Sex begins in the mind. That's one of my favorite mantras. Physical arousal follows from mental stimulation. Imagination is the ultimate aphrodisiac.
Portia da Costa's delightful new novel In Too Deep offers one of the most convincing demonstrations of this principle that I've ever encountered.
In Too Deep is an erotic romance, with the erotic emphasized. Full-figured, feisty librarian Gwendolynne Price opens the library's suggestion box to find a four-page lust-letter full of eloquent praise for her fleshly charms and nasty suggestions regarding what the author, "Nemesis", would like to do with them. The book drips with sexual excitement from the very first page, as Gwendolynne pursues an on-line flirtation with Nemesis as well as awkward but increasingly intense interactions with a gorgeous history professor who's staked out in the library basement doing "research". Both Nemesis and Professor Hottie McHotStuff (as Gwendolynne secretly dubs the dashing academic) stimulate Gwendolynne's imagination, to the point where soon she's indulging in seriously kinky fantasies accompanied by appropriate self-indulgence. I was sweaty and panting from the first chapter.
Thus I was amazed to realize, almost halfway into the book, that up to that point there had been no actual sexual encounters between the heroine and either of the objects of her lust. Yes, there'd been some naughty peeking, instant-message obedience, and lots of soaked knickers and breathless near-exposures, but no actual two-person sex acts. And I hadn't even noticed, because I was so involved in Gwendolynne's fantasy world.
The remaining chapters of the book offer plenty of sexual games as well as some serious shagging, but I remain most impressed by the brilliant tour de force of the earlier chapters. Ms. da Costa succeeds in her slow build-up by firmly embedding her readers in Gwendolynne's active mind. We experience the librarian's alternating moods: her self-consciousness about her weight, her bitterness about her recent divorce, her randy appreciation of the beautiful young professor, her stubborn contrariness in confronting Nemesis. The voluptuous librarian has a sassy, distinctive voice that is believable, sympathetic and highly appealing. Everything that happens is filtered through her lively imagination - thus even her fantasies have the vividness and impact of reality.
In Too Deep is set in the same environment as Ms. da Costa's earlier triumph, Entertaining Mr. Stone. In fact, the commanding and kinky Mr. Stone makes a couple of cameo appearances, along with his paramour Maria. It was fun to be reminded of the previous book, which I adored, but in some ways I would rather that Ms. da Costa had kept her focus on Gwendolynne and Daniel. By highlighting the universally naughty goings-on at the infamous Waverly Grange Country Hotel, she lessens the intensity and uniqueness of their connection.
However, this is a minor criticism. Overall, I think that In Too Deep is one of Ms. da Costa's most sophisticated and entertaining works to date. It offers both heat, and heart.