Owens Books

If you're ready to make each word and sentence shine in your picture book this is an invaluable resource.

Eve Heidi Bine-Stock's HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK (VOLUMES I, II and III)is a constant companion and rich resource in the planning and revision of picture books. The deconstruction of picture books, and the detailed classification of crucial characteristics - using classic picture books to illustrate each detailed point - make these books invaluable. Although I particularly use Volume I and II in the planning stage of a new manuscript, all three volumes are again by my side during each revision, and each step of each revision. There is no question in my mind that these books are the biggest resource in pushing my writing to the next level. The volumes are not read-once-and-put-aside books; they are books you will want on your writing desk for constant reference.

I was having trouble with rhythm and beats in my picture book writing. This book really helped me learn the beat structure in picture book writing and how they create rhythm. My picture book writing seemed flat and lifeless and now, thanks to this book, it has the rhythm it was lacking. I would also suggest Volumes I and III for other parts of picture book writing. Definitely a must have for those writing picture books and those needing to learn the structure, rhythm and specific language used in those types of books.

The book takes popular children's book and breaks apart the beginning, middle and ending so that you get a very clear picture of how your story should progess. An excellent resource.

I have at least a dozen books on writing for children and I especially like this one. Not only does it focus exclusively on picture books, which few others do, it provides solid, concrete information that you can apply directly to your own writing. Too many other books offer vague tips that may be helpful in polishing an existing manuscript, but don't help with building your story from the ground up. I've been trying (sporadically) to sell picture book manuscripts for several years now, and I believe that what I've learned from this book will help get me closer to my goal of being a published author. Volumes II and III are on their way to me now and I can't wait to see what they have to offer!

Janis Owens is an amazing writer. Her descriptions of her characters and their lives are so real that I feel that I know them. And, although I am not a Southerner by birth or upbringing, I got to feel like the Catts family were somehow just distant cousins I hadn't heard from for a while. This book, and the other two in the trilogy "Myra Simms" and "The Schooling of Claybird Catts" opened my eyes and my understanding to the simple strengths (and someof the frailties) of the rural south and made me ralize why I now live there.

My Brother Michael is a haunting, unforgettable work of singular authenticity and Janis Owens is a welcome new voice in Southern fiction. What an interesting flawed protagonist. What a reclamation. I love her characters. Obviously Janis Owens writes from the depths of her soul. A rich and strange, quirky, idiosyncratically compelling debut. Utterly original, yet familiar. Like Flannery O'Conner. her writing seems so natural, so unconscious, that it's almost as if there's a kind of channeling going on. My favorite kind of book. Up from the cellars. Instinctual. Organic. Surprising in its accrued power.

If you've lost your belief in true love this book is for you. No matter how cynical you are you will fall in love with My Brother Michael. What a beautifully written, sad, funny, romantic book. These are people you can care about. Age-old themes: money, poverty, incest, sibling rivalry, a brother's mistake, a son's fury, a mother's love. You've known these people before, just not the inside story of what has really gone on in their lives. Brilliantly written. Boldly beautiful.

Wonderfully written in the best literary tradition of the South. Family saga with all the secrets finally come to light. Couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

My Brother Michael is as delicious as a large glass of sweet tea on a hot Florida day! Janis Owens is a wonderful writer, with a skillfully spirited understanding of small- town Southern idiosyncrasies. This poignantly told story of love lost and found, captivates the reader immediatly with its wry Southern comfort and charm.

Owen Fiddler is the personification of lack of personal responsibility. The world owes him a living, even though he's done nothing to earn it. It's always someone else's fault, even when his actions lead directly to unfortunate consequences for himself and others. But when one of Owen's selfish acts inadvertently results in the death of someone near and dear to him, he's forced to re-evaluate his life and self-serving attitude. Is it too late for him to change? I'll leave you other readers to find that out for yourselves.

Marvin Wilson has written a modern day fairy tale in which there are very few shades of gray. Good and evil are clearly delineated and every cause has its effect, be it positive or negative. Told in straightforward, sometimes earthy language, there is no ambiguity in Owen Fiddler's world. Wilson uses some fun colloquialisms and down to earth expressions in a refreshing and effective way, such as 'she nailed him butt good' when a wife catches her cheating husband doing it doggy style with a bar floozy. There are a few problems with shifts between past and present tense in places, but for the most part the narrative voice is clear and unique - Wilson is first and foremost a storyteller who happens to have a moral in his story: that of the importance of taking personal responsibility for one's own life. A straightforward story with humor, compassion, and with the lines between good and evil drawn clearly in the sand.

Once again, Marvin Wilson shows his remarkable insight into the heart and soul of the "spiritually lost." Owen Fiddler is, indeed, a lost soul, as brought to painfully honest light in the pages of this book. All of Mr. Wilson's characters are thoughtfully well-developed, and represent people we can all relate to in our own lives (and ourselves, in some instances!). Without being preachy, Mr. Wilson teaches a valuable spiritual lesson through his story of Owen Fiddler and his family. This is a very well written, enjoyable, thought-provoking book.
-Deb Harris, Editor-in-Chief, All Things That Matter Press

Author Marvin D. Wilson presents the man Owen Fiddler as average. So average, in fact, that the "one unique aspect of him is his absolute average-ness." But, in fact, Owen Fiddler, in the book Owen Fiddler, represents the extremes of man. He reaches the lowest of lows, attains the highest of highs, and, like most of mankind, searches for redemption.

In Owen Fiddler, Marvin D. Wilson has written a modern-day religious allegory, a story of rejecting grace, walking God's path, and accepting responsibility for one's sins in order to be saved and returned to grace. Owen Fiddler's life is not necessarily one that all people can relate to, but his struggles are. Until he reaches the bottom, he is happy to wallow in his life, not caring how it affects others. When the worst that can happy to Owen Fiddler does indeed happen, the question becomes can the best that ever happened to him show Owen the way out of his misery? And will he follow?

Marvin D. Wilson describes himself as a "spiritualist with a zeal for sharing inspirations and insights ...." In Owen Fiddler, he shares a story of opposites, of good and evil, of rejecting God and accepting grace ... and he does it with zeal.

Owen Fiddler is a most entertaining read. Best of all, author Wilson delivers spiritual truths usually found only in self-help books. Everyone can identify with dysfunctional Owen - he's a part of us that's buried beneath our good side. As I read his misadventures, I found myself thinking how easy it is for anyone to stray off their life paths because of fear and ego. This book should be made into a movie - the message is that empowering! Five stars!

Marvin Wilson is a "tell it like it is" writer. Owen, the main character in the book, thinks the world is against him; he is the victim of life, circumstance, government, the environment and just about everything else. He takes no responsibility for his actions or his life. We all have an Owen in us. But Mr. Wilson shows us all is not lost, there is hope. Winner of an AVATAR AWARD for SPIRITUAL EXCELLENCE, you owe it to yourself to read this book, "before" your tab must be paid.

What a charming, great read, especially for boys. Good descriptive setting, in the woods, every boys dream to have a fort in the woods. Enjoyable humor with the revenge on the bullies in the book. Simple yet charming text.

I read this book to my 8-year-old son and my 6-year-old daughter. both of them stared in rapture from the time i opened the book to when i said the last word. I personally also was awed at the fluency and the description with which Stephanie Greene wrote this book. I could see how my children could relate to the problems that Owen and his best friend faced. We have read the previous books, and all of us hope that another one is going to come out soon. When I finished reading my daughter frowned and said, "Awww I wish it weren't over already!" Thank you Ms. Greene, and Ms. Weston- for creating such a terrific chapter book for children of all ages.

This book is Great!! Because it`s about two kids that have a tree house in the forest. They take a nature book, a compass, a canteen, pepper flakes, and a hat.But two other kids are in their tree house and wreck it. So the two kids set traps to scare the other boys. I like it because I like Owen Foote books.

This book, Owen Foote, Frontiersman, was an enjoyable book because of the different events that Owen faced. These events allowed me to connect with some of the things that he encountered. Most young readers would be able to connect to having a friend like Joseph and the what Owen and Joseph encounters as frontiersman. The organization of the book was easy to follow and the sentences were easy to read and understand. There are a few pictures in black and white throughout the book, but these are not necessary but are handy for readers to connect with the event taking place. Young readers, boy or girls, that were interested in the outdoors would take a great liking to this book.

This book was FANTASTIC! I have three children aged 4-10. They all read it and loved it, including me. My nine year old son liked it the most. Stephanie Greene is and exeptional author and she writes so fluidly and perfectly for kids. I encourage her to write even more books because we have enjoyed this one and the others so much. Thanks!

Reviewed by Cayden (age 3-1/2), Max (age 19-months) Aures and Mom for Reader Views (4/08)

In "Owen's Marshmallow Chick" the main character Owen is a mouse who loves candy! On Easter morning he wakes up to a basket full of jelly beans, gumdrops, buttercream eggs, a chocolate bunny and a marshmallow chick. He proceeds to eat everything in the basket proclaiming each item to be his "favorite" as he is wolfing it down. When he gets to the marshmallow chick he hesitates and instead of eating it decides to play with it all day instead. At bedtime he carefully places the chick up on his toy shelf with all of his other favorite things.

Cayden: "He is jumping up and down because he is so happy he got all of that candy in his Easter basket from the Easter bunny!"
Max: "Chocolate!"

Cayden: "He dropped some of his candy on the floor."
Max: "Fall! Fall!"

Cayden: "Why is he eating everything? His tummy is going to hurt from all that sugar!"

Cayden: "He should have eaten some healthy food too and only had one candy from his basket every day."

Cayden: "Why is he playing with that chick? It is candy, not a toy."

Parent's comments:

"Owen's Marshmallow Chick" is a fun Easter board book. Max made a game out of pointing out the marshmallow chick on each page before we could continue reading the book. The text is very simple and has a lot of repetition which is perfect for a young child. The illustrations are very engaging and did a great job at conveying the emotions that Owen was feeling. This book would be a great surprise to stick in any young child's Easter basket!

This is the type of book that little ones will fall in love with. It is a simple and sweet story. The pictures are simple yet colorful enough to hold their attention. I highly recommend this book!

This is a very cute boardbook for small children. It is great for Easter but can be enjoyed all year.

Anyone who grew up finding marshmallow chicks in their Easter basket can relate to this story. When i was a kid they were yellow. Now these chicks come in all colors. I am a kindergarten teacher. My students loved this book. Now, one child takes it home with an Owen plush and a plastic egg with a marshmallow chick inside. They don't know what color their chick is until they get home. I provide a journal for them to document the color, write a story about their visit with Owen and draw a picture. They LOVE it!

This story is a perfect read for Easter or any time of the year! While my child loves to bite the head off of his marshmallow chicks, he could understand Owen's attachment to the treat. Owen projects his emotional attachment of his favorite blanket onto the marshmallow chick (that is the same color as his blanket)and doesn't gobble it up like his other holiday treats. This ending is absolutely priceless and we read this story at least once a week. Since there is no focus on spirituality or religion in this board book, it would be appropriate in a home of any faith (especially with those who are fans of marshmallow chicks!). Highly recommended!

I was knocked out by My Brother Michael and immediately turned to The Schooling of Claybird Catts for more of Janis Owens' literary enchantment. I wasn't disappointed. Like Faulkner revealing life's complexity through multiple viewpoints in The Sound and the Fury, this book returns to the mesmerizing events of her first novel, only this time as seen through the eyes of young Claybird. The reader comes away from this story again as if emerging from a dream or spell, with a deep feeling for the humanity of these characters and something of the tragedy, the comedy, the sheer mind-boggling dimensionality and the bittersweet mystery and wonder of human experience. Claybird Catts is a revelation and a delight. While so much literature coming out of the South these days seems self-indulgent, self-parodying, as memorable as a trip to Walmart, Janis Owens is the most engaging and deeply satisfying writer of Southern fiction I have come across in decades. Every word she writes rings true, including "a", "an" and "the."

Janis Owens goes to the heart of teenage vulnerabilities and self doubts in telling the Catts-Sims story from a young boy's point of view. That she does this is admirable, that she does it so well is truly miraculous. Claybird's painful, self-imposed estrangement from his family eventually heals, through their loving patience and his bittersweet maturation. More than just a coming of age tale, the gentle, honest portrayal of the heartaches and wonders of a dyslexic child provide insight and encouragement of this little understood reading difficulty. Ms. Owens' writing style is enchanted and her characters are so real the reader will know them personally, but perhaps that insight and encouragement is the ultimate compliment of this story.

Our club found this on our library booksite and fell in love. It's about Clayton Catts who is a young man who is dealing with his father's death and his unknown uncle. Book book is not tragic but funny,southern but not too southern, and most of all just touching. Men even liked this book and we never agree on that!!

Had no idea what to expect when I picked up this novel - and was hooked by the end of the first chapter. A marvelous tale, and told so well - Janis Owens is a wonderful fresh voice, another great Southern writer who has the kind of story-telling ability that draws the reader in without guile or the predictable plot twists and turns that have become the norm these days. Such a satisfying read, one that left me wanting more. A great book. Looking forward to reading her other books, and the next one she comes out with.

I've read all of this author's books and her writing has matured with this latest. It's my favorite of all three. Highly recommended. I loved it.

I could scarcely imagine why this book turned up first on my page of recommendations from amazon. I checked the reasoning, using the convenient little clicker, and found that Bunyan was expected to appeal to me because I had reviewed "Gosta Berling's Saga." That, my friends, is firm evidence that computers are still short on intuition.

Fascinated, however, I read the eight reviews of this fairly obscure title, and found that they were all written by sincere believers in the strict Calvinist theology preached by John Bunyan in his lifetime, according to which we are all "sinners in the hands of an angry God" whose judgment passes our apprehension. According the Calvin and Bunyan, our 'works' and even our eagerness to be 'saved' is of no fundamnetal importance; as one reviewer writes, "we do not choose God; God chooses us." That's not a system of belief I find appealing, though I ought to be consoled by the idea that God might 'choose' me whether I like it or not.

Bunyan was a cogent writer, though his style takes acclimatization. This biography is a major document of English history, as sure a way to get a feel for bookish English Puritanism as the masques of Henry Purcell are for the other side, the party of the theater-loving Cavaliers. As such, it belongs on the shelf with other profound self-exposures - Augustine's, Cellini's, Rousseau's - but don't expect the man to be any more attractive than his fanatical faith. He was truly "an angry sinner in hands he thought were God's."

A lot of us are familiar with John Bunyan as the author of The Pilgrim's Progress, whose influence in Christendom is second to the Bible. Bunyan was a preacher, a prolific writer and a shining saint for God. However when we read this book we find out that he was an atheist and infidel in his youth, enjoying sin and rebellious towards God. Inwardly he suffered from tormented nightmares of demons and judgment, but outwardly he went on pretty much as any other sinner, taking delight in sin and being the ringleader of mischief. Several times he nearly lost his life, and even though there were several close calls, still he did not turn to God. After his marriage, he participated in religious activities, went through the motions of attending church and generally lived as he pleased, each time successfully shrugging off pangs of guilt. One day, after church, while playing a sport, a voice seemed to call out to him from heaven to his soul, which said, "Wilt thou leave thy sins and go to heaven, or have thy sins and go to hell?" Bunyan was convinced it was the Lord Jesus looking down on him in displeasure. What follows details his sinking into despair, his desparate attempts at working his way into God's good graces, and his struggles with temptation and doubt. In a strange sort of way, it is comforting to read about Bunyan's struggles and identify with them because you can see how he turned out so greatly used by God. He rationalized, made excuses and tried every way to justify himself. Bunyan did not try to gloss over his motivations but gave an honest account of his struggles from avowed sinner, to religious hypocrite before he was finally converted. He describes in great detail his doubts and despair, his yearning to be converted to Jesus Christ, and then being assured of his salvation by reading the Bible and praying. Reading this book will help you realize how God's grace can abound and save even the most wretched of sinners and gives us abounding hope.

This is the autobiography of John Bunyon and his life. It is about his life before and after Christ and the grace of God upon his life. John wrote this classic while in prison. He went to prison for preaching the gospel.

I've been looking forward to reading this book for years ever since I read Bunyan's classis Pilgrim's Progress, I've wanted to read Grace Abounding to learn more about his incredible man of faith. I also recently read The Hidden Smile of God by John Piper who introduces the reader to three incredible men of God including Bunyan. So actually reading the journey of Bunyan himself in his own words was thrilled...but difficult at the same time. Bunyan struggled greatly with the concept of grace; he wrestled with understanding how God's grace could be sufficient to save a sinner as great as he. Grace Abounding is a peering into the soul of Bunyan as he goes through this deep personal battle wanting to believe that God was able to cleanse him of all unrighteousness, but constantly confronted with the holiness of the divine.

Just over half way through the book, Bunyan surrenders to the will of God in his life. He finally and fully grasp that the grace of God was truly sufficient. Then his heart is set aflame to share this grace with others and he becomes one of the great preachers and writers of all time, even though he goes on to spend a dozen years confined to prison for preaching contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Personally, it was interesting to see the cultural battle Bunyan faced at the time looking back from my vantage 500 years later to see that America is the beneficiary of his great struggles with the prevailing church of the day. As Bunyan sat in prison, he wrote about the great journey from a metal worker to a pastor of the gospel of Christ - in allegory form for the Pilgrim's Progress and in autobiographical form in Grace Abounding.

I can understand why many believe this book is a classic - the thoughts and insights that Bunyan has into the Word of God were profound and significant. It was amazing to read how Scripture flowed through his mind irrigating every thought so that his life bore much fruit. I wouldn't recommend the book to a younger reader, it is a difficult read, but well worth the effort.

Grace Abounding....is an excellent autobiography of John Bunyan and his spiritual struggle to obtain assurance of his salvation in light if his belief that he had committed the unpardonable sin. Recommended to anyone who may be facing the same struggle with this question. Each paragraph of the text is numbered and, thus, it is easy to put the book down at any point and pick it back up later without losing train of thought. Since the book was written over 300 years ago, it is interesting to have insight into the thoughts of a Christian who lived during that time and to compare with current Christian thinking.

"Darrin Owens is a wise mystic living in a young man's body. His book is an excellent guide for the next generation of modern-day prophets."

~ Echo Bodine
Author of Echoes of the Soul and The Gift


"Darrin Owens has tapped into the mystic stream, an unbroken chain of wisdom since earliest times. His fascinating book is a glowing example that spirituality is a natural aspect of the human condition, and why we should honor it if we are to achieve our fullest potential."

~ Larry Dossey, MD
Author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things


"Darrin Owens has distilled a wealth of experience onto the pages of this book. I highly recommend Reader of Hearts to those wanting to tap into a deeper understanding of their psychic nature."

~ Susan Taylor, PH.D.
Author of The Vital Energy Program &
and Producer of The Healing Power of Meditation CD Series


"Astral, Magical and Miracle - Darrin Owens is a force of psychic talent and it shows in this wonderful book of story and spiritual exercises."

~ Jane Olivor
Academy Award Nominated Recording Artist


"Informative and practical, this book is full of inspiration and the steps for helping us in all facets of life. Reader of Hearts is a helpful guide for all those walking the path of love, forgiveness and the Divine truth."

~ Gary Quinn
Author of May The Angels Be With You and Living in the Spiritual Zone


"In Reader of Hearts Darrin Owens extends a personal invitation to all to explore, embrace, and live a spirit guided life. This manual is witty, user friendly, and grounded in common sense. Enjoy it!"

~ Sonia Choquette, Ph.D.
Author of Trust Your Vibes, Your Hearts Desire and Diary of A Psychic


"Hang onto your seat and get ready for a Mystical Joy Ride. With humor and humility, and practical everyday advice, Darrin Owens will take you into the soul of the mystical experience."

~ Denise Linn
Author of Sacred Space

In the many years of my personal spiritual path I have read many books and learned a great deal. This book was written from a place honesty and spirit. For those of you who are intuitives like myself, you will find comfort and more validation of your path. Anyone can gain from these insights, experiences, and exercises. This book was written with down to earth humor and complete realness. This was my birthday present to myself this year. I don't suggest, however, waiting for your next special occasion. Two thumbs up to Darrin

Wow. This book felt like an authentic and sincere gift from Darrin Owen's heart directly into my own...I was fortunate enough to see Darrin speak several times while he was on tour in San Francisco and there is no denying that the holy spirit is working through this wonderful man in special ways!! His style is entertaining and uplifting, his readings were spot on, and I walked away with tons of spiritual wisdom I was able to directly apply to my life.

Buy the book....and google his website so you can see when/if he is going to be in speaking in your area! He's fabulous and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Go check out his work and decide for yourself. You won't be sorry.

I haven't ever read a spiritual book that delivered itself with such candor. This book gives you a good understanding on how to look towards a more fulfilled life, and makes you want to learn more. I have read the book cover to cover many times and often find myself looking over different chapters so that I can gain a better perspective on life's ups and downs.

What to do while waiting on the path?
Darrin clearly defines stages of the psychic journey. He also demonstrates where one can obtain the fuel to accomplish the journey remaining. "In other words,divine guidance keeps you manifesting the destiny that is all your own."
The cover design caught my attention. The content spoke wisely to my heart.
With eternity as the background, why should we feel rushed.

Highly recommended for anyone wanting to troubleshoot and take care of their Mac themselves. It covers in detail the set up, administration and daily care and feeding of OSX.

If you are studying for the ACHDS exam, this book is all you need. I just got back from taking my exam and received a 96% score. Everything from this book with prepare you for the exam. I would of gotten a perfect score but I think my nerves got in the way.

Get this book, you won't regret it.

The book is very well written with clear explanations, and detailed lessons. Because you read about it and then go through an excersize, you retain the information better. I would recommend this book because it really does almost feel like you are in a class when you are reading.

I needed this book to study for my Apple Certs, and found it to be very concise and all of the sections were explained well. It was more of a review for me, but once in a while, I found a tidbit of information that I did not know. I was kind of exciting finding little "secrets" about an OS that I have been working with and developing on for years.

I recommend this book if you are looking to study on your own or if you just need, or want, more insight into the way Mac OS X works. The information is fairly complete and when it is not exhaustive, I found that the authors had placed direct URLs to many of the great resource web sites.

If it is Apple certification you want, you can choose to use the web based Applecare technician training or this book. To do a great job on your cert tests, I recommend both. The book allows you to learn and study when you are not in front of a screen. Completely web-based programs require me to print out a lot, and I found I did not have to with the book in hand.

Tobias is an upscale veterinarian just entering middle age. For his 41st birthday, he elects to treat himself to an evening at the Club. As a Dominant, Tobias can meet with a submissive companion, in a relaxed atmosphere similar to the traditional British upper class men's club. At the very least, he'll enjoy a fine dinner and excellent wine. Bradford, owner of the club and a former mentor of Tobias, introduces him to Noah, a younger submissive. Noah's need is to learn trust in submission.

Tobias teaches Noah that life means growth, and change, even in one's desires and one's limits; what was good for an individual two years ago may not even work now, because the individual matures. Boundaries stretch with growth, and the work of a trained Dominant such as Tobias is to help the sub discover his boundaries, as well as to fulfill the Dom's own needs. That is a lesson Noah has to discover just as much as he must learn the capacity to trust. Tobias begins to open an entirely new aspect of the D/s lifestyle to Noah, who has been abused by Dominants in the past and is amazed when Tobias opens portions of his life experience to his sub. Noah must learn that control involves giving his emotions to his Master, not just submitting to unnecessary pain.

Deviations: Submission is a long, engrossing story of two men coming to terms with their very different interests and learning to enmesh their separate goals. Chris Owen and Jody Payne are very skillful at illuminating the gay D/s lifestyle, and this story is a learning experience as well as an intriguing tale with well-delineated protagonists.

Annie
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I loved all 4 of these books and thought they were well written, not to mention I learned so much from them! Chris you are so good keep those books coming!!

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. The third book, Deviations: Discipline has been released by Torquere and should be available soon from Amazon.

MY FAVORITE BOOK IS BAREBACK BY CHRIS OWEN. AFTER I READ BAREBACK I BEGAN READING ALL OF HIS BOOKS. WITH THE HELP OF JODI PAYNE HE HAS PROVIDED READERS WITH A VERY WELL WRITTEN BOOK. IT INVOLVES TOBIAS A DOM WHO HAS BEEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE FOR SOME MONTHS BECAUSE OF HIS HEARTBREAK OVER HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH HIS THEN SUB PHANTOM. ON HIS 41ST BIRTHDAY HE DECEIDED TO GO BACK TO THE S&M CLUB WHERE HE WAS A MEMBER. THE OWNER WAS A CLOSE FRIEND AND THRILLED TO SEE HIM AGAIN. EVERYONE STARED AT TOBIAS AS HE WAS A WELL KNOW AND WELL LIKED DOM. EVEN HIS OLD LOVER AND SUB. PHAN STILL LOVED HIM. NOT IN LOVE WITH HIM BUT LOVED HIM. TOBIAS FELT THE SAME TOWARD PHAN. BRADFORD INTRODUCED TOBIAS TO NOAH, A GOOD LOOKING MAN IN HIS LATE 20'S. BRADFORD TOLD THEM HE THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE GOOD TOGETHER AND LEFT THEM ALONE. NOAH HAD BEEN WITH A FEW MASTERS BUT THEY NEVER SEEMED TO WORK OUT. HE DEFINITLY WAS NOT INTO DEEP PAIN AND CAGES SCARED HIM. IT WAS UP TO TOBIAS TO FIND OUT WHY. HE NOTICED NOAH HAD A SCAR ON HIS SHOULDER AND DECEIDED TO ASK HIM ABOUT IT LATER ON. YOU'LL ENJOY WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TOBIAS DISCOVERS NOAH'S FIRST DOM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TORMENT HE FEELS. AFTER STUDYING AND LISTENING TO NOAH HE SAID HE'D TRAIN HIM. NOW ALL NOAH HAD TO DO WAS SIGN A CONTRACT. THROUGH TIME NOAH AND TOBIAS FALL IN LOVE. BECAUSE OF THE CLOSENESS BETWEEN TOBIAS AND PHAN NOAH FEELS THREATENED. HE CALLED PHAN AND ASKED IF THEY COULD MEET. WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE PHAN CALLED TOBIAS TELLING HIM ABOUT NOAH ASKING HIM OUT FOR LUNCH. LATER WHEN NOAH FOUND OUT HE BECAME UPSET. NOAH AND PHAN ENDED UP LIKING EACH OTHER. NOW REMEMBER I SAID LIKED NOT LOVED. I JUST GAVE YOU A SLIGHT INDICATION ABOUT THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK. THERE IS SO MANY EXCITING INCIDENTS INSIDE OF THIS MARVELOUS BOOK. I THINK DEVIATIONS: SUBMISSION BY CHRIS OWEN & JODIE PAYNE IS ONE HECK OF A BOOK! AFTER YOU READ THE FIRST IN THIS SERIES YOU'LL FIND YOURSELF BUYING THE SECOND BOOK DEVIATIONS: DOMINATION. YOU'LL ALSO DISCOVER THE SECOND BOOK IS AS ENTERTAINING IF NOT MORE SO THAN THE FIRST. NOW FOR A THIRD BOOK. HUM, NOW THERE'S A GOOD IDEA.

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.