Rogue Reviews Digest No. 38 - May 10, 1999


  NOTICE

If you are easily offended, not of the required legal age, or 
material of an erotic nature is illegal where you are, then do not 
read what follows.


  CONTENTS

Mailing List Information

Ratings

Note

Reviews

  "Eager Beaver" by Jenny Wanshel
  "The Fantasy of Three" by Amberle of the Three Rivers
  "Five Hours" by John A
  "A Needle Through the Heart" by MichaelD38
  "Realizing Nicole" by a.k.a. Nolan
  "San Gimignano" by Gordie
  "Yard Work" by B. Peale


*****


  MAILING LIST INFORMATION

I send my reviews individually, when I finish them, to the Sex Stories 
Discussion List.  If you are interested in joining there is a form for 
doing so on my home page.

* Home Page - http://www92.pair.com/leevine/rogue-reviews/
* E-Mail - santiago@switchboardmail.com


*****


  RATINGS

Part 1.  OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS

SCORE = AROUSAL SCORE + [PLOT & CHARACTERS SCORE + EDITING SCORE]/2

AROUSAL SCORE

0  Not
1  Barely
2  A Little
3  Somewhat
4  Very
5  Extremely

PLOT & CHARACTERS SCORE

0  Nonexistent
1  One but not the other is present, and what is there is defintely lacking
2  Has plot and characters, but either the plot is very poorly conceived or 
   all the characters are types and don't seem realistic
3  The plot and characters have been crafted with some care, but either the 
   plot doesn't flow very well or seem to follow a logical progression, or 
   the some of the characters don't seem realistic
4  The plot and characters have been crafted with some care, but there is 
   still a little something missing from the plot or in the characters
5  Beautifully crafted plot and characters; the plot flows smoothly 
   and follows a logical progression and the characters seem realistic

EDITING SCORE

0  If this story was edited then I'm the tooth fairy
1  This story may or may not have been edited, it is hard to tell considering 
   all the spelling and grammtical errors I found
2  This story may have been edited, but obviously needs more editing
3  Several spelling or grammatical errors
4  A few spelling or grammatical errors
5  No spelling or grammatical errors


Part 2.  SUBJECTIVE ANALYSIS

Not Good = This was a waste of my time, don't bother reading it

Good = This is a good attempt, but I don't recommend it

Very Good = If you have the time or like this variety of story then I 
recommend this story, otherwise I would go with something that I rate 
as Excellent or Outstanding

Excellent = I recommend that you read this story, and I really liked it, but 
it did not give me the same feeling that an outstanding story does.

