I have not previously read any e-books by N.J. Walters. Nevertheless, once the plotlines of the Awakening Desires series caught my attention, they sounded very promising and I decided to give them a go. As I am finding to be the case with authors from Ellora’s Cave, I have enjoyed Katie’s Art of Seduction, and shall shortly be moving on to the next in this series, Erin’s Fancy.

Awakening Desires, as a whole, can be categorized as romantic erotica with an emphasis on both the emotional and physical sides of a romantic relationship. This tends to be my preference in e-books, although I also enjoy romances where little description of the sexual side is detailed in the book. For example in historical romances, the physical relations may not be appropriate to the period the story centers around.

This first tale is the story of two very different people engaging in a case of opposites attract – and come to love one another regardless of their differences. Please note that this story does include some light bondage, which is used to demonstrate Cain’s need for control, even in lovemaking – but don’t let this put you off.

Katie is a budding artist. A waitress during the day at Lucas Squires' coffee shop, Coffee Breaks, she has taken art classes at night school for several years. Lucas, her best friend, persuades her to display one of her paintings in the window of the shop – and it sells for $3500! She is stunned. Even at this sign that she has the talent to make it as an artist, she is reluctant to leave the relative safety of her comfortable life.

Leaving the shop late that night, she is conscious of the money in her pocket, which she didn't have the chance to deposit in the bank that day. Walking to her apartment, she senses a presence following her. Wary, she keeps walking. She is soon put at ease when joined by a wolfhound that seems to escort her home. Upon reaching her apartment building, the dog leaves her, and goes to a man who detaches himself from the shadows, walking away. Who is this man? Why did he follow her? Would she see him again?

Cain Benjamin is a man who lives in the dark, both literally and figuratively. After being abused as a child by his parents who claimed to love him, he needs to be in control of everything at all times – and doesn’t believe in love. After being burned in a fire at college, he keeps himself hidden, highly conscious of his scars and the black patch that covers his empty eye socket. He walks his wolfhound at night, utilizing his knowledge of the alleyways in the city so he can avoid the main roads. When in the company of others, he instinctively turns so they can only see the unburned side of his face. When he is with Katie, he clings to the shadows, limiting her ability to discern his physical disfigurement.

One night, he accidentally takes a wrong turn, ending up in front of Coffee Breaks, where he views Katie’s self-portrait. Becoming obsessed with the woman in the portrait, he determines to own the painting at all costs and have the woman pictured in it as his own – if she exists in real life. Can a man who needs to be in control of everything relax enough to share himself and his past with another? Will he be able to trust after the hardship of his youth? If not, a vital ingredient of every relationship will be missing, and without trust, Katie and Cain will have nothing to build on.

N.J. Walters has crafted a story that successfully manages to convey how a person’s roots can affect how they live as adults. Cain’s insecurities about being loved, or even liked, for himself rather than his wealth and influence are described very well. The reader is able to empathize with the character, whilst simultaneously castigating him for his control issues that could damage his relationship with Katie beyond repair. This tale takes erotic art to a whole new level through Katie’s love of painting, and could definitely give the reader some ideas. This is definitely one I recommend, even if you are not an art person.

Reviewed By Elizabeth
© July 2005