Deviations: Submission by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne

Summary: Tobias is a skilled Dom and Noah is a man in need of just that. He wants to sub badly, but has yet to find someone he believes in. Through a series of encounters in the world of bondage and discipline, we learn why Noah has trouble trusting, and why Tobias is reluctant to let 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. But can they stay together in a world where learning to love means accepting all of their dark secrets?!

Becky’s review: Chris Owen and Jodi Payne have written a superb story of the development of a rule-bound BDSM relationship with their book, Deviations: Submission. The usual props of BDSM stories are in evidence here: the exclusive sex club, a Dom and sub who are hardwired with those personalities, and the independent wealth of one of the partners to alleviate concerns about how anyone could afford this level of the lifestyle.
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 brought together by a mutual friend and see something in each other worth tentatively pursuing.
I was quickly inserted into Tobias and Noah’s world. A unique plotline of Deviation: Submission is that Tobias and Noah begin to fall in love, above and beyond their D/s play. Tobias has no intention of entering a new D/s relationship beyond occasional playing with subs at the club. However, Noah is so engaging, so charismatic Tobias can’t resist him. Noah’s history of being mishandled as a sub leaves him untrusting but longing for someone worth his attentions and service.
Tobias makes it his mission to find out what happened to Noah and “fix” him. If you think you can’t understand a story of two rational adults who care for each other, yet one of them willingly sleeps on the floor chained to the other’s bed, Ms. Owen and Ms. Payne will lead you to appreciate why this is actually appropriate and satisfying to both men. This is heavy BDSM at its finest in exploring the motivations and needs of both Dom and sub.
We get to know Tobias and Noah outside of their BDSM play and developing personal relationship. Tobias is a large animal vet who lives in the city but owns a farm. One of the barns on the farm has been converted into a luxurious dungeon, ready for any kind of BDSM play. Noah is a police officer, which sets up an interesting emotional dynamic of why a man who has chosen to work in a highly authoritative profession would subject himself to the total authority of his partner during his off-duty hours. After all, it comes down to who is really in control of a scene or D/s relationship, the Dom or the sub?
The negotiations of contracts, hard stops, rules and power exchanges allow the reader to enjoy a fascinating observation of the sometimes problematic and uncomfortable aspects of the lifestyle. It isn’t all whips, chains and orgasms.
Speaking of orgasms, the sex in this book is unbelievably scorching. That is, when Tobias allows Noah to experience an orgasm. Part of his obedience training is denial of orgasm, whether Tobias is present or not. At the beginning of a weekend on the farm, Noah is told he will not be coming all weekend but Tobias expects to enjoy many orgasms himself. Then Sunday night, Tobias instructs Noah that once he goes home he is not to experience sexual pleasure even by his own hand all week. Wow. Talk about pressure! After Noah is told not to do something it’s all he can think about. It’s just human nature.
Other than an untrained Dom there is no villain in the story, no homophobic scoundrel, no nasty piece of work threatening Tobias or Noah. Phan appears in the second paragraph of the book, before Noah even enters the picture, so we know that he has difficulties that will provide a fitting level of tension to the story. Noah’s problems with trust and Tobias’ former relationship with Phantom are the plot elements that allow Noah to develop anxiety about whether Tobias is dependable. Tobias constantly balances these insecurities with his own needs as a Dom and his continuing concern for Phantom.
Domination: Submission is part of the five-part Domination series. Each book is quite long, so it is a time commitment to read them, but I promise that you will only be able to put this book down to eat, sleep and go to work. It’s that excellent. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about m/m sexual activity, BDSM lifestyle, romance involving any gender or just a great love story. I look forward to reading and sharing the other books in the series with you.