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On These Silken Sheets
Hidden behind black silk masks and draped across silken sheets, in these four Regency novellas, pleasure awaits at Harridan House, an exclusive club presided over by the mysterious Madame Rouge. In an intense, anonymous sexual encounter, a man who has vowed never to marry unless he can be faithful, might just have met his match. Under the tutelage of a mysterious lady, another man learns how to throw away his stuffiness and really please a woman. Madame Rouge explores the push and pull of choosing between intellect and desire. And in the final story, a confirmed bachelor meets the one woman who can lure him from the myriad delights of Harridan House, Madame Rouge′s maid, who has decided that at twenty-eight it is finally time to enter the world she′s observed for so long.
400 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Darby
20 books192 followersSabrina Darby has been reading romance since the age of seven and learned her best vocabulary (dulcet, diaphanous, and turgid) from them. She started writing romance the day after her wedding when she woke up with an idea for a Regency; she’s been back in the early 19th century ever since.
She currently resides in California with her husband.
And for more historical romance fabulousness, join Sabrina at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ILove... for fun discussions led live every Thursday by a different guest co-host.
She currently resides in California with her husband.
And for more historical romance fabulousness, join Sabrina at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ILove... for fun discussions led live every Thursday by a different guest co-host.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 4, 2014
In the realm of erotic anthologies, this is quite a good read. :) I highly enjoyed the stories, and the last one featuring a maid as the heroine is my favorite. Charming characters and a plot that is not entirely in the bedroom. ;-)
September 6, 2009
A fantastic debut from Sabrina Darby--On These Silken Sheets combines all the sumptuous things I love about historical romance with the very best kind of heat. I can't wait for her next book!
January 2, 2010
My first impression upon reading this book? The format was bold and refreshing. The stories really are complete novel-like story arcs, 30 or so 1-2 page chapters, condensed down to novella size. The pace is fast -- sacrificing a little in the way of setting and atmosphere, but not in character or conflict. I really felt like I was experiencing a new format for storytelling.
The first story, Against the Wall, starts steamy and strong. It definitely gets your attention by jumping straight into the sex and conflict and the tension remains high throughout. For me, the other novellas struggled to keep up, though each had their high points.
There seemed to be a glut of sex club themed collections out this year and I'd say this was one of the stronger ones I read.
The first story, Against the Wall, starts steamy and strong. It definitely gets your attention by jumping straight into the sex and conflict and the tension remains high throughout. For me, the other novellas struggled to keep up, though each had their high points.
There seemed to be a glut of sex club themed collections out this year and I'd say this was one of the stronger ones I read.
August 12, 2010
Lush, vivid, and emotional, this erotic Regency anthology was delightfully sinful! The storytelling was mesmerizing and focused on the lusty world of the exclusive club, Harridan House. Decadent and full of sensual naughtiness, I felt like a voyeur in the lives of these sexy characters.
May 14, 2022
2.5 stars
"Against the Wall"
Carolina, the heroine, was okay.
I didn't really like Henry, the hero. Womanizers are not my type.
Their romance wasn't particularly good, though it wasn't bad, either. However, their making Oakley a laughingstock of the society was unfair. So was I felt sorry for Oakley.
"The Education of Lord Oakley"
Maggie, the heroine, was likable. I enjoyed reading about her adventure as Amphitrite and was happy for her that she found her new self and life through it.
Oakley, the hero, was okay. I liked Oakley the perfect gentleman in "Against the Wall." But I also liked his new side which was shown in this story.
I liked their relationship,
"Roses Are Rouge"
Diana, the heroine, was okay. She was a woman who would do as she pleased, regardless of what other people say or think. I liked that about her.
Jason, the hero, was okay, too. I especially liked that he was a doting father. I have a soft spot for that kind of person.
Their romance was good enough. Unlike two previous stories, Diana and Jason took time until they slept together. And I enjoyed their game of seduction.
"A Maid for the Taking"
Lucy, the heroine, was okay.
Robert, the hero, was okay, too. I didn't like him in the previous stories. But Robert in this story was better.
Their romance was okay as well. Not particularly interesting, but not bad.
There was a thing I didn't like in this book.
In "Against the Wall," I strongly disapprove that, and took half a star because of it.
Well, in "The Education of Lord Oakley," a similar incident happened. So, I let this one pass.
A similar incident happened in "Roses Are Rouge," too. At least, the author treated this incident as something that wasn't okay.
"Against the Wall"
Carolina, the heroine, was okay.
I didn't really like Henry, the hero. Womanizers are not my type.
Their romance wasn't particularly good, though it wasn't bad, either. However, their making Oakley a laughingstock of the society was unfair. So was I felt sorry for Oakley.
"The Education of Lord Oakley"
Maggie, the heroine, was likable. I enjoyed reading about her adventure as Amphitrite and was happy for her that she found her new self and life through it.
Oakley, the hero, was okay. I liked Oakley the perfect gentleman in "Against the Wall." But I also liked his new side which was shown in this story.
I liked their relationship,
"Roses Are Rouge"
Diana, the heroine, was okay. She was a woman who would do as she pleased, regardless of what other people say or think. I liked that about her.
Jason, the hero, was okay, too. I especially liked that he was a doting father. I have a soft spot for that kind of person.
Their romance was good enough. Unlike two previous stories, Diana and Jason took time until they slept together. And I enjoyed their game of seduction.
"A Maid for the Taking"
Lucy, the heroine, was okay.
Robert, the hero, was okay, too. I didn't like him in the previous stories. But Robert in this story was better.
Their romance was okay as well. Not particularly interesting, but not bad.
There was a thing I didn't like in this book.
In "Against the Wall," I strongly disapprove that, and took half a star because of it.
Well, in "The Education of Lord Oakley," a similar incident happened. So, I let this one pass.
A similar incident happened in "Roses Are Rouge," too. At least, the author treated this incident as something that wasn't okay.
September 2, 2023
This was surprisingly a good read. While yes it was erotic from the first chapter to the last, I loved how the women are portrayed as independent femmes who are brave enough to explore their sensuality despite and inspite the suffocating patriarchal mindset of the Regency era. Definitely no damsels here.
Think of Bridgerton and all those historical romance novels but with a lot more sex
The stories revolved around Harridan House, which as the name suggest is a place of decadent sin. It actually reminds me of Harry Potter's Grimmauld Place, only the decors and everything in it are very 50 Shade of Grey-ish.
Among the four and ever a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, I bawled my eyes out with Lord Jason and Lady Diana Blount. Their sexual tension was palpable from the first time they met and it actually took a while before they truly did the deed as they were both fighting with feelings.
Against The Wall
Viscount Henry Stanton & Lady Carolina Hargreaves
📌 H: Until you marry, you are mine only. No other man will touch you
C: But I am not yours. I'm not your mistress. We're lovers and my body belongs to me.
📌 She'd thought stupidly that she could be mature and adult about this affair. Enjoy this time for herself with the man she lusted after and then go contentedly to whatever marriage her father dictated.
📌 He should have forced himself away the minute Carolina had become a habit, something, someone, he depended on. But Henry had never been good at denying himself anything.
📌 C: We can't do this again. Starting now. We will never happen again. It was lovely while it lasted.
📌 Walking away from Henry was the hardest thing she had ever done. Knowing that it was for the last time was killing her.
The Education of Lord Oakley
Lord Anderson Oakley & Maggie Coswell
📌 Maggie had felt safe with him..like a rose that had been kept in the dark too long and could now open without shame of its delight in the sun.
📌 Pride made her want to slap him. But her stupid little heart and her traitorously aching loins wanted only to say yes.
📌 Once again she asked herself what she was doing. Torturing herself? She should run away from this man. The wild, riotous emotion inside her felt so different.
📌 She loved his body. No matter what he said to her, she wanted to fuck him. She wanted to feel this delicious cock inside of her. She knew she was shameless and right then, already creaming and clenching in anticipation, she simply didn't care.
Roses Are Rouge
Lady Diana & Lord Jason Blount
📌 A woman of reason would never make a decision merely out of spite and pride. But she had and it continued to shape her life.
📌 Why him? Why did that insufferable man have the power to make her feel this way?
📌 The emptiness of the moment made her feel..strange. Cheap, even. As if now that this passion had been spent, there was nothing left between them.
📌 Jason: Sometimes anticipation makes the other side seem less. But it isn't over between us. This was merely the aperitif.
📌 She did not want it to be over. Not until she knew what it was about him that attracted her. That made her feel that sweet sensation in thr vicinity of her ephemeral soul whenever he neared.
📌 The attraction had never been just to his physical form. Since the first moment she met him, Jason had called to her like no other man had or did. But she hardly know him
📌 He wanted more. He wanted to know what made her who she was, why she attracted him. Why she fascinated him, even beyond the obvious allure of her delicious flesh.
📌 She attracted him like a magnet, as if he was the lodestone and she the north. Whichever way he turned, his gaze came back to her.
Sir Robert George & Lucy
📌 With morning came decisions, consequences, confessions.
Think of Bridgerton and all those historical romance novels but with a lot more sex
The stories revolved around Harridan House, which as the name suggest is a place of decadent sin. It actually reminds me of Harry Potter's Grimmauld Place, only the decors and everything in it are very 50 Shade of Grey-ish.
Among the four and ever a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, I bawled my eyes out with Lord Jason and Lady Diana Blount. Their sexual tension was palpable from the first time they met and it actually took a while before they truly did the deed as they were both fighting with feelings.
Against The Wall
Viscount Henry Stanton & Lady Carolina Hargreaves
📌 H: Until you marry, you are mine only. No other man will touch you
C: But I am not yours. I'm not your mistress. We're lovers and my body belongs to me.
📌 She'd thought stupidly that she could be mature and adult about this affair. Enjoy this time for herself with the man she lusted after and then go contentedly to whatever marriage her father dictated.
📌 He should have forced himself away the minute Carolina had become a habit, something, someone, he depended on. But Henry had never been good at denying himself anything.
📌 C: We can't do this again. Starting now. We will never happen again. It was lovely while it lasted.
📌 Walking away from Henry was the hardest thing she had ever done. Knowing that it was for the last time was killing her.
The Education of Lord Oakley
Lord Anderson Oakley & Maggie Coswell
📌 Maggie had felt safe with him..like a rose that had been kept in the dark too long and could now open without shame of its delight in the sun.
📌 Pride made her want to slap him. But her stupid little heart and her traitorously aching loins wanted only to say yes.
📌 Once again she asked herself what she was doing. Torturing herself? She should run away from this man. The wild, riotous emotion inside her felt so different.
📌 She loved his body. No matter what he said to her, she wanted to fuck him. She wanted to feel this delicious cock inside of her. She knew she was shameless and right then, already creaming and clenching in anticipation, she simply didn't care.
Roses Are Rouge
Lady Diana & Lord Jason Blount
📌 A woman of reason would never make a decision merely out of spite and pride. But she had and it continued to shape her life.
📌 Why him? Why did that insufferable man have the power to make her feel this way?
📌 The emptiness of the moment made her feel..strange. Cheap, even. As if now that this passion had been spent, there was nothing left between them.
📌 Jason: Sometimes anticipation makes the other side seem less. But it isn't over between us. This was merely the aperitif.
📌 She did not want it to be over. Not until she knew what it was about him that attracted her. That made her feel that sweet sensation in thr vicinity of her ephemeral soul whenever he neared.
📌 The attraction had never been just to his physical form. Since the first moment she met him, Jason had called to her like no other man had or did. But she hardly know him
📌 He wanted more. He wanted to know what made her who she was, why she attracted him. Why she fascinated him, even beyond the obvious allure of her delicious flesh.
📌 She attracted him like a magnet, as if he was the lodestone and she the north. Whichever way he turned, his gaze came back to her.
Sir Robert George & Lucy
📌 With morning came decisions, consequences, confessions.
April 7, 2020
I wasn't prepared to like this book that much. I just expected it to be like any romantic/erotic book that I normally would read as a bedtime story before going to bed. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it was written and how the four parts were intertwined short stories of the different characters who were brought together by the Harridan House. A great early 19th century bedtime erotica read!
July 20, 2020
3, 8, 3, 8 = 5.5 avg
February 25, 2024
Very bold start. A real page turner.
July 17, 2016
f I were to describe On These Silken Sheets with one word it would be hot. Downright sizzling even.
Against the Wall - The Tale of Carolina Hargreaves and Viscount Stanton
These two...I enjoyed this story the most, though I think I would have killed one or the both of them at any given moment. I took a vicarious sort of joy when Carolina's Aunt verbally slapped her down for being stupid and Stanton suddenly realized what a fool he had been those two months. Daily sex plus no precautions at all usually ends only one way. Still the two of them interested me, especially Carolina who took to her sensual nature quite easily and wasn't ashamed of the fact that she knew how to please herself. It ended a little abruptly--the epilogue jumping at least 10 months into the future--but the next story picks up shortly after the end of the last chapter.
The Education of Lord Oakley - The Tale of Lord Oakley and Maggie Coswell
Oakley, who played a secondary role in the first story, finds himself the laughingstock of the ton. All we really learned of Oakley in the first story was that he was rich, ambitious, just out of uni and dedicated to his seat in the House. And good looking. But very fresh-faced innocent. Let this be a lesson--if a guy is innocent at the start of an erotic romance, he won't be for long. His and Maggie's courtship wasn't as interesting at Carolina and Stanton's to me. Maggie, for all the fact she was at Harridan House, wasn't a consumate courtesean like the other women and still had an almost wide-eyed innocent approach to the act of sex. She had things to hide however and I'll give props to Oakley or being a stand up guy.
Roses Are Rouge - The Tale of Lady Diana Blount and Sir Jason Blount
I will say this for certain, this story was a curious switch of places. Instead of the man agonizing over how tempting a woman was, it was the woman tormented over the fact that in her long line of lovers she wanted him the most. Diana is the one who has had multiple lovers over the years--she gives men the conge in fact!--while Jason has been a mostly one-woman man after taking his wife. It was a little vexing to watch Jason be so condemning of Diana (after all men had mistresses all the time), but it was enjoyable to read as Diana seduced him with words. The story was more drawn out then I would have preferred, but otherwise it was enjoyable. It also fore-shadows a scene that is directly related to the last story.
A Maid For the Taking - The Tale of Sir Robert George and Lucy Penneck
I didn't like Sir Robert in the first story--he was such an oily, perverted guy and then the...escapades he got into in the bedroom kind of made me go 'Oh no nono', so I was a little shocked to see he got his own love match! I'm actually still not certain I like him too much. Lucy though is a charming girl, cheeky and well spoken despite her servant class status. She has a history, which we learn in fits and spurts. Robert isn't very different from how he was with Carolina, but perhaps smoother. We see more of him, so it gives him more depth I suppose. This also has a few scenes that are the same from Roses are Rouge and takes places (for the most part) while Diana is in Brighton.
To be strictly fair, even though all the stories revolve around Harridan House in some way, they all build off of each other from the first story--about Carolina and Stanton. Carolina marrying Stanton causes Oakley to want to lose himself in misery at Harridan House where he meets Maggie, who is cousins with Lady Diana (owner of Harridan) who's assistant is Lucy who is seduced by Sir Robert who courted Carolina.
This was an interesting quartet of stories, with the level of heat starting off really high in the first story (they literally had sex, were in the middle of sex or thinking about when next they could have sex every page of the story) and then coming down in degrees in every story. Many of the background cast were simply to support each particular story's love match or as added amusement later on. At the start of each new story I was always interested in who would 'star' in the next outing, as it wasn't made apparent in the subsequent story.
Against the Wall - The Tale of Carolina Hargreaves and Viscount Stanton
These two...I enjoyed this story the most, though I think I would have killed one or the both of them at any given moment. I took a vicarious sort of joy when Carolina's Aunt verbally slapped her down for being stupid and Stanton suddenly realized what a fool he had been those two months. Daily sex plus no precautions at all usually ends only one way. Still the two of them interested me, especially Carolina who took to her sensual nature quite easily and wasn't ashamed of the fact that she knew how to please herself. It ended a little abruptly--the epilogue jumping at least 10 months into the future--but the next story picks up shortly after the end of the last chapter.
The Education of Lord Oakley - The Tale of Lord Oakley and Maggie Coswell
Oakley, who played a secondary role in the first story, finds himself the laughingstock of the ton. All we really learned of Oakley in the first story was that he was rich, ambitious, just out of uni and dedicated to his seat in the House. And good looking. But very fresh-faced innocent. Let this be a lesson--if a guy is innocent at the start of an erotic romance, he won't be for long. His and Maggie's courtship wasn't as interesting at Carolina and Stanton's to me. Maggie, for all the fact she was at Harridan House, wasn't a consumate courtesean like the other women and still had an almost wide-eyed innocent approach to the act of sex. She had things to hide however and I'll give props to Oakley or being a stand up guy.
Roses Are Rouge - The Tale of Lady Diana Blount and Sir Jason Blount
I will say this for certain, this story was a curious switch of places. Instead of the man agonizing over how tempting a woman was, it was the woman tormented over the fact that in her long line of lovers she wanted him the most. Diana is the one who has had multiple lovers over the years--she gives men the conge in fact!--while Jason has been a mostly one-woman man after taking his wife. It was a little vexing to watch Jason be so condemning of Diana (after all men had mistresses all the time), but it was enjoyable to read as Diana seduced him with words. The story was more drawn out then I would have preferred, but otherwise it was enjoyable. It also fore-shadows a scene that is directly related to the last story.
A Maid For the Taking - The Tale of Sir Robert George and Lucy Penneck
I didn't like Sir Robert in the first story--he was such an oily, perverted guy and then the...escapades he got into in the bedroom kind of made me go 'Oh no nono', so I was a little shocked to see he got his own love match! I'm actually still not certain I like him too much. Lucy though is a charming girl, cheeky and well spoken despite her servant class status. She has a history, which we learn in fits and spurts. Robert isn't very different from how he was with Carolina, but perhaps smoother. We see more of him, so it gives him more depth I suppose. This also has a few scenes that are the same from Roses are Rouge and takes places (for the most part) while Diana is in Brighton.
To be strictly fair, even though all the stories revolve around Harridan House in some way, they all build off of each other from the first story--about Carolina and Stanton. Carolina marrying Stanton causes Oakley to want to lose himself in misery at Harridan House where he meets Maggie, who is cousins with Lady Diana (owner of Harridan) who's assistant is Lucy who is seduced by Sir Robert who courted Carolina.
This was an interesting quartet of stories, with the level of heat starting off really high in the first story (they literally had sex, were in the middle of sex or thinking about when next they could have sex every page of the story) and then coming down in degrees in every story. Many of the background cast were simply to support each particular story's love match or as added amusement later on. At the start of each new story I was always interested in who would 'star' in the next outing, as it wasn't made apparent in the subsequent story.
February 26, 2011
My guilty secret - this is one of the books that taught me to enjoy erotic romance. There are four inter-related novellas about the goings on at Harriden House, ont of Regency England's most exclusive gentlemen's clubs run by the secretive Madame Rouge. She, and three of her friends meet men, have sex and fall in love -- in that order.
In Harriden House every possible sexual act between consenting adults can be purchased or observed or both. But its not only about body parts as the men discover when they meet the right woman. Even Madame Rouge herself finds a soulmate. And in the fifth and final vignette, readers get an epilogue that shows that Happily Ever After doesn't always have to mean love and marriage.
In Harriden House every possible sexual act between consenting adults can be purchased or observed or both. But its not only about body parts as the men discover when they meet the right woman. Even Madame Rouge herself finds a soulmate. And in the fifth and final vignette, readers get an epilogue that shows that Happily Ever After doesn't always have to mean love and marriage.
April 5, 2014
Four erotic Regency novellas by the eloquent Sabrina Darby, who has become one of my favorite historical romance authors. I am enchanted by her voice and writing style. The spareness and succinctness of her words in beautiful and elegant language completely engages me in the story. The chapters are very short (about one or two pages) but manage to convey a lot of meaning, emotion, and nuance in a short space.
The running theme throughout the book is Harridan House, an exclusive pleasure palace for the wealthy to indulge their basest desires. Darby also mentioned Harridan House in Private Research, a contemporary novel, when the hero in that book researched his family’s history.
For my full review on my historical romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1eScf7r
The running theme throughout the book is Harridan House, an exclusive pleasure palace for the wealthy to indulge their basest desires. Darby also mentioned Harridan House in Private Research, a contemporary novel, when the hero in that book researched his family’s history.
For my full review on my historical romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1eScf7r
July 18, 2013
This is a set of four interwoven novellas, featuring two couples each. I wasn't sure I'd care for the format, as I don't really like novellas, but not only did I become a fan of the book, I became a fan of the format.
What makes this work is the varying levels of experience amongst the eight players, the differences in their motivations, and how much they each risked to find love. My favorite was #3, "Roses are Rouge." Madames need love, too, yanno.
I recommend this highly. It���������������������������s good erotic romance, heavy on the romance yet still hawt. It���������������������������s billed as erotica. It is not.
What makes this work is the varying levels of experience amongst the eight players, the differences in their motivations, and how much they each risked to find love. My favorite was #3, "Roses are Rouge." Madames need love, too, yanno.
I recommend this highly. It���������������������������s good erotic romance, heavy on the romance yet still hawt. It���������������������������s billed as erotica. It is not.
August 11, 2011
I was really looking forward to reading On These Silken Sheets, so much so, that I gushed about it to my friend dear friend Mona Leigh who ended up being able to read it before me. O.o As I finally delved in and started to devour it, I was in total love, that is until I reached the third story and it felt as if the book I was reading was taken away and replaced with a complete and random 180. While the first two stories are smexy and extremely HOT, the last two left me cold and sad.
September 19, 2009
This book is a collection of four short stories centering around the Harridan House, an upscale sex club in London. Sabrina Darby does not provide a date the stories are set, but it is at a time when there were many balls and marriages were arranged for financial reasons and to gain status.
October 31, 2009
what a wonderfully lush book! Four short erotic historical romance stories centering around Harridan House, a London brothel. Very well written, very bawdy but also extremely romantic. Well done, Ms Darby and I'll certainly be buying your next book!
May 16, 2014
This is a series of novellas that are all connected by the Harridan House. The writing is okay but the stories themselves are fun and steamy. I cared about the characters and I enjoyed reading the stories. I have read this collection several times and I still love it.
November 6, 2009
Quite smutty, but with the romantic happy endings. A very fast and titilating read!
July 2, 2024
This was my first encounter with .. such novels and I enjoyed it quite a lot
August 14, 2011
3.5 out of 5
July 14, 2013
Quit after the "hero" in the first story bribes his way into the woman's house, sneaks into her bedroom and wakes her up with penetration. I prefer my romances sexy, not rapey.
August 21, 2013
Read this a while ago. Wasn't aware it was a naughty book when I got it, but it was pretty good.
January 12, 2014
pretty good.
January 9, 2014
Beautifully written and thought provoking, bring two distinct types of genre into one unique read - IMO.
June 7, 2016
An interesting concept. The second story was my favourite and the last one was the one I liked least.
April 15, 2010
Fun erotic soft porn - well written, by and MIT grad, no less!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews