Let me assure you, this is no idle thought. I’ve recently been reading Sarah McCarty’s erotic romance Sam’s Creed, and have spent waaaay too much time trying to get my head around the logistics of the sexquestrianism described in this book.

Yes, yes, I know it’s an erotic romance and therefore a work of fantasy, but when you actually have to stop mid-sentence and draw a diagram to help you work out what the hell the characters are doing to each other, then you know you’ve got issues. (Well, either I do or the book does – I can’t quite decide which.)

Picture the scene. It’s 1858. Ranger Sam MacGregor and Hispanic beauty Isabella Montoya are tearing across the wilds of Texas, dodging ambushes and loads of bad guys with six guns. They’ve only got one horse (Sam’s trusty cayuse, Breeze) so are riding double – and, inevitably, all the rubbing against each other gets to be a bit too much.

Cue first incidence of equine acrobatics: fellatio on horseback.

‘“There could be an ambush set just over the next hill.”’

(Perfect time for a bit of oral pleasure, then.)

‘He turned in the saddle, maintaining his grip on her hand, forcing her to lean around.
“Do you want to really pleasure me, Duchess?”’

(Well, men with guns are likely to jump out at us any second, but sure!)

‘She worked her way over. The back of the saddle cut into her hip and she was stretched too far.’

(Uh, what? You’re leaning forwards. Around a torso. If your hip is digging into the rear of the saddle, where on earth are your legs?’)

‘Breeze stumbled.’

(Does Isabella fall off? No way. This mishap turns her into Linda Lovelace.)

So after this very bendy blow job, they stop, make a fire, have some regular sex on nice, solid ground, and repel an ambush before mounting up again. After coming out on the winning end of the scuffle with the evil dudes, they now have additional (skittish) horses and are towing an injured dog on a pallet. Clearly, this is an excellent, excellent time to engage in some anal sex.

‘He hopped back onto the horse’s flank. Before she could realise what he was up to, he hooked his arm around her waist and pulled her sideways onto the saddle.’

(Uh, where the heck are you sitting, Sam? Are your manly bits not being crushed by the saddle cantle? I’m kind of surprised you’re still on the horse, to be honest. Most don’t take kindly to having anything near their flanks.)

‘“I want you, Bella.”
“Right now?”
“Yeah.”
She looked intrigued. “How is this done?”’

(Yes, Sam. How is this done?!)

‘He eased her a little more to the right. “Swing your leg over.”
Startled, she glanced at him. “This is possible?”

(Yep. Riding astride a horse is actually feasible. You’ve been doing it for the last few chapters. To be honest, though, Isabella, I think you would have been better to have asked this question last night before trying to fellate your man like an acrobat from Cirque du Soleil. And Sam? For the love of God, why are you trying to do this front-to-front? I think the level of difficulty is quite high enough at this point. It’s not the bloody Olympics.)

‘“Pull your skirt out of the way.” …. “Nice and easy, sweet,” he warned as she jerked about. “We don’t want to spook the horses.”’

(I think they’ve seen it all at this point.)

‘His hands curved around her buttocks. His fingers dipped into the deep crease between, pulling the firm globes apart …’

(Cue backdoor action and orgasms galore. No mention of accidental incidents with the saddle horn that’s no doubt poking into Isabella’s buttocks. In case you’re wondering, she’s never done it this way before, they don’t use any lube (other than bodily fluids) and it’s all unbelievably terrific.)

In fairness, Sam’s Creed was actually pretty well written; the story was quite exciting and the sex rather hot. Unfortunately, the suspense and tension was ruined for me by all the drawing I had to do to work out what the heck was going on sexually. And now I’m wondering what on earth the characters are going to have to do to keep things exciting in the next Hell’s Eight book. Shagging on a horse is pretty hard to top …

NB: If all this horsing around has you intrigued, you can buy your very own copy of Sam’s Creed by clicking on the following links:

Amazon.co.uk

• Sam’s Creed – Kindle
• Sam’s Creed – Paperback

Amazon.com

• Sam’s Creed – Kindle
• Sam’s Creed – Paperback

The post Anal sex on horseback – is it possible? appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

This Christmas, we have a full house. I’m even having to borrow a trestle table to fit everyone in for Christmas lunch. It’s going to be awesome. Lots of chatter, over-excited kids, plenty of Buck’s Fizz, good food and good conversation.

