Enforcing Emory

By: Mickie B. Ashling

Narrated by: John Solo

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2015 Mickie B. Ashling (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

Missing something to be great

The story is actually very much one i would love - full of angst and drama and family that does not understand. It is just missing something to make it - i dont really Seem to connect with the Two MCs - and therefore does not really get into the story. I dont Think The narrator is as bad as some of the other reviews says. True, his accent for the ukranien characters is not good but i encountered others that are much much worse and he did not make me stop listening as some of Them did.

actually pretty good

wasn't sure if like it at first, but listened straight through till the end in one day.

Fantastic Story, Even Better as an Audio Book!

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.

Solid story with solid narration

Emory and Nik meet when Nik moves into the neighborhood. Emory is a teenager living at home and training for the Olympics. Nik is a professional hockey player in the minor leagues (or whatever word they use in hockey).

Emory is 18 and Nik 20. Both still live with their parents. Both fathers are bigoted – though Emory’s dad gets over it and Nik’s dad is psychotic. Nik is engaged to a woman and in denial of his sexuality (and a gay-virgin!) and Emory is super-flamboyant to the extreme and NOT a virgin.

The boys feel instant attraction and though it is fairly dangerous for Nik , they begin a relationship. There is a lot of drama about the families and their approval. Danger surrounding Emory’s Olympic games and his risk as a homosexual in a homophobic country. Danger surrounding Nik’s career (hockey) and his coming out to his father. Lots of steamy sex. Some very sweet and tender moments between the boys. And a nice if unrealistic ending that will make you smile.

The storyline of this novel is unique in that the relationship develops fairly quickly so most of the struggle is the couple working out how they can be together given the obstacles they face.

I enjoyed Nik and Emory but the fathers felt a little too much like caricatures to feel real. Though I enjoyed the resolution it felt a bit rushed at the end and a little too “easy”.

All in all it was a good book and I enjoyed it.


audio

John Solo tries to do a Russian accent and he mostly succeeds. John has a great general narrators voice- good with emotions, timing and his voice is nice to listen to. I think that this is a great way to experience this story and I enjoyed it.

hot and steamy book

love the story so very much it was very good and very steamy I loved that the writer new about the Russian and Ukrainian culture and didn't wrote without a research first....
as a Russian I was laughing and I was annoyed but not at the writer more at the father in the story he was such a douchebag but the story was so and Nick was an adoring and loving men...
oh and Emery he is so well-written is character was a genius I laughed so hard..
overall it is a perfect book
PS John solo is a genius I heard this book because he was the narrator and I'm so glad I liked the story too