I have read widely in the area of BDSM and offer here my opinions of some of the books I have devoured.

FICTION
There is an awful lot of trashy fiction out there dealing with subjects like slave colonies, alternative BDSM communities, cyber-domination, traditional discipline, captive scenarios and much more besides. To my regret I know this because I have read too many ridiculous, poorly written excuses for fiction purporting to be erotically stimulating. However below are some of the books I have really relished and why.

The 'Marketplace' trilogy comprising:

• The Marketplace - Sara Adamson


• The Trainer - Sara Adamson
• The Slave - Sara Adamson
  
  
This excellent trilogy penned by Laura Antoniou writing as 'Sara Adamson' deals with the exploration of various characters living in contemporary America where there exists a very secret and complex underground consensual slave/owner community. The characters are surprisingly well-rounded and believable. The plots are intricate, and the stories are really very sexy and arousing. A fourth book was written called The Academy which whilst being good, was not quite as tantalising as the first three.

• The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty - Anne Rice writing as A. N. Roquelaure
• Beauty's Punishment - Anne Rice writing as A. N. Roquelaure


• Beauty's Release - Anne Rice writing as A. N. Roquelaure
  
  
his is an exuberant, bouncy trilogy dealing with the fortunes and ultimately misfortunes of Beauty a luscious young woman who goes from being a Princess to being a slave used, abused, whipped, worked hard and tormented by various characters she runs into. Whist not as complex as the 'Marketplace' books, the pace of the stories is fast, the action hot and the character of Beauty appealing and sympathetic.

• My Darling Dominatrix- Grant Antrews


• The 43rd Mistress- Grant Antrews
  
  
Both of these books are extremely well-written, in parts poignant, in parts very erotic. they really read as though they have been written with true feeling and genuine understanding of the joys and miseries of BDSM love relationships.

• Venus in Furs- Leopold von sacher-Masoch
  
  Strange little book, considered a classic and certainly worth a read. Does not contain all the answers and in fact posed more questions than it resolved.
  
  

• Screw the Roses, Send me the Thorns - The Romance and Sexual Sorcery of Sadomasochism by Philip Miller and Molly Devon


This is a great book co-written by a male dominant and female submissive and they explore the world of BDSM in a sane, frank and easy to read way. Both authors give valuable and interesting personal insights into their love of BDSM. what they enjoy, how they do it and loads more besides.

• A Defence of Masochism- Anita Phillips.
  
  A slim volume written in a scholarly and erudite style.
  
  
• Sensuous Magic- A guide for adventurous couples- Pat Califia.
  
  An honest and personal view about the sensuous magic you can create in BDSM. Califia is a well thought of writer on the subject and writes with authority and humour.
  


• Miss Abernathy's Concise Slave Training Manual- Christina Abernathy


• Training with Miss Abernathy- a workbook for erotic slaves and their owners-Christina Abernathy.
  
  Two slim but excellent volumes which cover the practical side of slave-training. They are generally written for those in a committed personal BDSM relationship but the ideas, hints, tips etc. are useful for anyone.
  
• The Sexually Dominant Woman- A workbook for nervous beginners- Lady Green


• The Compleat Spanker- Lady Green

Two more lovely, slim tomes which deal with the subject in a refreshingly down-to-earth style. It might be good for subs to read about how it feels to be a Domme and learn about the psychology involved and how we get such pleasure from what we do. Sometimes I think it can be mysterious to a sub, as to why a woman might get so excited about spanking him, tying him up or tormenting him. Both Lady Green and Miss Abernathy are excellent at revealing what it is like from the Domme's perspective.


• Different Loving- The World of Sexual Dominance and Submission- Gloria G Brame/William D Brame and Jon Jacobs

This book uses interviews with real people to explores the dynamics of the BDSM urge. It is well researched, wide-ranging and informative. Definitely recommended by Mistress Keene


• Miss Vera's Finishing School for Boys who want to be Girls- tips, tales and Teachings from the Dean of the World's first Cross-dressing Academy- Veronica Vera

Great fun and useful book. Felt it should be included in my list of good reads if only because the subject matter is so specific and spot on to some people needs.


• The Mistress Manual- The Good Girl's Guide to Female Dominance- Mistress Lorelei

What a great little book. When I read it , I felt like I had come home. Very insightful and fascinating, Mistress Lorelei explains all about the five archetypal fantasies ( the Nursemaid, the Governess, the Queen, the Amazon and the Goddess) and so much more besides. This is one of my very favourites and I found it full of inspiration, and encouragement