Submission (Deviations, #1)

Aug 15, 2008 ElaineY rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm, contemporary-romance

I bought all three of the Deviations series but after reading (not finished), the other two went to the bottom of my ebooks TBR list. While I like the writing, it wasn't my type of story. The BDSM scene doesn't interest me first of all and Deviations is entirely focused on the Lifestyle and the people involved in it.

I prefer a romance that's not just character-driven but plot as well and the the BDSM Lifestyle shouldn't be the main feature, which it is in these books.

If you like BDSM themes then...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Dreamer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotica, m-m-romance, bdsm, author-canadian, kindle, own-series, cc

Hurrah, finished this, quite pleased it ended 63% through on my kindle, it was getting on my nerves. Tobias keeps calling his sub: pet, boy, baby and sweetheart, Noah is a cop for god's sake!

Also Noah's subservience reminded me of Paul Whitehouse in 'The Fast Show' (called 'Brilliant' in the US) who's catchphrase was 'suits you, sir'..
"So hot, sir!... Hard to breathe, need to, need it, sir, please, please!"

Yuk!

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May 25, 2011 TheFountainPenDiva rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: characters-male-dominants, characters-male-submissives, genre-bdsm, e-books-purchased, genre-erotica, other-emotional, settings-bdsm-clubs, sex-anal-play, sex-masturbation, sex-oral, sex-toys, theme-bondage, theme-male-submission

As a sub-genre of erotica/erotic romance, BDSM-themed novels are all the rage these days. One doesn't have to look too hard to find salacious covers with leather-clad hunks and corset-cinched goddesses holding whips and handcuffs. Like all popular genres of fiction, it's become pretty damn near difficult to find the gems, the books written by people who either know the scene firsthand or who care enough to thoroughly research the lovestyle in order to present it as another form of healthy sexual...more As a sub-genre of erotica/erotic romance, BDSM-themed novels are all the rage these days. One doesn't have to look too hard to find salacious covers with leather-clad hunks and corset-cinched goddesses holding whips and handcuffs. Like all popular genres of fiction, it's become pretty damn near difficult to find the gems, the books written by people who either know the scene firsthand or who care enough to thoroughly research the lovestyle in order to present it as another form of healthy sexual expression. Sadly, a large portion of BDSM-themed books read more like the JT's Stockroom catalog with some emotionally messed-up characters tossed in for dramatic effect.

I was pleasantly surprised by Submission, the first book in the Deviations series. I'm not a huge fan of BDSM club-based stories since everyone seems to be doing it and all the club scenes are pretty much written the same way, featuring lots of loud techno music, scantily-clad women and leather-bedecked men. However, the understated club in Submission works well. The dining scene gave me a chance to get to know Tobias, the elegant and cultured Dom, and Noah the strong-willed but wary sub who very much wants what Tobias is offering. Granted, if you're looking for hot sex right off the bat, this foreplay will probably bore you. For those of us who understand the dance, the subtle give and take, this scene is sexy as hell.

And yes, I loved Phan. I can't wait to read more about him.

The bondage/domination scenes were incredibly hot and very inventive, but it was the moments between the sex scenes that made this a keeper. Tobias isn't the all-knowing, all-seeing top. He has moments where he's completely unsure about where to take Noah next. He's a Dom who understands his role, but is also not restrained by it. He's stern when necessary and always loving (I could easily sub for a person like that, LOL). Noah isn't just some weak submissive. He has his issues and the lines he doesn't quite know if he's ready to cross. I really loved his response as to why he needs the freedom of BDSM. As a cop, he says that he just needs to feel. That he doesn't want to become the kind of officer who can remain cold while telling a family that someone's been killed. Reading his words was so profound for me and really makes sense. I loved the connection between them--the love and the respect and even the moments of humor.

It was also cute that Noah learned how to cook for Tobias and I loved how they created hot roleplay scenes together. Tobias' play-barn makes all those silly club scenes look totally lame.

On male subs: it seems to me that it's far easier and perhaps more acceptable to write about a male sub in a gay relationship rather than male sub in a straight one. Romancelandia loves its alphas and just can't wrap its brain around a strong man who loves the stronger hand of a woman. Oh well, their loss. Submission shows them how it should be done.

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Jan 08, 2011 Jo * Smut-Dickted * rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, m-m, read-on-kindle, qgbc-q1-2011-read

The first half of this I just didn't get the draw that everyone talks about with the series. I thought it was kind of cold and clinical. I didn't see any of the emotion and it seemed very flat. Sort of like watching a show about surgeon's that's a documentary vs. watching a drama about surgeons. Although the documentary is interesting it wouldn't normally make me overly connective with the characters. The second half of the book redeemed it greatly - I got much more connected and invested in the...more

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Mar 11, 2013 ❂ Endless rated it 3 of 5 stars

That... was a weird ending...or maybe it was for me 'cos I don't care for open endings of books with sequels. Even if it's going to have sequels, I like a book that can stand on it's own with a proper ending.

With that out of the way... This book was hardcore BDSM with walking to heel and doing mundane tasks as part of submission, etc. It was well written for the most part but I didn't really care for the role play. The sex was scorching hottt...

All in all, it was nice (if I ignore the abrupt end...more

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Sep 19, 2009 Jason Huffman-black rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-d-s, bdsm, ebook, m-m

This book would have received a far higher rating if it had been merely compared to others within its genre. Although the conversations felt stilted and the characters seemed to have a limited range of emotional reactions, I became invested in both the characters' lives and the eroticism. I'm impressed with the authenticity on the subject matter.

I admit this is my first m/m erotica novel so I may be judging it far too harshly.

I will be reading the second book in this series and find myself loo...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Shaz rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mm, mm-bdsm-d-s-kink, mm-cops-firemen-military-etc, favourites

Damn, damn, damn! Another series I now can't wait to finish and yet have no time for.... So, yes, I loved this book. For me it was everything I hoped for. The building relationship between Tobias and Noah isn't a smooth perfect ride, no like any, it has it's share of bumps and potholes along the way. But what a ride it is... I know I fell in love with both of these MC's while I was reading it and yes, now I have to find time to read the rest of the books. Thank you Chris and Jodi for a fantastic...more

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Jul 08, 2010 Minh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, mm

I feel the need to make a strong case for this series. It's hard to write a fragmented review for each novel as they all link together to form one whole story. I was delighted when my previous review on the series scored a comment from Jody Payne herself! Nearly fainted when I saw that in the inbox :D. But I'll include my initial review here;

I... really liked this series. But I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I know, simply because I don't know anyone who enjoys this type of genre. It was inten...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Ruth C. rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, romance

Saw this at the top of the m/m bdsm list, so I thought I'd check it out... and I can honestly say I don't understand how it made it to the top.

This book is, quite frankly, boring. Everything is told so dispassionately. It's supposed to be about Noah finding his limits, but everything happens so coldly that I never get the sense that something big happened.

I wonder if this novel would have worked better told from Noah's POV; maybe getting into his head during the scenes would have made things fee...more

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Oct 31, 2012 Charly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Heavy BDSM that I enjoyed for the most part but also made me cringe at times

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 t...more Heavy BDSM that I enjoyed for the most part but also made me cringe at times

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.(less)

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Oct 29, 2012 Plainbrownwrapper rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm

I kept seeing this book around, and I was curious about it, so I gave it a try. Unfortunately, I can now report that it was.....boring. Yes, I said it, boring. Another reviewer had the right term for it -- most of it reads a lot like a documentary about BDSM. Or perhaps an educational video.

I'm not a huge fan of BDSM, but I like to occasionally read BDSM books to explore why people would get involved in this sort of subculture, and what they're feeling while they participate. Some BDSM books, l...more I kept seeing this book around, and I was curious about it, so I gave it a try. Unfortunately, I can now report that it was.....boring. Yes, I said it, boring. Another reviewer had the right term for it -- most of it reads a lot like a documentary about BDSM. Or perhaps an educational video.

I'm not a huge fan of BDSM, but I like to occasionally read BDSM books to explore why people would get involved in this sort of subculture, and what they're feeling while they participate. Some BDSM books, like Nowhere Ranch or At His Throat, A Promise, or to a lesser extent Bound and Determined, I do enjoy because they really let me feel along with the characters and understand why they're doing what they're doing. Heck, I can even sometimes appreciate -- although "enjoy" might be the wrong word -- rough books like Power Play: Resistance if they can make me believe in the purpose behind what's going on. But in contrast, and somewhat paradoxically, I never really feel the MCs in this book even though every single step is spelled out to the reader in great -- perhaps even clinical -- detail.

And then we start getting to this stuff that makes my eyes start rolling. Like -- the MC Tobias is supposed to be a large animal veterinarian, but he has at least two homes -- one of them a fancy farm -- and an immense and elaborate dungeon setup that would obviously cost big bucks to create -- AND he has a driver on call with a Mercedes. Sorry, folks, but large animal vets just don't make that kinda dough, and we aren't given any other explanation for why this guy might be rich until more than 2/3 of the way through the book. And then we're expected to believe that a rich guy would still be sticking his hand up cow's asses in a dinky 2 person practice? I don't think so. Oh, and he's supposed to have all weekend off, every weekend?? Dream on! Same for the cop -- he's a COP, fercrissake, but in the book we're supposed to believe that he works 9-5 and has every weekend off??? And THEN we start into the dress-up roll playing. Sorry, but playing "naughty schoolboy" or, in this case, "lecherous boss and virginal office subordinate" just makes me scoff condescendingly.

Most BDSM-type books I've read focused on the experience of the sub, so it was somewhat interesting to focus on the Dom in this case. And it was interesting to get such a detailed description of negotiations and analyses and so on. For those features, I'm giving this 3 stars instead of 2. But as a fiction-reading experience, this just didn't do anything for me.(less)

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Dec 18, 2011 H.B. Pattskyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoy a good m/m BDSM story, with complex, realistic characters--so in other words, I *loved* this book.

It would have been a perfect five out of five stars if not for a few things that just annoy me. No major spoilers, so feel free to read on.

It's a bit trite when one of the men (the Dom, of course) is obviously wealthy. The sub isn't dirt poor, but a beat cop isn't going make as much as a guy with two houses/residences, a driver, a house keeper and a guy to exercise his horses when he'...more I really enjoy a good m/m BDSM story, with complex, realistic characters--so in other words, I *loved* this book.

It would have been a perfect five out of five stars if not for a few things that just annoy me. No major spoilers, so feel free to read on.

It's a bit trite when one of the men (the Dom, of course) is obviously wealthy. The sub isn't dirt poor, but a beat cop isn't going make as much as a guy with two houses/residences, a driver, a house keeper and a guy to exercise his horses when he's not on the farm to do it himself. That alone wouldn't have knocked the story down for me too much because I kinda did the same thing in one of my stories, so who am I to call the kettle black? Besides, who doesn't want a rich boyfriend? A little bit of a cliche can be overlooked.

The other issue was a lot bigger:

The men meet in a "perfect" gentleman's club to which they both belong. The absolute perfection of this place was a test of my ability to suspend my disbelief (although brownie points get awarded for minor characters with some depth who work there!) If the wallpaper had been curling or the carpet stained in one room, I would have found the place more credible and given this amazing story 5 full stars.

Otherwise, I found rich, complex characters, endowed with enough baggage and backstory to make them interesting, but not so much it was overwhelming, well rounded minor characters (except for the perfect owner of the perfect club), and some really, really good (i.e. credible) BDSM scenes--which is why I pick up BDSM themed romances. I like a high heat level and I'm not afraid of whips and chains ;-) If those aren't your cup of tea, this one might not be for you--but regardless, the writeing is excellent.

My only other complaint is the abruptness of the ending. I won't comment overly much, not wanting to spoil anything, but the ending felt kind of like being dropped suddenly on my butt... there I was, it was over, the end, no more. It wasn't that it felt too short or even rushed, I just expected a more complete ending. (No cliffhanger, no bittersweet, so no worries there). (less)

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Sep 03, 2011 Frances McNeal rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2011

Lots of thoughts on this book. First great writing by Chris, I could totally visualize the story, I got to know the characters, I grew attached to them and really struggled with some things they each went through. Overall I think this is the hardest core BDSM book I've read. I thought some of Maya Bank's Sweet series had some of this with Damon/Sabrina's story but this was much more of a master/slave type relationship. I have a hard time imagining a cop could really be a submissive. Introducing...more

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May 08, 2011 Elisa Ramblings added it

Deviations: Submission is like the 101 course about Gay BDSM Romance; when you are a newbie in the genre, and you are like testing the water, it’s very likely that you will stumble upon this series, or at least it was like that for me. I admit, I was not ready; I remember that I started to read the first book, this one, but I was not able to continue. Pain/pleasure games, 24/7 D/s relationships, flogging, gagging, and on and on, was really too much for me at the time. I realize now, more or less...more Deviations: Submission is like the 101 course about Gay BDSM Romance; when you are a newbie in the genre, and you are like testing the water, it’s very likely that you will stumble upon this series, or at least it was like that for me. I admit, I was not ready; I remember that I started to read the first book, this one, but I was not able to continue. Pain/pleasure games, 24/7 D/s relationships, flogging, gagging, and on and on, was really too much for me at the time. I realize now, more or less 5 years later, that indeed this series is way more “mild” than other novels I read after that.

Both men involved in this relationship, the Dom Tobias and the sub Noah, comes together with different needs clicking together. Tobias invested a lot in a relationship with another sub, Phan, but he was not the right man for that job; basically Tobias is a caretaker, he is a vet and he has the need to take care for other people embedded in his behaviour, he cannot really dish out extreme pain, not even if the other man is asking for it. Something that apparently I didn’t catch the first time I read this novel is that Tobias is not searching for a pain s**t, and that, if Noah was one, the relationship between them was never fated to start.

Noah is another character that has his job in his own blood, but in a different way than Tobias; I think that Noah, a police officer, is always so focused in helping other people, in being good and in control, that in his private life he needs to let it go. But for various reasons he has trusting issues, and so he cannot really fully depend on another man, something that is unbearable from most Doms out there. So Noah is going through Doms like someone would go through boyfriends, testing each of them but finding them lacking. Probably the matching between Tobias and Noah is perfect right since both of them actually don’t want to go to the extreme of a D/s relationship, and that is exactly the level of BDSM that I can take.

Another think that I can now appreciate in this series, is that, in the end, the sex between them is more intimate and less “scene”; I really don’t like very much all the public display that most of the BDSM novels imply as ordinary. It’s true that Noah and Tobias met in a private club, and use its facilities, but the sex is mostly between the two of them, so much that they talk about being exclusive almost from the beginning. The story maybe started like a convenient matching of two people searching a good night, but then it soon moves to love and long-term commitment, even if the commitment was enshrined by a D/s contract. But I can see (and I know since this is only the first in a 4 books series) that this relationship is fated to moved beyond this contract and into a partnership looking for more than sex.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1933389850/?...(less)

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Apr 20, 2012 Star rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: other-interest, other-kinds

Decent book, okay for anyone who is new to this genre. If I was just finding my way and stumbled upon this book and it was my first experience I may would've enjoyed it more. I read all 345 pages of my version and I was waiting for something to happen. Some plot, conflict, growth, or character development. Around page 300 the jealous towards a past lover I thought was going to introduce some drama, but no.

Nothing really happens in this book.

A Dom who everyone knows and seems to want, tho we ha...more

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Jun 19, 2011 Wenj rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2011

3.5 STARS

Review provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:

Submission is the first in the collaborated series Deviations by authors Chris Owen and Judi Payne following the budding relationship between Dom Tobias and Sub Noah. Filled with great characterization and a growing sense of trust and loyalty, these two men easily capture the heart creating a story in which you constantly want to know more. Sexy, hot and utterly delicious, these two authors manage to create a steamy novel that test the boundaries...more 3.5 STARS

Review provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:

Submission is the first in the collaborated series Deviations by authors Chris Owen and Judi Payne following the budding relationship between Dom Tobias and Sub Noah. Filled with great characterization and a growing sense of trust and loyalty, these two men easily capture the heart creating a story in which you constantly want to know more. Sexy, hot and utterly delicious, these two authors manage to create a steamy novel that test the boundaries of pain and pleasure.

The characters are without a doubt in the forefront of this novel which follows their journey as they try to find a sense of peace within the world of D/s. Tobias and Noah come out to be quite sympathetic characters with difficult pasts and lots of hidden depths and secrets. And while Tobias is the Dom, there is a wonderful sense of equality between him and Noah as he tries to help draw the younger man out of himself and aid him in putting himself back together by learning what it truly means to submit. What I loved most about these two was the fact that they really were trying to understand themselves and why it was that they needed this form of lifestyle, ultimately coming down to what it was about it that brought them a sense of peace and relief. I know it sounds odd given the need Noah has for pain, but in the end, you come to see how this need effects not only Noah who is forced to learn his boundaries in spite of his ego, but for Tobias as well, someone who dislikes bringing someone else pain.

Together these two make a wonderful pair. Their connection is somewhat easy as they feel each other out, but there is a great repore between them, a charisma, that I really enjoyed watching. In fact, these two personas couldn't have been more different with Tobias being a fairly serious, organized individual and Noah being more loose, choosing to go with the flow. As the story progresses, these two really click in both their needs and desires, as well as a couple. But, I felt like the dynamic was often rather simplistic with little in the way of tension and progression. While their roles may shift as the story goes on, the growth of the characters is minimal. It's like it plateaus rather quickly, however, with the delicious deviant behavior, who really cares?

The world building is nicely done creating a nice, safe environment where these two men can explore that doesn't impede on their every day lives. This helps in keeping their personalities nicely intact, and yet I really felt a bit disappointed that we didn't get to see those personalities really show through. However, the atmosphere was nicely captured and the heat level is without a question, intense. I really loved this aspect of a safe, quiet environment versus the typical noisy club scenes as it helps to emphasize the characters and their inner journey show casing why they need this lifestyle as well as how they are coming to find themselves through it.

The writing style was wonderfully creating a nicely written novel that really brought a lot to the minimal plot line. While there isn't a great deal of action or tension, there is a lot of character development and inner exploration that was great to read. Truly, Owen and Payne created a group of characters that are interesting and utterly enjoyable while keeping an extremely sexually charged atmosphere that will make your blood boil. The pace is likewise nice making this a rather quick read that will have you wanting the next installment to see what will happen next in these two mens' relationship.

In the end, I enjoyed this read. There was a lot of great characterization and some really intense elements that were explored through their inner development. But, be warned, this is not for everyone. It's extremely explicit encompassing a lot of BDSM elements that explored in great detail. People who like only a light exploration within this erotica sub-genre might not find this all that palatable, but if you like the characters as I did, it really doesn't matter all the much.

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Feb 21, 2013 Akanksha ❤ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: series-continuation, m-m, favorite

Just finished re-reading this book..

Tobias and Noah are like the cutest and most adorable couple ever :')
I love them, their story, this book and the rest of the characters.. this is totally my favorite MM series!!!

description

They are like asdfghjkl!! I want to smooch both their faces off! They are like prefect together!! :D

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Jan 15, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-romance-x, bdsm-smut-menage, l-g-b-t-or-mm-ff, favorites, reviewed

Wow. Love the detailed insight into the character's thought-process; I felt it was honest and at times, raw and it made me able to fully empathize with the characters. Likewise, the imagery with which the author(s) walked through the story was so detailed that it was easy to close my eyes and picture each 'scene.'

The characters journey as a d/s couple was intriguing and very hot!!!

My only issue with this book - the only reason it did not get a 5star - is because it just STOPs...out of nowhere!...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Emme rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: m/m lovers, bdsm lovers

In the past I've experienced some overlap between the communities I frequented way back when-- the queer community, the swinging community and the bdsm community. So, I was familiar with a lot of themes in Submission and nothing in the story was a complete surprise. I feel like this book delves beneath the surface of the lifestyle-- almost in a clinical fashion. There were insights into the sub's psyche as well as some exploration into the responsibilities of the dominant. I still don't feel tha...more

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Feb 03, 2010 Feliz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, bdsm

We meet Dr. Tobias Vincent, veterinarian and Dom, on the evening of his forty - first birthday on his way to his friend Bradford's BDSM Club.
Since his bad falling out with his former slave, Phan, Tobias didn't visit the club very often. Bradford is thrilled to have him back because Tobias is one of the best Doms Bradford knows. For Tobias's birthday present, Bradford sets him up with Noah Dolan, a sub who seems unable to find a Dom who can meet his needs.
Tobias doesn't expect more than a nice...more We meet Dr. Tobias Vincent, veterinarian and Dom, on the evening of his forty - first birthday on his way to his friend Bradford's BDSM Club.
Since his bad falling out with his former slave, Phan, Tobias didn't visit the club very often. Bradford is thrilled to have him back because Tobias is one of the best Doms Bradford knows. For Tobias's birthday present, Bradford sets him up with Noah Dolan, a sub who seems unable to find a Dom who can meet his needs.
Tobias doesn't expect more than a nice birthday dinner with a special dessert. What he definitely doesn't expect is a sub so desperately needy and yet so strong that he finds himself almost overpowered by the need to make this boy his.

This wasn't the first BDSM book I read, but one of the most intense ones. In other books, the ritualism of BDSM relationships often sounds stilted and forced. Here, it flows naturally. The negotiations and the formality are simply part of who Tobias is, who Noah is and what they are and become to another. It's even necessary. Although the entire concept of domination, submission, inflicting and receiving pain as a means of sexual stimulans is completely alien to me, I started to understand what might draw people to that kind of lifestyle. This book explains how BDSM isn't restricted to sex, but can affect your entire life, even your everyday life. I started to understand needs I thought repulsing like wearing a collar and leash or letting oneself willingly be ordered around. The fine line between cruelty and almost therapeutic dominance is artfully described, and the sex scenes are inbelievably intense as is the rest of Tobias's and Noah's relationship. Highly addictive.

BTW: When I started reading and saw that book had almost 500 pages, I was a little intimidated. This was not necessary, though. The pages were gone all too soon, and I was actually disappointed when it ended. That was my only issue: The ending is too abrupt and denies the reader his satisfaction. Since it is a BDSM book, and since it is part of a series, I'm tempted to think the authors did this on purpose...(less)

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Nov 15, 2009 Janna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bdsm, m-m

This book is one of a series of four (up till now) about two guys, Tobias and Noah. The authors write about the Dom/sub lifestyle in a realistic way (as far as I know, and I only know from other books ;)). This book tells about the first meeting of the two men and has rather an open ending, because their story continues in the next book of the series. Both have issues and scars that have to be overcome. I liked it that their (hot) sex scenes were not an answer to their problems. The issues were...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Julesmarie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, bdsm-power-exchange

So, I've read a few BDSM books so far, but never one where it was more than just a few-nights-a-week thing for the characters. This was certainly the first book I've read where the characters drew up a contract and spent whole weekends together as D/s. I understand that some people found the first half of the book, where all of the negotiating and footing-finding are happening to be cold and clinical, but I appreciated the tone. Since this was all so new for me, I appreciated the way it was intr...more So, I've read a few BDSM books so far, but never one where it was more than just a few-nights-a-week thing for the characters. This was certainly the first book I've read where the characters drew up a contract and spent whole weekends together as D/s. I understand that some people found the first half of the book, where all of the negotiating and footing-finding are happening to be cold and clinical, but I appreciated the tone. Since this was all so new for me, I appreciated the way it was introduced slowly and clearly.

I also appreciated the explanations given for why Noah needed more than just a few-hours-a-week arrangement to work through some of his issues. I was anticipating, however, that we'd see more progress in him in this book, as I was unaware that each book acts as basically a chapter in the development of the relationship between Noah and Tobias (view spoiler).

I really liked both Noah and Tobias. I liked what we were shown about them as individuals, and I really liked the way they interacted together. I thoroughly enjoyed that we weren't just told that they were exactly what the other needed, but that it was also obvious as we watched them together.

I know some other reviewers didn't like the stories they made up together, but I totally got a kick out of them. It was trippy to be reading what was basically a story within a story, and it was fun to get into it with them and then have one of them break character and remind me what i'm reading. Fun stuff there.

I think the only thing I didn't like about this was the end. I wanted more to be resolved before having to let these two go... even if it's just for long enough to go buy book 2.

(view spoiler)(less)

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Apr 13, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Melissa by: Jason Rutledge

Shelves: bdsm, m-m, hottie-cops

I really enjoy a good BDSM story... I'm not into the scene myself but I can totally see why some people need it and am glad to be able to read about it, to understand it even more when I can.

Tobias and Noah's story is really good! I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and I do believe the authors do a great job in explaining the needs of each character and showing the progress that I believe each of them are achieving. I can't wait for more of their story to find out where these boys a...more

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Nov 23, 2011 Beth rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotica, boring

This is one of the most boring erotic novels I've ever read, primarily because neither of the characters is more then a cardboard cutout. I didn't care about either of them or have any insight into their thought processes or motivations, so it was like reading about objects moving around a board. This is basically how the book goes:

1. Let's talk about what we're about to do.
2. Let's have some really boring sex (clinical, but not pervy-hot clinical - it's more like "I am looking to get this react...more

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Apr 11, 2011 Camilla ~ ♥Qhuay At Last♥ ~ rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle

So here's the deal..

I always end up reading these BDSM books.. And I always end up rolling my eyes, while reading them, thinking: Seriously? and But whyyyy???

And for some reason I always end up giving them plenty of stars.. And I have no fucking idea why!!

There were sooo many things in this book, which went against all the things I dont like about these books.. Like the fact that Tobias the Dom, told Noah the Sub, that this was all about Tobias' feelings and his needs.. Grrr.. That is my bigges...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Optimist rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bdsm, m-m, role-play, a-z-challenge

I'll admit I was a tad skeptical through the first few chapters of this what with all the Tobias hero worship. But, I pushed on read through another couple conversations, a scene & it wavered, a couple more conversations & a scene or two & it was gone. I drank the Kool Aid. Tobias walks on water.

"I’ll always speak to you if you need it. I’ll always speak the truth. When I’m silent it’s for you to learn from, not a punishment."

Tobias embodies what most would want in a dominant. He's...more I'll admit I was a tad skeptical through the first few chapters of this what with all the Tobias hero worship. But, I pushed on read through another couple conversations, a scene & it wavered, a couple more conversations & a scene or two & it was gone. I drank the Kool Aid. Tobias walks on water.

"I’ll always speak to you if you need it. I’ll always speak the truth. When I’m silent it’s for you to learn from, not a punishment."

Tobias embodies what most would want in a dominant. He's honest, highly verbal, compassionate, affectionate, reliable, passionate, perceptive, intuitive, demanding, stern, stable & loyal. He's loyal to everyone in his life & as a consequence it's reciprocated from his circle of friends who are fiercely protective.

Noah embarks on this journey with many universal reservations & concerns foremost being that he will lose himself or fail. He's probably harder on himself than Tobias is but as this story is told almost exclusively from Tobias' perspective it's difficult to tell. Noah does express himself very well & Tobias possesses highly attuned observational skills. Those in combination gets the reader at least in the neighborhood of Noah's thoughts.

The writing is genuine & relatable casting the reader as a voyeur into this relationship. The dialogue is honest without being derivative. There's no angst, no car chases, no plot twists, or great mysteries to uncover. While I enjoy some good escapist reading sometimes it's nice to read something that doesn't feel like every emotion is fabricated &/or melodramatic & is without perpetual sobbing or screaming or scowling, for that matter. This is a simple story of a BDSM relationship's genesis between two people who have been knocked around a bit in life & are searching for fulfillment, hoping to find it in one another-no horrid abuse histories to be found here.

It's a tad lacking in back story but then again it's a series so I'm sure those holes will be filled in as their story progresses.

One parting note: I want in that playroom! Can't even imagine what the price tag is on that thing.(less)

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Apr 21, 2010 Nichole (Dirty H) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, m-m, 2010

This was my April m/m group pick-it-for-me selection.

I had actually started this ages ago and it didn't ever grab me, but I was willing to give it another chance for the challenge.
I ended up liking it and I will probably read the rest of the series, but I didn't really love it. Partly because I like my BDSM to be a little (a LOT) edgier than this. This just didn't pack the punch that I'm normally looking for from this type of book.
I was also a little frustrated/irritated with all the talking. Ev...more

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Aug 25, 2010 Tara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, read-in-2010, bdsm

I should preface this by saying, I have almost no knowledge of the BDSM lifestyle, so if this isn't accurate, I have no idea.

I really enjoyed this book. Tobias is a Dom and Noah is a sub. They are both searching for something and in each other, they find it.

Like I said I know almost nothing about the lifestyle, but if this is accurate I understand the appeal. Noah is charming and sweet and needs the reassurance acceptance and love that being cared for and pushed to his boundaries by Tobias can p...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Bea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, male-male

Overall, I imagine that this book must accurately reflect the D/s relationship, but not a love HEA ending. Granted this is book 1 of many, so perhaps we will get that in later books.

What I did find is that the D/s parts were really hot, but I became a little uncomfortable with all of the regulations. However, I did not give it a 3 star because of that. I felt that there seemed to be a lot of sex and little plot. I started skimming over sex scenes, especially the role playing ones.

I know that thi...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Becky Mrs Condit Reads Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is as much a psychological study as it is an erotic novel. Gentlemanly Master Tobias has as many insecurities and worries about his role as a Dom as does sweet Noah about his continuing role as a sub. Tobias is a highly skilled Dom but has been without a sub for a while. The breakup with his previous slave Phantom, while affectionate, was very painful for both Tobias and Phantom. Noah has suffered at the hands of a Dom who failed to protect him and another Dom who abused him. They are...more

1 like · like · see review

title link	preview: Submission
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Submission (Deviations #1)

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