Enforcing Emory

REVIEW BY TRIO @ Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter:

Mickie B. Ashling always comes up with the most imaginative and interesting plots, and 'Enforcing Emory' is one of her best - add in a little hockey and I’m there! This is such a creative story with characters who are completely engaging. In addition to the entertaining and well researched passages on both figure skating and hockey, the romance is hot as hell!

I haven’t enjoyed a story this much in a long time and with the Winter Olympics coming up, the timing for me couldn’t be more perfect.

'Enforcing Emory' is delightful from beginning to end. Between the exciting sports scenes and all the family drama there are several important messages that resonate with me. Like the idea of being true to yourself but maintaining a balance and considering others’, along with tolerance and acceptance of our fellow humans; both ring through loud and clear without being preachy.

Eighteen-year-old US National Figure Skating Champion, Emory Lowe is gearing up for the upcoming Winter Olympics. Irritated because he garners more attention for his over the top outfits and flamboyant moves on the ice than for his skill and talent, Emory balks at suggestions he “tone it down” since the games are being held in Sochi, Russia; where the laws against same sex relationships and blatant homophobia could be dangerous to Emory’s safety as well as overshadow his achievements in figure skating. But Emory can’t let this opportunity to raise awareness of human rights pass him by.

When AHL Enforcer, Nikolai Vetrov moves in across the street, Emory is immediately attracted and as soon as he gets an inkling that Nik returns his interest, the rest is history. Emory’s patient, sweet seduction is hot as hell and he’s determined to show Nik how amazing sex between two guys can be.

The son of Ukrainian immigrants, Nik’s family moved to North America so he could pursue a professional hockey career. Nik has grown up in a homophobic and bigoted household with an alcoholic father who rules with an iron fist, the complete opposite to Emory’s own dad’s unwavering support and acceptance. Both sets of parents have given up so much for their sons’ dreams, and the drama surrounding the families is one of the most interesting parts of this story.

Ashling does intense, low-angst relationships better than anyone I know and this is a sweet and passionate romance that hits all my buttons: first timers, virgin, out for you, and smoking hot sex scenes, what’s not to love! The chemistry between these two is just incredible.

John Solo’s narration always brings Mickie B. Ashling’s characters to life and he digs deep to deliver a stellar performance in 'Enforcing Emory'. Between all the accents, variety in the ages, and challenging female characters, Solo really shows off his incredible talent. This is a very entertaining story made even more enjoyable as an audiobook.

I absolutely adored Enforcing Emory. I was drawn in by the premise of the story – an out and proud gay figure skater and a straight (possibly) homophobic hockey player separated by sexual orientation and culture differences falling in love. I could not resist and Ashling did not let me down at all. The author delivered on the premise and then some.
Emory is a force of nature and Nik never stood a chance. Actually despite the beginning of the book and Emory’s father’s reaction to “communists” moving into the neighborhood, Nik never stood a chance against the Lowe family as a whole. Emory is larger than life. He’s an accomplished figure skater who is confident of his abilities, as well he should be as he’s slated to skate at the Olympics in Sochi. On the other hand, Nik is the stereotypical man’s man – the hockey enforcer who discounts figure skating as a sport and Emory as an athlete. That is, until he sees videos of Emory skating and realizes the guy might be a diva, but he’s the real deal when it comes to the ice. I don’t want to say that Emory sets out to seduce the straight boy because although he did set out to seduce Nik, it was more like he recognized something in Nik that Nik wasn’t even aware of about himself. For me, it was equal parts sweet and hot as Nik came to terms with his attraction to Emory and finally allowed himself to act upon it.
Nothing about his relationship with Emory was easy for Nik and the author manages to keep the non-sexual tension high in ways that seem real for the characters. Not only do the guys have to deal with Nik’s concerns about his parents and his career, but Emory faces a level of hate and discrimination he’s never encountered before when he goes to Sochi. The events that unfold while Emory competes in the Olympics left me heartbroken on several levels and completely devastated for Emory. And yet, they both do their best to overcome the obstacles they encounter once they decide they want to see where things will lead. I will say that I was quite surprised at how willing Emory was to keep their relationship a secret for Nik as he tried to figure out how it would affect his budding hockey career and his relationship with his homophobic parents. But it’s his care and concern for Nik that made Emory so lovable and why I said Nik never stood a chance. The fact that Emory brings a highly supportive family with him that adopts Nik as their own makes it even better. I loved how Emory’s father Tom went from using Ruskie as a slur for Nik to it being an endearment for his future son-in-law (that’s my conclusion, not something the author says). Ashling provided the right mix of drama, conflict, sports, hot and sweet sexy fun times, and romance to make Enforcing Emory a highly enjoyable new adult romance. I will have to keep my eye out for more of the author’s work.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Review by Victoria
Emory Lowe is an Olympic skater and at the top of his game. He is surrounded by a close and loving family who is aware of his sexuality. His family has protected Emory from people who can hurt him because of it. Emory is a very open character who seems to jump off the pages of the book. I admire his courage to do what he loves so much.
Nikolai Vetrov has just moved across the street from Emory. He is the newest addition to the Chicago Wolves hockey team. Nik’s parents are closed minded and seem to want to run Nik’s life for him, as if they are trying to live their own lives through him. It’s apparent pretty quickly that Nik’s relationship with his parents, and especially his father, is abusive. However, I don’t think Nik’s mother even realizes how bad it is because she is so dependent on Nik’s father, Igor. Now that Nik is broadening his horizons, he is falling in love with Emory.
The chemistry between Emory and Nik is blistering. They make a great pair. I love how Emory’s family is so protective of Nik and has welcomed him into the family with open arms. I admired Nik’s courage as he tried to protect his father as well as himself, and Emory. Nik had to make too many hard decisions that will affect him the rest of his life at such a young age.
I found this book well written with a unique plot. The main characters and the secondary characters were fascinating. While the ending was a little predictable, this book kept me on my toes all the way though and I had a hard time putting it down. While I loved the ending, it still felt a bit unfinished and I hope there is a sequel to see how Emory and Nik do farther down the road.