Bryan Thomas Clark

Bestselling Author

Come to the Oaks

come to the oaks cover

In 1845, as America is drowning in its own racial conflict, in a time when forbidden love has to remain a secret, can two young men find love when one has everything to lose, and the other has nothing?

For Tobias, a young African man, life has ended before it began. Snatched abruptly from his homeland and enslaved into the Antebellum South,…

…grand homes and majestic oak trees meant little to him. Now he is considered the property of other men, but his spirit would not be broken.

The awkward Benjamin Nathanael Lee lives a privileged life. His father owns the largest tobacco plantation south of the Mason Dixon line. Ben wants little to do with the harsh realities of running a plantation—that is, until he meets Tobias, the one person that changes everything for him.

Wealth, greed, and power brought them together. The same now threatens to separate them forever. The two men are on the verge of losing the one thing that matters: their love for one another. Against the odds, they steal off and embark on a journey to find freedom: the freedom to love one another and to live a life without the chains of slavery.

Come to the Oaks is the tale of a forbidden romance—a love forged by two young men as they journey through a land that is tearing itself apart.

Interview

Character Interview with Tobias Lee

Why I Wrote Come to the Oaks

Extras

Deleted Scene: Death of *Spoiler*

Awards

  • Winner of the 2017 Rainbow Award for Best Historical
  • Finalist in the LAMBDA Literary Awards for Best Gay Romance!
Loved the Satisfying Ending
S. Humphreys


This m/m romance is the love story between two men of great disparity: a slave and his owner. Slowly it becomes obvious that in order for them to love freely, they must both be free men. So both undertake a dangerous journey via the underground railroad, from Kentucky to Canada. Their dedication to each other is amazing, and I loved the concluding pages of the story. There’s a wonderful HEA that should satisfy any romance reader.

The story is told in a mix of omniscient and third person point of view, and the characters have unique voices. There are unexpected and tragic events that are handled skillfully and add to the historical setting. Kudos to Mr. Clark for choosing to tell such a challenging tale.

Love wins against all odds!
ND


This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
In this historical M/M romance by Author Bryan T. Clark, love overcomes unimaginable obstacles for Tobias, a young African man sold as a slave to work on a Southern plantation, and Ben, the young son of the wealthy plantation owner. The author does an impeccable job of immersing the reader in the harshness and cruelty of America’s darkest era.

Readers should be prepared to laugh, cry and hold their breath as they root for two young men of true grit and unwavering courage who sacrifice all for freedom and unconditional love.

I highly recommend Come to the Oaks.

Maryann
The Novel Approach

Bryan T. Clark creates a vivid picture of what life was like for slaves in 1845. This novel brings a mixture of emotions with its realism—rape, beatings, horrible living conditions and the inhuman treatment of slaves during a time when they should have been free. Ben and Tobias’s own actions caused tension to build, never knowing if they would be caught and what the consequences would be. I liked the contrast between Ben and Tobias, and I felt it really made the chemistry between them stronger. I had sort of mixed feelings, as it was sad that Tobias was taken from his family, but then there was hope for something good to happen when he meets Ben. As the author stated, this novel is not meant to depict actual events of slavery, but it does reflect the times and gives a better understanding of slavery in America. I believe the author met his goals. I was totally fascinated with this novel and hope to see more from him.

This book will haunt me for a long time to come
Sara


“It was a journey filled with sorrow and pain, yet rich in love and hope.”

This is not a simple book with simply characters, simple meaning, and simple interpretation – nor is it a fun, easy read – it’s meant to be absorbed, experienced.

The author fluently weaves so many emotions, realizations, and realities with doses of innocence, discovery, pain, joy, fear, pride, and love into the tapestry of this story. It’s an intense concoction that keeps the reader engrossed and invested in Ben’s and Tobias’ relationship and subsequent journey to freedom where they can live and love with freely.

The love story between Ben and Tobias takes root when Benjamin Lee happens to catch sight of the sickly Mamadou Masamba coiled up in the corner of a holding cell awaiting the slave auction – or more likely eventual death considering his neglected state. For a reason immediately unknown to him, Ben insists on purchasing the Negro as his own – he will not leave the auction without him.
The author’s vivid, thorough, and eloquent writing style guides the reader on his own journey, one that demands a critical and uncomfortable confrontation with numerous upsetting events broached through the lens of culture, politics, racial tensions, ignorance, spiritual beliefs, and prejudice. Many characters cross paths with Ben and Tobias throughout the book, and each one plays a distinct role in steadily moving the story along. From pure evil – Dexter – to innocence lost – Pearl – to those like Miss Gee-Gee who experienced her own unimaginable horrors at the hands of her master’s merciless wife, the contrast and goodness Ben conveyed in so candidly expressing his love to and for Tobias, was tangible across the pages.

One thing about “Come to the Oaks: The Story of Ben and Tobias” that I’m absolutely certain of is that it will haunt me for a long time to come.

I highly recommend Come to the Oaks.