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Message-ID: <48567asstr$1090537804@assm.asstr-mirror.org>
From: Crimson Dragon <dcrimsonp@nym.alias.net>
Subject: {ASSM} {REVIEW} {Reviews} Crimson's Top Stories - June 2004
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Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 19:10:04 -0400
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                 Crimson's Top Stories - June 2004
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# 1 - Amity's Vow -- Bradley Stoke
# 2 - Vinland -- Smilodon 
# 3 - Svetlana's Second Chance -- Vulgar Argot
# 4 - The Yellow-Lighted Bookstore -- Chiaroscuro
# 5 - And don't you know it -- TeresafromLeon

Honourable Mentions:
      A Slight Scar -- Joe
      Robin and Julie -- Robin Curious
      Party at Lisa's -- Kenny Gamera 

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As always, this top story list is only my opinion of the best stories
posted in the preceding month or so -- it is not based on technical 
merits, or erotic content, but rather my relative personal enjoyment of 
the varying stories presented for whatever reasons. It is not a 
popularity contest or a vote, nor is it a definitive guide. Your tastes 
likely differ from mine.

As always, thanks to all the authors out there for all the stories.

 - Crimson (dcrimson@yahoo.com)

http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Crimson_Reviews/www

http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Crimson_Dragon/www
http://members.tripod.com/files/Authors/Dr/wwwagon_Of_Crimson


#1
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Amity's Vow -- Bradley Stoke
    (MF caution)

Amity works as a servant to the Duke. Her duties include the
standard serving wench fare -- preparing and serving meals,
cleaning, mending. But her life has always been difficult, and she
would gladly work hard to survive in this world. However, her life
is made even more difficult by the constant sexual demands placed
upon her and all the other wenches used by the Duke. If it were not
for her undying spirituality, she would have taken her own life long
ago.

Her life takes an unexpected turn when the young, incompetent Duke
picks a fight with his far stronger neighbour and the King refuses
to intervene.

Bradley has found his focus. The last few stories that I've read by
Bradley have wandered a little -- his prose tackles tough moral
subjects and many of them. Here, Bradley focuses beautifully on
Amity and her life, allowing us to assimilate his messages in a
subtle manner. I cared about Amity; hated the villains that abounded
in this tale. And that is what is important to a true story teller.
Even while I've never been in a position like Amity's -- I could
still relate to her and what she was feeling.

A word of caution. This story is not for everyone. There is a great
deal of violence and angst -- it is not a particularly happy story.
However, at least for me, Bradley pulled me into a different world
and while I abhor some of the actions that took place there, it was
with definite purpose that Bradley showed it to me.

Sit down. Take a deep breath. And fall into another world.

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

Story:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Bradley_Stoke/www/21_Amity's_Vow.htm
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2004/48024

Author's site:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Bradley_Stoke/www

Posted To ASSM: Sat, 29 May 2004

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#2
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Vinland -- Smilodon 
    (m/f, first, hist)

Vikings!

Thorfinn Fairhair is but a lad of sixteen, a poor orphan living in
Greenland well before the better known Christopher Columbus set sail
from Spain to "discover" America. Thorfinn finds himself a valuable
member of Leif Erickson's voyage to find and settle a new land. Only
when they arrive in Vinland do they slowly discover that they aren't
alone. The Natives of Vinland are wary but friendly. And Meera - ha
- - nhee is even more brave and friendly than most -- though only
Thorfinn knows about her. But after the long winter nights are over,
and the Vikings have proven that they can survive this strange and
new environment, what will become of Thorfinn and Meera - ha - nhee?

Have I mentioned that I like Viking stories? Not that there are a
lot of them in ASSM. If nothing else, such lack makes this story
particularly unique.

As always, Smiley presents flawless execution of a classic love
story -- a meeting of people. His characters live, and the story
moves along with a feeling of realism that shines of authenticity.

Even if historical fiction isn't your thing, don't miss this. It
has something for everyone. (Even a bit o' bondage)

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

Story:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/SM/wwwilodon/Vinland.htm
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2004/48043

Author's site:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/SM/wwwilodon/

Posted To ASSM: Sat, 29 May 2004

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#3
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Svetlana's Second Chance -- Vulgar Argot
    (MF, rom, slow)

Svetlana is recently divorced. When her divorce settlement arrives
early and uncontested due to some intervention by her former
step-daughter, Svetlana discovers that not only is she suddenly
free, but she has no idea of what to do with her new life. Or who to
share her new life with.

Vulgar warns us that this really is a piece of a larger puzzle -- a
side project, of sorts, of a larger opus. I'd picked up "Jake's Bet"
a few weeks ago, intending to review it, but was scared off by a
similar warning. But I waded into "Svetlana's Second Chance" with
high hopes and lifted spirits.

"Svetlana's Second Chance" is not a story to miss lightly. Even
while it references some external sources, Vulgar does a fantastic
job of presenting this story as a stand-alone piece of writing -- if
anything, the external references were subtle enough to be
intriguing. I suspect you'd even get more out of it if you read the
entire collection, but don't think you are getting short-changed by
reading only a single instalment. This is a warm, real, human story
of a strong girl thrust out on her own for the first time in her
life. Svetlana is resourceful and so realistic I think I'd be happy
to know her.

