Zsuzannah's Bedroom: A Collection of Erotica Reviewed By Kevin R. Tipple

Zsuzannah's Bedroom: A Collection of Erotica By Zsuzannah BasReisa
Double Dragon Books
ISBN # 0-9689630-8-0 Rating: ****

This 227 page erotic novel features four separate long stories with a little something for everyone. The content of the stories range in time from the distant past, around 1150 AD, to the not very distant future. Humor and a willingness to poke fun at the concept of sex is a refreshing major component of the work. With elements of straight, bisexual and lesbian sex interwoven into some very interesting stories on their own, it becomes a very enjoyable read where the stories stand alone beyond the sex.

The novel opens with the story titled, "Courtesans." This one was my personal favorite of the four and features Melisande Des Anges. Melisande practices white magic and is living in the year 1150. She is also a courtesan and is spending time with Jason, Lord Ravensbrook, as the story opens. Suddenly, as he is enjoying himself with her body, he demands that she tell him where her mother's spellbook is. It seems that Jason is a practicer of Dark Magic and she does not want to tell him. However, with his every magic enhanced thrust, she is losing control and should she orgasm, her power will flow into him making him stronger. As a last act of desperation, she is able to leave her body behind and is thrown across time to the year 2001.

Melisande wakes up in the body of Lacey, living in Central Park and Mistress to Senator Jake Morgan. Senator Jake Morgan is just finishing his business with her and must soon get dressed and go about various duties. Once he leaves, she is left to confront the strange world she now finds herself in. The spirit of Lacey has the same problem, because she is now in Melisande's body back in 1150 and Jason is very, very unhappy.

Not only do both ladies have to adapt to the environment they now find themselves in, they also have a slight magical problem to deal with. The problem goes way beyond the issue of Jason and the dark forces he is aligned with. Melisande lost her powers when her spirit was thrown to present day. Lacey discovers that she has the powers, but lacks the knowledge to handle them. Quite an interesting problem and definitely my favorite of the four in this novel.

Not to say that the rest of the book is bad-far from it! The next story, titled "Quid Times", seems to be a nod to the television show, The X-Files. In this case, FBI Special Agent Derick Raftery agonizes over the fate of his fellow agent and partner, Rachel Kennedy. Rachel was injected with a deadly cancer and while she is still able to function somewhat normally, her life hangs in the balance. Both partners have wanted each other and now, with time apparently running out, they act on their long repressed needs and desires. Next, is "Misty Goldstein and The Cult of Isis." In this enjoyable story, Misty is a bisexual and loves Xena of the show. She fantasizes about being Xena to the point when her good friend and male lover Niles Russell is killed; she asks herself what Xena would do. The answer leads her to Egypt and the Cult of Isis as well as one heck of a good time for body and soul.

The closing story is titled "An American Love Story." In this one, Blackie is to write the screenplay version of "Bridges of New York." But, if they want him in Los Angeles to write the screenplay then they will have to wait, because the man don't fly. (Right there, I liked him!) Since he is on the Times list, they agree to wait and he hits the road, headed for the West Coast. But, he plans to see some sights along the way and gets quite a few unexpected surprises as the miles pile up.

This is a very enjoyable read with plenty of interesting characters in a variety of settings. While "Courtesans" was my personal favorite, the whole book is very good and appeals to a wide audience. This is definitely one to check out courtesy of Double Dragon Books.