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Hammer #11
Sold: A Hammer Novel
Matt is new in town, and he’s excited to be vying for a membership at the Hammer, a club he’s heard is the best in the business. He has to admit that his first encounter with a sub at the Hammer makes him believe it. Adam is like no one Matt has ever met, and he wants the professional sub to be his and his alone.
Adam has some issues that might throw a monkey wrench into Matt’s plan. While Adam thinks Matt is the most amazing top he’s ever met, he also has to make a living. He’s never wanted to have a private contract with anyone before, and he’s not sure how to be a sub to Matt without making the man jealous because of his job.
Matt thinks he has the answers to all of Adam’s questions, but they have to work it all out between them gradually. Meanwhile, Adam still has to work, and some of his old clients may not like Adam having a relationship with another Dom. Can Matt and Adam find a balance between work and play?
Previously published by Torquere Press.
Adam has some issues that might throw a monkey wrench into Matt’s plan. While Adam thinks Matt is the most amazing top he’s ever met, he also has to make a living. He’s never wanted to have a private contract with anyone before, and he’s not sure how to be a sub to Matt without making the man jealous because of his job.
Matt thinks he has the answers to all of Adam’s questions, but they have to work it all out between them gradually. Meanwhile, Adam still has to work, and some of his old clients may not like Adam having a relationship with another Dom. Can Matt and Adam find a balance between work and play?
Previously published by Torquere Press.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2011
8 people are currently reading
198 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 29, 2011
A great addition to the Hammer series. Yet again, like many of the books in this series, it's about more than the sexual dimension in a D/s relationship. Don't get me wrong, that is the central theme of the book, and there are lots of hot sex scenes, but the focus of the story is the characters' interaction outside the bedroom.
I really liked this pair, with Adam struggling so hard to conquer his eating disorder and Matt almost hesitant to take the D/s aspect of their relationship beyond the sexual. I liked how careful Matt was about understanding the whole picture before he acts. Matt is a wonderful Dom and as attuned to finding out his sub's needs as Adam is to finding out what the Dom wants. Any Dom he works with. The fact that Adam is a 'professional sub', and has no intention of stopping to work, throws a real wrench into the developing relationship. I really liked the solution they came up with in the end.
I really liked this pair, with Adam struggling so hard to conquer his eating disorder and Matt almost hesitant to take the D/s aspect of their relationship beyond the sexual. I liked how careful Matt was about understanding the whole picture before he acts. Matt is a wonderful Dom and as attuned to finding out his sub's needs as Adam is to finding out what the Dom wants. Any Dom he works with. The fact that Adam is a 'professional sub', and has no intention of stopping to work, throws a real wrench into the developing relationship. I really liked the solution they came up with in the end.
May 29, 2011
Another Hammer novel. No, I can't stop. Matt is new in town and is being "tested" to join the Hammer club. Adam is a professional sub. He does demonstrations, scenes with people for cash and works for the club trying out new doms to see if they fit. He's very remote and centered and does his job. However instantly Matt doesn't want to be a client, but wants to date Matt who doesn't date or kiss, ever. But strangely he agrees and they start seeing each other. Matt is not thrilled with the idea that Adam goes on scenes with others, but he learns to live with it. Adam also has the habit of not taking care of himself. He's very thin, rarely eats, exercises 20 hours a week, I think you see where this is heading. Anyway, Matt more or less takes over, and things are going okay. After a scene he takes care of Adam as most doms just send him on his way, which is difficult, however apparently he never has sex with clients (although why he had to be clean "inside" and out then I didn't get, but whatever). Things are going okay until one of his clients gets really pissed when he wouldn't reply (Matt makes him take days off and Adam just can't say no) and I could see this coming a mile away, he goes on a scene with angry man and gets very badly beaten. Now what do they do? This is pretty typical of the Hammer books. I really liked Matt though, he tried to accept that it was Adam's job, and not be jealous. Anyway, in the end after Matt gets Adam to give up some of his steely reserve and even allows Matt to take care of his health, they find a solution to their problem of Adam's job. It was okay, some inconsistencies, but not much about the club for fans who hope to see more past characters, only Marcus a bit and I never did find out what they did to the guy who beat Adam. I want to know. LOL It was "taken care of". Those who like the Hammer books with lots of sex (most of it very much on the lite side of BDSM if at all) will enjoy it.
November 2, 2012
A different angle on the typical Dom/sub romance
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 8/10
PROS:
- In a BDSM story, one of my favorite aspects of the relationship is the aftercare: that period that occurs immediately after a scene, when the Dom is ensuring that his sub is okay. In this particular story, the vast majority of the men’s early connections are formed when Matt is caring for Adam after scenes…scenes in which Adam (as a professional sub) submits to OTHER Doms. This shows Matt’s love for Adam as clearly as any other Dom-sub demonstration I’ve ever read about.
- A lot of Sean Michael’s characters are similar, especially within her BDSM novels: the subs tend to be flighty and unfocused, and the Doms tend to be pushy and incredibly self-assured. Well, Matt is a fairly typical Sean Michael Dom, but Adam is a little different. He’s sure of himself, sure of his submissive nature, and sure of his connection with Matt. He becomes the usual Sean Michael sub character only when he’s in a lot of pain or is very stressed.
- Adam struggles with a psychological disorder that is fairly common but which I haven’t seen addressed in many m/m books. I loved seeing the ways in which the disorder affects him, as well as the ways in which Matt takes over control of Adam’s behaviors--in a way that prevents Adam from harming himself while simultaneously acknowledging that the issue is real and something that Adam takes very seriously.
CON:
- Because of the seriousness of some of the issues raised in the book (mainly, Adam’s disorder and an incident that occurs with one of his private clients), the story seemed just a bit underdeveloped to me. I didn’t feel as though it left me hanging, but some of the plot elements weren’t as neatly resolved as I wanted them to be by the end.
Overall comments: This is a good story, especially if you’re already a fan of the Hammer universe. It is, like the majority of Michael’s books, very heavy on the sex, and I’m not sure it’s a standout; but it’s not a typical Dom/sub pairing, either. There are certainly some things here that I haven’t read before.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 8/10
PROS:
- In a BDSM story, one of my favorite aspects of the relationship is the aftercare: that period that occurs immediately after a scene, when the Dom is ensuring that his sub is okay. In this particular story, the vast majority of the men’s early connections are formed when Matt is caring for Adam after scenes…scenes in which Adam (as a professional sub) submits to OTHER Doms. This shows Matt’s love for Adam as clearly as any other Dom-sub demonstration I’ve ever read about.
- A lot of Sean Michael’s characters are similar, especially within her BDSM novels: the subs tend to be flighty and unfocused, and the Doms tend to be pushy and incredibly self-assured. Well, Matt is a fairly typical Sean Michael Dom, but Adam is a little different. He’s sure of himself, sure of his submissive nature, and sure of his connection with Matt. He becomes the usual Sean Michael sub character only when he’s in a lot of pain or is very stressed.
- Adam struggles with a psychological disorder that is fairly common but which I haven’t seen addressed in many m/m books. I loved seeing the ways in which the disorder affects him, as well as the ways in which Matt takes over control of Adam’s behaviors--in a way that prevents Adam from harming himself while simultaneously acknowledging that the issue is real and something that Adam takes very seriously.
CON:
- Because of the seriousness of some of the issues raised in the book (mainly, Adam’s disorder and an incident that occurs with one of his private clients), the story seemed just a bit underdeveloped to me. I didn’t feel as though it left me hanging, but some of the plot elements weren’t as neatly resolved as I wanted them to be by the end.
Overall comments: This is a good story, especially if you’re already a fan of the Hammer universe. It is, like the majority of Michael’s books, very heavy on the sex, and I’m not sure it’s a standout; but it’s not a typical Dom/sub pairing, either. There are certainly some things here that I haven’t read before.
June 10, 2014
The one thing that kept me going in this book was Adam. He's a sweet and wonderful submissive. A professional submissive, even. That's his work. He's never known what it was like to have a real Master. Someone who would give him aftercare, someone who would help him and nurture him in life. A partner in other things. He's never known it, never had the opportunity to let go. When he meets Matt, all things change. I liked Matt okay. He was in a difficult situation, they're learning each other, trying to figure out when to push.
When things go wrong, I can't help but think that some obvious solutions to the situation with Adam and what he could do for work instead of submitting to other men. Um, hello... he loves to garden. Perhaps something like that! Ugh. Whee they end up was fine, I just did't think anyone was going outside of the box, so I was annoyed.
Another think I loved was the lack of regulars. Yes, we have a couple tiny moments with Marcus, Oliver, and even Doc. That's all. I'm so sick of Oliver I could spit. There is this core group of men who frequent the Hammer, and I know enough about them, thank you very much. I want to know new people. In this book, we actually don't even go to the Hammer that much. I think twice?
This was a slight departure from the other books. The formula was broken, if only a bit. I often wonder if all the Doms are basically the same guy. They all want to "smell" their subs, almost all of them get off on fisting, they each have the exact same endearments, use the same language. None of them have anything that makes them all that different from the other. The subs are almost the same, they just have different personal issues they're dealing with. So this time around, having both Dom and Sub be something else, I kept reading. And I'll read more.
When things go wrong, I can't help but think that some obvious solutions to the situation with Adam and what he could do for work instead of submitting to other men. Um, hello... he loves to garden. Perhaps something like that! Ugh. Whee they end up was fine, I just did't think anyone was going outside of the box, so I was annoyed.
Another think I loved was the lack of regulars. Yes, we have a couple tiny moments with Marcus, Oliver, and even Doc. That's all. I'm so sick of Oliver I could spit. There is this core group of men who frequent the Hammer, and I know enough about them, thank you very much. I want to know new people. In this book, we actually don't even go to the Hammer that much. I think twice?
This was a slight departure from the other books. The formula was broken, if only a bit. I often wonder if all the Doms are basically the same guy. They all want to "smell" their subs, almost all of them get off on fisting, they each have the exact same endearments, use the same language. None of them have anything that makes them all that different from the other. The subs are almost the same, they just have different personal issues they're dealing with. So this time around, having both Dom and Sub be something else, I kept reading. And I'll read more.
November 30, 2011
Not the best "Hammer" novel out there, but not bad, either. It just wasn't very ... original? Most of the characters in the Hammer series have things that separate them from the others, makes them different through and through. With Matt, I kind of felt like he wasn't much more than just another Dom; he didn't stand out. He wasn't dramatically different from his sub, he wasn't particularly large or have any characteristics that made him- *him*. He just ... was.
As for Adam, he was as particular and unique as could be. On the surface things seem perfectly fine, well-balanced, until Matt starts seeing more of Adam's regimine and realizes that no, things aren't exactly good most times. There are issues with neurosis and eating issues, insecurities, and he pushes himself too hard and to the brink of a breakdown quite often. The introduction of Matt and his handling of the situations left a good feeling that yes, Adam would now be taken care of properly, etc etc.
Back to Matt and the 'relationship' itself, there weren't many actual scenes that involved both characters together. Adam is a professional sub and you really don't get what that means until about halfway through the novel, and because of his being hired to do scenes with other Doms, Matt specifically avoids doing anything scene-like between them. It was kind of disappointing and put another just kind of bland layer over it.
Now ... had a few of the repetitive sex scenes been taken out, and the couple followed through their move and through a good few scenes of the BDSM training B&B they were going to set up - I have a feeling that would have just put an awesome-dawson cherry on top.
Since it didn't? ... meh.
As for Adam, he was as particular and unique as could be. On the surface things seem perfectly fine, well-balanced, until Matt starts seeing more of Adam's regimine and realizes that no, things aren't exactly good most times. There are issues with neurosis and eating issues, insecurities, and he pushes himself too hard and to the brink of a breakdown quite often. The introduction of Matt and his handling of the situations left a good feeling that yes, Adam would now be taken care of properly, etc etc.
Back to Matt and the 'relationship' itself, there weren't many actual scenes that involved both characters together. Adam is a professional sub and you really don't get what that means until about halfway through the novel, and because of his being hired to do scenes with other Doms, Matt specifically avoids doing anything scene-like between them. It was kind of disappointing and put another just kind of bland layer over it.
Now ... had a few of the repetitive sex scenes been taken out, and the couple followed through their move and through a good few scenes of the BDSM training B&B they were going to set up - I have a feeling that would have just put an awesome-dawson cherry on top.
Since it didn't? ... meh.
July 10, 2011
OK - a Hammer book I'm not quite sure about :(
Matthias is a new member of the Hammer club, and as such has to undergo a 'test' with Adam, who is a professional submissive. However, they fall for each other and form a relationship. That's fine, and their relationship develops well (well, as usual for Hammer stories !).
What bothered me was although Adam was a professional submissive and worked at the Hammer club in that capacity, he also had outside clients to whom he subbed - but none of the Doms ever gave him aftercare! I understand that Dominants place a high priority on caring for subs after a scene, helping them to ground and caring for any bruises/wounds etc; but Adam got none of this.
Until Matt picks him up after a caning and has to deal with the fall-out, Adam has looked after himself (not to mention dealing with anorexia nervosa as well !!); Matt obviously tries to change things and makes rules Adam has to follow; but it's not until a private client abuses Adam, that the Hammer peeps do something.
And that's the worry!
Matthias is a new member of the Hammer club, and as such has to undergo a 'test' with Adam, who is a professional submissive. However, they fall for each other and form a relationship. That's fine, and their relationship develops well (well, as usual for Hammer stories !).
What bothered me was although Adam was a professional submissive and worked at the Hammer club in that capacity, he also had outside clients to whom he subbed - but none of the Doms ever gave him aftercare! I understand that Dominants place a high priority on caring for subs after a scene, helping them to ground and caring for any bruises/wounds etc; but Adam got none of this.
Until Matt picks him up after a caning and has to deal with the fall-out, Adam has looked after himself (not to mention dealing with anorexia nervosa as well !!); Matt obviously tries to change things and makes rules Adam has to follow; but it's not until a private client abuses Adam, that the Hammer peeps do something.
And that's the worry!
February 22, 2015
I really enjoyed this one. The story was well done and interesting.
June 21, 2011
I loved the Hammer series by Sean Michael and Sold was a nice strong story in the series.
December 16, 2019
This is one of the most beautiful, sensual books I've read. Absolutely lovely.
October 31, 2019
Very touching and Hot
This story is about Adam, the house paid sub of the Hammer Club. He meets with Matt a new Dom looking to join the Hammer Club. Matt is instantly taken with Adam, deciding that he needs to have Adam as his own. This story shows how a sub who is constantly in control giving everything of himself finds love and safety and how to feel again with a man who loves him unconditionally.
Also this book leads to to opening of the Briar!
This story is about Adam, the house paid sub of the Hammer Club. He meets with Matt a new Dom looking to join the Hammer Club. Matt is instantly taken with Adam, deciding that he needs to have Adam as his own. This story shows how a sub who is constantly in control giving everything of himself finds love and safety and how to feel again with a man who loves him unconditionally.
Also this book leads to to opening of the Briar!
September 10, 2019
Sweet love story
It's so sweet that Ad finds a master. Being a permanent sub with out aftercare is hard but he finds a loving master
It's so sweet that Ad finds a master. Being a permanent sub with out aftercare is hard but he finds a loving master
November 13, 2012
I agree with the other reviewer who said that there was a lot of repetition in this book. I even skipped several pages in which the author was only repeating: "Mine," "Yours," "You're Mine", "I am yours" and "Lovely!" and "I love you, lovely",and so on.
And I cannot find realistic the idea that a sub pro can have scenes every day, especially with cannings and strappings consecutively. Once I received a canning and the bruisings took six weeks to disappear completely, going from black to blue to green and finally to yellow, each color taking over one week to move to the next one. So, to get a flogging the day after a canning, f...ck! Forget it! Even more unthinkable to work several days under these conditions.
And I cannot find realistic the idea that a sub pro can have scenes every day, especially with cannings and strappings consecutively. Once I received a canning and the bruisings took six weeks to disappear completely, going from black to blue to green and finally to yellow, each color taking over one week to move to the next one. So, to get a flogging the day after a canning, f...ck! Forget it! Even more unthinkable to work several days under these conditions.
October 25, 2012
Adam is a sub that works at helping Dom's in their training or meeting a temporary need. He holds himself in tight control and while he dreams of a master of his own he really doesn't seem ready to let go in the way that is necessary to make that happen. Matt feels something almost immediately and knows that he doesn't want this to be about money. This story involves a delicate dance between being the guy in charge and respecting Adam's work. There is a real journey for both men as they learn about trust and carrying both in the giving and receiving. The biggest lesson sometimes is that you can be the top and still want to be the one giving care and working together as partners.
May 27, 2011
I really liked this book. It's a typical Sean Michael book: short sentences, not too much plot and a lot of hot sex. Normally not the things I like in a book, but Sean Michael makes it work for me. I like that every Hammer book shows a different couple with different problems. It was interesting to see how Matt handled his sub also being a sub for other doms because of his job. The reason I gave this book 3 stars and not 4 is because there are other Hammer couples I like even more. Also the sex part of their relationship was a bit less interesting for me than in other books.
July 11, 2011
3.5 rounded up to 4.
I like the fact that Sean Michael writes books where the Hammer turns out to not be the answer to all things.
I smell spin-off - but in a good way, not in that annoying and these are my 16 unattached roommates, or oops I forgot to end the book way, but in that - "this might be an interesting new idea" way.
I like the fact that Sean Michael writes books where the Hammer turns out to not be the answer to all things.
I smell spin-off - but in a good way, not in that annoying and these are my 16 unattached roommates, or oops I forgot to end the book way, but in that - "this might be an interesting new idea" way.
August 14, 2012
1.5 stars
It's really amazing how bland each of Sean Michael's characters are. They may have interesting stories, but they're all perfect and perfect for each other. Their lines of dialogue are more or less interchangeable and nothing really distinguishes one from the other.
That said, I'm still reading this so it gets an extra half a star for being cute. Nauseatingly cute, but there you go.
It's really amazing how bland each of Sean Michael's characters are. They may have interesting stories, but they're all perfect and perfect for each other. Their lines of dialogue are more or less interchangeable and nothing really distinguishes one from the other.
That said, I'm still reading this so it gets an extra half a star for being cute. Nauseatingly cute, but there you go.
July 23, 2012
Another Hammer novel to fuel my addiction. I really liked Adam and Matt. I thought this storyline was a little different since Adam was a professional sub and Matt allowed it. It was a different dynamic. I would like to see more of these too.
September 20, 2011
always great
December 21, 2011
Another good segment to the Hammer saga. There wasn't anything fabulous that stood out about this one, but it was a solid addition a wonderful series.
December 7, 2013
I loved this book, it was the best one next to the Billy and Tanny's ones .
July 9, 2011
I never really connected with the heroes. It was still a pretty good installment to the series.
May 31, 2011
Typical Sean Micheal. Not without issues, but enjoyed nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews