Sunday 27 September 2009

The Things That Make Me Give In


I had this beautiful, shiny thing delivered through my letterbox the other day - look at those lips! The very definition of luscious!

But it isn't just the cover I'll be devouring. This is the debut collection by Charlotte Stein, a new writer who is well worth a few of your spare quid, or dollars, or Euros, or yen, or (insert currency here).

The first story I read of hers was one of her pieces in Liaisons, a story called Men, and it made me weep for two reasons.
One: it was kind of meant to - the twist at the end is very poignant.
Two: it made me wish I could write like her.

But don't go thinking that Charlotte Stein is more likely to activate your tear glands than your, er, other glands. She writes hot, hot, hot scenes full of passion or dirty sex, or, most usually, both.

If you like two-dimensional characters with no emotional depth who find themselves in unrealistic and unthought-out sexual situations - well, she won't be for you.

Similarly, if you like bland, tepid, formulaic imaginings of sex, you won't find them here.

But if, like me, you love intelligent, precise and searingly sexy writing, this promises to be a must-read. I recommend it, before I've even read it!

(Also, check out her blog, linked on my sidebar. She is well funny.)

6 comments:

  1. i think that the lips are ugly...sry....

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  2. Justine- what a lovely, lovely post. You've made me blub. I'm blubbing. Thank you so much.

    And Anon- I totally understand. I don't think the lips are ugly, but I knew that some people would like it, and some would hate it. I just hope that the ones that hate it can look past it to the stories. And if they also hate the stories, I hope they can look past that to...uh...the index of other BL books that are better than mine. The Stranger is in that index, I'm sure! And Justine's book is advertised in the back, too! Buy that, her book has a dude on the cover!

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  3. i just want to clarify...when i said that the image is ugly that does not mean that the image changes my idea of the content of the book...there is an old saying and i believe in it....never judge a book by its cover

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  4. The lips remind me of Angelina Jolie. I am and always have been (and always be) a straight woman, but I think she is gorgeous...

    Linda

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  5. Yes, they are very Jolie, aren't they? I admit I'm a fan of the full lip, but I know not everybody is - and quite right not to judge a book by its cover! I've seen some shocking covers on some terrific books.

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  6. The cover of Animal Passions, one of my all time favourite Black Lace books, almost put me right off buying it. I don't think it was any coincedence that I found it in the bargain bin.

    But hopefully I'll get more people like you, Anon, who doesn't want to judge by its cover, and like you, Linda, who sees only Jolie gorgeousness!

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