian era, they had Penny Dreadfuls, adventures and thrillers printed on cheap paper for the masses. Now, Circlet Press is revisiting this lost genre with its latest full-length release, 1901: A Steam Odyssey.

Written by up-and-comer Lionel Bramble, this erotic novel is both a tribute to, and improvement upon, the tradition of the Penny Dreadful. While Victorian in tone, its characters and plot are decidedly modern, and this seems to be the perfect combination to create fiction in the ever-shifting steampunk genre.

Friday, October 1, 2010

New Cover: Like a Vorpal Blade

Here's the cover for Like a Vorpal Blade! I can't wait!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

New Release: Like the Knave of Hearts


Like the Knave of Hearts: Erotic Tales of Wonderland
Edited by J. Blackmore
ISBN: 978-1-885865-95-3
Word Count: 31,321
List Price: $5.99

Available from:

For the next two weeks the title is on sale at up to 20% off from most partner sites, so don't dawdle, download a copy today!

Return to the world of wonder beyond the looking glass with this new collection. Like the Knave of Hearts seeks to answer the question, "What would Wonderland be like for grown-ups?" Dive into five luscious stories that explore the weird, the sexy, and the strange aspects of our favorite make-believe land.

At least two generations have grown up watching Disney's animated classic Alice in Wonderland. This year, with Tim Burton's live-action remake, we were all given the chance to revisit this magical place. How is Wonderland different for adults? What new experiences would we have there, all these years later?

Wonderland viewed by adult eyes is a very different place indeed, taking on a whole new dimension when elements of the erotic are introduced. The results are strange, troubling, and whimsical. This collection features five writers who were given the chance to explore the themes of adulthood and eroticism in the context of Lewis Carroll's work. The resulting stories range from deeply romantic to starkly erotic, and are far-reaching in their imaginative scope. Their visions range from the ridiculous to the deeply dangerous. These are stories of pasts revisited, imaginations awakened, and fears faced.

Includes:
-*- Lily White by Morwenna Drake
-*- A World of Her Own by Alex Picchetti
-*- Tarts and Tea by Holly Abair
-*- A Wasp, a Wig, and a Wanton Woman by Gary Westfahl
-*- Wonders Wild and New by Verity Penvenen

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Call for Submissions: Sense and Sensuality

Call for Submissions: Sense and Sensuality

Circlet Press is going to be launching a new romantic imprint, called Clasp. As one of the first titles under this new label, we'd like to publish our own collection of paranormal Jane-Austen-inspired stories. Stories should include characters or settings from the Jane Austen canon, but with paranormal elements, which can be subtle or overt. Circlet Press welcomes sex-positive stories of all sexualities and preferences.

Submission Details

Deadline for submission is November 1st, 2010. Our preferred length is approximately 3500 to 7500 words, but we will consider the range from 2000 to 10,000 words. All submissions must be made via email to the following address: msjblackmore@gmail.com. Submission sent to other addresses/other editors at Circlet Press will not be considered.

Email submissions only. Stories are best submitted as a word processor document (.doc, .rtf, .txt, etc.) attached to the email, but do not forget to include your complete contact information on the attached document! (If it’s only in the body of the email, it’s quite easy to have a brilliant story come out of the printer and then have no way to trace back where the heck it came from.) Manuscripts should be correctly/professionally formatted for submission. (If you’re not sure what we mean by that, Google it.) No simultaneous submissions (that is, don’t also send your story elsewhere at the same time, and don’t send it to multiple Circlet editors, either), and no multiple submissions to the same book. One story per author per anthology, thanks.

All stories must have strong romantic content, with scenes of sexuality. Please keep in mind that this is romance, and so there should be a "happily ever after," or at least "happy for now." Whether first person or third person, a strong, singular narrative voice is our preference (no "head hopping" or swapping points of view within scene).

For more details on our editorial preferences, see the general submission guidelines general submission guidelines. We highly recommend reading the guidelines, especially the "do not send" list, to increase your chances of sending us something we’ll love. Try to avoid clichés. Fresh and direct language is preferred to overly euphemistic. Sex-positive, please, no rape/non-consensual/necrophilia or other purposefully gross topics. We do not publish horror.

Originals only, no reprints. We purchase first rights for inclusion in the ebook anthology for $25, with the additional rights to a print edition later which would also be paid $25 if a print edition happens. Authors retain the rights to the individual stories; Circlet exercises rights to the anthology as a whole.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

New Release: The Innocent's Progress and Other Stories

The Innocent's Progress and Other Stories by Peter Tupper



In a steampunk society where sex is ritualized and marriage is sacred, the slightest misstep can bring your world tumbling down. In this collection, Peter Tupper explores the many facets of a time that never was, and a society that is all too familiar. Rich in eroticism, and immersive in its detail, The Innocent’s Progress and Other Stories is a sterling example of what steampunk can be.

