Customer Reviews

The Dark Garden

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

The embrace of leather upon my skin, the vibrant sounds of chains ringing in the air, stretching my body taut and the kiss of pain are the things that remind me the most that I am a bottom, and you Sir, are my top.

Rowan Cassidy has been perfectly happy being a Mistress, a top. Into her life walks Christian Thorne, another top who will challenge her to be his bottom for thirty days. Christian is everything that scares Rowan: Handsome, overly confident, and most of all, she desires him like a moth to a brilliant flame. She is not a bottom at least that is what she tells herself...

THE DARK GARDEN is by author Eden Bradley. This BDSM novel is an elegant portrayal of the inner workings and sexual play encompassed in submission and dominance, and yet this book is much more than that. It is about the overcoming of one's fears, relinquishing those uncertainties to learn, love, and empower. The secondary characters only enhance this book further. Everything about THE DARK GARDEN worked to perfection.

THE DARK GARDEN is the most beautifully written BDSM novel this reviewer has ever read. Ms. Bradley has a masterful touch to make pain the ultimate reading pleasure.

Rowan's life will forever change and alter when Christian sets his sights on her. Her orderly world could come crumbling down when she takes the role of a bottom (submissive). Christian will open her heart, as well as old wounds. Can she survive this sexual dominating experience, then go back to being a top? Will Christian have the patience and understanding Rowan will need?

If you have shied away from BDSM books because of the contents, you will be amazed at how Ms. Bradley weaves the BDSM into this erotic romance effortless. She does it in such a way that you forget about the BDSM elements, losing yourself to the beauty of the characters and the personal problems they face.

Reviewed by Janalee Ruschhaupt, 2007
Courtesy of Love Romances and More

I was thoroughly captivated by this fascinating peek into the world of BDSM. The Dark Garden weaves a tapestry of vibrant, dynamic, characters,and a rich, near tactile environment that had me engaged in Rowan and Christian's story from page one.
Eden Bradley may have set out to write a novel, but what she created was a work of art.

If romance with a bit of Dominance and submission is what you enjoy reading, then THE DARK GARDEN is sure to be a book you will not want to miss.

Rowan Cassidy is an `in charge' kind of woman. From her personal life to her life at Club Prive, she is in total control. While the subs from the club clamor for her attention, Rowan is presently experiencing an inner restlessness. Even dominating her favorite sub doesn't seem to calm her personal agitation. Rowan doesn't understand what is wrong with her, only that she is not as content with her life as she once was. When she meets Christian Thorne, a fellow dominant, Rowan acknowledges the attraction but will never act on it because everyone knows that two dominants in a relationship will never work. The only thing that would make a relationship work with Christian Thorne is if one of them is a submissive. Fat chance on that since Rowan knows that she is dominant to the core. Or is she?

Christian Thorne is back in the states after a brief stint working overseas. Coming into Club Prive, his eyes catch those of a female domme. Asking for and being granted an introduction, Christian is surprised to find that not only is Rowan one of the most beautiful women he has ever met, she is also submissive as well. It is with bated breath that Christian realizes that Rowan doesn't know of or act upon her secret submissive tendencies. If the way she is fighting her inner demons is any indication of the battle that is ahead of them, Christian knows that in order to win this woman, he will have to captivate, capture, and completely change her life. He is up for the challenge.

Wow! THE DARK GARDEN was nothing like I thought it would be. Settling in for an entertaining read, I found myself immersed in Christian and Rowan's story. Rowan fought a good fight and I have to say that she was stubborn to the core and did not want to bend. Christian wins a medal for being the most patient of lovers for his treatment and caring of Rowan. Sometimes it is hard to go with what is in the deepest heart of hearts, but I have to admit that Christian was able to get to the bottom of Rowan's inability to accept her hidden submissive. Once he was able to do that, Rowan was putty in his hands.

THE DARK GARDEN is an excellent read. A fan of the BDSM genre, I found the D/s scenes between Christian and Rowan tasteful and well-written. Edgy and often times sinfully sensual, I loved watching Rowan capitulate. Add in the side story of two other characters, and I was in BDSM heaven.

In California Rowan Cassidy works the perfect job for someone with her dominant personality; she is mistress at Club Prive bondage club. However, much of what her peers and customers believes about her is image as she hides the psyche damage from her last relationship.

Christian Thorne meets Rowan at the club; he wants her like no one he has been with before, but this alpha male must be on top. He also feels she has a submissive soul that she conceals behind the leather dominatrix impression she emits. He offers her a deal of thirty days to prove to her he is her master and that her preference is that of a "bottom". She wants him to dominate her, but fears returning to the hurt of her past.

This complex erotic relationship drama hooks readers from the moment Christian and Rowan meet and never slows down as Eden Bradley takes her audience not just inside the BDSM scene, but into the inner minds of her prime players. The fascinating story line is a psychological study especially of Rowan who struggles between her fears and her desires. The hunk who loves her as his submissive and the strong secondary cast enhance the deep peep at the BDSM landscape.

Harriet Klausner

This very well-written book gives the BDSM-curious person a good idea of what and why and how you can bring BDSM into your bedroom. Half story line, half highly detailed BDSM experiences. Well worth the $10 or so that I paid for it. Cons? Well the some of the characters have corny names and the guy is described to look like the man you see on the covers of paper back romances.
Thanks Amazon for carrying a wide variety of books!

Great book, great characters - this author knows her stuff! Highly entertaining and thought provoking at the same time. This author is definitely on my automatic buy list - I can't wait for her next book!

Truly surrender does have it's own rewards. Rowan (a delicate but strong dominant) and Christian (a desirable artistic dominant) take an interesting journey in what was to begin only as a 30 day challenge, eventually turns into re-discovery, love and letting go. Within 2 weeks of their challenge Rowan already realizes submitting to Christian has not been easy but for some reason can't resist not submitting to him. The book is very well written in the context of the submissive. It is a dreamy, lustful and indulgent read.

One quote from the book I loved was: "Some people think BDSM is all about the physical side, but there's so much more to it that that. The physicality of it, the rituals, the symbols, always bring up our issues in the end, doesn't it?" (page 158) - I can't agree more.

awesome, seductive and enthralling stories of sequence. This book not only takes you on an adventureous ride, it capitivates you and takes you to a place full of wonder, desire and imagination. Highly advise reading, you could learn from it. It's amazing because I thought I ordered a "vampire book" and after the first two pages, I realized it indeed wasn't a vampire book, but found myself drawn to it's contents and well worded novel, that left me breathless. Awesome author and deliciouisly hot book you'd truly enjoy sharing with your friends.