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Cutting Cords #2
Vessel
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.
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.
254 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2011
6 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Mickie B. Ashling
51 books345 followersMICKIE B. ASHLING is the pseudonym of a multi-published author who resides in a suburb outside Chicago. She is a product of her upbringing in various cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West.
Since 2009, Mickie has written several dozen novels in the LGBTQ+ genre—which have been translated into French, Italian, Spanish, and German. A lot of her backlist is “Under Construction” as she slowly transitions from traditional publishing to representing herself. Her goal is to have most of her novels back in the universe by the end of 2023.
CONTACT INFO:
Email: mickie.ashling@gmail.com
Website: mickieashling.com
Blog: mickiebashling.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mickie.ashling
Twitter: @MickieAshling
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/micki...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickieashling/
Since 2009, Mickie has written several dozen novels in the LGBTQ+ genre—which have been translated into French, Italian, Spanish, and German. A lot of her backlist is “Under Construction” as she slowly transitions from traditional publishing to representing herself. Her goal is to have most of her novels back in the universe by the end of 2023.
CONTACT INFO:
Email: mickie.ashling@gmail.com
Website: mickieashling.com
Blog: mickiebashling.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mickie.ashling
Twitter: @MickieAshling
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/micki...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickieashling/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 9, 2011
The dedication says that she had a critique group and an editor and nobody told her that this is a complete train wreck of a book? Unless she set out of completely ruin a great pair of characters, in which case she did a stellar job. This is going to be the last book by Mickie Ashling that I'll pre-order.
Btw, the reasons why I disliked the book can be found in a comment to my review but please beware that it's full of spoilers.
Btw, the reasons why I disliked the book can be found in a comment to my review but please beware that it's full of spoilers.
October 27, 2011
In "Cutting Cords", we meet Sloan and Cole, two young men who become reluctant roommates through the machinations of their fathers, former major league baseball players. Sloan has a nasty drug habit, and is a cutter (a person who self mutilates in order to deal with emotional issues). Cole is a bi-racial (half Japanese) young man, living in New York, suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, which will leave him blind in a matter of months or years. Cole is struggling with family expectations, fear, and a burgeoning attraction to Sloan.
As Sloan struggles with his own self worth, complicated by Cole's hot and cold emotions and unwillingness to acknowledge himself as a gay man and being in a homosexual relationship, he navigates an attraction to a Dom who misreads him as a pain loving submissive. Eventually Sloan and Cole end up together, Sloan becomes a successful model, and Cole adjusts to losing his sight.
This book picks up the story five years after the relationship begins. Cole is completely blind, a professor at NYU and contemplating starting a family with a surrogate. Sloan is a very successful model, healthy and no longer cutting, happy in his relationship with Cole. Then Cole's father hires a surrogate, a geisha, to bear Cole's child/ren, and Sloan is left out of the decision making process.
Where in the previous book, Cole is treated as a troubled and rather rigid man, he becomes almost a caricature of the man he was. He is unreasonable, haughty, uncaring and vacillates between being domineering and crying about losing Sloan. All of his credibility as a character is lost, in my opinion.
Sloan grows as a man, and I like a lot of the changes we are treated to with him. When he finds out on how many levels Cole has betrayed on and has lied to him, he immediately trashes a five year relationship and jumps into bed with a model who is a Dom, constantly spouting off how much he dislikes D/s and finds it abhorrent. I just don't buy it!
And then Trent. He is the model/Dom/investment broker/special forces ranger (yeah) who knows Sloan is in a committed relationship yet constantly comes on to him, when he sees the first opportunity, almost rapes Sloan. There is a lot of dubious consent, in my opinion. For Trent to pay lip services to the tenet that D/s requires a power exchange and trust, he certainly violates the trust he demands. And why should Sloan trust this man? He doesn't even know him. Within hours of breaking up with Cole, Trent has him in his bed, bound and is having sex.
The biggest issue I have with the book is at the end, when Trent asks Sloan to let him assist him in cutting. Using this very serious mental health issue as another means to get him in bed, he combines erotic knife play with Sloan's very real cutting issue. Now Sloan associates this maladjusted coping mechanism with sexual pleasure. Very nice work, you sleazy Dom.
It feels like Ms. Ashling cannot decide whether Trent is a hero or villain. I find him despicable. And contemptible.
I can see there will be a third book in this series. I will seriously have to think about whether I will trust Ms. Ashling to treat these characters with any integrity and read it. I feel as betrayed as Sloan.
Tom
October 9, 2011
Excellent kinky m/m story set five years after Cutting Cords. This is not a romance per se - it's a story about Sloan's ongoing personal growth. Personal growth that, as is usually the case, is frequently painful and messy. But Sloan perseveres, learning more about himself as he goes, and the end of this story is hopeful. I hope we'll get to read one more book - a book in which Sloan comes into his own.
October 22, 2011
All I can say is OMG!!!! I had to wait an hour after finishing this book to write this. I loved Cole and Sloan in cutting cords, absolutely loved them. I don't know when Cole became such an insensitive jerk, but he broke my heart in this book. I actually cried more than 5 times reading this book. I didn't like Sloan jumping into a new relationship, but OMG (again) what else could he do? Cole broke MY heart and he is a make believe character in a book. I don't think a book has touched me like this in years. I hope there is a 3rd book so we can see where Sloan ends up in his journey, I just hope it isn't with Cole, that jerk doesn't deserve any more chances. I am actually sick over this book, which is why I gave it 5 stars, not because I like the way it ended or what happened with one of fave couples of all time. I gave it 5 stars because it was so well written and so realistic, that it caused these emotions in me. I am stunned and waiting for more. Thank You Mickie Ashling for touching my heart in this book.
November 21, 2011
I think it's quite interesting this book has received the reviews it has. This is definitely a case when a book doesn't deserve the bad rap. Its just a bunch of sour grapes from readers who feel the author has messed with characters they like. I wish more readers had the patience to allow the story to evolve as characters are meant to.
The book certainly hit a cord, either good or bad, with a lot of readers. Mickie Ashling is a fanastic writer and she doesn't shy away from telling a difficult story (as evidenced by the first book in the series, Cutting Cords) or turning a story on its head. I think this is what's gotten so many people upset. If the characters in your sequels must face only small/inconsequential challenges and emerge from them stronger than ever then this book may not be for you. If, however, you're willing to accept real human flaws in characters - that people aren't who we always think they are and that they sometimes face real trials in which cracks in relationships emerge - then you will appreciate this book very much.
While this book is not a HEA it is a HFN and very well done. I'm looking forward to the third book in the series.
The book certainly hit a cord, either good or bad, with a lot of readers. Mickie Ashling is a fanastic writer and she doesn't shy away from telling a difficult story (as evidenced by the first book in the series, Cutting Cords) or turning a story on its head. I think this is what's gotten so many people upset. If the characters in your sequels must face only small/inconsequential challenges and emerge from them stronger than ever then this book may not be for you. If, however, you're willing to accept real human flaws in characters - that people aren't who we always think they are and that they sometimes face real trials in which cracks in relationships emerge - then you will appreciate this book very much.
While this book is not a HEA it is a HFN and very well done. I'm looking forward to the third book in the series.
October 9, 2011
Apparently everyone hates this book, well I didn't, I may have overrated it at 4 stars but I felt the rating was far too low. I definitely don't classify this as a romance, and if you have an enduring love for both the characters from the first book then I suspect you are not going to love this book. Not every story has a hea and I applaud the author for writing a book that doesn't ascribe to the format, boy meets boy, problems ensue, problems sorted, hea the end. On the other hand to play devils advocate it's a long time since I read the first book and my memory is crappy so I wasn't invested in the characters if I were maybe I would have been as peeved as the other reviewers, I'd like to think not though. However, I would really like to see another sequel where Cody gets his comeuppance, I did want to smack that boy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2021
Wow! Mickie never lets a reader take the easy way out! But honestly, Sloan and Cole played true to their personalities. Love doesn't suddenly fix all the insecurities and needs in a person. They usually show up after the newness wears off. Even though Sloan had issues, Cole was really the weaker of the pair. The evidence of that came home in this book.
And Trent was WOW!
And Trent was WOW!
November 13, 2011
I admire Mickie B. Ashling's writing in this novel. It's a very good book. That said, I've had one heck of a time deciding between 4 or 5 stars, and finally decided on 5. Vessel is the sequel to Cutting Cords. My review of that book will shed a little light on this review. Before I really get started, I'll give a quick description. (No spoilers.)
At the end of Cutting Cords, (MC) Sloan has finally forged the romantic link with nearly-blind love interest, Cole, and the reader is left with a true sense that the HEA is beginning. The prologue to Vessel, though beautifully written, is beside the point as the novel opens (becoming significant later), but when Vessel opens properly with the first chapter, it's clear that trouble already has a solid foothold in paradise. The issue is children. A male child to be exact, who can be the all-important heir to Cole's Japanese father's legacy. This wasn't a possibility that could be entertained before, but it is now, and it looks obvious early on that the whole deal is already on track with Sloan left to catch up, like it or not. He's got options, but he's a one-man man and he loves Cole. The horribly strained relationship sends Sloan back to the pain that he battled his way through and triumphed over in Cutting Cords. Vessel sets up Sloan's untenable situation then takes him through trials of possibilities. In the end there's a new HEA—within minutes of Sloan finally (probably belatedly) giving up on the last one.
As I said in my review of Cutting Cords, I read these two books because I found the extremely negative reviews of Vessel disturbing and difficult to fully credit, and I decided to see for myself. The characters in Vessel are 3D, the locations real, the story solid with all the right twists and turns, the BDSM very sexy, and the emotions visceral. My rapport with Sloan remains, and to be honest I never did like Cole all that much. I do find Vessel a troubling read, and I'm not terribly happy about Sloan's path, nor about the ending. Though others might differ, this is solidly in the romance genre, but it veers toward the literary with it's challenges to the reader. As romance readers many of us are accustomed to light reads. Cutting Cords stayed within that parameter. Vessel takes a few more steps toward the dark. There is one reason, and one alone, that I considered a 4-star rating rather than 5, and it hinges on one particular moment, sequence, event that I believe should not have happened. I can't share it as it would be a spoiler. Ultimately, I decided that it was about my relationship with the material and really had nothing to do with the quality of the book Ashling has given us, so the 5-star rating remains.
I don't know whether there is to be a third in this series. I'm not sure whether I hope there is or isn't. I hope Sloan doesn't have to go through another nightmare. But Ashling's writing is seductive, and if there is a book three, I'll definitely read it. (I just might read these two over again, too.)
At the end of Cutting Cords, (MC) Sloan has finally forged the romantic link with nearly-blind love interest, Cole, and the reader is left with a true sense that the HEA is beginning. The prologue to Vessel, though beautifully written, is beside the point as the novel opens (becoming significant later), but when Vessel opens properly with the first chapter, it's clear that trouble already has a solid foothold in paradise. The issue is children. A male child to be exact, who can be the all-important heir to Cole's Japanese father's legacy. This wasn't a possibility that could be entertained before, but it is now, and it looks obvious early on that the whole deal is already on track with Sloan left to catch up, like it or not. He's got options, but he's a one-man man and he loves Cole. The horribly strained relationship sends Sloan back to the pain that he battled his way through and triumphed over in Cutting Cords. Vessel sets up Sloan's untenable situation then takes him through trials of possibilities. In the end there's a new HEA—within minutes of Sloan finally (probably belatedly) giving up on the last one.
As I said in my review of Cutting Cords, I read these two books because I found the extremely negative reviews of Vessel disturbing and difficult to fully credit, and I decided to see for myself. The characters in Vessel are 3D, the locations real, the story solid with all the right twists and turns, the BDSM very sexy, and the emotions visceral. My rapport with Sloan remains, and to be honest I never did like Cole all that much. I do find Vessel a troubling read, and I'm not terribly happy about Sloan's path, nor about the ending. Though others might differ, this is solidly in the romance genre, but it veers toward the literary with it's challenges to the reader. As romance readers many of us are accustomed to light reads. Cutting Cords stayed within that parameter. Vessel takes a few more steps toward the dark. There is one reason, and one alone, that I considered a 4-star rating rather than 5, and it hinges on one particular moment, sequence, event that I believe should not have happened. I can't share it as it would be a spoiler. Ultimately, I decided that it was about my relationship with the material and really had nothing to do with the quality of the book Ashling has given us, so the 5-star rating remains.
I don't know whether there is to be a third in this series. I'm not sure whether I hope there is or isn't. I hope Sloan doesn't have to go through another nightmare. But Ashling's writing is seductive, and if there is a book three, I'll definitely read it. (I just might read these two over again, too.)
October 7, 2011
I actually just went fast true the story and I have to say, the end was horrible,omg. This sequel is sad, terrible and I HATE SUCH BOOKS! This way of re-developing a story was simply to vomit. Everything was destroyed in this sequel, I HATE IT and simple feel bitter.
October 7, 2011
This book could only appeal to someone who enjoys reading about really, really bad breakups ... It's pretty much an anti-romance.
June 17, 2012
same review as v1
The cutting cords series is a good example of how you can fall in love with someone but how, over time, if the people involved want different things out of life and desire a different future, things can easily fall apart.
The series did a really good job of not trying to squeeze in too much too fast. Sloan and Cole meet in book 1 at a time in both their lives where things are out of their control and outside expectations are slowly destroying them. Through their relationship they find what they need in their lives in each other. Its a emotional roller coaster and despite how well they fit, they also have their share of problems.
In book 2 its been 5 years and Sloan and Cole have changed a lot from their old selves. Its seen in Sloan's career choice and his more outspoken behavior and in Cole's desire for children at all cost and to follow his families' wishes. This is where what they want for their futures and who they've become start to conflict with their current relationship.
And in book 3 its been almost another year and we're treated to an entire book devoted to mainly Sloan and Cole's resolution to the choices they've made in their lives and where they're going from here.
Despite sometimes hating certain characters with a passion and feeling - at times - like I didn't know why I was continueing to read because things got so sad sometimes, I think this series does a great job at covering how people change and, in doing so, realize that not only might their career, where they live, personal style, or feelings be something they've outgrown but also how people can outgrow a relationship. Its definitely one of those cartharic reads.
As for the BDSM sections of the story, personally I'm not attracted in this genre much at all. I'm fine with the D/S aspects but when it comes to the tools and the 'scenes' I don't find myself interested much. What's good about this story for people who have similar feelings as mine to BDSM is that Sloan himself is fine with the D/S aspects as well but sometimes chafes or flat out refuses the scenes or tools so there's only a very light BDSM tone to what occurs so I wouldn't let that stop you from reading.
The cutting cords series is a good example of how you can fall in love with someone but how, over time, if the people involved want different things out of life and desire a different future, things can easily fall apart.
The series did a really good job of not trying to squeeze in too much too fast. Sloan and Cole meet in book 1 at a time in both their lives where things are out of their control and outside expectations are slowly destroying them. Through their relationship they find what they need in their lives in each other. Its a emotional roller coaster and despite how well they fit, they also have their share of problems.
In book 2 its been 5 years and Sloan and Cole have changed a lot from their old selves. Its seen in Sloan's career choice and his more outspoken behavior and in Cole's desire for children at all cost and to follow his families' wishes. This is where what they want for their futures and who they've become start to conflict with their current relationship.
And in book 3 its been almost another year and we're treated to an entire book devoted to mainly Sloan and Cole's resolution to the choices they've made in their lives and where they're going from here.
Despite sometimes hating certain characters with a passion and feeling - at times - like I didn't know why I was continueing to read because things got so sad sometimes, I think this series does a great job at covering how people change and, in doing so, realize that not only might their career, where they live, personal style, or feelings be something they've outgrown but also how people can outgrow a relationship. Its definitely one of those cartharic reads.
As for the BDSM sections of the story, personally I'm not attracted in this genre much at all. I'm fine with the D/S aspects but when it comes to the tools and the 'scenes' I don't find myself interested much. What's good about this story for people who have similar feelings as mine to BDSM is that Sloan himself is fine with the D/S aspects as well but sometimes chafes or flat out refuses the scenes or tools so there's only a very light BDSM tone to what occurs so I wouldn't let that stop you from reading.
October 18, 2011
I finished it last night (after being unable to go to sleep until reading the last line)and I have to say it is a great book: beautifuly written, the reading just flows, and the story could not be more realistic and truthful to its characters (yes, because I have a little world in my head where characters - of every book I've ever read - live in, and not always they stuck to their original books; they end up having their own lives and then things get all kinds of complicated and awesome.). That is not say, though that I am not disappointed - not with the book, but with the fact that my expectations where so off the mark of what the characters needed that I feel I have to read Cutting Cords again to see if I really got it right the first time. I won't lie, until the very ending I was waiting for a HEA, or at least HFN, but I think it was much more wonderful this way.
Vessel definetly deserves to be read as it is, a great book with deep characters and wonderful story, and not as what it is not - a romance.
Vessel definetly deserves to be read as it is, a great book with deep characters and wonderful story, and not as what it is not - a romance.
October 18, 2011
Upon the betrayal and disrespect Sloan faces from his "partner," he flirts with a return to cutting, immediately jumps into a sexual relationship that he is obviously not ready for, goes bareback with a guy he barely knows in this sexual relationship, reverts back to unhealthy eating habits, and takes up smoking. The author keeps talking about how this book is about Sloan's evolution, but the few hints we see at growth are not enough to counter these behaviors and make the reader feel as though an evolution of a character is taking place. I honestly feel worse about the direction Sloan is headed than I did in Cutting Cords. I think in coping with these and his other issues, it would have been much more effective in the absence of Trent, or if he and Trent had not started a sexual relationship. I don't think I can forgive Trent enough to hope for an HEA with these two. Sloan is clearly not in an emotional spot to be pursued as his submissive in a sexual relationship, and Trent completely disregards this. With his treatment of Sloan, I kind of despise the guy, without that, I still just plain don't like him. I guess the author tries to make us root for him in the way he tells Sloan how strong he is, and how he deserves better than Cole, but this is offset with his I know you better than you know yourself attitude which I tend to hate in m/m fiction.
That's not my only grievance with the book. I feel that when presenting a book as a series, there has to be some kind of continuity with regards to genre and story arc. Using the definition of "a central love story and an emotionally-satisfying and optimistic ending," the first book is a romance. The mild flirtation with bdsm isn't even enough to add this on as an identifier. The second book moves COMPLETELY away from romance while giving me absolutely no hope of "an emotionally-satisfying and optimistic ending" even in a third book while adding a good degree of bdsm/kink. Not all readers are okay reading this, so to try to continue an arc with characters to whom readers have become attached to and to delve down a path that not everyone can stomach seems a bit disloyal. If the author wanted to explore the ideas from Vessel, an entirely new book with new characters could have been created around it.
Another big problem that I have is despite the fact that the first book is more Sloan focused, it is truly a book about both Sloan and Cole, and is even written from both their points of view. This is disregarded in book 2 and I feel as though Cole is abandoned to run with some idea that has been created for Sloan that does not even work. Honestly, I felt betrayed enough by this second book to not pursue further works from this author.
That's not my only grievance with the book. I feel that when presenting a book as a series, there has to be some kind of continuity with regards to genre and story arc. Using the definition of "a central love story and an emotionally-satisfying and optimistic ending," the first book is a romance. The mild flirtation with bdsm isn't even enough to add this on as an identifier. The second book moves COMPLETELY away from romance while giving me absolutely no hope of "an emotionally-satisfying and optimistic ending" even in a third book while adding a good degree of bdsm/kink. Not all readers are okay reading this, so to try to continue an arc with characters to whom readers have become attached to and to delve down a path that not everyone can stomach seems a bit disloyal. If the author wanted to explore the ideas from Vessel, an entirely new book with new characters could have been created around it.
Another big problem that I have is despite the fact that the first book is more Sloan focused, it is truly a book about both Sloan and Cole, and is even written from both their points of view. This is disregarded in book 2 and I feel as though Cole is abandoned to run with some idea that has been created for Sloan that does not even work. Honestly, I felt betrayed enough by this second book to not pursue further works from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 14, 2011This story and the end was totally unpredictable and honestly broke my heart. I really, really loved Cutting Cords and I bought the sequel without thinking twice, hoping for some more insights to Cole's and Sloan's life. Oh boy - don't touch this book if you want to keep this happy feeling after reading the first book...
The end is very, very unsatisfying. It left me more or less speechless. I have the feeling neither Cole nor Sloan are happy. The final break-up was so sudden, without much conversation but lots of devious reasons that I got the feeling the author wanted this break-up badly - no matter what. This I did not expect and understand after reading the first book. The sequel shows Cole as a very selfish and dislikable character, trapped in a conservative dedication to Japanese history and culture - so very, very contrary to the first book that I`m asking myself if I missed something, some hints in the first book - a kind of preparation for this ending, for Cole being such an obstinate, insensitive jerk....?! But I truly believe my English is not that bad - so obviously the aim was for a break-up between a couple that was meant to be there (and good) for each other. And although the author tried to give believable reasons that in the end they weren't good for each other anymore, these reasons didn't convince me, or better said the way these reasons where presented and justified simply seemed absurd, knowing how the first book ended. And Sloan slipping into a kind of new relationship with a man he doesn't even love (because Cole will forever be his true love) is cruel and unfair to Trey who, on the other hand, seems to be in love with Sloan... All in all a very unsatisfying mess...
I can not even hope for a third book because there are so many loose ends, so many unanswered questions and so many destroyed feelings that I can't even imagine how this mess might work out in a satisfying way for me as a reader... As a stand-alone book it would have been a good read. Not a romance, but a book with a good (and even realistic) story line. As a sequel to a very sweet love story it's nothing but disappointing.
The end is very, very unsatisfying. It left me more or less speechless. I have the feeling neither Cole nor Sloan are happy. The final break-up was so sudden, without much conversation but lots of devious reasons that I got the feeling the author wanted this break-up badly - no matter what. This I did not expect and understand after reading the first book. The sequel shows Cole as a very selfish and dislikable character, trapped in a conservative dedication to Japanese history and culture - so very, very contrary to the first book that I`m asking myself if I missed something, some hints in the first book - a kind of preparation for this ending, for Cole being such an obstinate, insensitive jerk....?! But I truly believe my English is not that bad - so obviously the aim was for a break-up between a couple that was meant to be there (and good) for each other. And although the author tried to give believable reasons that in the end they weren't good for each other anymore, these reasons didn't convince me, or better said the way these reasons where presented and justified simply seemed absurd, knowing how the first book ended. And Sloan slipping into a kind of new relationship with a man he doesn't even love (because Cole will forever be his true love) is cruel and unfair to Trey who, on the other hand, seems to be in love with Sloan... All in all a very unsatisfying mess...
I can not even hope for a third book because there are so many loose ends, so many unanswered questions and so many destroyed feelings that I can't even imagine how this mess might work out in a satisfying way for me as a reader... As a stand-alone book it would have been a good read. Not a romance, but a book with a good (and even realistic) story line. As a sequel to a very sweet love story it's nothing but disappointing.
October 14, 2011
I’ve just finished reading Vessel by Mickie B. Ashling and I have to say that this is one of my favorite books ever, which is why I am so surprised that it is receiving low scores and negative reviews. Vessel is not a love story nor is it a romance. It is a realistic portrayal of a five year relationship in crisis. In Cutting Cords, we meet a very young Sloan who suffers from a crippling form of pain management. Although romance did factor in the end, and we were left with hopes for a happily ever after, it was primarily a study into the mindset of a cutter. Vessel is a continuation of Sloan's story and his struggle for personal growth. Because this is written in first person, rather than alternating points of view like Cutting Cords, it is far more intense. Watching him deal with betrayal is painful, but so very real, you can almost smell the blood and feel the tears. Sloan undergoes a major transformation as he comes into his own. I hope there will be a third book in this series as I would love to see how this emerging story unfolds. Highly recommend.
October 14, 2011
Ok - I give in because I am curious.
A story that can stirred up emotions yet portray a realistic relationship means Mickie did a great job in getting whatever her mission accomplished. Sad but true...that's how some relationship works..especially in status quo and races.
When I read this story, it reminded me how my friends/relatives relationship are. What expectation from the wives, lovers or mistresses. If these characters are MF instead of MM, I believe it would receive better stars/treatment instead.
Based on the ending, I wish for a 3rd volume and I hope the current treatment of this volume wont discourage her from giving us the epilogue of this series.
Bring it on, Mickie!
A story that can stirred up emotions yet portray a realistic relationship means Mickie did a great job in getting whatever her mission accomplished. Sad but true...that's how some relationship works..especially in status quo and races.
When I read this story, it reminded me how my friends/relatives relationship are. What expectation from the wives, lovers or mistresses. If these characters are MF instead of MM, I believe it would receive better stars/treatment instead.
Based on the ending, I wish for a 3rd volume and I hope the current treatment of this volume wont discourage her from giving us the epilogue of this series.
Bring it on, Mickie!
September 10, 2014
I did enjoy this one even though I found results and events disturbing in character's behaviors and it was an unexpected twist and turn from reading the first. I was flabbergasted by it all. Fawk... even I want to punch Cole's lights out for the lousy prick he turned out to be. Yerp, it was unexpected.
October 10, 2011
I was so invested in Sloan and Cole as a couple, that I felt this book should have come with some kind of warning. Or maybe I should have read the reviews. I didn't and I can't unread what I read. If you loved Cutting Cords and love HEA, don't read this. I wish that I had never read Vessel, because it has tainted my enjoyment of Cutting Cords.
August 28, 2014
So good! Cole is a total dick throughout the book. I am not sure Sloan and Trent are OTP material but maybe the next book will convince me. However, Cole has a lot of Improving to do if he wants to be endgame.
I am choosing to overlook a questionable event that happens because I do not understand it. So I guess I am willing to suspend my disbelief.
I am choosing to overlook a questionable event that happens because I do not understand it. So I guess I am willing to suspend my disbelief.
January 2, 2012
I didn't like this book very much. The writing stile is very good, as was for Cutting Cords. What didn't work for me is the fact that since the epilogue of Cutting Cords 5 years have passed, and instead of being more mature and their relationship more solid, it's the opposite.
Cole is a character who was very conflicted in the first novel, but he seemed to grow in the end of the book, accept himself and love Sloan.
In this book we learn that he has no trust in Sloan and has lied to him for at least one year. He is back to wanting what he wanted in the beginning of Cutting Cords: a wife and children. So what was this 5 years? Nothing?
Even more weird to me is the fact that he knows Sloan was a cutter, he knows he has emotional issues, because those don't disappear overnight, and still he doesn't care enough not to lie or cheat or treat Sloan as if he meant nothing. As much as he may have issues due to his lack of eyesight, this is not the way you act with a loved one.
At the end of the book it seems all Cole has done was conveniently use Sloan.
What about the part where it says Sloan is young and need to explore? This makes even less sense to me.
Wasn't this supposed to be a strong couple?
I understand open as well as closed relationships, but the fact that one has been loyal 5 years and is seen almost as a goal is pretty senseless to me.
Are we back to Cole thinking gays can't love and they only have sex?
After 5 years they are strangers to each others. They don't seem more mature. Sloan is a beautiful character, flawed and real, but Cole makes little sense to me.
I wonder even if there is a third book how can he be redeemed. I don't see an happily ever after with those children he wants regardless of his partner's needs. If this isn't selfish to the extreme I don't know what selfish is.
There is a character I really loved though: Trent. I really love him as a Dom.
Cole is a character who was very conflicted in the first novel, but he seemed to grow in the end of the book, accept himself and love Sloan.
In this book we learn that he has no trust in Sloan and has lied to him for at least one year. He is back to wanting what he wanted in the beginning of Cutting Cords: a wife and children. So what was this 5 years? Nothing?
Even more weird to me is the fact that he knows Sloan was a cutter, he knows he has emotional issues, because those don't disappear overnight, and still he doesn't care enough not to lie or cheat or treat Sloan as if he meant nothing. As much as he may have issues due to his lack of eyesight, this is not the way you act with a loved one.
At the end of the book it seems all Cole has done was conveniently use Sloan.
What about the part where it says Sloan is young and need to explore? This makes even less sense to me.
Wasn't this supposed to be a strong couple?
I understand open as well as closed relationships, but the fact that one has been loyal 5 years and is seen almost as a goal is pretty senseless to me.
Are we back to Cole thinking gays can't love and they only have sex?
After 5 years they are strangers to each others. They don't seem more mature. Sloan is a beautiful character, flawed and real, but Cole makes little sense to me.
I wonder even if there is a third book how can he be redeemed. I don't see an happily ever after with those children he wants regardless of his partner's needs. If this isn't selfish to the extreme I don't know what selfish is.
There is a character I really loved though: Trent. I really love him as a Dom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2012
I have had this book in my to-read pile for months and all I can say is wow!! I read this book in one sitting. The story exploded from page one. It is a roller coaster read that gripped me and would not let go. I liked the way that the main characters suddenly realised that they were two very different people from when their relationship first started, but instead of growing together they had grown in very different ways. I think it captured the powerlessness Sloane felt when realising that he had suddenly become an obstacle to Cole's desires and to see him being treated like unwanted furniture was painful. I could feel Sloane's shock of realising that Cole, despite professions of love, had actually betrayed him in more ways than just sexual infidelity. This story was gritty but also realistic showing the emotional crisis that happens in relationship break down and the need to make some sense of that and carry on. I buy books faster than I can read them and for once this has paid off. I can now go straight to book 3 without a break. A truly satisfying reading experience, in fact the best I have had so far this year.
June 23, 2012
I read this as a stand-alone, without reading book one, because I knew this was a break-up book, and I didn't want to get emotionally invested in the couple beforehand. Read this way, it wasn't a bad plot. Cole made me furious, and Sloan was more than patient; man, I would have left waaaaay earlier.
However I didn't buy the Trent/Sloan relationship at all. I saw Trent as a rebound guy, for hot sex to make Sloan feel better. And I know this is outside of the parameters of this particular book, but reading the sample for book three, I don't like where their relationship has gone.
So, if a good book is one where you buy into the characters, then this is clearly a good book. I care about these guys and I think about them like they're real. Because of this, I excuse the clunky and not-good-at-all writing. But this does not make me want to read book three.
However I didn't buy the Trent/Sloan relationship at all. I saw Trent as a rebound guy, for hot sex to make Sloan feel better. And I know this is outside of the parameters of this particular book, but reading the sample for book three, I don't like where their relationship has gone.
So, if a good book is one where you buy into the characters, then this is clearly a good book. I care about these guys and I think about them like they're real. Because of this, I excuse the clunky and not-good-at-all writing. But this does not make me want to read book three.
October 19, 2011
NEVER AGAIN had i of realized after spending most of the day reading book 1 and book 2 that she would end this story in heartfail and spend the WHOLE second book erasing what was wrote as such a beautiful love story i would have stopped after book 1. And Cole dont even get me started i thought he had changed he was wrote changed in the the first book and he is a first class ASS in the second book! Even if there is a book 3 there is no way to erase the damage and betrayal he did in book 2! I wouldnt read a book 3 if it was given to me FREE!
October 20, 2014
I can't believe what a manipulative skank Cole turned out to be. I'm glad to see that Sloan is finally free and starting to find real happiness even if he can't banish Cole from his thoughts. Ms Ashling has kept the characters alive and three dimensional and so real. The only reason that I'm giving this book a four instead of a five is that it was a little too heavy on the angst for my personal taste.
October 8, 2011
I USUALLY REALLY ENJOY THIS AUTHOR AND HAD BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SEQUEL TO CUTTING CORDS BUT I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF THIS STORY AT ALL. I AM JUST SO DISAPPOINTED. SO MUCH HURT, SADNESS, DISAPPOINTMENT AND THE LOSS OF ALL THAT COULD HAVE BEEN, NOTHING POSITIVE I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND. MAYBE THERE WILL BE A THIRD BOOK. NOT AN ENJOYABLE READ
October 8, 2011
The story took a path that I dislike. I will not finish reading.
October 2, 2014
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
4.5 Stars
I can imagine readers either loving or hating this book...I loved it!
Just as Mickie didn’t gloss over uncomfortable facts in book 1 this book bucks the trend for a simple HEA. It took me through a whole series of emotions that I wasn’t expecting purely because I didn’t get the story I was expecting.
Five years on and for all appearances Sloan and Cole have got the perfect relationship they fought so hard for. Cole finally lost his sight about a year ago but is coping well. Sloan continued on with the modelling career he was initially so afraid of and is now wealthy and successful. His body issues still hover in the background but with the love and support he has received from his partner his cutting has been nearly nonexistent and only raises its head in extremely stressful situations.
The start of the book kind of drags you into a false sense of security where the two men are concerned but then the proverbial rug gets well and truly yanked out from under your feet.
Cole wants to be a father but even more importantly Cole’s father wants a grandson and nothing, and I do mean nothing, will stand in the way of either man getting what he wants. With improved testing for genetic conditions now available the Fujiwara men are on a mission and it seems Sloan or Sloan’s opinion are completely irrelevant!
The subsequent pregnancy has catastrophic implications on Sloan and Cole’s relationship and it is almost as though Cole turns into a different person. Just as things start to fall apart Trent appears on the scene. He is a hard ass Dom with a huge soft spot for Sloan and pursues him relentlessly.
I think this book may have been a first for me! I can’t remember another book that has had an established couple that you are rooting for where one of them turns into a completely unrecognisable person. When Sloan first met Trent my mind was chanting ‘no, no don’t do it! You belong to Cole’ but as the story progresses I couldn’t condone the way Cole behaved and found myself feeling let down by him and extremely angry. Suddenly I was Team Trent!
Sloan is quite vulnerable in this book but at the same time much stronger than Cole. He may have become a successful model but his old crutch is never too far away and he is still plagued by doubts. Trent seems to recognise that in him immediately and his second try at learning more about the BDSM world is far more successful. As much as Trent tries to ground Sloan, Cole is forever in the background with more and more unreasonable requests.
Well done Mickie Ashling for giving us a fantastic book and daring to take the story where yo
4.5 Stars
I can imagine readers either loving or hating this book...I loved it!
Just as Mickie didn’t gloss over uncomfortable facts in book 1 this book bucks the trend for a simple HEA. It took me through a whole series of emotions that I wasn’t expecting purely because I didn’t get the story I was expecting.
Five years on and for all appearances Sloan and Cole have got the perfect relationship they fought so hard for. Cole finally lost his sight about a year ago but is coping well. Sloan continued on with the modelling career he was initially so afraid of and is now wealthy and successful. His body issues still hover in the background but with the love and support he has received from his partner his cutting has been nearly nonexistent and only raises its head in extremely stressful situations.
The start of the book kind of drags you into a false sense of security where the two men are concerned but then the proverbial rug gets well and truly yanked out from under your feet.
Cole wants to be a father but even more importantly Cole’s father wants a grandson and nothing, and I do mean nothing, will stand in the way of either man getting what he wants. With improved testing for genetic conditions now available the Fujiwara men are on a mission and it seems Sloan or Sloan’s opinion are completely irrelevant!
The subsequent pregnancy has catastrophic implications on Sloan and Cole’s relationship and it is almost as though Cole turns into a different person. Just as things start to fall apart Trent appears on the scene. He is a hard ass Dom with a huge soft spot for Sloan and pursues him relentlessly.
I think this book may have been a first for me! I can’t remember another book that has had an established couple that you are rooting for where one of them turns into a completely unrecognisable person. When Sloan first met Trent my mind was chanting ‘no, no don’t do it! You belong to Cole’ but as the story progresses I couldn’t condone the way Cole behaved and found myself feeling let down by him and extremely angry. Suddenly I was Team Trent!
Sloan is quite vulnerable in this book but at the same time much stronger than Cole. He may have become a successful model but his old crutch is never too far away and he is still plagued by doubts. Trent seems to recognise that in him immediately and his second try at learning more about the BDSM world is far more successful. As much as Trent tries to ground Sloan, Cole is forever in the background with more and more unreasonable requests.
Well done Mickie Ashling for giving us a fantastic book and daring to take the story where yo
October 31, 2011
So, I can't help but look at this story as 'The Empire Strikes Back' - as in "There better be another one following it, or I'm gonna be pissed." I knew there was a third going into it (and thank GOD I waited to read this until it was already written, or I would be really mad), and I have had enough spoilers that I knew what was going to happen, but wow, that was a ride.
I have never wanted to smack more people upside the head than while reading this book. Can't fault the author for creating such realistic characters, though. Just because I didn't agree with what they said or did doesn't mean that there aren't people that think that way. And OH MY GOD, did I want to beat them all brainless. (It's setup for the next story... it's setup for the next story... STUPID, IDIOTIC, BAKA... it's setup for the next story...)
Complaints: I'd have had no idea what happened in the prologue if I hadn't seen Memoirs of a Geisha. (No, I haven't read the book, though I found it amusing that it was mentioned in this one.) It's explained well enough later on--because Sloan has no idea about geisha traditions either--but it's still a bit vague. And the use of Japanese, French, and Jewish words was a bit excessive and not always with explanation. Some could be figured out from context, and some not. I know just enough Japanese and Spanish (no, not French, but I can pick up some French from knowing Spanish) that it wasn't vastly annoying to me, but there were some things I couldn't pick up from immediate context. Those few did annoy me. I did not bother to go look them up. I shouldn't have to.
Also, the MOBI file from Dreamspinner has some issues. All of the em-dashes were missing, which meant the word before and the word after always butted up against each other. And there were some other typos in the first half that began to bug me (e.g. it's gomen nasai or gomennasai, not gomen nasia. Yes, there are some typos in English too), but I didn't notice anything (other than the em-dash issue) in the second half of the story, thank the Lord.
Moving on to Cleave now.
I have never wanted to smack more people upside the head than while reading this book. Can't fault the author for creating such realistic characters, though. Just because I didn't agree with what they said or did doesn't mean that there aren't people that think that way. And OH MY GOD, did I want to beat them all brainless. (It's setup for the next story... it's setup for the next story... STUPID, IDIOTIC, BAKA... it's setup for the next story...)
Complaints: I'd have had no idea what happened in the prologue if I hadn't seen Memoirs of a Geisha. (No, I haven't read the book, though I found it amusing that it was mentioned in this one.) It's explained well enough later on--because Sloan has no idea about geisha traditions either--but it's still a bit vague. And the use of Japanese, French, and Jewish words was a bit excessive and not always with explanation. Some could be figured out from context, and some not. I know just enough Japanese and Spanish (no, not French, but I can pick up some French from knowing Spanish) that it wasn't vastly annoying to me, but there were some things I couldn't pick up from immediate context. Those few did annoy me. I did not bother to go look them up. I shouldn't have to.
Also, the MOBI file from Dreamspinner has some issues. All of the em-dashes were missing, which meant the word before and the word after always butted up against each other. And there were some other typos in the first half that began to bug me (e.g. it's gomen nasai or gomennasai, not gomen nasia. Yes, there are some typos in English too), but I didn't notice anything (other than the em-dash issue) in the second half of the story, thank the Lord.
Moving on to Cleave now.
January 20, 2012
Vessel is the sequel to Mickie B. Ashling's Cutting Cords, the passionate story of blind former baseball player, Cole Fujiwara and high fashion model, Sloan Driscoll's. Five years has past and their relationship is in crisis. Cole wants a child and wants Noriko Evans, a beautiful Japanese-American woman to be the surrogate. His plans leave Sloan feeling like a fifth wheel. Should Sloan accept Cole's choice, or end the relationship?
The turmoil of the decision sends Sloan into a tailspin. Sloan's not sure how to cope and considers turning to his former mechanism for dealing with stress-- cutting. At the same time, his mentor and friend, Max introduces him to Trent Hamilton, a virile young Dom and fellow model who offers another option.
How these characters interact in such a volatile situation makes Vessel a fast-paced read. Ashling's characters in Vessel are strong and passionate. Cole's struggles to deal with his blindness and Sloan's desire to maintain his love for him are powerful. Meanwhile, Trent occupies the stage as a compelling Dom and reveals some interesting facets of the BDSM life-style to Sloan.
Ashling is a good story-teller and her depiction of copying with blindness is honest. Ashling leaves the reader guessing as to how Vessel will end until the very last. Are Sloan and Cole going to maintain their relationship? Is Sloan going to fall under the thrall of Trent? Can there be a happy ending to this romance.
Vessel is great read with characters that engage and an interesting plot.
Review originally appeared on Queer Magazine Online
The turmoil of the decision sends Sloan into a tailspin. Sloan's not sure how to cope and considers turning to his former mechanism for dealing with stress-- cutting. At the same time, his mentor and friend, Max introduces him to Trent Hamilton, a virile young Dom and fellow model who offers another option.
How these characters interact in such a volatile situation makes Vessel a fast-paced read. Ashling's characters in Vessel are strong and passionate. Cole's struggles to deal with his blindness and Sloan's desire to maintain his love for him are powerful. Meanwhile, Trent occupies the stage as a compelling Dom and reveals some interesting facets of the BDSM life-style to Sloan.
Ashling is a good story-teller and her depiction of copying with blindness is honest. Ashling leaves the reader guessing as to how Vessel will end until the very last. Are Sloan and Cole going to maintain their relationship? Is Sloan going to fall under the thrall of Trent? Can there be a happy ending to this romance.
Vessel is great read with characters that engage and an interesting plot.
Review originally appeared on Queer Magazine Online
October 10, 2011
I haven't been in the mood for reading books lately, instead have been reading mangas. Today though, i started reading this book because i really liked the author' other works. Moreover, i loved the first book so much it's on my keepers shelf. Which made me anticipate this one badly.
I can barely express how disappointed i am about the events that occurred in this story. The fact that it was written perfectly in my eyes, doesn't matter, when at the end i wish i could throw my kindle against the wall. I wish i could return my copy, and demand an apology for completely ruining one of my favorite couples. Had i known things would turn out this way, i would have wished their story would not have been expanded on.
It's not the events towards the end are unrealistic because we're human and make a lot of stupid relationships; but under those circumstances it completely decimates the main relationship. Even as a reader, i cannot ever forgive a character after such decision, and find it unbelievable if the "partner/lover" does forgive it. It is beyond abominable.
The fact that there will be a third book to be release, doesn't relief me in the least. Rather it makes me not care for what will happen next, and become extremely wary of this former auto-buy author. It saddens my inner romantic, because i read to escape my stressful times, but books like this one make me remember that love is not everlasting.....
I can barely express how disappointed i am about the events that occurred in this story. The fact that it was written perfectly in my eyes, doesn't matter, when at the end i wish i could throw my kindle against the wall. I wish i could return my copy, and demand an apology for completely ruining one of my favorite couples. Had i known things would turn out this way, i would have wished their story would not have been expanded on.
It's not the events towards the end are unrealistic because we're human and make a lot of stupid relationships; but under those circumstances it completely decimates the main relationship. Even as a reader, i cannot ever forgive a character after such decision, and find it unbelievable if the "partner/lover" does forgive it. It is beyond abominable.
The fact that there will be a third book to be release, doesn't relief me in the least. Rather it makes me not care for what will happen next, and become extremely wary of this former auto-buy author. It saddens my inner romantic, because i read to escape my stressful times, but books like this one make me remember that love is not everlasting.....
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