Art Of Sensual Female Dominance [Paperback]

This book is aimed at women who want to explore their dominant side with male partners, and it is easily the most heterosexual thing I've ever read in kink literature - that is to say, it is aimed exclusively at monogamous and/or married couples and follows the Female=Goddess/male=worm archetype (though the author has a healthy sense of humor about it). Although I didn't find a great deal in here that was useful to me (more experienced players will find lot of the information to be rudimentary), your mileage may vary... I think it is a fairly nice guide for women who play with men and want to bring out their goddess side. As an attractively bound hardcover, it would make a great gift... I particularly think that subby men should read it and make a gift of it to that special Lady. It isn't too threatening, it isn't overly detailed or heavy on technique, and it might just inspire her.

However....

The real caveat I found is that some of the information in this book echoes other books (such as SM 101 and The Loving Dominant) a little too closely, and if you've already read them some chapters will seem redundant... and I DO recommend reading a more thorough primer if you are a newcomer to BDSM. This book really only covers the basics of certain activities like bondage and flogging, and things like first aid and safer sex are given little to no consideration at all. Consider yourself warned.

Still, this book has some things to recommend it. First and foremost, if you are having trouble feeling worship-worthy as a dominant woman, this book offers tips for finding that special "attitude" that makes submissive men melt. Ms. Varrin is also big on wardrobes and looking the part as well as acting it, so you'll find lots of suggestions about fetish wear and hints for incorporating fetishism into play (there is good basic information on the care and treatment of latex garments). There are chapters devoted to topics very popular to many dominant-female, submissive-male players, such as cross-dressing (including great tips on crossdressing as a man), foot fetishes, and humiliation.

Ms. Varrin includes lots of personal session stories, which are fun to read and should give the goddess-to-be some wicked ideas. And if you want to train a "slave," the chapter on Positions is useful, and the chapter following it on Slave Training offers some fairly realistic approaches to the classic "reward/punishment" system (just be prepared to be very haughty!) And though it seems a little silly, the Party Games chapter has some cute ice-breaker ideas for those throwing BDSM-themed parties.

The part of the book I found most irritating was the author's own self-congratulatory style. She's got an ego and she's very traditional in some ways, and critical of those who are not. (And considering the technique information in the book seems lifted from other how-to BDSM books, it is unclear why she takes this attutude.) My overall impression was she'd spent too much time on talk shows. Women reading this book at the request of their submissive partners may be put off by her tone.

Overall, the book is more about ideas than technique, but with all the technique books out there it could make a good companion volume.

This is a great book and I would suggestion it to any Domina that wish to explore this lifestyle.