Iris and Steven Finz have the uncanny knack of getting people to talk about intimate details of their sex lives. For more than a decade, they have been interviewing people from all segments of society and, with the permission of their subjects, passing the stories along to their readers.

Their books about the sexual experiences and fantasies of real people have become standard night table fare in bedrooms all around the world. Readers use them, not only to put erotic sparks into their own relationships, but also to develop a better understanding of the sexual behavior of others.

In Unspoken Desires, the Finzes describe the secret erotic thoughts and practices of people who are unwilling to discuss them with their partners. They relate the story of an architect who dreams of being the prize in a poker game, forced to provide sexual services to the winners each time her husband loses; an office worker who invested two weeks’ salary in a complicated sex machine and spends his lunch hours watching women amuse themselves with it; a housewife who has a clandestine lesbian affair with a childhood friend, another who dreams of being a high-priced call girl, and a third who keeps a collection of erotic toys with which to satisfy herself when her military husband fails to do so.

They tell of a real estate broker who once auditioned for a role in a porno movie; a computer nerd who sends strangers videotapes he has secretly made of himself and his wife having sex; and a public defender who is happily married, but spends her evenings in mutual masturbation sessions with a female friend.

In all, they present a total of 29 stories that are likely to change your ideas about what is normal and what nice people do.

We make passionate love every night, and every time we do, I visualize my husband with my cousin. It’s gotten to the point where I don’t think I can enjoy our lovemaking without picturing the two of them. -Elizabeth, 28 year old legal secretary

I liked the way they called me ‘Slave’ and ordered me around. I even liked calling them ‘Mistress.’ Sometimes, when I’m with my wife, I close my eyes and remember that glorious afternoon when I was a sex slave to three young women, one right after another. -Artie, 42 year old steel worker

I kept my hair cut short and took every possible opportunity to pass myself off as a boy. Even in college, I would take a bus to the next town and walk shirtless in the streets on warm days. -Colleen, 27 year old designer

I still keep the window shades open. I still know that every time Maureen and I are making it the chances are our friends and neighbors are watching every move we make. I still perform for them a little and try to get Maureen into spots that will give them the maximum view. -Karl, 31 year old auto mechanic

Whenever I get one of those basketball players on my table, you can’t imagine how magnificent these men look and what effect they have on me. My head is filled with thoughts of all the erotic things I could do if I weren’t so inhibited. -Roberta, 48 year old massage therapist