Safe Words: A Deviations Novel

By: Chris OWen, Jodi Payne

Narrated by: Maxx Power

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

In Safe Words, which picks up where the Deviations series left off, Tobias, Noah and Phan are all working on finding their place, both at Bradford's club and in their personal lives. They're all living together, and Tobias has taken on the roll of full-time Dom, which he loves, but finds incredibly challenging. 

While Noah finds comfort in the new state of things and is looking forward to deeper submission, Phan is finding it harder to strike a balance. Too many changes happening too fast are making Phan act out, and Tobias nor Noah are sure how to deal with it. Life is not perfect for Bradford, either, as he discovers new feelings for his sub Nikki. Can Tobias help his friend manage his job teaching the other Doms, and his relationships with Noah and Phan, or will the house that he's built for himself fall down around their ears? 

The Deviations series includes: Deviations Submission, Deviations Domination, Deviations Discipline, and Deviations Bondage.

©2008-Present Jodi Payne & Chris Owen (P)2019 Jodi Payne & Chris Owen

Heart aches for Noah!

This book completely wrecked me! I feel like Noah was completely railroaded at every turn. Phan barged in at the generosity and kindness of Noah and was a whiney shit who pushed his way completely between Tobias and Noah. This is what Noah was so afraid of and was assured it would not happen. In my opinion Noah's contract with Tobias was not honored at all. Yes, Noah could have spoken up but it was Tobias' responsibility to insure Noah was taken care of. I feel that Noah was pushed to the back when he should have been in the front most of the time. I really enjoyed this series until book 3.

Safe Words

Wow, I must say I was afraid Phantom might have pulled the plug. I love the growth and understanding that Noah and Tobias has under taken throughout this series. It only made them stronger in their relationship and able to be their to meet Phantom’s needs. I also, love that Tobias has Bradford as a confidant that’s he can rely on at anytime and vise versa. Most of all I love this series because it open your eyes on the types of male/ male relationships in the BDSM lifestyle.

GREAT SERIES!

Great series! I am so glad they kept the same narrator (Maxx Power) throughout the entire series. The narration was excellent. The authors does a great job with the characters. I always look forward to reading more in this series! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Tobias, Noah & Phan happy at last

What happens when there is a violation of a safe word?

Safe words are used in various contexts in life, but with BDSM they are the way to stop a scene. Full stop. Sometimes it means the person can’t take anymore. Sometimes it means the intensity is unbearable. Sometimes it means this just isn’t working. Regardless of the reason, the scene is supposed to stop and there should be no repercussions. No hard feelings. Perhaps later there will need to be an examination of what happened. To be clear, safe words are rarely thrown around for the heck of it. There are always ramifications when they are used.

Also, to be clear, safe word violations can have long-reaching effects well beyond the participants of the scene. The repercussions can be felt within the scene as people re-evaluate their safety. Bottoms might feel uncertain if all the precautions are in place and Tops might feel that their protocols are being brought into question. They didn’t violate someone’s consent, but they might be cast in that same light.

But I digress. This book is the fifth in the Deviations Series and I enjoyed it as much as the others. Tobias and Noah are back, as strong as ever as a Dominant and submissive pairing. Phan, the third member of their threesome is also back, still dealing with some of his issues. The strength of the triad is admirable. Now that Tobias is training other Dominants, there is a new dynamic. Noah and Phan are sharing their own experience as submissives, Phan’s role being the most challenging. He also has the most stuff to work through but with Noah and Tobias to guide him, he is managing.

Again, I liked the dynamic between Tobias and Noah. I liked that they can release some of their hard-won control and embrace other roles in times of stress. A reminder that prescriptive roles can be changed up for short periods of time in a healthy way and an acknowledgement that we all need someone who understands us.

Bradford and Nikki are great secondary characters and as Tobias, Noah, and Phan integrate more into the club, these secondary characters come to the fore. I liked the men and almost wanted to know more about them.

This book has a good balance of sex, emotion, protocol, and BDSM. These are all elements that need to be balanced for a good relationship to work and to make a strong story. This was a good story and one I enjoyed. I’m sorry to see the series end but it is the perfect note to go off on.

Maxx Power is a great narrator. He has distinct voices for all the men and I’m never left in doubt of who is speaking. He has been consistent through the entire series and I’m grateful for that. This book is a stand-alone but much better enjoyed with the all the books which are now, fortunately, all available on audio. Another great listen.

Faith, Grief and Growth

First I have to compliment the authors and narrator because the previous audiobook and this one the authors really changed their writing skills. Up to the previous audiobook all the characters were flat, no life and they could not the story alive enough to bring your imagination to work were you saw, felt the characters.In this audible and the previous you saw depth, love, grief and laughter and listening to the audiobooks you could feel, hear, laugh and weep because the characters were alive and you could feel you was there. With Tobias, Noah and Phantom togather since the previous audiobook the story has taken a total turn for the better.
Tobias has bought into the men's club, sold most of the farm but kept the house, stables, bunk houses and horses and retired. The three of them have started to grow and learn from each other and start new adventures like Tobias giving seminars at the ranch and the club on BDSM and using both Phantom and Noah to do these seminars. Noah now works at the club as security and advisor and Phantom he the same as usual but with him there is always trouble to get into and most time he get Noah in trouble too. In growing Tobias has found happiness and love he really never had but he finds everyday a new challenge with both Phantom and Noah and what trouble they get him into.
Like in life when we are happy sometimes sorry comes to Ms Miller had passed away and in many ways Tobias, Noah and Phantom never let themselves grieve and accept the lost of here and never face what she really meant to them. Tobias she was a second mother after his parents were killed also housekeeper, friend and so much more. For Phantom she came into his life after the cruel treatment from his family when he had to leave. To him she was a mother who corrected him, grandmother who love on him spoiled and taught to cook, bake and in many ways just to say she loved him just he was and did not want to change nothing about him. Noah he came in shortly before she passed and as everyone else he became one of kids like Tobias and Phantom and accepted him for who he was and all she ask was to be true to themselves. In the audiobook Tobias, Noah and Phantom needs to find closure for the lost of her and try to start afresh by saying what needed to be said and let themselves grieve for her lost and at the same time acknowledge that she will always be there for them and they need to get on with lives.
Again I do recommend this audiobook and I hope you enjoy as much as I did.