What do you think?
Rate this book
Master & Apprentice #1
Crossroads
After weeks spent hitch-hiking across lonely back highways in search of himself, twenty-one-year-old drifter Colby Booker is starting to worry that he’s getting nowhere fast…
...And then, he hitches a ride from John Larkin, an enigmatic loner living in the Nebraska countryside. Fascinated with this handsome, mysterious man, Colby accepts the offer of a hot meal at John's secluded cottage, completely unaware that he's about to discover firsthand the man’s darkest, most intense secrets. As a twisted, kinky connection between the two strangers begins to blossom, Colby dares to hope that he might have finally found what he’s been looking for: his place. But nothing will prepare the budding young slave for what comes next…
[AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is an adult story focused on themes of bondage, discipline, and sadomasochism between adult men over the age of eighteen. Subject matter includes explicit sexual activity and scenes of intense BDSM play (paddling, fisting, watersports, CBT, etc.) It is a work of fiction, and intended purely as fantasy for mature readers. If such material offends you, or if reading or owning such material is prohibited in the area where you live, then you should find another title.]
...And then, he hitches a ride from John Larkin, an enigmatic loner living in the Nebraska countryside. Fascinated with this handsome, mysterious man, Colby accepts the offer of a hot meal at John's secluded cottage, completely unaware that he's about to discover firsthand the man’s darkest, most intense secrets. As a twisted, kinky connection between the two strangers begins to blossom, Colby dares to hope that he might have finally found what he’s been looking for: his place. But nothing will prepare the budding young slave for what comes next…
[AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is an adult story focused on themes of bondage, discipline, and sadomasochism between adult men over the age of eighteen. Subject matter includes explicit sexual activity and scenes of intense BDSM play (paddling, fisting, watersports, CBT, etc.) It is a work of fiction, and intended purely as fantasy for mature readers. If such material offends you, or if reading or owning such material is prohibited in the area where you live, then you should find another title.]
80 pages, ebook
First published April 4, 2013
3 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Ty Marton
6 books52 followersWhen he isn't scribbling out dark fantasies and explorations of non-traditional sexuality, Ty Marton works as a consultant in Los Angeles, though he's spent his rare pockets of free time plotting out stories of all kinds for years now. An avid and active member of the California fetish community, Ty is a strong believer in safe, sane, consensual, and shameless explorations of socio-sexual individuality. With all of his stories, Ty hopes to help connect people with their own fantasies - and maybe expose them to some new ones - in a fun, healthy, positive manner. Ty lives with his partner and with his beloved pit bull, Stella.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 2, 2013
Aaaauuughhhhhhh!!!!!
Don't you dare!
Don't you dare leave me here, Ty Marton!! Come back and finish this story immediately!!
Brain cells required = zero
Hot yummy BDSM fun to be had = lots and lots
but wait . . also . .
Actual character depth!!! OMG, ikr!?
Hey, those five stars, that's not five stars that mean the book is a work of literary genius, it means I fucking loved the May to December, slightly rough, hot sexual training with a little sprinkling of humiliation, and human emotion and angst and hope and sadness! AUGH! MORE!
Don't you dare!
Don't you dare leave me here, Ty Marton!! Come back and finish this story immediately!!
Brain cells required = zero
Hot yummy BDSM fun to be had = lots and lots
but wait . . also . .
Actual character depth!!! OMG, ikr!?
Hey, those five stars, that's not five stars that mean the book is a work of literary genius, it means I fucking loved the May to December, slightly rough, hot sexual training with a little sprinkling of humiliation, and human emotion and angst and hope and sadness! AUGH! MORE!
May 20, 2013
It was long time since I read a story in one shot. I did not want to stop reading it until the very last line, and even when I got there, I wanted more. It is true that this story has only 80 pages, but I took several days to read short stories this long and even shorter ones so the spark was not there. This is not the case this time.
Colby has the feeling that something is missing in his life. So he left his college to go hitchhiking across the country, hoping to find something that will give his life a meaning.
After traveling several states, John gives him a lift. When he asks Colby where he goes, the hitchhiker replies: "Towards the east." So they drive some time together, not speaking much until John arrives at the crossroads leading to his house. He offers a hot meal to Colby before he resumes his wanderings. Colby agrees, especially since he finds John mysterious and seductive.
After dinner, John shows Colby his carpenter's workshop. Colby is fascinated by John’s talent. Then John asks him for help to move in his basement a sculpture allegedly of Apollo. This is where Colby discovers the secret that John had spoken to him in veiled terms: his dungeon. Colby had told John that he would like to learn woodworking and since John teaches it, he could learn from him. John asks him what he has to offer in return. It is at this moment that the two men get on the terms of their agreement. John offers basic idea of woodworking to Colby if he agrees to do whatever John requires him without question for 24 hours. Colby agrees. This is where begins his crash course on D/s and BDSM.
At the beginning of the story, we don’t know much about the background of the two men. But we later discover that John has already had a sub and he lost him in circumstances in which the author keeps the mystery. As for Colby, we learn in a single line that D/s and BDSM pique his curiosity without knowing why.
Colby wants to fulfill his part of the agreement. He does everything it takes to please John, who demands to be called Master. But at the end of 24 hours, even if there is communion between the two men, John drives Colby to the nearest city, telling him that he must continue his journey. Colby begs John not to reject him, but John says, "This is not about what you want or what I want. I can’t." No doubt the memory of his previous sub left painful wounds in John’s heart.
The author has a real talent to install a story sufficiently dotted with mystery to make us want to read further to find out more. In doing so, he reveals more and more of his characters’ feelings and emotion, and we end up loving them.
The author offered us an open ended story, suggesting that all is not really over between John and Colby. And knowing the author as I got to know him through his other writings, the next book may be packed with action and emotion. I hope he will not make us wait too long before he offers us the book 2 of this series.
The writing is good. Our interest is constant. There is just enough hot sex for my taste. I got my BDSM dose, finally! Thank you very much, Mr. Marton. I give you 5 hearts for this interesting story.
Colby has the feeling that something is missing in his life. So he left his college to go hitchhiking across the country, hoping to find something that will give his life a meaning.
“Colby was simply searching for meaning, and couldn’t see how he’d ever find it through meaningless sex.”
After traveling several states, John gives him a lift. When he asks Colby where he goes, the hitchhiker replies: "Towards the east." So they drive some time together, not speaking much until John arrives at the crossroads leading to his house. He offers a hot meal to Colby before he resumes his wanderings. Colby agrees, especially since he finds John mysterious and seductive.
After dinner, John shows Colby his carpenter's workshop. Colby is fascinated by John’s talent. Then John asks him for help to move in his basement a sculpture allegedly of Apollo. This is where Colby discovers the secret that John had spoken to him in veiled terms: his dungeon. Colby had told John that he would like to learn woodworking and since John teaches it, he could learn from him. John asks him what he has to offer in return. It is at this moment that the two men get on the terms of their agreement. John offers basic idea of woodworking to Colby if he agrees to do whatever John requires him without question for 24 hours. Colby agrees. This is where begins his crash course on D/s and BDSM.
At the beginning of the story, we don’t know much about the background of the two men. But we later discover that John has already had a sub and he lost him in circumstances in which the author keeps the mystery. As for Colby, we learn in a single line that D/s and BDSM pique his curiosity without knowing why.
Colby wants to fulfill his part of the agreement. He does everything it takes to please John, who demands to be called Master. But at the end of 24 hours, even if there is communion between the two men, John drives Colby to the nearest city, telling him that he must continue his journey. Colby begs John not to reject him, but John says, "This is not about what you want or what I want. I can’t." No doubt the memory of his previous sub left painful wounds in John’s heart.
The author has a real talent to install a story sufficiently dotted with mystery to make us want to read further to find out more. In doing so, he reveals more and more of his characters’ feelings and emotion, and we end up loving them.
The author offered us an open ended story, suggesting that all is not really over between John and Colby. And knowing the author as I got to know him through his other writings, the next book may be packed with action and emotion. I hope he will not make us wait too long before he offers us the book 2 of this series.
The writing is good. Our interest is constant. There is just enough hot sex for my taste. I got my BDSM dose, finally! Thank you very much, Mr. Marton. I give you 5 hearts for this interesting story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2013
Best 80 pages (for Nook) $3 ever bought me! I usually shy away from anything with less than 200 pages, and I am so glad there was no page count with the blurb because I would have totally missed out!
After 3 years in college, Colby felt that something was missing from his life. He decided to embark on a hitch-hiking trip of self-discovery hoping to find some purpose.
Enter John. John offers Colby a ride, a hot meal, and the opportunity of a 24-hour crash course in the BDSM lifestyle. The story is not concluded at the end of the 24 hours though, so we have to wait for book 2. Uuuuugh, I want it noooow!!!
Initially, I thought this was going to be a few pages full of sex scenes where the only thing we'd know about the MCs would be their names and basic demographic info. Even though we don't get the full background story or anything ( it's only 80pg after all), we get a pretty good look into the characters' emotions. Boy was I in for a surprise there! In the course of the story, I felt fear, sadness, anger, and of course hawt hawt hawtness!!! I am so totally buying the second book!
Warning: There is a pretty strong humiliation scene here. Even though I REALLY don't like when that happens, it didn't make me want to give the story fewer stars. Enjoy!
After 3 years in college, Colby felt that something was missing from his life. He decided to embark on a hitch-hiking trip of self-discovery hoping to find some purpose.
Enter John. John offers Colby a ride, a hot meal, and the opportunity of a 24-hour crash course in the BDSM lifestyle. The story is not concluded at the end of the 24 hours though, so we have to wait for book 2. Uuuuugh, I want it noooow!!!
Initially, I thought this was going to be a few pages full of sex scenes where the only thing we'd know about the MCs would be their names and basic demographic info. Even though we don't get the full background story or anything ( it's only 80pg after all), we get a pretty good look into the characters' emotions. Boy was I in for a surprise there! In the course of the story, I felt fear, sadness, anger, and of course hawt hawt hawtness!!! I am so totally buying the second book!
Warning: There is a pretty strong humiliation scene here. Even though I REALLY don't like when that happens, it didn't make me want to give the story fewer stars. Enjoy!
June 15, 2013
An excellent story that plumbs the depths of human need and raw emotion. Colby has been searching for something all his life and finds it in a master/slave relationship with John. John tries his damndest to keep Colby but he has too many demons of his own to slay. Some great BDSM and humiliation scenes that are very well written. I thought both the characters of Colby and John were well drawn out and I could feel the pain the two men felt. This is far from just porn, there is a real story here. The wide open ending just leaves me wanting more.
nope-not-for-me-not-interested
November 11, 2017This has no sequel on the horizon and lots of reviews have it as a cliffhanger of sorts. Unfortunately going in my nope shelf.
May 28, 2013
I would have given this short story a higher rating were it not for the very off-putting and entirely superfluous pissing scene. Can I just say, yuck. I am by no means a prude, but that just ruined an otherwise fine little bdsm tale. I'm not sure I will continue with the series for fear of other extreme turn-off scenes...
April 29, 2015
It was actually better than I thought. I disagree with some of the reviews that it was like AMAZING bc it just wasn't. Its also frustrating that it's called "book 1" but I can't find any other books in this series.
And I will NEVER look at cheerios the same way again! !!!
And I will NEVER look at cheerios the same way again! !!!
November 13, 2014
Picked this up on a whim, wasn't disappointed. There's a lot unspoken here, which is probably what I like best about this short story.
August 3, 2013
2.5 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
This is a nicely written book with an intense erotic plot that has two unlikely characters thrown together in an interesting almost-relationship.
Colby is a young man who has been trying to find his place. Nothing makes sense to him anymore so he decided to simply move. He’s been walking, hitch-hiking, and generally moving forward for almost a month, but still that sense of nothingness hasn’t left him. Until a mysterious man stops and gives him a ride.
What was meant to be a ride for some miles turns into a strange agreement. John offers Colby food, a place to stay, and training in what he does for 24hrs. In return Colby will give John his absolute obedience.
And this is the start of a weird Master/slave relationship (if you can call it that) that results in some kinky scenes and strong fetishes. Mainly fisting, rimming and a display of watersport fetish that quite literally catches you off guard even if you’ve been warned.
In general I found the writing fascinating and the scenes erotic enough to enjoy them, except for the pissing scene that I simply could not get into and had me reeling a bit. However my main issue was with the time period. We have here two characters that do not know each other and immediately they get into a most intense scene. The fact that Colby agreed to be treated quite literally like a dog by a complete stranger weirded me out and was off putting. The fact that it took only 24 hrs for them to get into an intense bond was also disconcerting even if the outcome was quite credible.
The most convincing part of the read for me was the epilogue though as it hooked me on what is to come and made me want to wait around for the other book and grab it. Impressive.
So in the end I strongly suggest you read the author’s note found on the blurb and if you find that interesting then by all means this is a very well written erotica that I don’t hesitate to recommend.
Thommie
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
This is a nicely written book with an intense erotic plot that has two unlikely characters thrown together in an interesting almost-relationship.
Colby is a young man who has been trying to find his place. Nothing makes sense to him anymore so he decided to simply move. He’s been walking, hitch-hiking, and generally moving forward for almost a month, but still that sense of nothingness hasn’t left him. Until a mysterious man stops and gives him a ride.
What was meant to be a ride for some miles turns into a strange agreement. John offers Colby food, a place to stay, and training in what he does for 24hrs. In return Colby will give John his absolute obedience.
And this is the start of a weird Master/slave relationship (if you can call it that) that results in some kinky scenes and strong fetishes. Mainly fisting, rimming and a display of watersport fetish that quite literally catches you off guard even if you’ve been warned.
In general I found the writing fascinating and the scenes erotic enough to enjoy them, except for the pissing scene that I simply could not get into and had me reeling a bit. However my main issue was with the time period. We have here two characters that do not know each other and immediately they get into a most intense scene. The fact that Colby agreed to be treated quite literally like a dog by a complete stranger weirded me out and was off putting. The fact that it took only 24 hrs for them to get into an intense bond was also disconcerting even if the outcome was quite credible.
The most convincing part of the read for me was the epilogue though as it hooked me on what is to come and made me want to wait around for the other book and grab it. Impressive.
So in the end I strongly suggest you read the author’s note found on the blurb and if you find that interesting then by all means this is a very well written erotica that I don’t hesitate to recommend.
Thommie
June 26, 2013
This rating is purely based on how the book made me feel and not on the quality of the writing. I know there is supposed to be some "connection" the two main characters are feeling towards each other but I didn't feel it myself.
To be perfectly honest I thought I had stumbled across a serial rapist/murderer story. John squicked me from the first meeting. I guess he is supposed to seem mysterious and strong and dominant. But he came across as creepy, freaky (not in a good way), dangerous (again, not in a good way) and pretty much just standard old psychopath-y. He even lives out in the middle of nowhere. I kept expecting him to torture and kill Colby. I kid you not, every time it didn't come to that I was surprised.
I like BDSM stories, I don't have a problem with them even when they go into things that I don't really care for...like making a sub eat a bowl of cheerios the dom has pissed in. I could ignore that if it didn't feel like the rest of the story was a how-to NOT do things. There is nothing in this story to show that Colby ever had an interest in being a sub before, but suddenly he is going home with a strange man, no one knows he is with the guy or where he is at all, he then just agrees to follow all his orders for 24 hours and trust him, when he doesn't even know the man's last name. He isn't eased into it all, just thrown in and goes with it for the most part. It just didn't make sense to me.
Both characters came across as needing serious mental help. *shrug* Their "relationship" seemed terribly dangerous and destructive. I didn't find it at all intriguing or sexy, just scary and pitiful. Now had this turned out to be a story where John held Colby captive, tortured him, killed him and buried him in the back yard with all the other bodies, I probably would have given it four stars because THAT was the vibe I was getting. :)
To be perfectly honest I thought I had stumbled across a serial rapist/murderer story. John squicked me from the first meeting. I guess he is supposed to seem mysterious and strong and dominant. But he came across as creepy, freaky (not in a good way), dangerous (again, not in a good way) and pretty much just standard old psychopath-y. He even lives out in the middle of nowhere. I kept expecting him to torture and kill Colby. I kid you not, every time it didn't come to that I was surprised.
I like BDSM stories, I don't have a problem with them even when they go into things that I don't really care for...like making a sub eat a bowl of cheerios the dom has pissed in. I could ignore that if it didn't feel like the rest of the story was a how-to NOT do things. There is nothing in this story to show that Colby ever had an interest in being a sub before, but suddenly he is going home with a strange man, no one knows he is with the guy or where he is at all, he then just agrees to follow all his orders for 24 hours and trust him, when he doesn't even know the man's last name. He isn't eased into it all, just thrown in and goes with it for the most part. It just didn't make sense to me.
Both characters came across as needing serious mental help. *shrug* Their "relationship" seemed terribly dangerous and destructive. I didn't find it at all intriguing or sexy, just scary and pitiful. Now had this turned out to be a story where John held Colby captive, tortured him, killed him and buried him in the back yard with all the other bodies, I probably would have given it four stars because THAT was the vibe I was getting. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2013
This was really disappointing and boring. The description and warnings make this out to be hot and heavy and dark BDSM but while the elements are there, the emotion and heart just aren't. This is particularly disappointing after the beginning. The opening chapters are really compelling and set up two very intriguing characters. There's a subtle dominance to John that drew me in, and Colby is immediately likeable. Unfortunately, all of the work was apparently in the set up and after that the whole story fails.
The POV switches are unexpected and dizzying. The "dark" BDSM is so frustrating; it creeps around the edges but never really gets to the intensity it should; the fisting and the piss drinking are actually boring. When the characters finally have sex and it ends unexpectedly, I couldn't have cared less. Then there's a "twist" - clearly inserted to make you buy the later books - that is frankly silly. Then there are some good, heart-wrenching scenes just before the end of the book. But it's not enough to make up for the gooey, awful middle of the book.
I'm glad I only wasted 80 pages on this. I wish I'd stopped with the free bit on Amazon. It was so much better than the rest.
The POV switches are unexpected and dizzying. The "dark" BDSM is so frustrating; it creeps around the edges but never really gets to the intensity it should; the fisting and the piss drinking are actually boring. When the characters finally have sex and it ends unexpectedly, I couldn't have cared less. Then there's a "twist" - clearly inserted to make you buy the later books - that is frankly silly. Then there are some good, heart-wrenching scenes just before the end of the book. But it's not enough to make up for the gooey, awful middle of the book.
I'm glad I only wasted 80 pages on this. I wish I'd stopped with the free bit on Amazon. It was so much better than the rest.
July 22, 2016
I was looking for a quick read, and figured I'd give "Crossroads" a try.
Colby's drifting across the country, and gets a ride from John, who invites Colby to his house for a meal. Colby accepts, and then finds that he's 'not in Kansas' anymore....
The whole story feels rather dream-like..The setting in John's house, far out on the prairie, is almost a place out of time, and Colby is separated from the real world as well -- he's trying to define himself.
John is so emotionally remote he's on a different planet, and it's hard to see why Colby feels any connection with him at all.
The whole story was rather flat, and I'm troubled that John, who's supposedly a kink practitioner, says nothing about a safeword...I'd always thought that was Rule #1. And Colby willingly hands himself over completely to this unknown guy for 24 hours without a qualm...or a cellphone, or a exit strategy...Hmmmm.
Colby's drifting across the country, and gets a ride from John, who invites Colby to his house for a meal. Colby accepts, and then finds that he's 'not in Kansas' anymore....
The whole story feels rather dream-like..The setting in John's house, far out on the prairie, is almost a place out of time, and Colby is separated from the real world as well -- he's trying to define himself.
John is so emotionally remote he's on a different planet, and it's hard to see why Colby feels any connection with him at all.
The whole story was rather flat, and I'm troubled that John, who's supposedly a kink practitioner, says nothing about a safeword...I'd always thought that was Rule #1. And Colby willingly hands himself over completely to this unknown guy for 24 hours without a qualm...or a cellphone, or a exit strategy...Hmmmm.
November 6, 2013
I've read a lot of BDSM books, but none disappointed me as much as this.
Colby had never been into BDSM before he met John - a stranger he met hitch-hiking - yet he accepts everything the man does to him. The level of humiliation Colby has to endure during their play is totally uncalled for. He did nothing to displease John. PLUS John drinks during their play and takes his anger on his submissive. What the hell?!
I think a star is too much for this story. I'm sorry, but this is my honest opinion.
Colby had never been into BDSM before he met John - a stranger he met hitch-hiking - yet he accepts everything the man does to him. The level of humiliation Colby has to endure during their play is totally uncalled for. He did nothing to displease John. PLUS John drinks during their play and takes his anger on his submissive. What the hell?!
I think a star is too much for this story. I'm sorry, but this is my honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2013
I love when a writer changes directions. The Ty Marton's works I've read have been over the top, crazy wild and (for me) kind of silly but I was engaged. Crossroads had a different feel that made it more interesting than his other works. Now don't get me wrong its still Marton. I really want to know where the next installment goes.
August 5, 2013
Didn´t like it although I love Breakdown Motel. Colby is just too trusting for a hitchhiker who suddenly knows his reason of life although he has all his debts by being a broken, unsure man´s boy that can do nothing with him cause of own sub who left him. Can´t buy the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2015
I've no idea why Ty stopped writing.....I really needed the second book on this.....I don't like authors who write the first in a series then stop......It was a good book....dark and dirty bdsm...but Colby at the end breaks your heart...He didn't want to leave his master x
June 17, 2013
An intriguing start, looking forward to #2.
June 27, 2013
4.5 ... Damn you series
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews