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Shana Galliher has a big problem. She saw her best friend, Lindsay, on a BDSM website, Scarlet Cavern, being abused. Her expression was full of terror, and Shana has to rescue her, just as she did at age 16, from Lindsay's stepfather who molested them both. As a model, she has plenty of money, but when she tried to get onto the Scarlet Cavern as a member, she was denied. So she hires Recovery, Inc to help her find and rescue Lindsay, if she's still alive.
Ranger is the only one who can help Shana find Lindsay. He's a mysterious, handsome, sexy man. He tells Shana that the only way he can get her into the Scarlet Cavern is to teach her to be a sub. He agrees to take the case and quickly takes over Shana as well. He uses various bondage techniques to show his domination, and accomplishes his intent to turn her into a purely sexual animal, focused only on orgasm, which he denies her. He tests her limits constantly, and each time she agrees because she wants to find her friend. Ranger can't understand this, and she intrigues him.
Shana initially hates Ranger and what he's doing to her. She tolerates it for Lindsay's sake. What begins as a business arrangement turns into a love affair, as Shana discovers how much she enjoys Ranger's domination and manipulation of her senses. Finally, Ranger decides she's ready to make her Scarlet Cavern debut. He reveals secrets about his past that he's never revealed to anyone, and she responds with compassion, not revulsion.
This tale has scenes in it that are not politically correct. Shana allows treatment that some may find offensive. Her motive becomes blurred as she realizes how much she loves being a sub. She has to decide whether to remain in the Scarlet Cavern or return to her former life.
I enjoyed this tale, it focused not only on tab A inserts in to slot B, but on the emotional intensity between Ranger and Shana. Ranger has to constantly fight his reactions as he fears being drawn back into the world of Scarlet Cavern, and the detached, cold man he used to be. Shana draws an unfamiliar tenderness and jealousy from him, and it frightens him. He has to come to terms with trusting her as well as accepting her physical and emotional trust of him.
If you enjoy BDSM tales, you will enjoy this book. One disappointment was the build up to Scarlet Cavern led to expectations that the scenes there did not fulfill, as all was not as it seemed from the outside. Vonna Harper has written an emotionally satisfying, and complex tale, the ending was slightly rushed, but overall, I can highly recommend this book.
Reviewed by Nancy Riggins-Hume
for The Road to Romance
October 6, 2004
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