This is a nice little book of stories, poems and the like from Maryanne Mohanraj's postings on the Internet, mostly at alt.sex.stories. Although most of the stuff you find on the net is garbage, there is some high quality material to be found as well, and this is among the better, although certainly of not the highest quality. The stories are at once arousing and edifying and they combine sexuality and sensuality to provide one with a (usually) nice mix in stark contrast to many other writers, who are good at writing blatantly about sex but not so good at writing about the feelings that go along with it. Some of the stories are tacky or silly, but at least Mohanraj deals with certain real issues in her writing and usually doesn't focus in on the rather tedious mechanics of the sexuial act itself. Some of the depictions come off as sounding trite and traditional, but she does try to make the stories a little bit more than something to masturbate to, as a few do actually make you think. Not a bad collection overall, but for some really hot stuff, you might want to check out Anne Rice's erotica.

I bought this book primarily for Tracy Lee's photography, after seeing it on her website. I ended up liking Mary Ann's work a lot, and referring back to it occasionally. As an erotica connoisseur, I recommend it.

I bought this book awhile back after reading some of her internet postings. Her take on sex, love, and the people who engage in both are breathtaking, fresh, and honest. And there are a couple stories that, even after owning this book for two years, still make me, well, you know... THis is a must-read for people who like their erotica to be more than just sexual descriptions.

Not released, true, but it's been read by many. The editor could have edited a couple of stories and made it happen, but she wouldn't, and thus the end of a great series.

There will be no essay from me claiming censorship by Down There Press and Keith Anderson should know better than to put words in my mouth sugesting otherwise. The issues that resulted in a publishing decision not to release Herotica 7 were complex and difficult. They had to do with questions of racial and cultural sensitivity, not with somehow sexually "going too far." Down There Press has been a pioneer in cutting new ground for sexual exploration and openness for 25 years. Whether one agrees with their decision to withhold Herotica 7 or not (and I'm not sure that I do), the press deserves respect and continuing support.

I find it odd that a book that hasn't even been released yet would get any review, much less a one-star review. For that reason, I'm going to give Herotica 7 the benefit of the doubt--and a 5-star review.

I got this book after reading Mohanraj's other collection, "Torn Shapes of Desire", which I liked a lot. While this collection doesn't quite measure up to the other, it is still quite an interesting read. Although no story here aroused me in the least, I still found them very interesting to read, particularly the stories that treaded on into rather dangerous territory, such as "In Deep", which touches on the themes of sex and death and total surrender. "Seven Cups Of Water" (Mohanraj's own contribution) I also enjoyed immensely, as it touched on members in a society which would not tolerate the sort of relationship that they needed to make them whole (although I think Deepa Mehta's file "Fire" was a better story in this respect). there are numerous stories of homosexual encounters here, so if you find that offensive, it may be best to pass on this one. But I will say this for the book . . . unlike most "erotica", it actually makes you think!

Sex. Water. Jim Beam. These are things that bring me great pleasure. All three at once equal ecstasy or something close to it. So when I tumbled upon Aqua Erotica of course I had to read it in the tub with my drink in hand. Monhanraj has compiled a collection of 18 stories involving sex and water. Sometimes sex is the driving force, other times it's the water. Horror writer Poppy Z. Brite's contribution, "Nothing of Him That Doth Fade" is the highlight of the book. She creates a love story between two men set in a tragic ocean scene. This story is so rich in its character development and flow that it feels like so much more than a short story. The sexiest story in the collection is "I Want" by Mary Maxwell, which takes place on a desert road with two women and a jug of water. Another brilliant story is Cecelia Tan's version of "The Little Mermaid" in which she tells how it probably really went down, all slippery and wet. Thankfully all sexual orientations are represented in Aqua Erotica, though of course the focus is on hetro sex. Still the stories are hot, even if a few are conventional at times. I have to mention that many of the stories reminded me of the classic water-sex-death story "A Woman in the Dunes" by Anais Nin. So much so in fact that I had to go pull if off my shelf and reread it. Unfortunately, Monhanraj didn't include this in her collection, but I would highly recommend finding and reading "A Woman in the Dunes" with Aqua Erotica, they just fit. Oh, and the most important thing about this book. It's waterproof so you can get it wet with any substance you desire and just wipe it away...how cool.

It isn't just the fact that you can read this book in the bathtub and not have to worry about it getting wet. It isn't just the fact that there are so many wonderful authors contributing. It isn't just the fact that the erotica is steamy and amazingly well-written. It is all of those things put together. Aqua Erotica is wonderful because it is so openly appealing. The water theme dares you to slip in and be comfortable - it brings so many different erotic angles that it's hard to go to in one review.

Anyone would enjoy this book - you don't have to be particularly perverted to like it. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Sounds cute, reads badly. There's nothing interesting sexually in this book, just things you've read before written in a dull manner, with an unbelievable story line no matter which route you take.

Ugh - hated this, was sorry I bought it. Really hard to follow, almost like a bad homework assignment, full of trivia and backtracking and looking things up. I like both romance and erotic books, and this one fits neither category, it's just a commerical come-on, and not sexy enough to hold your interest. Avoid at all costs!

I thought this would be cute, but it was irritating to read and pretty shallow. SM is a bad choice, normal dull things turn out good. A disappointment.

I had to read it when I saw it, just to see how it could be as bad as everyone says. Themed anthologies are always a iffy proposition, since they tend to force writers into places they don't belong, and to compile one takes a highly-skilled editor to pull it off. Unfortunately this editor doesn't come near to any of that kind of talent. If it didn't have heavy marketing behind it this book would surely die the quiet death of dumb books, but instead it (and its predecessor, which was forgiven for a cute attempt at a bad idea) create a public embarassment for literary erotica as it is intended to be and the poor writers who had faith in the project.

Hard to read, pretty dull, and a bit of an insult to erotica to use such a gimmick to sell it.

I have both of these books on my shelf and carry them with me wherever I go, on International postings, as great examples of the kind of erotica I like. I reread Wet often and have given it to several of my friends as gifts. I don't read a lot of erotica, but this collection I really like. Some of the stories have a bit of edge, others conjure up blurred images and leave something to the imagination. Tastey.