But once everyone’s gone home, the mess is cleaned up, and the small ones are fast asleep, I’ll be opening a few sexy presents with my OH, just the two of us. And I’m very much hoping that I’ll receive one or two things from my Christmas wishlist …

• Red Passionate Birthday Suit Suspenders from Agent Provocateur (those red ribbons are to die for – seasonal, too!)
• Lux-Me White Swarovski Crystal Riding Crop from La Belle Epoque (sparkly things are always welcome)
• Jimmyjane Afterglow Massage Candle in Grapefruit from Lovehoney (an excuse to touch each other – not that we need one)
• Kitty Gold Ouvert backless knickers from Lascivious (easy access and very, very pretty to look at)
• YESforLOV Intimate Pleasure Caress After Spanking Cream from Coco de Mer (no explanation needed)
  

And lest you think I’m completely self-indulged, rest assured that I’m on the lookout for sexy presents for my husband, too. He’s actually quite hard to buy for, but I’ve found a few goodies I think he might like …

• Truth or Dare – A Game of Passion from Amazon (an interesting alternative to Risk)
• Luxury Soft Black Bondage Rope from Bondara (since I used his good one to do the Shibari Christmas Turkey shot for Toy with me Tuesday)
• Maximus Anal Lubricant from Lovehoney (to go with the Kitty Gold Ouvert knickers above)
• Godiva Deeply Dark Chocolate Collection from John Lewis (my OH adores chocolate)

Cross your fingers for me!

Hope your Christmas shopping is going well.

The post Giving a little sexy Christmas love appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

Title:

Mary Shelley meets Grey’s Anatomy meets Torture Garden.

‘Let’s experiment’ is the tagline for FrankenDom and flippin’ heck does it ever. Reading this book was the literary equivalent of walking into Heston Blumenthal’s Michelin-starred The Fat Duck, ordering the snail porridge and, after a tentative taste, scraping the bowl clean with enough enthusiasm to chip the porcelain.

FrankenDom is by far and away one of the most original and engaging BDSM books I’ve read this year; the plot is awesomely wacky, the characters original, and the D/s relationships in play both unusual and captivating. A medical drama on crack and filmed in a Rocky Horror Show-esque dungeon, if you will. (Or more, accurately, castle Bangenschloss in Montavena.)

I’m not really sure I can give a non-spoilery plot synopsis for this book – not one that will make much sense, anyway – but I’ll do my best.

Rachel McBride, a talented vascular surgeon whose career is on the rise, is confronted with a very tempting offer. The chance to work on a highly confidential project with her ex-lover, Doctor Colin Carter, and his boss, the brilliant and charismatic Julian Kilmartin, who many view as a medical visionary. Professionally, she knows she’d be crazy to pass the mysterious opportunity up, despite a sixth sense telling her there’s some sort of catch. Personally? Let’s just say that being attracted to the two men she’d be working beneath doesn’t make her decision to participate any less complicated.

“From a professional standpoint, I’d have to be insane to pass up such an offer—I knew I has the diagnostic instincts, the surgical skills and the competitive drive to play with the big boys, and this project could be history in the making.
But from a personal standpoint, I was hopelessly outclassed and likely to make a complete fool of myself.
I’d have to be insane to accept.”

Sometimes a little insanity is a good thing and in the case of FrankenDom, it’s a bloody excellent. If you’re not wriggling around like you’re on the slab yourself whilst reading this … well. I’m not normally turned on by electrical play in BDSM fiction but I must admit, even I started eyeing up the electrical sockets in the house after reading this book. And there’s a, uh, rather well done medical scene in this novel that I think is fair to say would not likely be covered by any sort of standard health insurance. I dare you not to laugh out loud at Julian’s playbook folder-naming conventions, too – well, Rachel’s folder anyway.

Joking aside, for all its quirkiness, FrankenDom isn’t a comedy. It actually asks some pretty heavy ethical questions of both the characters and the reader. Further, the relationships it portrays – and, yes, there is more than one at the heart of this book – are not necessarily conventional. I was actually quite surprised by the dynamic that settled into place at the end of the story. (For me, the most climactic part of FrankenDom was actually in the middle, rather than at the close.)

My favourite FrankenDom moment ? Julian’s treatise on erotic pain:

“Think of your pain tolerances rather like the strings on your guitar. Each has its own perfect pitch in a given moment, but they tend to go flat between uses and you have tune them every time you play.”
.
.
.
“That magical line, where the pain is most intensely pleasurable, is the perfect pitch I’ll strive for each time we play.”

There is irresistible urge when reading FrankenDom to contrast it with Mary Shelley’s original gothic novel, to try and work out who slots in where, even though I’m not sure that we (as readers) are actually meant to. Jordan, I think I can place quite easily (!) but Julian feels like some sort of Victor Frankenstein/Lord Byron hybrid; Colin, perhaps, a melding of both Captain Walton and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Rachel? I want to say Mary herself.

One final note. This is a self-published work and a very well written one at that. However, there are some typos in the text. My personal view? The story is strong enough to make them seem like irritations rather than major annoyances.

Tickle your fancy? Click on the following links to purchase a copy.

Amazon.co.uk:

• FrankenDom - Kindle

Amazon.com:

The post FrankenDom – Robin L. Rotham appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

What we used: Liquid Silk lubricant
From: Bodywise
Price: From £9.99 for a 250ml bottle
Ingredients: Highly purified water, propylene glycol, isopropyl palmitate, dimethicone, cellulose polymer, polysorbate 60, sorbitan stearate, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate NSE, B.N.P.D, di sodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol, methyl paraben, butyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, BHT.

First thoughts

Lizzie
A quality lubricant in a decent-sized bottle – and at a reasonable price – is quite hard to find. On average, Thomas and I tend to replenish our supply of slippery stuff every two to three weeks. Granted, we’re pretty generous in terms of the quantity we apply to each other but it’s a pain to be constantly buying lube what feels like every five minutes. Enter the 250ml bottle of Liquid Silk.

How it looks

Lizzie
The Liquid Silk lubricant packaging is very simple. The bottle is a good size and resembles the sort you’d buy bathroom handwash in. I like that the pump dispenser isn’t the annoying fixed, squat design you find on the various Durex containers; it screws on, which means that you can unfasten it and get that last bit of lubricant out when you’re nearing the end of your supply. The lube itself is actually a milky white colour, which is quite different to many of the water-based lubricants I’ve used in the past. (The majority tend to be clear.)

In use

Lizzie

True to its name, Liquid Silk does indeed feel really lovely on the skin – incredibly light and silky. The dispenser makes it easy to get just the right amount of lube (a partial pump for a little, a couple of full pumps for a palm full) and it’s a breeze to spread. Best of all it’s not tacky and passes the ‘water test’ with flying colours. (I don’t particularly like lubricants that re-activate and leave behind excessive residue when you run your hands under the tap after use.) You don’t need a great deal Liquid Silk, either, because it spreads so nicely when applied but it is water-based, so you have to reapply it more frequently than you would a silicone-based product. Taste-wise, Liquid Silk isn’t the nicest on the tongue – it has a slightly bitter flavour – but I’ve certainly had worse. The aftertaste takes a minute or so to dissipate, too.

One note of caution. Those who read through the ingredient list at the beginning of this review may have noticed that Bodywise’s Liquid Silk formulation contains parabens. Is that a problem? Well, it boils down to your interpretation of the available research. Some scientific studies claim that parabens, which are used in many cosmetic products, such as shampoos and moisturisers, can be linked to cancer. Specifically, the development of breast cancer in women as parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen. To that end, if you have any concerns about using products containing this particular type of chemical or have a sensitivity to them (parabens can cause skin irritation in some people*), then I would suggest opting for an alternative paraben-free product. You can find out more about parabens here.

*I would classify myself as having relatively sensitive skin and had absolutely no issues with Liquid Silk, despite it having a wider range of ingredients than the organic lube Woohoo! – which I did have an adverse reaction to.

The verdict?

Lizzie
A generous bottle of water-based lubricant that’s pleasant to handle and apply. Great for vaginal and anal intercourse, on toys (we used Liquid Silk when trying out the Pony Play Butt Plug Whip), and to keep things slippery during manual stimulation. Flavour-wise, Liquid Silk has a slightly stronger taste than other water-based lubes I’ve had in my mouth but it’s certainly not dreadful. (I should note here that Thomas found its taste slightly less offensive than I did.) I’d prefer that Liquid Silk didn’t contain parabens, but, for me, their inclusion isn’t a deal breaker.

In summary

Things I liked:

• The size of the container. You won’t be buying replacement bottles as often.
• The texture. Silky, easy to spread and non-tacky.
• The pump dispenser. Makes it easy to get the right amount of lube and can be unscrewed when you reach the end of the bottle, thus enabling you to tap out the liquid at the very bottom.
• The price. Despite the bigger initial outlay, a 250ml bottle of Liquid Silk works out cheaper than many other lubricants millilitre for millilitre.
• As it’s water-based, it can be used on silicone toys.

Things I wasn’t so keen on:

• The taste. Liquid Silk has a slightly bitter tang.
• The inclusion of parabens. In an ideal world, this lube wouldn’t have them.

Tickle your fancy? Click on the following links to buy Liquid Silk lubricant.

* Liquid Silk is also available in a 50ml bottle, although please note that the latter differs in design from the 250ml container.

Amazon.co.uk

• Bodywise Liquid Silk personal lubricant, 250ml

Amazon.com

• Bodywise Liquid Silk personal lubricant, 250ml
• Bodywise Liquid Silk personal lubricant, 50ml

Bondara

• Bodywise Liquid Silk personal lubricant, 250ml
• Bodywise Liquid Silk personal lubricant, 50ml

Lovehoney

• Bodywise Liquid Silk personal lubricant, 250ml
• Bodywise Liquid Silk personal lubricant, 50ml

The post Bodywise Liquid Silk personal lubricant appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

What we used: Pony Play Butt Plug Whip (small)
Brand: Doc Johnson
From: UberKinky
Price: £19.99
Material(s): plug – PVC (latex-free, phthalate-free); tail whip – synthetic (unspecified)

If you like the idea of a butt plug with a little decoration, or have a penchant for pony play, the Doc Johnson Pony Play Butt Plug Whip may be all the excuse you need to mount up.

First thoughts …

Lizzie
The very first butt plug I ever tried – quite a few years back now – was a Doc Johnson offering and it looked very, very similar to this one – albeit slightly larger and without the glossy black tail sprouting from the base. I really liked that old plug, so was very much looking forward to trying this one out.

The first word that sprang to mind looking at this toy? Cute! It’s a very manageable size and the tail gives it lovely kinky little twist. Pony play isn’t one of my particular kinks but I do love the idea of decorative butt plugs, so the Pony Play Butt Plug Whip fits that bill perfectly.

Thomas
This is a small butt plug, not much bigger than a finger. It does have a large base, though – which is essential, as you don’t want to lose your toy while in use! The tail ‘hair’ (if you can call it that) is attached to the latter and made from rather wiry plastic stands. Honestly, it’s not the most pleasantly tactile material I’ve ever come across but the choice of synthetic does herald easy cleaning.

The construction …

Lizzie
The butt plug itself is made of nice, soft PVC, which, in my experience, is important if you’re new to anal play/anal sex. Why? Because it has a bit of give to it and that makes a plug slightly easier to ‘take’ when it’s being inserted. (Glass, steel and ceramic plugs don’t compress in the same way.) The only downside is that it has a slight plasticky smell about it, although this isn’t particularly strong.

Size-wise, this butt plug is very unassuming. It has an insertable length of 9.5 centimetres (3.75 inches) and a diameter of 2.5 centimetres (1 inch). In real terms, that’s just slightly bigger than the average masculine index finger. A perfect size if you’re a beginner.

The tail is attached to the base of the plug and made of what looks to be strands of black nylon, which are approximately 40 centimetres (15.75 inches) in length.

Thomas
The plug is much the same as others we have used except for the tail, which looks to be well attached. It’s a very simple toy, really; you just need to make sure you clean it well before and after use with hot water, anti-bac soap, and toy cleaner. The widest point of the butt plug is not much larger than the tip, so it’s not particularly intimidating.

Using it

Lizzie
Thomas took my by surprise with this one because I’d completely forgotten that the tail on this butt plug could be used as a whip. The first time he struck me with it I was blindfolded and got very confused about what was actually making contact with me. (I know all the toys in our toy box extremely well and can generally tell straight away which one he’s using on me – sight or no sight.) The impact was very mild in the scheme of things but because the whip strands are synthetic, you do get the merest hint of a sting from the ends if there’s enough force behind the blow.

Because I’m used to anal sex and other anal toys, inserting the actual butt plug section wasn’t a problem for me but all the usual golden rules applied: lots and lots of lube, warm up with fingers first, relax. However, once it was inserted I did encounter something new.

Over the years, Thomas and I have tried out a lot of butt plugs but they’ve all generally been medium in size. Because the Pony Play Butt Plug Whip is relatively slender and doesn’t have a particularly deep groove at the base to lodge it in the same way as a larger plug, I really had to work to hold it in place. For some people, this might be a minus but for us, this actually gave us the opportunity to play a rather nice game: If I dropped the plug, I got a punishment. If I kept it in place, I got a reward. (Although the ‘reward’ was a double-edged sword as I had to try and hold the damn thing in whilst having an orgasm – and that wasn’t particularly easy!)

I did like feeling the brush of the tail against my legs but for obvious reasons I can’t say how it looked from an in-situ aesthetics perspective. I do know, however, that contracting my internal muscles to hold the butt plug in place caused the tail to twitch – and Thomas definitely liked the look of that.

Thomas
After a good clean with toy cleaner to start (essential) and giving Lizzie a proper warm-up it was time to try it out.

First up, a bit of anticipatory whipping. The plug made a decent handle and was quite good to hold onto, but the hair tail didn’t have a lot of weight to it so I needed to get a good swing going to give Lizzie a reasonable flick. With that in mind, I wouldn’t rave about it but it’s a decent whip for more sensitive areas or those who want a lighter touch.

The butt plug. As with all anal play, the rule is too much lube is about the right amount. I wasn’t overly gentle inserting this toy as Lizze is used to both anal sex and slightly larger items, so after a copious amount of lube was applied to the plug and her, in it went. Generally, I like to tease Lizzie as I insert anal toys, usually holding them at the widest point for a few seconds to get the best reaction out of her. As this plug had a relatively small girth, though, the effect when I did this was not as great and her reaction was rather muted. I also noticed she was having trouble holding it in (not an issue with larger plugs) due to the very shallow ridge between the body and the base stem, which is there – in theory – to seat the plug and stop it sliding out. So as Lizzie mentioned above, I decided we’d play a game of ‘hold it in or else’, which was quite fun. Her failure involved several punishments for disobedience and there were several rewards for complying – which, in turn, caused her to fail. (It’s a difficult job but someone has to teach her.)

As for the look, pony play has never been my thing, although I do like riding ;-). And I must say Lizzie looked very fetching with a tail; seeing her wearing this plug was undoubtedly a turn on for me – especially when she made strands of hair move with her efforts to keep hold of it.

I think if the plug was larger (and less likely to fall out) there would be more you could do with the tail (tugging, pulling, leading, etc.) so if you or your partner can cope with a bit more width, I’d suggest going for this toy in the next size up (medium).

The verdict?

Lizzie
An adorable little butt plug that will appeal to those who enjoy role play – pony play in particular – and/or those who like their anal toys with a bit of decoration. The plug section of this toy is a perfect size for beginners, but be aware that you’ll need to do some work with your internal muscles to hold it in place. (If you want a plug that goes in and stays in without any effort on the wearer’s part, you might want to opt for the Pony Play Butt Plug Whip in medium rather than small. Keep in mind, though, that you will need to stretch more to accommodate the wider diameter.)

Thomas
I nice little plug, good for beginners, or if you are into pony play and want something easy on the bottom. I don’t think it would satisfy anyone who’s keen on anal play for too long as it is quite small and the tendency to fall out could be annoying. I also suspect those who’re into pony play in a serious way may want something with more realistic hair. But, like we have said, it’s a good starter.

