Meridith Guy

10th May 2012

Spanking Booth by Dusty Horn

I should probably clarify that I’m extremely partial to spanking stories that also have belts. I’m even more partial to ones narrated from the top’s position. I’m also extremely partial to such things in my own life, so reading this story was simple. Except, of course, that it kept me from getting to the next story…several times.

As much as I realize that my wife probably wouldn’t spank me if she weren’t as interested in it as I was. I still, Every. Single. Time. can’t believe she’s not doing it just because I want her to. That’s one of the best things about reading Dusty Horn’s Spanking Booth, you can see beyond a shadow of a doubt that the top wants to be spanking, not because she’s getting paid or for a good cause, but because she genuinely enjoys it. You can believe I’d frequent such a booth if one were to wander into my town.

The spanking is detailed and delightful without relying on the word thwack, which makes all too frequent an appearance in the literature (can you tell I’ve been working too much this week?). It caters to the connoisseur in all of us, whether you like coloring or panties or implements or asses. This is so much better than a kissing booth. One more thing: Say Please captures consent in play well and Horn’s line “consent is sexy.” sums it up. Yes, consent is very sexy.

Note: I’m reading from a PDF on an ereader and I can’t be sure when I’ve got the capitalization of an author’s name right, so I’m sorry if I’ve somehow bolloxed it. Also, these aren’t really reviews so much as they are telling you what I liked. Enjoy!

9th May 2012

Black Hanky by Sassafras Lowry

I know Sassafras Lowry is a seasoned veteran - and, as you can see from the link, published all over the place. I most recently read a piece in Salacious (#3 Leather) and I enjoyed that piece every bit as much as the one in Say Please. It’s a delight to join hir in this anthology.

“I wasn’t going to be anyone’s wife.” Have you tried being that person? It’s fun. It sets you free in a dirty kind of way.

“They were northern city butches…” I just spent several days at a conference that had more butches than I thought possible. It was an unexpected city for that, a touch north, a touch midwest, and I was constantly delighted by their visibility. I digress. There’s a difference though, between the northern sorts and the southern sorts and they are both delicious in their own ways. It’s worth sampling both. Thoroughly.

“…I was pulled in a rough bruise of a kiss…” I love the swollen look of my own bruised lips. Maybe I should take a picture.

“I wanted to wrestle, wanted to fight, but I was so deep into this I could make little more than a feeble attempt.” Haven’t you been there? Haven’t you held someone down knowing that you’ve convinced them to set aside the struggle? Haven’t you thought of fighting and thought better of it?

There’s plenty of this. Plenty of daddy and please and thank you. It’s a test and the boi passes. But it’s the getting from here to there that Lowry does so well. Go on, scoot. Get your copy of Say Please and start reading.

8th May 2012 | 1 note

Taking Direction by Vie la Guerre

First of all, I’m pretty sure Vie la Guerre is the best pen name ever.

Here’s what I loved about Taking Direction: the rich description. I was in that bar, taking that drink, flirting. The bar, hot. The alley, chilly with fog. And then, of course, the heat rising from sex with a stranger, all directed by another. If I were bold enough or confident enough, I might seek a similar situation. And not just because there’s an alley. Though, as you know already, I’m a sucker for that.

I’m going to stop there. I can’t do the detail in this story justice and so I won’t try further. My favorite bit comes at the end of the last page, “I know you want to come, baby. Maybe later.” Yes, later. But only if you Say Please.

1st May 2012

All of Me by Amelia Thornton

As someone who’s in charge of plenty and yet deeply enjoys giving up that power, I thought Amelia Thornton’s table-turning-dominatrix tale was delicious. She had me from, “I contemplate dinner to start with.” I’m sure you don’t do that, but I’ve had my share of grocery list preparation sex. There’s something to be said for time to think, I guess. In this case, it’s just a typical day at work capped by a fantastic birthday present - no grocery lists allowed.

As an aside, one of the best parts of Sinclair’s Say Please is the sheer number of first person accounts that dispense with too many mundane details. I love that it’s not always apparently what the narrator is called or looks like or comes from, all the easier to place myself in her boots…or under them.

You probably know by now that I’m a fan of being told what’s about to happen to me. Come to think of it, surprises are great too. I’m easy. But this? “I’m going to tie you up, and then I’m going to hurt you. And you’re going to thank me for it afterwards. Do you understand?” Yes. This.

It sheds a whole new light on say please…

30th Apr 2012

Call Me Sir: a Smutty Pulp Fiction Tale by BB Rydell

Sass. This story is head to toe sass. There’s more than a bit of power struggle as cocky meets confidence (and then, of course, have wildly hot sex). I’m sassy myself (to my eternal detriment) and I found Martha’s takedown of Jake to be both absolutely vivid and slightly uncomfortable (no Jake, don’t say that!) It’s packed with dialogue, which I think is particularly enticing in a bdsm story. It seasons the delicious violence, tempering and drawing out the textures in their play.

BB Rydell takes the characters’ interactions beyond sir by throwing in everything from flagging forest green to push-ups and boot polishing (with Jake’s tongue). I loved the ground rules at the start. It’s one more way to say, “We’re playing now and everything you do from here on out is going to be met and dealt with in that context. Think carefully.” I find that division between flirting and play incredibly sexy.

I’m making this story sound far lighter than it is. Jake has a story, a history, and Martha walks her right back into it. Read it for that. Also, read it to see how to teach someone manners. There’s plenty of ways to do it in Say Please. You’ll find yourself wanting to take notes. Starting here.