Anchored (Belonging, #1) in Riptide Publishing

Jan 19, 2011 Kassa rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Well written but so violent I couldn't stand it. I skimmed to the ending and glad I didn't finish. The pseudo happy ending isn't enough payoff for me. Great writing but not for me. ...more

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Jan 21, 2011 Kari Gregg rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: glbt, 2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. There is absolutely nothing about Anchored that isn’t heart-pounding and gut-clenching–in the very best and very worst (which is also the best ) ways. Daniel is a network news anchor–and a slave–owned by NewWorld Media and if you think this is play-acting? A silly game? You, my friend, are dead wrong. Rachel Haimowitz sucks us right in so that we experience every detail of Daniel’s slavery and we struggle right along with him as Daniel wrestles with who he is, what he is and the cold, often b ...more

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Jan 28, 2011 CAS rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: in-print, mtt, signed-copy

This is one of the most intensely compelling and emotionally driven stories I have ever had the pleasure to read. Not only has the author crafted a very unique and unusal world she has taken it one step further with her equally impressive ability to draw the reader into the very heart and soul of the story in such a way that feels somewhat voyeuristic., you don't dare to even blink.

As I read this I experiened quite possibly every emotion known to man. I felt such an overwhelmingly helpless sen ...more

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Jan 29, 2011 Feliz added it · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, fantasy, bdsm

Can't rate this.It surely was an intense read,engrossing and well-,at times even briliantly written.But too much to stomach for me.And I hate the "sex with the right partner heals rape victim fom his trauma" trope.
The world building had me totally convinced while reading; only afterwards I realized the big "huh?" of why this society needed slaves in the first place. In hindsight,it didn't make any sense at all... ...more

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Feb 03, 2011 BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: slavery, adult, intense, m-m, no-longer-loanable-kindle, bdsm

I purchased this book not sure what to expect. I read the reviews and it appeared a couple of the scenes were too violent for people. I was braced for the worst. I also don't find m/m books appealing. I still gave this a try because a friend rated it 5 stars.

I'd like to clarify I'm not a HEA type of gal. I'm also a sadomasochist. For me all the scenes in this book appealed to me. Appealed to me in the sense that I felt an emotion - sorrow, rage, amusement, etc. The punishment scenes are definite I purchased this book not sure what to expect. I read the reviews and it appeared a couple of the scenes were too violent for people. I was braced for the worst. I also don't find m/m books appealing. I still gave this a try because a friend rated it 5 stars.

I'd like to clarify I'm not a HEA type of gal. I'm also a sadomasochist. For me all the scenes in this book appealed to me. Appealed to me in the sense that I felt an emotion - sorrow, rage, amusement, etc. The punishment scenes are definitely not for those who aren't into the BDSM (more SM) lifestyle.

I didn't rate it a 5 because there were a few things that bothered me. Things I didn't understand maybe because this is the first book I've read of Ms. Haimowitz.

First, Daniel's been a slave since he was roughly 3 years old. He's not young in the story. I don't understand why he had such a difficult time submitting. The corporation who owned him should have already trained him to submit in ALL ways. Although, since the slaves weren't as much sex slaves, I guess I could see why Daniel was resistant. So in some senses, I would agree with the ones punishing Daniel that they treated him too well and he has "forgotten" his place to a degree. I'm not saying it's right or humane, but they did have a point.

Second, what is up with Carl? Why didn't he know how to treat a slave? Sure, he has two others and he may be a nice master, but if this is a society immersed in slavery, how can Carl not know what would happen when he gave feedback? W.T.F?! For such a learned man reporting on news, I find it hard to believe Carl didn't know what would happen.

Third, I wonder about the ones doling out punishment. I think they are the cruel sadist which give doms a bad name. If they wanted to fix the behaviour, they had to have known, their session only guaranteed the problem to become worse. No dom/domme in the right mind would break a slave that way, unless the slave is a painslut who enjoys, humiliation and gang banging.

I did read many comments regarding the gang rape being too violent and they didn't feel comfortable. It's actually more mild and less graphic than I expected. There was more focus on the physically and mental responses than the details of how Daniel was violated, over and over again.

This book is more for people who understand the BDSM slavery aspect (Gorean) and don't have problems with sexual punishment. This is obviously a fantasy world which shouldn't be used as a guide to BDSM or even a representation of a healthy BDSM lifestyle.

Lastly, I enjoyed the Ms. Haimowitz's creation of a world. I hope there are more books following this one. I'd most likely buy it. ...more

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Sep 23, 2011 Heather C rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: enemies-to-lovers, series, ebook, m-m, lots-of-tension, dubcon-rape

I really, really liked this story. There wasn’t anything in it that freaked me out too badly. (view spoiler) I liked the world and I loved Daniel. The only word I can think of to describe him is “gentle”.

My biggest problem with the story is that it was too short and ended too soon. By the time I was finally feeling the connection between Daniel and Carl, the story was over. I would definitely like to read more abou ...more

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Feb 14, 2011 Dee Wy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi-futuristic-alt-universe, bdsm, m-m, slave-captive-prisoner, dub-con-non-con

Daniel lives in an alternate modern society where slaves are common. Even though he has made it to great heights in his career as a news anchorman, he is rudely reminded of his slave status when the company who owns him "rents" him out to a master when he's not working, to do with as he pleases.

I hesitate to call this story a romance, even though Daniel did find love in the end. This was a tough read for me, as rape in a story usually means a DNF. However, Rachel's writing is amazing and I made ...more

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Dec 22, 2010 Bryl Tyne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: erotic, glbt

This story, set in an alternate contemporary universe where pleasure slaves are the norm and there’s a definite line between the haves and have nots, blew me away, to say the least. You can read my full review on my blog here... ...more

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Jan 28, 2011 J.P. Barnaby rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: erotica, m-m, bdsm, __books-i-recommend

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 19, 2011 Alex rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: queer, romance, slave-master

Overall
Although this is shelved with romance novels, if you go into this expecting a romance, you'll probably run screaming. The amount of romance present is minimal and, for the most part, one sided. There is also a (tastefully done) on camera rape scene, a non-sexual flogging, and 80% of the book is Daniel bouncing between terror and panic.

Maybe it says something about me, but I loved it.

While this book by no means gave me warm fuzzies, except for maybe on the last few pages, it was a powerfu ...more

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May 05, 2011 Cat Grant rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I wasn't quite sure what to make of this book at first, but it quickly sucked me in. Devoured the whole thing in one sitting! Looking forward to the next book in the series. ...more

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