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Dancing in the Dark: An Anthology of Erotica
Eight authors from around the globe unite to bring you a cornucopia of delights. Stories to titillate, enthrall, enrapture. Explore, if you dare, dark, dangerous worlds where passion reigns supreme, where lust and love meet in a pas de deux of wanton desire and longing. Sip from a frothy mix of delicious seduction. Eyes blind, your senses fly free, yearning, seeking, believing. Savor the re-imagining of ancient tales, brought to life with a modern, often humorous, twist. Tread carefully down a dangerous path of deadly seduction. Open your mind to new possibilities, indulge the senses.Feel the subtle sway, the press of hot flesh to hot flesh, embrace the intricate weave of pleasure and pain, body and soul, heart and mind. Do you know the steps? Are you sure? When the music starts, who will lead, who will follow?
- GenresErotica
286 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2010
2 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Diane Nelson
31 books37 followersI have been writing for over 30 years across a variety of genres - dark urban fantasy, paranormal romance, science fiction, young adult, humor and cross-genre erotica.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 26, 2012
An anthology is likely to be of mixed quality and to taste, especially when the genre is erotica, where taste is completely subjective. Of the eight stories here three definitively draw the reader in. Noelle Pierce's "Delectable Deviations" is an erotic adaptation of Hansel and Gretl, but transcends any fairytale archetypical casting. In Robb Grindstaff's story "Stella And Bailey", all the crackle and tension emanates from the situation, as a man helps out two sisters thrown out of their family home. He is drawn to the conventional, straitlaced one by her beauty, but is also tantalised by her radically liberated younger sister though the physical attraction is more ambiguous to him. "Seraphim" by T.L.Tyson is a touching portrait of a woman who has gone blind and has lived the past three years full of self-pity. The man who devotes himself to her reawakening does so by forcing her to truly 'see' for the first time, by really surrendering to her senses.
Diane Nelson's "Dance Macabre" and JD Revene's "Without A Spark" were both excellently written pieces, but I felt struggled with their own narrative structure to realise themselves as erotica. They had more of a feel of literature, with a sexual underpinning, rather than erotica per se, though as I've said since erotica itself is so hard to define this may just be my personal slant.
John Browne's "Suckers Sometimes Get Lucky" is a jaunty enough tale, although it climaxes on a terrible pun. Snow White is spliced with Little Red Riding Hood's big bad wolf, transposed to an English University student house full of nerds (or sexual/mental dwarves which was the inevitable extrapolation to my mind). It's knockabout and all good clean fun, if a bit too frivolous for my tastes.
Kate Rigby's "Hard Workers" is the six page long opener to the anthology and ushers the reader very easily and lightly into the thrust of the book as a whole. Right from the outset I guessed we weren't dealing with human narrators here, so again the reader is slightly on the outside from any full-on identification. Sessha Batto's "Wintersong" was possibly the only story I struggled with, since I found the jump cuts in its timeline confusing in places. This may well have been intended, to keep the reader off balance in order to follow the jags of the relationship between the two main characters. By the end it's clear why the story takes this form and has a real elegiac grace about it, but I had floundered in my journey through into getting there. It may well take more than one reading, though there are sections in there that will undoubtedly reward such efforts, the grand romantic gesture scene being one.
So it's an indubitable mixture of styles, contents and approaches to erotica. For this reviewer some appealed to me better than others and in all likelihood a different reviewer would pick out different personal favourites. Bedtime/bedside reading? Undoubtedly.
Diane Nelson's "Dance Macabre" and JD Revene's "Without A Spark" were both excellently written pieces, but I felt struggled with their own narrative structure to realise themselves as erotica. They had more of a feel of literature, with a sexual underpinning, rather than erotica per se, though as I've said since erotica itself is so hard to define this may just be my personal slant.
John Browne's "Suckers Sometimes Get Lucky" is a jaunty enough tale, although it climaxes on a terrible pun. Snow White is spliced with Little Red Riding Hood's big bad wolf, transposed to an English University student house full of nerds (or sexual/mental dwarves which was the inevitable extrapolation to my mind). It's knockabout and all good clean fun, if a bit too frivolous for my tastes.
Kate Rigby's "Hard Workers" is the six page long opener to the anthology and ushers the reader very easily and lightly into the thrust of the book as a whole. Right from the outset I guessed we weren't dealing with human narrators here, so again the reader is slightly on the outside from any full-on identification. Sessha Batto's "Wintersong" was possibly the only story I struggled with, since I found the jump cuts in its timeline confusing in places. This may well have been intended, to keep the reader off balance in order to follow the jags of the relationship between the two main characters. By the end it's clear why the story takes this form and has a real elegiac grace about it, but I had floundered in my journey through into getting there. It may well take more than one reading, though there are sections in there that will undoubtedly reward such efforts, the grand romantic gesture scene being one.
