Passion, the emotion, is a double-edged sword. When I think of that aspect of it, the danger and the power, I think of the lyric from the Ella Fitzgerald song `Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered' that goes "Couldn't sleep, wouldn't sleep, when love came and told me I shouldn't sleep". Passion wakes us from and keeps us from sleep. It makes us do stupid things; it makes us do brave things. So, what about the anthology "Passion: Erotic Romance for Women" edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel? Does it keep us from sleep? Does it evoke that double-edged emotion?
Why, yes, it does, and very nicely at that. It contains spicy stories that ran a gamut of passionate experiences. And I, for one, passionately disagree with the title. It's a marketing thing, I realize, but women aren't the only ones who like strong writing and characterization in their erotica. Marketing issues aside, it's another solid collection from Bussel, so let's give some highlights, shall we?
In "Big-Bed Sex" by Donna George Storey, a ritzy hotel with a giant bed provide a "grander canvas" for a wife and her husband the role-playing fun that ensues.
In "My Dark Knight" by Jacqueline Applebee, a café-goer learns that chivalry is not dead when the manager takes a special interest in her well being after a scary encounter with a dog, and invites her to his place - an apartment replete with armor and swords and, now, a princess to serve.
In "Dear In The Headlights" by Angela Caperton, even a car accident will not keep a woman from an anticipated tryst, as she provides her own auto club service for her stranded husband.
In "Autumn Suite" by Suzanne V. Slate, a cello player rouses the passions of his woman with a memory and some well-played Bach.
In "The Silver Belt" by Lana Fox, a woman finds that the right accessory makes the outfit and ignites a torrid affair.
In "Five Senses" by editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, a woman takes us on a tour of the sensory during a sexy night in.
"Crave You Close" by A. M. Hartnett shows a couple hit hard by the recession, but rich with each other.
"An Easy Guy To Fall On" by Annabeth Leong, is a slow-burning tale of a bumpy bus ride and an ignited spark that has to cross cultural barriers before it can fully be a flame.
In "Third Time's The Charm" by Charlene Teglia, a broken elevator forces an overdue conversation, encourages an explosive tryst, and helps reboot a relationship.
In "If" by Emerald, our wedding-party heroine is tormented by fantasies of a groomsman. But, then, what of her boyfriend, whom she loves so deeply?
In "Getting It Right" by Theresa Noelle Roberts, a couple gets a do-over on a caning scene gone wrong, and this time gets it very, very right.