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4th out of 8 books
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2 voters
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House of Dark Delights (Hidden Grotto #1)
In this extraordinary debut, Louisa Burton extends an irresistible invitation to an erotic adventure that is quite literally out of this world. You’re hereby invited to spend a night you’ll never forget in the . . .House of Dark Delights
Nestled deep in the French countryside, hidden from prying eyes, stands an infamous castle that for centuries has lured guests with its wh...more
Nestled deep in the French countryside, hidden from prying eyes, stands an infamous castle that for centuries has lured guests with its wh...more
Paperback, 324 pages
Published
January 30th 2007
by Bantam
(first published 2007)
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Erotica with a hefty side of brains and plot that doesn't skip on the sex, both kinky and vanilla. Up until now, I had given up on a lot of erotica, as rarely did it stimulate my brain as well as my bits. But Burton has a real depth and richness to her characters that make them come (hah) alive on the page and her weaving of myth and historical setting is spot on. The story doesn't drag for an instant. I can't wait to read more!
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I presume you know what the book is about. I'm letting you know what I liked or disliked about it.
This was a very good book - very sexy, smutty in all the right ways.... But - I'm not an instant fan at least of the way the book/story is structured. Almost like smaller books within the main one.. Which (for me) adds enough "breaks" in the story to the point where I lost interest quickly between the first book and the second.
I have the second tee'd up to read but ...more
This was a very good book - very sexy, smutty in all the right ways.... But - I'm not an instant fan at least of the way the book/story is structured. Almost like smaller books within the main one.. Which (for me) adds enough "breaks" in the story to the point where I lost interest quickly between the first book and the second.
I have the second tee'd up to read but ...more
Miranda Baker
added it
Let's talk just for a minute about how much I love Louisa Burton's books. Oh. My. God. No, wait, let's talk about how my husband reads them over and over. He loves her work, too. This is the first book in the Hidden Grotto series. They are all good. If you like your erotica with history, paranormal, a lawless Victorian feel (ok, probably not Victorian, but that's why I don't write historicals), and storylines that interlock and fit together so well the books almost have a Pulp Fiction feel - the...more
Let me just start by saying that this book left me completely torn.
I very much enjoyed the mix of history and fiction. There is an obvious amount of research on the author's part to create such an elaborate weave. I liked the characters a great deal as well. Getting to know each one and learning each of their personal stories held my interest throughout the book.
However, this story line was very difficult for me to follow. I'm not a fan of the separate books within this bo...more
I very much enjoyed the mix of history and fiction. There is an obvious amount of research on the author's part to create such an elaborate weave. I liked the characters a great deal as well. Getting to know each one and learning each of their personal stories held my interest throughout the book.
However, this story line was very difficult for me to follow. I'm not a fan of the separate books within this bo...more
The first in the Hidden Grotto Series.
This book consists of four vignettes from the lives of 4 follets/mythical beings (an elf who also happens to be a transgendering incubus, a succubus, a satyr, a djinni) who have lived for thousands of years in a remote chateau in France.
This is straight erotica; not erotic romance or “romantica”.
Normally, regular erotica aint my cuppa since it usually features BDSM, which I have a low threshold for, and I usually find the treat...more
This book consists of four vignettes from the lives of 4 follets/mythical beings (an elf who also happens to be a transgendering incubus, a succubus, a satyr, a djinni) who have lived for thousands of years in a remote chateau in France.
This is straight erotica; not erotic romance or “romantica”.
Normally, regular erotica aint my cuppa since it usually features BDSM, which I have a low threshold for, and I usually find the treat...more
I did not like this book at all. I'm a big fan of erotica and a big fan of fantasy but this book missed on all levels for me. Here's the two things that drove me nuts the most:
#1 the sex scenes-to me they're were about as titillating as dirty socks. Nothing new was added to the genre-just the same old sorry "scenarios" that are in a hundred other erotica books. Not even the scenes featuring more unique fantasy characters could save the whole mess. And seriously, what is it...more
#1 the sex scenes-to me they're were about as titillating as dirty socks. Nothing new was added to the genre-just the same old sorry "scenarios" that are in a hundred other erotica books. Not even the scenes featuring more unique fantasy characters could save the whole mess. And seriously, what is it...more
So, this book was officially my first foray into "erotica." I have read lots of NR-type smut, but a friend loaned me this book and I'm feeling a little dirty after reading it. I really liked the fantasy component, but it did honestly take me a while to figure out who all the characters were, as well as WHAT they were. Definitely not a book for the faint of heart, but worth checking out for those of you looking for something naughty. I'm looking forward to the next books in the seri...more
The characters in this book were likeable, relatable, and very mysterious. They left me wanting to know much more about them. All of the follets were well cast. As well, the historical content was fascinating and well researched I thought. And I liked how different the historical settings were, and how the human characters personalities altered in each. I thought the first two parts (the first chapter in the present with Larsson, and the 18th century part with the Hellfire Club) of the book were...more
This book is so very different. It's almost a genre in itself. This book is labeled as a erotic novel, but it's a whole lot more. It's fantasy, it's mythology, it's a bit history, and certainly very erotic. I finished this book in the morning and bought the second immediately. Am enjoying Bound in Moonlight even more. Ms. Burton is very talented. I perceive I will be buying the 3rd the day after tomorrow:)
If you want to be enchanted, sensually aroused and actively engaged in what you're reading, this is the series for you.
Love every detail of the Grotto, the garden and the mystical qualities of the creatures who fill this novel up with clever love scenes and soulful journies of their own humanity as well as fantasies.
So satisfying, you won't want it to end.
Love every detail of the Grotto, the garden and the mystical qualities of the creatures who fill this novel up with clever love scenes and soulful journies of their own humanity as well as fantasies.
So satisfying, you won't want it to end.
"House of Dark Delights" is Louisa Burton's first book in the "Hidden Grotto" series and it is exquisite and riveting literary erotica. Four eloquent tales, from past and present, intertwine in magical and unexpected ways.
My full review is here:http://ezinearticles.com/?House-of-Dark-Delights---Four-Eloquent-Tales-of-Literary-Erotica&id=2247139
My full review is here:http://ezinearticles.com/?House-of-Dark-Delights---Four-Eloquent-Tales-of-Literary-Erotica&id=2247139
This is actually 3 novellas, the first is the longest (and hottest) but the other 2 provide some interesting back story to the main characters. While the world was pretty interesting, I'm not sure it's much of a draw to read the rest of the series.
Awesome girl smut. Fantasy. I take it down a star for the character into S&M because she thinks she needs to be punished. But the rest of the book is hot. I can't wait for the promised second book.
This author was recommended to me by Adrianna Dane and Lacey Savage. All I can say is -- very nicely done erotica. This author is an auto buy for me now.
This is a crazy book, but I enjoyed it. It was very different from anything I've read before.
Quite heavy on the mythology, plus it kept jumping around time periods. Decent enough if you're just reading for the erotica.
Normally, I'm not a fan of erotica for the same reason I don't much care for porn- lack of plot. My imagination is vivid, and I like plot with my hot steamy sex thankyouverymuch. This book is well written with defined characters. There is an air of mystery to the location and the characters themselves; the book promises to be a series. The story travels through time and cultures, adding a sense of humanity. The sex scenes are believable and finely detailed. I look forward to reading the se...more
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While it may sound like it was a completely erotic novel, it was not labeled as such when I purchased it. I really enjoyed how the author crisscrossed historical events and time periods to create the 4 or so different smaller plot lines. Really a dark (duh) read!
Summer
rated it
I really wanted to like this novel. It seemed to be right up my alley but somehow it just didn't work out for me. I didn't really care about the characters and sometimes didn't even know what the heck was going on in the first place. Very disappointing.
The story plot is really good, and the characters are well-thought out. A truly remarkable book. I'm hooked with Burton's Hidden Grotto series, and I will surely buy the rest of the books in the series the moment they come out!
Too often in erotica, fantasy creatures are ignored. (Or maybe I just haven't read much erotica.) But this book lets you imagine sex with vampires as well as androgynous elf-like succubus. What's not to like?
I had no idea what i was getting into with this book. Major erotica. done very well!
i got lost in some of the mythology but that didn't stop me from finishing it with zeal.
i got lost in some of the mythology but that didn't stop me from finishing it with zeal.
I love Lousia Burton's Grotto books. By far the best erotic book I've ever read. Possibly the only erotic book I've ever given 5 stars to.
Stacy
added it
This is the dirtiest book i've ever read!
Very sexy reading.
Candice
marked it as to-read
Bookworm
marked it as to-read
Jennifer
marked it as to-read
Desiree
marked it as to-read
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A pseudonym used by Patricia Ryan.
Louisa Burton is a painter, writer, and collector of rare books who travels extensively, but whose home is in New York. She is a lifelong devotee of Victorian erotica, history, and mythology. Of particular interest to Louisa are the beings known by demonologists and mythologists as Sexual Demons: incubi, succubi, satyrs, djinn, and vampires, among othe...more
More about Louisa Burton...
Louisa Burton is a painter, writer, and collector of rare books who travels extensively, but whose home is in New York. She is a lifelong devotee of Victorian erotica, history, and mythology. Of particular interest to Louisa are the beings known by demonologists and mythologists as Sexual Demons: incubi, succubi, satyrs, djinn, and vampires, among othe...more
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