Rating: 
Summary: Houston HPEP Reading Group Raves!!!
Review: Yes, you've heard from me (vixen) before - but i just wanted to say that the HPEP Reading/Movie S.I.G.that Master and i host recently finished our own discussion of "Topping From Below" and it was one of our best meetings yet!!! All the folks who read the book found something compelling to talk about - be it the issue of consensuality, the culpability of the Dominant in the death of Fran, or the realism of the S/M scenes...all who read the novel were somehow moved, (my Master says i am prejudiced because i fell in love with the character 'Michael" - but i remind Him that it was only because He bears such a striking similarity to "His truly" - i have to admit when Master dressed for the meeting in the unpretentious debonair fashion of 'M' - right down to the silky shirt with rolled-up sleeves, i found myself in such a state that i could barely conduct the group)... But then, my friends, that just helped to illustrate the powerfull evocative nature of the characters described, and how intensely "genuine" the experiences of the heroine were presented. (*sigh*)By the way, the Doms loved it too, and were almost unanimously defensive of M's relative innocence. To reiterate, "Topping From Below" is a tremendous book, on many levels, and a very special BDSM literary find. Read it alone, or with your Dom/or sub... MWvixen
Rating:
Summary: A Serious Erotic Thriller
Review: "Topping From Below" bridges the gap between a serious thriller of a novel and explicit erotic fiction. It is an admirable, perhaps audacious, first novel by Laura Reese. It is more than an exciting "fast read" and has a depth that deserves merit. This is a shocking mystery novel opening with a first person account by the main character, Nora Hibbs, of the sadistic death of her sister Franny. The author grabs the attention of the reader in a graphic first paragraph and succesfully builds the tension all the way to the end. While the primary plot is attention grabbing, the enduring tension is artfully developed by an underlying, highly erotic, pcychological exchange of power between Nora and M. The author has masterfully used sadism and masachism as a method of playing with human emotions and exchanging physical and mental control between the two main characters. The result is a gripping novel. The erotic scenes are explicit and may be offensive to some readers. Most involve S&M, but all of them are integrel to the story and changing the lives of the characters. They are not merely thrown in to tease or shock the reader. This is a serious novel with good character development and a devilish plot that could be real. My only disappointment was with some of the author's over-use of description of the physical environment. Some of the description was lengthy, unnecessary, and unrelated to the plot. This is a thrilling, very readable first novel. It is also one of the very few legitimate, quality novels that successfully includes explicit erotic scenes that are integral to a very real story. I hope the subject matter does not hinder the author's opportunity for future success.
Rating: 
Summary: A Page Turner
Review: I read this book and was totally enthralled page after page ..
I found it very erotic , and yet at the same time disturbing, It paints a dark picture of the lifestyle, one that left me shaken and somewhat ill. yet at the same time I could not put it down, though I was tempted to hide it after i read it so graphic were the details of M's sadistic tastes.. the climax was terrific .. and the characters captivating .. even M in His quiet Firm and self assured attitude, the kind of Man who from a distance would seem every submissive girls dream .. until you get to know His dark desires, then you can only hope you never are under the Dominance of one such as Him (unless His desires happen to be yours) I totally enjoyed it and recommend it to any who have an interest in the lifestyle.
Rating: 
Summary: S&M at its most interesting
Review: This book is quite "over-the-top" with its graphic depictions of sadistic sexual antics. I find it unrealistic that a woman would willingly "open herself up" to the slimy creep who she suspects brutally murdered her sister. The only explanation I can see is that Nora is a few pickles short of a barrel. In short, if you like S&M and kinky sex, but don't care to admit it, you can find some redeeming value in this book. It definitely gives you more than a peek into the far reaches of sexual madness. It took me places I didn't really want to go, but I'm stronger for the experience. The raunch and romp is followed up with some poetic justice that makes the book marginally worth a read. Although my first impulse was to say that the book was completely unpalatable, the aftertaste made me change my mind. Go for it. You won't be the same afterwards.
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Summary: Free will, guilt, love, lust, hatred and how they mingle...
Review: Topping from Below is a great title for this book. After all, the submissive makes a choice to submit, and therefore has power of his/her own. I thoroughly enjoyed this story of one woman's journey toward understanding her sister and herself by delving into the shadows. I picked the book up hoping for a good sexy read, but found instead a psychological thriller that included skillfully written sex as an integral element of plot -- highly unusual. I found Nora's naivete a bit much at times, but enjoyed the subtleties of her eye-opening experiences. Most of all, I was attuned to Fran and her hidden guilts and needs... and the way the others in her life ignored the reality of her self. Another point to recommend it: I was surprised at the actual way Fran died. There were times when I wasn't sure who was responsible. I like that in a thriller.
Rating:
Summary: YOU WON'T PUT IT DOWN
Review: Topping from Below is a riveting story that might be conceived as disturbing but I thought it wasn't too bad. There were some parts that made you a little uneasy but overall this book was great and it has a story line that kept you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't help to think while reading this that the behavior practiced by M is probably more common then most think. A very good book however.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Reading, For the Open Minded
Review: I found this book to be very interesting to read, hard to put down. Does it have scenes that are extreme and "original" in thought ?...YES, it is what captured our attention to read. If you want to read the predictable, then you should choose a seasoned writer with a carbon copy forum. This BDSM lifestyle is unique in nature as it is too each person and/or couple. My personal thanks to Laura Reese for giving me something to read that was intense and captures an essence of two girl's journey into their inability to understand a need within themselves. It was not to understand, it was to read and escape the norm if only for the momment.
Rating: 
Summary: Disturbing
Review: I am certainly not a prudish miss, (if I were, I would not have ordered this book) but I found this story disturbing and the references to adding farm animals to sex play totally nauseating. Not entertaining or erotic, by my standards.
Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: Normally I am a person who loves and cherishes books, but this one will not even get shelf space in my house. And, quite frankly, I would be embarrassed to even give it away! I could not find ONE redeeming feature in this book. It has an absurb premise, is poorly written and would be the only book I know that I would nominate for tinder at a book burning. Save your money. Run don't walk away from this one.
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Summary: Something to spank (er spend the time) with!
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. It is not your run of the mill story and there are several twists that will surprise you as the main character evolves. I am not a prude but found several sexual scenes disturbing while thrillingly erotic. The author really knows how to set a tone. It is not for the "missionary only please" reader. This book will let you watch as the main character re lives her murdered sister's steps via her diary. What she ends up finding out is more than just the name of her sister's killer- it is a life changing revelation about herself, just how far she is willing to go to get what she wants, and feels she needs to experience. And if you need more than that, the book is just the right width and hardness to make a sting when you swing it on an upturned bottom.
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