A self-reliant Westerner meets an intriguing stranger who radiates an aura of danger. Seduced into becoming Julian’s mistress, Mercedes discovers that he intuitively divines her need for pain inflicted by an expert master. Sensing that Julian understands her as no one ever has, cognizant that this sometimes cruel partner reaches depths in her nature hitherto never plumbed, Mercedes swiftly grows to trust the master who relentlessly increases the demands he makes while raising her to unprecedented heights of pleasure.

Julian develops an irresistible urge to bring Mercedes as his guest when he attends the yearly gathering of his fellow members of the Order of the Black Lily. Knowing the risk he runs, he conducts a short but rigorous initiation, employing electronic devices engineered by his brother Michael. Using techniques identical to those favored by his brother, Julian gambles that Mercedes’ craving for the pain he inflicts, combined with his conducting that abbreviated course of conditioning, will prevent his suffering the disgrace that would ensue should she rebel in the presence of his peers.

Fascinated both by the exotically beautiful estate where the members gather, and by the men and women she meets there, Mercedes generates intense curiosity regarding the customs and rituals of the Order. Lorenzo, the charismatic, uncannily perceptive Grand Master, instantly divines that she never underwent the full initiation, but he refrains from objecting. Mercedes adapts to a unique culture with remarkable readiness. As the week progresses, she steadily loses her inhibitions, but she retains the sturdy independence of mind inherited from her pioneer forebears.

Having discovered that any attempt on his part to employ subtle psychological techniques designed to produce a permanent suspension of his lover’s will would inevitably rouse a deep-seated, stubborn refusal to submit to coercion of any sort, Julian realizes with shock that only if she freely offers herself, will Mercedes ever become his slave. He strikes a delicate balance in their relationship, even as he inexorably deepens her need for the intense pain and the breathtakingly effective erotic stimulation that enable her to achieve transcendental ecstasy in his arms.

As the week progresses, the woman voluntarily offering herself more and more fully to the master handling a sturdily independent-minded novice with delicate care and surpassing skill, achieves a relationship with her lover that proves unique in the annals of the Order.

This novel forms one of three works that describe the erotic adventures of various members of the Order of the Black Lily. Gabrielle’s Awakening is available now from Double Dragon Publishing, Inc. Eternal Triangle will be published by Double Dragon later in 2007.