Sweet Valentine by S.A. Clayton

Valentina loves owning her own bakery and making her customers smile. But being her own boss means spending every waking hour working and leaves little time for anything else. No matter, finding a man to stand by her side was never in her plans—at least not anymore. But when a handsome man walks into her shop, stealing her breath, everything changes.

Noah was content teaching his second-grade class and devoting all of his time to his students. Until he steps into Val’s Sweet Treats, and his whole world turns upside down. What is it about Val that draws him? Is it her compassion for her customers? Her ability to create such mouth-watering treats? Or is it the fact that she wants nothing to do with him? Regardless, now that he’s seen her, he will stop at nothing to get her attention.

But everyone has a past, and when theirs start to creep back into their lives, will they be able to weather the storm? Or will their relationship crumble into pieces…

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

You know why I left, it’s not a secret you think the bakery is more important than our relationship. I hope you find someone who will accept being second fiddle to your job, but that’s not me.

I take a deep breath and read the letter for the millionth time. It’s not like I don’t have it memorized, but seeing the words written in his handwriting cements it home.

He’s gone.

For good.

It’s been eight months since I came home and found this letter, along with half my shit taken, never to be seen again. And it’s been six months since I decided to move and relocate to be as far away from memories of him as I could. Did I want to relocate my bakery and risk everything I’ve worked for? Not really. But being there, surrounded by slivers of what our life should have been, didn’t seem healthy. So, I packed up and went back home to Smithfalls.

“I’ve brought the wine!” Mandy yells before I hear the knock on the front door. I place the letter on the coffee table and chuckle as she jiggles the front door, thinking it’s unlocked. I weave through the living room and open the door. She hands me a grocery bag that weighs at least 10 pounds as she pushes past me and heads down the hallway toward the kitchen. I follow, making sure the plastic bag doesn’t break on the way.

“Is this really necessary?” I ask leaning against the doorway as she places a very large tote bag on the island and begins to take out bottle after bottle of my favorite wine. The cheap plastic of the bag in my arms starts to dig into my palms, but I stay where I am.

“Val Miller, get your ass in this kitchen and help me.” I roll my eyes as I set the bag of mystery items on the island. “Don’t look at me like that, girl’s night means food, lots of food. And not the healthy kind either.” She says pointing the wine opener in the direction of the bag. “Now be useful and grab us the biggest wine glasses you can find.” Now that I can do. I head to the other side of the kitchen and open my wine cabinet. Yes, I have one, and no it’s not sad. Once I set the glasses beside her, she looks at me, smirking.

“You want the good news or the bad news first?” I look at her for a second and wonder if she knows that’s there is only one right answer to that question.

“Obviously good news.” I mutter as she finally uncorks the wine and pours a generous amount into each glass.

“Good news is, I finally got the preview of the review of Val’s Sweet Treats going in this weekend’s paper.” My whole body locks. I’ve been waiting for this for days, and since Mel has connections at the paper, I knew she would get the inside scoop. “You okay?” she asks, holding out the glass for me to take.

I nod my head, taking a large sip and feeling the warmth cascade over my skin. “Yeah, I’m good.” Val’s Sweet Treats is my baby. The one constant, besides Mandy, that brings a sense of calm over my otherwise mess of a life. Owning your own bakery is tough but moving said business from downtown to a small town with no assurances that it will succeed is hard, stressful, and maddening.

“You know it’s good right? I’ve already read it,” she says winking in my direction. God, I love her. She’s like my security blanket in human form. She’s been my best friend since we were kids and has seen me at my best and my very worst. “This is going to work, I promise.” She whispers, taking my arm and leading me into the living room.

“So, what’s the bad news?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

“Oh shit!” she says running back into the kitchen and rummaging through the plastic bag of food. I follow and laugh when I see her taking a carton of ice cream and putting in in the freezer. “I think I saved it.” She mutters to herself and when she sees me standing there silently laughing, she gives me the finger. “And here I was sad they had no mint chocolate chip… but now I know you deserve to only get cookie dough.” I shrug my shoulders, leaving her alone in the kitchen. When she makes her way back in, she notices the letter on the table.

“You still have it?” she picks it up, reading it over as she shakes her head. “I can’t believe you wasted three years in that douche.” I don’t say anything because it’s true. I wasted so much time on he-who-should-not-be-named, a guy who never truly believed I could open a successful bakery.

“Yeah well, not anymore.” I take another large sip of wine as Mandy’s eye scan the letter once more.

“I can’t believe he told you your baking wasn’t that impressive. That’s just mean.” I absently nod, remembering exactly the part she’s talking about. I’m sick of you spending so much time in that stupid kitchen making up recipes that aren’t even that great.

“He was just jealous of your success.” Say says, clinking our glasses in a toast. I laugh, because the term success to describe what my bakery was back then is laughable.

“Success? Mandy I was barely afloat when I was downtown. He’s not wrong when he said that some of my recipes weren’t good enough. They weren’t.” Mandy goes to say something, but I stop her. “I know some of my stuff is good, great even, but I was so stuck in the idea of constantly innovating that I forgot why I became popular in the first place. Simple recipes. Simple concept.”

“That’s why this time it’s gonna work. No more frills. Just you.” I hope she’s right. ‘Cause if this doesn’t work, I have no idea what I’m gonna do.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

Valentina has a sweet demeanor and she just wants to make others happy with her baking. Despite her messy personal life, she picks herself up and creates a whole new dream. I really enjoyed her character and felt that she was the quintessential girl next door personality. She has a big heart and wants everyone to have love in their life.

Noah is a dedicated teacher who loves his kids and wants to find someone who he can have a life with. What he isn't expecting is to run in to his soul mate while ordering cookies for his class. Noah is instantly taken with Valentina's personality. He can't help but want to take her out. Noah is willing to put in the work to see her and isn't afraid to love someone who is their own person.

While this is a quick read, it has all of the parts to a romance – buildup, conflict, and resolution. They were sweet and funny together and you can't help but want to cheer them on.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a very sweet and enjoyable novella perfect for celebrating the upcoming 14th of February. Whilst they certainly feel the pull of chemistry very quickly, they have enough issues and style to wait just a little longer than would be classified as insta-love, just. It works though, as we can determine pretty quickly that they are both good people, who do not usually act with such haste.

Valentina is a baker who has started afresh after a horrible breakup. She is positive, caring, and clearly super sexy. She definitely now deserves someone who will put her first and recognise that her bakery is an important part of her life. She wants the whole white picket fence, children et al, but after her last boyfriend wanted only a trophy wife, she is not trying to rush anything.

Noah teaches 7 year olds, and falls instantly for the lovely baker when he goes to order Valentine's Day cookies for his students. He will not take no for an answer, but he is prepared to be patient (sort of) – I loved their texting and his increasing impatience.

There are obstacles along the way, but we do get a fully rounded story in the course of the book with a really sweet and fun ending.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
I found that I really liked this story except for the ex-wife. But there always has to be someone or something from the past that gets in the way for a little while to make the couple work for the love they share.

Valentina moves her bakery to a small town after her boyfriend breaks up with her because he said she spent too much time working at the shop. Well yeah, it's a bakery and you have to start work early. And shouldn't a boyfriend support your dreams no matter what they are? Maybe his leaving was for the best.

Noah is a second-grade teacher and he loves his job. When a fellow teacher tells him to go to the new bakery for cookies for the upcoming Valentine's Day party, he was not expecting Val to be at the shop.

The attraction is almost instant and the chemistry is off the charts. But when he asks her out, she turns him down several times. Will Noah ever get a date with Val? Can Val trust herself to not fall for Noah so quickly?

If you are looking for a quick, sweet story then this one is for you. This is a first for me from this author and I can't wait to check out some of her other books.

S.A. Clayton lives in a small town outside of Toronto with her husband of five years and her scary large collection of books that seem to take over every room.

She has worked on both sides of the publishing industry, both in a bookstore and for actual publishing companies. Although she loved both for different reasons, she found that writing was her true passion and has spent the last few years breaking into the industry as best she can. She is a lover of all things romance and began her writing journey in her late twenties. Since then, she has immersed herself in the romance genre and couldn’t be happier.

When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys binging a great Netflix show (Stranger Things anyone?), baking (because who doesn’t love cookies!) and spending time with her family.

Connect with S.A.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Sweet Valentine (By Chance #3) by S.A. Clayton to read and review.

All the Best Lies by Joanna Schaffhausen

The highly anticipated third novel in the award-winning Ellery Hathaway mystery series.

FBI agent Reed Markham is haunted by one painful unsolved mystery: who murdered his mother? Camilla was brutally stabbed to death more than forty years ago while baby Reed lay in his crib mere steps away. The trail went so cold that the Las Vegas Police Department has given up hope of solving the case. But then a shattering family secret changes everything Reed knows about his origins, his murdered mother, and his powerful adoptive father, state senator Angus Markham. Now Reed has to wonder if his mother's killer is uncomfortably close to home.

Unable to trust his family with the details of his personal investigation, Reed enlists his friend, suspended cop Ellery Hathaway, to join his quest in Vegas. Ellery has experience with both troubled families and diabolical murderers, having narrowly escaped from each of them. She's eager to skip town, too, because her own father, who abandoned her years ago, is suddenly desperate to get back in contact. He also has a secret that could change her life forever, if Ellery will let him close enough to hear it.

Far from home and relying only on each other, Reed and Ellery discover young Camilla had snared the attention of dangerous men, any of whom might have wanted to shut her up for good. They start tracing his twisted family history, knowing the path leads back to a vicious killer—one who has been hiding in plain sight for forty years and isn't about to give up now.

Book 3
Buy Links

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

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is easily the best book in the series so far. Reed takes on the investigation of his mother’s murder 40 years ago and enlists Ellery’s help. It’s an exciting, suspenseful read. The story is perfectly plotted and beautifully paced and I love the growth we get to see in both Reed and Ellery.

If the first two books belonged to Ellery, this is Reed’s story. In the previous books, we’ve seen enough cracks in Reed’s polished facade to make him feel human – but until now, he’s always been a bit of a mystery. This story spills Reed’s ugly family secrets and he is forced to deal with new revelations both personally and professionally. I really love Reed in this story, and I enjoyed piecing together the murky details of his past alongside him and Ellery.

Ellery also grows into herself in this story. She’s an investigator, not a victim and she’s not playing police politics anymore. I may have admired her from the first book, but this time around I really like Ellery.

I have to admit that I guessed the final plot twist way too early in this story but I didn’t guess the whodunnit until just before the big reveal. The plot is much stronger than the first two books and the author has nailed the pacing perfectly this time. I love the complexity of the investigation and the way Ellery and Reed solve the murder together.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Mystery
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Ellery is in trouble again. But even though she knows that she could lose her job, she doesn't really sweat the small stuff. With her past and her present colliding, once again, Ellery will need to figure out what is really her truth. When Reed asks her to come with him to work on a cold case, she jumps at the opportunity. She wants to help him because she knows that the case is so important to him.

Reed Markham is at it again, but this time, for much more personal reasons. DNA is a powerful tool and once it's unleashed, it can't be taken back. Reed knows that his start in life was a rough one. But with a supportive family behind him, he has made a fairly good life. But when secrets start to emerge, he has to know the truth, even if it might destroy what he felt was his truth.

Ellery and Reed will have to contend with witnesses who withheld information, some shady police, and their own family drama in order to solve Reed's mom's murder.

I really enjoyed watching this unfold. It grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting and now, I really want more. I did wish that there was a more tidy resolution, but that in no way means that you're left without a result.

Also Available in the Ellery Hathaway Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our The Vanishing Season post.

Book 2
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our No Mercy post.

