India dreads her occupation as a prostitute at Carnal Pleasures, a brothel in an alternate nineteenth-century London. In order to kindle India’s passion for her work, Madam Rowena introduces her to Phineas, a renowned scholar in the field of sexual psychology. With the help of Phineas, his fornication facilitators and the Kama Sutra, India attempts to reinvent herself as a sophisticated courtesan named India of Rajasthan.
Phineas is a scholar and an intellectual. In India, he finds a woman of imagination and intelligence who needs guidance to realize her full potential. Not only does he help her believe in herself, but she in turn helps him indulge in a fantasy he has kept hidden for years—the sin of male-male love.
Phineas is a scholar and an intellectual. In India, he finds a woman of imagination and intelligence who needs guidance to realize her full potential. Not only does he help her believe in herself, but she in turn helps him indulge in a fantasy he has kept hidden for years—the sin of male-male love.
Title: Carnal Devices
Author: Helena Harker
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Steampunk Erotica
Short Story
Reviewed by Brandi
5 Flames – Burning Hot!
5 Stars – Highly Recommended!
I love books that are set in Victorian London, so I had to read Carnal Devices, just for that fact alone, and I was glad I did. Ms. Harker didn’t disappoint in the erotic tale of an apathetic prostitute who finds she may have more power than she thinks after she meets an intriguing fellow in the field of sexual psychology.
The idea for the story was original, and with the steampunk elements it added that extra bit. Creative, and innovate are two words that pop to mind. I was sucked in from page one, and took the sensual journey of exploration with India. I was intrigued by the characters, nowhere near disappointed in the heat level, because this book is hot, and well, I’ll go ahead and say it, I was impressed with this novella.
Great job!
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