Katie's Art of Seduction

A man, who walks the night and hides in the shadows of the world, is captivated by a painting in a coffee shop. Cain Benjamin is drawn to the beautiful subject in the piece. Money is no object to this man and he soon acquires the work with the hopes of finding the woman portrayed.

A chance encounter while walking home after work leads to an eventual introduction of Katie Wallace to the mysterious businessman who had purchased her self-portrait. He is a veritable giant who keeps to the dark. Against her better judgement, she finds herself drawn to this dominant though vulnerable man. However, it is not only his visage that he keeps hidden and when certain truths come to light their budding relationship is jeopardized.

Cain may be wealthy and powerful, but he is also clearly a wounded soul in need of rescue. One’s heart goes out to this character immediately. Due to an experience with fire, he has no illusions regarding his scarred appearance and believes his injured left side from face to waist makes him hideous.

Ms Walters has created a wonderful heroine; a Beauty to save her Beast. Katie is very believable in her ability to effortlessly touch the hearts of all who cross her path. Unknowingly armed with her lovability, she wins over everyone from Cain’s dog to his driver. It is her generosity of spirit, even in the face of a personal betrayal by the hero, that reaches out to the reader.

The romance itself seemed to happen too quickly but the charm of the characters populating the story were none the less engaging. Love scenes between the main characters were intense and lent towards mild domination and bondage.

Katie’s art acts as an effective illustration of the progression of their relationship. However, it is the playful culmination to the tale which will leave readers with a smile.

August 2006