Scotch (not on the rocks)

Whisky in the Gretna Green shop.  (Get married while you're there!)

Whisky or whiskey? Islay or Speyside? Bourbon, Irish or Scotch?

Vintage Condoms - Erin O'Quinn's blogpost.

Fab blogpost on vintage condoms by Erin O'Quinn.  Lots of information here for you historical erotica writers.  

Classic Hot Totty (review of The Iliad)

A trip to the beach would not be
complete without my knitting and
The Iliad. Ooh, toffee meringues ...

I've been considering doing some reviews of classical erotica.  Unfortunately these will have to be here rather than on my review site as they rarely conform to modern guidelines on safe sex.  

Where better to start than a classical classic:  Homer's Iliad.  This blogpost is for MatthewVett, who shares my appreciation of classical literature and Asian women.  

The Sociable Life of the 21st Century Writer

The Death of Chatterton by Henry Wallis 

Back in the day, writing was a lonely business.  Ideally a would-be writer ought to live in a garret and it helped if they could also make clear to their loving family that they must be left to starve.   The young poet Thomas Chatterton, forger of medieval verses,  was much celebrated by the Romantics (Shelley, Keats, etc) when he topped himself on failing to get the appreciation he felt he deserved.  (Or possibly it was in an attempt to cure himself from a STD, anyway it was very romantic and sad.)  

California Dreamin'

My esteemed colleague, Johneb87 (writer of exceedingly Hot Editor's pick stories on Literotica - check 'em out!), is taking a trip around California.  He has started this excellent blog, in which he's not only making notes about the vineyards he visits; he's also describing some of the fun and games he's having along the way.  (No, not that kind!  Sheesh, people have fun out of bed too y'know!)  If you want tips on a trip round California and the superb Napa Valley wines, or just a pleasant read, here is your place to go:  

Trip notes and random musings.  

Maybe I'm a MILF

Still my favourite of
Kenny's books,
available on
Smashwords.

Kenny Wright has just written the blogpost MILFs in erotica (with a bit on the side about cougars).  Em and Lo's New York article Of MILFS and Men anxsts about whether this is a new objectification of women. But as Kenny notes, the MILF is not a bad woman, she's an intriguing combo of Madonna and whore:  a responsible caring lady who knows how to cuddle you when you have a grazed knee and what snacks are the best treats for a sleepover, combined with someone who is obviously not a virgin and might know a thing or two you'd like her to teach you.  

Vivien Leigh as Anna 

(Interesting that in spite of critical 

acclaim and an A list of stars, 

the 2012 film didn't make it big.)

Three Cheeses for the Anonymice

Keen's cheddar cheese

This post is a special thank you to my Anonymice.  We erotica writers all have them, people who leave comments but only as 'anonymous', who cruise our work quietly in the night and often leave without a trace.  

Life's Little Luxuries - introduction to wines

Mental Healthy on a study showing
red wine is good for you.  

Before launching into the nuances of vintage champagnes and Romanée-Conti wines, I thought we would have a reminder of the basics of wine drinking.  I know this is just a reminder for all you sophisticated topers but indulge me.  Or yourself, if you have a glass to hand.