Deviations: Submission [Paperback]

Chris Owen (Author), Jodi Payne (Contributor)

Book Description

Series: Deviations | Publication Date: June 26, 2008

Tobias is a skilled Dom, able to bring even the most hesitant submissive around. Noah is a man in need of just that. He wants to sub badly, but has yet to find someone he believes can take him where he needs to go. Through a series of encounters in the world of bondage and discipline, Noah reveals why he has trouble trusting, why he needs such a firm, steady hand. Tobias may allow himself to dominate, but he has trouble letting himself love. Still, Tobias can't resist Noah's charms, and the two of them set about making a scene for themselves, one that works for them and their unique set of problems. They learn to love, but can they stay together while they explore each others' secrets, in a world where all is laid bare and emotions run high? From authors Chris Owen, writer of the popular Bareback, and Jodi Payne, writer of String of Pearls comes a romance on the deviant side, where love is all tied up with the need to submit, the need to dominate, and the need to share a life of exploration and care. These two skilled authors create a world that's hard to resist, and a book that's even harder to put down.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Cynthia Potts, editor of the upcoming Play Ball anthology, writes: Good little boys know that there are rewards to be had at the end of the day. Sometimes, if they're very lucky, bad boys know that too. Readers of either gender--and behavioral tendency--will surely be rewarded if they pick up Deviation: Submission.

In a delightful volume by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne, we're brought inside the intimate dynamics of a master/sub relationship, exquisitely played out between Tobias, a skilled if hesitant Dom, and Noah, who longs to be a sub but has yet to find a man worthy of his trust.

Owen and Payne use the tropes of the genre--the secluded, discrete sex club, the luxurious, multi-faceted home dungeon--so effectively that one is instantly 'in' Tobias and Noah's world. One cannot help but be touched by Tobias's warring emotions as he is reluctant to enter a new relationship yet cannot resist Noah's charms. His explorations of Noah's history shed a bright light on the sometimes awkward and difficult corners of the lifestyle, adding a refreshing level of realism to the tale. We see far more of Noah than his submissive side, with sneak peeks into his professional and personal life that transform him into a whole person, rather than a cardboard cut-out of a character.

There is a satisfying amount of tension in this story. The sudden appearance of Phan, Tobias's former lover, puts a new strain on a fledgling relationship, while Noah's difficulties with trust provide a constant challenge.

At over 200 pages, Deviations: Submission takes quite a while to read. It is, however, time well spent. The prose is well-handled, with engaging descriptions and nicely rounded secondary characters. The erotic action is on the softer side of the paddle, so to speak, but this actually serves the needs of the story very well. Not to be missed. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Torquere Press (June 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933389850
• ISBN-13: 978-1933389851
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,073,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Touching Story!!, December 23, 2006

By 

Jane (Canada) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Deviations: Submission (Paperback)

I absolutely loved the story and the characters! Story and characters were well devloped.Certainly this is a different BDSM scene from many other books I have read. This is a touching story of a Dom and a sub and their respective lives and loves in the world of BDSM. I loved both characters which have their flaws and sensitivities. Certainly Tobias is a most thoughtful Dominant and Noah a willing submissive who has a lot to learn. The story is refreshing and enlightening but also very erotic, and sensual. Tobias shows Noah that there are more way to dominate than physical pain. But when need be Tobias can deliver the whip! Another good read from Chris Owen. Have already ordered the sequel!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot BDSM Romance, December 2, 2007

By 

Jem (MD, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Deviations: Submission (Kindle Edition)

I really enjoy M/M erotica and romance. But, I wasn't so sure about gay BDSM. This book totally changed my mind! The characters are engaging, the story is realistic and the sex is hot. But, there is also a deeply felt relationship beginning between Tobias and Noah that makes the reader want more. The BDSM aspects can be a little uncomfortable to someone who isn't involved in that (like me), but no more uncomfortable than stories that have elements of rape, danger or abuse to propel a plot. I devoured this book, and the sequel "Deviations: Dominance" is a couple of days. If you are a fan of gay romance, do yourself a favor and try this.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heavy BDSM that I enjoyed for the most part but also made me cringe at times, June 18, 2009

By 

Charly T. Anchor (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Deviations: Submission (Paperback)

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

Rating: 7/10

PROS:
- A different and more in-depth look at the BDSM lifestyle than I've encountered anywhere else. I don't participate in the scene, and though I've read other books about it--Claire Thompson's Switch, Sean Michael's Between Friends: Sammy's Place--this book portrays a more extreme version of the scene. Reading about various levels of the lifestyle has rounded out my view of it and helped me to understand a bit of its mystery.
- Some of the sex I found very hot (although other scenes made me uncomfortable).
- Interesting role-play scenes that I read with a sort of puzzled fascination.
- Likeable supporting characters--almost all of them, in fact.

CONS:
- We never hear any of Noah's internal thoughts. He's honest and vocal, which allows the reader access to his emotions, but no dialog is ever quite as personal or deep as a character's unvoiced thoughts. On one hand, it's great to focus on the worry and giddiness of a Dom who understands the weight of the power he wields over his partner, but on the other, I wanted to see the elation and hesitation of the sub also, who puts himself so completely at another man's mercy.
- I couldn't help balking at some of the ways Tobias asked Noah to submit to him. I understand some people enjoy pain along with the pleasure of sex, so whipping and other similar things aren't that much of a mystery to me. But denying someone an orgasm for 2 days when he's turned on the whole time? And making him sleep on the floor instead of in the bed? Made me cringe.
- I didn't understand why Noah, who must submit in every area of his life, gets away with taking the initiative in sex at times. Even to the point of causing Tobias to beg at one point.
- Something major happens during one of the scenes, and Tobias doesn't address it then, thinking that they'll discuss it later in the safe room. But the discussion never happens. Maybe it will in one of the later books...
- One editing issue that I found very difficult to read around: throughout the book, dashes (--, or one long line that's essentially two hyphens connected) are written as hyphens with no space before or after them. Here's an example of how this leads to confusion: "Allison is very smart-that stir-fry got things going quite well, if I recall." The first hyphen should be a dash, but as it's written, it appears to signal one of two (incorrect) things: either "that stir" is being set off by dashes on either side, or "smart-that" is one compound word.

Overall comments: I'm definitely intrigued enough to continue reading the series, but this is the heaviest, most graphic look at BDSM I've read, and I'd be lying if I said that at times it doesn't wig me out just a little.