Reviews

The Point catapults us into Hugh’s dark world. He’s a tormented soul, prey to his own carnal desires. Solitude-seeking Elizabeth, a hospital doctor, hardly seems the type of female who’d bond with a vampire. But she arrives on his land, delicately picking her way through the tall grass, until she wrenches an ankle. Then it’s a bit like Jane Eyre’s first meeting with Mr Rochester but this time with the woman needing help. And help is what Elizabeth receives although she doesn’t twig that her rescuer has more than a little of the night about him.

Hugh’s speech is an endearingly strange mix of contemporary and stilted, perfect for a guy well into his second century. And I’m not talking cricket scores here. His clothes intrigue Elizabeth but she assumes he’s either eccentric or dressed to party. She’s in shock and juggling concern for her personal safety whilst acknowledging the powerful attraction between herself and her mysterious rescuer.

Sexual tension’s far harder to achieve than the committing of the act to the page. The scene where Hugh helps Elizabeth strip off her wet clothing resonates like the slow plucking of guitar strings. The unlikely couple conduct her undressing almost as if they’re partners in some courtship rite. Dressing her in a Victorian gown is a deft touch and triggers the unleashing of her sexuality.

After she returns to work her suspicions are aroused when a young woman’s admitted for treatment. Elizabeth’s civilised world collides with Hugh’s sinister domain when she follows a lead and confronts him. Lush descriptions of blood dripping, juices flowing and good intentions dissolving inhabit The Point. It’s not just a vampire story. It’s a story of lust and love. And that, my friend, is too potent a combination to resist.

Restoration is an intriguing title. The story has a swift lead-in as the statue of Priapus, god of fertility, is discovered with even his most significant feature intact after being obscured at the bottom of a Turkish garden for who knows how long.

Theresa is the restorer who gets to remove the detritus of decades so that this impressive artefact can be seen in all its original glory. As she warms to her task, her chief, Doctor Browning, oversees proceedings. He too becomes fascinated as grime vanishes and Priapus blossoms beneath the delicate touch of. Theresa’s fingers.

But this is a red-blooded woman, currently sex-starved. Tending Priapus titillates her to such an extent that she fantasizes about his tongue darting out and… I’ll leave the rest for you to read and enjoy. I have a strong feeling that Priapus approves of Theresa. Her way of saying goodnight to the stone deity is to run a hand over his moss-laden main attribute. This measures almost a foot and she can’t encircle it with a single hand. Hmm…

The sexual cauldron bubbles as Theresa becomes so turned on at work one day that she’s masturbating when she’s interrupted by Doctor B. He seems strangely affected by the presence of the stone deity who surely, if he were returned to flesh and blood form, would be a super stud beyond belief?

Not even at home is Theresa safe from her fantasies and frustration. She weaves a steamy web around an awesome threesome, imagining both the stone god and the doctor pleasuring her. There’s great imagery here as the contrast between the cold, hard stone of the statue and the warm, soft flesh of the humans is explored. Theresa has the doctor telling her she’s a slut so we have the grimy statue, the dirty girl and the plummy-voiced doctor also getting down and dirty. Great stuff. But it’s not actually happening yet and boy, do I want it to.

There’s another edgy day at the office. Sexual tension ratchets up when Dr B calls in to check progress. After all, he’s eager to have Priapus gracing the museum’s exhibition hall and wowing the punters. Theresa is a driven woman, losing sleep and weight, as she strains to complete her task

When Priapus is finally revealed in his full glory, Dr B reveals his secret yearning and loses his clothes and his inhibitions. Mutual admiration for the fertility god fuels a fantastic showpiece where frustration and lust dissolve into joyful satisfaction.

A feast for voyeurs as Karla expresses the craving that so many young (and older) women face. The whole episode made me feel as if Karla was a friend, emailing her titillating adventure to me. Like Hugh Grant in Four Weddings, she inadvertently witnesses a ‘live sex show’. Unlike Hugh Grant, she's so turned on that she reacts in a significant way. Sound effects colour this high-intensity woodland scenario. Our senses up to High Doh, we can only hope that Karla receives what she's longing for when a gorgeous stranger knocks on her tree trunk. Enjoyment factor: 11/10.

How we feel for Anna. Keeping a stiff upper lip, when she's cold, wet and in need of TLC…haven’t we all been there? Though hopefully not on a deer-stalking bonding exercise as this poor babe in the wood is. But she finds solace with a hunk. Result! He isn’t fazed when she knocks at his door and swiftly suggests she removes her sodden clothing. Mission accomplished, it’s no holds barred as these two strangers, united by a stroke of fate, get acquainted in the hottest possible way. We're left hoping Anna hangs out in Greg’s cabin as long as it suits them both.

Fang Bangers: An Erotic Anthology of Fangs, Claws, Sex and Love (Kindle Edition)

Shattered Resistance by Lucy Felthouse `Fang Bangers' has something for everyone who savours dark and erotic writing. Think bittersweet chocolates, each with a rich, creamy filling. Think hot black coffee laced with a heady liqueur that trickles down your throat and awakens your entire body. Prepare to fly high but also to be grounded. Pinned down maybe by a fabulous creature whose trappings of fur and claws dissolve to reveal the kind of body that you dream of possessing. Or of being possessed by...?

The backdrops to these stories range from luxury residence to no-frills hotel room: from lush forest to sleazy bar. There's a poignant theme of restless souls seeking satisfaction and the stories mentioned below highlight what's on offer in this impressive collection.

In Shattered Resistance, Suzy stalks Dane, a guy she describes as dangerous, sexy and immortal. Suzy is driven by desire and determination. Two irresistible forces lead to one fascinating story as strong wills clash. Ah, did I mention dishy Dane's a vampire to die for?

Mate Run is old as time and fresh as today. It's a shape-shifting, lip-licking, evocative story with a strong love theme which will appeal to the romantics among us. It also has a high erotic charge.

If you thought Dane the vampire was a dish, you'll also thrill to The Best Man in the story of that name. This is a great example of two people's yearnings being fulfilled as nature girl meets werewolf.

Fixation will send a shiver down your spine as well as blast you with growly jungle heat. While Love Bites: A Survival Guide is a cleverly-constructed and comprehensive take on love in a world that defies reason.

With fourteen stories to dip into, there's plenty to please everyone. So bring on the va-va-vampires. Zoom in on the zombies. Sit back and let your imagination send you running with the wild ones. In our world where electronic devices control civilization, maybe we especially need a taste of beings beyond our comprehension.

Toni Sands