The Dark Garden (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: sex clenched, ocean eyes, Master Hawke, Christian Thorne, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A deliciously potent tale of one woman’s quest for self-discovery.

Rowan Cassidy likes to be in charge—especially in her personal life. As a mistress at Club Privé, the most exclusive bondage/S & M club on the West Coast, Rowan can live out her dominant fantasies safely, and with complete control—until the night Christian Thorne walks in. Self-confident and sophisticated, he’s a natural dominant if Rowan’s ever seen one. Yet she can’t stop thinking about him and imagining his touch.

Christian has returned home, hoping to break free from his dissatisfaction and malaise—and discovers the cure in Rowan. He’s dying to get his skilled hands on her and watch her surrender, to unlock the mystery of her that captivates him. Determined to be her master, he makes Rowan a daring proposition: give herself over to him for thirty days.

Rowan finds Christian’s offer terrifying—and impossible to resist. But abandoning herself to Christian’s power might be more than she can handle…. Or it might be the realization of her true nature and the dark garden within her. There will be only one way to find out. And once the game has begun, there’s no turning back.

About the Author

Eden Bradley has been writing since she could hold a pen in her hand. When not writing, you'll find her wandering museums, cooking, eating, shopping, and reading everything she can get her hands on. Eden lives in Southern California with a small menagerie and the love of her life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (May 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553589733
• ISBN-13: 978-0553589733
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 4.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #227,522 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sensuous romp through self-discovery, May 29, 2007

By	Librarianista (Sacramento, California United States) - See all my reviews

Ms. Bradley is a fresh new voice in literary erotica whose story tells of the journey of Rowan, a woman who lives the life of a Mistress at an exclusive BDSM club. But Rowan is a woman of secrets, who writes luxurious tales of the freedom to be found in submission in her private journal. When Christian Thorne challenges her to explore that hidden side of herself--she finds it's a proposition she can't refuse.

What lies beneath the surface for both of these characters is more erotic, and more daring, than either of them could possibly have imagined. I highly recommend a look at Ms. Bradley's lush descriptions and wonderfully faceted characters--I especially enjoyed the secondary romance of Decker and April.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark and Sexy! , June 4, 2007

By	Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Rowan Cassidy needs to be in control of her life as an adult. Perhaps because she didn't have control when she was younger. A past experience has left her shaken and more determined never to find herself submissive or in her way of thinking...weak. So when Christian Thorne walks into Club Prive a BDSM club she attends. She can't ignore the fact that although he is a dominate he speaks to her in ways she shouldn't be listening. Then he offers her a dare. Be under his dominance for thirty days. It's too much and yet she finds herself saying yes. She wants this in the deepest parts of her soul. But is she going to survive this encounter?

Christian wants Rowan deep down in his artist soul. There is something about her that pulls at him. Perhaps it's the secret she holds so close, or maybe it's the inspiration she brings out in him. Whatever the motivation he wants her for himself. He dares her to let him dominate her for thirty days. But will this be enough for him? After all this is a test for him as well. He has never been so captivated by a woman before. Together they will explore all the sensual treats their bodies and minds will revel in as well as test the boundaries of comfort. But will there be a happy ending for these two after their agreement is over?

This was an unabashedly sensual read with two very strong and compelling leads testing their boundaries. Christian and Rowan are perfectly matched each having their own issues but each willing albeit grudgingly at times stepping outside the save zone. Ms. Bradley has done a wonderful job of bringing to life the lifestyle of BDSM proving it's more then tying a person up. The secondary storyline between Decker and April is an added bonus and equally sensual. This story is not for the faint of heart and does obviously include a great deal of BDSM elements as this is the theme of the story. This is a fine title and one that I highly recommend. Dark has never been so very sexy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Predictable, July 20, 2008

By	KinkyShay "Shay" (earth, for the time being) - See all my reviews

I was disappointed in this book. It lacked any real depth. From about the first few pages I could have written the rest of the book myself and still yawned at the lack of creativity. I was really hoping that the main character had some past experience that I couldn't pull out of my back pocket. Some substance to her that I couldn't foresee. Unfortunately I read the whole book to find out that, no, she did not.

Maybe I'm jaded as I've been into BDSM for a couple years but, seriously, this is not really worth the time to read if you are into BDSM. If you're vanilla and curious you might enjoy the surprise of chains, paddles, D/s, and some steamy sex scenes. Still a bit on the predictable side.