Edited by Kristina Wright
Cleis Press, $14.95, 256 pages
What do dirigibles, steam engines, corsets, gears, romance, sex, and love have in common? You can find them all in the new anthology, Steamlust: Steampunk Erotic Romance. Kristina Wright, the editor, is also an author and steampunk fan. If you’re not sure what it “Steampunk” is, start with H.G. Welles and Jules Verne as a reference, with a retro-technological bent. Kristina Wright’s anthology adds romance and erotica to the mix, it is what makes this anthology different in a time when this genre is rising in popularity.
Wright invited 14 fascinating women to write short stories centered on female characters who enjoy explorations, Victorian costumes, and romance. The protagonists range from human to automaton, and are as unique as their creators. Because these are short stories, the authors have made every word count and the details are vivid. Erotica fans are sure to find many arousing scenes in the collection. The erotica ranges from flirty to steamy. Adults are invited to visit steamlustanimation.blogspot.com to view a creative video that highlights these stories. Be prepared for a wild and romantic adventure.
Elizabeth Franklin