Bent [Paperback]

Sean Michael (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 2008

Marcus knows Jim is his minutes after meeting the snarly, jumpy ex-professor at the local bookstore. He thinks Jim is a natural submissive, someone who needs order and discipline in his life to help with Jim's anxiety and bad health habits. So Marcus decides to pursue Jim relentlessly, because even if Jim's mouth is saying no, his body is saying yes. There's a lot more to Jim than meets the eye, and Marcus will have to be careful. Jim knows what it means to lose everything, knows what it's like to be without friends or family. Jim feels broken, and knowing that he likes the kinds of weird things Marcus wants to do to him only makes him scared that he's losing his mind. Their chemistry is so real, so genuine, that Jim lets Marcus wear him down, lets Marcus take control. Eventually, his trust grows, allowing them to enter into the BDSM lifestyle together, learning about each other every day, with every scene. Jim is still uncertain sometimes, though, and he thinks Marcus might just want him because he's cracked. Can this top and bottom pair find a way to understand their wants and needs, and make a life that works for them alone?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Syd McGinley, author of the Lost and Found Chaser series, writes: Laid back top Marcus is having a relaxed Saturday morning -- a treat of a shave and buff, coffee, a bookstore visit -- and anticipating the whipping he has booked for that evening. His pleasant morning is interrupted by a rude, over-caffeinated ball of tension. Marcus instantly diagnoses Jim as in need of a damn good spanking.

Seems like a promising start to a satisfying tale of dom meets boy, spanks some sense into him, and all is well, right?

Right, but…

Sean takes the story up a notch just where some D/s stories might wind down. Jim Upton isn’t just a spoiled, bratty bottom, he’s a man with plenty of good reasons to be angry at the world. Marcus is sure he can help him -- if only Jim will let him. Marcus and Jim have more to give us than just scorching sex, sizzling spankings, and sweet surrenders. At over 400 pages, this is a totally satisfying read, but I still wanted more. Luckily, there’s unfinished business for Marcus to help Jim through, and plenty of teasers about where a sequel might go. There better had be a sequel. I need more!

If you’re a Sean Michael fan, you don’t need telling twice – go get the book. If you’re not a Sean Michael fan, I’m assuming you just plain haven’t read any before, so buy the book, and join the club. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 492 pages
• Publisher: Torquere Press (August 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603704353
• ISBN-13: 978-1603704359
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,214,019 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Unstoppable Force meets an Immovable Object!, August 26, 2008

By 

Jane (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bent (Paperback)

This is the slow evolution of a dominant man,Marcus, bringing a sub into his own (even though Jim doesn't know he is a sub)
Well written with good backstory of Jim, given to the reader in small morsels which keeps us interested.
Personally,(and I don't know why) I didn't like, Marcus,(the character that was created by Sean Michael). I think I felt him too over-the-top in his initial meeting of Jim i.e. you need to be spanked (and does it!) and then in a couple of days of meeting Jim..taking him for tatoos, then piercings, and then moving in..all in the space of 2 weeks!
I wish there was more of a 'courtship' if you will with Marcus getting to know Jim and his emotional problems.
I didn't feel I knew Marcus and I wish there was more of a description and perhaps background.
For me it was too much too soon IMO.
I need more of a chase, more personal interaction, more build up of heat.
I didn't feel any heat between the two until over half way through the book..and I think it was because I finally got more of a feel for Marcus.
If you are a gay man...perhaps this is your world and so this is a hot book for you.
So I only took off a star because Marcus turned me off so much.
The writing is excellent as ever Sean Michael can deliver.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Journey of Self-Discovery, June 15, 2009

By 

B. D. Whitney "BookWenches" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bent (The Hammer Club) (Kindle Edition)

What defines "normal" anyway? What's right for one man (or woman) is not necessarily ideal for another. If everyone were the same and lived the same kind of life, then the world would be a mighty boring place to exist in, wouldn't it? Perhaps we should celebrate our individuality, whether this leads to us following what would be defined as a "normal" lifestyle or one that might be considered somewhat alternative. In Sean Michael's novel Bent, his characters deal with this very issue. This is a story about accepting and even embracing who you are in spite of any fears about the real or imagined perceptions of others.

This novel is very typical of Mr. Michael's work. It is well-written and very sensual, and it focuses on the characters and their internal conflicts rather than any external source of tension. The story is told in a set of scenes separated by time. Each scene is a mini-story of its own, documenting a milestone in their relationship, whether it be a step forward or a step back.

Mr. Michael's unique narrative style pulls you into the minds of the characters, so we watch their struggles on two different levels - as observer and as participant. We experience the confusion on each of the two main characters parts as they try to reconcile their fears and emotions and work to build a relationship based on love and the BDSM lifestyle. Jim has been broken down through the events in his past and has lost his self-confidence to a point where he must keep himself on a strict schedule just stay sane and feel like he is in control of his life. His lifestyle balances on the edge of self-abuse. When he meets Marcus, he is stretched so tightly that it feels as if he'll snap should any more tension be placed on his shoulders. Marcus's intervention in his life pulls him out of what has become an unhealthy environment. He teaches Jim that he is anything but worthless and weak and that there are people out there who will appreciate and care about him regardless of societal "norms."

In Bent there is no question that the reason this alternative lifestyle works for Jim and Marcus is due to the love, trust, and respect that they feel for each other. This is not just one man whaling on another one. As the two characters explore each other sexually, it is extremely clear that this is a consensual act that involves limits. There is a safe word involved, and as soon as that word is invoked, all activity stops immediately and without question. Although we may not find this particular style of sexual interaction to be our preference, we can't help but respect the choices that are made by the characters. Rather than appearing creepy or uncomfortable, the rules and bondage and spanking seem to be right for these two.

The story ends without a physical resolution to the main external conflict in the story. At first, I felt some disappointment in this. However, upon reflection, I see that in Jim and Marcus's world, this issue ceases to exist as soon as Jim makes an emotional peace with it. It's quite clever, really, and shows just how far Jim has progressed in his journey to regain his identity and self-worth.

Fans of Mr. Michael's writing with doubtless enjoy Bent. Those new to his work will need to check their inhibitions at the door, open their mind a little, and prepare to be charmed by the characters as they go on an intense journey of self-discovery.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Disappointment, February 23, 2009

By 

A. L. Cherry "proud member of the nerd squad" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bent (Paperback)

What I liked:
--The sex was hot and kinky--just the way I like it!
--There was very little outside conflict--all the conflict came from within Jim, the sub, and his difficulty reconciling his needs with his beliefs.

What I didn't like:
--The sex was too frequent. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that out of nearly 500 pages, perhaps 50 was actual plot.
--The dialogue was stiff and unbelievable. In fact, I think the only thing this author wrote well was the sex.
--The editing was terrible. The grammar and spelling mistakes were distracting. ESPECIALLY the punctuation.
--The lack of variation in word choice got distracting after a while, but that's a pet peeve.

Out of the three "gay fiction" books I've ordered, this is the one I enjoyed the least. If porn without plot is what you want, I say go for it. If you're not distracted by poor word/grammar/spelling usage, then I say go for it. If you want a plotty, well-written, well-edited, tastefuly executed piece of fiction that you'll enjoy reading again and again...well, maybe this isn't for you. It certainly wasn't for me.