It’s always a pleasure to see an email from Claire Thompson appear in my inbox,and even more so when she offers the opportunity to read the ARC of a new story.
So,when i found the option to read and review Under His Control,the 4th story in the No Safeword series,i didn’t need to think before replying “Yes,please!”

It’s Ellen’s story,a well trained slave at The Enclave,who is ready to enter the binding auction. She’s secretly hoping for a Master who will want to keep her after the week is done.
And since there are 3 slaves and 6 Masters in this auction,there’s plenty of choice….right?
The catch is that The Enclave Masters have a final say in who goes to who,and she’s going to have to trust them to pair her with the perfect Master….

Damon had been talked into attending the auction by his good friend,Master Anthony,even though he’d told him he wasn’t looking for something permanent.
He was damaged goods after all he’d been through,and wouldn’t dream of looking for a HEA….
Sampling the attending slaves gave him at least some idea of what to expect,but the last one stirred something he didn’t dare think about…..

This was the most beautiful story of taking a leap of faith,taking chances,and finding happiness as a reward.
Admitting to their deepest fears and desires,these two were made for eachother.
Ellen trusted her Master to see what she needed,and to know how far he could take her. And he pushed her in the most perfect ways,helping her reach that point of total submission.
She was ready to be there when he needed her help in return,and she was his,whether he accepted it or not.
Damon may have had trouble accepting she wouldn’t use a safeword,but she made him see why….and it was beautiful!
And he may have thought he didn’t need a slave,that she was better off without him,but she made his days so much brighter,and he wás hers,even if he had trouble admitting it….bdsm-favorites careful-what-you-wish-for delicious-and-hot ...more9 s3 comments Denise2

A No Safeword story which can be read as a standalone although it’s highly recommended that they be read in order. Once you read one, you’ll want to read the rest!

Under His Control is Ellen and Damon’s story.

Ex-military Damon is dark, brooding and dominant. Ellen, a sweet and masochistic Enclave submissive is looking for her happily-ever-after Mr. Right Master. She opts to participate in a binding auction that pairs her with Damon for a week of No Safeword Dominance and submission. He’s open to a week of BDSM, but firmly believes he’ll be ready to leave as soon as it’s over.

Their time is seductive, intense and she’s hoping that no-nonsense Master Damon will change his way of thinking and stay with her long after their week is over. But he’s got a dark past and is certain he has no room in his life for love.

At first I wasn’t sure I was going to Ellen. “Sweetly submissive”? Paired with a darkly sexy spec ops guy? I wasn’t sure she was going to have the backbone to deal with a guy him. But I was pleasantly surprised. With her masochistic tendencies, she fed that masculine power within him…and her sweet submission was the balm that soothed his tortured soul. There was some significant conflict with this duo at the end of their week, which made their HEA all the more endearing.

If there was anything I didn’t ? Perhaps I missed it in previous books, but I wish I had been given a little more backstory in the beginning about either of these characters.

All in all this story kept my attention. And…

I will say there was one little titillating moment at the end of the story, at the Enclave. One word: Cecelia. 1 Diana Lea445 2

Claire's books are always intense!! After he wins her at the auction, Damon takes Ellen beyond her training at The Enclave and helps her (and himself) learn more about what "no safeword" means, including items from Claire's limit list which lead to some really intense moments. I loved the ending of the book. It was nice to see some of the other characters from previous books. This has been a great series and I can't wait to see what comes next for this author.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.1 Dar3,854 78

Wow, that was so hot! These two have insane chemistry, and they have no qualms about acting on it. They didn’t really seem to be a good fit, but once they let go of their inhibitions, her, and let themselves feel good, him, they were perfect together. Super steamy, great emotional build-up, and an HEA that makes everyone happy <35-star-reads bdsm1 Lesley364

I always look forward to Claire Thompson’s “No Safeword” novels they are full-on BDSM but laced with a growing love between the participants. And this story of Ellen and Master Damon was no exception. It was so well and beautifully written that it grabbed you from the start. I am not a great admirer of humiliation tactics but it worked so well in this story that I did not find it offensive. I highly recommend this story for anyone who s well written BDSM stories.
I received an ARC and am leaving a totally unbiased and truthful review.1 Thomas E.40 1 follower

Trust is Everything
“Under His Control” is my second ARC with author Claire Thompson, and what a fascinating read it is. The premise is rather simple though the content is not. Ellen, a “graduate” of the Enclave’s immersive course for submissive slaves, is being auctioned off to one of six approved Dom’s for a period of one week. During that time, she is her temporary Dom’s slave to command. Ellen is paired with Damon who plans a week designed to push Ellen’s physical and emotional boundaries as a submissive.

Damon is given a short list of Ellen’s hard limits and then, over the course of the week, categorically addresses and tests each one of them. At times Ellen is terrified when she is forced to silently confront her fears as she has been trained never to utter a safeword. This signature aspect of the Enclave is foreign to Damon, who has a hard time accepting it until, through Ellen, he comes to understand why.

As in her other books of the “No Safeword Series” Claire reveals to the readers that the D/s in a scene will never make a real trust connection until the Dom accepts that he must always be in control of his subs safety. That the Dom cannot rely on the safeword, which is really no more than a failsafe that places the ultimate control in the sub’s hands and absolves the Dom if a scene goes too far. Damon realizes this when he sees how Ellen will forsake her own physical safety rather than stop him. She trusts him where he has not learned to trust himself.

There are some very difficult scenes, difficult for her to submit to, and difficult for us readers to absorb. Honestly, some of the scenes are in a red area for me, including erotic humiliation where he literally treats her as a dog and as a toilet, as well as orders her to be shared with others. Ellen, I do not care for knife or blood play and she downright panics while bound in a stockade and forced to accept the artificial ministrations of a F*** Machine.

Where Claire succeeds in making these scenes fascinating rather than cringe worthy is the focus she places on her two main characters, rather than on the act itself. (Okay, maybe a few are a little cringe worthy.) Ellen’s total determination to be his perfect Sub, reaches a point where she will not even allow herself to think negative thoughts of him. For his part, Damon struggles to represses a growing number of feelings for her, feelings that he has built walls to keep out.

For Ellen, who seeks a long-term relationship and is developing romantic feelings for Damon, the most difficult scene is when she is shared with two other Doms. She wants Damon and does not want to be shared, but she cannot refuse her Dom. It requires her to show an unheard-of level of trust. She must be disloyal to him in order to show loyalty to him. Her heart, however, tells her to believe in him.

Eventually a scarred and hardened Damon, who has sworn off relationships, let alone love, is swayed by her grace and dignity, and he begins to have heightened confidence in himself and in her.
And we the readers know we can believe in Claire to deliver. I doubt there are few, if any, of us who are as deep into the scene as her characters. What she describes is not easy to envision in our own Vanilla lives. The subject material is often alien, forbidden or downright taboo. We place our trust in her to teach us and guide us and bring us through safely at the end. Much a Mistress and her sub.

The hope for an HEA seems to be no more than a faint dream for most of the book and even seemed impossible at the end of several edgy chapters. Rest assured, there is an HEA, and it is indeed very romantic.2 s Terri Trawets700 5

Damon is a strong, powerful, deeply committed part of the BDSM community. He has been invited to The Enclave, along with other Doms, to scene with three submissive trainee graduates. Three of these Doms will be allotted a slave for a one-week binding contract. Ellen is one of the trainees. She is hoping to find a permanent partner, Damon is not. Damon is anxious to use this week to satisfy his sadistic urges while consensually expanding Ellen’s masochistic comfort levels through a variety of well-thought-out scenes. He is eager to help her acknowledge, release, and embrace her hidden inner needs and desires.

This story made me think—really THINK! While submission/dominance, slave/master are true power exchanges, at its ultimate core, it is consensual. Although that has been a difficult concept for me to accept, it is the truth. Although a slave wants to be completely and thoroughly controlled and dominated, both she and her true master will always remember that consent is implicit.

This is an extremely erotic and sensual story of two souls that long to fulfil their deepest cravings. Although providing both pleasure and pain, the scenes go further! Both master and slave learn more about their own needs and desires than either originally believed. I highly recommend this intense, arousing, sizzling and alluring story of two Enclave participants finding a way to enhance their lives
Nancy Lauricella7

Another good BDSM Slave/Master story. Very enlightening and entertaining, keeps your interest.

Claire really got into depth on the Slave/Master dynamic to the extreme. Really gave you a good birds eye view of this type of relationship. Both the good and not so good dynamics. You really have to be in your submissive headspace for this type of relationship and The Enclave does definitely prepare you for this.

Ellen was the perfect sample of a Slave. She performed all of the requests demanded by her Master even though some of them were not to her liking; she preserved. She even overcame her issues with one situation.

Damon was a Master with a little bit of learning even though he was experienced in the BDSM lifestyle. He had a lot of emotional issues to contend with and in the end he rallied against all of them.

Truly a great love story. I don’t think I could personally delve into the Slave/Master dynamic. To me, it is the high end of this “kink” lifestyle. You really have to be a special type of person to get into this. Someone who should be admired by other submissives who are not so entranced. I’m sure that each Slave/Master dynamic if geared to the respective couple’s wishes and not all that happened to Ellen is not necessarily the norm. Each dynamic is its owner’s own.

I really enjoyed this one in the No Safeword series. I loved all of the characters in this series. You can really get behind each and every one.

Thank you Claire!
1 Polli.p395 8

Another scorcher from Claire Thompson! If you're a fan of everything BDSM you'll enjoy this! Thompson is an explicit and detailed writer and an expert in this genre.

Here we are back at Club Enclave surrounded by Doms and subs we know as well as new trainees. This story focuses on Ellen and Master Damon as he takes Ellen on a seven day contract. As her master for seven days Damon pushes all of Ellen's limits including the ones she designated as hard limits.

As with other Thompson novels this reads a romance within a BDSM handbook. The scenes are ritualistic and intense, problems discussed and rectified, almost to the point that any chemistry between the two MCs is lost within the expectations of the power exchange. However, the HAE more than makes up for this.

For me, Under His Control has an edge on other Thompson novels I have read (especially in this series) because she seems to be pushing the genre by including details of degradation and humiliation which I have not read in one of her stories before (though admittedly I haven't read all of her other books). There will be things here that other readers may find uncomfortable, even unpleasant, so read the TWs.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.1 Arin Baur403 6

I really enjoyed this book it’s got lots of interesting things that keep you involved in the story with plenty of crazy acts! With the addition no safe word for anyone in this series it definitely keeps you intrigued on everything from the characters, action scenes that at least for me has me constantly at the edge of my seat among so much more! This is the first book in the series I have read so far and I for one can’t wait to go back and read the rest of it. Especially if it’s this amazing adventure of learning how much you can handle, awesome strong willed characters. It’s got lots of steamy parts, page turning action keeping you wanting more. The two main characters somewhat reminds me of enemies to lovers they both have different ideas for how they want this epic journey to go. With inter issues getting the best out of hot master D and, the determine girl not just wanting a week long fantasy can these two let loose? And trust the process of learning who your secret selfs who are dieing to come out even if it’s embarrassing and much more difficult to allow your darkest disturbing desires out of your mind! Get ready for a intense impact life challenging impossible to stop reading once started to read book! A keeper if you ask me:) Donna Ross122

Another winner from Claire Thompson!

Ellen is a “slave” at the Enclave and has just graduated.  Damon is a visitor who has decided to bid in the auction, and he gets Ellen.  There is chemistry between the two and that chemistry elevates as Ellen trusts Damon more and at first Damon is in denial, but by the end of the week, not so much.

The rule at the Enclave has always been to use no safewords, to encourage the two parties involved to really be in the moment with their partner and to recognize any warning signs.  Once Damon and Ellen actually begin their week-long contract, there are some things that Damon does that really push Ellen’s boundaries…she must trust him or it will not work.  She must dig deep.  And, as her feelings grow, so does her trust.  In the end, will the bonds they’ve created with each other be strong enough that they could be together or will they go their separate ways?  You’ll have to read the book to find out…and you are going to love it!

This story was an excellent way to end the series!  Thank you Claire for writing this series!  It was phenomenal, as usual! kymagirl3,545 50

Ellen (h26), a trained submissive, participates in a binding auction at The Enclave seeking a Master for a week-long contract. Her hope for a lasting connection clashes with the short-term mindset of Damon (H32), an ex-Army special ops bad boy with a dark past and no interest in love. Despite their mismatched expectations, something about Ellen captivates Damon as they embark on a Master/slave relationship with intense scenes, pushing boundaries, and exploring deep emotions, as they explore the complexities of trust and submission, challenging both Ellen and Damon to confront their fears and desires. Amidst hot and steamy BDSM dynamics, Damon's initial resistance gives way to a realization of the connection he shares with Ellen as they navigate through various scenes, including those involving degradation and humiliation, leading to an intense and emotional exploration of their relationship. As the week unfolds, Ellen and Damon's connection deepens, and they grapple with the possibility of a lasting bond. Ultra-hot and steamy BDSM romance, including power exchange, punishments, watersports, degradation, humiliation, impact play, machine play, knife play, blood play, and more.arcs contemporary erotic ...more Rhonda Hicks4,183 74

They've graduated from slave training and gone on to the bonding auction as an Enclave slave. Ellen, one of the slaves, has just gone through six scenes within an hour and a half. Both Masters and slaves have ranked their preferences. Three women and six men but the final pairings will be determined by the Masters in charge. Ellen hopes for a Master she can turn this week-long contract into a long-term relationship. Damon is a Marine who has too much on his plate right now to even consider more than a day or two with a slave at any one given time. When Anthony announces the winners we get the details. Hang on because Claire Thompson takes us through step-by-step and scene-by-scene with all the emotion, doubts, and personal growth this Master and slave go through, both separately and together. The scenes are intense, my reactions and emotions were unexpected and I wouldn't have missed this one for anything. What a powerful book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.3 s Silke1,086 6

Under His Control is the final book in the No Safeword series and it takes us back to The Enclave for a binding auction where the matchmaking Masters are pairing Master Damon and former slave-trainee Ellen for a week-long Master/slave contract. What starts out as an intense, time-out-of-reality, meant-to-be short-term experience soon turns to more when both Ellen and Damon discover that they have a lot more in common than their kinks. As with all the other books in this series, their story is deeply erotic and sensual with the scenes quite heavy on painful pleasure, but also full of emotions and depth. It's very alluring and thought-provoking and ends full circle back at The Enclave for a final glimpse of all the characters. So sad to see this series end, it has earned its spot on my keeper shelf and I can only recommend it to everyone interested in stories of power exhange relationships!
I was lucky to have received an advanced copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly. lynx153 2

Ellen is a graduate of the slave training program that The Enclave does. Though it's been several months since she graduated she has not yet found a Master for herself. The binding auction will do just that for her. At least for a week anyways.

This is the first time Damon has been to the Enclave. Though he is reluctant to be there, he can't help but be drawn to Ellen after their trial scene. Since he really is not looking for anyone short term, let alone long term, he is a little antsy at the fact that he won her.

So what happens when two people have different goals? You put then together of course.

The week Ellen and Damon spend together is very illuminating for them both. They each learn they can always learn more about their roles.
The varying scenes they explore during the week are the best either of them has had. They both needed that week. Ellen to learn more about herself and Damon to learn what he needed.

The Enclave may need a new job title since they keep playing matchmaker with their guests. Of course, they get it right every time. Pico1504 6

Ellen and Damon meet at a BDSM club where she has agreed to auction a week of her time to be a slave to a Master – and Damon is the master who wins her. Most of the book is taken with some really detailed descriptions of the various BDSM activities they indulge in during that week – while she is developing increasing feelings for him, but he is determined to form no attachment to her, and to end things after the week. The last part of the book is when he realizes his mistake, and they end up with an HEA. Ellen was a wonderful character – honest, passionate, and deeply committed to a masochistic lifestyle. Damon was a wonderful Master, but it was hard to see how determined he was to push away a relationship with Ellen that would have been so right for both of them. I enjoyed the book, although some of the BDSM activities were a bit “over the top.” I received a free copy of this book from Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1 MRS C BARTON3

Claire is a "master" at writing BDSM novels and Under His Control is another great read.

I received a copy of this book as an ARC reader and this is my honest review.

Damon, after winning a bonding auction at the Enclave, spends a week exploring "no safeword" with Ellen, a previously trained Enclave submissive. During their week together, they learn what no safeword truly means in a Master and Slave relationship with Ellen fully under his control. Whilst there is great chemistry between them from the beginning, it is overshadowed by events in their past which have not been put to rest.

I that the book is written from both Damon's and Ellen's perspectives, so you get a better understanding of what is driving some of the actions and decisions taken. It certainly pulled on my emotions, including crying along with Ellen, as I read the highs and lows in the book. For me a sign of a good read.
1 Debbie Brown1,727 18

Ellen enters the Enclave's BDSM club's slave auction hoping to find her forever master. Master Damon has a dark past he has loved and lost once and doesn't want to go through that hurt again, so the slave auction for one week sounds perfect to him. I love these two Ellen and Damon, he challenges her, her inner strength and gives him total control as never before. A captivating story as these two journeys together for a week with Damion hoping to end the week unscathed, unattached and unemotional. Ellen has never felt so close to anyone before, she feels the connection to Damon. Does he feel it too? Can they find a comprise? How can he let either of the just walk away from this Master/slave relationship and not feel something? I have voluntarily read and reviewed the great story of two people falling for each other, not wanting to admit their connection, but will they act on those feeling and grab love no matter the odds are against them. Douglas Williamson5,564 29

Our heroine is looking for a lasting commitment while our hero doesn't believe it is ever possible. So they are starting from very different points, but will it be possible to find some middle ground?

This is book four of the series, but it is written as a standalone. There are some references to earlier events, but nothing essential to this story.

This is an erotic novel featuring BDSM. Hopefully you figured that part out for yourself. And if you have read anything else by this author, the next bit will not come as a surprise either. The story is well written and easy to read with a well developed setting. The characters are also well done and have plenty of depth to them, which is what brings the story to life. The story moves at a good pace and includes a bit of angst as well as a nice bit of steam. It was very enjoyable watching the characters grow along the way. Overall, a very enjoyable story and I look forward to more from this author.

Highly recommended. HBGG25

I always enjoy Claire's books and this one was not disappointing. For me, it just didn't hit the level of the other releases in the Enclave series. There were references to the submissive training center but it felt more a stand alone book not related to a series.
Ellen and Damon were in a slave auction along with other Enclave submissives and were selected to be together for a week in a 24/7 slave/Master experience. They differ in what they want as an outcome with Ellen looking for a long term contract and Damon only wanting the week. This story takes the reader down their deep immersion in the slave/Master exchange and we see their relationship progress. We aren't disappointed in the outcome.
I wonder if the Enclave series has reached its end and it might be time to meet new characters with a new theme.1 Robyn1,312 6

When Ellen signed up for an Enclave binding auction where she would be with a Master for a week, she was hoping to find someone who was looking for a permanent relationship. She enjoyed scening with Damon but he had been talked into participating and heis only looking for a weeklong relationship. He is still haunted by the end of his military career and he doesn't think he can do a permanent relationship.

I really enjoyed this book. I had not read anything recently that looked at a Master/slave relationship, and this book gave me a much clearer idea of how a relationship worked. Ellen was clear about what she wanted but Damon didn't understand how not having a safeword would affect how he worked with a slave.

This book is another well crafted book. Enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily. Ms. Shawn1,313 5

Ellen Rosen is a submissive in the Enclave’s binding auction. Each submissive is bound to a Dom for one week. Ellen has a great scene with Master Damon but he is on the bottom of her list. She is looking for a Dom that she might bond with even after the week is over. She is from Charlotte.

Master Damon Miller is also from Charlotte. Master Anthony asks him to participate in the binding auction. Damon is not looking for anything long term. He is fighting demons from his past military experience and is busy running is own security firm. However, he is intrigued by Ellen.

The Enclave Doms end up pairing Ellen and Damon together. They stay at a cabin on the Enclave property for the week.

They were an interesting couple. I am loving this series and this story was no exception.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. SBee Reviews2,390 73

? “Trust the process,” she said.” ?

Ellen certainly would not have paired herself with the Dom that the Enclave masters had chosen for her, but her one-week contract with Master Damon delivered exactly what she needed and what she was looking for in a relationship. The problem is…a week was all he was willing to give, and Damon was going to treat it one of his special-ops missions: “What red-blooded Dom wouldn’t leap at the chance to have a highly trained, deeply submissive erotic slave at his beck and call for an entire week, no strings attached?” But his heart will want what it wants, no matter if he manages to keep his head straight…

Enjoyed how these two paired strangers learned so much in such a short time while exploring their special dynamics of trust, control, and finally love.
J H Beard110 2

Wowzers
Ellen thrives on the intense dive into the world of total power exchange and submission. When she entered the binding auction at The Enclave, she already had an idea of the master she wanted for the week. As with life, things didn’t go the way she had planned.
Damon wasn’t sure about this whole thing of a 24/7 week of total immersion. He held himself back, but still delivered on most of Ellen’s dreams. Unfortunately she wants long term and he is a short term kind of guy.
They both have good points but they also have negative issues.
In the mean time the reader gets to virtually experience the BDSM world most can only dream of. And while my imagination may be good, Claire Thompson knows how to blow my mind. A person can dream though!!!


1 CherylB671

This is the fourth book in this series. It features Ellen a trained submissive of The Enclave. She is seeking her forever Master. So she signs up for an auction for a one week trial. Damon has been serving in Special Ops. When he retires he sets up his security consulting business. He doesn’t have time for a long term commitment. But he gets talked into the auction. It’s only for one week, right? But sparks fly from their first scene. And when the week is over he leaves Ellen heart sore. Will he realize he is punishing himself as well? Is it too late to fix their relationship? Will Ellen even give him a chance? This is an intense story with lots of steam and romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it.1 Leanne Bryson4,501 21

Under His Control can be read as standalone, although includes some characters from the previous books in this series. Damon wins Ellen in the slave auction at the Enclave and has her as his slave for a week. During that week, the dominant Damon, who isn't interested in anything long-term, is looking forward to pushing the limits of slave Ellen. But in doing so, their hearts get involved. There were aspects of his domination that I found bothersome, although I understand everyone has their "thing", it was squirmy for me. The characters were compelling and full of steam. Overall, a solid read.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review. Michele1,606 4

Claire pulls you in to a steamy read from beginning to end!
I loved how Damon pulls Ellen in to his aura for their intro and then have to wait and see who Ellen will be paired with. Neither was the other’s top choice based on wanting a relationship and not. But the powers that be from The Enclave seem to have uncanny matchmaking abilities to put the two together for their week contract. Each seems to be what the other needs for the moment, and the scenes are off the charts hot! With their week ending, will Damon go back to his business and forget his perfect sub? You have to read to find out and don’t expect to put the book down until you turn the last page! Marlene Davis1,025 4

Ellen was a trained Enclave slave, looking for her Master and a collaring ceremony to have her submissive dreams come true...but at the Enclave slave auction, six masters tried out each of three slaves and then the Enclave masters decided which Dom would have a slave for a term of one week...Ellen was hoping for one of two Masters who were looking for a permanent relationship, but instead was given to Damon, a former Special Ops soldier, now running a security company, who only used a sub for one evening at club setting...but will 24/7 power exchange change anyone's mind??? I voluntarily read this book through an Advanced Reader Copy. Lorie538 3

Emotions
Hallelujah we’re back at The Enclave! Ellen has been asked back for a visit with her Enclave Family. There will be an auction for a week’s immersion with 3 ladies and Ellen is hoping to find her forever Master/Sir. Damon was invited after a visit to the club in Charlotte as he’s never known about The Enclave. 6 men and 3 women make the odds 50/50 but what the heck. Little does he know that his world is about to rotate 360 degrees and he may not be able to handle it. Ellen, Poor Ellen. Can she never catch a break? Maybe The Enclave Family is strong enough to work miracles!1 Wolfgirl1897 1 follower

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