In summary …

Things we liked …

• The plug material. It’s not too firm and gives a little upon insertion.
• The ‘accessible kink’ factor. From a purely functional perspective, this is a very mild toy but it covers a lot of bases: anal sex and decoration, whips, and role play. You can use it for just one of these things – or all three.
• The colours. The contrast of the red plug and black tail is very pleasing.

Things we weren’t so keen on …

• The PVC odour, but that’s a very minor quibble.
• This plug does require the wearer to hold it in place, so the Pony Play Butt Plug Whip in medium would be a better choice for those who want a more secure fit.
• The ‘hair’ is okay for a whip, but not very tail-like.

Tickle your fancy? Click here to buy the Pony Play Butt Plug Whip (in small and medium) from UberKinky.

*Please note that this item was provided free of charge by UberKinky in exchange for a fair review.

The post A butt plug with a twist – or, rather, a tail appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

What to wear, what to wear … Sometimes it’s so difficult to decide exactly how you’re going to accessorise.

I really do love the colour and shape of these reverse anal beads – and according to Lizzie, they feel rather nice, too!

Have a brilliant Toy with me Tuesday, everyone – and don’t forget to check out the rest of this week’s wonderful Toy with me Tuesday pics.

The post Toy with me Tuesday: which beads should I wear, honey? appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

What we used: Beginners Basic Anal Beads (purple)
From: Lovehoney
Price: £6.99
Material(s): PVC

If you’re new to anal play, this review may be for you. Lizzie and Thomas roadtest a set of anal beads from Lovehoney’s Beginners Basic range.

First thoughts …

Lizzie
Anal toys. There are so many to choose from. Plugs, beads, dildos, hooks – from the small and slender to the eye-wateringly enormous, the choice can be both overwhelming and daunting. Although Thomas and I have played with butt plugs and anal dildos in the past, we’ve never owned a set of anal beads. These were unchartered territory. We’d heard lots of good things about them, though – in particular the effects they have when extracted at the point of orgasm. So this little sex toy road-trip was quite exciting for us – and a product orientated towards first-time users seemed a logical place to kick off our adventure.

Thomas
I’d never used anal beads before but I had heard many a story of their effectiveness when extracted during an orgasm. Since these anal beads are quite a small toy (in butt terms) I was interested to see if their performance would equal their reputation.

The packaging …

Lizzie
Really simple. The beads come in a disposable Lovehoney Beginners Basic-branded blister pack. (After removing our set from their packaging, we washed and sterilised them before transferring them to a clean snap-lock bag, ready for use.)

How they look …
Lizzie
The beads are a really attractive purple – think the lovely rich hue you see on red grapes. This particular set of anal beads is constructed from latex- and phthalate-free PVC, so they’re body-safe as well as flexible. I have to say the do have a very faint plasticky-odour, which you don’t get from silicone toys, but it’s not over-powering (to smell it, you need to hold the beads up to your nose).

Interestingly, these beads have been designed in reverse, by which I mean that the largest bead (which has a tapered tip) is at the top and the sixth and smallest bead is at the bottom, near the extraction loop. Most strings of anal beads are designed the other way around, with the smallest bead leading the way.

Thomas
The look of the beads and of the toy in general is fairly innocuous. The beads are quite small compared so some I have seen. (On initial inspection, the ones at the base seemed very ‘economy sized’ and I wasn’t sure if they would have any effect at all when used.) The loop at the end is large and secure (you don’t want to lose your new friend) and the beads are nice and smooth and sturdily connected, which is also rather important: what goes in must come out again.

In action …

Lizzie
For various reasons that I won’t bore you with, I prefer anal toys to be on the smaller side. As this set of beads has a diameter of three inches (7.62 centimetres) and a diameter of one inch (2.54 centimetres), they fall well within my comfort zone. I did wonder whether having the bigger bead at the top would make them more difficult to insert but because the lead nodule has the aforementioned tapered tip, it didn’t create any issues for us. (Thomas used loads of lube and his fingers before attempting to insert the beads, so I was properly relaxed and warmed up by the time we got to the main event.)

The beads felt really, really nice as they went in as they created gentle and intermittent feelings of pressure. The sensation was very different to that created by a plug, which gives a feeling of constant stretching during insertion. I liked that I wasn’t overwhelmed by the sensation. The back-to-front design also made it easy for my body to hold the beads in place.

Thomas waited until I was actually climaxing before pulling the beads out and, unquestionably, the feeling of them being removed definitely enhanced my orgasm – although I must admit it did feel a little odd and unfamiliar the first time around. Not at all unpleasant – just unusual. I also liked that the most intense sensation came last, as the biggest bead was withdrawn.

Thomas
The beads are easy to insert, provided your partner has been suitably warmed up and lubed to within an inch of their life (always the golden rule of anal play). At around six inches long, they’re not hard to control – and they are flexible so shouldn’t present any problems going in or coming out. Once in place, they are easy to remove at the point of orgasm thanks to the large loop, which is very easy to hold on to. Just be gentle on removal unless you’re an anal veteran – more of an easy action than trying to start a lawnmower, etc.

These did have the desired effect on Lizzie when removed at the critical moment, and on the second or third removal (they are easy to reinsert once your partner’s acclimatised to them) she was really ‘getting in the mood’ as far as this toy was concerned. A case of familiarity breeds enjoyment, so to speak.

Any downsides?

Lizzie
Other than the vague PVC smell, no.

Thomas
Not sure the small beads do much. Make sure you buy some toy cleaner and keep them scrupulously clean.

The verdict?

Lizzie
An inexpensive set of anal beads that are perfect for those who are new to anal play or like their anal toys on the more modest side. There’s some ‘give’ in the PVC and the reverse design is excellent; having the biggest bead ‘first in and last out’ really makes this toy stand out.

Thomas
A nice little toy. Good for beginners and in no way threatening.

In summary

Things we liked:

• The price. Sub £10.00.
• The design. Placing the largest bead at the head of the toy really enhances sensations – particularly at the point of extraction.
• Ease of cleaning. Can be washed with anti-bacterial soap and coated with toy cleaner.

Things we weren’t so keen on:

• The smell. These aren’t entirely odour-free.

Tickle your fancy? Click here to buy this item from Lovehoney.

The post Bliss for bottoms: Beginners Basic Anal Beads appeared first on Behind the Chintz Curtain.

Sex education – and not the kind they teach in schools. I’m a big fan of it and have a fair number of non-fiction books devoted to various sex-related subjects: sexual psychology (Dirty Minds by Kayt Sukel), oral sex (Masterclass: Going Down by Ian Cameron), and sadomasochism (SM 101: A Realistic Introduction by Jay Wiseman) to name just a few. But, sometimes, there’s no substitute for practical experience.

Just over a year ago, I attended an adult sex education class for the first time with my other half and, hands down, it was probably one of the most interesting and liberating things we’ve done as a couple. Being able to talk to someone with the experience to answer topical sex questions in a practical and non-judgemental way and having the opportunity to see things demonstrated (and try a few things ourselves under the watchful eye of the tutor) was wonderful. Even better, that first class opened the door to a whole lot of other lines of thinking and exploration for us. Some new adventures, if you will.

Earlier this week I received a marketing email from British-based sex toy retailer Coco de Mer, reminding me of their new salon season and, I have to say, they’re running some great classes this November, including An Introduction to Sensual Massage, Sensual Spanking, Mistress in the Bedroom (this one has the fabulous Mistress Absolute at the helm), Backdoor Antics: Practicals of Anal Sex, and Female Ejaculation and the G-Spot.

Coco de Mer aren’t the only ones offering scintillating sexual learning opportunities, however. Hoxton-based Sh! Women’s Erotic Emporium, too, are serving up an eclectic mix of reasonably priced classes to fill your evenings as the nights draw in. There’s still plenty of time to sign-up for Rough Sex for Good Girls & Nice Guys, which is open to both women and couples on 23 November, but if you’re not doing anything next Wednesday (24 October), how about some women-only Strap-On & Pegging tuition?

You can never have too much knowledge.

* Please note that the above class lists aren’t exhaustive.

• For the full Coco d Mer salon schedule, please click here.
• For the full Sh! Women’s Erotic Emporium class schedule, please click here.

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