On Desire Island... Your darkest fantasies come to life...
Part of the scene for years, Skylar craves submission but has yet to find a Dom who doesn’t need instruction. Topping from the bottom becomes a way of life, but it leaves her wondering whether she’s really cut out for the lifestyle. When she wins a charity raffle for a free week at a new BDSM resort, Skylar vows to explore her darkest fantasies once and for all.
Training submissives is rewarding work, but maintaining a professional distance can be lonely at times. For Caelan, it’s not usually a problem, but there’s something about the new girl that’s impossible to ignore. Though she signed up for the 24/7 total immersion packet, Skylar refuses to fully submit. But Caelan senses the submissive lurking inside. Skylar is longing for a strong Dom, and he won’t let her down.
On Desire Island, hiding behind your fears doesn’t fly. Using intensive erotic discipline and control, Master Caelan won’t relent until Skylar embraces her true nature. It may be harder…and more rewarding…than either of them imagined…
One True Master is Book 1 of the Desire Island Series. Bring your darkest BDSM fantasies to life.
Claire has been writing for nearly two decades, and has published over 85 novels. She writes BDSM romance and abduction tales, spanning both m/f and m/m genres. She has received numerous awards for her bestselling work, including the NLA-Int’l Pauline Réage Award and the Golden Flogger Award for best BDSM fiction.. Her darker works press the envelope of what is erotic and what can be a sometimes dangerous slide into the world of sadomasochism. Ultimately her work deals with the human condition, and our constant search for love and intensity of experience. Connect with Claire and get a FREE starter library! https://clairethompson.net
This is quite a light read and is perfect for when you want a quick pick-you-up or palette cleanser story.
Due to its length it lacked some of the depth and exploration found in longer books by the same author. This didn’t spoil my enjoyment as Skylar and Carlin were both very likeable and relatable characters.
'One True Master" is the first book in Claire Thompson's "Desire Island" series. This is probably one of the best looks at 24/7 Master/slave training in a BDSM setting I've ever read. Skylar has been active in the scene for quite some time but she has mostly come across wannabes who are either more bully than Dom or have specific instructions to know what to do. And let's face it, she had no problem topping from the bottom to get what she wants nor completely stopping a scene if it goes past her expectations. When she won a one-week all-inclusive trip to the newest BDSM resort on an island she was thrilled but she's still not convinced she's submissive even though she enjoys erotic pain. Caelon is not only a medical doctor who did his residency in psychiatry but he's a professional Dom for Desire Island. He's never had a problem compartmentalizing personal and professional … until now. This book was such an erotic joy to read. All the expectations, the fear, and the emotional journey to go through slave training were awe-inspiring. I'll be heading back to the island to find out what happens in the next book immediately.
Skylar longs for a deeper connection in her BDSM relationships, but has trouble letting go and deeply submitting like she wants to, so when she wins a week at a new BDSM resort, she signs up for the "immersion package," allowing herself to be trained to be a BDSM "slave." I'm glad that the Dom in this story is also a psychologist, because Skylar seems to have other issues, too. I like the relationship between Skylar and Caelan, but overall the book is rushed, and would have been better if the author had elaborated in several places.
In spite of the fact this is a BDSM story, there was such a sweet feeling to it. Well written characters and storyline as always with Claire. It is about Skylar and her journey to find out more about herself and her mixed reactions to BDSM. She is interested but not sure she is really a submissive. As fate would have it, she wins a free week to Desire Island, which is a new and highly sought after place for BDSM practitioners. Packages range from barely dip your toes to a fully submersive experience. She is encouraged by her friend, who is in a M/s relationship to grab all the experience she can, so she signs up for the full package. So let the experience begin. It felt like being there. We are learning and experiencing it all through her eyes, and what an experience it is for her. The Dom assigned to her is Caelan, who finds himself unusually attracted to his student. Their journey is perfectly detailed and excellently presented. I can see many more journeys to read about taking place on this island.
Skylar is a bit of a brat in the BDSM dungeons, topping from the bottom in order to get what she thinks she needs. After winning a vacation to an all new BDSM resort she has an eye opening experience on Desire Island. Her machinations do not work as Caelan is a very strong Dom, determined to give her the full immersion submissive experience she signed up for and needs. As always, there is a vein of humour throughout.
As strong and confident as Caelan is, it was nice to have him portrayed as a bit insecure regarding matters of the heart. Skylar’s journey through her fear to true submission is aided by an emotional connection, a powerful motivator for the trust required to achieve complete and total submission. Claire does an extraordinary job of creating a BDSM utopia with real characters and situations. A pleasure to read anything she writes. Voluntary
A wonderful story – Skylar wins a week at an island BDSM resort, and her trainer, Caelen, is like a dream come true. They had bonded over the phone prior to her visit, and after she arrived and they began to work together, the trainer-trainee relationship became something else. The process they went through and the experiences she had as she learned more about BDSM make for a fast-paced, enjoyable and upbeat story. Both characters are strong and interesting, and the conclusion makes good sense. I received a free copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fantastic fantasy island! What an erotic novella of desire set in a BDSM paradise. I loved the character development of both sub searching for her true self and her responsible Dom acknowledging his deepest desires. Their chemistry is palpable and deep, beyond the physical. The sex is hot and thoroughly described, not only the physical but the mental aspects as well. It's easy for the reader to feel a part of the story and imagine herself a part of Desire Island and submissive training.
I really enjoyed this story. The journey these two characters take is emotional, sexy and so fabulous. Skylar learned so much about herself during her stay on the island and Master Caelan was so perfect for her. If you like well written BDSM this is the story for you.
After reading this I am sure Claire Thompson is holding out on all of the best BDSM places.
Skylar enters a raffle to win a trip to a BDSM paradise resort. On a whim she buys one extra ticket, because who knows. That extra ticket must have been lucky because that was her winning ticket.
She is wary if the trip because even though it will give her everything she wants (if even for a week) she questions whether that is something she wants long term when she gets back.
Caelan is a professional Dom. He is excited about his new short term submissive. (Heck he enjoys his job so he is always excited by them). When Skylar shows up though he knows right away that this won't be like his other jobs.
As they share and enjoy their week together as Master and slave, they know they will have to decide if it will be just for the week or if they want to break protocols to make it more.
I love all of Claire’s books! If you like BDSM fantasies and Dom/sub relationships I highly recommend. She’s a superb writer and I’m never disappointed. If you’re not into graphic erotica you probably shouldn’t bother reading. I don’t understand bad reviews due to overly graphic content when 100% of synopsis warns of graphic content and dubious and non consent themes. But, if you like erotic fantasies and haven’t read anything written by her you are in for a treat.
GLITTFAB/Queer? YES. Secondary characters, well represented
Disabled folx? Nothing explicit, sadly
Worth my time? HELL YES. Even with the insta-love, there’s good representations of Kink & kinky relationships. The sex is phenomenal, though not as good as the Scenes.
Recommend? Oh, I definitely have a few Kinky buddies to point to this…
Re-readable? Definitely. This isn’t one that will lose its shine with repeated exposure.
Skylar wins a week at Desire Island in a raffle at her local BDSM club. He best friend, also in the scene, talks her into signing up for 24/7 slave training. She meets her instructor via online video chat and there is an immediate connection. Once there she almost immediately begins the program. At first she has mixed feelings but quickly realizes she is where she belongs. My only complaint is that it ended a little abruptly. Plot:4 Writing:4 Editing:4.5 Characters:4.5 Heat index:5
I don't know if I can explain it, but I just love this story! I loved the instant connection between Skylar and Caelan! An immersive BDSM experience on an outer-bank island?! This was Skylar's chance to see if she truly was submissive. Problem: she's falling for her trainer. But, is he falling for her. So darn romantic! I want more, more, more of ths couple! I fell absolutely and deeply in love!
Having a very limited knowledge of the BDSM community and the D/s relationship helped greatly in my enjoyment of this book. Extremely believable and well presented this book gave me a much better understanding of the community and the person's dedicated to the lifestyle. Perhaps written with a touch of poetic license, still a great read and an erotic demonstration of the lifestyle.
This is a great book, can't wait to read the other 2! If you like books about BDSM, this is the book for you. This is a good story, the plot moves along as you get to know and love the characters. Fun for me, I learned a new "type" of submission - will be following up on that! The book can be read as a stand-alone - but there is a small cliff-hanger - makes me want to read book 2 even more!!! I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
This is a great book, can't wait to read the rest of the series! If you like books about BDSM, this is the book for you. This is a good story, the plot moves along as you get to know and love the characters. Fun for me, I learned a new "type" of submission - will be following up on that! The book can be read as a stand-alone - but there is a small cliff-hanger - makes me want to read book 2 even more!!! I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
This was a listen and read for me. While this was my first experience with this writer I totally enjoyed the storyline line as well as her performance as a narrator. BDSM is not well known in our society so few people understand how truly romantic it can be. This story was so very loving and truly an awesome intro to the BDSM way of life. It's not what you think folks. It actually intrigues me. Thank You Claire Thompson for sharing your imagination.
Ms. Thompson always delivers a thoroughly enjoyable read and this is no exception. Master Caelan and slave Skylar's story was quite entertaining and we'll worth the read. The introduction to the next book has me waiting for it to be released.
If you do not like kinky sex do not read this trio of books. But, if you do like kinky, this trio is masterfully executed by Claire Thompson. I found these by chance. Bought them just to see. And WOW did I see. Loved every minute of it. The way the characters mingle and the story just flows.
I truly enjoyed this story with all of it's surprise twists and turns and gave it the five stars i felt it deserved. its a rare occurrence that i find a good BDSM story that is as in valved in the telling of the story as it is with being on the reality of the BDSM culture.
I loved how this young woman went from a top from the bottom sub to a fully submissive with a permanent dominant partner. This touches on more aspects of the BDSM lifestyle.
Wow! Claire Thompson had me hooked from the first page. This is a delicious BDSM story between Caelan and Skylar. Skylar won a vacation package to Desire Island. Caelan is there to train her as a submissive, but they both receive more than they had expected. I found their love story to be on the sweet side and very hawt!! Highly recommend!
I really enjoyed this book. I loved Master Caelan. He seemed to be such a strong and firm master. I loved how his character struggled with his emotions and fought the feelings he was having. My only complaint with the story is the ending seemed rushed and anit climatic.
I love Claire Thompson’s books and this was no exception. The story of Skylar and Caelen kept me engrossed and was over far too soon. Cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
This book is a good introduction to BDSM reading but is a little bit quick to finish. As part of a series, I am keen to see if there story continues to be a happy one
I only gave it a four because I can't imagine being submissive! Enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants the insight into that kind of relationship.