Showing posts with label The Protectors Series. Show all posts

Monday, June 18, 2018

#PrideMonth - New Review - UNBROKEN by Sloane Kennedy

Title: Unbroken

Author: Sloane Kennedy

Series: The Protectors #12

Genre: M/M Romance

Publication Date: May 2, 2018

~ BLURB ~

Everything was supposed to go back to normal when I was rescued. It hasn't. And I'm starting to think it never will because I don't even know what normal is anymore...

It's been two years since Aleks Silva was rescued by his older brother from the dark underworld of sex trafficking and every day since then has been a battle. Leaving the house, interacting with people, even doing something as boring as deciding what clothes to wear or what to eat for breakfast are tasks that most people take for granted. But for Aleks, they're torture. Because freedom and choice are things that once came at a steep price and survival meant submitting to the whims of those who only saw him as a possession and plaything.

Until there was one man who saw him as something more...

I knew from the moment I saw him that I was going to get him out. But I also knew once I did, I'd need to let him go...

He's known as Vaughn and nothing more. His job is to make sure secrets don't get out and the possessions he's been tasked with guarding never escape and tell their story. After eight years in a world where innocent kids are used to feed the darkest of depravities, Vaughn has seen things that would break even the strongest man. But he's played it smart and built up a wall between himself and the darkness that threatens to consume him.

It wasn't until he met a young man who had to be a thousand times stronger to survive the life he was forced into as a child that the first crack appeared in his carefully constructed wall.

Vaughn's only job was to make sure young Aleks Silva remained the ugly little secret of one of the most powerful men in Chicago. It was one job he was more than happy to fail at, and when he eliminated the threat against Aleks and set him free, he was sure their paths would never cross again.

But fate has other plans...

Vaughn is the only man from my other life who never had a starring role in my nightmares... but he's been in every one of my dreams. And I don't know why...

When Aleks is suddenly abducted after leaving work one quiet spring evening, he's certain he'll never see his brother and family again. But terror quickly turns to relief when a familiar face once again comes to his rescue, along with all the feelings he's always had but never quite understood around the dangerous, older Vaughn. Certain that Vaughn will make everything okay again like he did once before, Aleks knows he doesn't even need to ask Vaughn to take him home. But when he does anyway, nothing he's ever experienced prepares him for Vaughn's answer... or the brutal betrayal that comes along with it.

I'm sorry, Aleks, I can't do that.

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault Against a Minor

*Can be read as a standalone novel but if you have not read any books in this series, you may want to at least read Book 6, Atonement, first. Atonement is the story of Aleks's brother, Dante, and both brothers appear in each other's books so it is helpful to know their backstories.

The Protectors series crosses over with some of my other series, so for the most enjoyment, they should be read in order, but it is not required. You can find the correct reading order at the beginning of each book. I've also bundled all my series in the correct reading order under the title of A Family Chosen: The Protectors and Barrettis.

~ REVIEW ~

4.5 Stars

How do you continuously express your thoughts on an author that continuously amazes you book after book? I’m so in love with this series, these characters, this world, this ever-growing family and this author’s ability to create such phenomenal stories. Sloane Kennedy is without a doubt my go to author when I need hot and heavy, drama and angst, adventure, action and emotion. Sloane Kennedy is that author I know that will not let me down because her amazing talent and words is just pure BRILLIANT!! Aleks and Vaughn are now added to that ever growing list!

Good lawd…this book was so heartbreaking and filled with so much emotion and turmoil. Aleks definitely broke me. The things he endured and the struggles he lives with are just heartbreaking. His strength to survive and his bravery to help others like him will tug at those heart strings. He’s one that definitely deserves his HEA. Then we have Vaughn. The man you want to hate but I just couldn’t. The circumstances he finds himself in certainly aren’t ideal and I truly wanted to hate him for bringing Aleks back into the darkness but I couldn’t help but feel for him as well. The struggle between family and love; what’s right but feels wrong, dedication, loyalty and protectiveness. This man has it all and yet it’s just impossible not to love him.

This book is so damn emotional. I cried probably 80% of the book, lol. Happy tears, sad tears, devastating tears. I just cried. Sloane Kennedy has that ability to tear you apart and make you feel every emotion throughout. Her words will give you all the FEELS! Her characters will steal your HEART! And you will absolutely CRAVE the next journey! This book is just yet another reminder of why I’m such a fan of this author. Another fantastic read that leaves your heart satisfied and content until the next one.

