Hi guys, we now have Mickie B. Ashling visiting with the blog tour for her newest release Enforcing Emory, we have a brilliant excerpt, a fantastic giveaway and we have Zane’s awesome review, so check out the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~ 

Enforcing Emory

Mickie B. Ashling

Olympic figure skater Emory Lowe falls in lust the moment he lays eyes on his new neighbor, hockey player Nikolai (Nik) Vetrov.  On the surface, Nik is a typical badass enforcer, intimidating and dangerous, on and off the ice. The only son of Ukrainian immigrants, Nik has been groomed from childhood to fulfill his father’s dreams of seeing him in the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Igor guides his son toward that goal with a controlling—and abusive—hand, steering him clear of anyone who might ruin his chances. 

Although Emory is the US National Figure Skating champion, he’s in-your-face gay, and his audacious persona rubs Nik and his family the wrong way.  Raised by supportive and loving parents, Emory is Nik’s polar opposite in every way but one—his desire to succeed. Underneath the fluff and glitter beats the heart of a fierce competitor, and this side of Emory’s personality begins to close the distance between the two athletes.

While the attraction was one-sided in the beginning, Nik finds himself responding to Emory’s flirting.  Before the incongruous pair have a chance at any sort of relationship, they must survive the pressures of career, separation, and most importantly, Igor’s ruthless homophobia.

A little word from Mickie

Many thanks to M/M Good Book Reviews for hosting my Enforcing Emory blog tour. This novel is set in the exciting world of Olympic Men’s Figure Skating and the American Hockey League. I’ve brought along some freebies for your wonderful readers in the Rafflecopter. Click on the link and leave your names for a chance to win.  Hope you enjoy a glimpse into Nik and Emory’s world.

Excerpt

He woke to the sound of his phone chiming and groped for it through the folds of his comforter. Groggily he pressed accept. “’Lo.”

“Hey, you.”  

“Wassup.”

“Are you still in bed?” Emory asked.

“So what?”

“It’s past noon.”

“Late night,” Nik said, struggling to sit up. He threw a few pillows against the wall he used as a headboard and leaned back to listen.

“My new coach hates me,” Emory announced.

“What did he do?” Nik couldn’t imagine anyone not liking Em.

“It’s what he doesn’t do,” Emory complained bitterly.

“Huh?”

“He’s not good at positive reinforcement.”

“Maybe that’s not his style,” Nik said.

“I thrive on praise,” Emory admitted. “A pat on the back is way more effective than a muttered Russian expletive.”

“Get over it.”

“Seriously, Nik. I don’t think we click.”

“You don’t need to love the guy, just learn as much as you can,” Nik advised.

“There has to be mutual respect,” Emory said sincerely. “He needs to realize that if he wants to be effective.”

“Isn’t he a good teacher?”

“He’s not teaching me anything new,” Emory scoffed. “Yuri is only fine tuning what I already know.”

“Well, suck it up for a few weeks.”

“How was your first game?” Emory asked, changing the subject.

“A blast.”

“Who drew first blood?”

Nik snorted. “I did.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“It’s all part of the game.”

“Did you get hurt?”

“No.”

“I wish you played another position,” Emory said soberly. “Don’t you realize your career could be cut short any minute by remaining in that spot?”

“I’m careful.”

“There’s no such thing as a cautious hockey player, let alone an enforcer. You’re supposed to be bad-tempered and crazy.”

About Mickie

Mickie B. Ashling is the alter-ego of a multifaceted woman raised by a single mother who preferred reading over other forms of entertainment. She found a kindred spirit in her oldest child and encouraged her with a steady supply of dog-eared paperbacks. Romance was the preferred genre, and historical romances topped her favorites list.

By the time Mickie discovered her own talent for writing, real life had intruded, and the business of earning a living and raising four sons took priority. With the advent of e-publishing and the inevitable emptying nest, dreams were resurrected, and the storyteller was reborn.

She stumbled into the world of men who love men in 2002 and continues to draw inspiration from their ongoing struggle to find equality and happiness in this oftentimes skewed and intolerant world. Her award-winning novels have been called “gut wrenching, daring, and thought provoking.” She admits to being an angst queen and making her men work damn hard for their happy endings.

Mickie loves to travel and has lived in the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East but currently resides in a suburb outside Chicago.

Connect with Mickie

Giveaway!

Win a $20 Dreamspinner gift certificate, one of five ecopies of Enforcing Emory, or an audio copy of Fire Horse!

Mickie B. Ashling Rafflecopter giveaway!

Review

Title: Enforcing Emory

Author: Mickie B. Ashling

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (226 pages)

ISBN: 9781634760843

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Zane

Blurb: Olympic figure skater Emory Lowe falls in lust the moment he lays eyes on his new neighbor, hockey player Nikolai Vetrov. On the surface, Nik is a typical badass enforcer, intimidating and dangerous, on and off the ice. The only son of Ukrainian immigrants, Nik has been groomed from childhood to fulfill his father’s dreams of seeing him in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Igor guides his son toward that goal with a controlling—and abusive—hand, steering him clear of anyone who might ruin his chances.

Although Emory is the US National Figure Skating champion, he’s in-your-face gay, and his audacious persona rubs Nik and his family the wrong way. Raised by supportive and loving parents, Emory is Nik’s polar opposite in every way but one—his desire to succeed. Underneath the fluff and glitter beats the heart of a fierce competitor, and this side of Emory’s personality begins to close the distance between the two athletes.

While the attraction is one-sided in the beginning, Nik finds himself responding to Emory’s flirting. But before the incongruous pair have a chance at any sort of relationship, they must survive the pressures of career, separation, and most importantly, Igor’s ruthless homophobia.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6419

Review: Emory is flamboyant. He is unapologetically a devil-may-care, out and proud, in-your-face, take it or leave it gay American figure skater. His ebullience is matched only by his heart and determination and damned if I didn’t love him from word one. Who does he fall for? Isn’t it obvious? The tough-as-nails, straight as can be (until Emory of, course) manly-man Ukrainian hockey player with a girlfriend and an old world Ukrainian family, Nik. With Emory (right off the bat) knowing what he wanted and Nik in denial, both friendship and intimacy were forged, and blossomed at the same time. I enjoyed their story, especially Emory’s open honesty and Nik’s journey – his struggle to accept and be himself not just with Emory but in life.

Ever-present in their lives and in the story are their families; Emory’s was interesting, to say the least.  They were definitely supportive (as indicated in the blurb), though it was tough to realize that about his father at first. He comes across as rude and obnoxious, and it takes a bit to realize that he is just concerned because he doesn’t trust the world, is bitter and jaded from past experiences. Thankfully he grew on me and I did come to care for him, as he cared for his son and came to care for Nik as such.

The same cannot be said for Nik’s dad – though there was heartbreak and sadness between the two MCs, the true angst came from Nik’s dad Igor. Old world Ukrainian, he gave vicious, vindictive, cruel and dangerous new meaning. Some of the things that transpired between father and son, between Nik and his family actually hurt my heart. Be warned, it gets a little ugly.  Yes, love wins out, but not before it all comes to a head, and in a brutal way.

I enjoyed this read; there was fun and sweetness tempered with the (sometimes harsh) reality of both of their situations. I love how their relationship grew both while they were together and apart. As time passed, they made mistakes and hurt each other, but they also loved, they learned and they grew – they earned their HEA for sure.

Though this is my first Mickie B. Ashling read, it won’t be my last. It’s easy to recommend this book – Emory the figure skater and Nik the hockey player warmed my heart with their story, and I think they’ll do the same for you.

Check out the other blogs on the blog tour