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Blood and Lipstick
Since "Carmilla" in 1872 (25 years before Stoker's "Dracula"!), lesbian vampires have been a literary staple. The twining of female sexual desire with danger and deviance has been a common theme for a century or more. We're continuing that tradition with this anthology featuring those other ladies of the night. Sensuous but deadly, like velvet draped over razor wire, these literal femme fatales will draw you in, have their way with you, and leave you gasping for more.
First, in "27 Days", when Sarah meets Mary at an otherwise boring dinner party, she's determined to have her for more than a one-drink-stand. Too bad Sarah's maker is the jealous type and wants to have Sarah to herself for eternity! Then, in "Bloody Flowers", vampire lovers Merigold and Helene share their bed—and their bodies—with the lovely Diana after picking her up at a club. But Diana knows more than she lets on, and the pair are very quickly drawn into a power struggle that, for Helene at least, stretches back centuries.
"You and the Moon" brings us Julie, a scientist working on the secrets of longevity who is desperate to contact the reclusive Cassandra, a pioneer in the field and Julie's idol. When she discovers the true secret behind Cassandra's success, Julie offers to assist in working out a way to reduce the side effects, but Cassandra has a different goal—she wants to find a way to die. In "Love's Horizon", yacht captain Jayne moonlights as a paranormal researcher, so she isn't surprised when her newest client, Eleni, turns out to be a vampire. What does surprise her is that after making Eleni promise that she was permanently off the menu, she becomes increasingly frustrated when Eleni keeps it. Finally, "Business Makes Strange Bedfellows" steps into the past and introduces us to Gertrude, a Victorian woman wealthy enough to never need a husband, headstrong enough to make a career among men as a university researcher, and intelligent enough to prove to even the most stalwart critic that she deserves it. An unexplainable incident in her lab one night, though, leads Gertrude to purchase the services of a special detective named Vi, but the price Vi names is Gertrude's blood—and her body!
First, in "27 Days", when Sarah meets Mary at an otherwise boring dinner party, she's determined to have her for more than a one-drink-stand. Too bad Sarah's maker is the jealous type and wants to have Sarah to herself for eternity! Then, in "Bloody Flowers", vampire lovers Merigold and Helene share their bed—and their bodies—with the lovely Diana after picking her up at a club. But Diana knows more than she lets on, and the pair are very quickly drawn into a power struggle that, for Helene at least, stretches back centuries.
"You and the Moon" brings us Julie, a scientist working on the secrets of longevity who is desperate to contact the reclusive Cassandra, a pioneer in the field and Julie's idol. When she discovers the true secret behind Cassandra's success, Julie offers to assist in working out a way to reduce the side effects, but Cassandra has a different goal—she wants to find a way to die. In "Love's Horizon", yacht captain Jayne moonlights as a paranormal researcher, so she isn't surprised when her newest client, Eleni, turns out to be a vampire. What does surprise her is that after making Eleni promise that she was permanently off the menu, she becomes increasingly frustrated when Eleni keeps it. Finally, "Business Makes Strange Bedfellows" steps into the past and introduces us to Gertrude, a Victorian woman wealthy enough to never need a husband, headstrong enough to make a career among men as a university researcher, and intelligent enough to prove to even the most stalwart critic that she deserves it. An unexplainable incident in her lab one night, though, leads Gertrude to purchase the services of a special detective named Vi, but the price Vi names is Gertrude's blood—and her body!
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 29, 2013
The first tale is 27 Days by Encarnita Round which follows Sarah through some troubles with her wife when a new love interest enters the picture. 27 Days is written in first person, which is a hard perspective to pull off, and unfortunately I think that very reason is part of the story’s downfall. As the reader, you’re so rooted in Sarah’s head that the actual actions are glossed over or jumbled most of the time. You get more thoughts and history and Sarah’s impressions than anything else. It’s so very narration heavy because it’s first person that it was hard to wade through while I read. I felt like the author was cramming information and backstory down my throat to get it out rather than letting it flow naturally and as needed, and because of this I also feel that there was some backstory that wasn’t needed and I as the reader was left going ‘okay, I know this, but why should I care when it doesn’t directly impact anything that’s going on in any of the story?’ It wasn’t just the way the story was written that didn’t grab me, but some of the characterization of the five hundred year old vampire seemed more like a teenage to twenty something girl when reacting to things internally.
We continue with Bloody Flowers by Leigh Campbell. The story starts with Meri at a club looking for a tasty woman to bring home to her lover and maker, Helene. She finds Diana and after a taste decides to bring her home, already feeling like the woman will be more than just a one night bite. The complications arise when it comes to light that Diana is on the run from another vampire. The writing is great, it really pulls you into Meri’s point of view as you read. As well the action scene leaves you on the edge of your seat to see just how things will turn out. Definitely worth the read, and worth watching to see what this author will produce next.
As we slide into You and the Moon by Robert Hanley we follow the tale of Julie as she searches for the woman and scientist whose shoes she has followed since a girl. Cassandra was everything that Julie wanted to be, and every ounce the person Julie wanted to be with. Over all, the plot was an interesting one. The concept that vampirism could be cured with modern science was definitely a new spin for me. I’ve seen a lot of ways science has helped vampires to survive, from farming humans to creating fake blood, but never had the research been spurred from the remorse and guilt of what being a vampire made a woman do. I did have a few issues with characters though, as the relationship starts off a little more dangerous obsession on Julies part than love, and the accepting that Cassandra is a vampire off the bat by Julie was a little awkward since she just seemed perfectly fine with it after never having come across it before.
Next we set sail with Jayne and Eleni in Love’s Horizon by Victoria Oldham. Jayne loves the sea. She owns her own boat, uses it to ferry tourists around, and also happens to live on it. When she’s not out on open waters, she’s digging deeper into the paranormal. The combination of these two things is what draws Eleni to her, needing a human captain. The story and the characters were interesting, and I did personally find the concept of vampire pirates quite a new twist and an enjoyable one at that. I’d love to read more, both from this author but from this world and these two characters.
And finally, we travel back in time with Business Makes Strange Bedfellows by E.E. Ottoman. Gret is ahead of her time, being an independent woman that refuses to let men hold her down from getting her inheritance to becoming a doctor. One night in her lab, she accidentally releases something and to put it right hires Vi’s help in tracking and killing it. The writing is well done, the plot is most definitely an interesting one, and the ending leaves you wanting more. I also really love the tip of the hat to Lovecraft in the story. I will say though that I found the climax of the monster hunt a little rushed, but then that could just be me wanting more too.
We continue with Bloody Flowers by Leigh Campbell. The story starts with Meri at a club looking for a tasty woman to bring home to her lover and maker, Helene. She finds Diana and after a taste decides to bring her home, already feeling like the woman will be more than just a one night bite. The complications arise when it comes to light that Diana is on the run from another vampire. The writing is great, it really pulls you into Meri’s point of view as you read. As well the action scene leaves you on the edge of your seat to see just how things will turn out. Definitely worth the read, and worth watching to see what this author will produce next.
As we slide into You and the Moon by Robert Hanley we follow the tale of Julie as she searches for the woman and scientist whose shoes she has followed since a girl. Cassandra was everything that Julie wanted to be, and every ounce the person Julie wanted to be with. Over all, the plot was an interesting one. The concept that vampirism could be cured with modern science was definitely a new spin for me. I’ve seen a lot of ways science has helped vampires to survive, from farming humans to creating fake blood, but never had the research been spurred from the remorse and guilt of what being a vampire made a woman do. I did have a few issues with characters though, as the relationship starts off a little more dangerous obsession on Julies part than love, and the accepting that Cassandra is a vampire off the bat by Julie was a little awkward since she just seemed perfectly fine with it after never having come across it before.
Next we set sail with Jayne and Eleni in Love’s Horizon by Victoria Oldham. Jayne loves the sea. She owns her own boat, uses it to ferry tourists around, and also happens to live on it. When she’s not out on open waters, she’s digging deeper into the paranormal. The combination of these two things is what draws Eleni to her, needing a human captain. The story and the characters were interesting, and I did personally find the concept of vampire pirates quite a new twist and an enjoyable one at that. I’d love to read more, both from this author but from this world and these two characters.
And finally, we travel back in time with Business Makes Strange Bedfellows by E.E. Ottoman. Gret is ahead of her time, being an independent woman that refuses to let men hold her down from getting her inheritance to becoming a doctor. One night in her lab, she accidentally releases something and to put it right hires Vi’s help in tracking and killing it. The writing is well done, the plot is most definitely an interesting one, and the ending leaves you wanting more. I also really love the tip of the hat to Lovecraft in the story. I will say though that I found the climax of the monster hunt a little rushed, but then that could just be me wanting more too.
September 1, 2013
It's a little disappointing that the only lipstick in Blood and Lipstick is in the title itself. I suppose the 'lipstick' there could be a reference to 'lipstick lesbians', but... Hmm.
As often with short stories, it's a mixed bag.
Encarnita Round's 27 Days: I gave up on this quickly - the POV is severely distorted. (★☆☆☆☆)
Leigh Campbell's Bloody Flowers: A delightful new approach to vampires and true love. This is the prize of the collection, erotic and sweet, well written with allusions to Greek mythology. (★★★★★)
Robert Hanley's You and the Moon: Longevity scientist Julie goes in search of her idol. I really enjoyed the first half of this, a thoughtful consideration of what it's like to be a vampire - plus bonus star just for having a vampire called Cassandra. (Yes, I too can be capricious...) The second half reads unfortunately like a clumsy and clichéd romance. (★★★☆☆)
Victoria Oldham's Love's Horizon: I gave up on this one quickly. Rather than take the time to build up atmosphere and sustain mystery, we are told repeatedly how the vampire is stunningly beautiful, and the two romantic leads are quickly thinking of each other while in the throws of orgasm. Really, slow down and tell us a story! (★☆☆☆☆)
E.E. Ottoman's Business Makes Strange Bedfellows: An urban fantasy in a period setting. After Gert has a close encounter with an ancient monster, she enlists the aid of vampire Vi to track it down - but will she be willing to give herself to the vampire in return? This is a delightful and balanced tale - if you ignore the long and inappropriate (given the context) hardcore erotica that fills up the final 25%. (★★★☆☆)
In conclusion...
I have, perhaps, been unfairly harsh, but four of the five stories in this collection, and so also the collection itself, are ultimately disappointing.
As often with short stories, it's a mixed bag.
Encarnita Round's 27 Days: I gave up on this quickly - the POV is severely distorted. (★☆☆☆☆)
Leigh Campbell's Bloody Flowers: A delightful new approach to vampires and true love. This is the prize of the collection, erotic and sweet, well written with allusions to Greek mythology. (★★★★★)
Robert Hanley's You and the Moon: Longevity scientist Julie goes in search of her idol. I really enjoyed the first half of this, a thoughtful consideration of what it's like to be a vampire - plus bonus star just for having a vampire called Cassandra. (Yes, I too can be capricious...) The second half reads unfortunately like a clumsy and clichéd romance. (★★★☆☆)
Victoria Oldham's Love's Horizon: I gave up on this one quickly. Rather than take the time to build up atmosphere and sustain mystery, we are told repeatedly how the vampire is stunningly beautiful, and the two romantic leads are quickly thinking of each other while in the throws of orgasm. Really, slow down and tell us a story! (★☆☆☆☆)
E.E. Ottoman's Business Makes Strange Bedfellows: An urban fantasy in a period setting. After Gert has a close encounter with an ancient monster, she enlists the aid of vampire Vi to track it down - but will she be willing to give herself to the vampire in return? This is a delightful and balanced tale - if you ignore the long and inappropriate (given the context) hardcore erotica that fills up the final 25%. (★★★☆☆)
In conclusion...
I have, perhaps, been unfairly harsh, but four of the five stories in this collection, and so also the collection itself, are ultimately disappointing.
September 13, 2015
Relentlessly terrible. Insta-love galore, vampire cliché heaped upon lesbian cliché ad nauseum, off-putting stalkers and co-dependent "ILU4EVA"-spouting vampire groupies everywhere, consistent lack of good characterisation or dialogue, all these women are described like barbie dolls, and the sex ranged from laughably awkward to the kind that makes you flinch, but not in a good way (word to the wise: "crotch palming" is not sexy. Tugging at nipples with your teeth like a terrier with a bone is not sexy. Dub-con repetitive finger-ramming described in the dullest, most mechanical terms imaginable is not sexy. And if you ever find yourself with a clit that is "bursting through your jeans," please seek medial attention ASAP.)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews