Submission Times Two

by Claire Thompson

When Ethan and Cam met the year before at an underground BDSM club, their connection was intense and immediate. There's just one small problem-they're both subs. To work around this, they agree to find their own Doms for play, offering their submission and their bodies to would-be Masters, but leaving their hearts at home. The setup works fine, until the day Ethan meets a hot Dom named Maestro. For the first time, Ethan finds himself keeping secrets from his lover. And Maestro has secrets of his own. Unrequited passion and sizzling hot D/s lead to the three agreeing to a play scene that ends up ensnaring them all in something more powerful than any of them had dreamed of. Can two subs submit to a man who would claim not only their bodies, but their hearts and minds? Or will the intensity of a D/s ménage break their world apart?

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Menage, M M M, Gay, Romance, Erotica

103 pages, ebook

First published June 1, 2009

About the author

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

Reviews

[Danny Tyran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually a fan of threesomes, but the occasional story does stand out. This is one of them, mainly because of the unusual scenario. Ethan and Cam are committed lovers, but they have a problem because both are submissive; unable to top one another. Until now, they have been going to clubs to meet this need, but with rules for no sex or intimacy. The problem is, submission in itself can be very intimate with the right Dom. When Ethan meets a real Dom, he feels guilty like he's cheating on Cam. Ethan realizes that no matter how much he loves Cam, he has needs that aren't being met. But, these two are in love and they talk about it and decide that Cam needs to meet Andrew. Their lives are changed by the encounter as Cam realizes his needs are also not being met. I have to admit that when Andrew entered the relationship, the story got a little uncomfortable. First, Andrew is love with Ethan. Ethan and Cam go to Andrew's place (at first) simply to be topped. But, the dom wants more than that; he wants a relationship, with both of them. And, the subs are struggling with the concern that their attraction to Andrew could break them up.
There is not as much intercourse in this book as in most erotic gay romances. There is sex between Cam and Ethan at the beginning, but it's the dominance scenes that are highly erotic. Ms. Thompson gives us just enough of the 3 characters' background to make us care about them. Cam and Ethan are different in their submissive natures, and seeing how Andrew handles each is quite good. Overall, I thought this was an excellent BDSM romance. It is a little weaker than the Deviations series, mainly because it didn't address the everyday details, nitty gritty (like contracts) that those books did. However, the ending leaves room for a sequel wherein the author could go more in depth. I really hope there will be one as I would love to spend more time with Ethan, Cam and Andrew now that they have committed themselves.

[Jason Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story with realistic D/s and BDSM aspects. There were only a couple of times that my brows raised at certain circumstances but none were major enough to pull me out of the story completely. The Dom was very sexy and even though I couldnt imagine falling for another submissive to the point of a relationship, the author made it realistic and believable.

[Praj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire flavors up vanilla sex with an addictive potion of poignant restraints and orgasmic dominance. The trio - magnetic Andrew, vulnerable Ethan and seductive Cam, are a faultless fusion of heartbreaks, emotional explorations and sexual captivation.

[Serena Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this book had and interesting premise. Two subs who are very much in love but missing something in their lives, separately go looking for 'publlic' ways of submitting, excluding sex from those encounters. They keep the emotional side of their relationship, expressed in having sex, between themselves. In essence, they attempt the quintessential separation of the physical/BDSM from their love/emotions/sex.

This "experiment" manages to tide them over for a while, but leaves Ethan openly unsatisfied. He is looking for "the romance of BDSM" and a loving relationship with his Dom. When he runs into Andrew (who he went to school with) the arrangement with Cam is challenged. Ethan wants more with Andrew, but is scared of losing Cam's love. Cam is scared of losing Ethan's love and goes along to avoid pushing Ethan away.

I did like the book. But - if the idea was to show that these two subs were looking for more than a powerful Dom (i.e., what they called "the romance of BDSM"), this book (for me) didn't succeed. There was caring, needing and wanting - but no actual romance or love. A hint of it appeared at the very end of the book - but it was a hint only and, as such, left me missing the emotinal satisfaction of seeing these three men build something they all wanted.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Claire Thompson's other books and thought I'd give this one a read. The prospect of reading a Poly-BDSM book by one of my favorite authors stoked this M/M lovers curiosity. Overall it was an satisfying read but I anticipated more. The disappointing elements were Andrew's characterization as a pseudo-stalker Dom, parts of the book felt rushed, and quite frankly there just wasn't enough polysex. Still you should read it as I'm unabashedly more prurient than most readers :P

[Gigi · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I love me some Claire Thompson, I was unmoved by this tale of two subs looking for a Dom. There was too much uneasiness and jealously and not enough hot sex and BDSM for my liking. It ended with a HFN which I honestly didn't even really believe. *shrugs*

Can't recommend.

[MsMiz (Tina) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lent by Kindle.

More like 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this one - the struggle between two subs in love trying to find themselves together and also needing to find a Dom that did not take them apart. There was a lot of feeling in this book: love, pain, fear....more.

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Submission Times Two is a BDSM themed Menage featured a  Dom and two male subs. I liked that this story was much more developed than the usual romance of a novice sub 'not knowing' who they are, or what they want until they meet their Dom. I typically like the reluctant sub. This was a refreshing change. The characters were clearly defined and still struggled. Not with D/s but with the dynamic of making Submission times two, work. 

I don't recall reading Claire Thompson before but when I finished I searched more titles and found out I already owned a couple titles. I am not sure if they will be as good but it seems she has quite a few m/m and BDSM themed titles. Her author bio echoes my thoughts of her characters being mentally connected , emotionally vulnerable, and sexually dynamic as a Dom and sub.

Andrew is now an experienced Dom but in high school he harbored a crush on hot jock Ethan. Now he has a chance to make Ethan his, but at what cost. Ethan has excepted his love life, as a sub, with his sub boyfriend Cam. They fulfill a needed portion at BDSM clubs with Doms then go home and love each other. But two subs can't be what all each other needs. This becomes achingly apparent when Ethan reaches that blissful state that a skilled Dom can bring to a sub between pleasure and pain, called subspace, during a scene.

His feelings frighten him so much. Ethan cuts the scene short and goes home, into the arms of his boyfriend. There is no hiding their club scenes from each other but Cam realizes something is bothering Ethan from the scene between the Dom and him. After some discussion they decide to meet Andrew, together. 

The story continues with first meeting of the two sub's and the Dom (hot!), a spank scene between Cam and Andrew (freakin' hot!) and the finale between all three (my e reader didn't melt...but I sure did..lol). This is why I love erotic romance. Because as well written as the sex was. It was how Cam's acceptance of Ethan's need and Andrew's want of them both that made this real a real scorcher.

[Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire Thompson writes beautifully and this book is no exception ... the scenario is very believable ... the angst isn't contrived but instead, pushes the story along to it's HEA ... Yes Thompson's Doms are almost too perfect but that's okay because she manages to redeem them with some human frailties ... Thompson is also gifted at devising new and original sexual torture situations that make each of her books a fresh BDSM experience. If you enjoy this book you might also like Room at the Top by Jane Davitt ... I would recommend this book to lovers of BDSM & erotica alike.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars only because I think it needed a HFN ending with a book 2 instead of HEA. The characters and storyline were wonderful.

[Courtney Bassett · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

One of my friends tells me she doesn’t like ménage because she always ends up feeling like it’s unbalanced, and feels bad for the one who’s left out. Despite my assurances to her that they usually aren’t like that, this one is for almost all of it. With the subs already being in an established relationship, and a Dom who set his sights on one of them before ever meeting the other, it was inevitable that there would be jealousy or pain at being the odd man out.

Sure, that was more or less resolved by the end, but I was still left feeling vaguely unsatisfied, as they didn’t really decide to be together until 98%, and even then it was almost written more as a happy-for-now. It would have been nice if they could have made that decision earlier on so we could have seen them truly functioning as a triad, expressing love and permanent commitment with faith that it will last.

That being said, there were some great BDSM scenes, and it was fairly well written and edited.

[Norah · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow what a book. I loved loved loved it. Story of Ethan and Cam , both committed to each other both totally in love with each other, one problem they are both subs and deep down they know the casual scenes they do, to let their inner sub fly isnt what they really wont or need. Enter one very hot very sensual Dom, Andrew. Andrew is tired of the scene basically looking for something more something more than casual scenes , he finds Andrew , who was a long time ago school crush and decides to make a play for him ,only issue , andrew loves his partner.Can the three men come together to find something special or will it just be another casual scene/
The writing was awesome , the story kept you engrossed and all the characters were just amazing. I find sometimes the doms are made to be too harsh or unfeeling ,but Andrew he was just great.All characters seem to worm their way into your heart , I know i couldnt put the story down and loved each character equally.Yes its a BDSM content book , yes it does have menage in it to some extent dont let that put you off reading this book , it it really a great read following the paths of three men looking for something, yet afraid to reach for it incase they loose something they already have.
I just love it when guys find their true paths ,,ahhhh just as good as a box of chocolates. sweet,a nice mix and you cant close the lid till their alll gone,,,,,

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one.

No big drama or angst.
They didn't just jump into a 3 way relationship. This is the story of how, 2 became 3, and what it took to get there. It didn't end with the fairy tale HEA, but HFN. I'd love to read a story about how they are doing, now that they are all in the relationship together.
All 3 characters were likable.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good kinky m/m romance about a couple, deeply in love with each other, who are both submissive. Will they manage to keep their need to submit from destroying their relationship?

[Caia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4
Quote:

He knew them in the primal way Doms and subs who were born to connect knew one another.
It was a carnal knowledge that was coded into their DNA.
They were, quite literally, destined for one another, whether or not they chose to accept that destiny.
—
This was interesting
Ethan and Cam both submissives found love in each other
but can’t satisfy their need to submit
an open relationship only for play should be the solution but something still doesn’t feel right.
Andrew and Ethan connect via social media, after an intense scene Ethan can‘t stop thinking about this dominant presence and insta attraction
so he starts to break the rules he carefully made with Cam.
while there is a brief moment of emotional cheating and a kiss, they talk immediately and find a solution that works for everyone.
But Andrew has also some secret obsession towards Ethan and is determined to make him his.
But what happens when he becomes the opportunity
to get two devoted subs?
Answer: a lot of intense bdsm scenes which I enjoyed
Haha!
—
There’s definitely a lot of jealousy in this one
I liked the bdsm scenes and that they were able to work as a triad.
The book could’ve been a bit longer and elaborate one or two plotlines to get a better feeling for the relationship development; there was a insta lust and fast to love story
The ending came a bit sudden and I would’ve loved an epilogue
—

+kinktober
+t2s

[Mysterious Dude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire Thompson is officially my new fav author. This is second book of hers that I read, and it’s as remarkable as the previous one. Not only the Dom/Sub relationship described in a vividly jaw-dropping way that invests the reader, but so is the chemistry between all three characters. She described the potential issues of a throuple, and how one sometimes might feel jealous and left out of the other two. But she also delved into how these three people dealt with such issues and overcame them. A must read!

[Ashley D · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay book, I wasn't blown away by it, but I didn't completely hate it. I was just confused by all three of the MCs, it was like they couldn't make up their minds but who or what they wanted and needed out a relationship. I understand that for the most part you can grow and change what you want but it just seemed to happen so suddenly and out of nowhere that it threw me out of the book each time it happened.

[Az · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
I had an issue with this book pacing it felt rushed but also weirdly sluggish ?? I don't know how to explain it.
It wasn't a bad book though it just felt like it could be expanded.
Although I liked having the 3 POV I wonder if it wouldn't have been better to only have Cam's.
The little conflict at the end ? Uncessary, it didn't bring anything to the table except useless and misplaced angst.

[Michael Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can find my full review of “Submission Times Two” at my web site.

[Diane Dannenfeldt · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay.

[roxas warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

The book was amazing and very accurate. If anyone is interested in a true BDSM reafing experience I recommend this book.

[Katie (BooksRUs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to see different types of scenes described. Found the book as a whole wasn't to my taste. Not a lot of plot, which I like.

[Elisa Rolle]

Claire Thompson is probably among the few writers that can convince me to read a BDSM novel, probably since she always doses it with romance; and, strange enough, even if they are almost always centered around the BDSM world, she is able to reinvent the story and make it fresh and new.

Like in this case, about the Dom Andrew who fulfils his teenager dream to “possess” the jock Ethan; Ethan who was deeply in the closet when they were in high school, is now a submissive who only plays during public scenes, since he has another submissive lover waiting at home. Ethan and Cam have an agreement, since they love each other, but they cannot completely fulfil each other needs, during the weekend they are “free” to go and have their fill, but in separate clubs and without having sex with the Dom of the time.

That is not what Andrew wants, and at the beginning he is all for prove to Ethan that he is not really in love with Cam; but little by little Andrew realizes that yes, he needs Ethan since in this way he will realize his dream, but also Cam can be a good addition to that dream. Actually, from my side, I plenty preferred Cam over Ethan, I found Ethan to be a little spoiled and a little young; that is odd, since he was same age with Andrew and even some years older than Cam, but of the three he seemed the less accomplished. Andrew comes out a little better as a character, but not so much; his evolution from geeky nerd to handsome Dom is hinted but not fully explained. Who really comes out in a perfect way is Cam, so no wonder that I was cheering for him all along.

I think that, of the three, who was really sincere from the beginning to the end was Cam; Ethan claims to be in love with Cam, that he doesn’t want Andrew if he cannot have him with Cam along, but sincerely I think that if he was faced with a choice, Cam would not the one. Andrew grew into Cam with the evolution of their relationship, but at the beginning Cam was only a “good” burden to achieve his purpose, Ethan. Cam instead was always open with his needs and desires: he doesn’t jump into the chance to have a threesome with Andrew, even if he is attracted by the man, until he is not sure that this will not jeopardize his relationship with Ethan, and even when he agrees to give it a try, he is always not only the one more cautious, but also who is able to read Andrew’s needs, better than Ethan for sure, and maybe even of the same Andrew.

Another point that I liked is that this is really a BDSM novel and the BDSM is not mixed with sex or love; actually the three of them doesn’t have sex together until their relationship is not defined and steady, and this will happen well after they started to have a scene all together.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/143924622X/?...

[Charly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on BDSM

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 8/10

PROS:
- Ethan and Cam’s relationship is open and honest and touching. Even when Andrew shows up and we see how perfectly right he and Ethan would be together, the bond between Ethan and Cam is strong enough that I never once wanted them to break up.
- Thompson uses a contemporary element in society to good effect: how do Andrew and Ethan first start corresponding? They talk on Facebook.
- Ethan’s and Cam’s personalities are different. I could understand not only how they fell for each other, but also how each had different needs as a sub and how each could fall for Andrew at the same time but not at the same pace.
- Like others of Thompson’s works I’ve read, there’s not really much sex, relatively speaking. There’s a lot of repressed desire and a few hot scenes, sure, but the story’s more about psychological exploration than eroticism.

CONS:
- The longing of Andrew for Ethan, the sub he meets first, is heartbreaking. Both guys obviously want each other for more than just kicks at a club, yet Ethan is completely devoted to Cam and Andrew, even while hoping to seduce Ethan away from his lover, is too respectful to force anything. This makes for a great ending when Andrew meets Cam and those two fall for each other also, but several of the scenes in which Andrew witnesses the other two men’s intimacy are pretty sad.
- I didn’t quite believe the speed at which Cam develops feelings for Andrew or the supposed strength of all three men’s bond at the end. The majority of the book concerns the tentative first steps of their relationship; it doesn’t touch much on the deepening of their feelings.

Overall comments: I’ve come to really enjoy books that depict BDSM relationships. This one isn’t as harsh as some I’ve encountered before (the Deviations series and Dr. Fell, for example), but it’s fairly hard-core, especially in Andrew’s affinity for oxygen deprivation to test his subs’ trust.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite well done. I really enjoyed the dynamics between the three men ~ Ethan, Cam and Andrew aka Maestro. The fact I can remember all three names w/o a problem is a darn good indication I enjoyed the book and connected with the characters.

I was a bit stunned by Cam and Ethan's D/s agreement. I wouldn't allow it because it exactly leads to a Maestro/Ethan situation. That need Ethan has was not met and when allowed to find someone to fulfill it, it's always a very dicey proposition. I am impressed with how Ms. Thompson wrote this situation and how she resolved it. The realistic reactions of jealousy, fear and desire were so well written, I felt like a voyeur in the room with them.

Personally, when I'm worked on as a demo bunny for some of the BDSM devices, it doesn't turn me on. I don't have that much of connection with the person flogging, shocking, whipping or lighting me on fire. However, that is in the demo situation where I'm basically just there to be "beaten". When I scene with my DH, the feeling is very different. It brings out my submissive side. Just like Ethan and Cam, I would be hard press to say no to anything. I can totally see the dilemma they face. Now that we are exploring more of the BDSM side, it's deepening our already existing bond ~ very similar to how it's described in this story.

I love the way Ms. Thompson writes her scenes. She uses a couple of BDSM plays that aren't the standard norm. Even those that are pretty common, she writes them in smexy ways. I like it. Makes me wet! I recommend this book to menage m/m BDSM loves. This just totally hits the spot! You even get a happily ever after.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

For 100 pages there seemed to be a lot of plot jammed in. Or it felt like it. Ethan and Cam are lovers but both subs. To get around their need for domination they have an agreement that they can go to clubs and meet up with guys but no sex. Ethan starts chatting with a guy on Facebook (you know this is going to end badly - Facebook hook-ups always do) and meets Maestro and has an instant connection and freaks because he loves Cam but can't get Maestro (Andrew) out of his head. He finally fesses up and Cam thinks he should meet the guy to see if they can make it work. Seems Andrew when to school with Ethan way back in the day where Ethan was the closeted football star and Andrew was the picked on nerd and he suggests they have a threesome. While his intention is to seduce Ethan away from Cam he falls for Cam as well. Can they make it work?

I generally like m/m/m and while I'm not a big BDSM fan it can work for me. Part of this I felt like was teaching me the ropes, there were lots of detailed descriptions of equipment and different activities and an emphasis on Cam's short-term relationship with a guy who wanted a slave and how that was different than a loving D/s relationship with various examples. So I felt it was kind of preachy and assumed the reader knew nothing about the scene (which I really don't but not the point). There was also this "connection" between a sub and a dom that was kind of mystical, combined with Andrew's obsession with Ethan for 10 years. So it was okay but I didn't get much satisfaction out of it all for some reason.

[Trix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story. Though I would rather give it 3.5 stars as rating, I rounded it to 4.

The reason why I couldn't quite immerse in the story is because the feelings and actions of the characters seemed a bit forced in the beginning. It was logical that all 3 men would have to develop feelings for each other for the relationship to work. But the interaction between Cam and Andrew seemed manufactured, at least at first. I knew before reading, that Andrew would meet Cam alone at the opening of the gallery and that a spark would fly between them. Maybe I just don't believe in love at first sight but that is what I felt the author was trying to hint at between Andrew and Cam that night at the gallery, thus preparing the foundation for their relationship later on.

However, once the setting had been arranged, I came to like the story more. It was interesting to see all 3 points of view of the relationship. Each very distinct and bringing into focus important issues and questions needing answers. The BDSM element was also nicely presented and boundaries were respected both in what concerned the specific of the scenes as well as the wish of all three men to partake in them. I also liked how in tandem the sexual and emotional involvement progressed. It made it easier to be pulled into the story.

There were bits and pieces that I liked and some that I didn't. But overall, I liked the plot line and the characters and thought they deserved their HEA.

[Jaycee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. The premise seemed genuine as did the characters and their journey. While compressed as a time frame as romance novels have to be, the realistic feel of the journey was not compromised; it's presentation pretty much perfectly executed.

I liked Cam and Ethan as individuals and as a couple, and their honesty as a pair was pleasing to see. I loved Andrew as the Dom...or the idea of him as the Dom. I loved the concept of what he was as a child compared to what he became as a fully realized adult. I loved that he was honest about what he initially wanted but also honest enough with himself to see what he ultimately wanted. Andrew as a Dom, was sensitive to the individual past experiences and current needs of both Cam and Ethan. There was no drama between the three that was not openly and quickly dealt with. Angst free zone here, and much appreciated.

A 4 star rating instead of a 5 was purely from the lack of emotional connection I, as the reader, felt with Andrew. If I thought he was written as such a strong Dom and I liked the unfolding of the tale as it relates to him, why am I not figuratively dropping to my own knees as I read him? I can't put my finger on it and yet, there it is.

My interpretation is admittedly my own, and I do understand the 5's that have been awarded. In fact, I believe most readers will, and indeed should, come to a 5 star conclusion.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book by Claire Thompson that I have tried and I really wanted to like it. I found the concept of the story interesting, two young men who were both submissive sharing a close relationship of 11 months who decided to let a third person into their relationship. It had promise, but sadly, for me it doesn't quite deliver.

I found myself torn between thinking that the story was taking too long to get going, and then that it was rushing to a conclusion...pacing problems were rife within the narrative.

I found the relationship between Cam and Ethan, the two submissive men, believable, but occasionally a little too cloyingly sweet. It was obvious that they trusted each other--except when they didn't trust each other and leaped to some overwrought, and overplayed conclusions about each other during the story.

There was an awful lot of internal monologue and navel gazing which I found somewhat distracting, at times verging on info-dump. Especially about the finer points of BDSM.

The close-knit bond between Ethan and Cam became a problem when it came to allowing Andrew Townsend into their lives permanently and I found that this was far too easily resolved for my liking.

At the end of it all, I am left in two minds. I was engaged enough to finish reading the book, and yet, it left me wanting...

[Rizal Pahakuat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Submission Times Two is a book where you can find one hot Dom is having two cute Subs who are surrender to give everything they have. A threesome fantasy of D/ lifestyle is the biggest attraction from this book. Since the beginning, I already imagined about three hot males are making love for the entire pages. It does, but not quite enough.

For me, reading m2m romance is expected to meet many-many hot-spicy-scenes on the book. While the tittle itself bring me some erotic fantasy, the whole story isn’t give me what I want. Yes, this book describes every single detail beautifully about the three of them, Andrew, Ethan, and Cameron. How do they met each other, how does their feeling to one and another, and how does their arrangement finally happened. It’s engaging story, actually, but with three HOT males, for God’s sake, I need more HOT scenes.

I am fan of BDSM kinda story. But, everytime I read the part of it here, I didn’t feel anything but little disappointed, though the scene was incredibly fascinating. It caught me emotionally, but not erotically. Too bad, because on my selfishness mood, I need some-hot-juicy story which give me an incredible time for not having any boyfriend yet. Ups!

Okay, overall, the book is well-written, and I am just happy to give it 3 out of 5 star. Just give it a try, pals, happy reading!