Threshold: A Society of Masters Anthology

Deliver Us ##0.4

by Lynn Kelling

Seven stories from one of the master’s of M/M erotic romance, Lynn Kelling. These stories give prequels and other insights into two of her most popular series, Deliver Us and Whatever the Cost–both in the world of the Society of Masters.

Expected Lies
Divine Surrender
Never Happened
Pleasures of Paradise
Escape
Trick and Truth
Between Here and There

(For content labels and excerpt, see details on publisher's site.)

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Anthologies

ebook

First published September 9, 2014

About the author

Lynn Kelling began writing in order to tell stories that aren’t afraid of the dark, don’t hold anything back and always strive to be memorable, forging lasting attachments between character and reader. Her inspiration comes from taking a closer look at behaviors and ideas lurking at the fringes of life—basically anything that people may hesitate to speak of in mixed company, but everyone wonders about anyway. Her work is driven by the taboo in order to expose the humanity within it. Lynn is an artist, designer and lover of any form of creative self-expression that comes from a place of honesty and emotion, whether it's body art or opera. She has had multiple novels published, has written over fifty works of erotic fiction of varying lengths, and always has several novels in progress.

Reviews

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

A review by The Blogger Girls.

I almost never read anthologies, as I tend to prefer longer stories and have trouble with how to review them. However, this particular anthology is has stories that are all set around an existing series – The Society of Masters .

Expected Lies – This shorty gives a glimpse into the teenage years of Kyle and Darrek. This is a quickie but gives you a tiny idea of what is going on with them. They are best friends, but Kyle hides his sexuality from Darrek. Both appear separately in other stories. 3 stars

Divine Surrender – This is about Kyle again, though it takes place a little bit later than Expected Lies. Kyle is on his own, has some major issues that we never really learn the full extent of in this segment, but he meets Ben when he goes searching for a Dom to help him. There is a lot more to these guys, and I was extremely intrigued by both of them. Out of each of these stories, I enjoyed this the most and wanted to run and jump right into their main story in From Temptation, book 2 of the Deliver Us Series. 4.5 stars

Never Happened – This is a quickie between Ben and Gabriel (Ben’s best friend and fellow Dom). Hot stuff here, and, again, there is so much backstory begging to be told with these characters. I enjoyed and was as intrigued by Gabriel as I was with Ben and Kyle. Even more so knowing that Gabriel ends up with Kyle’s high school friend, Darreck. Their story is told in the first segment of the Deliver Us series. 4 stars

Pleasures of Paradise – This takes place after Deliver Us where Gabriel and Darrek have been together for two years. Finding their D/S has taken a back seat to their regular lives, they find a way to reconnect. I loved seeing how these guys worked things out. 4 stars

Escape – This is a little story about Liam and Jacen, who I met in Whatever the Cost. These two traveled a hard road to get to the peaceful place they now find themselves in. Here, we get a little more backstory about Travis (now Jacen) as Liam (then Avery) pushes him to share, and it is quite heartbreaking. 4 stars

Trick and Truth – Quickie about Avery in the earlier stages. Very sweet. 3.5 stars

Between Here and There – More Avery not long after Trick and Truth where he shows some of his harder more difficult times. Also sweet and heartbreaking. 3.5 stars

I really found all of these to be enjoyable and found that, with each one, I wanted to read more. I will definitely be catching up on the books I haven’t gotten to yet, as I really want to see these guys again. I liked how they span over two series that are tied together by one of the main characters. The main club in the Deliver Us series is owned by Trace, who was also a major player in the Company, which plays a major role in Whatever the Cost. I’ve read one in each, and have no doubt the rest will be just as solid. I definitely recommend you give these series a try.

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these short prequels and extras for the characters from Deliver Us books and Whatever The Cost. The stories dealing with Liam and Jacen were particularly heartbreaking, especially Escape, Jacen's prequel story. It was nice to see what actually was going on between Darrek and Gabriel on their trip in Pleasures of Paradise and the short between Gabriel and Ben was intriguing (so maybe anything with Gabriel is intriguing for me). I also enjoyed reading Lynn's insights about what she wrote and why.

I definitely recommend this anthology for fans of the related books who would like a bit more insight into these complex men.

[Caroline Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE

4.5 Stars

Expected Lies

Before Darrek met Gabriel he was struggling with his feelings for his best friend Kyle. Gabriel felt protectiveness towards Kyle but couldn’t understand why. Interesting insight into the early years of their friendship and Kyle’s secret assignation with Nicky.

Divine Surrender

A look at the first meeting between Ben and Kyle at Diadems office. Kyle is obviously not in a great place and his secrets have yet to come out but Ben has a pretty good read on him. There is only one thing on his consent list that is off the table and Ben wonders why that is. After his interview with Ben, Kyle runs home to hold to use a now forbidden vice. You can feel Kyle’s loneliness in this story even without knowing his history.

Their first session in the dungeon and boy is it hot!! There may be a problem - although Kyle submits beautifully it is difficult to tell who exactly is in charge. Ben may have his hands full here! After his first session Kyle is left to go home alone and face his demons. One in a baggie and one on the phone but even after just one session he feels calmer than usual and pulls himself back from the edge. His next freak out will come outside Diadem and will change the course of things again.

When Gabriel and Ben tag team a session with Kyle they start to knock down his walls. Kyle is scared and vulnerable and more open than ever before but under Ben’s watchful eye his submission is nearly perfect and both men feel it strongly.
Finally Kyle has let Ben see who he really is through his total submission. After an engrossing scene finishes something far more important starts in the shower. Things may never be the same again.As aftercare goes this is nothing like Ben has ever experienced and it will set the scene for both men going forward.

Never Happened

Gabriel is such a complex man who doesn’t know how to ask for what he needs. It is further complicated by the fact that what he needs is what disgusts him. The sight of Gabriel downing alcohol is a sure sign to Ben that Gabriel is asking without words for his help. Things get hot and steamy between them but, it feels all wrong to Ben but he knows it is what his best friend needs at that moment. His heart breaks just a little bit more for the way it must be. Kyle witnesses the event which just further complicates matters for all concerned.

Pleasures of Paradise

I love the playful nature between Gabriel and Darrek at the start of this. Even though Darrek is on his knees for an infraction and waiting to see what his punishment will be there is humour running through his mind. His Saturday versus Thursday answer is hilarious. Gabriel has decided after 2 years that Darrek needs to push his boundaries and has come up with what he thinks is the perfect plan. Darrek is definitely not keen but finds when he questions himself the answers are not what he expected. There is also a little bartering which has the playful sub excited. All he needs to do is trust his master and anything seems possible.

Escape

Jacen aka Travis delves back into his past and the years of abuse he suffered at the hands of a neighbour in the safe confines of his husbands past. The memories are painful and brutal but it’s a balm to his soul to share the story that saved him and lead him to his current life.

Trick and Truth

OMG this one is a heartbreaker. Avery is so young to be broken. He needs a night out and decides the best way to have ‘fun’ is to take on a different persona for the night. He is dolled up to the nines for a night out clubbing as his best friend Jimmy. Jimmy’ clothes, Jimmy’s boots and Jimmy’s name and he is ready to go. When he gets there everything goes as planned. But it is the plan and the need for the plan that will kill you. God damn it Ms Kelling will make you cry with this one!

Between Here and There

A touching look at Avery and Timothy and the passion they share with each other to finish off.

This is a great set of short stories that let me delve into the lives of some of my favourite characters. The biggest problem I had with this anthology is it has me itching to go back and re-read the Deliver Us Series...again...again...again!!

[FantasyLiving · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice teaser of short stories based around a few series by Lynn killing. The first 3 stories are great for filling in details prior to Deliver Us. 1 story is based after Deliver Us and was loads of fun, with a little cross dressing.

The last 3 stories are based on Whatever the Cost world. The last two stories hurt. Really hurt. I'm now in a funk.

But I love all these characters, and getting a deeper glimpse into their life prior to and during their on page novels was lovely.

[Cindra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great anthology full of snippets that augment the Society of Masters books. A couple were heartbreaking to read. My fav was the shortest story; the chemistry between Gabriel and Ben has always piqued my curiosity and left me wanting more interactions between them. Really love Lynn Kelling's books. The overlap between her SOM stories, and Jack L. Pyke's SOM books, makes me want to read more about the characters from that universe. Such beautifully flawed men.......

[Kim the Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 huge stars....Dreamy sigh, Lynn never disappoints....