Best Women's Erotica 2004

I buy this book every year, and I take my time reading the stories. There are always one or two that don't do much for me, but the vast majority are beautifully written, emotionally charged stories by women who understand what erotica really is. These are stories with depth first, sex second. Truly a keeper -- the one is no exception to Sheiner's excellent assembly of writers.

As an avid reader of good erotica I am ashamed to say that this was my first foray into Marcy Sheiner's "Best" series. I am glad, however, that I did. Among the twenty selections were gems by well known vets of the genre as well as a few fresh faces on the erotic literary scene. There were stories that I devoured right away... Adhara Laws thoughtful and amusing "Menage a Cart," Maria Elana de la Selva's sharp and poignant "Cutting Loose..."Others I saved for more leisurely days... Helena Settimana's graceful "What She Was Thinking," and Danielle Smith's wonderful "Brushing Back The Years...."I took Sacchi Green's "Alternate Lives" to bed with me one cold, rainy night having started and stopped it more than once. It quickly proved to be one of my favorites in the collection with memorable characters, a gripping story line and smart, sexy writing that will stay with me for many nights to come. And the most memorable and perhaps the greatest testament to author's willing to go there, Tenille Brown's touching "Dissolve" which explores one couples dramatic shift in relationship dynamics on the morning of one of the nation's greatest tragedies and Susan St. Aubin's thought provoking tale of what might have been in the case of two high profile extramarital affairs in the world of politics in "A Love Drive-By."While the collection proved satisfying enough, I felt it could have stood to be a bit more diverse and there was a story or two that made me question what about it made it "Best." I do recommend it to lovers of good, good erotic writing.