GENTLE CONTROL - Brynn Paulin
Torrid Tarot, Strength; Cress Brothers, Book 4
Ellora’s Cave www.ellorascave.com
ISBN: 978-1-41991-629-8
May 2008
Erotic Contemporary Romance - Short Story
Rated: E-rotic

Michigan - Present Day

Eight years ago, Tempest Montgomery left Josh Cress behind when her father found out about their relationship, and she hasn’t seen him since.  But, with her father and brother pushing Tempest into marrying her father’s protegé, Phillip; despite the fact that she’s told them she won’t marry him, Tempest knows she has to take control.  Maybe by seeing Josh again and finally getting some closure, she won’t be so ambivalent about wedding the man her father has picked out for her.  The minute she sees Josh again though, it’s as if they haven’t spent any time apart, and Tempest isn’t sure this trip will have the effect she had hoped for.

When Tempest crashes Josh’s birthday breakfast, he’s immediately thrown back to the heartbreak he felt when she left him.  When she mentions her fiancé, Josh has only one thought running through his head: mine.  Tempest agrees to be his submissive for two weeks, so Josh knows that he has a limited time to convince her to be his forever.

Star-crossed lovers get a second chance in GENTLE CONTROL.  On his birthday, Josh’s sister-in-law does a tarot reading for him, and his final card is Strength.  This card is the prevailing theme throughout the story: Josh’s inner strength and his control without brute force, and Tempest realizing the hidden strength she has.  The Dominant/submissive relationship is part of what broke them up the first time, but it’s something Tempest has missed, and easily falls back into.  Their interactions are hot enough to earn the E-rotic rating, but underlaid with more than just lust.  An engaging reunion romance, check out GENTLE CONTROL.

Jennifer Bishop