Author(s): Claire Thompson

Romance

urning Tricks Claire Thompson When Greg first brought the homeless, drug-addicted nineteen-year-old away from her life on the streets, he appeared to be Ashley's savior. But the rescuer soon turned into the jailer, forcing Ashley into a life of prostitution. Unaware she had a choice, Ashley kept Greg's house by day and turned tricks by night. As the years passed, Greg's control over Ashley's mind and body seemed almost complete. Any protest was met with brutal punishment and Ashley learned to retreat into herself, more lost than before he had found her. When she stumbles onto an intriguing romance novel at the supermarket counter, the first glimmer of realization that life could be different penetrates the young woman's mind, lifting her spirits as she pours over the stories of romance and empowerment. Soon books become Ashley's secret world, a place of refuge and of hope for something different. When she meets Andrew at her favorite bookstore, the potential of a different life suddenly seems possible. The romance of her favorite novels is offering itself to her in real life. But in order for romance to develop, Ashley must first find confidence in herself to escape Greg and his very real threats to kill her. Luckily for Ashley, she has already found her very own real-life romance hero. Andrew Nolan is a sexy, exciting man who slowly introduces Ashley to the erotic possibilities of romantic submission. Sexual servitude at the hands of a pimp is beautifully contrasted to the luscious, sensual intensity of a loving D/s lifestyle in this sometimes harrowing but ultimately romantic novel. With loving honesty and courage, together they explore the passionate possibilities of a BDSMlifestyle. Ashley takes to heart the lessons of her beloved romance novels, drawing from them the universal message that in the end it is love which redeems us. Note: This novel contains strong subject matter and is not for the faint of heart.