Freebie Fiction Friday - Get 'em while they're hot (and free)

Well, if it's Friday, then that must been it's time for Freebie Fiction Friday!

Every Friday I take the initiative to search through thew newly free titles on Amazon, and to identify those that might be of interest to trans* readers, fans, and lovers. Even if you don't have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon's free reading applications, and covert it (if need be) with Calibre. I can tell you I do most of my reading on my iPad, using Kindle for iPad, and it works beautifully.

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, though, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

Another fantastic, diverse stack of tales this week!

Breaking Josh (Femdom erotica) (Blackwood Manor Training Center)

Iphis and Ianthe; A Hermaphrodite's Tale.

Trans* Trucker (Carman: Homeless Demon)

Whisper, Loudly!

Enjoy!

Josie's Story by Maurice Copper

Josie's Story by Maurice Copper is a touching novelette about a gender dysphoric nine year-old. In the “voice” of this sweet child, the author authentically and eloquently describes the discordant childhood feelings of gender incongruence and the resulting fantasy life that may commonly emerge in such individuals.

Thank goodness community standards appear to be changing and today such children can receive the assistance they need to be able to fully express themselves as the people they know themselves to truly be.

Reviewed by Samuel

All Change For Fleetwood by Terri Ryan

All Change For Fleetwood by Terri Ryan was well-written and flowing, without the editing problems inherent in many self-published works of this genre.  On balance, I enjoyed this story of gender transformation, which proved to be a worthwhile read. I believe it was supposed to be a novel, but the "journal" format made it feel more like a memoir.

Although the author wove an interesting tale with lots of twists, turns and some great sex, I also found it to be rather predictable. The book never really explores to any great depth the internal workings of the main character. I was slightly amazed that there was not more angst about this gender transition story that felt more like a "slam-dunk." In Terri, we have a transgender protagonist moving hell-bent toward a female gender role. Damn the torpedoes. Accordingly, she comes across as a rather shallow person. One way that was evidenced to this reader was when Terri, then as Michael, dumps his wife of several years, never looks back and justifies his behavior with tons of rationalizations for his own lapse of integrity.

All this said, I sort of liked it and you might want to give it a shot.

Reviewed by Samuel

Genre Diversity Reigns Supreme (a guest post by Cornelia Grey)

Hello, everyone, and thank you for stopping by for Storm Moon Press' anniversary blog tour! The press is turning four, and today is also my birthday (I am, however, just slightly older than that... ;) ), so I'm twice as happy to be here chatting with you! :)

I have been with Storm Moon Press almost since the beginning; I submitted my first story for one of their anthologies in December 2010. (Gosh, I can't believe it's already been that long!) I still have the original email, and I remember it well because I was snowed in and without Internet connection, the deadline was looming, and I had to drive all the way to a friend's house to manage to send in the submission... what a time!

The anthology was Wild Passions, whose stories all include characters with some animal features; for example, mine were fox-people, humanoids with ears and tails. I remember how intrigued I was by this theme when I read the call for submissions, and my fascination with SMP's original and unusual anthologies remains. Gun kink, tentacle porn, dragons, slave fantasy, non-con... I have yet to find another publisher so willing to push boundaries and feature such a variety of themes.

I am definitely a genre fiction writer by calling, since even as a reader I was never too keen on contemporaries; and one thing that I've often read in 'advice for writers' articles is that authors should pick a genre and stick to it in order to build a brand of sorts. I have always struggled to do that, and the intriguing and diverse anthology calls from SMP have definitely encouraged me to explore different themes and genres to my imagination's content. If I look at the list of my publications, I find it quite amusing that literally no two stories belong to the same genre; and that, in fact, most stories don't even fit squarely in one defined genre, but rather mix and match elements of different ones.