So it's an indubitable mixture of styles, contents and approaches to erotica. For this reviewer some appealed to me better than others and in all likelihood a different reviewer would pick out different personal favourites. Bedtime/bedside reading? Undoubtedly.
May 25, 2011
Jerome K. Jerome was asked to write a book about places of historic significance along the river Thames and throw in some humor to keep the readers entertained. Instead he wrote a funny book with some bits of the Thames history and geography scattered through. Such is the story of "Three Men in a Boat (to Say Nothing of the Dog").
When you read the short description of "Dancing in the Dark" you may expect a lot of sex with an occasional storyline tossed in. In fact, it is rather the other way around: it is the stories that draw you in, and the rest is just a dab of whipped cream in the cleavage waiting to be slowly licked away.
Make no mistake, the book's title does not lie - it is most certainly an anthology of erotica. However, unlike the standard Penthouse -style fare that often passes for erotica these days, these stories do not rush to get to the sex. The characters and situations vary dramatically from one story to the next. Some of them are pure fantasies, some describe events and relationships that could be happening anywhere to anyone at this very moment, and some tread the line in between.
One thing you realize after reading the first twenty pages is that there is no certainty for you for the rest of the book. There is simply no guarantee whether the next story will present you with an extensive introduction and character development, or plunge you straight into the land of the unconventional, sophisticated, no-holds-barred sensuality and erotic indulgence. Once you are neck-deep in a story, I still would not recommend laboring over where it is taking you - it simply would not do. You are equally likely to be laughing, crying or having an orgasm before you reach the end.
I do not wish to say things like "if you are this type of person, then this book is for you", because I can see it appealing to all kinds of people - even those who might not realize they enjoy erotica. Prudes, sexual moderates, and lusty insatiable souls... Gays, straights and bisexuals... Slow gentle types and wham-bam types... People who have been married for 20 years, constant daters and virgins... All of these and others I could not think of at the moment might find this book appealing.
"Oh, what the hell..." or a similar sentiment is expressed by characters throughout Dancing in the Dark. I suggest assuming the same attitude as you contemplate whether or not to get it. "Oh, what the hell..." Give it a shot. What is the worst thing that could happen if the book doesn't speak to you? You can always give it away, can't you? Give it a shot! Who knows what you might discover. It is a good trouble to be in.
When you read the short description of "Dancing in the Dark" you may expect a lot of sex with an occasional storyline tossed in. In fact, it is rather the other way around: it is the stories that draw you in, and the rest is just a dab of whipped cream in the cleavage waiting to be slowly licked away.
Make no mistake, the book's title does not lie - it is most certainly an anthology of erotica. However, unlike the standard Penthouse -style fare that often passes for erotica these days, these stories do not rush to get to the sex. The characters and situations vary dramatically from one story to the next. Some of them are pure fantasies, some describe events and relationships that could be happening anywhere to anyone at this very moment, and some tread the line in between.
One thing you realize after reading the first twenty pages is that there is no certainty for you for the rest of the book. There is simply no guarantee whether the next story will present you with an extensive introduction and character development, or plunge you straight into the land of the unconventional, sophisticated, no-holds-barred sensuality and erotic indulgence. Once you are neck-deep in a story, I still would not recommend laboring over where it is taking you - it simply would not do. You are equally likely to be laughing, crying or having an orgasm before you reach the end.
I do not wish to say things like "if you are this type of person, then this book is for you", because I can see it appealing to all kinds of people - even those who might not realize they enjoy erotica. Prudes, sexual moderates, and lusty insatiable souls... Gays, straights and bisexuals... Slow gentle types and wham-bam types... People who have been married for 20 years, constant daters and virgins... All of these and others I could not think of at the moment might find this book appealing.
"Oh, what the hell..." or a similar sentiment is expressed by characters throughout Dancing in the Dark. I suggest assuming the same attitude as you contemplate whether or not to get it. "Oh, what the hell..." Give it a shot. What is the worst thing that could happen if the book doesn't speak to you? You can always give it away, can't you? Give it a shot! Who knows what you might discover. It is a good trouble to be in.
August 4, 2010
Dancing in the Dark, what can I say except an erotic adventure from talented writers.
I took my time reading this, taking in each story slowly before moving onto the next. Each tale so different from the next and I never knew exactly what I was going to get next.
One thing I do know, I will never look at Snow White or Hansel and Gretl the same way again. J
Each story has its own special quality but I had four favourites amongst the collection of eight.
Stella and Bailey, a refreshing look and insight into a man’s point of view about two sisters he invites into his home. I read this story quickly and in one sitting as I longed to find out where the journey would take me. Watching porn with Stella is a particularly good scene.
Wintersong, a bittersweet love story about how love transcends death. Sessha delivers a wonderfully erotic and heart wrenching love story with her own unique and amazing style. This story sneaks up slowly on you as we live in the past and present, to feel every sad and blissful moment with Armand and Peter.
Sweet Seraphim, shows how in darkness light can be seen. Tina never ceases to amaze me with her writing and this is no exception. At times sweet, others sensual or just plain hot, I ate up every word of this reawakening of the senses.
And last but not least Without a Spark. This story surprised me most of all. JD’s foray into gay erotica took me on a journey of self-discovery and deep love. He cleverly weaves Jack’s memories and the present together to deliver a unique tale.
Not to take anything away from the other four which I also enjoyed but these four stood out as my favourites and tickled... my fancy.
I recommend you indulge in the love, erotica and just plain hotness in this inimitable anthology.
I took my time reading this, taking in each story slowly before moving onto the next. Each tale so different from the next and I never knew exactly what I was going to get next.
One thing I do know, I will never look at Snow White or Hansel and Gretl the same way again. J
Each story has its own special quality but I had four favourites amongst the collection of eight.
Stella and Bailey, a refreshing look and insight into a man’s point of view about two sisters he invites into his home. I read this story quickly and in one sitting as I longed to find out where the journey would take me. Watching porn with Stella is a particularly good scene.
Wintersong, a bittersweet love story about how love transcends death. Sessha delivers a wonderfully erotic and heart wrenching love story with her own unique and amazing style. This story sneaks up slowly on you as we live in the past and present, to feel every sad and blissful moment with Armand and Peter.
Sweet Seraphim, shows how in darkness light can be seen. Tina never ceases to amaze me with her writing and this is no exception. At times sweet, others sensual or just plain hot, I ate up every word of this reawakening of the senses.
And last but not least Without a Spark. This story surprised me most of all. JD’s foray into gay erotica took me on a journey of self-discovery and deep love. He cleverly weaves Jack’s memories and the present together to deliver a unique tale.
Not to take anything away from the other four which I also enjoyed but these four stood out as my favourites and tickled... my fancy.
I recommend you indulge in the love, erotica and just plain hotness in this inimitable anthology.
April 3, 2011
It's difficult to write an in depth review for an anthology written by eight different writers, so this may be a bit generic.
I stumbled upon this collection almost by accident, even though it's been in front of me nearly every day, but then, I ignore much of what's in front of me on a daily basis, so that's not surprising.
These nine stories are as varied as they are entertaining. Each was unique and, for the most part, very well constructed. A few were laugh-out-loud funny, while a few left me with a dark, uncomfortable feeling, but in a good way. All were very sensual, and some more graphic than others.
While I really enjoyed the style and quality of writing in several of the stories, a few didn't match my taste- not something I would normally read, but they were fun, just the same (I'm not implying that the quality was sub-par, just not my normal diet). I can say that each story displayed a wonderful amount of intelligence and imagination- none of the drivel and repetition that you find in many erotic stories. Several of the stories beg to be reread, and reread them I shall.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good, adult stories and humor. I do not recommend it to anyone who is not open minded or who is bigoted; you will not enjoy it. Your loss.
I stumbled upon this collection almost by accident, even though it's been in front of me nearly every day, but then, I ignore much of what's in front of me on a daily basis, so that's not surprising.
These nine stories are as varied as they are entertaining. Each was unique and, for the most part, very well constructed. A few were laugh-out-loud funny, while a few left me with a dark, uncomfortable feeling, but in a good way. All were very sensual, and some more graphic than others.
While I really enjoyed the style and quality of writing in several of the stories, a few didn't match my taste- not something I would normally read, but they were fun, just the same (I'm not implying that the quality was sub-par, just not my normal diet). I can say that each story displayed a wonderful amount of intelligence and imagination- none of the drivel and repetition that you find in many erotic stories. Several of the stories beg to be reread, and reread them I shall.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good, adult stories and humor. I do not recommend it to anyone who is not open minded or who is bigoted; you will not enjoy it. Your loss.
November 15, 2010
Excellent collection of erotic fiction
December 20, 2010
All I can say is HOT HOT HOT!!!
February 3, 2011
This is a book to curl up with, preferably when you have a hottie at home next to you. I need a moment...I'm blushing. LOL Recommended if you don't mind a variety of erotica!
July 23, 2012
A sexy and stellar collection of stories written by some of the best in the business. Have read it several times and the stories don't get old.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews