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Enchanted #1
Enchanted: Erotic Bedtime Stories for Women
Allow yourself to be drawn into a fantasy world like no other…where a beautiful princess is seduced into a love triangle with a handsome prince and her winsome maid…where a mysterious gentleman's young bride is deliciously disciplined for her unchecked curiosity…where a naive daughter is married off to a beast of a man whose carnal appetites awaken her budding desire….
With a unique and decidedly adult twist on thirteen classic fairy tales, Nancy Madore intrigues and arouses with her titillating, sizzling anthology of erotic stories guaranteed to keep you up late into the night.
You'll never look at fairy tales the same way again.
165 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2004
688 people are currently reading
4460 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Madore
20 books161 followersNancy Madore achieved enormous critical acclaim with her ENCHANTED series, which includes ENCHANTED, ENCHANTED AGAIN and ENCHANTED DREAMS.
Now, following her life-long interest in ancient history and mythology, Nancy Madore is launching a new series in the historical and science/speculative fiction genres, called LEGACY OF THE WATCHERS. So far, the series includes THE HIDDEN ONES and POWER OF GODS. Madore is currently working on the third book in the series.
You can read more about Nancy Madore's LEGACY OF THE WATCHERS series by visiting her website at www.nmadore.com.
Now, following her life-long interest in ancient history and mythology, Nancy Madore is launching a new series in the historical and science/speculative fiction genres, called LEGACY OF THE WATCHERS. So far, the series includes THE HIDDEN ONES and POWER OF GODS. Madore is currently working on the third book in the series.
You can read more about Nancy Madore's LEGACY OF THE WATCHERS series by visiting her website at www.nmadore.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
October 10, 2010
Warning: This review is PG-13 or rather R-18.
This is a serious collection of all my favorite fairy tales gone naughty and bad.
What have I learned?
1. Size matters over performance. (Beauty and the Beast)
2. When your husband asks you to not enter a room, do not enter it. It is just a room full of kinky sex stuff. If you still decide to enter, face the consequences of being punished in the same room. (Bluebeard)
3. Never challenge a cat you are attracted to. You are most definitely to lose and end up his wife. Though you are a mouse. (Cat and Mouse)
4. If faced with numerous men in the dark, the best way to reveal your loved one is by coitus. (East of the Sun and West of the Moon)
5. If something is soft, it will become hard eventually. (Goldilocks and the Three Barons
6. Do not be deceived by looks, dwarfs may be real princes cursed by a witch. (Snow White)
Okay. I am going to stop now.
But I have to tell you, if ever I have children, and I would read them bedtime stories, I don't think that the wholesome version of these fairy tales would be stuck on my mind, but these. I just hope I wouldn't experience the slip of the tongue.
This is a serious collection of all my favorite fairy tales gone naughty and bad.
What have I learned?
1. Size matters over performance. (Beauty and the Beast)
2. When your husband asks you to not enter a room, do not enter it. It is just a room full of kinky sex stuff. If you still decide to enter, face the consequences of being punished in the same room. (Bluebeard)
3. Never challenge a cat you are attracted to. You are most definitely to lose and end up his wife. Though you are a mouse. (Cat and Mouse)
4. If faced with numerous men in the dark, the best way to reveal your loved one is by coitus. (East of the Sun and West of the Moon)
5. If something is soft, it will become hard eventually. (Goldilocks and the Three Barons
6. Do not be deceived by looks, dwarfs may be real princes cursed by a witch. (Snow White)
Okay. I am going to stop now.
But I have to tell you, if ever I have children, and I would read them bedtime stories, I don't think that the wholesome version of these fairy tales would be stuck on my mind, but these. I just hope I wouldn't experience the slip of the tongue.
June 30, 2017
Okay, the preface of this book explains that the stories contained are about empowering female sexuality, which I was pretty excited about up until each story exhibited uncomfortable situations in which a woman was dominated in some fashion, told what to do, what position to assume, how to do it all...To say the least, my skin crawled and my stomach flipped (not in a good way).
