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!
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.
Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
GooglePlay | Kobo | IndieBound | BAM
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.”
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
Read more sleep less – Review
Scandalicious Book Reviews – Review
She Reads New Adult Book Blog – Review
The Book Bellas – Review & Excerpt
March 1st
After Dark Book Lovers – Review & Excerpt
Booklovers For Life – Review
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
Mommys naughty playground – Review
Stephanie's Book Reports – Review & Excerpt
Vilma's book blog – Review & Excerpt
March 4th
a crazy vermonters book reviews – Review
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
Jen's Reading Obsession – Excerpt
Lit Slave – Review & Excerpt
Straight Shootin' Book Reviews – Excerpt
March 9th
Behind Closed Doors Book Review – Review
Dirty Girl Romance – Review
Friends Till The End Book Blog – Excerpt
iScream Books – Review & Excerpt
Red Cheeks Reads – Review
Smut Book Junkie Reviews – Review & Excerpt
March 10th
Bookcrack – Review & Excerpt
Two Girls with Books – Excerpt
E-Romance News – Excerpt
Four Chicks Flipping Pages – Review
Lit. 4 Ladies – Review & Excerpt
Natalie TheBiblioholi – Review & Excerpt
Once Upon A Page – Review & Excerpt
True Story Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
March 11th
Aurora B's Book Blog – Excerpt
Blushing babes are up all night – Review & Excerpt
Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents – Review & Excerpt
Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt
March 12th
Collector of book boyfriends – Review
Feeding My Addiction Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
I'm A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore – Review & Excerpt
Stormy Nights Reviewing &Bloggin' – Excerpt
March 13th
Black heart reviews – Review
Nice Ladies, Naughty Books – Excerpt
Once Upon a Book Blog – Review & Excerpt
Pretty Little Book Reviews – Review
Queenzany – Review & Excerpt
Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews – Review & Excerpt
Talk Books to Me – Review
March 14th
Abibliophobia Anonymous Book Reviews – Excerpt
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
About 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.
WEBSITE * FACEBOOK * TWITTER * NEWSLETTER * GOODREADS * PINTEREST * INSTAGRAM
Post a Comment
Comments are bloggy food.
Feed our blog...