From Sissy to Sensational by M.C. Questgend (transgender thriller)

One of the things I love most about M.C. Questgend is that, even with roughly 30 stories published, she never writes the same thing twice. Oh, she has favorite themes and character types, but what she puts them through - and, more importantly, how and why she puts them through it - is never the same. Even knowing her as well as I do, she still manages to surprise me with each new tale.

From Sissy to Sensational is no exception. It starts out rather sweet and affirmative, exploring Jamie's early crossdressing adventures, often aided by his sister, before allowing the question of guilt and shame to creep in. It them moves on to crossdressing while watching his Aunt's house, where he gets to spend an entire weekend dressing, which seems like a dream come true - until the landlord catches him, blackmails him, and then leaves him locked in the garage. After that, I was sure his Aunt would be sympathetic, maybe even supportive, but she feels so violated and disgusted that she refuses to even drive him home.

If you think you know where the story is headed next, trust me, you have no idea. I was spun around with this one, constantly guessing and second-guessing myself. I didn't know where it was going or what was coming next, and it does not help that much of it hit so close to home, leaving me reading a lot of my own experiences into Jamie's. The role of his mother really threw me for a loop, putting a vindictively maternal sort of spin on forced feminization that I am still struggling to grasp, and which further distinguishes this as something entirely new and different.

As always, M.C. plays with the cliches and tropes we all know and love, but in ways that do nothing to make us feel comfortable or secure in the story. Safe, innocent, familiar things suddenly become dark and tragic, and our expectations of the worst, the nastiest, the kinkiest developments rarely turn out as we would expect.

In a story where gender identity is fluid, From Sissy to Sensational does a fabulous job of exploring Jamie's gender issues, questioning his identity and his expression. The concept of a mentor here was wonderfully done - again, not what I expected, and better for it - and I thought it was a lovely surprise the way the story strides so boldly and confidently into a world that mixes business and pleasure, sending the very clear message that we do not have to deny the sissy inside in order to succeed as sensational.

Born in 1971, M.C. Questgend traveled the country with his parents as a military brat. Settling in Texas where he was first introduced to alternative lifestyles, he was able to finish high school and continue his new "hobby" in college. After college, he and "she" returned to start a family, but the strain of his "secret" was too much for his now ex-wife. Married a second time was not the answer, so M.C. has transferred the stress to the pen and keyboard. Writing erotic stories - some loosely based on his and "her" life as well as stories involving aspects of the LGBT community, a community and lifestyle he has come to privately embrace. M.C. Questgend is a pen name used to protect his privacy and anonymity. The intent was to write stories that entertain, inspire and motivate - which are as much sensual and heartwarming as they are sexual and explicit.

@mcquestgend
http://www.mcquestgend.com

Reviewed by Sally