Customer Reviews

In the Garden of Sin (The Hidden Grotto Series)

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In the Garden of Sin (The Hidden Grotto Series) Louisa Burton has created a wonderfully erotic world in her Hidden Grotto series, populated with a fantastic assortment of sexed-up mythical beings. (My favorite is the shapeshifting incubus.) After reading the first three books, I couldn't wait to get my hands on In the Garden of Sin, and I was not disappointed! All the books in this series are composed of short novellas that take place in various time periods but have in common the mysterious Hidden Grotto and its immortal occupants. I was sucked in to this outrageously erotic world from the very beginning. It just gets better and better.

In the Garden of Sin (The Hidden Grotto Series) is the latest installment of the fabulous Hidden Grotto Series. Ms. Burton has a talent for knowing what her readers enjoy in terms of erotica. These novels, or series of novellas, are well written and researched (I've tried to find mistakes in the historical references and I cannot). I especially enjoy the way she weaves history with erotica - I think this sets her apart from the other writers of erotic fiction. The stories have a realistic feel to this reader. I hope she writes many more books.

A continuum runs from pure romance, through erotica, and beyond. This one belongs somewhere in that wide 'eromance' range, where the characters and their lives matter as much as their luciously described intimacies. The first story, "The English Courtesan", stays well to the romantic end of that scale. In it a nervous virgin presents herself as a student in the ways that bodies can please each other. Somehow, though, she never really throws herself into the spirit of the work - her reason for being there lies deeper, closer to the heart. The second of these two stories, "Hunger", develops a vampire mythology of its own. It explores, among other things, how the 'little death' can become the big one, depending on the vampire's mood. It also examines the psychology of a grudge - the kind that last for generations, but just generations of time in one near-immortal mind.

As with other books in her 'Grotto' series, the stories in this take place at widely separated times, as if she's filling in the whole timeline of the Grotto's history by presenting points on that line at random. A few constants tie the pieces together, including the Grotto itself. The manor on the property dates back at least four hundred years, but that's still many hundreds less than the magic of the land on which it sits. (I'll be fascinated to read anything about the ages before the buildings were built, should they ever reveal themselves to Burton.) It's also many hundred fewer than the ages of its longest-lived visitors and inhabitants, including a satyr, a few clades of vampires, and a time-shared androgyne, who surely have histories as noteworthy as that of the Grotto itself..

One common criticism of erotica, the kind with a story, is that it rushes through the scenes of character and plot to get to the steamy bits. Depending on the reader's expectations, this could be accused of the opposite. A few sensual encounters seem rushed, as if elbowed out by the story-telling, when a more lingering examination of the couplings (or triplings, or more) could have suited some tastes better. But, not all works suit all tastes, especially when the subject is as subjective as love and loving. Still, I'm sure that this will suit quite a few.

-- wiredweird

Louisa Burton has continued her successful HIDDEN GROTTO series with IN THE GARDEN OF SIN - an erotic novel with two novellas, "The English Courtesan" set in the 17th century and "Hunger" a vampire tale set modern day Greenwich. Both novellas share one thing in common, however - they are both centered on the elusive and highly sexual French castle that houses four other worldly beings that thrive on sexual gratification.

"The English Courtesan"

In 1626, women had few choices as to what to do with their lives. Hannah Leeds is an innocent English woman that knows this and has taken control of her destiny. She has gone to the mysterious but highly talked about Domenico Vitturi with the hope that he will agree to become her sponsor and teach her how to be a courtesan. Domenico does more than that - he takes Hannah to France and the Castle of the Hidden Grotto where Hannah's wildest desires are just a drop in a bucket with the things that she learns about life, sex, and herself. One thing is certain with Hannah - Domenico is the man for her but convincing him of this is more than she ever thought she would be able to do.

I loved this steamy erotic historical novella. Domenico was luscious with a capital "L" and his mannerisms hid a man hiding from the world. Hannah is truly one of the most innocent but ballsy heroines I have ever read. She knew the obstacles she needed to overcome, her lack of knowledge being one of them, and strived to achieve her greatest desire. I think she succeeded quite nicely.

"The Hunger"

Anton Turek and Galiana Solsa spend their immortality preying upon humans in order to fulfill their sexual appetites. Anton is slowly becoming more and more irritated with Galiana and hates his role in her life. He wants someone completely different than the vampire Galiana - he wants Lili, a succubus he has loved for centuries. The plot thickens because while Anton is fixated with Lili, she loves someone else, someone she can never be with. However, IN THE GARDEN OF SIN anything can happen!

This novella was fast paved and wildly exciting. I know I sat and read it from beginning to end with a red face - it made me blush more than once. The thought of unrequited love had me spellbound. Anton's wicked sexuality and hot body only added to my enjoyment of this novella.

IN THE GARDEN OF SIN is the fourth installment of Louisa Burton's HIDDEN GROTTO series and as such, I highly recommend reading these explicit and enticing books in order to get the full effect of these delicious characters. You won't be sorry!

Natalie S.

NOT FOR ANYONE UNDER 18! This series always delivers. I love all of the books that have come out of the series and appreciate that it doesn't shirk from being uncomfortable sometimes. The author has a gifted way of keeping the story going throughout the series by leaving a few unanswered questions. And just when it seems as if unanswered questions from previous books will go unanswered, but Louisa Burton links them so well in ways that the readers don't expect. Despite individual stories within the series, they link up as a novel. The sex is HOT and the romance is satisfying. This guilty pleasure always pays off.

Burton is a wonderful writer. Her ideas and phrases flow so smoothly that I can submerge myself completely in her stories. And though I don't read them for history, her historical details are, as far as I can tell, well researched and accurate. I don't find myself pulled out of the narrative by an anachronism, as happens sometimes with other authors.

"In the Garden of Sin" is a set of two novellas. The first is one of her better ones, as a young English woman trains as a courtesan with ulterior motives. In the second, two vampires plot against the follets whose stories we've followed throughout her books. Both are well worth reading, fun and sexy. The end of the second story feels rushed, though, not up to her usual standard but certainly not bad.

I'm hoping that in the future Burton will tell us more about Darius, the reclusive and erudite Djinn. He only makes a brief appearance here.

If you're looking for smart, fun, sex-positive, and non-sexist erotica, pick up the books in this series. You'll be glad you did.

"The English Courtesan". 1626 was the year that changed Englishwoman Hannah Leeds. She heard courtesans sponsored by Domenico Vittori lived pampered lives in a castle and she wants that. She meets with him and he introduces her to Mademoiselle Elle. They like what they see in the wannabe mistress especially her beauty, her charm and her intelligence. If Hannah can move past her virginal innocence to sensual seducer, her next stop is the Castle of the Hidden Grotto in France. There she will become courtesan to legends and myths in a place where all sexual fantasy occurs including converting an English virgin into a legendary courtesan for the ages.

"Hunger". In modern day Greenwich Village, Anton Turek watches from the shadow as Galiana Solsa picks up Oxy at the bar. In the alley he orders her to get on her knees, but the mortal does not understand who he is messing with as she easily brings him to his knees and takes what she wants from him. Anton wants Galiana, but the vampire knows to get his Goddess he must somehow prove her equal. He feeds his hunger for her in the Castle of the Hidden Grotto where seduction often means death for one or both parties; in this case he feels his undead death will be worth the price of having her.

Fans of Louisa Burton's erotic fantasy saga through the ages will relish the return to the mysterious Castle of the Hidden Grotto (see HOUSE OF DARK DELIGHT and WHISPERS OF THE FLESH) with two delightfully decadent novellas. The two erotic entries share much in common in spite of the several centuries gap between when they occur. Each tale is well written as fans will believe in the sexual escapades of the immortals with mortals. Although newcomers might have some early adaptation issues due to no initial background (a consistent problem), the audience will enjoy another heated spin IN THE GARDEN OF SIN.

Harriet Klausner

There are other books in this series that come before this one, I know. Whether I'll read them is still up in the air, based on the second story in this book. While I enjoyed reading the first story, I was definitely turned off by the second one. Not to my style, at all. I don't enjoy reading about hurting, spanking - any of those things. If that is what's portrayed in the other books I'll not be getting any of them.