Outstanding = This story was not only enjoyable, but it also gave me a 
special feeling that I cannot describe


~~~


Note that there is not necessarily a direct correlation between 
the objective analysis and the subjective analysis.  On the other hand 
the terms objective and subjective as I have used them are relative and 
not absolute terms.  In other words the objective analysis is more objective
than the subjective one, and vice versa.  This new system may not work in 
the long run, but for the moment I am going with it.

This still does not get to one of MichaelD38's criticisms, which is how 
much better is an Outstanding than an Excellent, and Excellent than a 
Very Good, etc.  To be perfectly honest I'm not sure myself.  All I 
know is that I like Outstanding stories better than Excellent ones, etc.
I have a hard time quantifying "like", or "love" for that matter.  I 
can tell you if I liked something better than something else.  I can 
tell you why I did.  I can't put on a number on it however and say that 
I liked it 20% more or twice as much.  That just does not work for me.


BTW you may have noticed that I have dropped Grudgingly Good from my 
rating system.  That rating really represented a case where I did not 
like a story, but only because I was revolted or disgusted by the subject 
matter.  With the new system I'll just say under the Subjective Analysis 
that a story was Not Good.  The Arousal score is somewhat subjective, so 
that score may suffer, but I think that I can recognize good writing 
even when it revolts me.



*****


  REVIEWS


-----


Rogue Review No. 363 - April 28, 1999

Eager Beaver by Jenny Wanshel

F/F/M, Teen

Length: 10,000 words

Objective Analysis: 9.0 (out of 10)

  Arousal: 4/5
  Plot and Characters: 5/5
  Editing: 5/5

Subjective Analysis: Very Good


  SUMMARY

Themes: size matters

Jenny and Cindy, two cock-hungry sophomores in high school, convince 
Brad, a senior with a reputed monster-cock, to go out with them.


  COMMENTARY

I am usually rather repelled by stories in which the main characters 
seem to be fixated on size, and while that is definitely the case here, 
the narration itself does not focus too much on size.  The result is 
that I was able to enjoy the story without being bombarded with 
comments about how big Brad's cock is.  It also helped that the author 
builds up to the sex and does not begin the story with it.  This is a 
very arousing story.

One thing that I really like about this story is Jenny's runing 
commentary on her own life.  It adds both humor and realism.  Brad 
and Cindy are not quite as vividly painted as Jenny is.  The plot runs 
smoothly.  What makes the story stand out is the main character.  This 
is a very well written story.

Well, I definitely enjoyed this story.  The story is very well written, 
very arousing and very well edited.  As I said before if there is one 
thing about this story that stands out, in my mind, it is not the size 
of Brad's cock (or is that cuck?) but rather Jenny's running commentary 
on her own life.  This is a Very Good story.


  LINKS

Eager Beaver

* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=470513613&fmt=raw [1/2]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=470515628&fmt=raw [2/2]


-----


Rogue Review No. 364 - April 29, 1999

San Gimignano by Gordie

M/F

Length: 6,400 words

Objective Analysis: 8.0 (out of 10)

  Arousal: 4/5
  Plot and Characters: 3/5
  Editing: 5/5

Subjective Analysis: Very Good


  SUMMARY

Themes: older woman/younger man

Tim, a college student, lusts for Mrs. Antonelli, the fifty-something
widow that owns the restaurant where he waits on tables.  One night 
she asks him to stay late and...


  COMMENTARY

The author makes it clear that there is a sexual attraction between 
Tim and Mrs. Antonelli from early on, but does not have them come 
close to playing hide the salami, until much later.  This helps make 
the story more arousing.  The authors descriptions of sex also do not
focus too much on the physical elements.  This is a very arousing 
story.

The story is very well edited for grammar and spelling, but the story
does feel a bit forced.  I think this is due to the fact that the 
characters are more types than they are flesh and blood.  It's not 
that they seemed unfeeling, but rather that they did not have any 
quirks.  You know, those things that make each one of us unique.  I 
didn't see them.  The plot does flow nicely.

I liked this story.  Why?  Number one, because the author did a good 
job plotting the story, and number two, because I like the older 
woman/younger man theme.  It isn't as taboo a theme as say incest, 
but it is one that society still is not completely accepting of.  If 
you like this sort of theme or like a little plot with your sex story
then I think you may enjoy this one.  I have given it a Very Good.


  LINKS

San Gimignano

* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=468480425&fmt=raw [1/2]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=468480431&fmt=raw [2/2]


-----


Rogue Review No. 365 - May 2, 1999

A Needle Through the Heart by MichaelD38

