Designed For Sin - review by Lisette Ashton

Designed for Sin

Dorothy Starr

Reviewed by Lisette Ashton for The International Journal of Erotica's Christmas 2004 issue.

Christmas is a season for parties, a time for giving and receiving, and an excuse for overindulging one’s excess appetites. Much the same can be said for Dorothy Starr’s latest title: Designed for Sin. The parties are to die for; the giving and receiving are gratuitously detailed; and the story caters for the gluttony of the most excessive appetite. With the possible exception of an additional leg, it is definitely what I would like to find in my stocking this Christmas.

Dorothy Starr is one of the many pseudonyms to come from the same writer who has given us works by, Delaney Silver, Megan Paul and Suzanne Blaylock. She is a skilled short story teller whose works have appeared in countless magazines, anthologies and web sites. Her recent short story, It Had to Happen, is included in the celebrated collection, Sacred Exchange, and her novel, The Stranger, written under the name Portia Da Costa, was awarded the accolade of Best Erotic Novel. She is as multifaceted as a gemstone, her prose sparkles with the eye-catching brilliance of a diamond, and Designed for Sin is her latest masterpiece.

Published under X Libris’ X Rated label, Designed for Sin is the story of Clover Weatherby, an innocent and naive heroine who finds herself alone and vulnerable in amongst the world of London fashion. Personally I agreed with Gilda Radner when she said, “I base my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch,” but Dorothy Starr has clearly put a lot of research into this subject and she treats the topic of designer chic with more understanding and a lot less cynicism.

X Libris books are renowned for their arousing content and strong storylines. The X Rated imprint takes those sexual escapades to a bolder level, more often with a generous helping of S & M, and Designed for Sin fits perfectly into this mould. With works of this calibre it is no wonder that the publishing company, only established in 1994, can already boast world wide sales of more than half a million.

An erotic novel set in the tantalising cliques of the gliterati would be enough for most writers in the genre, giving the reader a chance to voyeuristically experience the passions and exchanges between society’s gorgeous designers, devastating supermodels and those whom we mere mortals call “the beautiful people.” Fashion consultant Robert Pante’s said, “If you look good and dress well, you don’t need a purpose in life.” And a lot of readers would be satisfied with those shallow depths in this environment. But Dorothy Starr wants more from her characters than simple good looks and stylish deportment. Her succinct storytelling takes us, with the irrepressible Clover, on a breathtaking journey of discovery into the darker side of life’s pleasures.

The circle that Clover falls in with are a close-knit clan with a shared secret. Our heroine finds herself being drawn into their sultry world of sadomasochism at a party thrown by the alluring Francis Xavier Black. The scenes are all crafted with Dorothy Starr’s formidable eye for detail and the sex is varied and balanced enough to whet most appetites and then deliver satisfactorily. No matter whether the content is CP, bondage, domination or exhibitionism, the writer involves her readers in the interaction and recreates every nuance with vibrant, living style.

But it is her ability to pen genuine characters that cause Dorothy Starr’s novels to stand out above others in the genre. Clover is introduced as an innocent but credible young woman, with an inner monologue that is witty, honest and inherently sexy. Her hostess is a submissive vamp who rings consistently true, and the parties they attend are explained and brought to life with a razor sharp blend of realism and eroticism that doesn’t disturb the narrative flow.

And yet, in amongst these verismo players, it’s the story’s anti-hero, the cool and dangerous Lukas, who takes over the novel. Lukas is strong enough to need nothing more than a mononym for identification: if it’s good enough for Cher, Madonna and Pink, and if it works for Elvis, Spielberg and Meatloaf, then it’s certainly adequate for this blond-haired, blue-eyed god. Dorothy introduces him as the most beautiful man in the world, and, as Clover becomes more engrossed in the subversive allure of her new found friends, it’s easy to give credence to her belief that there is no one quite like Lukas. He could very well have been the inspiration for Oscar Wilde’s quote when the great man said, “A man who can dominate a London dinner table can dominate the world.”

To reveal any more would spoil the story - and this one is too good for me to kiss and tell. There’s tension, excitement, treachery and deception, all melded together with some innovative sex scenes that are exquisitely portrayed. It’s enough to say that, this year, I’ve found the Starr for the top of my Christmas tree.

Enjoy your holidays. And try to over indulge a little.

www.xratedbooks.co.uk
www.lisetteashton.co.uk
www.diversepublications.co.uk

Lisette Ashton is the author of several novels and short stories, the most recent of which are The BloodLust Chronicles: Faith, from Chimera Publishing, and Original Sins: a collection of short stories from Virgin Publishing’s Nexus imprint.

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