HedoVibes #85

IMG_30831Photo courtesy of Carnal Queen

Welcome to HedoVibes, a collection of reviews and giveaways that were posted in the past week or so from around the web. This is a collection of adult product reviews & contests from real reviewers. If you want to be included in the next edition start with the guidelines, then use the submission form.

Want to read more reviews? Check out HedoVibes for a list of the latest reviews and stellar reviewers. You can also follow on twitter for the latest round ups. HedoVibes is also accepting photo submissions for each edition.

CONTESTS

DILDOS

VIBRATORS

ANAL TOYS

RINGS & STROKERS

BONDAGE, IMPACT, & FETISH GEAR

LUBES & CONDOMS

ADULT VIDEO

EROTIC BOOKS

MISCELLANEOUS

hedo150

 

The Big Book of Bondage Review

Many thanks to Cleis Press for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review — and for donating a second copy to a lucky reader! You can order The Big Book of Bondage directly from Cleis Press’ product page or from other book retailers, such as Amazon.

bigbookbondage edit

The Big Book of Bondage is edited by the wonderfully talented Alison Tyler and contains 25 short erotic stories penned by 25 different contemporary writers. At well over 300 pages, it’s definitely a large volume — even when you consider its slightly squished format (5×7 vs. the 6×9 of a typical trade paperback). It was published in 2012 by Cleis Press, a prolific company specializing in sexual how-to’s & erotic literature of all varieties.

As both a bookworm & sex geek, I read a lot of erotica. Unfortunately, my standards are pretty high and I often run into the same two problems: horribly tacky sexual metaphors (“His rigid sword pushed its way past her moist petals and plunged deep into her castle.”) and an imbalance between variety & unity (the stories either blend together or they feel too chaotic to fit under one theme).

The Big Book of Bondage was a refreshing respite
from mediocre (and just plain bad) erotica.

Without a lot of cheesy sex slang to disrupt my reading experience, I was actually able to connect with the characters and immerse myself in the plot lines. I was able to get turned on by the fantasies that resonated with my own and appreciate the creativity of the few that just “weren’t my thing.”

Which brings me to my next point: The variety is such that no two stories in this collection are the same. “Bondage” can mean anything from simply following verbal commands to physically being bound by cuffs, ropes, even vacuum beds. Other kinks and fetishes make their way into the stories with ease. (Into exhibitionism? Pain as pleasure? Pet play? It has you covered!) Sexual acts are not limited to “the usual” oral sex or penis-in-vagina intercourse. (Fisting, figging, and anal play all make appearances; sometimes there’s surprisingly little “sex” at all.) If you’re into kink, there’s a good chance that you’ll find at least one story that reflects your own unique desires — and many more that you will be able to enjoy.

The tingling moved through her teeth, sang in her scalp, tickled the ends of her hair. She was limp and weightless, she was floating free. – Vida Bailey, Life Drawing

Thanks to the editor, Alison Tyler, there’s an inclusiveness in The Big Book of Bondage that I appreciate when it comes to the characters & their relationships. Although the majority of the stories feature heterosexual couples with a male Dominant/female submissive power exchange, there are still plenty of stories that break the monotony. Gay/lesbian characters were not forgotten or ignored. Femdom fantasies were given space to shine. And “untraditional” relationships were included in the form of group sex, open relationships, & various arrangements between play partners.

As a big believer of the fact that erotica/porn can be educational and still hot, I was also thrilled to see the occasional mention of safe sex and BDSM practices. (Condoms, safewords, checking to make sure that rope isn’t too tight, etc.) Of course there were some stories that made me cringe (anal sex without any lubricant) and others that made me very uncomfortable (a boss whose behavior I interpreted as sexual harassment instead of sexy fun time), but I understand that others’ fantasies differ from my own.

When I came, someone paused the universe. I shattered into a million little pieces and was blasted across time. – Kristina Lloyd, The Bondage Pig

Overall, I highly recommend The Big Book of Bondage if you’re into kinky erotica. It’s got some great writing talent, a variety of different characters/scenarios, and sexy descriptions that will get your heart pounding. It even offers a pretty good insight into the nature of BDSM & bondage play.

It may just be the best erotic anthology that I’ve ever read.

5stars

HedoVibes #84

IMG_1830-e1426568879198-470x260Photo courtesy of I, Kinkster

Welcome to HedoVibes, a collection of reviews and giveaways that were posted in the past week or so from around the web. This is a collection of adult product reviews & contests from real reviewers. If you want to be included in the next edition start with the guidelines, then use the submission form.

Want to read more reviews? Check out HedoVibes for a list of the latest reviews and stellar reviewers. You can also follow on twitter for the latest round ups. HedoVibes is also accepting photo submissions for each edition.

CONTESTS

DILDOS

VIBRATORS

ANAL TOYS

RINGS & STROKERS

LUBES & CONDOMS

STORAGE & FURNITURE

MISCELLANEOUS

hedo150

 

Lelo Mona 2 Review

As some of you might remember, I was one of the lucky winners of Epiphora’s great Mona summer party giveaway last year. Lelo was kind enough to send me the coveted Mona 2, as well as their (awesome) toy cleaning spray, water-based lubricant, and a Lelo notepad & pen set. Not only was the stationary nerd in me totally wooed, but for the first time, I was deeply impressed with a Lelo “pleasure object.”

Description

Mona in box

The Lelo Mona 2 is curved specifically for G-spot stimulation, but it’s appearance is much more subtle than many other G-spot toys that are on the market. For one thing, the end is tapered, not bulbous & round. Instead of having an intense C-shape (like the njoy Pure Wand or the Jopen Key Comet), the Mona’s curve is gentle with a strategically placed bulge. Overall, it’s an unassuming & moderate sized toy with a diameter of 1.25″ at its widest point and a total length of 7.75″ (approximately 4.5″ of which is insertable).

The Mona 2 is available in three different colors: purple, red, and cerise (hot pink). Both the handle and the inner core of the vibrator are made from hard ABS plastic, meaning that there isn’t any flex or give to the toy. However, the insertable portion is covered in a layer of Lelo’s signature velvety silicone. It’s matte, does not attract much dust/hair/lint, and lubricates easily in order to minimize drag. Both materials are nonporous and body-safe.

The controls for the Mona are easy and intuitive. The handle has 4 buttons: +, -, ^, and v. To turn the toy on, press the + button and hold it until the desired vibration intensity is reached. To turn it off, press and hold the – button. The ^ and v button are used to cycle back and forth through Mona’s 5 patterns of various pulses and waves. The toy can also be locked and unlocked by pressing and holding both the – and + buttons at the same time for approximately 3 seconds.

Mona contentsTypical of Lelo products, the Mona 2 arrives in dual layers of packaging: a thin cardboard box featuring a photo of the toy & a sturdier box that is appropriate for extended storage. In addition to the toy itself, Lelo also includes a travel/storage pouch, charger, user manual, 1-year warranty registration card, and lubricant sample. According to Lelo’s website, each 2 hour charge should lead to 2-4 hours of use.

Experience

I’ll be honest; the first time that I used the Lelo Mona 2, I was disappointed. There was so much hype surrounding it that I suppose I naively expected a G-spot orgasm that was both effortless and magical. It never happened. In reality, the Mona 2 was my first G-spot vibrator. I didn’t know how to use it in ways that would provide me with the most pleasure. And to make matters worse, I was hanging onto an idealized view of the “vaginal orgasm” — when my body absolutely requires clitoral stimulation.

Now that I’ve become more in tune with my body (including my G-spot area), I can safely say that the Mona 2 greatly surpasses my expectations in the realm of blended orgasms. I have proudly joined the sex blogging cult that worships the Mona 2. I’ve even nicknamed my Mona & Tango the “wonder twins,” because they are so perfect together.

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For a power queen like me, the most important thing about the Mona 2 is that its vibration intensity is leaps and bounds beyond Lelo’s older products like the (disappointing & barely discernible) Lily. While it’s nowhere near as rumbly as the We-Vibe Tango, it is still strong enough for me to use clitorally without getting frustrated. And since I don’t require as much power for G-spot stimulation, the Mona 2 has more than enough ‘oomph!‘ internally.

Secondly, the shape is pure genius. The subtle bulge nudges against my G-spot effortlessly, and I simply have to push down on the handle (raising the internal portion of the toy) if I require more intense pressure. Because the curve is not extreme, the Mona 2 does not get painfully hooked behind my pubic bone like the Lelo Ella does. This makes thrusting not only possible, but comfortable. The only problem that I have experienced is that occasionally, depending on my level of arousal and my enthusiasm, the tapered end can feel a little pokey.

Lelo Mona 2It may seem surprising, but if you’re looking for a toy with variety, the Mona 2 has got you covered! Although it’s designed for internal use, the gentle shape also complements the natural curves of the vulva quite nicely for external stimulation. (The handle/length of the toy can even be beneficial for those who have difficulty with their flexibility or reach.) Plus, since the vibration intensity & patterns are controlled separately, the Mona 2 has a huge range of settings, allowing each individual to select their perfect combination.

Bottom Line

To be honest, Lelo rarely impresses me. I generally think that their “innovation” sounds cooler than it actually is, their mechanics are mediocre, and their prices are too high. The simple fact that I will 100% stand behind the Mona 2 should be a testament as to how much I enjoy this toy.

Its full range of vibration intensities make it a good fit for individuals who prefer sensations that are soft, strong, or anywhere in between. Its gentle, bulging curve and modest size are not so extreme as to prevent thrusting or intimidate its user. And it can easily and comfortably double as an internal & external toy. Overall, I think that the Lelo Mona 2 is capable of pleasing a wide range of individuals — including G-spot beginners and experts alike.

5stars

Pros: body-safe silicone & ABS plastic, wide range of vibrations & patterns, easy to use controls, curved design that is effective but not extreme, quiet, rechargeable, & waterproof

Cons: fairly high price tag, may not be enough for those that need very deep, rumbly vibrations or bulbous C-shaped toys for more focused G-spot pressure & stimulation


Thanks again to Epiphora & Lelo for gifting me with this fantastic toy! If you’re interested in purchasing the Mona 2, please consider ordering from my affiliates: Good VibrationsSheVibe, or Peepshow Toys.

HedoVibes #83

stainless-steel-butt-plug-review-forbidden-obsessions-14Photo courtesy of Cara Sutra

Welcome to HedoVibes, a collection of reviews and giveaways that were posted in the past week or so from around the web. This is a collection of adult product reviews & contests from real reviewers. If you want to be included in the next edition start with the guidelines, then use the submission form.

Want to read more reviews? Check out HedoVibes for a list of the latest reviews and stellar reviewers. You can also follow on twitter for the latest round ups. HedoVibes is also accepting photo submissions for each edition.

CONTESTS

DILDOS

VIBRATORS

ANAL TOYS

BONDAGE, IMPACT, & FETISH GEAR

LUBES & CONDOMS

STORAGE & FURNITURE

LINGERIE & SHOES

EROTIC BOOKS

MISCELLANEOUS

hedo150