Taking the Gardener

by T.J. Masters

Mourning the sudden loss of his parents in a car crash, experienced Dom Eric Broderick escapes London society and his high-pressure law firm and retreats to Glebe House in Pittlesburne, a small village in Buckinghamshire. He tours the nearby woods and the charming village, but it’s really the guesthouse’s garden he’s taken with—or, rather, the gardener.

Tom Bestwick maintains the grounds of Glebe House for his fiancée and does odd jobs around the village. With little experience outside Pittlesburne, Tom finds fulfillment through his true passions, rugby and art. He has just one unrealized desire—one the guesthouse’s new occupant would be happy to help him with.

Late one night, while walking through the garden to clear his mood, Eric spies Tom enjoying a BDSM video starring two men. Having a sub to train might just help Eric forget his troubles, but as their feelings deepen, the real world intrudes. Eric can give Tom everything, but not until Tom decides where he’s meant to be.

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2013

About the author

T.J. Masters is a fifty-six-year-old author and life coach living in Hertfordshire just to the north of London, England. T.J. has shared thirty years of suburban life with his civil partner Ian, and they enjoy the love and support of T.J’s large Irish family who all live nearby. In 2009 T.J. took early retirement from a thirty-three-year school teaching career and decided to follow a new path. After qualifying as a life coach, T.J. found that he was coaching a couple of authors who were going through the process of giving birth to the book which “had always been inside them.” This rekindled T.J’s long-held desire to write and get published.

With a lifelong passion for books, learning, and the sharing of knowledge, T.J. woke up to the realization that he had stories to tell, books to write, and less than half a lifetime left to do it in. As for the kind of books he is writing… well, let’s just say that he decided to channel over thirty years of experience in the gay BDSM lifestyle into a genre where it would be most appreciated!

Alongside this passion for books and writing, T.J. also found an outlet for his inner geek and has become a great advocate for social media in various forms. Blogging has become a great outlet for T.J’s many interests including the writerly ones. The author has a website where he blogs regularly and he loves to interact with his readers and followers at http://www.tjmasters.com.

Reviews

[SheReadsALot · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Hearts On Fire Review

Before we begin, do me a favor? Think of the most cheesiest porno (don't act like you haven't watched one) you've ever seen. Think about some out of date dialogue, the bad acting and creepy actions.

Are you there yet? Have we set the mood?

Good.

Now cue the bad porno music.

The blurb for "Taking the Gardener" promises a grieving "Dom" named Eric who couldn't handle his parents death that he runs away to small town for an open-ended vacation. He's 28, retired and one of the most famous "Doms" in Europe. He's on "top" of the world. And apparently he is irresistible because he sets his sights on the vacation home's straight affianced gardener, the young, nubile country boy Tom.

Sounds like a wet dream, right? Or the set up for one sexy read. Not! This story was not supposed to be funny nor fantasy based but it felt like I walked into the land of the absurd.

You see in this fantasy world (or real world for Eric & Tom *shrug*), Doms are as "masterly" as exclamation points, subs direct what will go down for the scenes for their "Master" and BDSM is described as role play (actually quoted by the resident master Dom, Eric. (*epic eye roll*)

Here in "Taking the Gardener" the term "sexy lad" are the epic seductive words and can make a 'straight' man change his ways. (I hate that term BTW) The "sexy" dialogue was outdated at times. Granted there's a lot of sex and it was hot in a PWP kind of way but this is a novel, so hence the issue.

Eric came across as an arrogant jerk. He keeps saying he is dominant and yelled a lot. So that's what it takes to become a Dom? You just yell and repeat the same phrases like "sexy lad" or "suck it!" Please.

Tom as a submissive? If you could only hear my snort over the screen. I do not believe their love. At best Tom just got a taste of chocolate in his vanilla world and fell for the person who introduced him to the gay sex he's always fantasized about.

Also there was no warning about the multiple partners and double penetration scene. How can one believe this supposed to be romance when they are screwing a town homophobe in a three-way? Yes, they deal with homophobes by bending them over and treating them to some spit roasting action.

*sigh*

And these two are so sexy, these sexy lads they are. *gag* Tom's female fiance, Megan catches them and what does she exclaim?!

"You just couldn't keep it in the bedroom, could you?"

Are you kidding me?!!!!!

And then the kicker is after everyone finds out about Tom and Eric are cheating/ "Master" & "Slave" (LMAO), Megan's father said he wouldn't be able to resist a "sexy lad" like Eric either if he were in Tom's shoes.

I'm not going to get into the weird multiple partners or creepy feel or the non-research of what BDSM really is. Alright, it was a failure all around but at least my lungs got a good work out.

If you like BDSM, not the fake vanilla sex with weak rough-like play and over abundant exclamation point abuse that takes place in this novel, do not even waste your time. Trust me on this one. It's horrific and cringe worthy.

Don't do it.

[Simsala]

DNF 50%

Some glimpses of good writing especially in the beginning, but I stopped
taking this seriously after the flashback to Eric`s younger self and his first steps into the BDSM lifestyle. - An experienced Dom talking about safe bondage but sending his sub in training home with a stranger and clearly inexperienced Dom...yeah, right!
From then on it mostly was roughed up Sir/boy vanilla sex - or better said... bad porn. I pulled out my binoculars to search for the BDSM mentioned on every page but for the life of me I couldn`t find it...
Through the course of the story I disliked the "Dom" more and more. An arrogant, self centered and annoyingly careless ass who should be taken down a notch or two, IMO.
I don`t mind cheating in my m/m stories - if it isn`t played down as negilibility as it happened here.
Not my story...DNF

[Josy · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ 3.5 stars ~

[Anyta Sunday · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

Hot and intriguing sex, but lacking in romance and conflict.

Let me start with the hot & intriguing part:

There is a lot of sex in this book, and not too much lead up before it happens. For a moment, I saw a glimmer of an interesting conflict that could really propel this book on a more mental level (Tom is engaged to a woman), but this is treated more as a simple circumstance that, other than the occasional ‘feel-bad’ reflection, doesn’t mean anything.

If you are put off by cheating, this is not the book for you.

However, if you can get past this, and you are reading to have a little carnal pleasure—or are super curious at an insight into the BDSM lifestyle—then this book has a lot to offer. Because, yeah, the sex is hot and a little mind bending too; I often found myself frowning and cocking my head while turning the screen around as I was reading, as if that would clarify the mental images of exactly how some of this sex worked. (On occasion there were more than two good-looking men involved . . .)

I think this was the most fascinating part of the story for me; especially considering the author has thirty years personal experience in the BDSM lifestyle. That gave the story/sex elements more credibility. So that is a definite plus.

Now on to the lacking in romance part:

It’s not that there’s no romance in here, in a way, there is a touch of care/love that simmers through between Tom and Eric, but I felt this development grew much, much too quickly. Eric is drawn to Tom from first sight and falls in love in the blink of an eye.

I guess it suits the more erotic story line just fine, but there are glimpses of some really nice writing in the story (especially in the first part of the book) and I can see this author could possibly offer a bit more than mostly mind-bending sex in his stories. (For example, there was so much potential for conflict with Megan, her father, maybe even some of Tom’s rugby players.)

So yeah. Hot and intriguing sex, but lacking in romance and conflict.

[Southernangel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate giving negative reviews, but sometimes it needs to be done. First off. I don't think the author has any idea what Dom / sub, BDSM, etc. is about. It felt detached and un-informed. I actually cringed reading some of the scenes. The dialogue in these scenes made me want to stab my eyes out. "fuck me Master", "Suck me slave"...repetitive and uninspired. The blurb held so much promise, and the book just killed any hope. If you want to write BDSM or Dom /sub relationships, you need to do your research, and make sure your depiction of the relationship is more accurate and believable. The author made a joke out of the lifestyle, and might offend certain readers with lack of knowledge. The rest of the book...overused straight boy turning gay, get caught by girlfriend, tears and the sweet ending where it all works out...OK then. I am also quite annoyed by the "sharing". There was no prior indication that it will be in this book. As an avid reader of MM romance, I am very disappointed by this book.

[NancyM · Rating 1 out of 5]

If only it had lived up to the expectations the blurb raised.

[Avril · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't. Not with the blatant cheating. The blatant disregard for the fiancé being cheated on. Not with the "Dom" who really has no clue. Not with everyone getting fucked (really?) Not with anything. I could have dnf, but I chose to continue and I wish I could scrub my brain. No. Just...no.

[Gigi]

Going to pass because of lack of interest and terrible reviews.

[Vicki Dudley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoiler Alert!!!!


While the overall plot of the story was ok, I didn't particularly like the characters. While I understand that Tom was confused about his sexuality, it doesn't excuse his behaviour with regards to cheating, first on Megan, and then on Eric after he admitted that he was in love with him. I think he really thought he could have them both.
Eric on the other hand was supposed to be this big bad Master that everyone wanted, and went on about treating his submissive/slave as an equal, but I didn't feel that he played very safe. On his first night with Tom, he didn't advise about safe words or limits. I understand about forced seduction, but I think he went to far. Also, my understanding of the D/s relationship is that the Dom takes responsibility of his sub, through the book, Eric mentions multiple times that he is not sure he wants the responsibility. He wasn't a very good Dom in my eyes.
With regards to Megan, I think her forgiveness with regards to the cheating is totally unrealistic. Yes, she got upset and left for a couple of days, but once she returned, she was all about thanking Eric for making Tom happy and trying to get them back together. While I'm sure there are many women that would have been able to forgive cheating, I don't think it would happen in 3 days. Especially the way she found out her fiancée was gay.

[Petronella Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is rare that I find my opinion differs greatly to other reviewers but in this case it does. I have have to say I rarely read book blurbs and am happy to read any combination and numbers of M's and F' s although I do understand that for many people the tagging is important and I am happy it has been put right.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I thought all of the characters were likable (except perhaps Scott but you are not supposed to like him!) Tom had a strong personality which is always nice in a sub, just because he's submissive doesn't mean he is weak. And I liked the female characters of Megan and Mrs P. Whilst this book deals with a D/s relationship there are not huge amounts of BDSM which I actually liked as it made it seem more real. Also I quite liked the threesomes. With Eric being Tom's first male lover having other partners has allowed Tom to have other experiences such as topping which in my opinion can only improve there relationship.
The book wasn't without faults, I got tired of Tom being constantly referred to as "the gardener" for instance however as a first novel I thought it was excellent and I will certainly be on the look out for others by this author.

[Al · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book reads like someone telling you about an experience they've never lived. The characters are flat and dull and I've rarely been so turned of by sex scenes. Then there's the whole hypocrisy of the D-S scenes -- I could go off on a rant about those for hours.

The whole thing feels like one big cliche. Save your money...

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars rounded up
Made it to the end
erm, yep, that's about all I can say on this one

[Becky Condit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lucky's 2 sweet pea review will be posted at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.... on March 8, 2013.

[Candice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blantant cheating right under fiance's nose. Nope.

Don't even get me started on the so-called kink.

[Brandielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just didn’t like either main character. Also hate cheating stories.

[Helena Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking the Gardener was different from most M/M romances I’ve read and that’s a good thing. People who read my reviews may have noticed that I enjoy it when the books I read surprise or stretch me. And this book sure required me to push a few of my boundaries.

I guess a lot of it can be summed up by the following quote:

“Sex was a different thing entirely to acts of affection.”

This is not the typical BDSM romance we’ve become accustomed to. This story and the interactions in it are rawer than anything you’ll find in those ‘standard’ - or should I say regimented - romances. If you prefer your stories all flowers and courtesy, this may not be the book for you. Just as you might want to stay away from this book if you are convinced ‘true love’ would never invite a third party into a sexual encounter.

What we do get, and what I thoroughly enjoyed, is a story about a Dom who, despite his vast experience, has yet to encounter a partner who touches his heart as well as his sexual appetites. And that is exactly what happens when Alex meets Tom. The journey these two men make together was fascinating, at times eye opening and ultimately touching and uplifting.

At times while reading Taking the Gardener I wondered whether the author had gone out of his way to shock the average reader of (M/M) Romances. I’ve read enough reviews to know that multiple partners, cheating and dubious consent are frowned upon and often lead to low star-ratings, and all of these can be found between the pages of this book. Sure I frowned once or twice while reading and didn’t agree with the main characters’ decisions on several occasions. However, for me that made the story more rather than less interesting. And, taking the story as a whole, it is impossible to deny that Alex and Tom wanted to do the right thing, for each other and for those around them. The fact that their best intentions didn’t necessarily lead to the best possible outcomes only made the story more – rather than less – realistic and dramatic for me.

If I’m honest I have to admit that at times the telling of the story felt a bit rushed and abrupt. I guess I wouldn’t have minded a bit more detail about some scenes, thoughts and feelings while I could have done without one or two other paragraphs. Overall though, this was a fascinating story, written from an almost new to me perspective. I will be reading more by T.J. Masters in the not too distant future. He has my curiosity well and truly piqued and I for one actually enjoy it when I’m asked to step out of my comfort zone occasionally.

[Toshokan · Rating 3 out of 5]

La couverture et le résumé de ce roman m’avaient attirés et en plus pour une fois un MM sur le thème BDSM…

Eric est un dominateur avéré qui malheureusement n’a jamais su concilier amour et sexualité. Il semble croire qu’exercer son rôle de dominateur est incompatible avec une relation amoureuse.
Tom quand à lui est un jeune homme qui cultive son propre jardin secret via ses dessins, cependant son corps brûle de désirs inassouvis…
Ces deux là sont fait pour se rencontrer…

J’ai bien aimé l’aspect sexuel décrit dans ce roman, le BDSM est vraiment abordé de manière assez "Soft". Ici il n’est pas réellement question de masochisme juste de réelle domination. L’auteur suscite sans problème le désir et les scènes sensuelles sont très hots.

J’ai pas contre un bémol sur certaines scènes qui même si elles enflamment nos sens arrivent particulièrement assez vite notamment les plans à trois. Ceci est un peu trop natif pour un jeune homme qui jusqu’à ce qu’il rencontre Eric n’avait jamais connu les amours au masculin…

Autre bémol l’aspect romantique est assez peu développé et on a vraiment l’impression que Tom n’est qu’un soumis qui se laisse allègrement faire. Cela aurait pu être quelqu’un d’autre qu’Eric qu’on aurait pas vu la différence à certains moments. J’aurais aimé voir Tom se rebeller parfois , bref montrer beaucoup plus d’émotions que celles d’un homme passif face aux événements. Bon après tout c’est censé être un soumis mais il ne faut pas non plus le stéréotyper.

En résumé un livre sexy qui aborde en surface le thème BDSM en se concentrant sur la relation Dominant Soumis mais qui pêche par l’aspect romantique. Néanmoins la lecture a été plaisante mais il ne s’agit nullement d’un coup de coeur.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshingly different type of romance, complete with flawed characters. There is a bit of BDSM, but not enough to classify this story as a real BDSM with guys who live the lifestyle 24/7.

Eric and Tom are fascinating, realistically drawn, unsure of themselves and their feelings, yet courageous enough to face thier unconventional desires.
The book can't be classified as m/m romance either, as Eric and Tom, although in love with each other, are able to separate their emotions and serial desires, inviting other people into their sex life from time to time.

The side characters, Megan, Scott and the rest are not as skilfully portrayed, however this does not overall detract from the storyline.

If you are looking for a perfect cookie-cutter romance, with perfect hero's, then avoid this story, but if you prefer your stories to have flawed yet sympathetic characters with human faults and foibles, this is a good book for reading.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric has been through a lot lately and decides some time in the country will allow him to find some peace. What he finds is a hot little gardener. But Tom has a girl friend and life in the country. Eric decides to go ahead a play anyway but when his emotions become entangled he's not sure what to do. Finally, he decides to be noble and leave Tom behind. Good thing some people are even more stubborn that he is. I loved the supporting character of Tom's girl friend Megan and Eric's housekeeper Mrs. P. T.J. does just a good a job of making them real as the main characters. And while we only get a glimpse of Megan's dad he's pretty cool too.

[★MC's Corner★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I love them both! How do I choose?”


5stars
so SEXY!

Awesome!
I just can't just not read it! the cover is so captivating!
Tom is such a good boy!
Eric is such a perfect dom...

i like how T.J. wrote it, Tom is in mid-twenties but when he's in sub "mode" he's acting like a kid who wants his candy, but its not childish, its actually so sexy. I don't the part when Scott like sharing with Eric, because I don't like Scott. I REALLY DON'T LIKE HIM.
Though the part when Paul got his experience with Tom and Eric is my favorite part...
AWESOME BOOK!

@gleekidMC

[5amWriterMan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the writing style of TJ Masters. That's the reason I gave it four stars. After the first couple encounters with the gardener, I was no longer hooked. I read it to finish it. I think it would've made for a great short story but it will certainly attract those who enjoy multiple Dom/sub scenes. I am still looking forward to reading some of Tj's other books because I loved the writing!

[Isabel]

Happy to see I'm not the only one dubious about the whole BDSM portraying in this book. I only started it but, so far... it makes me cringe a bit, tbh. I'm going to read a bit more of it, see how it goes, but yeah, not convinced for the moment.

[Kris]

Although I liked the way this story was set up and a few other scenes, this wasn't a book for me.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wish I would have liked this more. The writing itself wasn't bad, just way too much sex and not enough substance.

[Allan van der Heiden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tacky romance

Not a great story telling. More just ramblings on of a fantasy Narnia birthing. The sexual energy is rather dull and story just bland with a rather rushed ending.