Sunday, March 5, 2017

REVIEW: The Deep End by Kristen Ashley

THE DEEP END - header banner    
OUR REVIEW:

Shel: The Deep End is the first look at a Kristen Ashley new series and while it definitely has the KA vibe that makes her books distinctly her books, she's acknowledged that this new series might not be for everyone. The Deep End is set in a BDSM world and the sexual boundaries that seem to beset contemporary romance aren't the same, so if you're uncomfortable with characters exploring their sexuality outside of "vanilla" sex, this novel may push some buttons for you. I liked the buttons it pushed so if you're open to trying something new from a favorite author, I say go for it! 

Court: It was definitely a new world for her, and I enjoyed it immensely. There is definitely as you said buttons pushed, and new things tried. And I liked the idea of our favorite "alpha" type characters being submissive. I can't say that I don't find the "Mistress" and "Master" titles something I would ever enjoy in real life, but I really enjoyed the writing...definitely enjoyed the scenes...and it being Kristen Ashley it did not disappoint. 

Shel: For me, it wasn't the sexual exploration that Olivier experienced with Amelie that was something to adjust to, it was the "voice" of Amelie--it took me a few pages to settle in to who she was. Her language was elevated and that coupled with being unused to the world of Honey took me some time to get my bearings.  Had I just treated this novel as uncharted KA territory rather than assume it'd be like her other series, I think I would've settled into my reading so much faster. All this to say that once I let go of what I thought this would be and relaxed into this new world and new characters, I found that I was as absorbed as I normally am in her novels. Amelie and Olivier have strong personalities, both have things they want and need from their time together and both have things that worry them about what they're falling into. How they negotiate their trouble spots is pure KA--in elevated sexual fashion (it was hotter than hot when these two collided in the club--all of their encounters at the club are *fans self*, hot!). Court: I did that too. Her way of speaking, even in her mind...took some adjustments from me. At first, I couldn't figure out if it was me or not, but then the characters make light of the way she speaks and you figure out it definitely is just the way she is. I don't think it took too long to settle in, though. The slow burn, if you will, did just about do me in...whoa sexy times. These are a plenty in this book. Olivier has a few things he struggles with more so than Amelie, and I really really really (I've said that a lot this review, haven't I!) enjoyed that. This alpha-sub direction is a new one and I think really was a huge part of enjoying it so much. 

Shel: In addition to getting to know our two main characters, meeting the secondary characters was interesting as it had me wondering which ones I'd get to read more about in other novels. Several characters were mysterious and intriguing and I am so hopeful that the ones that had significant page time, as well as one who never even had a word of dialogue, will show up as this series continues. I also loved that these secondary characters were as supportive and loving of the main characters as they always are in KA-world. Court: I'd wondered going in, as I haven't looked up too much about the second book if this one a one-off and the others would be a companion or not. I think I was afraid that this would go on for multiple books and that there would be a lot of angst heading my way. I'm not sure why I was afraid of that, because Kristen literally hasn't led me astray EVER, but for some reason I had that in my brain. Never fear, though. I believe we're getting a different character for each book, and I really, really, really wanna tell you who I'm excited to see in the future! 

Shel: A final new thing that made this series feel completely separated from previous KA worlds was it's setting. We were no longer in Colorado; we're now in Arizona. I thought this was really smart--it's a geographical separation from the Kristen Ashley series (all of them) that we all know. It added to the entire feeling of newness to this series. Court: It is! I love how KA brings the setting into the story and really makes it feel authentic and like you'd walk out your back door and see it. 

Shel: So where do I stand with this new series? I definitely want to read more--this first book was surprising, interesting, and felt like something a little different than what Kristen Ashley has shown us before and yet it had the trademark things I love--the alpha, the strong heroine, the endearments, the struggles and the ultimate overcoming of them to come together -and I look forward to exploring the world of Honey more. Court: Their honesty, their vulnerability was just inspiring and couldn't look away from it. I was nervous at first, with it being so heavily BDSM about the story not being able to compete with that...but I was wrong...And this one was a page burner that I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I really enjoyed Olivier and Amelie and hope we get to see more of them in future books! 

✮✮✮A delicious world of erotica, BDSM with alpha-subs and their Dommes, and a gripping love story…Welcome to The Bee’s Honey! The first book in New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley’s Honey Series, THE DEEP END is a seductive and rich lovestory. Order your copy today! ✮✮✮


Fall into THE DEEP END and order your copy today!

  THE-DEEP-END-cover

About THE DEEP END (Erotic Romance Releasing March 7, 2017):

Enter a decadent sensual world where gorgeous alpha males are committed to fulfilling a woman's every desire…

Olivier isn’t sure what he’s gotten himself into when he joins the Honey Club, only that a dark part of him hungers for the lifestyle offered by this exclusive club. Here, no boundary will be left untested…and one's deepest fantasies will become an exquisite reality.

When Amélie invites Olivier to surrender, she gives the alpha submissive what he craves. Soon they both find themselves falling harder than they ever anticipated—but as their connection deepens, the truth about Olivier’s past could destroy everything…

Gripping and seductive, The Deep End is the first book in a sensational new series from bestselling author Kristen Ashley.

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    EXCERPT

              She slid out of the booth with murmurings of “good night” and “have fun,” taking her stiletto-heeled-sandal-shod feet with the will of steel her mother had begun the process of instilling in her and her training as a Domme had completed.
              She could not have her legs give out on her and she could not expose her nervous anticipation.
              And she wouldn’t.
              But, God, she had not felt like this in years. That sub she’d spied or she’d had who was so promising or such a transcendent experience to play with that she could barely control her own reactions to exploring that promise or again feeling the wholeness, togetherness, oneness with another.
              She moved in his direction, no game playing. She didn’t even glance at Stellan in his booth.
              Amélie didn’t participate in those games, not ever. There was no reason for her to be coy with a sub.
              And she moved with the gait and bearing that it was solely her mother who’d ingrained in her in the sporadic times they’d had together, doing it with an unrelenting fervor that it would take the threat of death to force her to move any other way.
              Chin up. Shoulders straight and slightly back. A sway of her hips so subtle, it was elusive. Long, confident strides.
              Amélie could walk a catwalk.
              She could also make a specimen she was approaching get so hard his cock was aching by the time she made it to him.
              She hadn’t even gone halfway when he sensed her approach and she was gratified that his response was instantaneous.
              He pushed from the wall.  He turned fully to face her.  And she felt his eyes drop not with the respect a sub owed a Domme, but to take her in from sandals to hair.
              Then his gaze locked on hers and he didn’t look away.
              He didn’t look away.
              He watched her approach not like he was taking the risky liberty he was taking but like it was his God-given right.
              Amélie felt her clit quiver.
              She arrived at him, stopping several feet away, knowing that the minute her body language made it clear she was going in for the capture, most eyes in the room, if not all, were on her.
              She did not care about this.  Not that she’d ever care about this (which she wouldn’t), but because, now close to him, she found to her enchanted surprise, he was not big.
              He was colossal.
              A mighty beast.
              A magnificent beast.
              Exquisite.
              He was not six foot five.  He was six-six, more likely six-seven.  A mountain of compacted muscle encased in a very fine, very expensive suit.
              Taking him in, in proximity, she wanted him more than she’d already wanted him.  She wanted no boundaries.  She wanted everything.  Her diverse skill set, experience, imagination, creativity, and if it came down to it, sheer determination and grit, she’d utilize it all to wring him dry in a way he’d contemplate murder in order to have the opportunity to come back for more.
              She was on the verge of speaking when he did.
              His direct gaze appreciative, and arrogant smile curving his full lips, he asked, “How you doin’ sweetheart?”
              She froze.
              Full eye contact. Speaking without being spoken to. Using an unconsented and unearned endearment.
              The already damp gusset of her panties soaked to the point her wet crept up the silk of her front and back sides.
              But her brows snapped together, her censure clear, and her lips ordered, “Follow me.”

THE DEEP END - Tour teaser 1     https://youtu.be/5xilSf4ZniI    

Kristen Ashley’s THE DEEP END – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

February 27th
All Romance Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Crystals Book World – Excerpt
Foxy Blogs – Excerpt
Garden of REden – Review
Stacey is Sassy – Review
Steamy Reads – Review
February 28th
Books,Dreams,Life – Excerpt
Marieke's Books – Review & Excerpt
The Book Bellas – Review & Excerpt
March 1st
After Dark Book Lovers – Review & Excerpt
FMR Book Grind – Review
Jax's Book Magic – Excerpt
Reads All the Books – Review & Excerpt
Three Girls and a Book Obsession – Review & Excerpt
March 2nd
Agents of Romance – Review & Excerpt
Under the Covers – Review & Excerpt
Book Bitches Blog – Excerpt
Oh My Growing TBR – Review & Excerpt
Reading Keeps Me Sane – Review & Excerpt
The Review Loft – Review & Excerpt
March 3rd
Random Book Muses – Review
MEReadALOT – Review & Excerpt
Stephanie's Book Reports – Review & Excerpt
Vilma's book blog – Review & Excerpt
March 4th
Book Babes Unite – Review
Love Between the Sheets – Review & Excerpt
Vagabonda Reads – Review
March 5th
All About Romance – Review
Mustreadbooksordie – Review & Excerpt
Angie and Jessica's Dreamy Reads – Review & Excerpt
PBC – Excerpt
March 6th
About That Story – Review
Krista's Dust Jacket – Review & Excerpt
KT Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Night Owl Reader – Review & Excerpt
Read-Love-Blog – Review
StuckInBooks – Review & Excerpt
March 7th
Shh Moms Reading – Review
Words We Love By/LucyLiciousReads – Review & Excerpt
Books to Breathe – Review & Excerpt
For The Love of Fictional Worlds – Review & Excerpt
Joyfully Reviewed – Review & Excerpt
Nose Stuck in a Book – Review & Excerpt
March 8th
Shameless Book Club – Review & Excerpt
A Fortress of Books – Excerpt
BJ's Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Lit Slave – Review & Excerpt
March 9th
Dirty Girl Romance – Review
iScream Books – Review & Excerpt
Red Cheeks Reads – Review
Smut Book Junkie Reviews – Review & Excerpt
March 10th
Bookcrack – Review & Excerpt
E-Romance News – Excerpt
Lit. 4 Ladies – Review & Excerpt
Natalie TheBiblioholi – Review & Excerpt
Once Upon A Page – Review & Excerpt
True Story Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
March 11th
Blushing babes are up all night – Review & Excerpt
Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents – Review & Excerpt
March 12th
Feeding My Addiction Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
I'm A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore – Review & Excerpt
March 13th
Once Upon a Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Queenzany – Review & Excerpt
Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Talk Books to Me – Review
March 14th
Alpha Book Club – Review
G & T's Indie Café – Excerpt
Once Upon An Alpha – Review & Excerpt
No BS Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
The Book Whisperer – Review & Excerpt
The Escapist Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
    THE DEEP END - Tour teaser 2       Kristin Ashley - headshotAbout Kristen Ashley: Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen's Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning. Nothing's changed. Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she's blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched). Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up. And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.

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