Read today!

https://amzn.to/2MBs6ir

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2thOXGW

Want more information on this series, the series cross over and reading order? Of course you do! ;) Go here: https://www.sloanekennedy.com/sloanes-men.html

~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~

Although she currently lives in Wisconsin, the place where she has always felt most at home is Seattle and many of her books take place in the Emerald city. Although she is unmarried, a menagerie of 2 dogs and 3 cats keeps her busy enough and 3 young nieces take care of the rest of her free time. Sloane loves being able to share her passion for romance with readers and she is truly humbled by all the support she's received from fans and fellow authors alike.

Connect with Sloane here:

Website: www.sloanekennedy.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009132831061

Twitter: @sloane_kennedy

Amazon: http://bit.ly/SloaneKennedyAmazon

Join Sloane's FB Fan Group !!

To my new FB friends, feel free to check out my fan group, Sloane's Secret Sinners. We do lots of giveaways and it's the only place you can sign up for a chance to get an ARC.

YOU MUST BE FRIENDS WITH ME OR FOLLOWING ME TO JOIN

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1760064160913779/

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

New Release + Review - SHATTERED by Sloane Kennedy

✮ ✮ NEW RELEASE ✮ ✮

Shattered by Sloane Kennedy is NOW LIVE!!!

The Protectors, Book 11 (M/M)

~ Blurb ~

A big thank you to Wander Aguiar and his team for the amazing photograph and to Jay Aheer for another incredible cover!

"I failed Caleb once because I was a coward. And he ended up paying the price. Never again…"

Ten years of war and the loss of nearly his entire family have left thirty-four-year-old former sniper, Jace Christenson, with nothing to come home to. And he prefers it that way. Life consists of his work in an underground vigilante group, the near-constant search for the last remaining link to who he used to be, and a string of meaningless sexual encounters that serve only one purpose… to make it easier to not feel anything anymore.

But when Jace gets the call that the young man he saved two years earlier has gone missing, he’s forced to deal with the truth he’s been trying to deny from the moment he laid eyes on Caleb Cortano.

That the young man is so very much more than just the exception to all his rules...

"You know how if something shatters when it breaks, there’s no way to find all the pieces to put it back like it once was? Maybe sometimes it’s better not to even try…"

Nineteen-year-old Caleb Cortano has been barely hanging onto his sanity in the two years since the truth about his father’s depravities came to light. A victim of the man’s crimes himself, Caleb has only managed to find any semblance of peace when he’s in the presence of the man who saved him once before.

But when he finally comes to accept that Jace Christenson wants nothing to do with someone who’s shattered beyond repair, Caleb finds another way to seek solace from the pain inside.

As the fear of being reunited with the father he both fears and misses becomes more and more likely, desperation has Caleb doing something foolish that brings him face to face with the only man he’s ever wanted… but who doesn’t want him back.

"Caleb stays with me until we get some answers… just me…"

When Caleb’s life is threatened, Jace refuses to walk away a second time. Even if protecting Caleb means he’s risking his own heart, Jace isn’t going anywhere. At least not until he can put some of the missing pieces of Caleb’s life back together.

But will Caleb be able to do the same for the equally broken Jace?

Will two shattered men be able to find all the missing pieces to be who they were truly meant to, or is Caleb right? Some things just aren’t worth trying to fix…

~ Review ~

5 Stars

I just want to lock this author in a room and keep her all to myself. Give me all the stories!!! I don't know how much more praise I can give this author. It's just plain and simple, Sloane Kennedy is a phenomenal writer and she kills it in this genre.

I can't really say I've been dying to read Jace and Caleb's story because I think I say that about every book of hers, lol. I more like crave the next book no matter what or which character it is. I just need a Sloane fix and then I crave the next one and so on. I'm on constant standby for her next release. So, yes, this was definitely another journey added to the addiction and I was completely and utterly satisfied. Jace and Caleb are first introduced in Forsaken, book four in this series. Although, this can be read as a standalone, I would encourage you to read Forsaken to get more of the background story and to see how Jace and Caleb's journey begins.

Heed the warning from the author prior to reading. This book is definitely not for those who don't like intense and dark subject matters. It's graphic, it's raw and it's extremely heart-wrenching. Sloane Kennedy certainly does not hold back.

As with any book from this author, I devoured this. I read it in one sitting. Sloane Kennedy's books are not the type you can start and walk away from and come back at a later time. Her stories consume you. Jace and Caleb had me so captivated. This story was just so beautiful and touching. These characters are absolutely mesmerizing.

The emotions, chemistry, love and passion between these two was undeniable. I felt every emotion throughout the book. That's one of the things I love most about this author, is her ability to capture and deliver the emotions onto the reader. She doesn't miss a single beat. I felt it all. From the despair, to the vulnerability, the hollowness, the heartache, the love, passion, desire. Gosh, it's just always an amazing experience reading a book from this author.

Jace and Caleb will touch you to your very soul. They are absolutely perfect for each other. Jace was just so great with Caleb. I loved the tender moments. I honestly loved everything about this book but that's really not hard to do with a Sloane book. This is an absolute must read. It goes without saying that I am already itching to get my hands on the next SK book. Can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.

** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **

#1click today!!

http://amzn.to/2kyWA7w

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2CsUgHB

About the Author

Connect with Sloane here:

Website: www.sloanekennedy.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009132831061

Twitter: @sloane_kennedy

Amazon: http://bit.ly/SloaneKennedyAmazon

Join Sloane's FB Fan Group !!

To my new FB friends, feel free to check out my fan group, Sloane's Secret Sinners. We do lots of giveaways and it's the only place you can sign up for a chance to get an ARC.

YOU MUST BE FRIENDS WITH ME OR FOLLOWING ME TO JOIN

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1760064160913779/

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

New Release Review - UNEXPECTED by Sloane Kennedy

Unexpected (The Protectors, Book 10) by Sloane Kennedy is NOW AVAILABLE!!!!

MMM Romance

Release Date: November 24, 2017

Blurb

"I finally had the chance at a perfect life when I met the man I was supposed to be with. But he’s gone and chances like that don’t come along twice in one lifetime. Right?"

Former president Everett Shaw had his whole life laid out for him from the time he was a child and he lived out every expectation to complete and utter perfection… until he met the one man who changed everything. With plans to leave public life behind after finishing his term in office, Everett was looking forward to a quiet life with the man of his dreams at his side. But one brutal act of violence stole that bright future away, leaving Everett struggling just to get through each day.

A decade later finds Everett nearing the age of sixty and living a shell of a life. Haunted by his loss, he finds solace in his roses and evenings sitting in front of the television. But when his estranged son is horribly injured while saving the life of another, Everett leaves everything behind in the hopes of mending the broken relationship and helping his son heal in more ways than one.

"My job is to protect and there are rules that have to be followed. Even if there weren’t, I wouldn’t risk letting anyone close… not again."

Special Agent Jonathan Nash’s job is to keep the former president safe, not be his friend. Even if something about the lonely older man draws him in, he’s not about to risk what’s left of his career for anything. And it’s not like a guy like Everett Shaw would really see him anyway. Nor would he want him to, considering the ugly past Nash left behind to pursue his dream. No, he’s better off following protocol and doing his job. Let someone else deal with the broken man. It’s not his problem… it can’t be.

"I learned a long time ago to live life on my terms and that sometimes you have to take that leap of faith to get what you want. But wanting two men at the same time? That’s new, even for me."

At forty-five years old, former Navy SEAL Gage Fortier has experienced success and loss in equal measure, and while his life has taken a direction he never planned, he wouldn’t have it any other way. When Reese, the young man he’s partnered with in the underground vigilante group they both work for, is injured on the job, he sees an opportunity to build on the friendship with the bitter former soldier while giving him a place to recover. But when he discovers that the young man is actually the estranged son of a former U.S. president, Gage realizes he has the chance to give both father and son so much more. There’s only one problem with his plan… how to ignore his growing attraction for the devishly handsome Everett Shaw.

And Everett’s perpetual shadow, Agent Nash.

Three men on very separate courses. Until something unexpected happens and three become one…

Review

5 Stars

This book was FUCKING FANTASTIC!!!! I swear every book this lady has written I have devoured and loved. This one just adds to the list. Sloane Kennedy is such a phenomenal and talented writer. Her stories and characters are always captivating, mesmerizing and let's not forget sexy AF!!! Nash, Gage & Everett are insanely beautiful and this story is PERFECTION!!!

So let’s just cut to the chase here. I’m not going to do a whole recap. Ya don’t need that shit….read the fucking blurb! This is a Sloane Kennedy book! What more do you need? It’s a no-brainer that this is a MUST read. This author is a MUST one-click! How can anyone seriously be disappointed? She SLAYS this fucking genre! And her MMM stories just flow so naturally and this book is just another example of that.

AHH! These characters!! Everett and Nash had me so intrigued from the last book in this series and like every other book from this author; I was craving their story! I could not put this book down. I was drawn to EVERY page, EVERY word!! Each guy has their heartbreaking past and of course we have those that fight their feelings. They struggle with their attraction, guilt and insecurities. Well maybe except for Gage, lol. OMG! I LOVED Gage! He was so forward, so determined, so take charge but he was still patient, tender and loving. He was the bond between the three of them and…….GOSH…..Sloane just made it so beautiful, passionate and extremely sexy.

I could go on and on about how much I love this book, this author, these characters, EVERYTHING!!! Sloane Kennedy just nails it every time. It’s the perfect dose of emotional, steamy, action and drama. Another phenomenal read from this amazingly talented author and I’m already craving my next Sloane fix!!!

** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **

Read today!

http://amzn.to/2zEiQY8

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2jnSoap

About the Author

Although Sloane Kennedy always dreamed of being a writer as a teenager, she didn't take the plunge until March of 2015 when she released her first novel as an independent author. Since then, she has released more than a dozen books including the Amazon best-selling "Barretti Security" series, "Finding" series and "Protectors" series. While she initially began writing M/F romance, she found her true passion writing gay romance and all four of her most recent releases reached the #1 spot on Amazon's Gay Romance bestseller list and Freeing Zane, her final book in the Barretti Security series, made it to Amazon's overall bestseller list. Sloane was born in Germany and grew up in Virginia and Wisconsin. Although she currently lives in Wisconsin, the place where she has always felt most at home is Seattle and many of her books take place in the Emerald city. Although she is unmarried, a menagerie of 2 dogs and 3 cats keeps her busy enough and 3 young nieces take care of the rest of her free time. Sloane loves being able to share her passion for romance with readers and she is truly humbled by all the support she's received from fans and fellow authors alike.

Connect with Sloane here:

Website: www.sloanekennedy.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009132831061

Twitter: @sloane_kennedy

Amazon: http://bit.ly/SloaneKennedyAmazon

Join Sloane's FB Fan Group !!

To my new FB friends, feel free to check out my fan group, Sloane's Secret Sinners. We do lots of giveaways and it's the only place you can sign up for a chance to get an ARC.

YOU MUST BE FRIENDS WITH ME OR FOLLOWING ME TO JOIN

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1760064160913779/

Friday, July 21, 2017

Release Blitz: Excerpt + Review - DEFIANCE by Sloane Kennedy

LIVE NOW!! Defiance The Protectors #9 By Sloane Kennedy Hosted by Jo&Isalovebooks Blog

Synopsis

All I ever wanted was to serve and protect my country. It ended up costing me everything…

At 49, Vincent St. James has learned to live with the choices he’s made, even if he isn’t always proud of them. After the military he was practically born into decided his sexuality was more important than his impeccable service record, Vincent lost everything, including the man he’d planned to spend the rest of his life with.

And a man with nothing to live for has nothing to lose.

With a bone deep hatred of all things government, Vincent found another way to serve his country, but it too came at a steep cost that he never could have foreseen. Dealing in secrets and death means there’s always someone waiting around the next corner trying to either take his place or bury their secrets along with his body. Even if he wanted out, it’s far too late for that.

When he’s given the chance to help out a friend who once had his back when others didn’t, he jumps at the chance to repay the favor. Even if it means protecting the kind of man he despises most…a power-hungry politician looking to push his own agenda on an unsuspecting public.

I made a terrible choice three years ago and it cost me the only person who ever really mattered to me. But maybe there’s another way I can make things right…

30-year-old Nathan Wilder can’t take back the moment he betrayed his twin brother, but he can try to make sure that the legacy of hate that drove him to turn on Brody never has a chance to rear its ugly head again. And if that means going against his powerful father’s right-wing political constituency in a down and dirty race for a seat in the U.S. Senate, then so be it. But when the threats that had been limited to harmless emails start taking an uglier turn, culminating in a violent attack that leaves no doubt as to the assailant’s intent, Nathan is thrown into the direct path of a mysterious and dangerous man who may end up forcing Nathan to confront truths he just isn’t ready to face yet.

Protecting him was supposed to be a favor for a friend and nothing more. Once he’s safe, I’ll let him go. I have to…

Protecting Nathan was supposed to be a walk in the park for a guy like Vincent. But nothing about the younger man is what he’d been expecting, especially the long-dead feelings Nathan stirs in him.

The feelings that aren’t just about protection.

Which is a problem, because while the threat against Nathan is temporary, the danger that’s become a way of life for Vincent is just waiting for the next thing it can take from him. Caring about someone means painting a target on their back and Vincent is done losing people he loves.

But letting Nathan go may not be as easy at seems…especially when Nathan decides to finally stand up and fight for what…and who he truly wants.

Add to Goodreads

Universal Link

http://getBook.at/DefianceTP9

Review

5 Stars

I'm not sure there are words that will do this book or author justice but I'll try. I loved everything about this book. Sloane Kennedy has this way with words that lure you in and keep you captivated page after page. Her work is powerful. The emotions she manages to convey through her characters is truly a testament to her talent.

Vincent and Nate had my heart pounding. They had me glued to my kindle and completely consumed in their journey. They were down right scorching hot, sexy and absolute perfection. The chemistry between these two was undeniable.

Neither MC was what I was expecting and that made me love this story that much more. These characters were so unpredictable and had me clutching the edge of my seat with anticipation.

Sloane Kennedy is undoubtedly one of my favorite MM authors and she's yet to disappoint. She delivers another sizzling hot, exciting, emotional, and action packed story that always leaves me craving more. Until my next fix...thank you Ms. Kennedy for another amazing, riveting and phenomenal read.

**ARC received by the author in exchange for an honest review**

Excerpt

As I was tucking my phone into my pocket, I saw Nathan grab his off the floor.

When he went to put it in his shirt pocket, I shook my head and said, “No, that stays here.”

“I need my phone,” Nathan said.

“You need it more than you need to breathe?” I asked impatiently. “Because it’s traceable.” I reached for it to take it away from him, but he stepped back. I got into his space and ripped the phone from his hand. “Is your career really more important than your life?” I ground out. “Because it sure as shit isn’t more important than mine.” I dropped the phone to the floor and made a move to crush it under my heel, but Nathan suddenly lunged forward.

“Don’t!” he yelled. My instincts took over and I grabbed him by the arms and swept his legs from underneath him, taking us both to the floor. He let out a whoosh of air as my body crashed down on his. Too late, I remembered the way he’d been holding his side after the earlier attack.

But I didn’t apologize.

“You lay your hands on me one more time-”

“My brother’s messages!” Nathan shouted, his voice thick with emotion.

“What?” I asked, startled.

Nathan drew in several breaths. “I want the phone because it has my brother’s voicemail messages on it,” he whispered. His whiskey-colored eyes met mine. “Please,” he murmured.

I suddenly became very aware of his hard body sprawled beneath mine. During the scuffle, one of my legs had gotten wedged between his, putting our cocks precariously close to one another. I had his hands pinned to the floor and I could feel his body trembling beneath mine.

I knew it was likely just the lingering shock, but I couldn’t deny what having him completely at my mercy was doing to me. Especially since he wasn’t fighting me. I hadn’t given much thought to whether or not Nathan was gay like his brother, but I sure as shit was thinking about it now.

“Please,” Nathan repeated, and a perverse part of me wondered what he was actually asking me for. I knew I needed to get off him, but I found myself reluctant to move. Nathan’s fingers flexed, drawing my gaze to them. It would be so easy to move my hands up to link my fingers with his. I shifted slightly to take the pressure off the knee that I had wedged between his legs, but the move caused my dick to brush his. I jerked my eyes to Nathan’s when I heard him let out the tiniest of whimpers.

“Let me up,” he suddenly said, and then he was pushing at me. I could have easily kept him there on the floor like that and taken what I wanted…a taste of him. But I shifted off him instead and then snatched his phone off the floor. Nathan struggled to his feet, but didn’t try to grab the phone again.

My brain told my fingers to drop the damn thing so I could crush it, because anything less wasn’t safe. But my body disobeyed the order and instead, I turned the phone off and handed it to Nathan. “Leave it off.”

I turned to head towards the hallway leading to the front door, but stopped when Nathan said, “Wait.”

I forced myself to turn around. “What?”

“I don’t even know your name.”

There were a million things I could have said to him, none of which included actually giving him my name. Just like with the phone, it wasn’t safe for him to know who I was.

“Vincent,” I said.

“Vincent,” Nathan murmured, more to himself than anything else. “Thank you, Vincent.”

I didn’t want his thanks. I didn’t want anything from him except to eliminate the threat against him and then get the hell away from him.

“Let’s go,” was all I said, though, and then I turned away, not really caring if he followed.

Other Books in the Series