A warm welcome to author Mickie B Ashling joining us here @ Love Bytes today as part of the blog tour for new release “Enforcing Emory”.
Mickie Shares an Exclusive excerpt with us and there is a giveaway to participate in!
Welcome Mickie 🙂
I’d like to thank Dani for the opportunity to appear on Love Bytes to share an exclusive excerpt of my latest release Enforcing Emory. This novel is set in a new universe—Olympic figure skating and hockey—so no catching up necessary. There’s an opportunity to win a free e-copy of the novel or a gift certificate by entering contact information in the Rafflecopter. Enjoy!
EXCLUSIVE
Nik walked toward the car, bracing for the battle to come. He was shocked at the sight of Marina in the backseat. “Hey,” he greeted her. “I didn’t know you were going to be here.”
“I thought I’d save you both time,” Igor said. “This way you get a chance to see each other before tomorrow’s game.”
“Thanks, Papa,” Nik said automatically. Now he was really in a quandary. How could he bring up Sochi with Marina at the dinner table?
“How are you, Kolya?” she asked from the backseat.
“Good. How about you?”
“I’m glad you’re home, even if it’s only for two nights.”
“It’ll be nice to catch up.”
It was silent the rest of the way. Nik couldn’t help but notice that the place no longer felt like home after less than two months. So much had happened in such a short time. They pulled up to the familiar driveway and Nik jumped out, opening the back door for Marina. She curled around him and gave him a warm kiss. “How are you really?” she whispered.
“I’m fine,” Nik snapped. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s been a while since you’ve been in touch.”
“About that,” Nik said, also in a low voice so Igor wouldn’t butt in. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
She nodded but looked a little apprehensive. Nik wanted to ask why, but Igor was already at his side, shooing him toward the kitchen door. Once they walked in, the room erupted with his sisters’ familiar voices, and they crowded around him with a warm welcome. They parted to let Alla through, and she hugged Nik enthusiastically.
“Kolya, so nice to see you.”
“What’s for dinner, Mama?”
“All your favorites,” she said. “You must be starving.”
“I could use one of your home-cooked meals.”
“Go wait in your old bedroom with Marina. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
Igor agreed. “Yes, that’s a good idea.” Turning to Marina, Igor said, “Tell Kolya what we talked about, yeah?”
“Yes, sir.”
When Nik shut his bedroom door behind him, Marina launched herself at Nik, kissing him passionately. She stepped back and looked puzzled at his lukewarm response. “What’s the matter?”
“You go first,” Nik said. “What did my dad mean? What did you talk about?”
“He thinks we should get married sooner rather than later.”
Blurb
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.
Purchase Links
Dreamspinner Press | All Romance eBooks | Amazon
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
Email | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog | Goodreads & Ask the Author
Using Rafflecopter below, enter to win one of these prizes (contest open internationally): a $20 Dreamspinner gift certificate, one of five ecopies of Enforcing Emory, or an audio copy of Fire Horse. Must be 18 or older to enter.
May 25 – The Novel Approach
May 25 – Garrett Leigh
May 26 – Charlie Cochet
May 27 – Emotion in Motion
May 28 – BA Tortuga
May 29 – On Top Down Under Book Reviews
May 31 – Diverse Reader
June 1 – Prism Book Alliance
June 2 – Book Reviews & More by Kathy
June 2 – Cup o’ Porn
June 3 – WoW…from The Scarf Princess
June 4 – Love Bytes
June 5 – Divine Magazine
June 8 – MM Good Book Reviews
June 9 – Sinfully…Addicted to All Male Romance
June 10 – Hearts On Fire
I really enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you for another great excerpt I hope Nik can find the courage to tell Marina about Emory.
ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk
Another great excerpt. Thanks for the tour.
Thank you so much for hosting my blog tour! Very much appreciated.
Poor Nik – how is he going to handle that?
Can’t wait to read Enforcing Emory!
I’m loving all the excerpts!
Thank you for another interesting excerpt
I feel sad for Nik. What a father to have.
Congratulations on the new release! Another great excerpt! Looking forward to reading it!
Oh man I really do not like Igor.
Wonderful Excerpt! I loved the book!
Thank you, sounds interesting.
Argh…Igor is so frustrating. Thanks for another great excerpt.
What authentic names you used for all of your characters 🙂 So, Nik also had top contend with a marriage to Marina on top of his developing feelings for Emory. Love drama 🙂 Thanks for the chance!
This is an awesome tour and the book sounds so amazing!
I love the Figure Skating vs Hockey plot! Adding it to my TBR… Thanks for the chance(s) to win a copy/a way to purchase a copy 😉
Thanks for the excerpt. Poor Nik.