Joanna Schaffhausen wields a mean scalpel, skills developed in her years studying neuroscience. She has a doctorate in psychology, which reflects her long-standing interest in the brain—how it develops and the many ways it can go wrong. Previously, she worked for ABC News, writing for programs such as World News Tonight, Good Morning America, and 20/20. She lives in the Boston area with her husband and daughter. The Vanishing Season is her first novel.

Connect with Joanna

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of All the Best Lies (Ellery Hathaway #3) by Joanna Schaffhausen to read and review.

Long Lost by Lexi Blake Blog Tour

A stolen past

The only thing Tucker remembers of his past is pain. Used in a doctor’s evil experiments, his memories and identity were erased, and his freedom taken. He believed his nightmare was over when he was liberated by the men and women of McKay-Taggart, until he heard the name Steven Reasor. The idea that he could have been involved in the terrible experiments that cost his “brothers” everything crushed him. A desperate attempt to force him to remember the truth almost cost him his life. Now his world is in chaos and his only path to finally uncover the truth and atone for his sins leads to Veronica Croft.

A painful present

Veronica “Roni” Croft knew Dr. Steven Reasor was bad for her, but she also saw a side of the man that no one else knew. Even as she began to believe their employer was hiding something sinister, she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Their affair was passionate and intense, but also fraught with danger. When he disappeared under mysterious circumstances, she took her first chance to run and never looked back. She has stayed hidden ever since, running from forces she knows are too powerful to overcome. But now the man she believed was dead, the man she mourned, has returned and needs her help.

A dangerous future

As Tucker and Roni unravel the secrets of his past, a dark force rises and threatens to destroy them. Their only chance for survival will require them to join forces with the Lost Boys’ worst enemy. Only together can they finally unlock Tucker’s past. But as Tucker’s memories begin to come back, will it free them both or tear them apart forever?

Book 4
Buy Links

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

Veronica took a deep breath. “The first time you kissed me we were at the lab. It was after hours and I’d stayed behind because I was finishing up some reports for Dr. Walsh. There were a couple of doctors there who thought they could mess around with me. One in particular made a nuisance of himself. He was married but he thought the younger women were all fair game. That night he’d stayed behind, too, and he was coming on to me. Hard. You walked in and he pretty much peed himself after you were done with him.”

“Did I hurt him?”

His question came out measured so she couldn’t tell if he wanted the answer to be yes or no.

“Not physically, but he didn’t touch me again. Anyway, afterward you stayed while I finished up. You said you wanted to walk me out to my car. I thanked you and we ended up talking.” She could remember how grateful she’d been to not be left alone. “It was the first time I saw you as something other than the ambitious doctor who handled things for McDonald. You stayed way longer than you had planned, and I felt bad for keeping you. You told me it was okay because it might be the only good thing you’d done for anyone in months. I don’t know what made me do it, but I went up on my tiptoes and kissed you. It wasn’t much. It was barely two seconds. When I moved back, you told me that wasn’t a kiss. You asked me if you could show me what a kiss was. And you did.”

He’d been careful with her, making sure she was all right.

Rather like he’d explained he would be now. He’d been careful right up until he’d been sure she was with him and then he’d taken over. Then he’d taken her someplace she’d never been before.

“Show me.”

She came out of the memory at the sound of his command. Show me. That was what he’d said to her that night.

She could come out of the memory because it was hers. That moment was there in her brain and she could call on it for the rest of her life. It was something so personal. Her memories were the sum of her soul. It struck her forcibly what he’d lost. What she’d lost. That memory had truly been theirs, a shared history that should have connected them for the rest of their lives.

Now she was the only one who knew what it had felt like that night. He was right there. He was standing in front of her asking for that connection again.

She went up on her toes. “Thank you. I didn’t want him near me, but I don’t feel the same way about you.” She let her lips brush his, the bare meeting of flesh that came from a woman who wasn’t sure of what she’d wanted then. Of what she wanted now. “And then you shook your head.”

Tucker shook his head and took the beer from her hand. He set it on the ledge and turned back to her. “Oh, that wasn’t a kiss. Let me show you how I kiss. Will you let me kiss you, Roni? I think about kissing you all the time.”

So close to what he’d actually said. She would take it. “Yes. Please kiss me.”

The air seemed to go out of the room and her vision focused in on him. It was like the rest of the world fell away. It was exactly as it had been that first night with him. Something had fallen into place when he’d looked at her and she’d known nothing would be the same.

If he kissed her again, they would have that connection they’d lost.

His hand went around the nape of her neck, sending a delicious warmth down her spine. He pulled her slightly, drawing her close in an easy show of strength. He brought their bodies together and her breasts brushed against his chest. His free hand wrapped around her waist and she took a moment to look into his eyes.

They were the clearest blue. Something about his eyes had always dragged her in. Even when they were cold, even when no one else had been able to see the emotion behind them, she hadn’t been fooled.

“I want to believe. But I don’t want to want to believe,” she said quietly.

“Because it would be easier if I was the bastard you’ve spent years believing I was. I know. Roni, I can’t imagine I was easy to care for then. I’m not easy now. But for however long we get together I want to try to be with you. We can take it slow and find a way to be friends again.”

She sighed at the thought because he was going to pull away and that was the last thing she wanted. Now that she was here and alone with him, she knew she couldn’t lose the chance to explore this side of the man. “We were never friends.”

She moved in and kissed him. It wasn’t what had happened that night, but that was all right. They were making a new memory, one no one could take away from them. It might all go to hell tomorrow, but she would kiss the father of her child again. She would have this new memory of him.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 stars
M/F Mystery, Romance

This must be read in order. The books follow a progressive pattern and in order to understand what’s going on, you’ll want to read the previous books first.

Veronica (Roni) loves her job. She enjoys helping people and when she is working with McDonald’s project, she knows that something is going on. What we didn’t know in the previous books about her, comes to light. We also get to meet Roni’s mom. She is delightful and I couldn’t help but laugh at her antics.

Steven Reasor, who we now know as Tucker, is hoping to get his memories back. After being betrayed by Levi Green, yet again, Tucker and his brothers are hoping some good comes of it. While he will do everything he can to help his brothers, what he wasn’t expecting was to come face to face with the woman of his dreams.

While sifting through their past, their present crashes into them with a force that will knock them both over. Questions from previous books will be answered, but more questions arise. I found that I couldn’t put the book down.

This book felt a little less about the relationship and more about the questions that had been posed in previous books being resolved. I thought that it was very well developed and the characters were amazing.

I can’t wait to see what happens next, because now that I have to wait, I’m bummed. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in The Forgotten series, and oh my goodness I love this series so much. I have loved all the Masters and Mercenaries books, but these which concentrate on the Lost Boys are just fabulous. The drama is so intense, these strong men who have lost everything and yet are so good and keen to do right by the world. But do be clear, you really could not read this as a standalone and understand the underlying story, so please at least read the previous three books in this series.

It is now Tucker's turn to have his story told – he may have had his memory removed, but they all know that he was McDonald's right hand man, so he was on the wrong side at some point. This causes him distress, and really doesn't fit with his personality now at all. As we start to learn more and more about him and his past, it gets more and more confusing for everyone.

This is a very intense installment, with lots more revelations and some very worrying developments. I cannot say more, as I would not like to spoil anything – but I can promise you that it is as fabulous as ever. It did feel like we are getting to the heart of the matter, but then again, there are more twists and turns than one could ever imagine.

Thank you, Lexi Blake, for this fantastic series. Now I am going to have be patient waiting for the next one… *sighs*


Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Tucker is one of the Lost Boys and all he remembers about his past is pain. If he tries to remember or gets a flash of the past, he is hit with pain, headaches, and vomiting that will leave him so drained. It is why he and his brothers try not to remember so much at one time.

When Veronica Croft shows up, she is the one thing he remembers from his past that might be the answers to his memories. But Roni has a secret and it may be just what the Lost Boys need to break through the memories and learn about the past.

As Roni and Tucker remember their time in Paris before he disappeared, will they be able to move past the hurt and make a future together? Will the forces trying to get the intel from Tucker destroy all the work McKay-Taggart has worked so hard to bring the Lost Boys their memories back? What will the next book hold for this group?

I love this series and I think this book is my favorite so far. Even after losing his memories and his past, Tucker still remembered Roni, his one true love. And I can't wait to see where the next book will lead to in this series.


Shelby – ☆☆☆☆☆
Book #4 in the Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten series is another amazing book in this exciting, action-packed story. These books NEED to be read in order as each story builds upon the previous and focuses on a Lost Boy finding what they need. If you haven't started the series yet, then go. Do it now and then come back to read these reviews – I swear you won't be sorry.

Book #4 is Tucker's story. Tucker the Casanova, Tucker the deep-feeling, sensitive man whose whole world had been flipped on its axis with the revelation from Rebecca (book #2). Just another man with no memory, right? Wrong, so wrong. Tucker's story is one of discovery and wonder.

This book was intense and exciting, there is the action that you've come to expect in this series. The series storyline is really one of the best I've ever read – it's dark and twisted but not depraved. Every single character has strengths and weaknesses, but they're all so different from one another and they complement each other.

The only complaint (if you can call it that) I have, is that I need to wait for book #5.
I need to see how this ends – what happens to everyone once the mystery is solved?
Will there ever be closure?

Also Available in the Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten Series

Formerly titled Memento Mori
Book 1
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Memento Mori Blog Tour.

Book 2
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Lost and Found Blog Tour.

Book 3
Buy Links

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

For reviews & more info, check out our Lost in You post.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

Connect with Lexi

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Long Lost (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten #4; Masters & Mercenaries #20) by Lexi Blake to read and review for this tour.

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

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 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.

The Prince and His Bedeviled Bodyguard by Charlie Cochet Audiobook Tour

Prince Owin

Being a fierce predator – not at all adorable, despite my graceful stature – the last thing I needed was a bodyguard. Especially a wolf shifter, whose presence alone was an insult to my princely principles.

As prince of the Ocelot Shifters, I prided myself on my infallible feline instincts, uncompromising dignity, and flawless fashion sense. If having a canine follow me around at all times wasn’t bad enough, I now faced the most important moment of my entire life.

The time had come to prove I was worthy of my crown. If only I could find a way to get rid of the pesky bodyguard.

Grimmwolf

When the king of All Shifters asked me to guard Prince Owin, I admit I had no idea what to expect. Cat shifters tend to be a little intense, not to mention kinda cranky. Owin was no exception, though he seemed crankier than most.

Being his bodyguard was proving to be one of the greatest challenges of my life, but not nearly as great as convincing him there was something special between us.

When Owin was tasked with a perilous quest to prove his worth, I was determined to keep him safe, even if the same couldn’t be said of my heart.

Audiobook Details
Length: 3 hrs, 18 mins
Narrator: Greg Boudreaux

Book 1
Audiobook Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Audible US  ~  iTunes

Ebook Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

“What the—” Grimm dropped the orb, and we both jumped back. To my utter disbelief, it spread upward and sideways until it was roughly the size of a large doorway, a forest appearing inside. “Hmm. What do you know? A portal that will take us where we want to go.”

How cross would the king be with me if I accidentally pushed Grimm off a cliff? Or left him with the Cù Sìth? Not like he didn’t have plenty of wolf shifters. What was one less in the grand scheme of things?

Grimm narrowed his eyes at me. “You’re not leaving me behind.”

How did he do that? “Are you sure you’re not a seer wolf?”

Grimm didn’t look impressed. “You’re right. I’m a seer. My curse is that I’m limited to visions of you being a jerk.”

I opened my mouth to respond, then thought better of it. “Can we just go?”

“As you wish, Your Highness.” He bowed and motioned for me to go ahead. Clearly, he thought I was an idiot.

“What if it’s a trap and I step through and burst into flames? You go first.”

“Your generosity knows no bounds, my liege. Fine. I’ll go first, but if I meet my demise, my blood is on your hands.”

I shrugged. “I’ll get over it.”

“So mean.” He shook his head at me and stepped through. On the other side, he turned and held his arms out. “See? All good. Wait…” He gasped and clutched at his chest. “What’s happening to me? It burns!”

“Grimm?” My heart lurched in my chest, and I stepped up to the portal.

“I can’t,” he gasped, falling to his knees. “I can’t…”

“Can’t what!” Oh my Goddess, oh my Goddess. I never expected him to actually burst into flames! I flailed around feeling utterly helpless. “What do I do? Is it flames? Are you bursting into flames?” I frantically looked around. “I don’t see a fire extinguisher!” Not that I knew how to use one. I’d just have to toss it at him and hope he could do it himself.

“I can’t…” He gasped for breath. “I can’t… believe you fell for that,” he said with a laugh.

“I’m going to kill you!” I darted into the portal, ignoring his laughter as he took off, his long legs putting him out of my reach in a heartbeat. “I hate you!”

“Admit it! You were worried about me,” he called out from across the field.

“Worried you’d die and I wouldn’t be able to pry the magic purse off your cold, dead, dog-smelling corpse!”

“It’s a satchel!”

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
Adorable. The word is bandied about quite a bit in the story in reference to Prince Owin, but I think it’s a rather apt descriptor for the entire story. Yes, there’s plenty of action and a good bit of suspense as Prince Owin undertakes his quest in order to prove he is fit to rule his people, the ocelot shifters. And I cannot discount the steam factor as Owin comes to realize that he feels far more than the dislike and feigned disdain he heaps upon his wolf shifter bodyguard, Grimm. But Cochet balances all that out with just the right amount of humor and several laugh-out-loud moments woven throughout the story in such a way that I couldn't help but find The Prince and His Bedeviled Bodyguard to be an adorable and delightful listen.

I jumped at the chance to listen to and review The Prince and His Bedeviled Bodyguard without actually reading the description simply because I love Cochet’s writing and Boudreaux’s narration. As such, I had no expectations of the story because I didn’t know much beyond the title and the audio sample, but my faith in the author and narrator was well placed. Not only did Cochet pen an absolutely adorable story of an ocelot shifter prince finding love, Boudreaux perfectly captured both the affection King Alarick and Grimm feel for Owin, as well as the snarky insecurity and huge heart that makes Owin deserving of said affection.

I’m keeping my review shorter than normal because I don’t wish to go into any of Owin and Grimm’s tasks, but I absolutely must say that I cannot wait for the next installment because not only am I looking forward to the next prince’s quest, but I really, really need to know if King Alarick is going to wake up to Jean’s devotion to him. I KNOW there’s something there and I’m looking forward to their story being slowly unveiled over the course of each prince’s story – at least I’m assuming the series will culminate with the king finding the love he’s so intent on his “children” finding.

Charlie Cochet is the international bestselling author of the THIRDS series. Born in Cuba and raised in the US, Charlie enjoys the best of both worlds, from her daily Cuban latte to her passion for classic rock.

Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found devouring a book, releasing her creativity through art, or binge watching a new TV series. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

Connect with Charlie

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Charlie Cochet – Donuts, Dog Tags, and Daydreams Facebook Group

Trained in vocal and stage performance, Greg Tremblay brings a passion for storytelling to every aspect of his life and work.

Critically-recognized and listener-beloved, Greg’s work has been praised by Audiofile Magazine’s “Earphone” award, numerous blogs, and is the recipient of the Goodreads Reader’s Choice award for Best Narrator – 2016 in M/M Romance.

Greg also maintains a curated collection of uniquely and delightfully spicy boudoir treats branded under the “Greg Boudreaux” narration name.

Connect with Greg

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free audiobook copy of The Prince and His Bedeviled Bodyguard (Paranormal Princes #1) by Charlie Cochet, narrated by Greg Boudreaux to listen to and review for this tour.