"A sexually inexperienced woman is drawn into a sensual wonderland"

Annie Travis is feeling unsettled today, the anniversary of when her cousins disappeared. Two years ago, her cousin Alice vanished, then one year ago, Alice's twin Alexi. To keep her mind off the matter, Annie begins a new painting. Art has always been her solace when she needs respite from the world of academia. Hours later, Annie finds that she's painted an eerie, gloomy mansion. When she's pulled into the painting, Annie can't believe it.

Annie has been chosen to be the Queen to Karn, the King of Diamonds, ruler of one of the four kingdoms of Tarok. Karn is intrigued by this innocently seductive beauty, but his heart is hardened against love. He refuses to risk his heart again, after the heartbreak of the past. What he will do is introduce Annie to the pleasures of the flesh and of submission. Why then, does she seem to worm her way under his skin, despite his best efforts?

Annie learns quickly the joys of sex, in various forms. Even bondage is a turn-on, with her lack of control a thrill, not a terror. Can Annie break through the ice surrounding Karn's heart or is she doomed to a passionate yet emotionless marriage? And when will Karn take her to see her cousins for herself? Karn's sister, Mikaela, hasn't given up yet on her quest to take over the four kingdoms of Tarok. Will her plotting separate Karn and Annie forever?

With Annie's gentle touch, Karn slowly learns to love again. He isn't as cold as he pretends to be, as a very cute and touching scene with Abra, Annie's cat, demonstrates. Annie introduces cheerfulness into Karn's gloomy home and to the KING OF DIAMONDS himself, with her good humor and stubbornness. Ms. McCray has written another spine-tingling entry in her Wonderland series. I can't wait for the final installment in this delightful series.

Sensuality: Rated E-rotic by the publisher. Explicit sex, threesome, bondage, spanking, f/f heavy petting; sexually explicit scenes: 13.

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted December 14, 2003

Summary

Professor Annie Travis is an academic force to be reckoned with. No one sees the true Annie, the shy, inexperienced southern lady taught to hide her every need and desire.

No one except the King of Diamonds. Karn draws Annie into his magical world, intent on teaching the teacher the true meaning of passion by dominating her and making her his submissive queen.

But even as he teaches Annie how to free herself, Karn's dark past imprisons his heart and soul, keeping him from giving his love to any woman. Will Annie be able to turn the tables on Karn and teach him how to love again?

Sexual Content: E-rotic. Genre: BDSM.