I just might have to pick up "Jake's Bet" and ignore the scariness
of the multi-part. I suspect it is probably as good as "Svetlana."

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

Story:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/VulgarArgot/sveta2nd.html
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2004/47900

Author's site:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/VulgarArgot/www

Posted To ASSM: Wed, 19 May 2004

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#4
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Yellow-Lighted Bookstore -- Chiaroscuro
    (F-solo, m-solo, MMF, reluc, bondage; long)

Rohanna is a sheltered American girl. Ever since she's been old
enough to understand, she has dreamed about the yellow-lighted
bookstore. This bookstore stands for everything outside of her
sheltered existence. Especially at the back, where the "naughty"
books lie.

Now, Rohanna is happily married but her thoughts continue to return
to her fantasies. There is a hunger within to play out these
fantasies, to become another person, to explore.

There is a difference between fantasy and reality, for all of us, as
there is for Rohanna. Chiaroscuro takes a different and probably
more realistic look at that line that divides what we think about
and what we actually do. Sometimes, the world can be a very scary
place.

I can't recommend this story enough.

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

Story:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Chiaroscuro_Main/www/ck-lit/ck04_YellowLightBookstore.htm
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2004/48130

Author's site:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Chiaroscuro_Main/www/

Posted To ASSM: Sun, 6 Jun 2004

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#5
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And don't you know it -- TeresafromLeon
    (Mf nosex)

Teresa plays a verbal game of cat and mouse at the breakfast table
with her latest lover.

This is an odd but compelling piece. There is no explicit sex, but
that certainly doesn't affect the nature of the story. If anything,
the subtle innuendo commands a more erotic subtext.

And hidden between the lines is a depth of character and lively
nature that cannot be denied. Certainly a different approach, but
something worth reading.

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

Story:
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2004/48269

Author's other works:
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/cgi-bin/field_search.cgi?search=TeresafromLeon&index=name&submit=Search

Posted To ASSM: Sat, 19 Jun 2004

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Honourable Mention
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A Slight Scar -- Joe
    (FF, gang)
    {story codes added by reviewer}

Elana expects to be temping for a typical office. But then Ingrid
whirls into her life. Ingrid manages the office competently, and
projects a calm, cool, efficient exterior. Elana immediately likes
her new, no-nonsense, feministic boss. However, as Ingrid gently
closes the office door, she has a story to tell, and that story
explains a lot.

As always, Joe writes a very thought provoking piece where the
humanity of the characters shines through while making us think
about life and injustice and what kind of people we want to be.

Who knew an erotic tale could be so involved?

Definitely not one to miss.


Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

Story:
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2004/47972

Author's other works:
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/cgi-bin/field_search.cgi?search=cashingbets                                       0tmail.com&index=email&submit=Search

Posted To ASSM: Mon, 24 May 2004

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Honourable Mention
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
Robin and Julie -- Robin Curious
    (FF rom) 

In her latest escapade, Robin's best friend, Julie, is coming to
visit. Now, long ago, in her college days, Julie had confessed to
Robin about her alternate sexual tastes -- basically a nine year
affair with Nicki. Robin didn't fully understand, but she was there
when Julie caught Nicki cheating on her with another woman and Julie
needed comfort. Now, years later, Robin has come off a poor
relationship herself, and she finds herself more and more curious
about the dark side. Of course, when Julie's plane lands, Julie has
some surprising news for Robin, and Robin is faced with some of the
hardest decisions of her life.

This story has many elements, ranging from hot sex to a more human
look at awkward relationships. This is perhaps the most human story
that I've reviewed by Ms. Curious, and I think she's done a great
job of presenting this situation.

Definitely recommended reading.

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

Story:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Robin_Curious/Robin%20and%20Julie.txt
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2004/47861

Author's site:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Robin_Curious/

Posted To ASSM: 17 May 2004

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Honourable Mention
+----------------------------------------------------------------------
Party at Lisa's -- Kenny Gamera 
    (gangbang, inter, size, dp)

Kenny works with a girl, Lisa, who makes lunch salads. This, so she
claims, leaves her nights free for "other pursuits." Intriguing, no?
Well, Kenny is intrigued and infatuated with Lisa. So, when he is
invited along on a club night with the restaurant cooks, he
willingly tags along if for no other reason than Lisa will be there.
Except Lisa has other plans for a wild night, and Kenny is included
in the festivities.

For me, personally, I don't see the appeal of interracial stories.
And this story depends on this a great deal, along with physical
proportions for its Eros. Nevertheless, I'll give the story the
benefit of the doubt, and believe that if one is looking for these
elements, that the story will be more erotic than I personally found
it.

It is very well written, and even while I would have liked to have
seen some motivation and deeper character for Lisa, the protagonist,
Kenny was well defined and likable. As an author, I think it is
important to understand Lisa further, given the outcome, but that
may be a subjective thing.


Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :    9
Crimson         :   10

Story:
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2004/48184

Author's site:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Gamera/www

Posted To ASSM: Thu, 10 Jun 2004

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