Book Review The XXX Files Episode 1

The XXX Files Episode 1

Lexi Maxxwell
ASIN: B007QM9NW6

You can get a copy of this book for free here. 

"They stayed for a few more minutes asking questions that led nowhere. Brad couldn't shake the feeling that Willow was hot for him - like scorching. He woudn't say anything to Grayson since she would've thought it was his ego yelling like it always did, but there was something more and he could feel it. Sure, Brad thought most girls were hot for him because they usually were , but he could practically smell it on Willow Monroe"

I'd be interested in some other other opinions of this first book of this series. Lexi Maxxwell is a competent writer, though I am guessing (this is the first of her books I have read) that she is a man, so the book has a flavour of trying to cynically dupe the reader right from the start. It's not that I have a problem reading erotica written by a man, nor do I have a problem with alternate identities when writing erotica, It's just that Lexi herself (in the blurbs about her and in the forward) reads like a male fantasy, and while that has its place, its a stereotype that has been done to death, and can be a little dull in its transparency, particularly when it lacks irony. The XXX files was capably written (typo in the first line of the book not withstanding) but it seemed like a young male saying "erotica will make me rich because I'm smarter than everyone else" right from the start. 

The tone is very brash and much more suited to a 1950's gangster parody than a piece of X Files fan fiction, and I would have preferred, Lexi choose one or the other, rather than combine the two, as I think the separate genres could comfortably be different series. There is no X Files tone here at all. Having said all that, if you can get past those problems, it is an engaging piece of writing, with a strong plot line, and interesting side characters. 

The main character. Brad Hammer is a bit dull, and again a total stereotype (just how many references to enormous penis' do there have to be in erotica, plus his obvious performance anxieties barely masked by his incessant bragging are a bit of a cold shower) and it would have improved the novella greatly if we'd had a chance to hear from his female counterpart, Grayson a little more. Her perspective was missing and more of that right from the start would have lessened the sledge hammer approach of the main character. According the plot line, a persuasive drug that seduces everyone unconditionally into wild (pedestrian) sex scenarios is does not affect her at all, and seeing as random women in bars, or even women not physically present race toward this man tearing their clothes off, it seems odd that his partner doesn't even register and seems to just fade out of the story. 

The XXX Files is free, and I'd be really keen to hear what other people have to say about this novella. It's a fast read and some of the sex scenes are titillating. If you have a read, let me know what you think in the comments below. 

The Bucket List: Part Two - Caught. Book review

The Bucket List Part Two: Caught

Author Annie Oakfield
Publisher: Steam eReads
ISBN: 978-0-9875982-6-4

The Bucket List part two: Caught is a very nice follow on from the first book, except this time Annie Oakfield toys with a more traditional fantasy. The Bucket List Part two: Caught is still a very imaginative read, even if the premise is one we might all recognize and perhaps even have our own fantasies about.

I don't want to give a plot spoiler, because if you don't know what's coming, its a lot more fun. However, this book is more sexually transgressive than the previous one, actually moving deeper into the realms of sex, and using more graphic language. Unlike the first, this novella focuses more on the sexuality than the relationship between the two women, however these two characters are so artfully drawn by Oakfield, I was really starting to wish I had a friend like Amber.

In sexual terms, this is a version of a BDSM style with menage and lesbian themes. The sex is darker and does play at the edges of permissions, in a safe sane and consensual way. Oakfield uses characterization and her talent for delving deep into a psyche to create a mix of feelings around the idea of "permission" which is something all women can relate to. Just what are you saying yes to when you say yes, and what does it mean to trust someone when you're pushing boundaries in sex?

What the novella doesn't do is explore more of the relationship between Amber and Lucy, and I would have liked a little more of that, but as a fan of the series, I'm assuming that will get played out with more depth in later works. It is tempting to ask how Lucy got herself into this, although we have a general idea, the way the relationships is organised is vague. But there is no mistake that this is a deliberate ploy to draw us closer to the overarching narrative by Oakfield, as we are often given little teasers of insights into the connection between the two women. She knows what she is doing when she draws us in by the nose.

The Bucket List Part two: Caught is every bit as fun as the first, with a little more salt on the lips, perhaps. The first was a steady and satisfying warm up to what Oakfield had in mind, and if the current trajectory is any indicator, future books will spice us off into orbit. 

The First Taste is Free - A Pixie Chix Review

The First Taste is Free

Zephyr Indigo
Publisher: Indie
ASIN:  B00AB9RC2E
Tags: Fantasy, Lesbian sex, hot, short story
Heat Level: Super spicy


“Being friends with a Pixie is like living in a candy store, except the shelves are lined with every flavour of sex… and there’s still lots of candy!”  —  Plutarius the Wise
(quote taken directly from Zephyr Indigo's website)

The irrepressible Zephyr Indigo is one of those marvellously creative people who take the great time, effort and courage to self publish, including killer covers that made me want to grab the book off the e shelf and dive right in. How do I know how extraordinary these people are? I am one myself (cue big grin). However, what I am not, in any way, is intimate with Pixies and Faeries.

Now, having read the first book in the Pixie Chix series (what a great name) I am wishing I was more familiar, and intending to become so by continuing my reading. Zephyr has created a magical world in the snow that I am keen to revisit. 

The First Taste is Free is actually free, making a very nice meta-narration on what happens in the book against Zephyr's relationship with her readers. Felicia is a vampire, wandering the woods, running from her history, and naturally avoiding the fact that she brought her problems with her. Soon she meets the deliciously named Mint, who with an arched brow and a seductive swagger, lures the hungry (in more ways than one) vampire to meet a Goddess. 

Soon, Felicia discovers the strangeness in her world has only just begun. 

The only problem with The First Taste is Free is that it is over too quick. Zephyr writing is a tad rushed, but to be fair, this is the teaser book - very short (I feel like a cheat calling it "read" on goodreads) and meaty with info rather than heavy on characterisation. Zephyr is concentrating on building a world here, and its up to the reader to let themselves disappear. 

The First Taste is Free does, however leave you wanting more. And is that really a problem?

To find out more about the gorgeous Zephyr Indigo, hop onto her website.