The short stories were well written, but some left you confused. I only gave three stars because of the confusion.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via LibraryThing. ( )

I believe the author wrote this book with the purpose of making it sound scattered and random, but I feel it came off as unorganized and disheveled. The stories were a bit confusing to grasp. I wasn't always sure what was being described, who was speaking, or what was being referenced. Re-reading portions of the story over and over again, became something that happened on every page.

The stories themselves, and what I understood from them, seemed to be entertaining though. Most were to bizarre and weird to be made up. They're not all erotic in nature, but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who doesn't want to read about extremely sexual scenes wrapped in drugs and lies.

I didn't understand any true meaning behind any of the stories, except for the readers enjoyment. I applaud any author who can write down their life experiences, and that in itself is admirable. I give this book 3/5. ( )

Erotica is not something that generally disturbs me - and it wasn't the sex or the BDSM that occurred during a couple of vignettes. I was slightly uncomfortable with how old many of the characters seemed to be. I know one explicitly mentions he is 15, and yet another discusses liking the was her breasts were, "filling out." I certainly wouldn't label Devotional "kiddie porn - there were several passages that centered on consulting adults.

I do wish there had a bit more fulfillment between the characters of each story. Most of the vignettes ended with the protagonist (if I can apply that term here) alone, often left to fulfill their own sexual needs. "Devotional," the short story after which the book is named, seemed to end in pain and possibly death. I found myself wishing less abrupt endings to each section of the book.

I did, however, like, "Bait and Switch." The plot was developed more fully, and the interplay between the characters was (if you will pardon the pun) fleshed out more fully. "Bait and Switch," finally gave me insight into the talent of the author, Phil Harvey. I would be interested to read a more mainstream example of Harvey's writing. I think there is quite a bit of potential there, but if erotica is the genre he prefers, then I would suggest he spend time reading some of the classic erotica writers - Anais Nin, John Cleland - even Vladimir Nabokov, and Henry Miller.

I see potential in Harvey's writing - the best advice I could give we be not to rush through each section. Perhaps a full length book would be a challenge, but could yield some very fine writing. He's already won The Pushcart Prize, and his previous works seem to garner praise from everyone from President Jimmy Carter to ACLU President Nadine Strossen.

I am interested in reading some of Harvey's more mainstream books -

I found the author's notes at the end of the book interesting, "As president of Adam & Eve, a leading supplier of sex toys, adult films, and condoms, Harvey fights for libertarian values. The Government vs. Erotica, the story of the federal government’s attack on his company, drew praise from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. His battle for the freedom to distribute sexually explicit materials by mail spurred the ALA Intellectual Freedom Roundtable to nominate the work as the year’s book on intellectual freedom.

As a librarian, I am very concerned with intellectual freedom, and I applaud any works that strive to prevent fight censorship. ( )

Devotional by Phil Harvey is an interesting collection of erotic tales which opens an intimate door in the readers' mindspace and blends the mundane and deep eroticism. These stories were not made from the usual gratuitous pulp ground to a disgusting graphic mess to gratify the simple mind. They reflect a higher level of writing, style, and sophistication where eros seductively creeps from landscapes full of color, terroir, and the human condition. Oh yes - There is enough sensuality in these stories to send a priest running to the confessional. Eros is in the mind. Harvey reflects a deep awareness of this in this sensual collection. Like a fine aged rum - this collection is set apart to be savored by those who dare to open the pages. ( )