Review: Well written and fairly interesting, but from an erotica standpoint, it is rather tame
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 18, 2013
For the first half of Anastasia Vitsky's Editorial Board, had the copy I was reading not been given to me to review by a publisher that specializes in kinky books, I would not have known that the book contained erotic content. It seemed to be no more than a mildly interesting tale about an author suffering from writer's block and performance anxiety who is making her boss's and new editor's lives miserable with her prima donna attitude and excuses for not completing her assignments. The closest thing to a clue that there might be some sexual naughtiness afoot comes fairly deep into the story in an emailed rant sent by Spring in which she implies that Rachel probably secured her job as editor by sleeping with Merry, the owner.Soon after that episode Spring quits and begins wallowing in self-pity, fully expecting that her writing career is over. To her surprise, Rachel shows up to save her from herself. Thankfully for the smut junkies who are the potential buyers of this book, she doesn't just use reason or threats to prod her errant writer to get with the program. Indeed, she uses something much more compelling, the editorial board, a small paddle that fits comfortably in her hand and commands strict compliance from recalcitrant brats such as Spring.Sadly, most of this motivational activity is only touched upon lightly. The balance of the book primarily involves Spring struggling with her writing issues and Rachel "encouraging" her to stay focused. Alas, she reaches another impasse in her writing and begins to despair. Rachel comes to the rescue and as the story winds down she announces that they are to be lovers, which precipitates the literary equivalent of fade-to-black.Overall, this story is well written and fairly interesting. But from an erotica standpoint, it is rather tame. Whether or not this is intentional, it seems to be written to appeal to a reader with little or no experience with this subject matter. Whereas I am a proponent of using restraint and subtlety in erotica, this is way too genteel to hold the interest of a large contingent of erotic literature readers, including the readers who frequent this site.Reviewed by Jim Lyonwordwooze.tumblr.com