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The Carnal Staircase Trilogy
Balustrade
A couple on the verge of divorce begrudgingly agree to an unorthodox marital retreat. Despite warnings and portents, Hilary and Jack travel to the remote Washington scablands, braving a strange religious demonstration to arrive at Balustrade, an oddly voyeuristic couples program.
Under the tutelage of Chantal, a harsh mistress, and Ludo, a brooding sex surrogate, the couple find their most intimate relations under discomfiting scrutiny. The therapy is ritualistic, sensual, wearing away their inhibitions to lush, orgiastic ends. For a while, Hilary luxuriates in a slippery, sensual descent into wickedness. But when time begins to disintegrate in dream-like fugues, sexual awakening takes a turn for the sinister.
Clandestine cabals whisper behind closed doors. Robed figures congregate in the dark cavern at the apex of the strange building’s courtyard.
Nothing is quite as it seems. And a question looms…
Is it the intention of Chantal and Balustrade to help mend their failing marriage or are their minds and bodies being groomed for more sinister, carnal purposes? Hilary must strive to unlock the secrets behind Balustrade before it pushes her to the brink of insanity and ignites her darkest urges.
Under the tutelage of Chantal, a harsh mistress, and Ludo, a brooding sex surrogate, the couple find their most intimate relations under discomfiting scrutiny. The therapy is ritualistic, sensual, wearing away their inhibitions to lush, orgiastic ends. For a while, Hilary luxuriates in a slippery, sensual descent into wickedness. But when time begins to disintegrate in dream-like fugues, sexual awakening takes a turn for the sinister.
Clandestine cabals whisper behind closed doors. Robed figures congregate in the dark cavern at the apex of the strange building’s courtyard.
Nothing is quite as it seems. And a question looms…
Is it the intention of Chantal and Balustrade to help mend their failing marriage or are their minds and bodies being groomed for more sinister, carnal purposes? Hilary must strive to unlock the secrets behind Balustrade before it pushes her to the brink of insanity and ignites her darkest urges.
- GenresErotica
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2014
72 people want to read
About the author
Mark Henry
77 books372 followersMARK HENRY traded a career as a counselor to scar minds with his fiction. In stories clogged with sentient zombies, impotent sex demons, transsexual werewolves and ghostly goth girls, he irreverently processes traumatic issues brought on by premature exposure to horror movies, an unwholesome fetish for polyester and/or witnessing adult cocktail parties in the swingin' 70s. A developmental history further muddied by surviving earthquakes, typhoons, and two volcanic eruptions. He somehow continues to live and breathe in the oft maligned, yet not nearly as soggy as you’d think, Pacific Northwest, with his wife and four furry monsters that think they’re children and have a complete disregard for carpet.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 12, 2014
James and Hilary's marriage is dying a slow death. Quiet resentment and irritation have eaten its way into her love and it's begun to rot. Her agreement to attend a couple's retreat to reconnect is a dutiful, perfunctory stepping-stone toward what she believes is inevitably the end. But far from being an emotionally touchy-feely program with primal scream therapy and talking sticks,the Balustrade resort has a sexual agenda with a barely veiled sinister feel.
"Believe me, Hilary, you'll want to be completely alert for this. And afterward, you'll never live outside this level of clarity. It becomes part of you."
Mark Henry has quite few books under his belt. Among the most recent, the book Parts & Wreck comes to mind. I bring this up, because that story had an intimate scene or two in it. I remember that the scenes had good structure but they were a bit formulaic except for a glaringly odd euphemism or two. I remember mentioning in the review that with practice he'd be able to write a pretty good sex scene.
It turns out, he can. My guess is, he had to "clean up" the scenes in Parts & Wreck, and that kind of stifling can really disguise an author's ability. These scenes are integral to the plot of Balustrade, and its characters' development. I can honestly say, I'm eating my words. The scenes are delightfully deviant. With the exception of one line that made me cringe (not from disgust, more from word choice,) they were exactly what one would expect from a polished erotica writer.
Balustrade is beautifully paced. The tension and mystery are artfully intertwined in an almost lyrically written story. Henry creates a quietly sinister mood that underlies everything the characters experience beginning as they approach Balustrade. It's not in your face, but like a shadow late in the evening, it creeps toward you; steadily growing larger and darker.
The characters are perfectly imperfect. Hilary's irritability, petulance, and growing alarm over James' whole-hearted "drinking of the kool-aid" parallel the thoughts of the reader. The light shed on what seem to be her sexual inhibitions and James' role in them was a surprise.
The climax was well-conceived, and it fell in line with the mood; Hilary's actions wrought the truth about Balustrade. It had the same satisfaction one gets from sex on a hot, humid night. You feel a bit dirty and tired, but very satisfied.
"Believe me, Hilary, you'll want to be completely alert for this. And afterward, you'll never live outside this level of clarity. It becomes part of you."
Mark Henry has quite few books under his belt. Among the most recent, the book Parts & Wreck comes to mind. I bring this up, because that story had an intimate scene or two in it. I remember that the scenes had good structure but they were a bit formulaic except for a glaringly odd euphemism or two. I remember mentioning in the review that with practice he'd be able to write a pretty good sex scene.
It turns out, he can. My guess is, he had to "clean up" the scenes in Parts & Wreck, and that kind of stifling can really disguise an author's ability. These scenes are integral to the plot of Balustrade, and its characters' development. I can honestly say, I'm eating my words. The scenes are delightfully deviant. With the exception of one line that made me cringe (not from disgust, more from word choice,) they were exactly what one would expect from a polished erotica writer.
Balustrade is beautifully paced. The tension and mystery are artfully intertwined in an almost lyrically written story. Henry creates a quietly sinister mood that underlies everything the characters experience beginning as they approach Balustrade. It's not in your face, but like a shadow late in the evening, it creeps toward you; steadily growing larger and darker.
The characters are perfectly imperfect. Hilary's irritability, petulance, and growing alarm over James' whole-hearted "drinking of the kool-aid" parallel the thoughts of the reader. The light shed on what seem to be her sexual inhibitions and James' role in them was a surprise.
The climax was well-conceived, and it fell in line with the mood; Hilary's actions wrought the truth about Balustrade. It had the same satisfaction one gets from sex on a hot, humid night. You feel a bit dirty and tired, but very satisfied.
May 4, 2014
Wow. I read an uncorrected galley this morning, and it surprised me. I'm not usually an erotic fiction reader, but I have very much enjoyed Mark Henry's other books & stories, so I thought I'd give it a try. (Worse come to worse, I would have just not written a review or talked about it.)
But, oh my!
Yes, it is very dark and erotic. No surprises there. But it didn't embarrass me, as sometimes happens in "open-door" romances. No, it engrossed me.
I didn't mind the few typos, etc. - they didn't pull me out of the story. (And will be gone before YOU read it, so don't worry about it. I only mention it because it is very rare for me to be able to NOT dwell on the errors.)
I wasn't expecting the twist, which is another 'thumbs up' to Mr Henry.
Read it when it becomes available!
I am now looking forward to Spindle.
But, oh my!
Yes, it is very dark and erotic. No surprises there. But it didn't embarrass me, as sometimes happens in "open-door" romances. No, it engrossed me.
I didn't mind the few typos, etc. - they didn't pull me out of the story. (And will be gone before YOU read it, so don't worry about it. I only mention it because it is very rare for me to be able to NOT dwell on the errors.)
I wasn't expecting the twist, which is another 'thumbs up' to Mr Henry.
Read it when it becomes available!
I am now looking forward to Spindle.
September 4, 2016
It always makes me feel bad when I come across a book that everybody is touting as great and I simply found it as uninspiring. The premise as well as the cover of Balustrade is what initially caught my attention. I do so love dark erotica and was really in the mood for a nice juicy steamy dark read! A couple on verge of splitting up heading out to try an unorthodox marital retreat. Something dark and sinister will eventually happen. Oh yeah, that definitely perked my interest and I was excited to get started. I settled in to get wowed.
However as I began to read, I found it just couldn’t keep my attention. Nothing about the characters jumped out at me screaming like me, love me, hate me fear me. I found Jack to be a bit too predictable in his actions. There were a few time I almost like Hilary (ALMOST) but then I felt her actions would eventually drift into a wishy-washy category where upon I would lose interest. Those characters that should have been dark and mysteriously evil just came off creepy to me. Not as in chills down my spine GET-OUT-OF-THERE! creepy but more of I’ll just change seats on the bus type. I know this book has been tapped as dark erotica, however I found it to be more horror than dark. There was quite a bit of sex, including voyeurism as well as F/F action and yet nothing that got my juices flowing. The plot line should have been able to drag me in but I just couldn’t get excited about what was going to happy to these people, these characters, when they can’t elicit any emotions out of me other than meh.
As I struggled through the plot, I found myself 4 days in and at only 60%, I finally started skimming to see if I would warm up to Balustrade and really, I didn’t. I finally hopped to the end to see if I can work backwards hoping to perk my interest. Maybe knowing the outcome would get me curious to find out how they got to this final point. Unfortunately, know how it ends, not even the final sentence which offers up a new twist didn’t change my opinion.
This is my first book by author Mark Henry and I know there will be two more books in this series. I won’t completely write off reading any more books by Mr. Henry but at this point, I have no further interesting in continuing The Carnal Staircase Trilogy.
I received this book from JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars– 2, Flames – 4
However as I began to read, I found it just couldn’t keep my attention. Nothing about the characters jumped out at me screaming like me, love me, hate me fear me. I found Jack to be a bit too predictable in his actions. There were a few time I almost like Hilary (ALMOST) but then I felt her actions would eventually drift into a wishy-washy category where upon I would lose interest. Those characters that should have been dark and mysteriously evil just came off creepy to me. Not as in chills down my spine GET-OUT-OF-THERE! creepy but more of I’ll just change seats on the bus type. I know this book has been tapped as dark erotica, however I found it to be more horror than dark. There was quite a bit of sex, including voyeurism as well as F/F action and yet nothing that got my juices flowing. The plot line should have been able to drag me in but I just couldn’t get excited about what was going to happy to these people, these characters, when they can’t elicit any emotions out of me other than meh.
As I struggled through the plot, I found myself 4 days in and at only 60%, I finally started skimming to see if I would warm up to Balustrade and really, I didn’t. I finally hopped to the end to see if I can work backwards hoping to perk my interest. Maybe knowing the outcome would get me curious to find out how they got to this final point. Unfortunately, know how it ends, not even the final sentence which offers up a new twist didn’t change my opinion.
This is my first book by author Mark Henry and I know there will be two more books in this series. I won’t completely write off reading any more books by Mr. Henry but at this point, I have no further interesting in continuing The Carnal Staircase Trilogy.
I received this book from JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars– 2, Flames – 4
May 11, 2014
I don't even know what just happened. I don't know what I just read. All I know is it was amazing. I've never read anything like this before. Erotic, paranormal verging on horror. This couple, on the verge of a divorce, agree to a couples retreat; at first I really disliked Hilary, the wife. I thought she was just a bitch, plain and simple. I felt so sorry for her husband Jack, who was doing everything in his power to make their marriage work, and she wasn't even appreciative. That first sex scene with them was so sad; I could feel her indifference, her disdain, and Jack's sadness and desperation. But as the story progressed, I could understand her reluctance to participate in the retreat and her suspicion that something evil was lurking nearby. I began to dislike Jack, as he started to come off more selfish than I originally thought, more self-centered...but then my feelings started to change again! Things got really sexy and murky, and just plain weirdly creepy. By the end of this book - which is a freaking cliffhanger! - I didn't know what to make of the whole thing. I didn't know whose side I was on, if I was even on a side. Who was good, who was bad, or how I felt about any of the characters. In a way, I kind of feel like Hilary felt when she first started giving in to the "lessons" or "counseling" or whatever you want to call them - thoroughly satisfied, but wanting more, and kinda feeling dirty about it.
If I had to use one word to describe Balustrade, it would be "bewitching"...I was literaryly seduced...the pacing was sublime...like foreplay...then fucked senseless...and then discarded like a piece of meat - the wrong meat.
Uncensored thoughts straight from my Kindle:
1. The cubed building with knobless doors made me think of the movie Cube.
2. It protruded from the wall like a panic switch, in case of fire push this and fuck. - LMAO! One of the funny lines/moments from the book. There's a bunch of em hidden throughout; think of them as Easter eggs.
