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Message-ID: <40714asstr$1044490203@assm.asstr-mirror.org>
From: Crimson Dragon <dcrimsonp@nym.alias.net>
Subject: {ASSM} {REVIEW} {Reviews} Crimson's Top Stories - January 2003
Date: Wed,  5 Feb 2003 19:10:03 -0500
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I'm not entirely sure that I'll continue providing these top stories
lists. But for this month, I've chosen 6 stories that I thought
were exceptional for one reason or another. I hope that these lists
give a balanced counterpoint to more "popularity" based lists.

As always, this top story list is only my opinion of the best stories
posted in the preceding month or so -- it is not based on technical 
merits, or erotic content, but rather my relative personal enjoyment of 
the varying stories presented for whatever reasons. It is not a 
popularity contest or a vote, nor is it a definitive guide. Your tastes 
likely differ from mine.

As always, thanks to all the authors out there for all the stories.

 - Crimson (dcrimson@yahoo.com)

http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Crimson_Reviews/www

http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Crimson_Dragon/www
http://members.tripod.com/files/Authors/Dr/wwwagon_Of_Crimson

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                 Crimson's Top Stories - January 2003
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# 1  Re: Proof Reading Sex Stories -- Mat Twassel
# 2  Walking the Dog Chapters 1-4 -- smilodon
# 3  People Are Strange -- Bradley Stoke
# 4  The Prattingville Pussy Posse -- Kelly Adams
# 5  Nine Minutes -- Terri Madison
# 6  Of Things No Longer There -- johndear

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Re: Proof Reading Sex Stories -- Mat Twassel
    {MF, FF, writing)

Story:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/twassel/www/Proof.htm
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2003/40603

Author's Site:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/twassel/www/

Editorial Note:
    Mat didn't code this story, nor is he required to. Story codes 
    are only approximate, as generated by a half-asleep Dragon.

Sometimes there comes along a piece of writing that takes your
breath away. Given the title, I probably wouldn't have picked it up
but for the suggestion of a good friend. If I hadn't picked it up, I
would have missed out on one of the best stories that I've ever
read, here or otherwise.

Adam meets Laura in a Philosophy class. Over time, Laura and Adam
discover each other, meeting as friends over cocoa after class. But
Adam claims to be a sex-story writer. Is he? Should he be? We
follow Adam as he falls in love with Laura, as any of us might, and
Mat's talent as a writer puts us right there with Adam and Laura,
experiencing, feeling and loving.

The characters and the settings are real enough to touch -- or kiss.

Now, I wasn't involved in ASSM/D when this first appeared back in
January of '97, much is the shame, but I do understand why this
story was rated as highly as it was by Celeste. If you read nothing
else around here, read this. It is absolutely everything that
erotica should be.

Thank you, Mat, for sharing this with us.

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

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Walking the Dog Chapters 1-4 -- smilodon
    (M/F, cons)

The story:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/SM/wwwilodon/Walking%20the%20Dog.htm
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2003/40476

Author's Site:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/SM/wwwilodon/

Damn it, I swore that I wouldn't review any more multi-part stories.
First Bradley Stoke's "Alice" -- then smilodon posts this. Granted,
I didn't realise that the story continues past Chapter 4 when I
downloaded it, but nevertheless that doesn't give me an excuse for
rating it. <sigh> So much for New Year's resolutions.

You see, Martin Booth is a Tax Lawyer. He collects sculptures, and
basically flows through life as most of us do. Quiet. Enjoying the
simple things in life. When he meets Steph, she completely
overwhelms this simple man, thrusting him into a more wild life.
And he loves her for it. Of course, all good things must come to an
end, and Steph has wandered on her own course, one that doesn't
involve our Martin. We join Martin on a cold English beach in
Norfolk, returning slowly to his former life, somewhat enjoying the
solitude and company of his two dogs, Trotsky and Magic.

In the distance, he spies a woman, walking slowly towards him, and
so enters Angela. I have to wonder if Martin's life will ever be the
same. Who is Angela? And what is going on?  Martin doesn't seem to
be the James Bond type, does he?

Smilodon has created a wonderful beginning to a tale of intrigue and
honour and mystery in this, our little erotic haven. I love the
style of the story telling, the characters, and the plot so far. I'm
honestly dying to read the next instalment.

Be warned. As is usual for smilodon, the sex is not central to the
story. The story is better because of it, but if you are looking for
mindless stroke, this probably isn't for you. If you want a story
that carries one along, with real characters, this might be more
your league. Smilodon cares about his characters and the plots
spinning around them. Martin and Angela are superbly crafted.

[ ... in the jaws of the estuary above the liver-coloured flott. A 
  slatternly wind was ruffling the tussocks of coarse grass that 
  grew along the littoral, doing nothing to shift the grey curtain. 
  The air smelt of salt and older, ...]

Honestly. I had to look up like four words in this passage.

(And just what the heck is a 'flott'???)

But I popped this into the review not as a critique ... I do enough
of that ... but rather to point out that I'm impressed. While some
might complain that the vocabulary might be a little pompous or
extended for our audience, I prefer to believe that we all enjoy
learning something new. The passage above is exceptionally
expressive, and a testament to smiley's ability and talent as a
writer. Better, it fits wonderfully into the style and atmosphere of
the piece.  Well done, smiley.

[ ... have lived in two or three cramped rooms. Angela must have 
  seen me coming for {she me met} at the door. "Very punctual," she 
  said, "Please come in." ... ]

The more common usage: she met me.

Nevertheless, I can't tell if smilodon did this on purpose.
Technically, I think it is quite correct, simply a transposed
object.

There were a few technical issues in the last chapter of this
offering, but I'm not going to point them out here. They simply
don't detract whatsoever from the enjoyment of this piece.

I feel that I've read enough of this story to rate it, despite my
resolutions to the contrary -- these four chapters were longer than
any of the previous reviewed stories. Keep in mind that the story
isn't complete, though, even if the rating is unsurprisingly high.

Go read this. And smilodon had better get cracking on releasing the
next parts. That's all I have to say.

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

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People Are Strange -- Bradley Stoke
    (MFF)(Caution)

http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Bradley_Stoke/www

Bradley takes us behind the scenes, where Moss, Miguel, Laura and
Sylvia are making a European stag film. Moss watches and waits not so
patiently for his turn at the action. Meanwhile, the girls, together,
and then with Miguel, play their parts for the camera, the audience,
and the director.

This story combines a number of interesting elements. Bradley takes us
backstage, presenting a rather different perspective on the entire
porn film genre. The combination of the character, and the setting
shows, perhaps, a rather bleak outlook on the production of these
films. Overall, it was different and didn't seek to needlessly
glamorise what must surely occur behind the scenes.

And I can't help comparing to what we all do here. Why do we write as
we do? The answer is simple.

People are strange.

(But what about Dragons?)

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

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The Prattingville Pussy Posse -- Kelly Adams
    (ff+, lt bond)

The Story:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Kelly/www/ppp1.txt
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2003/40416

Author's Site:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Kelly/www/

Prattingville has its cliques like every small town does. We join
Erica's initiation into a particularly ... sexy ... high school
club. You see, the babes of Prattingville (where did that name come
from?) band together and form an exclusively female club where its
members have sex, sex, and more sex. Carol has sponsored Erica, and
one might guess what Erica must do to convince the existing members
that she's worthy of joining.

Don't sweat the light bondage in the story codes. Sure, the
initiation involves some bondage, but it is harmless, and sexy.

(By the way, Kelly ... is the president of our little club Kathryn 
 or Katherine? I really think you need to make a choice ... <grin>)

In Kelly's own words:

[ It has little socially redeeming qualities--unless of course
  you consider wall-to-wall lesbian teen sex socially redeeming ;) ]

(Yes, sometimes I do read the prefaces ...)

And she's right ... there isn't a great deal of socially redeeming
plot-lines, or heavy messages. The girls are there for one reason,
and one reason only. Despite that, it is clear what Kelly's intent
here is. And surprisingly, with the story's heavy reliance on sex,
there is character here. I genuinely liked Erica, and Carol, and
all the rest of the girls.

Kelly is going for fun, fun, and more fun. And maybe I was simply in
the mood for reading a light, sexy story, and maybe this is written
a lot better than most stroke stories ... either way, Kelly
succeeded. Sometimes wall-to-wall lesbian teen sex is socially
redeeming. Nobody got hurt. And everyone was happy (including the
Dragon).

You won't find me recommending many stroke-type stories here.  But
this one is different, and I can't quite put my claw on why.

It's fun. Go read it.

Technical       :    9
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :    9
Crimson         :   10

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Nine Minutes -- Terri Madison
    (MF, flash)

The story:
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2003/40431

Author's Site:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/terrimadison/www
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/terrimadison

Editorial Note:
    Terri didn't code this story, nor is she required to. Story codes 
    are only approximate, as generated by a half-asleep Dragon.

I absolutely hate it when the alarm goes off in the mornings. The
snooze button is my friend. Nevertheless, what if it wasn't your
alarm clock, and you were irretrievably awake? Sweet revenge?

This really short vignette reads suspiciously true to life.  One has
to wonder about the inspiration for it.

Excellent image, Terri. I'm still smiling.

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

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Of Things No Longer There -- johndear
    (love story)

Story:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/johndear/notthere.txt
http://assm.asstr-mirror.org/Year2003/40541

Author's Archive:
http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/johndear/

Patrick Worthy, former school teacher, devoted father, and lonely
man, meets Connie, a former student of his, near the otters. Mona,
his teenage daughter, reflects on their life together since her
mother left, how she was raised, and how much she loves her father.
All in all, Mona figures out what life is all about, and interjects
herself into the conversation.

I really, really liked this story, though I did find it a little
disjointed. John is following a stream of consciousness approach,
and the style fits nicely into the point of view of the narrative.

There isn't any sex here, beyond some innuendo, but neither should
there be. It still has plenty of Eros.

Technical       :   10
Eros            :   10
Character/Plot  :   10
Crimson         :   10

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-- 
Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyright with all rights
reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.
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