Richard E. Bonostro 
Scented 
The Status Quo

Scented: The Status Quo is set in a dystopian society where males of the Rune Party depend on female genes to become fully mature intelligent beings. The Mantle, an all-female watchdog group, seeks to usurp political power to even the plain field. The Mantle had long rumored that the Ma’at, an all-powerful woman would emerge to redeem women as rulers once again, but powerful forces amongst the males are determined to maintain the status quo-at all cost.Scented: The Status Quo establishes the struggle between the sexes in a world where it does matter who you sleep with. Males are born mentally neutered until they are scented by a woman. Parents carefully choose educated women whose DNA will complete the man they have cultivated. Evan Abram is one such man. He soon learns after inheriting his father’s job as Commissioner of Surveyors that his wife, Marla, is an agent for the Mantle. Evan’s career is on the fringes, and an ambitious senator consistently nips at Evan’s heels for the capture of the legendary Ma’at who has been reversing key scentings. Despite these setbacks, Evan rebounds in the arms of his secretary who helps him to regain his confidence. Meanwhile, the ambitious senator launches his secret plan to usurp the two opposing political parties: The Mantle and the Rune.