11

Thai Nipple Sticks (floral)

If you’ve been rummaging around in the Chintz Toy Box, you may remember that last year, Thomas and Lizzie reviewed a set of Squeezer Teaser nipple clamps.  Low and behold, that post has gone on to become one the most popular and visited on Behind the Chintz Curtain and, even weeks and months after its publication, it continues to draw readers on a regular basis. It seems there’s a definite appetite to know more about the practice of nipple clamping – the various clamp styles, how they’re used, the pros and cons of the different designs out there, and the sensations they create.

How intense are they? Are they easy to get on? What happens, exactly, when you take them off?

To that end, I’ve asked the pair of them to put together a quick ‘n’ dirty overview of their clamping experiences, discussing their perceptions of the sensations clamps generate, and a breakdown of the benefits and hindrances of the various styles on offer.

IMPORTANT: This isn’t a ‘how to’ guide. If you think clamping is something you’d like to try, please make sure you do your homework and are aware of the risks involved/understand how to apply clamps safely. Please also take the time to read the Behind the Chintz Curtain disclaimer.

 

Sensation

Lizzie
First off, let me say this: clamping won’t be for everyone. To use the old flavouring analogy (although I’ll avoid the term ‘vanilla’) it’s all a matter of taste. For me, personally? I find that having my nipples clamped incredibly erotic and the sensation of compression a huge turn on. Bluntly, I get aroused by the pain they generate – the hit when they go on, the ache they generate once applied, and the devilish throb that kicks in when they come off. Some of the more intense styles also leave me feeling incredibly sensitive after removal and there is nothing nicer, I think, than experiencing the brush of clothing, or lips, or fingers a day or two later and being reminded of what Thomas and I did together to make them that way. Continue reading

03

Madeline Sheehan’s Hell’s Horsemen. Joanna Wylde’s Reapers.

Kurt Sutter’s Sons of Anarchy.

Every so often, a genre will send me on a complete and utter bender. I find something that strikes a chord and that’s it; for as long as I can find the reading material (or in this case, the celluloid) to feed the addiction, I’m a total junkie.

A few weeks back, I bought Madeline Sheehan’s Undeniable, the first book in her series about a biker club known as Hell’s Horsemen. It was, loosely speaking, a romance, but a brutal one. There were a lot of things in it that morally and ethically I didn’t agree with (the treatment of the women, the sanctioning of criminal activity) but the bottom line? It was like my eyes were super-glued to the train-wrecking pages. Continue reading

21

Truth - Sherri HayesTitle: Truth (Finding Anna)
Author: Sherri Hayes
Publisher: The Writer’s Coffee Shop (25 July 2013)
ISBN: 9781612131610
Reviewer: Jane

 

Doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. (Well, mostly.)

How do I even begin reviewing Truth? Firstly, let me say that if you haven’t read the previous two books in the Finding Anna series, Slave and Need, you’re going to be seriously, seriously lost if you go straight in with this one. It cannot be read as a stand-alone. All three instalments are closely tied together and to truly appreciate the circumstances that Brianna and Stephan find themselves in, you need to understand how they got to where they are. Continue reading

04

This Is Who I Am - Cherise SinclairTitle: This Is Who I Am (Shadowlands Book 7)
Author: Cherise Sinclair
Publisher: Loose Id LLC (27 May 2013)
ISBN: 978-1-62300-148-3
Reviewer(s): Michael & Jane

 

This joint review was a no-brainer for us. Michael and I are both big fans of Cherise Sinclair and it’s fair to say that we were both gagging to read this latest instalment in her Shadowlands series. When I suggested to him that This Is Who I Am should be our next project?

 

@Jane: I have been looking forward to that book for over a year:

‘”I won’t scar you. I won’t go past when you can take. If you can trust me that far, this will be much easier for you.” He met her eyes straight on, letting her read his body, hear the truth, and see it in his face. “But, Linda, I’m going to hurt you. You’ll hate me when I make you take it, and you’ll hate even more that you need it. That it fills that hole inside you and cleans away the clutter.”‘

(To Command and Collar (Shadowlands Book 6))

 

@Michael: CANNOT WAIT for Sam. And DeVries from Dark Haven. They both scare and tempt at the same time … *sigh*

 

Yep, we were pushing the download button on release day.

Did it live up to our expectations? Continue reading

09

Rocks-Off RO-100mm bullet vibrator

What we used: RO-100mm soft tip bullet vibrator
From: Rocks-Off
Price: from £12.90 (varies by retailer)
Material(s): chrome-plated ABS/silicone tip
Reviewer: D

This Rocks-Off RO-100mm bullet write-up is a special one, because it is has been undertaken by my newest reviewer, D, who is an amazing 74-years-of-age. All of you out there who think that sex toys aren’t for those of increased maturity? Think again!  Reading her comments on this little vibe was fascinating – and I’m thinking that maybe I should have given her something a bit bigger to kick off with!

All I can say is that I hope I’m as wonderful and sexy as D is when I hit my 70s … Continue reading

04

Mutual ReleaseTitle: Mutual Release
Author: Liz Crowe
Publisher: Tri Destiny Publishing
ISBN: 9780985991180
Reviewer: Jane

Romance for Real Life.

That’s the proposition for Liz Crowe’s latest book in her Stewart Realty series, Mutual Release. In fact, that’s the proposition for all her books. According to a press release from Liz’s publisher:

 

“My characters are real. They have flaws, quirks, and a multi-layered histories that motivate them. They could be your best friend. Or the girl in your office that drives you crazy. Maybe my readers even sees [sic] a little of themselves in my characters. Whoever you see, you will identify with the characters and their lives.”

 

So what does that mean, exactly? Characters who aren’t filthy rich? Who argue about mundane things? Who shop at Primark or GAP because they’re on a budget? Who forget to put the rubbish out for the dustman and spend the next seven days trying to jam bags into an overflowing bin? Who don’t automatically know how to get each other off the first time they have sex?

Er, no. Continue reading

20

Take Me, Break MeTitle: Take Me, Break Me
Author: Cari Silverwood
Publisher: Wolf Charm Press (04 March 2013)
ISBN: 9781301060573
Reviewer(s): Michael and Jane

Yep. As requested, Michael and I are back once again as a book-reviewing double act. Are we less ranty than last time? I think so. But I still ended up drawing stick figures. Couldn’t seem to stop myself. He, meanwhile, took the high road and included intelligent and insightful quotes. (I think its clear which of us is Batman and which of us is Robin in this instance …)

 

JANE’S TAKE …

Before I say anything else, I just want to make it clear that I liked this book. The story was interesting, the characters likeable, and the sex hot. (Very, very hot in fact.) But it disturbed me. And I felt bad for enjoying it at times. Continue reading

15

Silver Swan vibrator

What we used: Silver Swan vibrator
From: Swan
Price: from £89.95 (varies by retailer)
Material(s): Phthalate-free seamless silicone
Reviewer: The Dairy Maid

The Dairy Maid doesn’t usually go in for pink things; she’s not really a girly-girl. But then she met the Silver Swan vibrator. And, well … I think it’s safe to say she really (really) liked it.

 

First impressions

The packaging

Silver Swan - outer box

Very well packaged. There’s a smart, rectangular outer box with an accurate picture of the product on the front that gives the Silver Swan a high quality, contemporary feel and within, a hardened cardboard case with a magnetic closure. Once opened, this reveals a black card insert containing a comprehensive instruction booklet that lifts to reveal the vibrator itself, a satin carry pouch, and a multi-plug adaptor for recharging.

All in all, the packaging gives the impression of an expensive, high-end product – so far, so good! Continue reading

28

Rush - Maya BanksTitle: Rush
Author: Maya Banks
Publisher: Berkley Trade (05 February 2013)
ISBN: 978-0425267042
Reviewer(s): Michael and Jane

Prepare yourselves. Michael and I decided to read and review Rush in tandem. And let’s just say that we had, er, pretty strong reactions to it. Warning: it’s a general winter of discontent below the fold and we only just refrained from using SHOUTY CAPITALS in our respective reviews. Buckle up.

 

MICHAEL’S TAKE …

First off, let me say this. Maya Banks has been doing this for a while now. I don’t really think this is her version of Fifty Shades of Grey despite the fact that it did sort of feel that way. (Oh, and if you don’t want spoilers, don’t read this because this is a fully-fledged rant.) Having said that, she has accomplished something I wouldn’t have thought possible: created a male lead in Gabe Hamilton that makes Christian Grey and Gideon Cross (Bared to You) look like normal, well-adjusted, thoughtful young men. Continue reading

04

Pipedream Icicles No. 1 Dildo

What we used: Pipedream Icicles No.1 Dildo
From:  Adult Sensations
Price: From $29.96
Material(s): Pyrex glass
Reviewer: Lizzie

A few weeks ago Adult Sensations, who have e-stores that serve both Canada and the U.S. (North American Chintz visitors, take note!), were kind enough to send the very stylish Icicles No. 1 dildo to us for review. This is the first toy we’ve reviewed in the Icicles range – there are 42 different designs, last we counted – and the No. 1 is the initial design in the series.

 

First thoughts …

Lizzie
Glass is fast becoming one of my favourite sex toy materials. It’s easy to clean, can be cooled or heated, and has a firmness to it that I find really, really pleasing during use (more on the later). Needless to say, I was really looking forward to trying the Icicles No. 1 out.

I don’t normally buy ‘straight’ dildos – generally I opt for ones with a curve so that I (or Thomas) can better target my G-Spot. As such, the No. 1 was a bit of a departure from the path most trodden. I also tend to be a bit sceptical of ridged toys, often finding that the various bumps and protrusions don’t really add that much to the experience once they’re inside me. Would the spiralled ridge, which runs the length of the No. 1’s insertable shaft (which is roughly 7 inches long) be any different because of its glass construction? Continue reading