I've never been a huge lover of smut, but I did my round of romance in high school reading Christine Feehan, Christine Warren, C.L. Wilson, and Sherrilyn Kenyon. But even in those books the intimacy was give and take, about the experience and not one person overtaking the other. This collection of short stories isn't like that. I got mixed signals as to what these stories were trying to do, because I didn't feel empowered as I read them--I was actually pretty embarrassed as I imagined my boyfriend doing all this to me, and I felt degradation with every second of my imaginings.
If you are into eroticism, to each their own; I don't judge or fault you. It just isn't my thing clearly. I guess I am bothered more so by the author (editor?) claiming these to be woman empowering--story after story of a woman being physically and emotionally dominated in some fashion does not equal woman empowerment in my book, so no thank you.
I've never been a huge lover of smut, but I did my round of romance in high school reading Christine Feehan, Christine Warren, C.L. Wilson, and Sherrilyn Kenyon. But even in those books the intimacy was give and take, about the experience and not one person overtaking the other. This collection of short stories isn't like that. I got mixed signals as to what these stories were trying to do, because I didn't feel empowered as I read them--I was actually pretty embarrassed as I imagined my boyfriend doing all this to me, and I felt degradation with every second of my imaginings.
If you are into eroticism, to each their own; I don't judge or fault you. It just isn't my thing clearly. I guess I am bothered more so by the author (editor?) claiming these to be woman empowering--story after story of a woman being physically and emotionally dominated in some fashion does not equal woman empowerment in my book, so no thank you.
June 19, 2015
It tried so hard to be sexy that it was hilarious.
September 13, 2009
From "Beauty and the Beast" to "The Goose Girl", "Bluebeard" to "East of the Sun and West of the Moon", Madore has rewritten some classic fairy tales to capture and express some of the most popular sexual fantasies women have.
Written simply and tastefully, there is an ulterior motive at work - one that comes across more strongly in some stories than others. As Madore says herself in her foreword,
A few of the stories tackle the issues of self-image and sexual shame head-on, especially "Mirror on the Wall" and "The Ugly Duckling", and the characters in the latter especially, express the problems very articulately.
But it's not just about women's issues. Or rather, it is, but it's all tied up in how we view our sexuality, and whether we can embrace it or not - which is the opposite of selling it or hiding it. Some of the stories are more erotic than others - "The Goose Girl" is very sweet and goes no further than a heated kiss, while "Beauty and the Beast" is very explicit. A couple of the stories were too long and quiet for me, and Madore's take on the fairy tales wasn't always the best one, I thought. But as she says, she chose the most popular sexual fantasies, in the hopes of reaching the most women (with the idea being that your sexual fantasy will probably be here), and she acknowledges that there might be some women left out. Well, without going into details, there were a couple that did speak to me, which is good enough.
This is a great book for those women among us who are shy about their sexuality, feel that it's a private thing (this book won't invade that privacy but rather complement it), or who have been made to feel ashamed of it. There's nothing here that will disgust you or turn you off - no pain, for example - and there's some powerful social commentary that's nicely interwoven that will speak to your intellect as much as to your emotions.
Contains:
Beauty and the Beast
Bluebeard
Cat and Mouse
Cinderella
East of the Sun and West of the Moon
Goldilocks and the Three Barons
Mirror on the Wall
Mrs. Fox
Snow White in the Woods
The Empress' New Clothes
The Goose Girl
The Sheep in Wolves' Clothing
The Ugly Duckling
Written simply and tastefully, there is an ulterior motive at work - one that comes across more strongly in some stories than others. As Madore says herself in her foreword,
"It is my belief that to empower women sexually (or in any other part of their life, for that matter), we need to stop trying to control or change them. We must accept them exactly as they are. When women feel good about themselves they feel better about sex. Sex is not a market that is cornered by a select few. All women have it within them to be sexual, although it lies dormant in many of us because of the damage done by our culture and media. It can be reawakened, but only through our total acceptance of who we are. We need to feel safe being sexual without the fear of being exploited, changed, categorized, punished, shamed or degraded."
A few of the stories tackle the issues of self-image and sexual shame head-on, especially "Mirror on the Wall" and "The Ugly Duckling", and the characters in the latter especially, express the problems very articulately.
But it's not just about women's issues. Or rather, it is, but it's all tied up in how we view our sexuality, and whether we can embrace it or not - which is the opposite of selling it or hiding it. Some of the stories are more erotic than others - "The Goose Girl" is very sweet and goes no further than a heated kiss, while "Beauty and the Beast" is very explicit. A couple of the stories were too long and quiet for me, and Madore's take on the fairy tales wasn't always the best one, I thought. But as she says, she chose the most popular sexual fantasies, in the hopes of reaching the most women (with the idea being that your sexual fantasy will probably be here), and she acknowledges that there might be some women left out. Well, without going into details, there were a couple that did speak to me, which is good enough.
This is a great book for those women among us who are shy about their sexuality, feel that it's a private thing (this book won't invade that privacy but rather complement it), or who have been made to feel ashamed of it. There's nothing here that will disgust you or turn you off - no pain, for example - and there's some powerful social commentary that's nicely interwoven that will speak to your intellect as much as to your emotions.
Contains:
Beauty and the Beast
Bluebeard
Cat and Mouse
Cinderella
East of the Sun and West of the Moon
Goldilocks and the Three Barons
Mirror on the Wall
Mrs. Fox
Snow White in the Woods
The Empress' New Clothes
The Goose Girl
The Sheep in Wolves' Clothing
The Ugly Duckling
August 25, 2011
I couldn't decide whether to give this two stars or three.
The stories were not bad. But they didn't turn me on. If an erotic story doesn't turn me on, it should at least be interesting.
Is it asking too much to want some sensual language as well?
The stories were not bad. But they didn't turn me on. If an erotic story doesn't turn me on, it should at least be interesting.
Is it asking too much to want some sensual language as well?
July 13, 2014
In some ways Enchanted isn’t too different from The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter – reworked fairy tales with an adult and somewhat feminist twist with a background commentary on gender roles (i.e. wife, career woman, princess, maid etc).
If I had stopped reading at the end of Mrs Fox I would have given Enchanted four stars due to the simply written and tastefully woven tales with clever and sometimes amusing twists. Lessons learned were truly learned rather than lectured on as they were in the second half of the book. For example the Queen in Mirror on the Wall learned that cosmetic enhancements did not automatically make you beautiful but in the Ugly Duckling (the last story) the lesson that beauty alone does not bring you happiness was practically shoved in your face. The same goes for Cinderella and The Sheep in Wolves’ Clothing. Both were about reigniting the love in their marriages but Cinderella was more subtle whereas the other story contained lengthy explanations on the subject.
The enjoyable highlights for me were Beauty and the Beast with Beauty missing her beast when he turns into the prince, Cat and Mouse about a male and female - equals jockeying (and negotiating) for position neither wanting to play the submissive slave, Mirror on the Wall for a mixture of old and new (old being the story and new being the cosmetic surgery theme), Mrs Fox with the lesson being that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side but it is a pleasant change every now and then, and finally Goldilocks and the Three Barons – I loved seeing her as a nosey busy body reporter who reports rumour, half-truths and absolute lies - an amusing comparison to the original story.
If I had stopped reading at the end of Mrs Fox I would have given Enchanted four stars due to the simply written and tastefully woven tales with clever and sometimes amusing twists. Lessons learned were truly learned rather than lectured on as they were in the second half of the book. For example the Queen in Mirror on the Wall learned that cosmetic enhancements did not automatically make you beautiful but in the Ugly Duckling (the last story) the lesson that beauty alone does not bring you happiness was practically shoved in your face. The same goes for Cinderella and The Sheep in Wolves’ Clothing. Both were about reigniting the love in their marriages but Cinderella was more subtle whereas the other story contained lengthy explanations on the subject.
