Master Ethan has decided that his boy Jayden should have a nice traditional Christmas for the first time in their relationship. What would Christmas be without the perfect tree?
An award-winning, best-selling novelist of over a dozen books, J. P. Barnaby is a proud member of the GLBT community both online and in her small town on the outskirts of Chicago. A member of Mensa, she is often described as brilliant but troubled, sweet but introverted and talented but deviant. She spends her days writing software and her nights writing erotica which is, of course, far more interesting. The spare time that she carves out between her career and her novels is spent reading about the concept of love, which, like some of her characters, she has never quite figured out for herself.
The Perfect Tree is a short story which takes place on Christmas Eve in the home of Ethan and Jayden. These central characters are a gay D/s couple, Ethan being the Master. The story is told in the voice of Jayden, the sub.
The story begins at the start of a BDSM scene where Jayden has been collared and has assumed his submissive role, standing at attention for his Master. The thoughts, feelings, temptations, and desires of the submissive are very effectively conveyed, and the actual love-making is described rather sensually.
As the couple begin their scene, Master Ethan binds his boy, using Christmas garland. The particular significance of this act is noteworthy, being that garland by no means would literally bind in a physically incapacitating manner. Essentially, the bondage is mental which is, in my opinion, the hottest form of entrapment. To be ordered to assume a position which is potentially uncomfortable, and to remain locked in that position by the mere strength of your will—that is true bondage.
The dialogue presented was quite realistic, and the manner in which the Dom spoke sternly yet lovingly to his boy was powerful and incredibly erotic. I love a BDSM story where the Dom is obviously turned on by his sub. It seemed to almost be as much of an act of willpower for the Dom to remain in his role to complete the scene as it was for the sub. It seemed what he really wanted more than anything was simply to make passionate love to his boy.
I also was impressed by the thought process of the sub. Their scene was interrupted briefly when carolers came to the door, and Jayden was ordered to wait, remaining locked in his bondage. Instantly Jayden began to feel embarrassed. I found it interesting and quite believable that during this brief period of mild humiliation he would feel the temptation to rebel. When his Master returned to him and was cavalier about the predicament of his boy, the sub felt resentment. Although he knew in his mind that it was hot the way his Master had control over him, he couldn’t help but feel a flush of embarrassment and annoyance. That ability to overcome these very human emotions is what defines submission, and it was very masterfully presented in this short piece.
The author also included a very brief spanking scene which was little more than a tease. I liked the way she conveyed the feelings of the sub during this scene as well. The paddling was delivered as a punishment when Jayden accidentally broke one of the garland bonds on his leg. The manner in which Jayden felt mortified at having (inadvertently) disobeyed his Master was heart wrenching. The boy actually contemplated invoking his safe word because he was so distraught by his punishment. Of course, I’m not sure a safe word can actually be used during punishment…but I guess each Master/sub couple would have their own set of rules to govern the implementation of this precaution.
The scene reaches its climactic moment when Master Ethan penetrates his boy and makes passionate love to him. I found it particularly hot that he did so while Jayden was still bound. This afforded Ethan maximum control during the situation, and it provided a nice segue to the gentle and tender aftermath of their passionate sex.
Although this story was quite short, I found it to be exceptionally well presented. The characters are drawn from the Forbidden Room series by the same author, and I’m now anxious to read more of this series. I think the author has a genuine understanding of the Dom/sub dynamic and writes sensually, erotically, and realistically.
The story is dynamite in a very small package. Take a few minutes to read it…you won’t be sorry.
I was thinking about book 1 and was thinking of rereading it when I came across this book. Jayden and Ethan have been through a lot together. Jayden along with Lexi helped Ethan deal with his past as an abuse victim. This was a short quick read with Ethan who is a Dom wrapping Jayden up like a Xmas tree. The scene was good and it had me wanting more of them. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.
Loved seeing these guys again in a wonderfully done Christmas scene. Hot stuff that manages to give you a complete feel for what Jayden and Ethan are to each other.
This was a great, short and very hot little read. J P Barnaby managed to show a lot in this quick read. My only concern was that although it states that this book is number 1.5, I think it should be noted that this story occurs after the second book, and I wish that is how I had read them.
In my mind anyway, Jayden has to make the most beautifully decorated Christmas tree ever – yummy. Rereading this book made for a great trip down memory lane, and after the heavy angst that was present in the first two books, it was very nice to end on a happier note (and kinky isn’t bad either). Would love to read more of Master Ethan and his boy Jayden!
Jayden finds his wildest fantasties fullfilled when Master Ethan preceeds to decorate the "perfect tree" for Christmas. I haven't had the pleasure of reading J.P. Barnaby's Forbidden Room series but I will definitely be adding them to my TBR after reading this one. I found this to be full bodied and emotionally telling for only being 21 pages long. Delightfully steamy, this little holiday niblet teases us with seductive & erotic love play between a Dom and his sub.
Though I didn't read the first book in this series, I found this story very engaging. It's Christmas and Master Ethan and his sub Jayden are ready to celebrate with their families the next day, but first, Ethan wants to play. Jayden becomes his Christmas tree as Ethan decorates his sub with bondage and holiday décor. Very nice story.
This is such a fun little story. Full of hot D/s action, all Christmas themed, and very sensual. Master Ethan and Jayden definitely have a very good time here.
I never read The Forbidden Room, but this tale stands really well on its own. Loved it.
Definitely wish this had been longer. It's really just one scene, but to see a Master so vulnerable, and his sub so sure, was a welcome change. I haven’t read any of the Forbidden Room so my knowledge of the background and history of this couple is limited to what is alluded to here. What comes through loud and clear is the love and care between the two. Master Ethan has had a horrific past and he’s overcoming it all with the love of his boy, Jayden. Ethan has a special plan to give Jayden a lovely Christmas and wow, it’s sexy.
This is a very short story that packs a punch. I loved how Jayden got upset when the caroler’s showed up, because I could see that emotion being natural. Ethan’s response to it was just right. The ending, with Ethan’s mom, was precious.
I loved "The Forbidden Room" and "House of Cards" so getting the chance to read more about these two men was a pure pleasure.
The story is a perfect mix of Holiday's spirit and sexyness, never cheesy, nor too dark. The readers who don't know anything about Ethan and Jayden will get a quick snapshot of their life, as well as a first taste of what makes JP Barnaby's book such a delight to read. The characters are more "real" than in a lot of others gay romance I have read, the BDSM parts showing the complexity of their relationship and how trust and love is the key to everything.
So go, read and enjoy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I had a hankering for a little Christmas in July and couldn’t think of a better way to satisfy the itch than with a follow-up visit with two of my favorite guys! Ethan and Jayden just sizzle together and they didn’t disappoint me with their holiday celebration. I simply love their Dom/sub relationship – the emotions feel so palpable and I think the story very realistically portrays the thoughts and feelings present in such a dynamic. I was holding off on reading this story because I’m truly sorry to see them go. It really just proves that I’ll have to come back and visit this whole series time and again, because it will remain firmly etched among my favorites. Awesome!
So I have been struggling with what to say about The Perfect Tree. Let’s face it, it is hard to write a review on a 21 page story. The Perfect Tree is not meant to be a full story, but to whet one’s appetite for Barnaby’s Epic release coming in January 2014, In the Absense of Monsters. Well it served its purpose and served it well. I am already a little bit in love with Ethan and Jayden and NEED their whole story. Now I know their story is not going to be easy to read (Barnaby never is) but I just MUST know more.
Master Ethan gives us a different type of Christmas. Tree decorations, xmas carols, nipple clamps and leather harness. Sweet words are spoken, tender touches are share and some revelations in the end to complete the perfect Christmas for Ethan and Jayden. Beautifully written as always; if you are a follower of The Forbidden Room Series you will enjoy it as much as I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A hot story about Ethan dressing Jayden up as a Christmas tree and the hot sex that followed. I was a little confused about the timeline and when in their relationship this was supposed to have taken place. It would have been a 5 star read but I was put off by the cover model - so not like my vision of Ethan.
This was a rather cute and sexy Christmas decoration scene. I was intrigued enough that I now want to read the entire series. I want to know what happen to the characters. There seems to be so much emotional angst that it is right up my alley.
Decent interlude. I know I would have gotten more out of it if I would have read their previous story, as it doesn't work well as a standalone. Perfect little slice of life holiday story, which introduced me to everyone. Might hAve to go pick up the other story.