For example, I have a fantasy shifter one with a historical-esque setting (The Ronin and the Fox), a Western + gun kink (Bounty Hunter, whose two sequels are almost ready – not one, two!), an urban fantasy (City of Foxes), an odd cross between urban thriller setting / literary /bittersweet in the form of Apples and Regrets and Wasted Time... and then there's steampunk fantasy, paranormal, humor... what a mixed bag! I don't know whether the advice articles are right and readers might in fact prefer authors to stick to one genre only: but I for sure had a lot of fun exploring all these different genres and playing with the different tropes and narrative elements! I'm truly grateful that my readers seem content enough to never know what I'm going to pull out of my hat next. :) I have occasionally had readers tell me that, even though they were not usually fond of a particular genre I had tackled in a story, they gave it a try because they liked my previous works, and ended up liking it. I can't describe how I beam with happiness when I hear something like that! :)

I'm also really grateful that the editors at SMP not only never tried to restrict me to a genre or the other, but in fact always fully encouraged me to push my boundaries and explore whatever crazy idea tickled my fancy. It's incredibly reassuring to be so fully supported by a publisher, and it truly gives the confidence to try new things and stray out of one's comfort zone.

The latest story I have with SMP is, in fact, another odd mix: gun kink + a bit of exhibitionism, set in a Victorian-esque circus with steampunk overtones. The title is Benjamin Pepperwhistle and the Fantabulous Circus of Wonders (I know, I know... a bit of a mouthful? ;) ) and it was originally released in SMP's second gun kink anthology, Weight of a Gun 2. I had wanted to work on a story set in a circus for a long while and, since I had so much fun playing with the colourful and odd cast of characters – especially with the two protagonists, circus newbie Benjamin and Cole, the handsome pistoleer – I'm happy to announce that the story will be expanded with more scenes and should be released on its own very soon!

I am very fond of this work, and I'm glad to have the chance to expand on it since I wasn't quite done telling the story of these characters. I'm incredibly grateful to SMP for supporting me in this project, and I truly hope readers will enjoy this extra peek in Benjamin's world, too... :)!

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This post is part of Storm Moon Press' 4th Anniversary Blog Tour! Thank you for joining us, and please take a moment to enter our blog-tour-wide giveaway! The prize is receiving an ebook each month from SMP for 12 months! We hope to see you around the Internet and at RainbowCon in 2014! Happy New Year!

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SMP's 4th Anniversary Rafflecopter Giveaway

Cali by Deborah Frazier

"Cali" by Deborah Frazier is a very enjoyable book that moves relentlessly toward a devastating conclusion, one that the reader can anticipate, but nevertheless, is still quite shocking. This is a novel that makes a big statement about the arbitrary sex assignment of babies born with ambiguous genitalia, a condition that is not as rare as one might think. For example, in the real world, one out of 1000 males is born with "hypospadias," an anomaly where the urethra does not open at the tip of the glans. And this is just one example of an at-birth genital concern.

This novel makes the point that if your child happens to be born with ambiguous genitalia, you might not want to rush headlong to "correct" the problem. For as much as a parent is no doubt trying to act in a child's best interest, a rushed decision may result in a horribly tragic mistake for all concerned. The author presents a dramatic and moving case that it is much better to let things sort themselves out and determine which way the child is leaning before taking any irreversible steps. Most importantly, the person most directly affected must be the major part of the decision-making process. While eloquently presenting her point, the author eviscerates those in the medical community who would push parents to immediately "make things right."

On another level, this story proves that even a highly trained psychotherapist can be the victim of severe emotional problems and still function in the world. This is particularly true if she is forced to utilize sanity-preserving defense mechanisms to cope with her demons, particularly if their source is cloaked by a riddle surrounded in a mystery. From the onset of this book, it is quite apparent that young Cali, our brave protagonist born with ambiguous genitalia, has a male genotype. As she develops, and without her knowledge, under the guise of being in need of iron supplements, Cali receives female hormone injections to promote the development of female secondary sex characteristics. Strongly inclined toward the "tomboyish" side and filled with guilt about her parents' broken relationship, she eventually meets a new and supportive friend who nurtures and encourages her feminine side to emerge.

The story goes on to describe Cali's maturation and emotional development as a young adult woman, complete with a burgeoning romance with a young male physician, but still carrying a sack full of emotional issues. In Cali's case, given that she has been kept completely in the dark about the nefarious events surrounding her birth, a poor prognosis for emotional health and successful relationships can be expected. That she was surgically assigned to a female gender role at birth and never told about her history, it would certainly account for her angst-filled adjustment difficulties.

Although "Cali" is a very good novel, it is certainly not perfect. Although well-written and extremely readable, like other self-published books it has a certain amount of typos, grammar issues and bares a few inconsistencies. Some such blips I found slightly vexing were that as a young adult, Cali decides to go off her "iron" shots. This is all well and good, but there is nothing ever noted as to what happens to her emotional and physical well-being during her long hiatus off estrogen. What about the "dilation" of the neo-vagina? I didn't need the specific details of such a process, but apparently her surgeon created one heck of a magical vagina for baby Cali, whereby she never ever had to bother with dilator stents or lubrication prior to intercourse.

I also think we need to suspend disbelief a bit because Cali, quite understandably, never experiences a menstrual period. But at the age of 26 and holding a doctorate in counseling psychology, with a romantic commitment looming on the horizon, she never has this problem checked out? Even with all her avoidance, I find it slightly strange how a professional person can possibly demonstrate such denial. But, oh well, to me these issues were secondary and in no way major detractors from this otherwise fine and memorable work.

Reviewed by Samuel

Freebie Fetish Friday - Get 'em while they're hot (and free)

Well, if it's Friday, then that must been it's time for Freebie Fetish Friday!

Every Friday I take the initiative to search through thew newly free titles on Amazon, and to identify those that might be of interest to trans* readers, fans, and lovers. Even if you don't have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon's free reading applications, and covert it (if need be) with Calibre. I can tell you I do most of my reading on my iPad, using Kindle for iPad, and it works beautifully.

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, though, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

Another fantastic pile of sexy tales this week!

He's Still In Her Body: a tale of body-swapping (B.H. Wrencher's Bodies)

Sissy Shades of Pink

Cursed With Cock (futanari, dickgirl, public sex and paranormal erotica)

Luna Holdings: A Novel (Paranormal Erotica)

The New Maid (Mistress Beka Sex Stories)

Both Sides, Now An Erotic Transgender Love Story

Enjoy!

Resurrecting Jessica by Dawn Carrington

How far would you go to save somebody you love? How much would you sacrifice to bring back that love?

In Resurrecting Jessica, Dawn Carrington asks both those questions . . . and provides the answer in a most unusual manner. The story begins with the death of the narrator's mother, an event it uses to explore the grief of our narrator, his sister, and their father. Just when it seems like there might be an opportunity for some healing, however, death befalls the sister as well, leaving a father and son who are emotionally distant from one another.

It's a sad tale, and one that does a very good job of establishing a situation where the actual transformation makes a certain kind of sense. Unable to bear the loss of both wife and daughter, dad begins slipping some experimental drugs into his son's diet, slowly and gradually transforming the young man into a young woman. The transformation itself is the focus of the story here, taking place over a long period of time. If you're looking for a magical, overnight transformation, followed by some sexual exploration, this isn't the story.

Instead, Resurrecting Jessica is all about what it means to slowly become a woman, and how it feels to have one's life slowly stripped away. It's all for a good cause, and there is a happily ever after, but Carrington never shies away from the difficult questions and confrontations involved.

Reviewed by Sally

Celebrating Storm Moon by Kathleen Tudor (GUEST POST)

More and more in my life, I've found myself walking a path toward love. No, not that kind of love you dirty-minded... well, not just that kind.

Ahem. Anyway, love. I've become that friend who you hate to have around when you bitch about things because she always seems to try to find the good in the people you're gossiping about or the other side of the story. That peacenik hippie chick who says, "I know it's so frustrating to get cut off like that, but what if the driver was lost and her GPS was being evil and didn't tell her in advance that she had to exit and she was trying to get to the bedside of her terminally ill grandmother?" (What? I'm a writer. Imagination comes with the job!)

It's not that I've chosen to be the irritating hippie chick that no one wants to talk to, but walking the path of love is a hard one, and it demands it. It demands that I look into the faces of everyone around me, from those I already hold close to me to those who wrong me, hurt me, or simply walk a baffling different path, and find a way to love them, too. Even if they were probably just being a rush-hour asshole. (Okay, I have my moments...)

I take that love with me wherever I go, including into my fictional worlds, not by creating syrupy sweet romances or plotless tales where everyone is just a little too nice to everyone else (I'm going for realism, not utopia), but by finding those things that are outside of myself and embracing them. Once, I was asked by another writer how lesbians have sex. My baffled reply was, "write about people having sex, and just make sure any penises in the room are detachable?" And that is the attitude I try to carry forth into my writing. I don't write about gay men in love. I write about two people in love who both happen to be men.

I create diversity in my fiction and a little extra loving understanding in my heart by trying to respectfully bring to life characters that are outside my personal experience. I have written characters who are people of color, something which I will never be able to experience first-hand. I write about characters of sexualities and genders other than my own, not as fetish objects but as humans first. My trans* characters have been celebrated as nuanced and real—far more than the sum of their parts, pun intended—and I believe that this is because I don't write about trans* people... I write about people. And sometimes, those people are not cis-gendered.

Each time I find myself confounded by someone, whether by their experiences, their kinks, or their other-ness from myself, I like to challenge myself to live their life, however briefly, through my work. It was this very desire to come to a more loving understanding of trans* people that caused me to write my first piece of trans* fiction, Gift of Self in the Milk & Cookies & Handcuffs anthology from Storm Moon. It was my desire to take one of my personal squicks (needles) and turn it into something erotic that turned into the searing hot Needles, forthcoming in Kinky Couples from Cleis Press.

I love to create situations and worlds that challenge me, and I love to create in familiar ones, too, where I can sink into my comfort zone and produce things that make me happy or that speak to my own experience. It was a joy to write Hearts of the Hunted, which celebrates women, love, strength, courage, and superpowers (who doesn't love super powers???) And likewise, it was a joy to write A Bargain, a tale of a man and his octopus-merman lover, for the forthcoming Tall, Dark, and Wriggly anthology from Storm Moon. (Yeah, tentacles, another squick for me, but somehow an exciting writerly journey!) I celebrate diversity. I love people. I love the mission that Storm Moon has invited me to join to spread those loves all over the world. And I love you, too. Thanks for reading and for celebrating along with me.

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Kathleen Tudor is a writer, and editor who sometimes walks on the wild side. She can be contacted at PolyKathleen@gmail.com, and watch out for news of new releases as well as hot stories on her website, KathleenTudor.com. Her works through Storm Moon Press can be found as both Kathleen Tudor and her alter-ego, D.K. Jernigan.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

This post is part of Storm Moon Press' 4th Anniversary Blog Tour! Thank you for joining us, and please take a moment to enter both Kathleen Tudor's giveaway for Hearts of the Hunted as well as our blog-tour-wide giveaway! The prize is receiving an ebook each month from SMP for 12 months! We hope to see you around the Internet and at RainbowCon in 2014! Happy New Year!

SMP's 4th Anniversary Rafflecopter Giveaway

Kathleen Tudor's Hearts of the Hunted Rafflecopter Giveaway

The Tantra Club by Tiffany White

Given that it was Tiffany White who first introduced us to TG World - check out Bobbi's review of The Other Sex - it's only appropriate that we make a return visit to her storytelling magic.

The Tantra Club is a fun read, a story that's both sensual and sexual. Plagued by a lack of self-confidence, and challenged by a lack of physical control, David joins a naked Tantra Club in order to find a way out of his shell, and to become more comfortable with his sexuality. He finds his first session to be so immensely sensual that he actually ejaculates from the experience. Fortunately, rather than getting him kicked out for public indecency, that happy accident results in an invitation to a private session later in the week.

It is there, alongside two other young people, that David discovers the true power of Sheila, their tantra teacher, and her aptly-named Room of 1,000 Orgasms. I don't want to ruin any surprises here, but when Sheila promises her students they will experience the full power of orgasmic release, she ensures they understand both sides of the exchange. There are multiple transformations here, all culminating in an orgasmic exchange that will leave you wishing there was such a room, and such magic curtains, nearby.

Well-written, imaginative, and nicely detailed, The Tantra Club is definitely worth a read.

Reviewed by Sally

A Girl's Life by D.K. Masters

Thanks to Dana and the lovely team at TG World, we've had the opportunity to review a wide selection of their titles. As if having a trans* focused publisher isn't lovely enough, the diversity in their titles is quite amazing.

A Girl's Life is a clever, intelligent, and thoughtful story that explores questions of faith, love, and gender. Even if you weren't raised in a religious home, the kind of rigid control of thoughts and emotions in the opening chapters is likely to bring back unpleasant memories for anybody who has ever struggled with their gender or their sexuality. I know it made me identify with the narrator early on, and I cheered him on as he learned to question, to wonder, and to explore.

This is not a sexual story, not by any means. While there is some frank discussion about naked bodies, a kiss is about as far as any act of intimacy goes. Instead, it's a story about a journey, about a young man who is magically transformed into a young woman, and who uses that opportunity to learn what it means to love one's self, and to be loved in return.

D.K. Masters tells a lovely story. If I were to have one complaint, it's that I wanted more. There are some big questions left unresolved regarding the implications of Dana's new life, but I recognize that they're not important to the core story. A Girl's Life is very much a wish-fulfillment kind of fantasy, but a thoughtful one at the same time.

Reviewed by Sally

We Have to Split up, Lawrence by Janet Nicola James

What seemingly started out as just another "effeminate hubby transitions to female gender role" story, turned out to be so much more. As an initial introduction to the work of author Janet Nicola James, this reviewer was quite impressed with the quality of the writing and the intricate and exciting story line. "We Have to Split Up Lawrence" proved to be a surprisingly good read that delivered in spades. Dealing with the angst and guilt over his failures as a husband and father, successful business person Lawrence Palmer follows his gender imperative and becomes Lori, the women he was always meant to be.

This novel follows Lori's successess and setbacks as she deals with learning to live as a woman. This process is deftly described in the context of the gender and transgender prejudices and stereotypes that her esteemed company and the real world throw at her. In the process, Lori gets to experience relationships, sometimes sweet and innocent, but often graphicaly sexual. She becomes an expert on female clothing and finery. She also gets sexually assaulted and brutalized, wrongly accused of a crime and finally gets to turn the tables on several viscious individuals including a predatory defense attorney. Along her journey, Lori experiences some eye-opening transition-based insights as to the true nature of her being.

To get the fullest enjoyment though, one needs to suspend disbelief just a bit with regard to the gender transformation process. This can easily be done with some imagination and projection into what the near future may hopefully bring in terms of scientific and medical progress. This is a book I think you will enjoy.

Reviewed by Samuel

Freebie Fetish Friday - Get 'em while they're hot (and free)

Well, if it's Friday, then that must been it's time for Freebie Fetish Friday!

Every Friday I take the initiative to search through thew newly free titles on Amazon, and to identify those that might be of interest to trans* readers, fans, and lovers. Even if you don't have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon's free reading applications, and covert it (if need be) with Calibre. I can tell you I do most of my reading on my iPad, using Kindle for iPad, and it works beautifully.

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, though, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

After a few weeks of slim pickings, we have a pile of interesting titles this week!

The Change

A Secret Night (My Crossdressing Gay Surprise)

Samantha's Tale : The Deal : Forced Feminization, Bondage, BDSM & Male Chastity. (BDSM & Femdom : Chastity, Bondage, Female Domination & Forced Feminization)

D-Nine Vol.1 (Volume 1: #001 to #003)

Tamara's Tranny Surprise for Tim (Shemale Sex Stories)

Beach Weekend: An Explicit Story of Sexual Discovery

Enjoy!