I’ve never found a book that was edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel that I didn’t enjoy, and I’ve read more than a few of them. So when I was offered a copy of her latest anthology, The Big Book Of Submission for my reading pleasure, I wasn’t going to say no.
The Big Book Of Submission features 69 short stories that have one thing in common, they are all kinky. So as is my custom I settled down one sunny afternoon and began to read. Four hours later I was still reading, and the only reason I stopped was because my Hubby decided that dinner was a good reason to interrupt me. I know, how rude! I was in total submission to this book by then, but decided to enjoy some horizontal fun, and then cook dinner after.
What I really love about the stories in this book, is they are all what I like to call easy reading. There are some really short stories contained within this books 366 pages, and then there are some slightly longer one, but they all have one thing in common; submission. I know shocking right, considering the title. Where this book really comes into it’s own though is that the stories have that one thread running through them, but they are so varied in how that theme is executed by the various writers.
As with all anthologies there are a couple of stories that always seem to stick with me, long after I have finished them. In The Big Book of Submission, the two stories that achieved this were, Toasted Marshmallows written by Tilly Hunter, and Stronger Than Steel, written by Alva Rose. I adore Toasted Marshmallows, and have read it more than a few times since I first discovered it. I love everything about this particular story, the writing, the plot and the characters. Told from the point of view of a guy who is experiencing giving his first blow job to his best friend as he submits to his girlfriend. Trust me, it’s not as complicated as I just made that sound, but it’s a very descriptive story because of Ms Hunter’s writing.
“It’s such a strange sensation. Like a moleskin cover on a hardback book. Soft skin riding over rigid, engorged flesh, Of course I’ve felt the same thing before in my own hand. I’m a twenty-seven-year-old-guy – I feel my own erections most mornings in the shower.” and later on this:
“I suck running my tongue up the underside. It seems the thing to do. I realize I’ve never analyzed the precise movements Karen’s mouth makes to cause my shaft to stiffen and pulse to climax.”
I feel like I’m inside this guys head as I read the story, and that for me is what makes this story such a pleasure to read. I have a habit when I read anthologies of making notes after each story, yes, I deface books, I admit it, but it’s for a good cause, I promise. In this case my notes read: “Fucking love this story, sexy as fuck and VERY descriptive.”
The other story as I mentioned before was Stronger Than Steel. This is a story of anticipation, and has not only a very sexy tone, but also a very romantic loving one. It’s about knowing your partner from the top of his head, to the tip of his toes and everything in-between. It’s about control, but comes from a very different perspective than many other submission stories that I have read. He needs to feel in control, but she is the one who actually controls the scene that unfolds as you read.
Whilst these stories were my favorite of the 69 they were by no means the only stories I enjoyed within this anthology. I enjoyed them all because in part they were all so different and proved that submission does not have to be simply tying someone down, but can take many, many forms. In this case 69 of them!
Don’t just take my word for it though. You can check out a whole host of other reviews which are taking part in The Big Book Of Submission tour by clicking HERE.
You can purchase your own copy of The Big Book Of Submission by clicking HERE
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