Carnal Machines: Steampunk Erotica [Paperback]

D. L. King (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 2011

The Victorians wrote some of the best and most enduring erotica. For such a tightly-laced age, people spent a lot of time thinking about things carnal. Jules Verne, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Shelley, H.G. Wells, et al enthralled us with their visions of new possibilities. The rich and slightly decadent visuals of the steam age lend themselves perfectly to the new carnality of post-punk era. And, of course, what is repressed will be even more exciting once the corset is unlaced. Steampunk, even without sex, is erotic; with sex, it’s over-the-top hot. A widowed lady engineer invents a small device that can store the energy from sexual frustration and convert it to electricity to help power a home. Teresa Noelle Roberts shows us what it can do, confronted with sexual fulfillment. What volume of steampunk would be complete without a tale of sailing ships and the men who sail them? If your taste runs to sexy pirates in space, Poe Von Page will delight you with the mutinous crew of the Danika Blue and their new captain.

Then there’s the very special room on the top floor in the House of the Sable Locks, a brothel where sexually discriminating men go to have their fantasies fulfilled. Even if a man daren’t put those fantasies into words, Elizabeth Schechter’s “Succubus” will give the madam all the information she needs with which to make her clients happy. There are brothels, flying machines, steam-powered conveyances, manor houses, spiritualist societies. The following stories afford intelligently written, beautifully crafted glimpses into other worlds, where the Carnal Machines won’t fail to seduce you, get you wet or make you hard so, lie back, relax; a happy ending is guaranteed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An inventive, sexy twist on an up-and-coming genre."
"Hot, Victorian repression being let loose on every page."
"Harnessing a young man's libido to power the house—brilliant."
—Independent Publisher Awards Judges, 2012

"It is hard to review an anthology, because you might not like all the stories equally or all the authors equally enough to give a rating. However, I loved all the stories in this book, which uses modern technology in some form or other in each story. It may not be modern as we know it, but with the machines built for pleasure seeking Victorian era prudishness, we see Queen Victoria couldn’t hold back sensuality and sexuality as much as most people might have wished or believed. Carnal Machines is a great collection of stories, with widely varied ideas from widely varied authors. I think you will enjoy it."
—Manic Readers

"It’s a really good fun, well written anthology which is completely different to anything I’ve ever read before. [...] if you’re looking for something sexy and very different, look no further. Carnal Machines is a decadent and unique read that’s well worth adding to your to be read list."
—Lucy Felthouse for Erotica for All.co.uk


"So, if you're looking something sexy and very different, look no further. Carnal Machines is a decadent and unique read that's well worth adding to your to be read list."
—Blogcritics


"Carnal Machines is a wonderful exploration of erotica in the Steampunk genre. I've read a fair amount of Steampunk erotica and this book, edited by D L King, is one of the best out there. The stories all embody the genre perfectly. Each one shines as a glimpse into a Victorian world that might have been if things had gone just a wee bit differently and in some cases magically. The characters and worlds of the various authors pull you in so well it's a shock when the story ends. You don't want to let go, you want to continue on and find out what else happens in these worlds. As I mentioned, I've read a lot of Steampunk erotica and most fail to catch the feel or the atmosphere of the genre. Carnal Machines nails it, this is what Steampunk erotica should be. This is definitely a book for the keeper shelf and one to read over and over with your favorite Airship Pirate or Mad Scientist. This one gets a 5 and a recommended read."
—Night Owl Reviews

"It would be easy to get lost in the devices of this ersatz era – they could so easily steal the show – but it is that the tales don’t do this that makes the collection shine. I’m a firm believer in the strength of narrative in erotica, and it’s obvious the authors in this anthology are cut from similar cloth. The devices are indeed carnal, but it’s the characters who take you there."
—Erotica Revealed

From the Back Cover

Full Power Erotica

For such a tightly laced age, Victorians spent a lot of time thinking about things carnal—proving, of course, that what is repressed will be even more exciting once the corset is unlaced. In Carnal Machines, D.L. King has curated stories by outstanding contemporary erotica writers who use the enthralling possibilities of the 19th century steam age to tease and titillate in a decadent fusing of technology and romance.

