I love stories where Dominants are teachers as well as lovers, and Jackson teaches Prosper exactly what he wants both on stage and off. His control of her can be brutal and even appear cruel at times, but it is also obvious that he cares for her a great deal more than he ever wanted to. His time in New York is scheduled to end after they open, and Prosper's life is centered in The Big Apple. Even knowing they must part soon, and insisting they can have no commitments to each other, their off-stage relationship is scorchingly hot and intimate. Jackson refuses to allow Prosper any barriers. He is demanding and exacting both as a lover and as her choreographer, and as a result her submission to him is absolute.

Annabel Joseph has written a deeply erotic story. Jackson gives Prosper everything she wants and needs. Even so, his erotic verbal domination of her occasionally made me cringe. As a ballerina, Prosper possessed muscles of steel, yet emotionally she seemed fragile, and even sometimes wounded. Despite her frail form and stature, she met Jackson's every challenge with an inner poise that could only come from unconditional trust. His treatment of her demanded she acknowledge his mastery and ownership in every channel of her life.

For readers who enjoy BDSM novels that contain occasional harsh words and language, and can understand that what is said is not always a true representation of what is felt, I would highly recommend Firebird. It will definitely keep you on your toes.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Kathryn
November 18, 2010