New Romantic Fantasy, The Chamber of Curiosities, by Anastasia Blackwell, offers fans seductive LGBT characters. The gothic tale, set in a carnival in a fictitious medieval land, boasts males and females who break sexual role barriers. 

The characters include:

Clare Dupree - Heroine and  lover of protagonist, Darne Veskka. She is cross-dresser, who has lived as  young male, and has fondness for wielding daggers. Her talent for aerial arts and arm strength are said to rival that of any male.

Thereon - A winged man from land in another dimension. He is brave leader, graced with huge black wings, rugged features, plumed tresses, and athletic body accented with leather straps and holster. Bisexual who gains trust of seductive carnival catcher, Aubrey Fedderah.

Aubrey Fedderah - Catcher of aerial act, radiates glow difficult for anyone to resist. Fair, wavy hair graze his shoulders and frame a fine-boned face, with steely gray eyes, and dazzling smile. He is attracted to both male and female, but finds love with Thereon.

Borastain Caston - Son of  preeminent ruler, Metapator Caston, is homosexual, with dark. masochistic side. His charisma, style, and attitude, makes him role-model for new generation of Tressarians.

Cayne the Dungeon Master - Cayne has been trained to service males in the Pleasure Dens, and uses knowledge of pleasure to inflict pain to maximum effect. His training sessions with Darne Veskka alter both men’s perspectives, in ways they never would have imagined.

Jossa, Anatisia, and Brianni - Bisexual young women, employed in Pleasure Dens, who initiate  virginal Darne Veskka into sensual pleasures.

Seductive new Romantic Fantasy, The Chamber of Curiosities , by Anastasia Blackwell, is now available in both paperback and ebook on Amazon.

The tale chronicles journey of charismatic, Darne Veskka, featured as 'The Human Beast' in 'The Chamber of Curiosities', and  beautiful young aerialist, Clare Dupree, who's obsession drives him to fight for his freedom. Set in an ancient land, where 'Coin is King', they join forces with kindred spirits to plot against debauched governors who enslave them.

Please Note: The House on Black Lake Trailer may be viewed on Home Page.

A love scene in a novel (as in real life) reveals the innermost characteristics of the individuals involved. Physical strength or weakness, depth of passion, creativity, hidden fears and sorrows, need to control or degrade, to surrender or dominate, shame and pride, fetishes, tenderness, empathy, repressed memories, boldness, cautiousness, secrets, flaws and scars, deformity, and exquisite physical perfection can be revealed when the cloak of civilization is thrown off and humans revert to their animal nature. The circumstances of a mating can be highly romantic or base and ugly. No matter the social status of the individuals, age, nationality, relationship, or gender it is always a primal act, unscripted, and powerful in emotional resonance. Whether cruel and disgusting or highly gentle and romantisized love scenes are unscripted dramas that tear away the monotony of daily life. The act may result in the creation or transformation of life, that is its overriding power. There is an aura of spirituality to love scenes, and for those who seek a higher level of excistence making love to another is the key to another realm.  

In The House on black Lake Alexandra is a world weary mother struggling through a devastating divorce. She has not had a lover since her husband, and has never experienced a deep and satisfying physical connection with a man. In her journey on Black Lake she encounters three men with whom she experiences powerful emotional reactions. Charismatic Ramey Sandeley awakened something deep and unknown years ago when she first took his eyes on a snowy night in the desert. Her life dramatically changed in that moment, but she has not been able to consummate her feelings as he is a married father of five. However, the intense attraction leads Ramey to lure Alexandra into increasingly dangerous scenarios. Andre Labat is a young French artist who seduces Alexandra into an afternoon of love in his bungalow where he teaches her about the nature of love and the power of trust. Georgie LaPointe is narcissistic rock God and Cousin to Ramey who grooms his hair in the eyes of his lovers and makes love to recordings of his singing. Georgie introduces Alexandra to the dark side of sensuality. As a repressed woman Alexandra's experiences with these powerful men are clothed in an atmosphere that may appear forced, but she is not necessarily an unwilling victim and reacts in a manner true to her desires. Through her journey on Black Lake Alexandra is transformed and empowered as she learns to accept "the beautiful freak" inside her, the lonely soul that seeks  love without boundaries and the pursuit of passion at all costs.

Most rarely see acts of love, so novels offer opportunities to find inspiration in respectable forms of art.

The best love scenes in romance are featured in the following novels. The list was culled from talking to readers and through romance sites (including Amazon). They are in no particular order, although many believe "Flowers from the Storm" deserves first place. Some say Lisa Kleypas is the foremost master of of the romance novel love scene.

1. Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kindsdale

2. Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

3. When He Was Wicked Bridgerton Family Saga by Julia Quinn

4. One Dance With The Duke by Tessa Dare

5. Pleasure for Pleasure Ellis Sisters, Book 6 by Eloise James

6. Dangerous to Love by Elizabeth Thornton

7. The Diamond Slipper, by Jane Feather

8. The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

9. The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

10. Outlander by Diana Galbadon

11. Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

12 Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas

13. Tempt me Tonight by Toni Blake

14. Match Me if you Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

15. Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

16. Ride the Fire by Pamela Chase

17. Heart of Fire by Linda Howard

18. Devil in Winter The Wallflowers, Book 3

19. Midsummer Moon by Laura Kinsdale

20. Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas

21. Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas

22. Princess of Fire by Shannon Drake

23. Mad, Bad Duke by Jennifer Ashley

24. Madness of Lord Ian Mackensie by Jennifer Ashley

25. Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas

26. Love Storm by Susan Johnson

27. Wicked by Susan Johnson

28. Absolute Pleasure by Cheryl Holt

29. The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julie Quinn

30. The Valley of the Horse by Jean M. Auel

31. Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

32. Surrender A MacKinnon Ranger's novel by Pamela Chare

33. The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

34. Green Darkness by Anya Seton

35. Passion by Lisa Valdes

36 The Proposition by Judith Ivory

37. Years by Lavyrle Spencer

38. His Second Hand Wife by Cheryl St. John

39. Wild Oats by Pamela Moisi

40. Between the Devil and Desire by Lorraine Heath

41. Married by Morning

42. If you Dare by Kresly Cole

43, If you Desire The MacKarrack Brothers Part 4 by Kresly Cole

44. Thunder and Rose by Mary Jo Putny

45. Hot Shot by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

46. Highlander by Karen Marie Moning

47. Thornbirds by Collen McCullugh

48. Night Magic by Karen Robards

49. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

50. Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsdale

The following clip from the movie "The Phantom of the Opera" proves that there is no gothic story that better incorporates the beauty of the gothic romance. Gerard Butler has never been sexier, and the visuals draw us into the wonderful underworld where everything is possible, and nothing deemed unsavory or untasted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHAauiJwwmU&feature=related

The prelude to "The House on Black Lake" describes a woman's experience of having her face paralyzed after the birth of her first child. The paralysis comes nine month's to the day since she laid eyes on a charismatic man that turned her "perfect world" upside down. After living nearly a year as a recluse and viewing herself as a freak, she makes a pilgrimage from the U.S. to St. Joseph's Oratory where the faithful are said to be healed. Coincidentally, the man resides in Montreal, nearby the sacred spot, although he is more akin to heathen than saint. She kneels at St. Andre's alter and makes a vow ,"beauty for truth" - an unmarked face for a pledge to seek her manifest destiny. Unfortunately, that means she must give up everything she has been taught to believe. Soon, her life is in shambles and she begins to sorely regret the pact she made in the sacred church.  In order to find resolution she travels to Montreal to confront the man so that she can regain some measure of closure and peace.

I personally experienced a similar miracle, a divine intervention, at the Oratory and believe it holds special powers, but one must always be prepared to pay a price for a miracle, as nothing is given back without a debt to be paid. In some ways "The House on Black Lake" is my repayment, as it is a story of transformation and redemption.

A visit to the sacred place is a powerful experience, both for those who walk away healed, and those who seek a spiritual experience. Rarely does one see a wall filled with the canes and crutches of those who have walked away healed. More can be learned about St. Andre and details regarding visitations can be found at:

http://www.saint-joseph.org/en_1001_index.php

        The carved and veiled four poster, spread with luscious linens, can be found in the Aimee Crocker room of the Chateau Tivoli in San Francisco.  A similar curtained and mirrored bed, with intricate carved dark wood, is housed in the Mark Twain Suite. The opulent Luisa Tetrazzini suite was also featured in  trailer for book. The bed is a luxuriously carved queen canopy from the Charles De Gaulle estate, with a private parlor with fireplace.

        Chateau Tivoli B& B is an opulently restored Victorian mansion located in San Francisco’s historic Alamo Square district. Built in 1892 as a private home and restored a century later, it features had-carved woodwork, crystal, chandeliers, period wall paper and oriental rugs. It hosted all interior shots of “The House on Black Lake interior videos, including the mysterious basement rooms with hovering ceilings.

        The unusual décor and luscious beds of the Tivoli can be viewed in trailer on home page.  More information on the Chateau Tivoli at www.chateautivoli.com.

Hungry Mature Twilight fans feed on new gothic suspense, “The House on Black Lake”

With her life falling apart around her, Alexandra Brighton escapes with you son, Samuel, to Black Lake – and into the home of the man who has haunted her thoughts for years. But little is as it seems in the idyllic world of Ruth and Ramey Sandeley, where modern luxuries co-mingle with ancient rituals. As the summer solstice draws near, Alexandra finds herself lured into a world of mystery and seduction that compels her to confront the forces that have shaped her life’s path. Ultimately she must decide where this journey will lead – if she and her son are to survive.

Set against the haunting backdrop of Montreal and its surrounding countryside, debut author Anastasia Blackwell’s novel explores how one woman’s pursuit of her divine path leads to a shadowy world of ruthless passion and dark secrets.

The journey to Black Lake is sensuous, erotic, romantic, and dangerous. Fasten your seat belt as you enter Zito Zahn 's cab and be prepared to take an odyssey into the unknown.

Author Anastasia Blackwell is an award-winning producer, writer, actress, voice-over artist. She collaborated with a noted cinematographer to produce a book trailer and created music videos based on scenes in book.

To learn more about the book, author, news, video, photographs and upcoming events go to www.houseonblacklake.com.