If you're into dark stories, and/or erotic scenes, I strongly recommend this book. It will blow your mind. And please have something or someone nearby to scratch the itch you're going to get while reading this.
If I had to use one word to describe Balustrade, it would be "bewitching"...I was literaryly seduced...the pacing was sublime...like foreplay...then fucked senseless...and then discarded like a piece of meat - the wrong meat.
Uncensored thoughts straight from my Kindle:
1. The cubed building with knobless doors made me think of the movie Cube.
2. It protruded from the wall like a panic switch, in case of fire push this and fuck. - LMAO! One of the funny lines/moments from the book. There's a bunch of em hidden throughout; think of them as Easter eggs.
If you're into dark stories, and/or erotic scenes, I strongly recommend this book. It will blow your mind. And please have something or someone nearby to scratch the itch you're going to get while reading this.
October 6, 2014
A creepy, twisted, erotic horror story. I can't say that I liked the main character much, but I shared her misgivings and concerns, and I was compelled to find out what sinister secrets were waiting for the couple at the center of the story. Imagine "Rosemary's Baby" crossed with a really twisted episode of "The Twilight Zone," and you have some idea of what you're getting into. Yes, it's extremely explicit, so expect that too.
While this story does have a sense of completion, a number of big questions are left unanswered, which is only fitting, since this is a trilogy. I'll be picking up the next one to find out what's *really* going on.
Recommended only if you aren't easily offended and enjoy being thoroughly creeped out!
While this story does have a sense of completion, a number of big questions are left unanswered, which is only fitting, since this is a trilogy. I'll be picking up the next one to find out what's *really* going on.
Recommended only if you aren't easily offended and enjoy being thoroughly creeped out!
May 6, 2014
Be warned reader.... this book is EXPLICIT. It didn't bother me, but don't say I didn't warn you. This is perfect supernatural smut. If you read and loved those HOT BLOOD Series of sex/horror anthologies from the 80's/90's then Balustrade is for you. It's perfectly atmospheric, the pacing brilliant. For me the book, in all it's delicious depravity, made me think of some 70's/80's horror movies like,The Wicker Man, The Brood(uncut version) and even The Shining (if you've seem em, I hope you get where I'm going with this. Balustrade is like a XXX-Rated Twilight Zone episode. And like TZ's opening monologue, you will transported by Balustrade.
May 5, 2014
This review is from: Balustrade (The Carnal Staircase) (Kindle Edition)
Wow this book had my attention from the first page . Jack and Hilary are a couple on the edge of divorce . When they try an alternative weekend . Where they rekindle their sex life .which they do . This is a very sexual book which is very well written. The characters are sexually repressed and dark . The twist in the end will have you panting for the next book in the series . So if you like dark characters with lots of sex thrown in . Check out this book . You so won't be disappointed
Wow this book had my attention from the first page . Jack and Hilary are a couple on the edge of divorce . When they try an alternative weekend . Where they rekindle their sex life .which they do . This is a very sexual book which is very well written. The characters are sexually repressed and dark . The twist in the end will have you panting for the next book in the series . So if you like dark characters with lots of sex thrown in . Check out this book . You so won't be disappointed
June 18, 2014
I don't want to give any of the plot away but, Mark Henry's dark tale about a couples sexual reinvention isn't what you think it will be..from the first pages you can feel both then heat and the tension start to sneak in. Before you know it you are in need of a cold shower and new locks for the front door. I absolutely loved this book..sexy, dark and full of vivid descriptions!!!! LOVED IT!!!
June 12, 2014
This is an original review from http://bookedandloaded.com - I personally purchased this title and all opinions are my own.
Balustrade is Mark Henry's first installment in his Carnal Staircase Trilogy. Tagged as Paranormal Erotica, I think it was so much more. A great super sexy story about a married couple with a extra side of kink and paranormal. Bitch, please. This was a great story!
Although short, I did get absorbed into this naughty and dirty tale. Don't shy away because of the "erotic" title - there IS a story here. Yes, yes. It was a very dirty story, but still enough to keep me in engaged and enchanted. With a hint of a mystery element it was like watching a classic film...you know some shit is about to take you by surprise!! Or maybe like slow dancing with a stripper.....yep this book was like slow dancing with a stripper. You never know when you might get a hand up your skirt! Get ready to be surprised!!!
I recommend this story to anyone wanting to add some spice into their reading routine. You will not be disappointed and I will certainly be waiting for the next installment in this series!
I rate Balustrade 4 out of 5 Bullets!
Balustrade is Mark Henry's first installment in his Carnal Staircase Trilogy. Tagged as Paranormal Erotica, I think it was so much more. A great super sexy story about a married couple with a extra side of kink and paranormal. Bitch, please. This was a great story!
Although short, I did get absorbed into this naughty and dirty tale. Don't shy away because of the "erotic" title - there IS a story here. Yes, yes. It was a very dirty story, but still enough to keep me in engaged and enchanted. With a hint of a mystery element it was like watching a classic film...you know some shit is about to take you by surprise!! Or maybe like slow dancing with a stripper.....yep this book was like slow dancing with a stripper. You never know when you might get a hand up your skirt! Get ready to be surprised!!!
I recommend this story to anyone wanting to add some spice into their reading routine. You will not be disappointed and I will certainly be waiting for the next installment in this series!
I rate Balustrade 4 out of 5 Bullets!
January 18, 2015
I have read everything Mark Henry has written. What I love is that no matter what genre he writes he never holds back. His first book in the erotic genre hits every mark. But it's not just debaucherous sex, there is a story about two people who are trying to work on their marriage.
Hilary and Jack's marriage has fallen into a rut and they are giving this retreat to Balustrade to try to get their spark back. Little did they know that what Chantal, a harsh mistress, seems to focus on is sex, sex with no boundaries, sinister, carnal purposes.
Trust me on this, your husband will not know what hits him after you finish reading this book.
Hilary and Jack's marriage has fallen into a rut and they are giving this retreat to Balustrade to try to get their spark back. Little did they know that what Chantal, a harsh mistress, seems to focus on is sex, sex with no boundaries, sinister, carnal purposes.
Trust me on this, your husband will not know what hits him after you finish reading this book.
August 4, 2015
Loved this book. Eerie, unexpected, literary smut.
A woman in a relationship that appears to be circling the drain agrees to go to a strange marriage counseling retreat as a last ditch effort to save the relationship.
But, before she even arrives at this out of the way location, she begins to have a bad feeling about the place - and not just because hordes of religious lunatics are trying to save her by stopping her car.
Something nefarious and dangerous and seductive waits for her inside the monolithic structure...
Will she be able to resist the erotic pull that seems to be coming from the center of the earth?
A woman in a relationship that appears to be circling the drain agrees to go to a strange marriage counseling retreat as a last ditch effort to save the relationship.
But, before she even arrives at this out of the way location, she begins to have a bad feeling about the place - and not just because hordes of religious lunatics are trying to save her by stopping her car.
Something nefarious and dangerous and seductive waits for her inside the monolithic structure...
Will she be able to resist the erotic pull that seems to be coming from the center of the earth?
August 4, 2014
Wow!! Balustrade packed such a big punch for a short read!! Mark Henry managed to satisfy such a multitude of enticing erotica with invigorating suspence. You get the feeling of something is just not right, but you get swept up in the smut you soon forget. Will be waiting anxiously for the next one to arrive.
May 29, 2014
This is my first time experiencing Mark's work and let me tell you, I'm hungry for more! This book is all about letting go of your inhibitions and embracing a sexual side of yourself you might not have known about! Just a warning, it is pretty explicit....but really good! Not my usual type of read, but I do recommend it and the twist at the end threw me!!!
A must read!
A must read!
May 30, 2014
There are so many good things to say about this book. I read it in one sitting and can not wait for the next one. It is full of hot steamy sex and there is a plot twist that will make you want more. You will not to be disappointed.
June 6, 2014
I usually do not read a lot of books like this but man talk about reading something that makes you blush! :)I felt like I was a little kid reading something I wasn't suppose to be reading. Good job Mark Henry good job! This is not my first Mark Henry book and most definitely not my last.
June 3, 2014
Dirty....a-maz-ing!!!!! Excellent read!! More? I sure hope so!!!
Read
June 2, 2014I have read dark erotic books before and some of them i really liked, but this is beyond the pale! The story it's sinister at best.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews