ARC Review: Sanctuary by Eden Bradley

Oh my....what a sensual and titillating story this is! Sanctuary is dark and seductive; it left me breathless and eager for more. I loved it!

Devin is having a night out with her friend, Kimmie.  They arrive at a club where Devin’s attention is drawn to a ring where one man and two women were helplessly tied and bound to a giant 'x' on the floor.  As their bodies lay at the mercy of two strong and powerful men, a part of Devin seemed to come alive. Watching these women awakened a dormant desire lying within her. Devin wants to experience what these women are feeling, a suppressive need to be under the vice of a stronger, dominate man. 

Shaye is the kind of man dreams are made of: he's strong and solid, confidant, and sexy as hell with his tattoos and piercing. He isn't looking for a woman to take home and collar though. He’s happy the way his life is going. It's exactly how his father lived his life and he planned to follow in step. Yet when he locks eyes with Devin, he can't help but want to play with her....like there is a magnetic field pulling her towards him. Shaye can see the pure need in her eyes so he asks her to play with him….but Devin immediately says no.

From the beginning, I was hooked on this story. I didn’t want to put it down.  A moment, while insignificant to one person, can have a profound effect on another person. A moment of clarity presented itself to Devine.  It was difficult for her to grasp because she felt it would loosen her grip on what kept her grounded. Devin doesn't want to give herself up to Shaye, which is what she thinks will happen if she submits to him. Control is what holds her life together and letting a man take control of her is a sign of weakness she cannot identify with. Surprisingly, Shaye has the same problem. He is content with the way his life is going, but meeting Devin opens these feelings in him, feelings he’s not accustomed to having and they play on his emotions. When he sits and contemplates his life, he realizes it's not what he wanted at first; that a life of solitude and no love is no life at all. As the story progresses, Devin and Shaye both slowly starts to accept these deep desires, but it’s not easy. Devin realizes she won't lose control of herself if she let’s someone else take the reins- because in the end, they’ll both come out on top.

It's no surprise I adore Eden Bradley's work. She gets me every time. Ms. Bradley has a way of making words pour over me slowly and sweetly, sticking to me so I'll never forget them. Sanctuary is another gem by Eden Bradley. I’m normally not a fan of novellas, I rarely read them, however I really enjoyed this one.