Saturday Series Spotlight, Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway: Mickie B. Ashling’s Cutting Cords

Cutting Out TB

Many thanks to Book Reviews & More by Kathy for hosting my Cutting Out blog tour. This is the fourth novel in the Cutting Cords series and a direct sequel to Cleave. I’m going to be sharing excerpts in a serial fashion. You can expect to read something different at each stop as I move forward in the novel. An e-book copy of Cutting Out will be offered to one lucky winner so make sure you fill out the embedded form. Kathy gets to pick the winner.

Follow the rest of the tour HERE.

A special thank you to PAS Promotions for their expert handling of my blog tour.


cutting cordsTitle: Cutting Cords by Mickie B. Ashling
Cutting Cords Series Book One
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, M/M, Romance
Length: 252 pages

Summary:

When Sloan Driscoll and Cole Fujiwara become reluctant roommates, neither man is willing to share too much. Sloan is instantly attracted to Cole but knows it’s a hopeless cause; Cole has a steady girlfriend. But one night they share a joint, and Cole opens a window neither anticipated.

A relationship may be impossible—both men are living with heart-breaking secrets. While Sloan is smart, sassy, and a brilliant graphic artist, he’s also a pothead with severe body image problems. Cole, a former major league pitcher, has his own personal crisis: he’s going blind. Sloan and Cole are suffering on so many levels, they might not realize that the ultimate salvation could be within each other’s arms.


vesselTitle: Vessel by Mickie B. Ashling
Cutting Cords Series Book Two
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, M/M, Romance, BDSM
Length: 252 pages

Summary:

Sequel to Cutting Cords

Five years into their relationship, Sloan Driscoll’s peaceful existence is suddenly upended. His lover, Cole Fujiwara, gives him an ultimatum: agree to a surrogate birth or break up. Noriko Evans, a beautiful woman of Japanese/American descent, is handpicked by Cole’s father to be the surrogate. At the same time, Trent Hamilton, model and established Dominant, sets his eyes on Sloan, offering him another life choice.

Sloan is thrown off balance by this series of events he can neither understand nor control. He’d thought the topic of children had been laid to rest years ago, but with the advent of a new form of genetic testing, Cole’s fear of passing on retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that leads to blindness, has been greatly reduced. Noriko’s abrupt appearance threatens Sloan, as does Sloan’s attraction to Trent and a side of the BDSM world he’d never thought to explore.

Will Sloan be able to muster the inner strength he’ll need to deal with one shocking revelation after another, or will he succumb to a dangerous coping mechanism? His decisions will either lead to salvation… or hasten the end of the relationship that literally saved his life.


cleaveTitle: Cleave by Mickie B. Ashling
Cutting Cords Series Book Three
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, M/M, Romance, BDSM
Length: 230 pages

Summary:

Sequel to Vessel

On New Year’s Eve, Cole Fujiwara stands vigil at his father’s deathbed while his surrogate wife, Noriko, gives birth to twins. As Cole contemplates his future, he acknowledges that he’s living his father’s dream… and that he’s probably destroyed his chance at happiness with Sloan, the love of his life.

Finding harmony in an emerging D/s relationship has not been without issue for Sloan Driscoll and his Master, Trent Hamilton. Their journey has been littered with mishaps, but their powerful love and sexual connection continue to bind them together—until Sloan comes face to face with Cole for the first time in nine months.

The meeting means different things to each of them. To Cole, it’s the first step on the path to a reunion. To Sloan, it’s a terrible mistake, one he confesses immediately. As for Trent, the bitter realization that a connection between the former lovers still exists forces him to issue an ultimatum. Is Sloan willing to do anything to prove their relationship is worth saving, including becoming Trent’s 24/7 slave? And if Sloan stays with Trent, how can Cole ever hope to find happiness again?


cutting outTitle: Cutting Out by Mickie B. Ashling
Cutting Out Series Book Four
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, M/M, Romance, BDSM
Length: 220 pages

Summary:

Sequel to Cleave

Hours after stepping off the yacht where they had their mock wedding, real life intrudes, and arguments arise between Sloan Driscoll and Trent Hamilton. Seeking relief at his BDSM club, Trent bumps into an old army buddy who tells him things are different now that DADT has been repealed. Meanwhile, Sloan receives a frantic call from ex-lover, Cole Fujiwara, who tells him that his twins and ex-wife have been kidnapped. Cole asks Sloan for help but makes him promise not to include Trent in the rescue attempt.

Trent considers the opportunity to resume a career cut short, and despite Sloan’s threat to postpone the wedding, he leaves for the Middle East as an independent mercenary while Sloan rushes to aid Cole.

In Tokyo, disturbing revelations draw the former couple together, and old feelings are rekindled. Despite this new understanding, neither man makes a move. Sloan is focused on rescuing Cole’s family without jeopardizing his relationship with Trent, while Cole must prepare himself to survive disappointment if Sloan chooses to segue into married life as a military spouse.


Serial Excerpt #6

It was late in the afternoon when we completed the tour of the palace and the surrounding garden. The Honmaru area was off-limits to visitors, and Cole was disappointed, but not at all surprised. It was the main circle of defense, and the former site of a second palace and five-story castle keep. After it was destroyed by fire in the eighteenth century, it was never rebuilt. Instead, the site itself was chosen as the imperial residence while the royal family was in Kyoto, and a second palace was built. The royal family was in residence today, thus the extreme privacy and limited access.

Despite this one letdown, Cole was extremely pleased that he’d had a chance to walk the halls of the official residence. After turning in the audio guides, we headed toward the street, debating our next move.

“We can always go back to the hotel for dinner,” Cole said.

“Since we’re being so touristy, and we need the distraction, let’s go for broke.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I’ve never ridden in a rickshaw, have you?”

“Do they even exist anymore?”

For once I knew something Cole didn’t. Triumphantly, I said, “I saw some on our way over here.”

“Is that right?”

“Come on, let’s find out how to get one.”

We went back to the palace entrance, and fortunately, Ms. Tour Guide was still hanging around and answering questions. She smiled broadly when I asked about the human-powered means of transportation.

“Ah, yes,” she bobbed her head. “Ginrikisha is available in Kyoto but very expensive. Only tourist can afford.”

“How much?” Cole and I asked at the same time.

“Fifty dollars for scenic ride around town.”

“That’s not bad,” Cole said. “Is there any way you can find one for us?”

“I’ll call my cousin,” she said, whipping out her smart phone. “He knows everyone.”

Sure enough, the cousin came through, and about twenty minutes later we were greeted by a muscle-bound rickshaw driver. His cart was a two-seater with hardly any room for Freddie. I had to drape the large dog over our laps, like a furry blanket, so we could get going. Our driver was wearing a brown kimono-type jacket and a loin cloth. I tried to avert my eyes, but it was hard to keep them away from those rounded globes that flexed so enticingly. Cole leaned over and whispered. “Is his ass on display?”

“How’d you guess?”

“You’re too quiet.”

I laughed. “Yeah, it’s impossible to concentrate on the scenery with that in my line of vision.”

Cole shook his head. “Behave yourself, Sloan, you’re engaged.”

“Maybe so, but I’m not dead. You know I have a weakness for Asian men.”

“Had….”

I turned to him and realized he was really annoyed that I was ogling the driver. “Are you jealous?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Impulsively, I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “You still have a drool-worthy ass, if it’s any consolation.”

He tried his best to keep the stony look, but I could tell he was flattered by my compliment. A corner of his mouth lifted, and two spots of color bloomed on his prominent cheekbones.

“As a matter of fact,” I continued, licking my lips, “your ass hasn’t changed much since I first saw you walking down the hallway back in the day.”

“Now you’re being crude,” he admonished, but a wide smile lit up his face.

“Who, me?”

“Yeah, you horndog.”

“It’s been almost a week since I’ve had sex; do they have a male version of geisha?”

“Save the boner for Captain America,” Cole snapped. “You’ll be seeing him soon enough.”


Author Bio

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.

Contact

Email | Facebook | Website | Blog | Goodreads and Ask the Author

Buy Links

Dreamspinner | Amazon | ARe


Giveaway

Ms. Ashling is giving away ONE copy of Cutting Out to one lucky winner. Make sure you fill out the embedded form to be entered in this week’s contest! Here’s how to enter the Saturday Series Spotlight contest:

You must Do TWO of the Following:

1. Sign up for e-mail updates (upper left corner). One email daily with the day’s posts.

OR:

2. Be or become a fan of Book Reviews & More by Kathy Facebook page

OR:

3. Follow me on Twitter (@BookReviewsMore)

Make sure you have filled out the contest entry form:

4. To be eligible to enter contests on Book Reviews and More by Kathy you MUST fill out the contest entry form (found HERE). This form only needs to be filled out ONCE. Your privacy is important to me, and I will not share your information.

And don’t forget to:

5. Fill out the form below by 5 PM Mountain Time Monday afternoon.

CONTEST OVER

*I am the only person who will have access to info that is submitted to me UNLESS a publisher or author has donated an eBook for the giveaway. For a prize donated by an author or publisher, I will forward your e-mail and format selection to the person responsible for distributing the eBook. In the event the contest form is not working, please leave your book selection in the comments below.*

It’s that easy! The winner will be selected using random.org. Ms Ashling will contact the winner with their copy of Cutting Out. The winner will be posted HERE on Tuesday.

***The eBook in this giveaway has been donated by Mickie Ashling.***

12 Comments

Filed under Contest, Saturday Series Spotlight

12 Responses to Saturday Series Spotlight, Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway: Mickie B. Ashling’s Cutting Cords

  1. Mickie B. Ashling

    Thank you for featuring the Cutting Cords Series and giving me the chance to share another exclusive excerpt of Cutting Out with your readers.

  2. Ardent Ereader

    I would love to read Cutting Cords, thanks for the giveaway. ardent(dot)ereader(at)gmail(dot)com

  3. Maya

    Love Mickie’s work…all the way back to the ff days! Thanks for the giveaway!

  4. Cornelia

    Cutting Cords sounds like a good read.

  5. H.B.

    Thank you for sharing the exclusive excerpt and for the giveaway =)

  6. Katherine

    I’d like to read the series, but don’t want to start it until I can read them all.

  7. Give A Rush

    Thank you so much for your generosity and the great posts you share with us and to the great authors you bring here.

  8. Sherry

    The book sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway!