Please, Ma'am [Paperback]

No matter what your kink or your favorite fantasy, there is probably something for you in Please, Ma'am (provided, of course, that you enjoy the F/m dynamic). Although I didn't love every story in the book (and who does get off on every permutation of kink?) there was plenty to enjoy.

The stories are all told from the male sub's perspective, and have everything from money slavery to gender play, and from being shared to being turned into something as insignificant as furniture. There are experienced subs and forays into new territory, lovers and play partners and one night stands. This book literally has a selection that is as varied and complex as kink itself, and while not all players are sure to love all stories, there WILL be one in here that will heat you up.

Generally I get bored with most erotica. They are not well-rounded or focused enough for my tastes. Either a majority of the stories focus too much on the tiny minute details or have four pages of lead-ons ending with a paragraph or so of the actual goods. Please, Ma'am however is not one of those novels.

Full of stories based on male submission Rachel really picked some interesting stories that left me wishing they were full novels themselves. Nothing was too over the top or too vanilla, just a perfect blend to suit all tastes. Out of all the stories there were only two that left me in a meh state. That really says a lot considering I'm very picky about my erotica.

One of my favorites was titled, "A Charmed Life" by Isabelle Gray, which featured a player (we all know them, they are their own personal self-entitled brown-noser)who basically harasses a seemingly unobtainable woman who wants nothing to do with him... at least until he plays HER game. It really captured my interested and even had me smirking as I imagined just how the story line was playing out.

That is just one of the many great ones. I can't recommend this book enough to anyone wanting a well-rounded novel focused on one theme. If you finish this one and still one more there is another one also compiled by Rachel titled, Yes, Ma'am: Erotic Stories of Male Submission that is just as thrilling.

If male-submission isn't your taste then I recommend both her Please, Sir and Yes, Sir compilations that focus on female submission.

Please, Ma'am edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel
Release Date: June 1st, 2010
Publisher: Cleis
Page Count: 216
Source: Naked Reader Book Club via EdenFantasys for review

Women Who Rule
"I crave the pain she gives me, but it's more than that... I crave the person she becomes."
-- from "I'll Do It. For Her."

Go ahead, say the words out loud: "Please, Ma'am." If these words make you long for a woman to grab you by the scruff of your neck or control you with one fierce, all-knowing look, then this is the book for you. Whether playing servant, student, or nude model, the submissive men in Please, Ma'am revel in the attention of stern mistresses who know exactly what punishments they need. With stories by Michael Hemmingson, D.L. King, Graydancer, and many more, bestselling erotica editor Rachel Kramer Bussel has gathered together today's best erotic tales of men who crave the cruel intentions of a powerful woman.

What Stephanie Thought: Previously, female dominance was portrayed physically -- with the woman literally being on top (remember my review?). Please Ma'am is just as fierce of a ride, but it covers the more psychological and emotional aspects of the divine mistress.

You wouldn't guess that in dominance, there would be tenderness. Especially in sadism and masochism; tenderness is the last thing you'd expect. But it's all a mind's game, you see. Some people see the practice of dominance and submission as unequal power play and gender condescension. Taking a closer look, it's not like that at all. The reason a woman and a man can endure such debauchery is because in them, is the knowledge that only the strongest can put up with the humiliation. Only the strongest can stand to be beaten and tied up, but still have the dignity to be considered an equal.

Fortunately, there are no whips nor chains in this book; the whipping and blood-drawing of BDSM stories typically makes me queasy. Most of the anthology deals with the type of admiration a submissive male has for his dominant female partner, and the compassion a dominant woman secretly, desirously, has for her surrendering man.

There are many scenes that bring tears to my eyes. It's sublime how much love and passion emerges from both the dominant and submissive parties. It's also perplexing how big of sacrifices lovers are willing to take for each other, to please each other, and that, for me, defines for me what love means. It has nothing to do with physique and societal acceptance; love is a burning connection that has no boundaries, and the controlling hand of Please, Ma'am is what makes it all the more profound.

Stephanie Loves: "I take the pain for her -- no matter how much, how hard -- but I'm not a young man, and sometimes in the face of it my spirit is thrilling but my flesh is meek." -- from Graydancer's "I'll Do It. For Her.", probably one of the most emotionally touching stories I've read, being erotica at that.

Radical Rating: 8 hearts- Would recommend to lots of really good friends.