Hello fellow pervs and spankos!
This week, I’m taking a break from posting excerpts (stop cheering out there :/ ), and instead giving you a nice little list. I love lists.
You’ve been warned.
I’ve read a lot of erotic romance, and erotica, and just plain smut. Shit-tons of it. This list (which contains some of all three types of books) was TOUGH to put together. I like a lot of books:) But the list I came up with reflects my favorites. Hopefully, the few poor souls who actually read this post might find something new to read:)
And now, in no particular order are Trent’s Top Ten BDSM Books:
1. Owned And Owner by Anneke Jacob
Probably my all time favorite BDSM story, this book absolutely nails (heh) the concept of consensual non-consent, exploring it to its fullest — and sometimes disturbing — meaning. The depiction of prolonged orgasm denial here is unique, grueling, and hot.
2. Ice Queen/Mirror of My Soul by Joey W. Hill
Joey W. Hill is simply a treasure. With the possible exception of Anneke Jacob, no writer alive writes BDSM better than Ms. Hill. I could’ve picked nearly every novel from her body of work and included it in this list — she’s that good. However, the two part epic that is Ice Queen and Mirror of My Soul is her masterpiece. At once supernova hot, profoundly moving, and at times, harrowing, these books are the definitive example of BDSM erotic romance. Simply stunning.
3. Story of O by Pauline Reage
This unrelentingly dark, almost impenetrable book (along with The Sleeping Beauty trilogy) has become indispensable BDSM reading. It’s not hyperbole to say that all modern BDSM fiction owes this book a debt of gratitude. Story of O is incredibly erotic, thought-provoking, tragic, and ruthlessly subversive. This book is as courageous, and visionary, as it is intimate and shattering. All the superlatives you’ve read about this book are true. If you haven’t read it, stop reading this blog right now, and go buy it.
4. The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure
Though IMHO, the third book stumbles quite badly in places, the trilogy as a whole is a seminal, important, ground-breaking work of erotic art. Rarely can one say a work of dirty smut is also high art, but Anne Rice (writing as A.N. Roquelaure) accomplishes exactly that here, gifting the world with this incredible trilogy. In the world of BDSM erotic fiction, nobody has ever equaled her work in the Sleeping Beauty trilogy, and I’m not sure anyone ever will. As important as Story of O to all modern BDSM fiction. And holy shit did Anne Rice have GUTS when she wrote this.
5. The Reluctant Dom by Tymber Dalton
I’ve read this book twice, the second time to see if it packed the same freight train sized emotional wallop. If was even more powerful the second time around. How Ms. Dalton manages to make a book this hot also be uplifting and emotionally devastating is simply beyond my comprehension. Read the cavalcade of 5 star reviews on the Amazon listing. They all speak truth. You will not regret reading this amazing book — but you’ll be haunted by it for days afterward. If you haven’t read this book, please, I beg you — go read it.
6. Pets: Bach’s Story by Darla Phelps
This unassuming little sci-fi book turned out to be one of the hottest fucking books I’ve ever read. A total surprise to find something so hot, so well-written and well-conceived (though once I learned the real person behind the pseudonym, it wasn’t a surprise at all:) I immediately re-read this one to make sure it really was that awesome. Oh yes, it was.
7. The Territory Within by P. N. Dedeaux
Unapologetically male-oriented (and supremely politically incorrect) erotic fiction. This was both original in conception, and execution. If you like the idea of a male dominant’s dream world, with an entire society incorporating the sexual submission of women then you’re going to fucking love this book. I know I did. Intense, raw, fearless smut.
8. Hall of Infamy by Amanita Virosa
Another example of male-oriented erotica that I think many women would absolutely eat up. Perhaps one of the best written (and hottest) works of corporal punishment fiction I’ve ever read. This is not a romance — at all — but as long as you know that going in, you can enjoy the superb writing, crackling description, and incredible, unrelenting eroticism. I loved this book.
9. Prima by Carolyn Faulkner
This book skates the fine line between dub-con and non-con, and is an absolutely smoking hot example of corporal punishment D/s (borderline M/s, really) erotic romance. This one gets a lot of flack from readers who are taken aback by the intense BDSM (especially the pain), but it is definitely an erotic romance — and a satisfying one at that. If you like extensive, expertly described corporal punishment scenes, then you cannot go wrong with this red hot little tale.
10. The Handmaidens/Citadel of Servitude by Aran Ashe
These first two books of the Chronicles of Tormunil series (which really need to both be read in order for the events to make any semblance of sense), are admittedly an acquired taste. In many ways this is reminiscent of The Sleeping Beauty trilogy, though these books are far more obsessive (and exhaustive) with the exploration of the sexual journeys of the protagonists. On the surface, these are dark, even brutal, books, but in actuality, the slaves (for they are most definitely sex slaves) in these books aren’t brutalized … quite. Aran Ashe’s vision (and fascinating powers of description) needs to be experienced to be believed. I can’t guarantee you’ll like it — the series seems to be a love it or hate it proposition — but I can guarantee you’ve never read anything quite like it.
I’ll probably have a Son of Top Ten list someday soon, but until then, I hope this trip down the smut reading rabbit hole was at least illuminating, if not entertaining:)
Until next time.
Trent
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So that is A LOT of new books on my list! I love your snippets too though Trent so keep posting!!!
Thanks, Natasha. There are plenty more excerpts coming:) I’ve got more than I know what to do with…
Hey Mr. Evans – I think we all love lists, and this is quite a list. I’ve only read the Sleeping Beauty and Story Of O, and perhaps one day I’ll pick up some of the others here. Thank you for the insightful synopses.
Hey Maggie. Glad you liked the list. It was torture to narrow it down to ten; I had about twenty five books I wanted to cheerlead about. I’ll save those for the next list someday:)
I’m pouting. I wanted more of Lady and a Maid. I was all set to buy it this week and then Poof, my credit card was pulled because some ass-hat compromised my account so now I have to wait for new card.
I really like your list though. We’ve read a lot of the same books. Story of O- amazing read. Sleeping beauty trilogy-yup, loved it too.
The Reluctant Dom- powerful, unique, and highly emotional.
Pets- Bach’s story- Lovely age-play
Prima- Smoking!
As for the others… I will be checking them out : – )
Thanks for your suggestions, Trent
Hey LA. That sucks about the CC — hope it gets sorted soon! Let me know what you think of the other books when you read them. I know tastes are of course subjective, but I wish authors would talk more about books they love (and why they love them). I think authors are uniquely equipped to “get under the hood” and analyze exactly why a story is so good — plus I love discovering new books.
BTW, LA. E-mail me your Kindle address (or wherever you want me to send the .mobi) and I’ll send you a copy of Lady:)
Let’s see … should I go with unique, grueling and hot … or … intense, raw, fearless smut? So many choices, and I still haven’t finished what you have out. Seriously, if I put any more BDSM on my Kindle, it will explode 🙂
Oh I totally feel your pain vis-a-vis Kindle BDSM overload. Mine is choked with it — yet I keep buying more…
Well, I should’ve written more about Anneke’s masterpiece, but those who’ve followed me to any extent have probably already had their fill of me going all fanboi about her books. So, I mentioned the orgasm denial in Owned and Owner primarily as a warning. I found it uber hot — but plenty of people are repelled or even angered by it.
That said, there is SO MUCH more to the book than the orgasm denial (which is not permanent BTW; never fear — it’s just an — admittedly evil — method of control).
YMMV, of course.
I have shed loads of catching up to do… I’ve only read Anne Rice’s Beauty Trilogy (which is blooming good – I might add – though a bit fluffy in places LOL) but love your list. The Story of O is next on my reading list and numbers 5 and 6 look damn hot too. My Kindle will be in melt down. Hooray!
Both Pets and The Reluctant Dom are SO good. Just a warning though — if you read The Reluctant Dom, stock up on the tissues. You’re going to need every one of them. I’m not exaggerating in the least:)
Repelled and angered, that just kills me. Gotta throw down the Vonnegut quote here:
“Any reviewer who expresses rage and loathing for a novel is preposterous. He or she is like a person who has put on full armor and attacked a hot fudge sundae.”
Such a great Vonnegut quote. I still think he’s full of shit about the semicolon though.
I love semicolons.
Here, this is way better.
“Any reviewer who expresses rage and loathing for a novel is preposterous; he or she is like a person who has put on full armor and attacked a hot fudge sundae.”
Every time I see this quote I do a fist pump. Sweet take-down:)
I’ve read zero of those books! Guess I’d better get busy!
It’s quite a mix of books. Hope you find at least a couple that you like! I wish more authors would do top 10 (or top whatever lists). I cannot resist them:)
What a nice little list you’ve put together for us. A few I’ve read, and a few I’m curious about. Thank you for sharing.
Hope you find a good read or two, Jolynn:)
I always enjoy reading listings of favorites and of course books, being a passion, are on top of that list… Thank You for your listing here, along with the synopsis and reviews…
And I would add that I have read nine of your favorites here and have been a Tymber Dalton fan for some time… And in agreement with you, I would add that Her “The Reluctant Dom” is, in my opinion, a must read for the BDSM and Dominant and submissive Life-Styleist…
Great Post Trent and Thank You again for your kind words on my website this week…
You’re so very welcome, Joseph. It was the least I could do!
9 out of 10?!? Man, you’ve got good taste! The Reluctant Dom is just … it leaves you hollowed out emotionally, but at the same time, you completely lose yourself in the story, and the unforgettable characters. That book is just an amazing accomplishment.
I had my first husband buy me the set one Christmas of the Sleeping Beauty trilogy. I’ve read them a bunch of times and they are on the dungeon bookshelf. Can’t tell where I got my user name from though. 😉
I’d always wondered about that name, Beauty:)
Love the list! There are several I’m dying to read.
Thanks, Angela! I hope you find a few you love:)
Fantastic list! I’ve read some on there and I’m currently reading The Reluctant Dom, which I’m finding really, really amazing. I know the inevitable though (can we hope for a miracle cure?!) and I’m a little scared to get to the end. I’ll definitely have to check the others out at some point, too.
(Btw, hi! This is my first comment on your blog but I’ve been reading it since I first started the Her Troika series – which has to be one of my favourite erotica books ever, btw. I’m just coming to the end of part III so will be getting IV soon. It’s really engaging and your characters are really fleshed out. You have an exceptional writing for talent. Her Troika is my first of your books to read, but after I’ve finished it, I’ll definitely be looking into your other books. I was thrilled to find out there was another set in the Dominion Trust world.
I wanted to comment on your writing process post too, but I wasn’t able to for some reason. I just wanted to say how glad I am that you write by the seat of your pants, because I do as well, and it seemed everyone else planned or at least outlined! As you say, everyone writes how it works for them, but I did feel a little as though I was ‘doing it wrong’.
Sorry, this comment is going to be ever so long and I haven’t even introduced myself yet. I’m Athena, currently writing my first BDSM novel. It’ll be a long time before I’m anywhere near ready to publish, but I did want to emerge myself into the community in the meantime. I hope it’s okay that I’ve commented 🙂 I thought there was no better place to start than at the blog of an author I like.
Welcome, Athena!
TRD is such an incredible book. I can say with 100% certitude that it will change you. I know that sounds like hyperbole, but trust me, it will.
You’re very kind to say such nice things about Her Troika. I hope Parts IV and V are as enjoyable for you as the first three have been! There are several other books slated for release in 2014 and 2015 that are part of the Dominion Trust world — so stay tuned!
I wish more writers would talk about their writing processes, because I think there is a great exchange of ideas that occurs when writers share openly like this. We can all learn from one another.
Congratulations on working on your first novel! It’s equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking when you publish that first one, but I know you’ll love it:) What is the book about? If you feel like sharing an excerpt or two (and if you’ve got a blog up and running), please feel free to join the Dungeon Crawl blog hop we host through Romancing The Kink. The website for the hop has instructions for how to participate. If you’re interested, check it out here.
Thank you for introducing yourself, Athena. Happy to have you here:)
I have to say, dear Sir, that I stumbled upon this blog when I came across this particular post on GR and I just had to write because, although I’ve only read five out of your ten favorites all five are among my favorites. So… great, twisted minds, I guess… Now I’ve got five more on my TBR and it’s all your fault! I’ll get to it after I finish “What She’s Looking For”. I’m loving it! So, thank you.
As an aside, re your post with Athena, I totally agree about exchanging on the writing process. What a fascinating and sometimes ineffable phenomenon. I am a closeted writer (still quite comfortable there, for now) and am always googling writers and anything that can be found on their process. I am also a “pantster”. I’ve tried outlining and it has always killed the magic.
I’ve never read Nora Roberts but I think she is credited with what people across the interwebs call the SFD (shitty first draft) – the idea being that when an idea descends upon you, run it down and ride that bugger like the wind to the very end. Don’t stop, don’t doubt, don’t edit. That comes next. But everyone is different. Nabokov was famous for meticulously planning every single step on cue cards before laying down a word! And… well… Lolita is nothing to scoff at. So, good luck Athena, and have a blast with your first novel!
As a matter of interest, Daily Rituals – How Artists Work by Mason Currey is a fun, if static little compilation of 161 artists on how they create (or avoid creating!) and The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp (a genius choreographer) explores the creative process in a fascinating way and the advice definitely transcends dance. Oh, and Stephen King “On Writing”. Pretty cool stuff. But you probably know all of this already 🙂
Now, I think I’m going to go read up on your 30 days of kink!
Hi Layla. What a wonderful comment! I apologize for my delay in responding to you.
I agree that there are many ways to produce a book. I certainly see value in both pantsing and outlining. I’ll probably try outlining something one day, just to see if my brain can even handle it:) Thank you for the kind words on What She’s Looking For. I hope that once you’ve finished it, you can still say that you loved it!
You’re going to read my 30 Days of Kink too? Well, hopefully you won’t be shocked by it, but it’s definitely … unflinching:)
Now, you must tell me which of the five books you’ve already read. What did you think of them?