The enjoyable highlights for me were Beauty and the Beast with Beauty missing her beast when he turns into the prince, Cat and Mouse about a male and female - equals jockeying (and negotiating) for position neither wanting to play the submissive slave, Mirror on the Wall for a mixture of old and new (old being the story and new being the cosmetic surgery theme), Mrs Fox with the lesson being that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side but it is a pleasant change every now and then, and finally Goldilocks and the Three Barons – I loved seeing her as a nosey busy body reporter who reports rumour, half-truths and absolute lies - an amusing comparison to the original story.
June 6, 2022
Keeping in mind that many of the fairly stories we now read to our children were originally bloody and occasionally sexy, Nancy Madore’s Enchanted Spice, could be seen as a return to the more adult content of these same stories. Many are only just barely sexy. An alert parent might get away with reading, editing it in real time while sharing it with an otherwise too young audience. The up side to such an exploit is that these stories tend to be empowering in their attitudes towards women whereas the originals were rarely in favor of thinking active women. Least there be any confusion, Enchanted is intended for an adult female audience.
Ms . Madore may have been an early contributor in updating and adding an adult angle into, or back into old stories. Her hand when it comes to the get it on portion is intentionally light. Although she does seem to have a willingness to linger on more aggressive forms of play.
Over all I would rate the collection as ranging from meh to a naughty warmth. Not intended to be hard core but still creative and with a saucy insouciance that is occasionally inventive.
Ms . Madore may have been an early contributor in updating and adding an adult angle into, or back into old stories. Her hand when it comes to the get it on portion is intentionally light. Although she does seem to have a willingness to linger on more aggressive forms of play.
Over all I would rate the collection as ranging from meh to a naughty warmth. Not intended to be hard core but still creative and with a saucy insouciance that is occasionally inventive.
March 4, 2017
Claims to be by women for women, but every word reads like it was written by a man. And an especially pretentious and condescending man, at that.
June 4, 2010
I got this as a bargain from amazon and despite its low price I happened to like it a lot. The book takes old fairy tales and give them an erotic twist. I thought this was a good idea, a nice way of reading the old fairy tales, something for the woman in all of us.
Even though I didn't like all of the stories -based only on the type of twist they had- I found myself really liking this. Who wouldn't love the "Beauty" from "The Beauty and the Beast" to miss her beast? Or Snow White finding her happiness in all her dwarfs? Or even the evil stepmother who despises Snow White to have her own happy ending? Or, my personal most favourite, the "Cat and Mouse" who find happiness in each other despite their constant quarrel over supremacy? Yes, I loved these stories, and I read them all, even when the erotica was either too much or just not my cup of tea, I still read them all. But my favourite among them will always be the "Cat and Mouse" because the girl in me just can't help but love the bickering couples with a hint of love-hate relationship :)
Even though I didn't like all of the stories -based only on the type of twist they had- I found myself really liking this. Who wouldn't love the "Beauty" from "The Beauty and the Beast" to miss her beast? Or Snow White finding her happiness in all her dwarfs? Or even the evil stepmother who despises Snow White to have her own happy ending? Or, my personal most favourite, the "Cat and Mouse" who find happiness in each other despite their constant quarrel over supremacy? Yes, I loved these stories, and I read them all, even when the erotica was either too much or just not my cup of tea, I still read them all. But my favourite among them will always be the "Cat and Mouse" because the girl in me just can't help but love the bickering couples with a hint of love-hate relationship :)
December 23, 2010
I liked some of the stories in this book. Some weren't very good. I also don't know if I would classify them as erotic. There are some situations that would be considered more erotic than a basic romance but the author uses very mild, almost 'Harlequinesque' language which, in my opinion, swings it back to just romance.
October 2, 2011
I think what I loved most about this book was less the erotic appeal but rather more that it was about cherishing what it means to be a woman.
The author found so much more truth in these classic fairy tales than the brothers Grimm seemed to have done. Albeit, it's all based on a woman's point of view, but since we're the half of our race that's pushed down and beaten and subdued overtly, I think it's definitely more than fair play.
I was really looking forward to each and every tale. Mainly to see how they'd be twisted to show a different, more positive, perspective, but also because of the positive light they'd release. It's so rare to come across novels or stories or tales releasing feelings of warmth and happiness and positive light these days. Most of which is released is fake; a thin bit of sheer cloth that barely covers underlying problems. In these short stories reality was shown; often scoffed at, and yet all the women felt more empowered afterwards, even if thier situations didn't call for it. They all found happiness one way or another.
And that is why I give this book five stars. Some erotic novels are just well written. This one is well written and leaves a long lasting good feeling in my mind!
The author found so much more truth in these classic fairy tales than the brothers Grimm seemed to have done. Albeit, it's all based on a woman's point of view, but since we're the half of our race that's pushed down and beaten and subdued overtly, I think it's definitely more than fair play.
I was really looking forward to each and every tale. Mainly to see how they'd be twisted to show a different, more positive, perspective, but also because of the positive light they'd release. It's so rare to come across novels or stories or tales releasing feelings of warmth and happiness and positive light these days. Most of which is released is fake; a thin bit of sheer cloth that barely covers underlying problems. In these short stories reality was shown; often scoffed at, and yet all the women felt more empowered afterwards, even if thier situations didn't call for it. They all found happiness one way or another.
And that is why I give this book five stars. Some erotic novels are just well written. This one is well written and leaves a long lasting good feeling in my mind!
October 24, 2008
Interesting twists on the fairy tales - especially when it contradicts the current ones. I have to say some of the stories are not that erotic in terms of steamy scenes. The ideas and suggestions may be erotic, but most of the scenes aren't hot enough to be good erotica for me! I'm greedy, I know ;)
March 26, 2009
Could not get past her writing style and did not enjoy this one at all. The allegory left me feeling flat and the sex was not, and I mean NOT, engaging. I do not recommend this for anyone, especially if you are looking for sex scenes that jump start your libido.
March 17, 2010
Kind of boring actually. If you like "this kind of stuff" go to the Victorian bookshelf....hint hint.
September 2, 2015
Love the stories! And yes I got some great idea what to play with my boyfriend ;-)
October 20, 2016
I unironically adore this book because it totally got me into romance novels after I discovered it on my mom's bookshelf years ago. I'm so glad it's on Goodreads.
December 16, 2012
I really haven't finished reading it though so far my favorite would be Cinderella, Cat & Mouse and Beauty and the Beast :) so far everything's good and sizzling and sometimes kinky and impossible(like the sex in Cat and Mouse) but of course it is a
'fairy tale'
and suppose to be based on fantasies but then I wouldn't view it as if it's for children's bedtime stories anymore lol and it DEFINITELY CHANGED MY VIEW ON MY FAVORITE FAIRY TALES I have to remember to choose a different bedtime story for my children that's not 'included' in this book..in the future...because I'm afraid
I'll twist it 'innocuously'
so I hope that I wouldn't :p
October 23, 2017
This book had potential, but it sputtered out. Many of the tales contained therein were told, not shown. Some of the stories were better than others, but a couple left me rather disappointed. The stories and ideas had potential, but ultimately fell flat.
What could have helped was to use more fairy tales, such as Puss in Boots, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and what have you. A couple of the tales weren't really interesting or magical to start with, and didn't excite me. Frankly, I didn't feel that the money I spent on this book was worth it. Half the price would have been better for what I got.
Overall, three out of five for a decent read and effort, but nothing more.
What could have helped was to use more fairy tales, such as Puss in Boots, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and what have you. A couple of the tales weren't really interesting or magical to start with, and didn't excite me. Frankly, I didn't feel that the money I spent on this book was worth it. Half the price would have been better for what I got.
Overall, three out of five for a decent read and effort, but nothing more.
January 4, 2013
I like fairy tales. I like it when people mess with fairy tales. I'm wary of things dubbed 'erotic' because if it has to tell me it's erotic, it probably isn't. Once again, I was proven correct in my theory because there wasn't anything in this that caught my fancy. There are some stories I feel are supposed to be shocking in what women enjoy sexually, but it came off flat and sometimes sanctimonious. I might be jaded from my time in fanfic. I think the author wanted these stories to sizzle without being graphic but it didn't work for me because she was so vague at times as if she were trying not to offend with the eroticism. Not my cup of tea, but others seem to have enjoyed it.
August 12, 2015
An amazing collection of fairy tales for adults. I liked the interesting twists taken by the stories. My favorites were Snow White as well as the Empress' New Clothes. They gave me some real new insight as to how these childhood favorites can be interpreted. I also liked how all the stories empowered women instead of belittling them.
Also, I know this review is short but I want to give nothing away. This book is worth that freshness of looking at beloved stories with new eyes and new, unbiased mind. Enjoy and love it as I have!
Also, I know this review is short but I want to give nothing away. This book is worth that freshness of looking at beloved stories with new eyes and new, unbiased mind. Enjoy and love it as I have!
April 2, 2012
Really it was a 3.5 because there were some concepts/stories that I really liked. On the other hand, I felt that the "adult/feminist" parts could have been woven into the story better. While I love the ideas, some parts just felt tedious to read...
Also, I have mixed feelings as to the "erotic" part... maybe it was just my inner writer screaming for a little more detail. Source for ideas, I'd say.
Also, I have mixed feelings as to the "erotic" part... maybe it was just my inner writer screaming for a little more detail. Source for ideas, I'd say.
November 11, 2015
Very positive, steamy stories for women. At times the feminist soap-box overshadows the story. The stories are mainly re-tellings of fairy tales with a semi-erotic spin. A quick read. Some stories are better then others. This book tries to be empowering, romantic & sexy; so if that is what you are looking for this is a perfect find.
March 19, 2013
Well, what should I say about this book? Erotica is not normally my thing, but this one was okay. The retelling of the fairy tales were really clever, the Beauty And The Beast one being my favorite. The sex scenes tended to be a bit redundant at times, but still very entertaining.
February 12, 2009
just silly
May 28, 2013
it was good
June 19, 2015
This was a funny read! I thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 10, 2015
Well known fairytales with erotic twists and little bit of female empowerment. Some of the stories are better than others but overall a quick entertaining read.
October 2, 2015
la bella y la bestia asi como blanca nieves nunca sera lo mismo para mi
August 20, 2021
The reason I started reading this book was pure curiosity since it is a collection of classic fairytales turned into "erotic bedtime stories". After reading it I can say that it's definitely not my cup of tea, but I guess certain women would like it. This soft-porn book consists of 14 stories that contain different kinds of sexual fantasies, though all of them have almost the same plot development which became boring after reading several of them. However, the thing I disliked most about this "women power-feminist" collection is the overall feeling that women are mostly turned on by various aggressive behaviors and that all we need to be satisfied is sex. Still, I don't know if the author is sexually unfulfilled, but it is certain that the target audience are such women. Thankfully, I'm obviously still not one of them, so just 2 stars from me (mostly for the idea of retelling well known stories in a different way).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2020
Fairy tales reimagined with an erotic / feminist slant. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but these were less than I thought they'd be. The writing tried to capture the flavor of fairy tales, but somehow fell short. It was a little too stilted, a little too flowery. The themes itself, as alluded to in the foreword, had dealt with gender roles and expectations, and from that aspect, I thought they achieved their objective. Some of the stories were very good, others were a struggle to read and those I simply skipped through. This might be better enjoyed by others, it simply wasn't for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews