Customer Reviews

Gothic Blue (Black Lace)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is well constructed, with developed, motivated characters and a surprisingly believable plot. The hapless but curious travlers, Belinda and Jonathan, are stranded in a creepy old priory, with three mute but very helpful servants and a long-lived sorceror who feeds off of pleasure. The Count has a secret, and badly needs Belinda's help to resore him to his beloved. Add two more sorceresses, one good, one evil, and you have a full house. Belinda and Jonathan develope their realtionship while Belinda agrees to help the Count.

If there is one hitch in this book, it is the tendancy to "fade to black" just when things are getting good. Any scenes much more risky than vanilla, they simply fade out, and some of the sexual potential is never fulfilled. Light BDSM, some very vague same-sex scenes. If you are looking for sexy, risky scenes, this isn't the book for you, but if you want a tender, interesting plot-driven story with some sex, buy this one.

If you're looking for an erotic tale that's just that bit different and something that makes you use your brain - rather than the hackneyed 'we're all part of a secret society' - this one's for you.

Gorgeous characters, decadent surroundings, fabulous sex... it's a book you can enjoy on a surface level, and then enjoy again at a deeper level when you recognise the subtleties in the plot. I won't give any secrets away, but there's something very X-files ish about the paranormal world Belinda discovers.

Enjoy it!

This is the first of Portia Da Costa's books I have read and the first 11 pages of the books Prologue are so hot that it was worth the price of the book for me. The Prologue details the plot where our hero, the count Andre, at his engagement (betrothal at that time) party to his beloved virginal Belle, meets the evil, but oh so delicious, countess Isidora.

Sizzling love is made, spells are cast and, in Chapter one, we are thrust into the future where Andre and Belle are trapped to meet up with Belinda and Johnathan, a young couple who lost their way on a dark and backwoods road. Our young couple abandon their car and find refuge in what appeared to be an abandoned priory hidden away in the middle of nowhere. Our cast of characters are revived to while away the days surrendering to the most base, and erotically yummie, desires of the flesh.

The erotic sex is fantastic and superbly written and it's little wonder you'll have trouble finding any of this author's books in stock because most of them will be hidden away to be read at those most private of moments.

The plot of this gothic novel reminds me of a story line on that wonderful old soap opera, Dark Shadows. I read this book several years ago, so I don't remember the characters names, but I do remember the story. A couple loses their way in a storm. They take shelter in the summer house of an old deserted mansion. One of the highlights of the book was the love scene that takes place while they wait out the storm. In the morning they discover that the house is not as deserted as they thought. The owner invites them to stay. The couple soon begins to feel there is something quite strange going on, and they are right.

The reader will enjoy the erotic scenes, but the plot will be equally interesting. If you are a fan of things like Dark Shadows or The Turn of the Screw, and you are not offended by explicit sex, you will enjoy this book.

I wish there were a separate review for eroticism in a book and writing quality. I think Portia Da Costa is trying to make it into the mainstream romance by providing good writing skills (somewhat better than many American writers), but unfortunately leaving the extra hotness factor behind. The sex was good but rather tame compared to some of her other writing. I recommend this book, but only if you are looking for soft sex. Her protagonists never got into the really erotic behaviour that has made many of her previous books so yummy. You knew they did it, but were left at the dungeon door, so to speak. Storm-stranded lovers meet old beings in love-hate relationships, with the little bit of erotic behaviour that teases, but doesn't, pardon the pun, satisfy, at least for this reader. My biggest problem with this book is not Ms. Da Costa's fault, in a way. Her book, Entertaining Mr. Stone is, in my opinion, one of the best erotic romance books I have ever read. (And my review of last year showed how I felt about it.) I just loved that book. So, for me, Gothic Blue just didn't come up to that standard. Go ahead and buy and enjoy Gothic Blue; it is enjoyable, but it is just not Entertaining Mr. Stone for hotness and pure satisfying thrill factor.

A new story from Portia Da Costa is always a pleasure, and this has to be one of her best. 'Gothic Blue' has the lot - a gripping story, a delicious setting provided by a remote Gothic priory, incredible sexual chemistry, obsession, the paranormal and the exciting aristocrat André von Kastel. The sex - and there's lots of it! - is tense, powerful and relentless from start to end. A great book, and one I know I shall read again and again.

This was one of the very few Black Lace books that I didn't finish. The story line was strange and it was drawn out. There are a lot better ones out there. The Gallery or The Tutor.

A young couple, Belinda and her boyfriend Jonathan get stranded out in the middle of nowhere. They seek shelter at Count Andre von Kastel's priory. From the moment Belinda and Jonathan set foot inside they immediately feel an intense sexual urge that can not be denied. When Belinda meets Andre she and him have an instant connection to each other. Andre knows he must possess Belinda both body and soul. Belinda is closely reminiscent of Andre's long lost love. It's not long before Andre and Belinda make love to last a couple of lifetimes. Andre tells Belinda that he is over two hundred years old. He came to be this way when way back when he fell under the spell of a beautiful sorceress named Countess Isidora Katori. Belinda can't imagine any man hotter dead or alive then Andre. Andre wants Belinda to spend the rest of her live with him but not if Isidora has any say in the matter. She has come back and is ready to claim Andre again. Will Andre and Belinda be able to have a happy ending in bliss or will Isidora take what is rightfully her's.

Ok I have said it once but I will say it again. H-O-T!! If your going to fall for a man other then your boyfriend, he better be really good. Belinda sure made certain that was the case with Andre. Count Andre is one very talented and masterful man. He is an artist when it comes to a woman's body. Andre knows every line and curve of a woman and he makes sure not to miss a single detail. I started reading Gothic Blue late at night and if it wasn't for a small detail of going to bed and having to get up to go to work the next day, I would have stayed up all night long to finish reading this book. I just can't get enough of Portia Da Costa. Let me tell you I am so glad I discovered her. Portia's books are like diamonds where everything else around them turn to dust. So what are you waiting for? Go out and pick yourself up a copy of Gothic Blue along with the sequel Gothic Heat.

Far in the past, we meet Count André von Kastel at the archduke's reception, waiting for Arabelle who is to become his betrothed in a week. He sees Isidora, Countess Katori, and is disturbed by his attraction to her. She mesmerizes and seduces him. He can sense the evil within her, but is powerless to resist. She tells him he will be her lover for all time, and he realizes he's helpless against the transformation she's forcing upon him.

Flash to present day, where Belinda Seward and Jonathan Sumner are traveling across the countryside. They have car trouble and end up walking in a rainstorm, looking for shelter. They find themselves at the gate to Sedgewick Priory. Belinda is already feeling an odd arousal, but at the same time the gothic priory gives her a sense of foreboding. They see a smaller building and go inside to escape the rain. Giving in to an uncontrollable urge, they have wild sex. Both are surprised at the unusual intensity of their sex drive.

Belinda wakes next morning and finds the big house is indeed inhabited. She is met at the door by Oren, a mute, who indicates his master would like to offer food and a bath. Despite her misgivings, she follows him upstairs, and some exploring leads her to André's bedchamber.

Meanwhile, Jonathan hears female laughter and goes to investigate. He finds two young blond women getting friendly by the water. Jonathan gives in to the uncontrollable urge to masturbate.

This is just the beginning of an intense sexual journey for Belinda, Jonathan, and their unusual hosts, because André's need for Belinda and Jonathan goes beyond a simple sexual outlet. He needs their help to achieve his ultimate goal.

Portia Da Costa's undeniably intense Gothic Blue will keep you utterly enthralled as the story unravels and dark secrets are revealed. The author expertly pens superb sensuality, dripping with eroticism and intricately seductive details. Although the rampant promiscuity throughout the book may bother readers looking for monogamy, when taken in context and in light of the seductive nature of the priory, it all seems perfectly acceptable. You won't be able to put down this book until you arrive at the gripping climax. I absolutely adore Portia Da Costa's style, and will be looking for more of her books. This is very highly recommended.

5 Kisses, 2 Peppers (f/f, f/f/f, f/m/f, m/m, BDSM)

~Lindy
Reviewer, TwoLips Reviews, LLC
www.TwoLipsReviews.com

Portia da Costa has done it again! Or perhaps I should say, Black Lace has done it again - with a reprint of her 1996 novel, 'Gothic Blue.' This is a timeless story that is as fresh today as it was over ten years ago. It lives up to its erotica label from the very start - a prelude in which we are introduced to Count Andre von Kassel and the evil Countess Isidora Katori. The spell that is cast on the Count divides him from his true love, Arabelle, for all time - or at least, for four hundred plus years, when the arrival of Belinda Seward and her lover, Jonathan Sumner, at the Count's dilapidated manse gives the slumbering, suffering Count Kassel new hope.

While his blonde, mute, gorgeous servants (two females and a male) keep Lindi and Johnny `occupied' when they're not happily occupied with each other, it is the developing relationship between Andre and Lindi that drives the story forward. Will she succumb to his advances (yes), will it be all she imagines (oh yes) will she help him in his quest to lift the curse before the equally ageless Isidora interferes? The answer to that question I leave to you to discover when you read the book.

Elements of fairy tales and magic and timeless love meld seamlessly with a whole lot of steamy sex to make this book a winner. Congratulations, Ms da Costa, on this reprint. It's a great way to launch a reader into the incomparable imagination of the lively, lovely work of Portia da Costa - and a treat for anyone already familiar with her reliable, riveting prose.