BOOK REVIEW - The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance

[Mike]

The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance by Sonia Florens (Editor) © 2011
Running Press ISBN: 978-0-7624-4266-9 544 Pages $13.95
(U.S.) $16.50 (Canada) Kindle Edition $7.99 (U.S.)

Okay guys, you may want to turn away from the screen at this time.
This is intended for the fans of the “bodice ripper” genre of
writing. Statistically, I am sure, that will include more members of
the fairer sex than the more macho members of the community. Please
note, however, that I am aware that love of romance stories is not
restricted by gender, it's just really hard to avoid thinking in
stereotypes when dealing with this topic.

The day (or night) of the discretely drawn curtain, or the closed door
just before the “Happily Ever After” is gone. We have become, for
better or worse, a more permissive, sensual society and no longer shy
away from the realities of the bedroom (or kitchen, or forest, or the
backseat of the car – you get the drift here). This is a collection
of twenty five short stories, which means twenty five forays into the
minds of authors. It also means multiple ways of seeing the “boy
meets/meats girl” scenario.

I got this book because one of my favorite authors (Adrienne Brennan)
has story in it, and I wanted to review it. Little did I know what I
was letting myself in for. Adrienne writes supernatural erotica, and
I expected hers to be one of the few supernatural-themed stories in
the book. In fact, there were lots of stories with a supernatural
slant. This is most definitely an “R” (or even “X”) rated book and is
inappropriate for those who are not yet members of the adult
generation.

The stories with a supernatural slant range from the demonic to
vampires; from were-wolves to angels. Some of them seem almost
plausible while others strain the credulity of the average reader. No
matter where on the spectrum the story fell, however, they all
delivered on their promise of hot romance.

Although there were a variety of writing styles the emphasis is
consistently on the “hot” aspect of romance (or at least physical
lovemaking). There is no real effort for subtlety in these stories,
and if you are simply interested in well-written erotica, this is one
of a series of books published by this company which can fulfill your
desire. If, on the other hand, you find erotica offensive – why are
you even reading this review?

Suffice it to say that this is a book to be savored. Take your time
and enjoy each of the stories. Don't rush through them. Each story
is a delight to read. The occasional editing glitch didn't even slow
me down (and normally that throws me off my pace), nor will you most
likely even notice them.

Adrienne's contribution (Love Under Will) was up to her usual high
standards, and posed some interesting philosophical questions. Do
The Powers That Be have an enforcement division? How do you deal with
rebellious angels? How can an angel rebel? - they don't have free
will.

The remaining authors have opened my eyes to a bunch of writers I will
be looking for periodically. To be honest, erotica is fun, but it
isn't what I usually find crossing my desk, so I don't expect to
reviewing too many books in this category – although there are a
couple of others (The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance and The
Mammoth Book of Erotica) may at least show up for personal reading.