In Teresa Noelle Roberts' "Human Powered," a widowed lady engineer invents a small device that can store the energy from sexual frustration to provide total satisfaction. Poe Von Page delights with a crew sailing the solar winds of space, in unusual service to their new captain in "Mutiny on the Danika Blue."

Carnal Machines takes you to another world filled with brothels, flying machines, steam-powered sex toys, manor houses and spiritualist societies—even Doctor Watson makes a house call. Fantastic, fantasy-filled and stoked to full power, Carnal Machines is a steamy read that guarantees many happy endings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Cleis Press (April 12, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573446548
• ISBN-13: 978-1573446549
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #689,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Carnal Machines-popping my steampunk cherry July 5, 2011

By Beth Wylde

Format:Paperback

Carnal Machines-edited by DL King (review by Beth)Steampunk is gaining a lot of visibility lately. It's a hot genre right now and seems to be popping up in a lot of places, as both book releases and calls for submissions. I have to admit a bit of ignorance on this front though because I have never read nor written any Steampunk. I think one of the main reasons for that is because I rarely, if ever, write straight m/f pairings, and though the idea of combining Victorian technology with somewhat contemporary settings, a dash of sci-fi flare and scalding hot sex intrigues me, most of what I have seen is strictly in the male/female realm or lacks any real spice and alternative lifestyle content. So up until now I have bypassed the Steampunk phenomenon completely. Not anymore though.

When I saw the release info for Carnal Machines I knew I'd find at least one or two stories that would tantalize my kinky taste buds. DL King is known for putting together high quality anthologies and her willingness to include alternative pairings and content is one of the reasons I follow her work. I wasn't disappointed. So join me on my virgin journey into the world of Steampunk and a book filled with diversity in every way imaginable.

As with most anthologies some stories will really grab you and others may not. I'm going to highlight just a bit of each story and then urge you to pick up the book and find your own favorites.

The first story in the book really caught my attention. Human Powered, by Teresa Noelle Roberts. I love a strong female character that knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it. It's a storyline we don't normally see in m/f stories, but Teresa definitely delivered it in this one. I laughed out loud at some of the one liners in this piece. Teresa has a wonderful sense of humor and isn't afraid to use it to get her character's points across. Her main female character Claire is witty and strong-willed and determined to make her invention a success. She isn't afraid to ask for help but she definitely isn't the type to stand back and let a man take over either. The sex in the end is hotter than hell too. DL King picked a perfect story to kick things off. If the wedding package the two scientific geniuses plan to create ever becomes available in real life I will be first in line at the justice of the peace just to get one.

In The Servant Question, Janine Ashbless gives us a wonderfully sordid tale of a inventor who is willing to do anything to please his clients in order to achieve higher social status. He gets quite a surprise when he answers a desperate plea for help and discovers what type of chores his tireless housemaid is really being used for.

Renee Michaels presents, Sleight of Hand. A criminal reuniting of two wayward scientists in love and in lust.

For the Femdom enthusiasts we get Poe Von Page's, Mutiny on the Danika Blue.

For those of us with decidedly kinkier tastes Kannan Feng gives us a wicked little tale of bisexuality and voyeurism in Deviant Devices.

Jay Lawrence shows us that The Perfect Girl isn't always so perfect.

The medical fetishists among us will thoroughly enjoy Delilah Devlin's, Dr. Mullaley's Cure. If visiting the doctor was that enjoyable none of us would complain about the bills. I also find virgin stories especially delightful and Delilah's Nurse Percy is an adorable mix of curious and naive mixed together.

The surprising, somewhat trans slant Lisabet Sarai entertains us with in, Her Own Devices, was definitely a highlight of the book.

As always Kathleen Bradean delivers high quality smut and some kick ass female domination in Lair of the Red Countess. I'm not normally a femdom fan but this one got me hot and bothered.

The Infernal Machine by Elias A. St. James captured my attention from the beginning with the sexual innuendo of the opening paragraph.
It is also the only m/m story in the book and i love well written gay erotica. If one sexy man is good then two together is most definitely better!

Doctor Watson Makes a House Call for Essemoh Teepee and this time Sherlock Holmes is neither wanted nor needed. Dr. Watson performs just fine on his own.

The Treatment by DL King is a naughty little story of two gentlemen and their tea time encounter with the domineering Miss Li. Electrical engineering takes on a whole new meaning. Now I know how i want to light up my own house. Screw the electric company.

Lucifer Einstein and the Curious Case of the Carnal Contraption by Tracey Shellito is a title reminiscent of a Nancy Drew mystery only, to my knowledge, Nancy never went in search of suddenly appearing sex toys. The interviews Luci and her partner engage in are both entertaining and arousing and laced with an underlying humor only a great author can pull off. Every morning I check my front porch in hopes of receiving my own mystery package.

The final tale in the book is Elizabeth Schechter's, The Succubus. A wonderful way to end an action packed anthology full of carnal delight. The combination of Victorian debauchery with a decidedly BDSM slant topped things off nicely. ^_^

For steampunk fans both new and old this is one book you should add to your TBR pile asap.

Beth
[...]

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Steam Heat! May 30, 2011

By Nan A

Format:Paperback

The gleam of brass, the fragrant warmth of leather, the hiss of steam. "Carnal Machines," a new anthology of steam-punk erotica edited by D.L. King, offers many delights in the genre, along with some surprises. The stories in this collection delve beneath the staid Victorian manners and binding corsets that are a staple of the genre to explore machinery that is bent on pleasure with scientific fervor.

A sense of mystery pervades many of these stories. A robot in hiding in women's clothing, a woman disguised in men's attire, a scientist who prefers to observe his subjects from a distance, a complicated machine whose mechanism waits to be discovered. I really enjoyed following the dual levels of the story: both as a mystery and as an arousing experience. There are many different discoveries here, as well as a variety of pairings to suit any taste. The stories are hot enough to make the reader squirm; I discovered that I needed to read it in private, rather than out by the pool.

The fine storytelling of Lisabet Sarai ("Her Own Devices") and Kathleen Bradean ("Lair of the Red Countess") are always a delight. I find myself falling into the details of the story and wanting it to continue. The final piece, "The Succubus" by Elizabeth Schechter, puts the whole concept in the perspective of the machine, which is very compelling.

D.L. King has put together yet another fine collection, one that continues to engage the reader and arouse on many levels. I enjoyed savoring each of the stories.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Stoke the Steam for Sex April 21, 2011

By o-gal

Format:Paperback

Wow, "Carnal Machines'" cover is so seductive! People always say you can't judge a book by its cover, and I agree. But when the cover is supremely awesome, it can make you want to pick up the book. And I certainly did--I was drawn right in.

I have no background with steampunk, and in fact, I apparently had no idea what that meant. I have never seen an actual steampunk machine (to my knowledge) so I learned a lot from this anthology. The book takes you to the Victorian era with its mixed-message prudery and sexual focus and exploration. The idea of a steam-powered sex machine is intriguing, especially to someone who grew up in the era of solar-powered vibrators.

I have always been fascinated with the idea of the treatment of so-called female hysteria, and this collection delves deeply. Corsets, vapors, chemises, and endless skirts area featured in various settings, such as the home of an adventurer and brothel owner in Lisabet Sarai's excellent "Her Own Devices," which features a pleasant surprise ending and plenty of mechanized devices. Another adventurer's club promises sexual delights and machinery in Kathleen Bradean's "Lair of the Red Countess."

A trip back in time, this collection isn't for everyone, but those who do plumb its depths will be rewarded with D.L. King's well-edited selections. There are flying machines, sex machines, and famed people in erotic situations, all with puffs of sexy steam.