Message-ID: <48567asstr$1090537804@assm.asstr-mirror.org> Return-Path: <dcrimsonp@nym.alias.net> X-Original-To: ckought69@hotmail.com Delivered-To: ckought69@hotmail.com X-Original-Message-ID: <20040722171131.2406.qmail@nym.alias.net> From: Crimson Dragon <dcrimsonp@nym.alias.net> X-ASSTR-Original-Date: 22 Jul 2004 17:11:31 -0000 Subject: {ASSM} {REVIEW} {Reviews} Crimson's Top Stories - June 2004 Lines: 371 Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 19:10:04 -0400 Path: assm.asstr-mirror.org!not-for-mail X-Is-Review: yes Approved: <assm@asstr-mirror.org> Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories,alt.sex.stories.d Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d X-Archived-At: <URL:http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2004/48567> X-Moderator-Contact: ASSTR ASSM moderation <story-ckought69@hotmail.com> X-Story-Submission: <ckought69@hotmail.com> X-Moderator-ID: dennyw, hoisingr -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- +---------------------------------------------------------------------- Crimson's Top Stories - June 2004 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- # 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 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- #2 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- #3 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- #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 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- #5 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- Honourable Mention +---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 +---------------------------------------------------------------------- -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.3ia Charset: noconv iQEVAwUBQP6jmUxM3srBk85hAQHOiQgAhUsP2ngpmK/uul7DzggZ/CXbPQLrEDgR RuzE8q2G9BgRC5RYOLiH4AEQeYwOpu9KioeBojayyLea92h4/GkAwUJUxjv+5FzA IxJGiwrxT7mTY9eway963DkCOL1hwmS4z9IHbM7A77IUcdDU0mI0hmsQGrqEECHq h1OPkQd9rr6ouIbCWOqZ6Ui0fYXwvU6MSQEaaJn2UiHBvvAU/5r3YcHWZEzUSskc Y5DdGsKuoA0OrRgJbzr2cAvQIE38KvzIp4SojsHXoVtSgf5aXmmFu9iJHKO2hgkx nYvL55pEmQcVfpPsoPtHIRU0RCfM4kM+cK8o5weCMNZunPlHJUHUDA== =K3WN -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyright with all rights reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated. +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | alt.sex.stories.moderated ------ send stories to: <ckought69@hotmail.com>| | FAQ: <http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/faq.html> Moderators: <story-ckought69@hotmail.com> | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |ASSM Archive at <http://assm.asstr-mirror.org> Hosted by <http://www.asstr-mirror.org> | |Discuss this story and others in alt.sex.stories.d; look for subject {ASSD}| +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+