Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 3 (Best Women's Erotica Series)

When I see Rachel Kramer Bussel’s name on the cover of a book, I expect great things, and I was not disappointed with her latest offering.This volume celebrates diversity in both character and content, but the most refreshing aspect for me was the way each female protagonist discovered something new about herself. Whether she found inner strength, a new appreciation for her body, or celebrated her desire without shame, reading about these characters’ emotional growth made me feel empowered.This is exactly the type of erotica I would like to see more of: strong women unafraid to be themselves. No more shrinking submissives, billionaire worshippers, or ‘good girls’ who say yes but want to say no. Give me substantial chicks who know what they want and go after it, please.Before I get to the stories I enjoyed most, I must admit that I’m picky about short-form erotic fiction. While I don’t expect the piece to start off with a ‘bang’, (pun intended), I don’t want a lot of backstory. In a novel, yes, but in a 9-pager? No. I would rather you drew me in with a good set-up that contains sexy details.Speaking of sex, I adore writers who take care in describing physical sex acts. Who understand the human body and that limbs only bend in one direction. Who announce when people are getting naked because clothing does not magically dissolve. Who use snappy dialogue that tells me more about the character while moving the plot forward.A few of the chapters failed the above parameters, but I refuse to mention which ones. Fiction is an art form, and art is subjective. What I love, you might abhor. Instead, I would like to highlight just a few (and I enjoyed a great majority of them) of the stories that stole my heart.In order of appearance:“The Birthday Gift” by Abigail BarnetteA perfect way to begin, this story knocked me out with its unique plot and likeable characters. Great flow, attention to detail, and just damn sexy!“Watch Me Come Undone” by August McLaughlinAugust McLaughlin did not waste a single word and captured more complex emotion in 8 pages than some writers do in 8 chapters. Simple. Elegant. Wow!“A Stolen Story” by Leandra VaneThe first paragraph drew me in immediately, but it was the paranormal aspect that I loved most. A sexy ghost story? Yes!“Guyliner and Garters” by B.B. SanchezPure delight from start to finish. I love B.B.’s author voice and her effervescent characters. (I’m also a sucker for guyliner but that’s beside the point!)“The Skin of Someone Else” by Charlotte SteinHands down, one of the best erotic shorts I’ve ever read, with an ending that brought tears to my eyes. Just beautiful!“Infused Leather” by Dr. J.A retired sex therapist, Dr. J. was the perfect person to conquer the subject of abuse and redemption, and she did it with great care and love. Uplifting. Joyous. Empowering!I give Best Women’s Erotica of the Year Volume 3 a five-star rating and a very enthusiastic recommendation.

This is the first book of Erotica I have ever read and I bought this based on the many good reviews. I think what I didn't like most of all was the many different types of stories, some involving lesbians or threesomes or bondage, whatever you want to call it. And I am not making a judgement against these things. But as a heterosexual woman I have no interest in reading stories that involve any of these types of relationships. Some of the stories were well written and some of them were just impossible to believe. I was often wondering how they got from one point to another because the writing did not explain that well. I too just did not even finish some of the stories. This book reminds me of some of the movies that are made now that try to appeal to every possible audience, from little kids to adults. Most of the time that just doesn't work. Why not put together a book of stories geared toward a particular audience and stick to that? How come no one ever writes stories about monogamous heterosexual couples that are romantic and steamy at the same time?

Please note: I received an advance copy and voluntarily chose to review.So I will say up front that I would have purchased this book had I not been given a copy. I may still need a Kindle copy so that I can carry it around with me. I’ve read the first two collections, and I was thrilled to know that this one was coming.Rachel Kramer Bussel has a talent for finding fresh voices in erotica, and fresh takes on women’s pleasure. The stories in this collection are no exception! They take on gender roles, bondage, and poly-play, along with the things that many women struggle with, like body image and age. These stories are empowering, interesting, evocative, and most of all, so hot they might melt your Kindle. Every one hit me in a different way, even those that didn’t seem, on the surface, to be something I’d search out. I particularly adored Rachel Woe’s “Weightless”, about a woman who’s reinventing herself after a bad breakup, and B.B. Sanchez’s “Guyliner and Garters”, a story of a Halloween costume party that brings two people closer together than they’d expected. Your favorites might be different, but I’m certain you’ll find one you love.Erotica, done well - as Ms Bussel’s collections always are - is one of my not-so-guilty pleasures, and I’ll continue to search them out. If you’re looking for a good, steamy read that won’t take too much time, I highly recommend this collection (and the first and second volumes as well). You won’t be disappointed!

Well written stories that are interesting but a bit average. I find Black Lace more my style of erotica.

Pretty blasé. Seems quite ameature, not as overly pornagraphic, but as lacking in writer’s abilities; description of characters, actions, scenarios - pretty mundane.