Kari has lived a sheltered life, raised in a strict religious family, and sex was never discussed. She has never been very interested in sex, but after her boyfriend tells her a little about BDSM, she is interested and more than a little aroused. Her boyfriend, Buck, sets them up for classes at a BDSM club, Shadowlands.

At the club, Kari breaks up with Buck when he becomes very rude and rough. She thinks that she will have to leave the club without exploring the scene, but is given the option to continue her classes with an experienced dom. Kari can't help but stay and learn a little, never realizing that she is going to be pushed to her limits and way beyond, and lose her heart in the process.

Master Dan is still mourning his wife's death and has no intention of getting involved with anyone, so he never takes a sub more than once. He is immediately attracted to sweet Kari, and he finds that one night is not enough. Despite his need to remain alone, he can't get enough of Kari, even after she demands that he face his wife's death and move on with his life.

Cherise Sinclair has written a highly erotic, emotional rollercoaster story that drew me in and held me captive throughout the story. I have not had the opportunity of reading the first book of this series, but after reading Dark Citadel, I just have to go back and read the first book. These books are part of a series, involving Club Shadowlands and the patrons of the club. This second book was very good as a stand-alone, but I am eager to read the first book, so that I can learn the story of characters that I briefly met in this book.

Kari is a contradiction of herself, very proper and modest, yet highly sexual when in the right situation. I fell in love with her immediately and found myself routing for her to find her true self and get her man. I also fell in love with Dan, but at times found myself wanting to smack him myself, because he is so wrapped up in his past, he can't see what he has right in front of him. Despite that, I enjoyed his rough and commanding exterior and his dominant, yet tender interior.

This is a very fast paced story with a smooth flow, realistic characters and dialogue, and enough detail to make me feel like I was right there with the characters, seeing and feeling right along with them.

Reviewed by: Melissa C.