Ask the Author: Charles Reeza

“Ask me a question.” Charles Reeza

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Mr. Reeza, you know when you read a book and can't stop reading but afraid to get to the end? That was The Gardener for me. I read it years ago and to this day it still haunts me. I google your name several time a year (as I did today) checking to see if you've published another book. Sadly no. I hope some day you do because i think you're a brilliant storyteller. Also, I'm an avid gardener!!!
Charles Reeza Thank you, John, for taking the time to send this message. It means a great deal to me to know that my novel lives on in people's minds in the same way it does for me. It looks like this is the first time you interacted with anyone on Goodreads, so you may be a fellow introvert. If that is true, I appreciate your comment even more. Keep googling my name if you wish, but you are unlikely to find any new books from me within the next five years. As I get closer to retiring from my practice as a psychologist... who knows? The Gardener emerged as a complete surprise to me, so anything could happen, especially when I have more time on my hands.
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Hello Charles, firstly many thanks for writing the Gardener. As an amateur gardener myself in Yorkshire England, I really appreciated the references to all the different plants and the design layout. It was very refreshing to be able to read a story that encompassed these elements. I was a bit disappointed that Henry disappeared into thin air. May be that is book 2? I hope so. Thanks for the read. Chris
Charles Reeza Thanks for your kind words, Chris. I am an amateur gardener as well, so I enjoyed writing about gardening. I'm so glad to hear that you noticed the references to gardening because one of your countrymen, "sussex mark", included this line in his review:

"Also for Adam to be so totally into gardening and for Sam to have been hired as a gardener, there is virtually no mention of plants or garden activity."

I'm quite relieved to know that those passages were visible to other readers.

I have toyed with the idea of writing a sequel that would include something about Henry being brought to justice, but I doubt that I will have the time. It may be more realistic to let his fate remain unknown given that we live in a world in which some people seem to get away with a lifetime of criminal behavior with few consequences. Who knows? Henry might even be elected President of the United States.
@Chris Gibbins
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Also, not a question? Just to let you know that I loved your novel. I hope you give all of us another one. I wish womderful books like yours had existed 50 years ago when I was young. Les
Charles Reeza Thanks, Les! I'm not a fan of romance novels, so I set out to write a love story that I would want to read. I'm pleased to find that other people enjoy it, too.
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Mr. Reza, not a question? but just to say thank you so much for sharing Adam and Sam and their big wonderful family with us. I thoroughly enjoyed your novel. Very, very thought provoking and feeling provoking.
Charles Reeza You're welcome, Marcos! Writing that novel helped me to process my own thoughts and feelings about love and relationships, so I'm happy to hear it can do the same for others. Let me know if you have any questions about it.
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I thoroughly enjoyed The Gardner. The story was so engaging and paced so well, I was in no hurry to finish reading it. Infact, I really didn't want it to end...As others have mentioned, I see some of myself in the book. I am an only child and experiencing life through Adam's lens of emotional self-reliance certainly resonated with me. I hope you will find time to write a sequel. Will you?
Charles Reeza I have thought about a sequel, so I have some ideas. I don't think I will have time for a project like that until I retire. Don't hold your breath, that's at least five years away. The sequel I'm imagining would be shorter (please!) and less of an emotional rollercoaster. I picture a newly confident Adam playing amateur detective on some criminal investigation against almost everyone's advice, while Sam does his best to keep him from getting hurt or killed. Hijinks ensue.
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I have read over 100 MM romance novels over the past two years. The Gardener is by far the most beautifully written novel I have read in years (gay or not) with characters so vibrant and engaging, they are all painfully unforgettable. As in introvert, I saw way too much of myself in your characters in terms of personality and flaws. It would be criminal if this were to be your only book. Please, will you write more?
Charles Reeza Thank you very much for your appreciation of my writing and my novel. I don't think I will be writing anything else for quite a while. I never intended to write a book, and certainly never thought I would write a romance novel because I don't read them. The Gardener started as a short story, but once I got going it kept expanding until it was a long book. It surprised me. If I have another book in me, it will have to wait until I'm retired, at least five years from now. Thanks again, Sanjay.
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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)
Charles Reeza I'm not planning another book right now, but I'm curious to hear your ideas.
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Hello Mr. Reeza. Is it OK if I do not ask a question of you? Reluctantly turning the last pages of your beautiful, heartfelt, humorous, hopeful and charming novel, I hoped the Gardner was just the first of several works I could read next. As the readers below says, The Gardener is one of the best novels I have enjoyed reading for a long time. I too will also re-visit it, and think what you may write next.
Charles Reeza Thank you for letting me know how much you enjoyed reading my novel. I sincerely appreciate hearing from readers like you.
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Hi, just wanted to let you know that The Gardener is one of the best MM books I think I've ever read - it felt so real, the dialogue felt like something real people would say, and I got totally absorbed in the lives and emotions of the characters. Thanks you for writing it. I really hope one day you write another novel because I yearn to read more books like this one! Here's the obligatory question mark?
Charles Reeza Hi Jake! That's an excellent question (mark). Let's see if I can answer that for you. First of all, thank you for taking the time to let me know your reaction to the book. Secondly, I would love to be able to write another novel about all the characters in The Gardener. I miss them. Every week I re-read a chapter or more so I can revisit their world and think about what Adam and Sam might do next.
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The Gardner was totally one of the best novels I have had the pleasure of reading in sometime. I want to know are you planning on writing another amazing novel for the readers to enjoy true creativity?
Charles Reeza I have thought about writing another novel, but I'm not sure I have another one in me, at least not right now. I had no intention of writing a full-length book when I started The Gardener in 2013. It just kept expanding as ideas and characters popped into my head spontaneously. It took up most of my free time until I self-published it on Kindle in 2015. Since then I've spent more on advertising the book than I have earned from sales.

If I return to writing, it will be purely for my pleasure and for the appreciation of readers like you, not for profit. I have a demanding day job, so I'm reluctant to let another project take over my life. Maybe when I retire?
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Thanks for getting back to me, I've been in a reading group for 30 years and we've never had a list of all the books we've read. I'm trying to create one by going through my old calendars, but my info isn't always complete. On March the 30, 2003, my note says the book is called The Gay Gardener, no author, I couldn't find anything close, but your book sounded like it could be it? Mark
Charles Reeza I see. Well, my Gardener is gay, but the book wasn't even a half-formed thought in my head in 2003. I'm amazed that your reading group has lasted 30 years! I would be honored if you added my novel to your list.
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Hello Charles, I'm curious was this book previously published, during or before 2003? Thank you Mark Friedman
Charles Reeza No, I started writing it in 2013. Why do you ask?
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Hello Mr Reeza. I discover the beginning of your story on a closed forum and buy your ebook after i can't see more of this story. I never read something like that. You make me feel so much things... I wish i can read more of thoose characters... I feel like i want to be this lucky adams and i share a lot with him. I wish one day i can thanks you for all i feels reading this story in person. Thanks a lot. really?
Charles Reeza Thank you, Maxime. I'm happy that you found The Gardener after reading the first part on the forum, and that you felt so much while reading it. This means a lot to me.

I believe you are the only person in France who bought my e-book!
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