Tales from The Edge Box Set: Part Two by L.M. Somerton

Rough Around the Edges

Can a new beginning be found in leather and chains?

Kai Smithson’s life changes dramatically with his first glimpse into the world of BDSM. Completely innocent, Kai can hardly believe his eyes, but he knows what he likes and apparently that’s hot, dominant men in leather. He isn’t sure if he’s a submissive because he doesn’t really know what that means, but the feelings he is experiencing are exciting and new.

Harry Croft, bar manager at The Underground BDSM Club, believes in insta-lust rather than love at first sight. And when he agrees to train Kai, the contract between them has one condition—no sex. But Kai has some very definite plans about losing his virginity and a piece of paper is not going to stand in his way. In his new friends at the club and at The Edge, Kai has a ready-made support group of subs that show him that the only rules in a D/s relationship are those he wants to make for himself.

The old saying that you can choose your friends but not your family is proved horribly true for Kai, as the mysteries of his past are revealed. As he and Harry start out on their journey together, they must contend with bullets as well as bondage, danger alongside domination, and it’s not easy to establish trust when the whole world is going to hell..


Scorched Edges

Love forged in fire is unassailable.

Fireman Salter Beauman, Beau to his friends, has had his eye on cute Marty Standish ever since he helped rescue Marty and his boss from the bombed out rubble of Temple Church. An analyst for the security services, Marty is cute, geeky and submissive through and through—even if he doesn’t know it yet.

With a serial fire starter making inroads into Beau’s life expectancy, he decides that there is no time to waste and introduces Marty to the D/s lifestyle. Marty responds with wide eyes, an insatiable desire to learn and the ability to turn Beau on with nothing more than a wiggle of his slim hips.

But Beau has a second, far more malevolent admirer. ‘See me dance’ is the message left at a series of increasingly dangerous fires. Beau and Marty must work together to catch a psychotic arsonist before their love goes up in flames. Literally.


Driven to the Edge

Not all limits can be negotiated.

The Edge is reaching a major milestone. After ten years in business together, Doms Joe Dexter and Heath Anders are planning a celebration and new beginnings. But even the best-laid plans can be thrown off course.

When Olly, Joe’s beloved sub, gets caught up in a hostage situation involving Special Forces soldiers, PTSD and blood diamonds, a party is the last thing on Joe’s mind. He hates the lack of control, and the thought of losing Olly takes him close to the edge.

Joe is not the only one reassessing his priorities. Olly needs Joe’s strength more than ever. He feels safe only in Joe’s arms or in his bondage.

Can Joe and Olly find sanctuary in each other or will their latest adventure drive them apart?


Binding the Edges

Never let go of the one you love.

After recent traumatic events, Olly is finding it hard to get his head around what happened. While he tries to deal with a maelstrom of emotions, renovations at The Edge are in full flow, alongside preparations for tenth anniversary celebrations. Joe, his Dom, recognizes Olly’s delicate state of mind and does his best to reassure him. A trip to the New Forest with their friends, Aiden and Heath, helps the healing process.

Returning home, Olly and Aiden focus on preparations for the party. When Aiden is called away, Olly takes a walk to clear his head, keeping his eye on a brewing storm. To his horror, he discovers Mark Vickery, an old enemy, has landed on the island by boat and is out for revenge.

With Olly missing and the storm raging, Joe, Heath and Aiden set out on a rescue mission that unfolds in a way none of them expected. Can the storm wash away the past or will Olly and Joe’s future be destroyed by a twist of fate?

Reader Advisory: These books contain scenes of sexual abuse and references to physical abuse, violence and a hostage situation and characters who have extremely prejudiced views.

Part Two: Books 5 - 8
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Pride Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/M BDSM Romance

All in all, these were somewhat redundant in their themes. However, they were still enjoyable, as long as you've read the previous books too, so that you know what's going on.

Book 5: Rough Around the Edges
4 stars
M\M BDSM Romance
Triggers: Conversion therapy, attempted kidnapping, murder

Kai and Harry start out slow in their relationship, but their connection is instant. With Kai under the protection of Harry, they have a mystery to figure out. Why was Kai sent away and why was his uncle keeping things from him?

With Kai being brave with exploring his desires, Harry is all too excited to be the one to show him. I really enjoyed watching them figure out how their relationship was going to work. The protective instincts that Harry has towards Kai are somewhat fatherly, but overall, his actions are more of a lover and partner.

I liked watching the mystery behind Kai's family and why he was sent to conversion therapy. I liked how the friends came to the rescue and showed both Harry and Kai that their relationship was what they wanted to make of it.

Book 6: Scorched Edges
4 stars
M/M BDSM Romance
Triggers: Arson

Beau is a firefighter and he loves what he does. Normally, he's so tired after a shift that he goes to the club for dinner, but nothing else. However, when he meets Marty, he can't help but love the connection.

Marty isn't a sub, per se, but he knows that it interests him. He works with the secret government agency alongside Aiden, but he also is deeply attracted to people giving him orders.

When Beau finds himself the focus of a firebug, it will take all of the people around him to help figure out who is targeting him and why. Marty will need to decide if he can handle being a sub, knowing that Beau is put in danger for his job.

These two find themselves in a relationship that is very similar to Kai and Harry. The difference is mainly how they like to play. But it was a quick relationship start and their lust drove their relationship forward.

Book 7: Driven to the Edge
5 stars
M/M BDSM Romance
Triggers: Kidnapping

This is more about Olly and his master, Joe, and how their relationship developed and evolved over the years. I have always liked Olly. His mouth gets him in trouble, but he loves every second of it. Joe is firm, but also wrapped around Olly's finger.

When Olly finds himself in the middle of a strange situation, he can't help but feel that Joe is with him. Joe feels somewhat helpless but knows that Olly is strong. I really enjoyed this story and found that it was my favorite in the series.

The soldiers are fun to watch and I loved how they fit right in. I hope that they get their own stories, especially after the issues they had with their own members.

Book 8: Binding the Edges
3.5 stars
M/M BDSM Romance
Triggers: Stalking, Attempted kidnapping and murder

Again we see Olly. He's now recovering from the ordeal from the previous book. Joe is trying to help him and keeps a fairly large secret in order to protect Olly. However, everyone around them knows and tries to keep things as normal as possible.

These two have such a strong connection. Their love is so deep. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow and be shaped throughout these books. However, with that being said, I wanted more of this book to be about their relationship.

There were so many different details within the story that I felt that their relationship kind of got lost. And when you throw in the monkey wrench that is the crux of this book, their communication breakdown makes them more realistic. They seemed like the couple to strive for, but with this, it makes them more relatable too.

Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

Connect with L.M.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Tales from The Edge Box Set: Part Two by L.M. Somerton to read and review.

Tales from The Edge Box Set: Part One by L.M. Somerton

Reaching the Edge

When you reach the edge, you can't avoid taking a leap of faith.

Joe Dexter leads a complicated life. In one world he is a consultant criminal psychologist—in another he runs The Edge, a successful corporate training company. He's also an active Dom in the London BDSM scene.

A social call to The Underground, a club owned by an old friend, turns into much more when Joe is introduced to a prospective sub. Falling hard for the boy's tumbling blonde curls, huge blue eyes and desperate need for protection, Joe carefully coaxes him out of his shell. By the end of an intense weekend, unbreakable bonds have been forged and Joe is well on the way to becoming Olly's Master.

Joe knows that there is trauma in Olly's past, but it is not until his professional and private lives collide that Joe discovers the truth. He knows he shouldn't have let Olly out of his sight but it's too late—Olly's old Master is back on the scene and he's not in the mood to forgive and forget.

With Olly's life on the line, Joe risks everything to save him. Has Joe found his perfect submissive only to lose him in a horrible twist of fate, or will love win the day? They've reached the edge and there's no avoiding a leap of faith.


Living on the Edge

Sometimes it takes willpower to resist temptation but courage to give in.

Aiden Keller is a brilliant and intriguing young man. When he's convicted of hacking, his sentence takes him to The Edge, a high-end corporate training company with a mysterious sideline. There he is given into the custody of its owner, the enigmatic and demanding Heath Anders, and his business partner Joe Dexter.

From the moment Heath takes charge of Aiden he recognises the boy's submissive nature, even though it is well hidden beneath a veneer of snarky attitude. But for twelve months, Aiden will be his responsibility and Heath cannot allow himself to get involved whilst the boy is obliged to obey him.

Aiden settles into his new life with the help of Olly, Joe's pretty, submissive boyfriend, who is very perceptive when it comes to noticing the sparks of attraction flying between Aiden and Heath. Slowly and gently, he teaches Aiden that submission is not a weakness and to accept his desire to be dominated.

Unable to resist, Heath starts to test Aiden's willingness to be obedient, and against all the odds, love (and lust) start to bloom. Aiden, however, is not quite what he seems and his past is about to endanger all their lives.


Dancing on the Edge

Life is a dance. Whether you lead or follow, the passion of it should sweep you away.

Carey and Alistair have the kind of relationship that is the envy of their friends. Carey is an old-fashioned Dom who appreciates quiet obedience. Alistair is a sub who is comfortable in his skin and finds peace in his submission. Needless to say, their happiness is too good to last.

When Alistair's powerful father chooses his reputation over his son, all hell is let loose. Forcibly committed to a clinic for reversion therapy, Alistair can only hope that his lover will save him.

Carey calls on his friends from The Edge and they band together not just to rescue Alistair but also to protect his future. They've all flirted with danger in the past—but friendship is worth any risk. As the tension mounts and the stakes get higher, new bonds are forged but will Carey and Alistair's love survive?


A Double-Edged Sword

How do you stay standing when the ground is torn from beneath your feet?

Becket and Christian are taking the first, tentative steps towards the committed D/s relationship they both crave when the world literally explodes around them. In a frightening reversal of roles, Becket has to deal with his own vulnerability and Christian must find the strength to take care of his Dom. With the help of their friends at The Edge, the two men come to realise that dominance and submission cannot be switched on and off.

Events that could have ended in tragedy provide the catalyst that affirms their trust in each other, but there are still questions to answer. Is the safe path always the right one to take? Is control simply a state of mind?

One thing’s for certain, life’s too short for compromise.

Reader Advisory: These books contain the pushing of boundaries and edging, kidnap, forceful imprisonment and forms of visual torture along with scenes of prolonged physical torture. They also contains characters with extreme prejudiced views. There are references to past rape and current PTSD, non-consensual plot elements including sexual assault.

Part One: Books 1 - 4
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Pride Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/M BDSM Romances

The box set as a whole was between a 4 and 5 star. There was some redundancy, but overall, these were unique couples in unique situations.

Book 1: Reaching the Edge
4 stars
M\M BDSM Romance
Triggers: Abuse, kidnapping

This story was sweet. Joe is a psychologist who is also living a lifestyle as a dom. He has known for a while now that he wants to have a long-term sub, but hasn't found the right guy. When his friends set him up, Joe is none the wiser.

Olly has been in a long-term relationship, but when he realizes that his dom doesn't love him the way he thought, Olly is crushed. To make matters worse, Olly is subjected to a prison riot that leaves its own scars.

When Joe sees Olly, it's an insta-love connection. While I am not particularly happy about that and wish that they had more time to build a foundation, I can understand the constraints of the length of the book.

Overall, this was a quick read, with some intrigue, action, and love. I liked the story okay and hope to see these characters again since Olly made me laugh.

Book 2: Living on the Edge
5 stars
M/M BDSM Romance
Triggers: Terrorism

This was still a short book, but we got to see the characters from the previous story and meet Aiden and Heath.

Aiden seems to be a petulant young guy who has an eye for hacking. When he comes before a judge, despite being kind of sullen, Aiden is also scared. While he knows what he’s in for when the judge offers him a different path, he has no choice but to take it.

Heath isn’t quite sure what to make of his new charge. While his dad asks this of him from time to time, Heath wants to bend Aiden over and make him submit to him. It’s difficult for Heath because while he knows that Aiden is a sub, Heath can’t do anything about it while Aiden is under his supervision for his court sentence.

Once Heath and Aiden figure out where they stand with each other, the story turns into more of a mystery. I liked how everyone was involved in this story. I also liked how Heath loved that Aiden was a sub but didn’t act as a stereotypical sub.

Book 3: Dancing on the Edge
5 stars
M/M BDSM Romance
Triggers: Conversion therapy, kidnapping, attempted murder

Carey is a dom who loves his sub, Alistair. However, when Alistair’s father comes back to haunt them, it will take all of the subs and doms to work together in order to get Alistair back in one piece.

Alistair’s dad is one who is beyond help. He has never accepted his son and rather than let Alistair live in peace, he wants to exert control over him and convert him to be “good.”

While this is fairly self-explanatory, it should be said that there are hints of torture in this book and while it’s not super graphic, you get the picture.

I really enjoyed watching this all be planned out and the results. It was a good feeling when they were able to execute their plan without fail and gather information on Alistair’s father too.

Book 4: A Double Edged Sword
4 stars
M/M BDSM Romance
Triggers: Bombs

Becket has been seen throughout this series and I’m so happy that he finally got his own story. Becket is a hard man to know. He isn’t easily read by his emotions and he has a hardness that the other doms simply don’t have. Due to Becket’s job, Christian knows that it could be dangerous, but when that danger hits incredibly close to home, both Becket and Christian will have to decide if their budding relationship can handle the stress and danger.

Becket knows that Christian is exactly who he has been looking for. They have a connection that Becket hasn’t been able to find with any other sub. But he also knows that he has been neglecting Christian for his job lately, and because of that, Becket will seriously have to consider his profession.

Christian just wants to please Becket and live a fulfilling life. When he lands a job that he loves and realizes that Becket is exactly what he has been looking for, Christian will have to believe that his dom will always be around to take care of him.

These two have a strong connection, but with the action that happens in the book, I felt that the relationship piece was kind of pushed to the side. However, I loved their relationship in the bedroom and even in the real world. Both realized they were what they needed and even with the dangers, maybe they can keep each other safe and happy.

Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

Connect with L.M.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Tales from The Edge Box Set: Part One by L.M. Somerton to read and review.

Binding the Edges by L.M. Somerton

Never let go of the one you love.

After recent traumatic events, Olly is finding it hard to get his head around what happened. While he tries to deal with a maelstrom of emotions, renovations at The Edge are in full flow, alongside preparations for tenth anniversary celebrations. Joe, his Dom, recognizes Olly’s delicate state of mind and does his best to reassure him. A trip to the New Forest with their friends, Aiden and Heath, helps the healing process.

Returning home, Olly and Aiden focus on preparations for the party. When Aiden is called away, Olly takes a walk to clear his head, keeping his eye on a brewing storm. To his horror, he discovers Mark Vickery, an old enemy, has landed on the island by boat and is out for revenge.

With Olly missing and the storm raging, Joe, Heath and Aiden set out on a rescue mission that unfolds in a way none of them expected. Can the storm wash away the past or will Olly and Joe’s future be destroyed by a twist of fate?

Book 8
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Pride Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the eighth book in the series and relates directly to the very first couple in book one, Joe and Olly. They have had a lot of drama in their relationship and Joe has big plans for their future, and the celebrations for the tenth anniversary of The Edge. Olly is using the planning for the party as a way of getting over his recent traumas, but is overwhelmed. This gives all the guys a chance to step up and provide their support, and show him how important he is to them all.

I love this episode in the series – not only does the ongoing plot finally get resolution, but thanks to the party, we get to catch up on all the relationships, and there are hints at possible future matches. It gives more insight into the dynamics that can exist in a D/s relationship and how different they can be. It is intense, hot, and has lovely moments of humour. Some difficult loose ends are resolved, and the future definitely looks bright!

Thank you Ms. Somerton for another lovely installment.

Also Available in the Tales from the Edge Series

Book 7
Buy Links

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Pride Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Driven to the Edge post.

Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

Connect with L.M.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Binding the Edges (Tales from the Edge #8) by L.M. Somerton to read and review.

Driven to the Edge by L.M. Somerton

Not all limits can be negotiated.

The Edge is reaching a major milestone. After ten years in business together, Doms Joe Dexter and Heath Anders are planning a celebration and new beginnings. But even the best-laid plans can be thrown off course.

When Olly, Joe’s beloved sub, gets caught up in a hostage situation involving Special Forces soldiers, PTSD and blood diamonds, a party is the last thing on Joe’s mind. He hates the lack of control, and the thought of losing Olly takes him close to the edge.

Joe is not the only one reassessing his priorities. Olly needs Joe’s strength more than ever. He feels safe only in Joe’s arms or in his bondage.

Can Joe and Olly find sanctuary in each other or will their latest adventure drive them apart?

Reader Advisory: This book contains a hostage situation and scenes of violence.

Book 7
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Pride Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is book seven of the series, and whilst haven't read them all, they definitely follow on from each other, so it is to be advised. Long standing issues are revisited, and dynamics are better understood that way.

Having read the blurb, I was on tenterhooks whenever Olly was in a scene...and then there is a twist...great plotting! I love the carefully chosen level of detail in these books (for example, Fifi), which gives the reader a good sense of the man, without needing more. The relationship that both the main couples have is interestingly different, yet reassuringly constant. There is a good mix of intense, funny, and loving, running throughout the story. If you like to read D/s then you will recognise the emotions and enjoy the scenes. This felt like a book which cemented what we had seen start in Reaching the Edge.

Thank you Ms. Somerton, I am now looking forward to the next installment!

Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

Connect with L.M.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Driven to the Edge (Tales from the Edge #7) by L.M. Somerton to read and review.

Scorched Edges by L.M. Somerton

Love forged in fire is unassailable.

Fireman Salter Beauman, Beau to his friends, has had his eye on cute Marty Standish ever since he helped rescue Marty and his boss from the bombed out rubble of Temple Church. An analyst for the security services, Marty is cute, geeky and submissive through and through—even if he doesn’t know it yet.

With a serial fire starter making inroads into Beau’s life expectancy, he decides that there is no time to waste and introduces Marty to the D/s lifestyle. Marty responds with wide eyes, an insatiable desire to learn and the ability to turn Beau on with nothing more than a wiggle of his slim hips.

But Beau has a second, far more malevolent admirer. ‘See me dance’ is the message left at a series of increasingly dangerous fires. Beau and Marty must work together to catch a psychotic arsonist before their love goes up in flames. Literally.

Reader Advisory: This book contains a scene that includes sexual abuse.

Book 6
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Pride Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shannan – ☆☆☆
3.5 STARS
Scorched Edges is my first read within the Tales from The Edge series. It is book 6 but I had no issues reading it as a standalone.

Salter Beauman. Beau, is a fireman. He's in control in all things in his life, including his sex life. He's a dominant. When he meets Marty, a geeky analyst for security services, he knows he wants to get to know him better. Beau has hopes that Marty will make the perfect submissive. While the two work on a relationship a fire starter is lurking.

Suspicious fires seem to keep popping up on Beau's shift. There has to be some connection. Can they find it in time before someone gets hurt?

Scorched Edges is a quick read. I enjoyed the fire fighter/BDSM combo. I didn't feel a full connection between the characters something was just missing for me but I did enjoy the suspense action.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
The premise of this book is sound – a seriously hot firefighter Dom, Beau chasing down his newly discovered possible sub, Marty. Throw in an arsonist who's chasing down Beau and some of the dynamics have to change. I had some difficulty with some of the scenes, but chose to give Beau the benefit of the doubt in the heat of the moment. It definitely warmed the cheeks (on my face, not just Marty's!) and I'll continue reading more. Some of the language is very non-British, which as a Brit grated a little, but otherwise, a quick easy and entertaining read.

Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

Connect with L.M.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Blog

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Scorched Edges (Tales from the Edge #6) by L.M. Somerton to read and review.