Making the Hook Up is an erotica anthology that includes stories from 18 authors and is edited by Cole Riley. This is the first time I have read a book edited by Riley. I was very pleased with her work and enjoyed most of the stories by the individual authors.

Authors:

Preston Allen-novels include All or Nothing, Churchboys, Other Sinners, and Jesus Boy. He teaches writing at Miami-Dade College.

Shane Allison-has written poetry and is known for his chapbooks Black Flag and Cock and Balls.

Tenille Brown-is a southern writer with stories published in over twenty anthologies including Tasting Him. Her personal blog is myspace.com/tenillebrown

Zetta Brown-editor in chief of LL Publications. Author of Messalina-Devourer of Men and many short stories. She and her husband live in Scotland.

DeepBronze-has been featured in classic anthologies, is a Chicago native, and has advanced degrees in speech. She is a college lecturer and mother of two children.

Jolie Du Pre-full time article writer, author, ghost writer, and editor. She is working on an erotic horror novel.

Monica Elaine-pen name for an established novelist.She lives in the Midwest with her daughter.

Asha French-doctoral student at a Southern university and writer.

R.Gay-editor of Girl Crush

Reginald Hui-based in LA and has been published in many newspapers, magazines, websites, and books.

Shakir Rashaan-founded Kemi-Ka Publishing to promote African American writers. Lives in Georgia with his family.

Leone Ross-writer of Jamaican-British heritage. Has published two novels and working on a third.

Kweli Walker-loves to read and write and is an artist and designer. She lives in Long Beach California.

Garnell Wallace-freelance writer, native Bahamian, and writes everything from poetry to romantic erotica.

Zaji-writer and webmaster from the East Cost.

Fiona Zedde-author of four novels, Jamaican, and living in Atlanta,Georgia.

Editor:
Cole Riley-lives in New York and is the author of many classic and anthologies. His reviews and erotic writing have been featured many websites.

Making the Hook Up is an African American Inspired Erotic Anthology. It is edgy, sexy, and has soul. The book was created for a quest! Many years ago Calvin Herndon told Cole Riley "When Black people are allowed to indulge the usual sins, the customary fetishes, and all the regular vices humans are permitted, then they will have achieved total sexual citizenship. Otherwise, they will remain trapped in the usual stale stereotypes and labels the world has assigned us to." This small bit of insight inspired Making the Hook Up. This anthology is a soulful book that reaches out to anyone with a taste for good erotica. It is filled with eighteen stories, written by eighteen individual authors, and eighteen different styles. The stories vary in style; slutty, romantic, S/M, adventuress, new beginnings, humor. Each story is its own.

Making the Hook Up is a great read for anyone. I don't think it is focused on a certain reader, but more focused on a certain genre of writers. Making the Hook Up was created just for African Americans to expose a "sexual citizenship."

Making the Hook Up is in paperback format. The covers are a beautiful chocolate color with popping text in red, white, and orange. The front does picture a couple lying on a bed in an erotic fashion. There is no nudity revealed on the cover. It has well placement of hands to cover body parts.The covers have a glossy finish. The books dimensions are (Length 8" Width 5 1/2"). It is well constructed and has quality binding. None of the pages have come loose or torn. 245 pages. The layout is simple and easy to read. The book opens and reveals the title page, copyright page, contents page, an introduction page, the stories, and then finally credits at the end about the authors and editor. The book also has a few blank pages at the end (for notes if you like).

I really liked the different styles of writing in one book. Making the Hook Up did not focus on one certain genre. Every story was completely different and claimed by the author's style. I was really impressed. I read stories that were humorous, others were naughty and slutty. Some stories focused on S/M relationships, then others surrounded adventure and daring situations.

My favorites from this selection would have to be Three Kisses (a story about a casino worker and a man gambling with three kisses) and Pharaoh's Phallic (a story about a man finding his wife screaming Pharaoh's Name!). They were both great stories! I think the best part about them was that I could see myself doing the same things and in the same scenarios. I don't want to give the book away at all. I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys a variety of erotica. Making the Hook Up has a wide range of everything. And I really like that about this book.

Another thing I loved was that I caught myself laughing out loud to some of the stories. It isn't often a book can make me laugh. Making the Hook Up did several times. It's sexy erotica that has a special soul of its own, but it is also extremely humorous. I love the combination.

The only thing I would change about the entire book would be that it is paperback. I prefer Hardcover.