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Box of Nails #1
This Old House
Devon used to be a server at the Hammer Club, the most exclusive BDSM club in town. But that was before he inherited a lot of money from his grandmother and decided to buy a big old house and convert it into apartments for Hammer Club waiters. It's hard to find decent, affordable housing and he wants to do something good for his fellow twinks. Unfortunately the house is in much worse repair than he knew when he bought it and he's slowly drowning under the weight of the demands from both the house, and the boys who live in it.
Enter Barney, the contractor Devon calls in for an emergency fix of the building's pipes. Barney's heard of the Hammer Club, in fact he's saving up for a membership, but it's going to take a while on his blue collar salary. He falls for Devon on the spot and can only hope the feeling is mutual. He also wants to make sure none of Devon’s twink friends are running roughshod over the man, and he’s determined to help.
Can they work together to find a way to keep Devon, and his old house, afloat?
Enter Barney, the contractor Devon calls in for an emergency fix of the building's pipes. Barney's heard of the Hammer Club, in fact he's saving up for a membership, but it's going to take a while on his blue collar salary. He falls for Devon on the spot and can only hope the feeling is mutual. He also wants to make sure none of Devon’s twink friends are running roughshod over the man, and he’s determined to help.
Can they work together to find a way to keep Devon, and his old house, afloat?
145 pages, ebook
First published December 6, 2012
4 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Sean Michael
652 books1,209 followersOften referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and persuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago."
A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.
Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.
A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.
Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 25, 2012
This was okay but read like a rehashed version of Bent...sigh :/
Dear Ms. Michael (everyone else avert thine eyes!),
I like your work....really I do. I've read a F' TON of it. You're super kinky and GOSH I adore kinky chicks but if this tattooed-pierced-Switch-fag-hag extraordinaire might offer some suggestions for future books:
1. I don't know any men, queer or other Kinsey scale wise who enjoy thumbs & fingernails up their glans' OUCH! Please stop it.
2. We love your characters and know them well PLEASE no more clones of Tanny, Jack, or Jim it's getting tedious...
3. Research piercing and tattooing why dontcha! They need time to heal before you can play with 'em lady! LOTS of time! WITHOUT antibiotic ointment and other completely ridiculous stuff you add in.
4. Where are the versatile men woman!? Quit reinforcing stereotypical representations of queer men! >:O
5. Would you try to write a Hammer book without: mine, yours, love, turkey, stud, pushy, it's big, and loving the smell of jism! O_o...I die a little each time I read one of these lines in your books....
6. Stop avoiding & Get to writing the following: Xavier's story, Olly and Jack's, &/or Treat & Killian's stories for the love of lube!
7. There are SO MANY other types of kink for you to play with. SO PLAY. Go hard or go home!
8.. I REALLY could go on but it's late so :P
Dear Ms. Michael (everyone else avert thine eyes!),
I like your work....really I do. I've read a F' TON of it. You're super kinky and GOSH I adore kinky chicks but if this tattooed-pierced-Switch-fag-hag extraordinaire might offer some suggestions for future books:
1. I don't know any men, queer or other Kinsey scale wise who enjoy thumbs & fingernails up their glans' OUCH! Please stop it.
2. We love your characters and know them well PLEASE no more clones of Tanny, Jack, or Jim it's getting tedious...
3. Research piercing and tattooing why dontcha! They need time to heal before you can play with 'em lady! LOTS of time! WITHOUT antibiotic ointment and other completely ridiculous stuff you add in.
4. Where are the versatile men woman!? Quit reinforcing stereotypical representations of queer men! >:O
5. Would you try to write a Hammer book without: mine, yours, love, turkey, stud, pushy, it's big, and loving the smell of jism! O_o...I die a little each time I read one of these lines in your books....
6. Stop avoiding & Get to writing the following: Xavier's story, Olly and Jack's, &/or Treat & Killian's stories for the love of lube!
7. There are SO MANY other types of kink for you to play with. SO PLAY. Go hard or go home!
8.. I REALLY could go on but it's late so :P
March 5, 2017
This spin-off from the Hammer series takes the action (almost) entirely outside of the club itself, and I think that is an interesting idea for adding a new flavor. The tone of this book is also far more "kinky" than "BDSM-y", with lots of play and very little D/s. Yes, that still plays a role, but not in the same front-and-center fashion as it does in the Hammer series. A sort of "Hammer light", if you want.
Devon is such a great guy, but he is in way over his head. All he wanted was to provide safe housing for the servers at the Hammer, and all they do is use him. I guess it is in their nature to push and be dramatic, but Devon is a sub himself and doesn’t have it in him to push back. He just keeps giving. All he needs is a keeper, and thank God he finds one!
Barney is a contractor who gets called in for an emergency plumbing job. He takes one look at Devon and falls deeply. He takes another look at the whole situation, and shakes his head. I loved that he didn’t just take over, but that he helps Devon do it himself instead. Barney discovers Devon's sensual side while helping him build the self-confidence to follow his dream – which is NOT running a house and being a landlord 24/7.
If you like reading about two men looking for their dream partner and finding him unexpectedly, if you enjoy lots and lots of very intimate, increasingly kinky bedroom and playroom activity, and if the floundering, twink-y sub getting rescued by the kind and thoughtful Dom is your thing, you will probably like this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Devon is such a great guy, but he is in way over his head. All he wanted was to provide safe housing for the servers at the Hammer, and all they do is use him. I guess it is in their nature to push and be dramatic, but Devon is a sub himself and doesn’t have it in him to push back. He just keeps giving. All he needs is a keeper, and thank God he finds one!
Barney is a contractor who gets called in for an emergency plumbing job. He takes one look at Devon and falls deeply. He takes another look at the whole situation, and shakes his head. I loved that he didn’t just take over, but that he helps Devon do it himself instead. Barney discovers Devon's sensual side while helping him build the self-confidence to follow his dream – which is NOT running a house and being a landlord 24/7.
If you like reading about two men looking for their dream partner and finding him unexpectedly, if you enjoy lots and lots of very intimate, increasingly kinky bedroom and playroom activity, and if the floundering, twink-y sub getting rescued by the kind and thoughtful Dom is your thing, you will probably like this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
January 11, 2013
Typical Sean Michael D/s characters
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- I love gruff characters who are also tender, who say sweet things and call people by pet names. Barney is all of these.
- It’s nice to read a Hammer story about a couple of regular guys who aren’t rich and don’t have the whole world at their fingertips.
- There’s never much beating around the bush with Michael’s BDSM stories. The men know what they want, and they’re straightforward about going after it.
- If you like this author’s typical submissive character--the fluttery little twink who talks 90 miles per hour and is uncertain about most everything in life except that he’s looking for a Dominant partner--there are quite a few in this story. Some of them are a tad annoying, but on the whole, I thought they were adorable.
CONS:
- The entire story doesn’t last more than a week or so, and considering the men are in forever love at the end of it, I didn’t find it very believable.
- Same comment that I put on pretty much every Sean Michael review I write these days: the editing is a disgrace. The wrong name is used here, a word is misspelled there…this sentence uses the wrong verb tense, that sentence is missing one or more words.
Overall comments: You have to ignore a few pretty big coincidences to buy into this story (Barney being the first number Devon just happens to dial when he has a plumbing emergency, Barney already knowing about the Hammer club because he’s saving up for a membership, etc.), but if you can, I think you’ll find the story sweet.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- I love gruff characters who are also tender, who say sweet things and call people by pet names. Barney is all of these.
- It’s nice to read a Hammer story about a couple of regular guys who aren’t rich and don’t have the whole world at their fingertips.
- There’s never much beating around the bush with Michael’s BDSM stories. The men know what they want, and they’re straightforward about going after it.
- If you like this author’s typical submissive character--the fluttery little twink who talks 90 miles per hour and is uncertain about most everything in life except that he’s looking for a Dominant partner--there are quite a few in this story. Some of them are a tad annoying, but on the whole, I thought they were adorable.
CONS:
- The entire story doesn’t last more than a week or so, and considering the men are in forever love at the end of it, I didn’t find it very believable.
- Same comment that I put on pretty much every Sean Michael review I write these days: the editing is a disgrace. The wrong name is used here, a word is misspelled there…this sentence uses the wrong verb tense, that sentence is missing one or more words.
Overall comments: You have to ignore a few pretty big coincidences to buy into this story (Barney being the first number Devon just happens to dial when he has a plumbing emergency, Barney already knowing about the Hammer club because he’s saving up for a membership, etc.), but if you can, I think you’ll find the story sweet.
August 20, 2013
Cute start to a fun new series that ties in to the Hammer series. Devin, an employee at the Hammer, seeing a need for a safe place for the Hammer servers to live affordably, bought an apartment building with his gram's inheritance money. Trying to do a good thing, he didn't realize how in over his head he was getting.
Now, if this were just a case of trying to improve a run-down apartment complex, that would be one thing. Unfortunately, an entire complex full of twinks causing drama at every turn, really takes its toll.
Thankfully, Devin calls for a plumber and ends up with Barney, who falls instantly in love with sweet little Devvie. Barney comes to the rescue and tries to put things right. Eventually, they realize that in order to do so, they will need the help of another Dom to live there and be den mother to all the twinky residents.
There are a few interesting tenants, but for the most part, they are a petty and needy bunch. Looking forward to seeing where this is going though, so off to the next book.
January 2, 2013
Very typical of the Hammer style plot lines and writing. What tends to irritate me is that this author has the ability to write good scenes, but glosses over moments that could go deeper.
But, perhaps that is what the tone of this series is supposed to be, light.
Lots of sex, I actually skimmed quite a bit of it.
But, perhaps that is what the tone of this series is supposed to be, light.
Lots of sex, I actually skimmed quite a bit of it.
November 23, 2012
2.5 stars. I always seem to get sucked into the Hammer series only to find pages upon pages of sex. Though the characters were sweet together.
And I'll probably buy the next book. :)
And I'll probably buy the next book. :)
November 21, 2012
I liked it :) Cute characters, only some minor editing problems...
August 5, 2024
The premise of Devon buying a building and not having an inspection done before he closed on it was inexplicable. I could understand he might not know how to do the work himself, but he surely would have had an approximate cost to make major repairs from an inspection.
I found the instant attraction between Barney and Devon unconvincing especially with Devon hopping in bed so quickly when he had been waiting a long time. There were also inconsistencies throughout the story that bothered me. I wanted to like it, but I was disappointed. This was somewhere between 1 and 2 stars.
Inconsistencies included - shredding Devon's clothes then Devon puts back on his clothes to leave. Also, how much is a membership to Hammer because the addition that was described would have been over $100K easily. Can't believe that equates to cost of belonging to the club for even 10 years.
I think I'm being generous with 2 stars.
I found the instant attraction between Barney and Devon unconvincing especially with Devon hopping in bed so quickly when he had been waiting a long time. There were also inconsistencies throughout the story that bothered me. I wanted to like it, but I was disappointed. This was somewhere between 1 and 2 stars.
Inconsistencies included - shredding Devon's clothes then Devon puts back on his clothes to leave. Also, how much is a membership to Hammer because the addition that was described would have been over $100K easily. Can't believe that equates to cost of belonging to the club for even 10 years.
I think I'm being generous with 2 stars.
October 2, 2019
This is a cute story
A house for subs who are looking for Masters...So one is found and a sub runs it which means all the needy subs run amuck
A house for subs who are looking for Masters...So one is found and a sub runs it which means all the needy subs run amuck
March 5, 2017
This spin-off from the Hammer series takes the action (almost) entirely outside of the club itself, and I think that is an interesting idea for adding a new flavor. The tone of this book is also far more "kinky" than "BDSM-y", with lots of play and very little D/s. Yes, that still plays a role, but not in the same front-and-center fashion as it does in the Hammer series. A sort of "Hammer light", if you want.
Devon is such a great guy, but he is in way over his head. All he wanted was to provide safe housing for the servers at the Hammer, and all they do is use him. I guess it is in their nature to push and be dramatic, but Devon is a sub himself and doesn’t have it in him to push back. He just keeps giving. All he needs is a keeper, and thank God he finds one!
Barney is a contractor who gets called in for an emergency plumbing job. He takes one look at Devon and falls deeply. He takes another look at the whole situation, and shakes his head. I loved that he didn’t just take over, but that he helps Devon do it himself instead. Barney discovers Devon's sensual side while helping him build the self-confidence to follow his dream – which is NOT running a house and being a landlord 24/7.
If you like reading about two men looking for their dream partner and finding him unexpectedly, if you enjoy lots and lots of very intimate, increasingly kinky bedroom and playroom activity, and if the floundering, twink-y sub getting rescued by the kind and thoughtful Dom is your thing, you will probably like this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Devon is such a great guy, but he is in way over his head. All he wanted was to provide safe housing for the servers at the Hammer, and all they do is use him. I guess it is in their nature to push and be dramatic, but Devon is a sub himself and doesn’t have it in him to push back. He just keeps giving. All he needs is a keeper, and thank God he finds one!
Barney is a contractor who gets called in for an emergency plumbing job. He takes one look at Devon and falls deeply. He takes another look at the whole situation, and shakes his head. I loved that he didn’t just take over, but that he helps Devon do it himself instead. Barney discovers Devon's sensual side while helping him build the self-confidence to follow his dream – which is NOT running a house and being a landlord 24/7.
If you like reading about two men looking for their dream partner and finding him unexpectedly, if you enjoy lots and lots of very intimate, increasingly kinky bedroom and playroom activity, and if the floundering, twink-y sub getting rescued by the kind and thoughtful Dom is your thing, you will probably like this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
February 22, 2014
Ugh!! On the whole I really like Sean Michael's books however this erroneous information about piercing in them drives me absolutely insane!!!!!
Is it too much to ask an author to do even a smidgen of research? The correct answer could even be had in one phone call to any decent piercer.
What I'm ranting about is the following snippet of conversation...
asking Treat about his newly pierced nipples...
"How long until they're healed?"
Treat's answer
"A couple weeks. In a week or so you can play with them."
OMFG! Not only have I had my own nipples pierced but I've worked in a parlor and the true answer is so much longer and more complicated. The truth is they take about 6 months to heal and they shouldn't be played with for several weeks. No oral contact for even longer because of the germs.
further problems I see over and over again...
a) Most piercers would at least encourage starting with bars and waiting 4-6 months before switching to rings.
b)part of choosing jewelry depends on nipple size.
c)gauge is discussed.
d)marking placement is done standing up straight with the arms down at your sides.
e)aftercare instructions are thoroughly talked about, including signs of infection to look out for.
f)NO ANTIBIOTIC CREAM!!!!! H2Ocean or some other type of saline.
Is it too much to ask an author to do even a smidgen of research? The correct answer could even be had in one phone call to any decent piercer.
What I'm ranting about is the following snippet of conversation...
asking Treat about his newly pierced nipples...
"How long until they're healed?"
Treat's answer
"A couple weeks. In a week or so you can play with them."
OMFG! Not only have I had my own nipples pierced but I've worked in a parlor and the true answer is so much longer and more complicated. The truth is they take about 6 months to heal and they shouldn't be played with for several weeks. No oral contact for even longer because of the germs.
further problems I see over and over again...
a) Most piercers would at least encourage starting with bars and waiting 4-6 months before switching to rings.
b)part of choosing jewelry depends on nipple size.
c)gauge is discussed.
d)marking placement is done standing up straight with the arms down at your sides.
e)aftercare instructions are thoroughly talked about, including signs of infection to look out for.
f)NO ANTIBIOTIC CREAM!!!!! H2Ocean or some other type of saline.
November 30, 2012
It is what it is, a typical Hammer-style novel with tons of sex, a cute twink and a big but gentle dom. The concept is fine, house full of twinks all looking for Mr. Right, but I'm starting to grow a bit weary of the formula.
Plus the continuity errors in this made me crazy. Clothing is literally ripped off his body, then promptly put back on to head out to the tattoo parlour. Pants are undone and pulled down, 10 min later they are undone and pulled down again without any indication of them being pulled up. A leather belt tied around wrists magically turns into leather cuffs. If that kind of things doesn't bother you, then you'll enjoy it well enough, but if future books have that much poor editing, then I'm passing.
Plus the continuity errors in this made me crazy. Clothing is literally ripped off his body, then promptly put back on to head out to the tattoo parlour. Pants are undone and pulled down, 10 min later they are undone and pulled down again without any indication of them being pulled up. A leather belt tied around wrists magically turns into leather cuffs. If that kind of things doesn't bother you, then you'll enjoy it well enough, but if future books have that much poor editing, then I'm passing.
December 3, 2012
I have read several Sean Michael books, and found them to be good books. This is a good idea, but not what I like. I just couldn't appreciate the different point of view/way of speaking. Devon doesn't complete many of his sentences, they just end, and new thoughts start coming out of his mouth or mind if it's his turn at POV. Which is how he is supposed to act, I just don't enjoy reading that. Barney is less difficult to read, but even he seems to be infected by the spastic bug. It's just me, I know that, I'm sure many people would enjoy this method of writing. I was expecting something else, and my disappointment shows in my review.
November 24, 2012
This is one of Sean Michael's sweeter kink offerings- sweet, inexperienced virgin-ish sub and the kind, thoughtful dom. Just enough drama caused by the twinks who live in the Box of Nails to keep the story from being cloying- a soft, sexy, gentle read that's perfect for a rainy afternoon or after a hard day.
March 16, 2013
I like Sean Michael but this one fell flat for me. The insta-love was too fast and IMO this story needed a hint of angst or something. And I can't believe I'm going to say this about a Sean Michael story but there was sex but it was fairly vanilla and fprgetable. We learned nothing about Barney and it just felt rushed to me.
August 8, 2022
Hammer Club Spin off...
I adored the hammer club books, and I adore Sean Michael books in general. Devons heart was in the right place but it was clear he was out of his element. Barney obviously saw this, and though it was quicker paced than I prefer, I enjoyed every second.
I adored the hammer club books, and I adore Sean Michael books in general. Devons heart was in the right place but it was clear he was out of his element. Barney obviously saw this, and though it was quicker paced than I prefer, I enjoyed every second.
November 23, 2012
Gotta love a Sean Michael book. He never lets me down.
A spine off of the Hammer series. Short, cute, very sweet with a touch of naughty!! I hope to meet more of the tenants of this wonderful old house in the future.
A spine off of the Hammer series. Short, cute, very sweet with a touch of naughty!! I hope to meet more of the tenants of this wonderful old house in the future.
December 7, 2012
Barney comes to the rescue when Devon needs emergency plumbing problems but decides that a whole different kind of rescue is called for. I love this addition the Hammer family and I can't wait to read more.
November 28, 2012
Spinoff series from the popular Hammer series. Please see my complete review Dec. 3, 2012 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
November 25, 2012
Очень, очень мимимишно. Жалко, что мало :)
February 22, 2015
Excellent story! I've really been looking forward to this one and I wasn't disappointed. Lots of new characters for lots of new Hammer stories.
November 29, 2012
More worthy of 3.5 stars, but the characters were sweet enough for me to bump it up half a star. I'm glad they both got their HEA.
November 25, 2012
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews