In this continuation of the characters and plot from the Chris Owen and Jodi Payne’s earlier Deviations: Submission, Dominant Tobias and his submissive new lover Noah, explore their own and each other’s pasts and sexuality. The sensual connection between the two men was intense and immediate, and after a few weeks they agree to a six-month contractual agreement. Tobias, a large-animal veterinarian, finds his mental time is almost completely devoted to thoughts of Noah and his plans for the two of them, and only hopes the same is not the case for Noah while on his job as a police officer.

Tobias believes himself to be sufficiently self-aware, but he recognizes that the same is not yet true for Noah. Noah has had seriously painful past experiences, and the memories might yet interfere with his interactions with Tobias. Tobias wants Noah to experience more than just the ample sexual release, and the emotional component is slow in coming. The difficulty is that Tobias also harbors past secrets as well, which could interfere in the development of the relationship.

Chris Owen and Jodi Payne once again amply explore the worlds of the BDSM lifestyle. Tobias and Noah are fully fleshed characters whose lives are examined in detail, until the reader feels as if they are cherished long-term friends. These two novels are character-driven, and these authors do that excellently. Deviations: Domination is a novel worth re-reading, as is its prequel, Deviations: Submission. Reader caution: these novels focus on the gay BDSM environment and are graphic, and may not be suitable for readers of delicate sensibilities.