M/F, Teen, Cons, NC

Length: 20,000 words

Objective Analysis: 7.0 (out of 10)

  Arousal: 2/5
  Plot and Characters: 5/5
  Editing: 5/5

Subjective Analysis: Very Good


  SUMMARY

Themes: virtual reality; detective/thriller

Phillip, currently a virtual reality junkie and formerly a homicide 
detective, helps Sabrina, a security specialist who used to be his 
lover, track down a virtual reality rapist.


  COMMENTARY

There are a couple scenes in this story that I found arousing, but 
for the most part this story is not arousing.  I believe that is the 
way the author intended it.  There is a rape scene in this story but 
it was not in the least bit arousing.  Once again, I believe that is 
the way the author intended it to be.  There are not too many graphic
details in the rape scene.  This story is a bit arousing.

The story itself is very well written.  All of the characters, in 
particular Phil and Sabrina, seem realistic.  There are three centers
of focus within this story.  The first is Phil.  When the story 
begins his life is in a downward spiral which began soon after 
Sabrina left him.  The second is Phil's relationship with Sabrina.  
Phil harbors a good deal of resentment towards her.  She can't seem 
to get him to understand why she left him.  The third center of focus
in this story is the rape and the former lovers' attempts to find the
rapist.  I can see how someone else might not separate Phil out as a 
distinctive a center of focus, but it seems to me that Phil, the 
relationship he has with Sabrina, and the investigation of the rape 
are all equally important to the plot.

This story is compelling.  It pulled me along.  I wanted to see what 
happened to Phil.  I wanted to see who the rapist would turn out to 
be and how he would be dealt with.  I wanted to see how things would 
work out between Phil and Sabrina.  In other words I recommend this 
story if you are looking for a good read.  On the other hand, if you 
are looking for something to arouse you I would advise you look 
elsewhere.  I have given this story a Very Good.


  LINKS

A Needle Through the Heart

* http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/17469.txt [1/6]
* http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/17468.txt [2/6]
* http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/17470.txt [3/6]
* http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/17471.txt [4/6]
* http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/17473.txt [5/6]
* http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/17472.txt [6/6]

* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=414434854&fmt=raw [1/6]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=414434850&fmt=raw [2/6]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=414434860&fmt=raw [3/6]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=414434866&fmt=raw [4/6]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=414434875&fmt=raw [5/6]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=414434870&fmt=raw [6/6]

Stories Online

* http://www.storiesonline.net/


-----


Rogue Review No. 366 - May 4, 1999

Five Hours by John A

Code(s): M/F

Theme(s): Infidelity

Length: 5,500 words

Objective Analysis: 10.0 (out of 10)

  Arousal: 5/5
  Plot and Characters: 5/5
  Editing: 5/5

Subjective Analysis: Excellent


  SUMMARY

John gets paired with Sarah when he goes golfing, while his wife and 
children are at a nearby beach park.  He enjoys Sarah's company so 
much, through 18 holes and lunch afterwards, that he finds it hard to
resist when she makes him an indecent proposal.


  COMMENTARY

No bones about it, this story is extremely arousing.  It isn't so 
much that the story is filled with graphic sex, which it isn't, as 
much as it is the attraction that John feels for Sarah, which, by the
way, she reciprocates.  The chemistry between the two of them, which 
the author does a beautiful job describing, makes this story really 
special.  I think it also helps that the story is about a 
relationship more than it is about sex.

Well, other than having a beautifully depicted relationship between 
two characters that are both attractive and realistic, this story is 
also very nicely plotted.  It flows smoothly.  There is a nice 
balance struck between dialogue and narration.  Even though John 
tells the story, it seems to be about Sarah almost as much as it is 
about him.

If you didn't read the last two paragraphs then maybe you haven't 
figured it out yet, so let me spell it out for you: I really enjoyed 
this story quite a bit.  It is extremely arousing, very well written 
and very well edited.  One thing that makes this story worth reading 
is that it is both entertaining and touching at the same time.  I 
have given it an Excellent.


  LINKS

Five Hours

* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=473236447&fmt=raw [1/2]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=473236453&fmt=raw [2/2]


-----


Rogue Review No. 367 - May 5, 1999

Realizing Nicole by a.k.a Nolan

Code(s): M/F/F

Theme(s): --

Length: 5,600 words

Objective Analysis: 8.0 (out of 10)

  Arousal: 4/5
  Plot and Characters: 3/5
  Editing: 5/5

Subjective Analysis: Excellent


  SUMMARY

Nolan and Kristen are supposed to be going away for a weekend with 
Sharon, Kristen's college roommate, and Mark, her husband.  When Mark
is temporarily taken out of the picture Nolan, Kristen and Nicole get
nice and cozy.


  COMMENTARY

This is a very arousing story.  Though the characters go at the sex 
with some enthusiasm, the story does begin with them showing some 
restraint.  They seem like people, not automatons, and that always 
makes sex scenes more enjoyable.

This is a well paced story.  It has a story line, but most of it 
involves sex.  I like Nolan.  He enjoys himself and at the same time 
seems to have some human concerns.  The two women were hard to 
distinguish, at times; they weren't different enough.  While the 
story is well executed, I did have a couple problems with it.

On the whole I enjoyed this story.  The plot and characters are a bit
lacking, but unless you don't care for being aroused and only want to
read well extremely written stories, then I advise you read this.  I 
have given it an Excellent.


  LINKS

EroticStories.com

* http://www.eroticstories.com/


-----


Rogue Review No. 368 - May 8, 1999

Yard Work by B. Peale

Code(s): M-solo, M/F

Theme(s): Exhibitionism, Voyeurism

Length: 3,900 words

Objective Analysis: 8.5 (out of 10)

  Arousal: 4/5
  Plot and Characters: 4/5
  Editing: 5/5

Subjective Analysis: Very Good


  SUMMARY

Tim is hot for Steven.  Steven is married to Jenn.  Steven is not hot
for Tim, but decides to give him an eyeful anyway.


  COMMENTARY

This is a very arousing story.  Steven does not seem completely 
certain about the course of action he takes, but he does seem to get 
a charge out of being as exhibitionistic as he is.  I think this 
served to make the story more arousing.  I also have to admit that 
seeing a man expose himself to another man, at least under these 
circumstances, got me aroused.  Its nice to see a man who is 
confident enough in his sexuality to take a chance.

This story is well written.  There are three characters, but the 
focus is on Steven.  It is not told from his point of view, but the 
author seems to be more concerned with what he experiences, rather 
than how his relationships with Tim and Jenn change.  The plot is 
well paced.  It might have been nice if the characters were a bit 
deeper, but then again, this is a stroke story.

I enjoyed this story; some of you might not.  There are hints of 
homosexuality or male bisexuality in this story.  If even the hint of
those topics bothers you that much, then maybe you will not be able 
to enjoy this story.  On the other hand, I think you'll be missing a 
story that is well written and very arousing.  I have given it a Very
Good.


  LINKS

Yard Work

* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=468152870&fmt=raw


-----


Rogue Review No. 369 - May 10, 1999

The Fantasy of Three by Amberle of the Three Rivers

Code(s): F/M, F/M/M

Theme(s): --

Length: 6,000 words

Objective Analysis: 8.5 (out of 10)

  Arousal: 4/5
  Plot and Characters: 4/5
  Editing: 5/5

Subjective Analysis: Very Good


  SUMMARY

Gwen has the hots for Anthony, her boyfriend's brother.  When Jake, 
her boyfriend, finds out how she feels about Anthony, he delights and
disturbs her by encouraging her to take action.


  COMMENTARY

Both the sex and the foreplay in this story are very hot.  The author
takes her time in building up to the one crucial sex scene.  The 
series of thoughts that go through Gwen's head as she comes closer to
fulfilling her fantasy make the story more arousing.  This is a very 
arousing story.

I liked the characters in this story, Gwen in particular.  The author
does a marvelous job depicting the variety of emotions that Gwen 
experiences.  It made her seem very real to me.  Jake and Anthony 
also seem realistic, but the reader is not put inside of their heads,
so they do not seem quite as complete.  I like the pace of the story 
and the course that it follows; not too fast, not too slow.  This is 
a well written story.

I enjoyed this story quite a bit.  It is very arousing and well 
written.  I can see how some men might not be all that turned on by 
it, but I liked it.  I have given it a Very Good.


  LINKS

The Fantasy of Three

* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=453731478&fmt=raw [4/5]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=454136815&fmt=raw [4/5]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=456851021&fmt=raw [4/5]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=459653102&fmt=raw [4/5]
* http://www.deja.com/=gh/getdoc.xp?AN=459653104&fmt=raw [5/5]

* http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year99/20475.txt [1/5]
* http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year99/20503.txt [2/5]
* http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year99/20665.txt [3/5]
* http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year99/20796.txt [4/5]
* http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year99/20797.txt [5/5]


*****


5/10/99
