DARK GARDEN
EDEN BRADLEY
ISBN#978-0-553-58973-3
May 2007
Bantam Dell
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
Paperback
$13.00
320 Pages
Fiction Erotica
Rating: 4 Cups

Rowan Cassidy is strong and sure of herself as a dominant in the BDSM world. However, when she meets Christian, all of that begins to change and she is not sure if it is for the better, or not.

Christian Thorne is an artist with an eye for beauty and strength. He sees both in Rowan, but he also sees something else even though she refuses to admit it. Can he break through the shields she has erected to help her find her true self? And if he does, will she ever forgive him?

Rowan enjoys being a mistress at Club Privé, but fills a void in her life by writing submissive fantasies. She denies that even to herself, until the night the very dominant Christian walks in the door. When he proposes a trial to see if she is a submissive, she finds herself drawn in, despite her misgivings. Soon both are in over their heads. Can Rowan learn to let go of her past and trust Christian enough to let him take control? Will the pull of desire turn into the stronger bond of the heart?

At first I thought this was going to be another ‘woman cannot be dominant’ book, which, frankly, I am growing tired of. However, I was happily surprised to see that Rowan kept her strength in the end. Christian is a wonderful character; dominant without being too domineering, which is difficult to do. He cherishes Rowan and that comes through in all his actions. The author even manages to work in a secondary love story involving a very happy sub and her big bad beautiful Dom. This made for a great contrast to Rowan’s unwilling arousal and Christian’s careful control. I am not sure which I loved more, and thanks to Ms Bradley, I do not have to choose, because she gives you both. So stop and smell the roses, and while you are at it, pick up Dark Garden for a steamy, sensual, and emotionally taut read that will not fail to satisfy.

Jenn
Reviewer For Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer For Karen Talk About New Books