The Dark Garden: A Novel

Rowan has been a practicing Domme in a club for a good long while, deciding after a past trauma that it’s better to control men rather than be controlled. Everything is going hunky dory until Christian Thorne walks in and makes her an offer; 30 days as his submissive without any sex to prove, without question, that she is Dominant. It’s a hard offer to resist but will she be able to cope giving herself to such a skilled Dom for quite that long?

Christian wants Rowan as soon as he lays eyes on her in the club. He knows that she reacts to him in a way that no submissive would, but tearing down those walls won’t be easy. He has to know when to push and when to wait, allowing her to see her true self without being afraid. He uses every show more skill in his very well equipt arsenal, but it will all boil down to whether or not she will allow herself to be anything other than a Domme.

This book comes with the tag-line “If you liked fifty shades...” but I have to say that, in my eyes, it’s nothing like fifty shades. I adored this book, adored the emotional angst and adored Christian, but Thorne is nothing like Grey. This is a man who relishes his role, relishes being in control and truly enjoys what he does. There is no whining, no recriminations about past hurts that made him “be” the way he is... he’s just a fantastic Dom. The way he uses techniques to try to get past Rowan’s walls is absolutely amazing and leads to some amazingly hot scenes. In one of the first, he ties her up with vines and it’s so romantic, kinky and perfect I grinned throughout. I was also thrilled that there is a scene with a Vampire glove...yummy :)

Rowan is a pretty good Heroine. Her journey is really what this book is all about, how she stops hiding behind the walls that she puts up as an emotionless Domme and let’s herself be free. To do this she has to heal and this book is the perfect example of healing through BDSM. Now, don’t get me wrong here. Rowan is not a sub or Domme because of a past event; she would always have been a sub, but she was not able to see her true nature. All it took was the perfect Dom :)

The sub-plot between April and Decker was tantalising, but I felt it could have done with a little more depth .I would have loved to see more from these two as I never felt that I knew them enough to truly invest in their tales.

This is a fabulous D/s story about emotional healing through BDSM. It’s hot, kinky and very, very yummy. Christian is a captivating, sexy and incredibly inventive Dom..... d’ya think they sell copies of him anywhere? show less

Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-review-dark-garden-by-eden-brad...

The Dark Garden is a story that follows a woman named Rowan. She likes to be in control which is why she is the best head mistress/Dom at Club Privé. She loves her job and she is very good at it. But things take a turn when a new Top arrives at the club named Christian. He knows what he wants and it is Rowan. Rowan will not submit to anyone, but she can't stop thinking about Christian. So Christian makes a proposition to Rowan about being her dom for thirty days to help release whatever demons she has. He can sense she has experienced something traumatic and he will do what it takes to get to the bottom of it.

I really loved this show more book a lot. I have reread a few parts already. It is different from most of the BDSM reads I have been reading in that it focuses on the actual feelings of the people involved. Most BDSM reads slowly work up to that, but there is an instant attraction here that could definitely lead to something more. Rowan is a smart and sassy woman. She has been through something a few years ago that has changed her. She will never let anyone get the better of her ever again. I love how confident Christian is to make her discover her true self. He says that she is a submissive. She tells him he is crazy and won't let any have control over her. She is not a weak woman. Christian is a man that has been around the world and has seen plenty. His art is his living and Rowan inspires him to do more. Rowan and Christian are explosive together. From the first meeting you felt their chemistry. The scenes they share are really unforgettable and had me entranced even after I was done reading the book.

I love the journey Rowan takes to discover herself. How she really had to look at herself in order to really understand things around her. She was quite the hypocrite in this book saying that there was no way she was a sub because it made her look weak. But she would tell fellow subs that Doms and subs have equal amounts of power. I love how Christian doesn't give up on her as much as she can't face what he is saying and her growing feelings for him. I love that this is a journey for Christian as well. He has never loved anyone. He may have seen all there is to see, but he felt empty. I love that together they made discoveries about themselves. I was dying to see whether they were willing to face the obstacles or run in the other direction.

Now as much as I loved this book, there was one thing that irritated me; April and Decker. What gives? Why weren't they given their own story? Rowan and Christian take up about 90% of this book and April and Decker's story felt sprinkled in the other 10%. I was dying to know more about them. Their scenes together were great, actually just as great as Rowan's and Christian's. But I had a hard time with it because we are given so little of them especially Decker. He has some major book boyfriend potential, but we barely get a story from him. Why was he afraid to be with April? Did something happen in his past? What is so different about April compared to the other women he Tops? We only get things from April's point of view. Well, what about Decker? It just felt odd to me. They should have gotten their own story or at least some things from Decker's point of view. We know what Rowan, Christian and April are feeling. Why was Decker left out? All we get it that he knows she is beautiful. Okay. We know there is more to it than that, but what it is? I hope we do get more because, like I said, I really liked Decker and him and April together was incredible.

Despite that, I still loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It was sexy and had characters I really cared about. The sex scenes were out of this world and memorable. I loved that shower scene between Rowan and Christian. I love all the emotion that was put into this book. I had a tear or two myself while reading. Rowan's turmoil was understandable and made me root for her happy ending no matter how hard she fought it. Even if BDSM isn't your thing, I would say pick this book up. This has a different feel compared to some others and I really like that as well. Highly recommended. show less

FINALLY.. a BDSM book that isn't about a millionaire swooning a virgin and trying to turn her to the dark side (lol). I think everyone now knows what BDSM is about (since reading Fifty) and doesn't need a whole tutorial in every book. That's the main reason why I like this book, it cuts out all of the pain-is-pleasure, give-yourself-to-me, do-you-trust-me.. yada-yada. Its just a simple, wonderfully written, luxuriously steamy, BDSM romance novel.

I liked that this book was a little more sadistic than most are used to, but was also very loving. This book had a main story and a small side story, which I am having a hard time trying to decide which one I like the best. Honestly the sadist in me likes April's side story a bit better, she show more was truly submissive and didn't fight her feelings.. but interestingly enough she was the strongest character in the whole book.

I love the cover art, it is so simple and elegant yet the flowers are artfully placed in a sensual embrace. The story is written in the third person POV, which caused a bit of a connection issue with the characters. I did like being able to see from Christian's POV.

Swoonworthy Points: 8
There were several erotic scenes, but my favourite scene was when Christian was sketching Rowan.. it was lovely and hot!! Plus there's a cast of Pure Alpha Male Doms that know how to take control of a room!

Memorable Quotes

...sometimes when we're finding ourselves, we find things we never expected, things we weren't necessarily looking for...

The point is, knowing who we are, accepting our own truth, is the most precious gift we can give ourselves, no matter what we have to overcome to do it.

Summary
Rowan a Domme meets Christian another Dom at a BDSM nightclub. One look in her eye and Christian knows that he wants to dominate Rowan. Christian makes Rowan an offer she's too stubborn to refuse, and with that she has to spend 30 under his whim. Meanwhile, a new sub to the club, April has attracted the attention of Decker, the most experienced Dom in the club.

The two couples have to learn to compromise, give and take, breakdown and then pick things back up.

I you are in need of a quick sexy read that will tempt a bit of your naughty side, then this is the book for you.

I was provide this ARC via Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Bantam in exchange for an honest review. show less

Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-review-dark-garden-by-eden-brad...

The Dark Garden is a story that follows a woman named Rowan. She likes to be in control which is why she is the best head mistress/Dom at Club Privé. She loves her job and she is very good at it. But things take a turn when a new Top arrives at the club named Christian. He knows what he wants and it is Rowan. Rowan will not submit to anyone, but she can't stop thinking about Christian. So Christian makes a proposition to Rowan about being her dom for thirty days to help release whatever demons she has. He can sense she has experienced something traumatic and he will do what it takes to get to the bottom of it.

I really loved this show more book a lot. I have reread a few parts already. It is different from most of the BDSM reads I have been reading in that it focuses on the actual feelings of the people involved. Most BDSM reads slowly work up to that, but there is an instant attraction here that could definitely lead to something more. Rowan is a smart and sassy woman. She has been through something a few years ago that has changed her. She will never let anyone get the better of her ever again. I love how confident Christian is to make her discover her true self. He says that she is a submissive. She tells him he is crazy and won't let any have control over her. She is not a weak woman. Christian is a man that has been around the world and has seen plenty. His art is his living and Rowan inspires him to do more. Rowan and Christian are explosive together. From the first meeting you felt their chemistry. The scenes they share are really unforgettable and had me entranced even after I was done reading the book.

I love the journey Rowan takes to discover herself. How she really had to look at herself in order to really understand things around her. She was quite the hypocrite in this book saying that there was no way she was a sub because it made her look weak. But she would tell fellow subs that Doms and subs have equal amounts of power. I love how Christian doesn't give up on her as much as she can't face what he is saying and her growing feelings for him. I love that this is a journey for Christian as well. He has never loved anyone. He may have seen all there is to see, but he felt empty. I love that together they made discoveries about themselves. I was dying to see whether they were willing to face the obstacles or run in the other direction.

Now as much as I loved this book, there was one thing that irritated me; April and Decker. What gives? Why weren't they given their own story? Rowan and Christian take up about 90% of this book and April and Decker's story felt sprinkled in the other 10%. I was dying to know more about them. Their scenes together were great, actually just as great as Rowan's and Christian's. But I had a hard time with it because we are given so little of them especially Decker. He has some major book boyfriend potential, but we barely get a story from him. Why was he afraid to be with April? Did something happen in his past? What is so different about April compared to the other women he Tops? We only get things from April's point of view. Well, what about Decker? It just felt odd to me. They should have gotten their own story or at least some things from Decker's point of view. We know what Rowan, Christian and April are feeling. Why was Decker left out? All we get it that he knows she is beautiful. Okay. We know there is more to it than that, but what it is? I hope we do get more because, like I said, I really liked Decker and him and April together was incredible.

Despite that, I still loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It was sexy and had characters I really cared about. The sex scenes were out of this world and memorable. I loved that shower scene between Rowan and Christian. I love all the emotion that was put into this book. I had a tear or two myself while reading. Rowan's turmoil was understandable and made me root for her happy ending no matter how hard she fought it. Even if BDSM isn't your thing, I would say pick this book up. This has a different feel compared to some others and I really like that as well. Highly recommended. show less

REVIEW: Sexy tale probing the appeal of this life style and the balance inside and outside of the bedroom. Beautifully written.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: 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 show more 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. show less

Rowan is a Domme but when Christian meets her both feel an attraction to one another. Christian is also a Dom. Both have not been satisfied with their lives. Could their attraction fix what is wrong in their lives? Christian proposes an experiment. Give him 30 days and he will bring out Rowan’s submissive side. Rowan’s pride makes her take the challenge in Eden Bradley’s THE DARK GARDEN. Will it work or will it break them both?

I like Rowan and Christian. Both are strong-willed. Rowan fights all the way. Along the way she has to face her past and the damage done there. These are two equally matched characters. Walls get broken down. Honesty comes out. I loved these characters.

There is also a side story of April and Decker. April show more turns to Rowan for advice. Will Rowan take the same advice herself? Both story lines are good. I needed April and Decker’s story to relieve the strong emotions coming through Rowan and Christian’s story.

This is a story worth reading. The BDSM is correct as is the aftercare. Strong characters make a strong book. show less

**Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques**

Rowan can’t imagine what she was thinking when she agreed to the bargain Master Christian proposed. She is no submissive, it isn’t in her. She is sure of it. She much prefers playing the part of the Dominant in her relationships. Well, not relationships exactly, more like interludes. Maybe that’s why she agreed to Christian’s insane deal – boredom. She hasn’t met a man who excites her like he does in a long time. But Christian is a Dominant himself, and demands no less but complete submission from Rowan, and she has agreed to give it for the next month.

Christian knows the moment he meets Rowan that there is an inner submissive hidden deep down. Why she is stifling her true needs, he show more isn’t sure, but he knows with every fiber of his being that it is true. Now she has agreed to be his sub for a month, but Christian knows that will never be long enough to sate his desire for the captivating Rowan. Will Christian be able to help her work through her deep-rooted fears and find a way to allow her true self to emerge or will her past trauma prevent her from being able to give what they both need?

The Dark Garden is the first book by Eden Bradley I have yet read, and it will not be my last! I thoroughly enjoyed her story, and found myself drawn in by the characters and the plot from the get go.

Master Christian is the kind of man that makes a woman wonder if possibly, just possibly, she might be a submissive… He is everything that Rowan needs: strong and gentle, sensitive and dominant, caring and thoughtful. His continuous patience with Rowan does more to allay her fears than years of therapy could ever accomplish.

Rowan’s inner conflict is palpable, and the reader cannot help but feel her pain along with her. Even while denying who she really is, she knows that Christian sees the truth of her and can’t help but respond to his determination to free her from the shackles her pain has wrought. She blossoms under his persistence, and finds freedom with him.

Through it all, we enjoy a sub-plot with the characters of Decker and April. To be frank, I am still not quite certain what the purpose of this plot was, but I liked it all the same. April and Decker were definitely supporting characters, but their story rarely crossed with the main characters’, making me wonder why they were in the book. The best I can figure is that perhaps they were there to provide the spicy scenes throughout the book, since it takes some time for Christian to break past Rowan’s defenses enough to develop their relationship to that level. I found myself distracted wondering about the purpose of the second storyline, even while I enjoyed April and Decker’s romance.

Regardless of the distraction, I still highly recommend The Dark Garden to anyone who enjoys their romances with a bit of BDSM in them. Eden Bradley is definitely an author to keep an eye on! show less