Holy Crap! Let's get Down and Dirty, shall we?


This anthology by Max Vos is hot. There are no two ways about it. In fact, it's hot, raunchy, sexy, steamy and a little wicked. And sometimes, if you pay attention, it's also sweet, cute and tender.

I'm not going to review each story separately. I'll tell you all about my favorites, though:

Hawk 'n' Harley is one beautiful gem. Like I said, hot and dirty. But also very real, and sweet and so touching. I read it more than once, and still get all jiggly and happy inside while reading.

And in A Walk On The Beach, Max Vos takes us with him through the days of an established couple. Two men very much in love, who found each other, love each other, and still are each others everything. It was very touching, very heart-warming, and in a special way, hopeful. You have to experience it, because describing this feeling is almost impossible.

To sum it up: Read it! May Vos has a very unique writing style, that can differ greatly from story to story. But what all of his characters have in common? They are good and loveable just the way they are. Not matter what they look like, how they behave, what they like or what they fear - in the end, they are capable of love and worthy of it, because they are real, flaws and all. And sexy as fuck, I'll give you that. But that never hurt anyone, right?

Huh...


I'm not sure about this one. I liked the idea behind it and how the prompt came to life through the characters. But, come oooon. Sex on a rock out in the open when there's a killer hot on your heels? One of the worst the cartel could have sent? Puhleeease. Just no.

While I enjoyed the crime/suspense story line, the romance felt a little rushed and forced to me. The epilogue was... meh. I guess, I liked it, but not more than that.

Merlin is Robert Nye's irreverent, raunchy and often lyrical (Nye's a poet) take on the Arthur legend. Many scenes reminded me of John Boorman's "Excalibur." To take one example: Arthur and Mordred's fight at their last battle:

Mordred in black armour rode to kill the king. King Arthur ran at Mordred with his spear so that the spear went right through Mordred's body and out the other side.

"Father! My father!" Mordred cries. He thrusts himself forwards along the spear that is killing him. He drags himself on. He crawls slowly, hanging by his wound. He hauls himself inch by inch to reach the king (p. 210).

If you've seen Boorman's film, that should bring to mind the very similar point where Arthur and Mordred meet in battle:



Which is not say that the book (first published in 1978) and the movie (1981) are at all alike. They are very different versions of the Once and Future King's reign.

I came across this book while perusing Merlin's page on Wikipedia. If you prefer your Arthur legends more respectful in tone and execution (and less sexually explicit, e.g., "Sir Gawain and the Sleeve Job"), then this book is not for you. However, I found it enjoyable and would recommend it.

In the month of february I read 4 books, a graphic novel and listened to an audio book. It was a good reading month. I enjoyed all six, some more than others. 

The Standouts 

Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Aya: Love In Yop City by Marguerite Abouet

The Just Ok

Manor Of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Raunchy 3 was an over the top, fast paced, drama filled read of ratchetness. Ms. Styles has a great imagination and one would assume that the "over the top" scenes are written with the OMG factor in mind. She definitely knows how to conceptualize and produce page turners. You won't be bored with her books, I guarantee it!