Active Duty

May 15, 2014

This collection was the inspiration for the concept of "surprisingly sweet" erotica; with its military theme, it could be assumed that most of the sex scenes would be harsh and heated. However, variety reigns as Active Duty offers both tender and tantalizing tales of same-sex love, in and out of fatigues. The array of stories touch on the pain, roughness, and camaraderie forged in the military--a bond that can extend beyond brother- or sisterhood. From Dominic Santi's touching tale of futuristic fathers-to-be ("Liberty") to Julian Mark's racy "Do Ask, Do Tell," Plakcy's compilation ranges widely but always hits its mark. Even the raunchiest of pieces have a lot to offer in terms of emotional substance. There's no lack of happy endings, with many of the stories highlighting the advancements made in the military since the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. VERDICT A valuable addition to any erotica collection, particularly those with a high demand for LGBT titles.

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