Tuesday 7 March 2017

Release Blitz & Review: Kristen Ashley's "The Deep End (Honey #1)."

The Hopeless Romantics Book Blog are pleased to be a part of the Release Blitz and Review for Kristen Ashley's "The Deep End (Honey #1)."

Amazon.com:    http://amzn.to/2lmShjc
Amazon UK:     http://amzn.to/2lmGZLO

Synopsis:

Enter a decadent sensual world where gorgeous alpha males are pleasure slaves committed to fulfilling a woman's every desire. At the elite Honey club, no boundary will be left untested, and one's darkest desires will become a sensual reality.

Olivier isn’t sure what he’s gotten himself into when he joins the Honey Club, only that a dark part of him craves the lifestyle offered by this secret, exclusive club.

When Amèlie invites Olivier to surrender, she pushes him to explore his deepest desires as a submissive. As they grow closer and find themselves falling harder than either of them anticipated, the truth about Olivier’s past could threaten the budding relationship they both long for. 

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

Review: Surj

MARMITE: That is probably the best way to describe Kristen Ashley's "The Deep End." It will either be for you or it won't but lucky for me because I absolutely adore marmite, especially when it's spread with marmalade... lol. That sweet mixed with that savoury is simply divine and that's exactly what I got from Amelie and Olivier's story. The only advice I can give you before you dive in is to do a complete mind refresh in terms of what you expect from a KA book. Leave expectations at the door and try and go in with an open mind. The synopsis is a HUGE indicator of what this book is about and if you try and fight the story line, if you pray and hope that it takes a different path than the one it is on, then you will lose and this book won't be for you. There is a reason for everything in "The Deep End" and the more you read the more things will become clear. 

She saw thighs. She saw his ass. He was a beast. An incomparable steed. 

I will admit, the first 5% of Amelie and Oliver's story had me all in a fluster. There was a lot of wordage that I struggled to get my head around and I honestly wondered whether I should continue reading. But I was determined and soldiered on. Well I'm so glad I did because I loved so many things about this story. I loved that the plot was completely unique and different to anything I'd read before. I know the author was taking a risk with this one but for me, her risk definitely paid off. 

Olivier and Amelie met in an exclusive sex club called "Bee's Honey" and so it goes without saying that there was going to be sex in this book, a whole lot of sex. Like I said, see synopsis lol. However for me, there was a reason for this. The sex wasn't just added for the sake of filling pages. It played an integral part in the relationship between the Amelie and Olivier and how that developed into being something so much more than a submissive/ dominant connection. Without the club, this couple would never have met and it was this club that allowed the couple to explore their connection both sexually and otherwise. Much of the book centred around the "Bee's Honey" and the majority of the scenes are set within the club and rightfully so. It takes time to build trust between a sub and dom and the only place that was going to happen was in that club and initially through sexual interaction. The sex worked for me (not literally of course lol) but it felt right and realistic for the couple. Personally, I didn't think there was an excessive amount of it at all. Like I said, please see synopsis!!!

"I needed you to try me. I needed you to push me. I needed from you what you said 
you needed from a sub. I needed you to break me. I needed someone to throw me 
in the deep end and force me to learn how to swim. But I needed to do that knowing 
she was right there to pull me to the surface. And you were right there, 
Leigh, not pulling me to the surface. Leading me up and forcing me to 
surf a fucking killer goddamned wave.”

From the moment I was introduced to Olivier's character, I knew I was going to love him. Yes he was a submissive but equally, he was very much an alpha and it was this that left him with an inner struggle he found difficult to come to terms with. I loved his vulnerability and his resistance to letting go but my oh my, when he did let go did he embrace everything that came his way. Oh and this alpha had a cheeky side too that left me with a huge grin on my face!!! 

I could get lost in this one, she thought. Lost and never found. 

When I think of a dominant in a sex club, I think of a leather/pvc clad individual with whips and cuffs and all sorts of paraphernalia doing all sorts to her/ his submissive. Well that was definitely not the case here. Amelie was a strong, sophisticated character who knew exactly what she wanted from life. Her fear was that she would never get what most people had... love and a life long partner who understood her lifestyle. 

I loved the dynamics between Amelie and Olivier. Despite challenging one another on many an occasion, they were definitely what the other needed and I loved the way KA developed their bond.  It was believable, beautiful and so swoon worthy. 

He wanted more. Of all of it. He couldn't fight it and he wondered why he did. 

"The Deep End" really was a brilliant addition to my Kristen Ashley library. Yes it was different to some of her other books but different for me is a good thing. There are far too many books out there that have very similar story lines these days so this definitely made for a refreshing change. Equally there were things that were so familiar too. The writing, the dialogue between the characters, the characters themselves... all of it made this such a fabulous read. Oh and if you loved "Deacon" and the change in dynamics in the bedroom department in his book, then let's just say, that is a small taster of what's to come in Olivier and Emilie's book. 

"The Deep End" was an unpredictable, thought provoking, intense, titillating eye opener of a read that gets ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.  I cannot wait for the next instalment in this series of standalone novels. 

Excerpt:

As he slowly closed the door behind him and moved his eyes to look through the room, taking it in, she watched them get wide. 

They dropped to her and his amusement was clear. Not only radiating from his gaze but twitching his lips. 

Another unusual—and unacceptable—reaction.

He thought this was funny.

She hoped like fuck she had the opportunity to prove him wrong. 

She crossed her arms on her chest and slightly put out a foot, like she was about to start tapping her toe. In the wrap dress she wore, she knew this opened the overlap, not exposing anything, but the promise for him was impossible to resist. 

His attention dropped to her legs.

“In the playrooms,” she began with a snap, and his gaze cut to hers, “I want eye contact. Unless otherwise instructed, you should not only feel free to look me directly in the eyes, if I’m in your line of sight or I’m not giving you something that your body’s natural reaction would make it difficult to meet my gaze, I require it.”

She stood there staring as he did nothing but dip his chin in acknowledgment.

Cheeky.

Exceptionally cheeky.

Fabulous.

“Unless I’ve asked for their silence or for them to ask for leave to speak, I also require my toys to respond when they’re spoken to. Even if it’s only a ‘yes, Mistress,’ or ‘no, Mistress.’”

His stance relaxed, like he was settling in at the beginning of a show he found vaguely intriguing, and his deep rumble of a voice bounced like boulders through the room. “Yes, Mistress.”

Christ, even his voice declared his challenge. 

“Excellent,” she allowed. “Your name?”

“Olivier,” he answered.

French.

Also unusual, at least in this country. And interesting.

She liked it a great deal.

She studied him. 

He let her, holding her eyes. 

“I’m Mistress Amélie,” she eventually informed him.

“I know. You got a lotta fans out there…Mistress.”

The hesitation over him saying “Mistress” gave less of the impression he was testing her and more of the strange impression the word was unpracticed when, with any experienced sub, it would slip right off their tongue. 

She made no comment to that. 

“There are things we should go over,” she remarked.

“Right,” he stated, his big body adjusting again, now like he was settling in further, intent on giving her the same attention he would a flight attendant who gave the safety address.

That being no more than a courtesy.

She fought the shiver his actions created but allowed the irritation.

“Your safe word is kitten,” she stated.

“Yes, Mistress.”

“You’re open to any kind of play,” she went on. 

“Yes, Mistress.”

“It’s important and now’s the time to share should there be anything you wish me to shy away from, Olivier. Especially as this is the first time I’ve played with you.”

Something in his eyes flashed. Blue eyes that were the color of nothing and everything. Not sky. Not sea. Not midnight. A pure blue that only existed in the unchartable depths of a rainbow. 

She felt that flash snake up between her thighs, taking residence in her womb. 

He wanted this conversation done so she would play with him. He wanted the preliminaries over so they’d get to the good stuff. 

He wanted her. 

She stared into those blue eyes and for a moment felt mesmerized.

For God’s sake, Leigh, she berated herself in an effort to pull it together. Rainbow?

“Olivier,” she prompted.

“I’m open to anything,” he confirmed.

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.

No comments:

Post a Comment