Book: The Sex Files

Author: K. Sean Harris

Reviewer: Siobhan Morrison

Publisher: Book Fetish Jamaica

A cougar on the prowl, a fan willing to do anything to fulfil a sexual fantasy with her favourite entertainer, a wild 'ride' during a hurricane, and a woman discovers the consequences of getting involved in her friend's love life. These are the plots for K. Sean Harris' collection of erotic short stories, The Sex Files. Published by Book Fetish Jamaica, this 100-page compilation is the third instalment of erotic anthologies set in Jamaica, which follows the sexual escapades of several hot urbanites.

To say the stories are sexually charged is a given, the sex pretty much leaps off the pages. From dexterous male and female couplings, ménage à trois, to mild voyeurism.

With its explicit language, including sufficient amounts of 'ohhs' 'ahhs and 'Yes' - the book reads like a good porn without the celluloid characters; certainly not for the puritanical at heart.

However, there is a difference between porn and erotica inherent in the artistic quality lacking in the first and essential to the second. Erotica is more than just over the top sex, a fact that Harris seems to grasp.

Hot spots

It is the quality of Harris' writing, as much as his topics that make the stories a good read. The theme of choice and consequence, which is manifested in the form of infidelity and adultery, forms the base of the plot for each story.

Written in standard English, flavoured with patois, the book is infused with plenty of local colour that readers can easily identify, including references to local hot spots in and around Kingston. Even the recent Hurricane Dean takes centre stage in one of the stories. The stories are funny, interesting and thought-provoking.

In 'Decisions', the title story, we meet Kayla, a 30-something businesswoman who has a chance encounter with a slightly younger man. The attraction during their initial meeting is so strong that Kayla soon throws caution (and her church hymnal) out the window, for a night of satisfying sex. Unfortunately for Kayla, her new lover forgets to mention he already has a girlfriend, his business partner's sister he's been secretly dating.

Things take a rather predictable turn when the girlfriend shows up at the apartment unexpectedly. The last line of the story, "decisions. It's amazing how they shape your life", condenses the book's message quite well and sets the tone for the remaining stories.

Fantasy

'The Fan' picks up the theme, but with a slight twist. This time the protagonist makes a deliberate choice.

Mindy, the central character sets out to seduce a visiting American rapper in an effort to fulfil her fantasy. She will stop at nothing, nor will she allow anything to stop her in order to achieve her dream of "meeting him and 'doing' his brains out".

"Though she was in a committed three-year relationship, Mindy could not let this opportunity pass her by."

Things don't quite work out as smoothly as Mindy hopes, and she finds herself in a position of having to set aside everything, including her own moral compass for her fantasy. 'The Hurricane' and 'The Good Friend' complete the collection.

The Sex Files will have you crossing your legs, turning up the AC or grabbing your partner, either way you're sure to enjoy the heat.