Louisa Burton, House of Dark Delights

House of Dark Delights

Louisa Burton

Bantam, Feb 2007, $13.00

ISBN: 0553384123

The Ch teau de la Grotte Chachee is located in an isolated French valley that is difficult to find. It is home to the follets (supernatural beings) such as Elic the elf who can turn at will into a female and needs to mate with humans. Also residing there is the djinn Darius who frequently assumes the shape of a cat; and the succubus Lili,who was once a Babylonian Goddess, craving sex with mortals. Finally, the other resident follet is Inigio the Satyr who uses hair to conceal his horns and pointed ears and has had his tail surgically removed.

Guests are welcomed occasionally to meet the needs of the permanent residents. In May 1749 the Hellfire Club adjoined there, enjoying every form of debauchery. Lili, a member of the club, remained behind at the chateau. In 1884, a scientist accompanied by his assistant and his daughter visited the ch teau where the occupants played matchmaker. In 52 BC, the Druid Vernae captured Elic and forced him to be her sex toy stud. The heir to what will be the ch teau asks for his help, which he gives and in doing so is there from the creation of the ch teau.

Louisa Burton has written a romantic fantasy that spans millennia and stars kindhearted supernatural beings. The storyline is unique as time is not treated sequentially leading to a fascinating, intense tale. Some of the sexual encounters are vividly graphic, but seems apropos when one considers the chateau's inhabitants and their sagas. Readers will want return engagements to this interesting ch teau.

Harriet Klausner