Enslaved Paperback – October 9, 2011

There's one thing to be told with certainty about Claire Thompson's writing, and that is she doesn't dostories in half measures. "Enslaved" pulled all my triggers loose. I'm pretty confident I still don'tknow how I feel about this book, but I can say with confidence that this is one hell of a story.To anyone who might think to open the Pandora's box "Enslaved" keeps within, I have but only one advice.Think again and think well, if hardcore BDSM readings are not your thing. Because "Enslaved" is not justa BDSM romance. Actually, don't even stick to the "romance" title, you'll end up reading it and finishwith a feeling that you got something entirely different than what you bargained for.I'm not going to delve into the story short, the excerpt and summary are pretty eloquent of what the plotis all about. But the initial idea of Rae accepting the bargain Sam Ryker offered her - 30 days as his sexslave to repay the financial damage she had caused him, or him calling the cops on her - transforms from aconsensual submission to one of dubious consent bordering the lines of non-con when she fully realizes whatshe got herself into. Because Sam Ryker doesn't treat her as a lover would. The idea of safe, sane and consensualdoes not apply in their "relationship". Her submission is now forced, her abuse comes straight from the pitof hardcore S&M practice. She is thoroughly beaten, flogged, caned and spanked at every turn, thrown into thevery depths of humiliation, and through this darkness she finds herself rediscovering her psyche.Can someone be trained to feel pleasure while being in pain? Can pleasure and pain be fused to become one forsomeone who never had the inclination to test it himself? Is masochism something that one is programmed withor can it be acquired later on with practice and intensive training? Hellooo, Stockholm syndrome. Issues ofissues flying around in this story, enforcing the reader to emerge into these questions while Rae experiencesthe sting of abuse and the products of her persona's deconstruction on her body. Until the impact of Sam'sblood play comes crashing down on him with the horrific consequences that this turning point has on his stateof mind. A play that in spite of Rae coming out stronger from, underlined the fact that a Dom in charge can bea terrifying force when he loses control and crosses the line.In terms of writing, Thompson is gifted. In terms of storytelling, her scenes captivated my interest and did notlet go until I finished reading the very last word. And what a way to finish. I wasn't sure if I should beshunning Rae's choices or feeling relieved over the fact that she embraced her new self. Because take it orleave it, she came out of her horrific experience a new person, and had to cope somehow. She made her choiceand hoped for the best. Now a great deal of specialists would have a tome or two to write about her condition.But frankly, life comes in unexpected ways and forces experiences usually not of our choices, to get confinedin narrow thinking and mainstream lifestyle if one comes throughout these experiences different. The trick is,everybody is different in their own special way, and thank God for novels that colorfully remind us.I still haven't decided how I ultimately feel about this novel, but in a way I can say I get it. Rae acceptedher changed self, even though her change was violently forced out of her, and finally, she wanted to be accepted,too.I would have liked a bit more developing in Sam's feelings towards her, since a romance started unfolding betweenthem, therefore I `ll give it four stars, but still, "Enslaved" is a powerful read for those that can handle itsintensity.

Ms. Thompson has a vivid imagination. Her stories are interesting and well written. She also has better editors than other indie authors. I enjoy her books and would recommend them.

I've been a member of the BDSM community for over 23 years. Back then, I managed a small bookstore & if a customer requested BDSM literature, I would have to special order it from Great Britain, as there were no American publishers, that I knew of, that would take on this type of literature.Now, BDSM, or "erotica" (a safer word, I suppose) is all the rage with the novels and film "50 Shades of Grey". I'm sure the books & film have their merits, but they do not reflect a true BDSM relationship in the least. One author that writes a realistic (emotional wise as well as the respect the Dom deserves as well as the pride a submissive feels when she pleases her Dom) relationship is Claire Thompson. I've been a fan of hers for years & couldn't recommend her books with higher praise than I do now.When I met my husband, he was so vanilla, I wondered if things would work out between us. (Vanilla - a male or female who does not practice BDSM and, more often than not, has very limited knowledge of the psychological aspects, the unwritten rituals we observe, or the etiquette all members of the lifestyle observe quite seriously and strictly). When I revealed to my then-husband-to-be, he was quite interested in all aspects of BDSM, not just the sexual component. He was also surprised to learn that two people can have a BDSM relationship with no sexual involvement whatsoever.I had him read some of my favorite BDSM authors with Claire Thompson topping the list. His eyes now wide open & with a few more years of research & training (organized lectures & group sessions where we learn from each other, he was ready to commit to the lifestyle as well as commit to me.We've been married 5 years this July & he is becoming a magnificent Dom. He's still learning (as we all are) but Claire Thompsons' books have taught him some of the nuances that aren't present in mass market books. When reading a book labeled "BDSM", a true practitioner of the lifestyle can tell in a out five minutes if the author is a practitioner him or herself or is writing what they imagine to be true in our practices.If you, the reader, would like to read a true account of a real BDSM relationship, please read a Claire Thompson novel or short story. Submission is a gift, which is treasured & protected by his or her Dominant. This is the difference between a true BDSM novel & a book about sex.

If you like forced submission and blood play you mite like this story, I liked the Dom in the start of this story but by the middle of story I really did like him and I felt for the sub, It had a good ending though I keep thinking of the Stockholm Syndrome had some thing to do to it.

This is easily the best BDSM novel I have yet read and I have read a few. The build-up is credible, the plot tense and the sex scenes excellent, at times even scary.. The two characters, Rae and Sam, are real, troubled, three dimensional characters that you feel you could meet on the New York subway any day of the week. Sam is cruel and tortures Rae but is himself tortured by his knowledge of his own nature. Rae is a real, honest woman who the reader comes to love. Love, that is the core of this marvellous, gripping and at times very dark book, and what is sadly lacking in some much other BDSM fiction. My only criticism is that book is too short and the reader is left aching to know more about the characters. I can only hope that the prolific author Clare Thompson writes a sequel. If you only read one BDSM novel in your lifetime then this is the one it should be. Very highly recommended!

I loved most of Claire Thompson's other books I read but this one I found a little boring. There is too much time spent on rehashing his thoughts. I found myself skipping pages .

Interesting and believeable. I can see myself reading it again someday. A strong bdsm content but there were other things going on as well. It goes a step or two past 50 Shades, but if anyone liked that you'll like this.

I have only just discovered Claire Thompson. Enslaved was a great book and I loved it. This book worked for me on a number of levels.This was a story about blackmail/fraud. Sam Ryker owned a software company and discovers that his employee has been sifting money from his company. Rae only "borrowed" the amount and intended to pay it back but was found out before she could do this. So Sam offers Rae a deal: spend a month being his sex slave or go to prison for embezzlement. Rae decides that it would be better spending a month in Sam's dungeon than going to prison and signs on the dotted line.Sam and Rae have previous history that went beyond boss and employee - they shared a hot night of sex and Rae has her first initiation to BDSM. Deep down she enjoyed it but pushed Sam away and could not believe how she responded to him - she was embarassed that she enjoyed the kinkier side of sex.Blackmailing someone to be your slave is not a healthy way to begin a D/s relationship but Claire Thompson makes is unbelievably hot. Sam was very into giving Rae pleasure with pain and I actually became quite emotional when reading one of the scenes in the dungeon - I held my breath and could not believe he was actually going to push her with her ultimate fear.What I love about this book is that the reader became involved with the emotional journey of these two. The scenes were very well written.Underneath the blackmail, embezzlement, whips and her ultimate fear there was love. I recommend Enslaved - it was edgy, dark and a very good BDSM story.

BlackmailSlave/Master ‘Relationship’DubConPunishmentsKnifeplayHEANot everyone is into the above it’s dark, it’s gritty & it’s sheer escapism. Claire Thompson hits the BDSM genre head on. Great wee read.

This book is a thoroughly enjoyable read and the more I read the more I want. This is a very readable story.Bette

This book is about a man brutally abusing a woman. In the end she suffers from some sort of Stockholm Syndrome. It is supposed to be a story about BDSM. I felt quite shaken when I managed to finish it.I enjoyed Claire Thompson's The Master, this is also about BDSM but there is mutual respect between the parties and care from the man for the woman. There was none of it in Enslaved.

If you enjoy dark, twisted mind hurting books this is the book for you. Claire Thompson never fails to deliver a great story i really enjoyed this book.