In an unnamed place, in a time that never was, sex is elevated as high as ritual, and can be had for the price of a theater ticket. In The Innocent’s Progress and Other Stories, Peter Tupper explores the many facets of a complicated, sensual, and, in many ways, rigidly conservative society. Here, we are given passes to a theater of fantasies; we are allowed into the labyrinthine world of steam-powered workhouses; and we are given glimpses into the minds and mettle of the kind of people who survive in such a world.

About the author: Peter Tupper’s first professional fiction sale was to Circlet Press’s S/M Futures anthology back in the mid-1990s. In addition to working as a journalist, he blogs about the history of BDSM at www.historyofbdsm.com, and co-founded Metro Vancouver Kink, a non-profit community organization.

Includes the stories:


* The Innocent’s Progress (originally published in Like A Wisp of Steam)
* The Pretty Horsebreaker (originally published in Like A Corset Undone)
* Delicate Work
* The Slave
* The Impurity
* The Spirit of the Future

It's available directly from Circlet Press or
Amazon Kindle Store
Fictionwise
All Romance ebooks (epub, prc, pdf, HTML)
Smashwords (mobi, LRF, epub, pdf, HTML)
Scribd (PDF, epaper, read online)

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Meet the Authors: Elementary Erotica

The selection process for Circlet's upcoming Elementary Erotica anthology is finally complete. The focus of this collection is steampunk Sherlock Holmes erotica. I was a little worried when I wrote the call for submissions that this theme might be a bit too specific, but I received more than a dozen entries, and was wowed by the quality and creativity of the stories.

In the end, however, I couldn't include everyone in this book. Seven finalists made it into Elementary Erotica, and I'd like to introduce you to them.

Louise Blaydon
"The Hysteria Machine"
http://bookworld.editme.com/louiseblaydon

An avid reader of everything from New Scientist to the back of the cereal box, Louise Blaydon has been writing, encouraged by her father, ever since she could hold a pen. Her writing, like her reading, has wandered erratically from genre to genre, but has settled firmly on gay romance, to the mild bemusement of Dad. Louise also writes sporadically for various journalistic publications and has been known to print the occasional poem. She owes much of her inspiration and support these days to an amazing network of friends, whose willingness to listen to her rail against life, the universe, and everything she could not live without.


Aoife Bright
"The Prophet's Eye"
http://aoifebright.dreamwidth.org/

Aoife Bright was always one of those children who made up stories, and also one of those who took things apart to see how they were meant to work, which means writing steampunk and fantasy was never that unexpected. Now much older, things haven't actually changed that much, as she still makes up stories and still take things apart. When not doing either of these things, she's a medieval Celticist who spends her rare free time wandering the Welsh mountains, trying new recipes, and watching the sea.


Elinor Gray
"The Adventure of the Green Zeppelin"
http://mistyzeo.livejournal.com

Miss Gray is a student writing for kicks in Philadelphia, although she is currently studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland. She writes fan fiction and original fiction, both erotic and otherwise, much of which can be found at her journal. "The Adventure of the Green Zeppelin" is her first published work, but hopefully not her last.


Cornelia Grey
"Emet"
http://corneliagrey.blogspot.com/

Cornelia Grey is a student halfway through her creative writing degree with a penchant for fine arts and the blues. Born and raised in the hills of Northern Italy, where she collected her share of poetry and narrative prizes, she is now based in London, and she is thoroughly enjoying the cultural melting pot that is the City. Her interests vary from painting to photography, from sewing to acting; when writing, she favors surreal poems and short stories involving handsome young men seducing each other. She loves collecting people's stories and re-discovering lost tales that deserve to be told.


Kate Lear
"Research"

Kate Lear is 29 years old and livs in London. In her spare time she's into reading, walking around the old parts of the city, and writing.


Peter Tupper
"Songs Without Words"
http://www.innocentsprogress.com/ www.historyofbdsm.com

Peter Tupper is a journalist and writer in Vancouver, BC. He studied history at University of British Columbia and journalism at Langara College. His publications include "The Innocent's Progress and Other Stories", a collection of steampunk erotica stories published by Circlet Press, and "21st Century Neo-Gothic" in "Inside Joss' Dollhouse", published by Benbella Smartpop. He's also the co-founder of Metro Vancouver Kink, a non-profit BDSM community organization.


Violet Vernet
"Upon the Use of Electrical Vibration in the Treatment of Hysterics"
http://missviolet.livejournal.com/

Violet Vernet is the pen name of a writer who lives in New York City.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Steamy Review: New Blood

New Blood by Gail Dayton



Even with the upsurge in interest recently, it's still relatively difficult to find dead tree books of steampunk erotica and romance. The Blood series started in 2009 with this book, New Blood. Fans of erotica and erotic romance beware, though: while there is lots of tension between our heroes in this book, there are only two sex scenes, one of which is very traditional.

The setting is the Victorian era, but with lots of interesting changes. Magic is known and prevalent worldwide, although some countries are more tolerant of it than others. There are four schools of magic: alchemy, wizardry, conjuring, and the long-lost sorcery, or blood magic. Blood magic being practiced almost solely by women, it was systematically wiped out during the Renaissance, with the death of the last known sorcerer, Yvaine.

We follow Amanusa, Yvaine's successor in magic. She's found by Yvaine's blood servant, Jax, and he must convince her to become a blood sorcerer and use her power to help save Europe from a mysterious magic plague.

I was excited about the relationship between Amanusa and Jax at the beginning. It looked like, even though they were falling in love, Jax would be content to be her servant, and Amanusa would be happy to have him as her possession and servant, as well as lover. Perhaps I'm just exposing my biases. Dayton does not takes this route; rather, she opts for a more conventional romantic plot, which I can't be mad at her for since this is romantic fantasy. It was heartening that Jax is not the typical alpha male, and that their growing love is actually believable.

The world of New Blood is rich, if a little under-utilized. Magic and the Victorian era seem made for each other. The prim propriety of proper English society blends well with the ritualistic and hierarchical magic society. As a Victorian magical romance, it delivers, and is a quick and absorbing read.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Cavalcade of Covers!

None of the new releases have become available yet, but I thought it might be fun to have a preview of what's to come.







That last one is going to change slightly, as the title of the collection is actually Like the of Hearts, but otherwise these are exactly as they'll appear when they come out this fall.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Steampunk Vibes

I've been debating about whether or not I should comment on this, but it's relevant to my interests, and yours if you're reading this, so...

Lady Clankington's Cabinet of Carnal Curiosities



ETA: I've been challenged in the comments to give Lady Clankington's products a chance. I may be publishing a recantation soon.

Now, as a seasoned adult novelty connoisseur, I have been eying this lady's wares with some skepticism. If you look closely at this item, the "Little Death Ray," it seems composed of two parts: the steampunky ray gun part--which is obviously crafted with care, even if it seems a little flimsy--and a $15 hard plastic vibrator.

So, I know I won't be buying one. Those things break if you look at them funny and, though she's selling the replacement vibes at market value, that still means you're paying around $75 for the handle alone.

They're neat as conversations pieces, but as the next wave of steampunk debauchery, they leave me disappointed. I hope to see more of this sort of thing in the future, with higher quality materials.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Steamy Review: I Know My Own Heart

I Know My Own Heart: The Diaries of Anne Lister 1791-1840
edited by Helena Whitbread



I have a fondness for Regency novels and personalities that is kinda tied up in my love for the Victorian era. The philosophy and atmosphere is very different, but the "punk" elements of steampunk have a similar ring to the Enlightenment values of the Regency. So, yeah, that's why I'm going to talk about this book here.

I found myself falling a little in love with Anne Lister, for all that she was a touch too conservative and snobbish for my tastes. It's hard not to feel affection for someone who you learn so much about and come to know so intimately. Reading this diary convinced me that I would have loved to have a pint with Miss Lister, even if that meant we'd end up arguing about the rights of women or the safety of coal mining.

Those who get bored by journals, or who are not interested in the minutiae of Georgian gentry life, should probably steer clear of this one. Anne records her daily activities, her clothing, the health of herself and her family, and outlines of her exhaustive programs of study in excruciating detail. I was utterly absorbed, but I'm a giant geek.

More importantly, these diaries tell the story of all her love affairs with women. I couldn't help but laugh at her ridiculous flings with acquaintances (think tool shed), and shake my head at the unending drama of her long-term romance with the married Marianna Lawton.

Read it if you'd like a window on a different time, and into the mind of a woman decidedly ahead of her time, who lived her life courageously.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Upcoming Projects

Unfortunately, the Circlet Press website is a little under the weather right now, so a few of the books I've been working on are currently floating in the aether. However, we anticipate them going live soon, so here's a list of what's to come.

Single Author Books

The Innocent's Progress and Other Stories by Peter Tupper

"The Innocent's Progress" appeared in the first volume of Circlet's steampunk erotica trilogy, Like a Wisp of Steam, which I edited with Cecilia Tan. Tupper's collection features four stories set in his alternative-Victorian universe, plus a steampunk retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Tupper's stories are finely crafted, engaging, and deeply sexy, sometimes disturbingly so.

1901: A Steam Odyssey by Lionel Bramble

This erotic "penny dreadful" is a spin-off of another short story, this one featured in Circlet's Like Clockwork. The adventuress extraordinaire Lady Cheyenne returns and, with her stalwart companions, must rescue the earth from a vast conspiracy authored by the inhabitants of Mars, Venus, our own moon, and planets beyond. By turns funny and thrilling, and always arousing, this is a steampunk adventure novel that should not be missed.

Short Story Collections

The Wonderland Duet

I put out a call for erotica inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass, and I got so many interesting stories that I decided to put out two volumes.

Like the Knave of Hearts

Featuring stories that are lighthearted, silly, or just full of rollicking sexuality.

Lily White by Morwenna Drake
A World of Her Own by Alex Picchetti
Tarts and Tea by Holly Abair
A Wasp, a Wig, and a Wanton Woman by Gary Westfahl
Wonders Wild and New by Verity Penvenen

Like a Vorpal Blade

These are the stories I got that were darker, deeper, and they've lingered with me since I first read them.

If This Be Not Love, it is Madness by Theresa Sand
The Perfect Creature by Bernie Mojzes
Midway Rides by Alex Picchetti
Waking by ADR Forte
The Boiling Sea by Angela Caperton

Of course, Elementary Erotica is coming up soon too, but I'm still in the reading period for that. Which reminds me: I'm still looking for erotica featuring Holmes, Watson, and all their cronies! Send me stuff!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Sex Gadgets

The incomparable Midori recently posted an article entitled Sex Toys of the Future. Go over there to read it and then meet me back here.

I'm interested in sex toys for two reasons: I sell them at my day job, and they are inextricably linked to steampunk for me. The DIY aesthetic of steampunk means that there's a machine for everything that can be thought of, from meal making to time travel. Usually, the workings of these machines are rather arcane, and tend to only make sense to their creator. Given that we, as humans, have a tendency to turn just about anything into a sex aide of some sort, it follows that steampunks would do the same.



However, it's difficult to find modern sex toys that fit have that steampunk look. Some of the Lelo line, and the Eroscillator come close, but where are the gears? Where are the clockwork vibrators? Somehow, this just doesn't cover it.

I'm with Midori on this one. Our brave and creative DIYers and modders need to get on this. I want daring, modern, and above all beautiful sex toys!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Guest Blog at Oh Get a Grip!

The Coming Revolution
Or, What's So Punk About Steampunk Erotica

It's probably the most common criticism you hear about steampunk: it's all goggles and steam engines and pretty clothes, and there's almost nothing about the Victorian age's major crimes. You don't often read steampunk adventures that deal with crushing poverty, cultural jingoism, and sexual repression and hypocrisy.


While it might be fair to say this of most steampunk fiction, it's not true of all, and it is certainly not true of steampunk erotica. What could be more compromising than seeing the Victorians with their pants around their ankles and their petticoats flipped over their heads? The rebels and rogues, adventurers and heroes that populate these tales live their lives in direct opposition to the status quo; theirs and ours. Not only are they infused with the spirit of independence and exploration, but they are also in tune with their desires.



Read the rest at Oh Get a Grip!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Call for Submissions: Elementary Erotica

There's always been a certain… something about Sherlock Holmes. Though a confirmed bachelor, and a cool logician, there's a certain sexiness about him, and about many of the people who passed through the doors of 221b Baker Street. Now it's time to tell their stories. Was more going on between Watson and Holmes than friendship? What are the missing details of Watson's courtship of Miss Mary Morstan? Could "The Woman," Miss Irene Adler, have had other misadventures before or after her run in with Holmes? We're looking for these stories, set in an alternate steampunk universe. Anything goes, as long as Doyle's characters are involved, and there's at least a flavor of steampunk.


SUBMISSION DETAILS:


The submission deadline is June 30, 2010. Email submissions only. Stories are best submitted as a word processor document (.doc, .rtf, .txt, etc.) attached to the email, but do not forget to include your complete contact information on the attached document! (If it’s only in the body of the email, it’s quite easy to have a brilliant story come out of the printer and then have no way to trace back where the heck it came from.) Manuscripts should be correctly/professionally formatted for submission. (If you’re not sure what we mean by that, Google it.)


Preferred word length is between 3000 and 7000 words. All stories must include explicit sexuality and erotic focus. (For more details on our editorial preferences, see the general submission guidelines. We highly recommend reading the guidelines, especially the “do not send” list, to increase your chances of sending us something we’ll love.) Try to avoid clichés. Fresh and direct language is preferred to overly euphemistic. Sex-positive, please, no rape/nonconsensuality/necrophilia or other purposefully gross topics. We do not publish horror.


Original stories only, NO REPRINTS unless the distribution was truly obscure. Ebooks pay $25 per story, with an additional $25 if the book gets a print edition. Authors get one copy of each edition, as well. Author retains the reprint rights to individual story; we buy non-exclusive rights to inclusion in this anthology only.


Send submissions to: msjblackmore (at) gmail (dot) com

Vintage Vibes



This image is from a neat little article and gallery featured on Gizmodo. I love stuff like this. The article draws on a book by Dr. Rachel P. Maines called The Technology of Orgasm, a book that I'm probably going to have to pick up and devour. I've just bought an ebook called Penis Pending, which is a collection of diagrams and descriptions of some of the strangest sex toys ever invented.

As gadgets that bring pleasure are relevant to the interests of any steamypunk worth her goggles, I'll probably review them here.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Like a Corset Undone

All the trappings of steampunk society--corsets, airships, and 'leaping technologie'--meet the simmering undertone of sexuality so well-hidden by Victorian morality in LIKE A CORSET UNDONE, Circlet Press's third volume of erotic steampunk stories. By turns kinky and romantic, the stories in Like a Corset Undone explores all the reasons to unlace, whether to rebel, or for more intimate purposes.



From the Introduction, by J. Blackmore: "Revolution is a knife. The same knife is used to cut the corset's strings as is used to slit the despot's throat. When people decide that what is should not be, and that their vision is what’s to come, they plan to change things. When lovers are told that they cannot moan with the lights on, that they cannot seduce whom they wish, that they cannot fuck with joy and abandon, it’s only a matter of time until they have their way. Desire, and surrender to it, is the most revolutionary act of all."

Available at:
Circlet.com
Amazon Kindle Store
Fictionwise
All Romance eBooks
Smashwords
Scribd

Like Clockwork

Seven stories of erotic steampunk, exploring worlds of clockwork people and their relationship to their creators. If a mad, or not-so-mad, scientist of the steam age, were to create his or her own being, what desires would be reflected there?



"For those who have not experienced the wonders of steampunk erotica, it is not necessary to have read the first volume, but it is highly recommended. As its title implies, Like a Wisp of Steam, is light and airy compared to the harder, more polished tone of this volume.

"This volume contains seven stories that show a polish and mirror reflection, much like the gleaming metal creations that are the topics of consideration for the reader to ponder and wonder of the alternate Victorian era filled with steam powered dirigibles and clockwork mechanicals, some which apparently have minds of their own… This is a very solid and well done addition to the offerings of Circlet Press."
--The Baryon Review

Available at
Circlet Press
Amazon Kindle Store
Smashwords
Scribd

Like a Wisp of Steam

Five erotic steampunk stories. Lust & leaping 'technologie' meet in a Victorian era that never was. Jason Rubis, Thomas S. Roche, Vanessa Vaughn, Peter Tupper, and Kaysee Renee Robichaud create fascinating tales of airships, corsetry, mad scientists, and drama.



Available at:
Circlet Press
Fictionwise
Amazon Kindle Store

Praise for Like a Wisp of Steam:

"Bravo to Circlet Press for helping to usher in steampunk erotica for us readers eager for the new and unknown... Readers, you're in for a treat with a lot of variety to satisfy many different tastes." –Obsidian Bookshelf

"This is an enjoyable group of tales that solidly fits the bill as steampunk and erotica... for those who are unfamiliar with steampunk it is a splendid jumping in point. Of course the erotica only adds to the enjoyment." –The Baryon Review

"Readers (such as this reviewer) who were raised on nineteenth-century fantasy literature will love the facsimile versions for grown-ups in this collection. All the writers seem familiar enough with the period to fake it convincingly while including more explicit sex than the authors of the time dared to describe. This e-book would be a good introduction to steampunk for readers who are unfamiliar with it." –Jean Roberta, for TCM Reviews