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Cutting Cords #4
Cutting Out
Hours after their mock wedding, real life intrudes, and arguments arise between Sloan Driscoll and Trent Hamilton. At his BDSM club, Trent bumps into an old army friend who makes him an offer he can’t refuse. In the meantime, Sloan receives a frantic call from ex-lover, Cole Fujiwara, who informs him the twins are missing. Cole asks for help but adds a caveat—keep it confidential.
Trent considers the opportunity to resume a career cut short. Ignoring Sloan’s threat to postpone their wedding, he leaves for the Middle East on a fact-finding mission while Sloan rushes to aid Cole.
As the former couple begin their quest to rescue the children, disturbing revelations are uncovered. A new understanding develops and old feelings arise. Despite the heightened awareness, neither man makes a move. Sloan focuses on the endgame without jeopardizing his current relationship, while Cole must prepare himself to survive another disappointment if Sloan remains with Trent.
Cutting Out is the final book in the Cutting Cords Series previously published by Dreamspinner Press. This series must be read in order to fully appreciate the highs and lows of these unique characters.
Content Warning: Cutting, body image issues, kidnapping, violence, non-con, death of a secondary character.
Trent considers the opportunity to resume a career cut short. Ignoring Sloan’s threat to postpone their wedding, he leaves for the Middle East on a fact-finding mission while Sloan rushes to aid Cole.
As the former couple begin their quest to rescue the children, disturbing revelations are uncovered. A new understanding develops and old feelings arise. Despite the heightened awareness, neither man makes a move. Sloan focuses on the endgame without jeopardizing his current relationship, while Cole must prepare himself to survive another disappointment if Sloan remains with Trent.
Cutting Out is the final book in the Cutting Cords Series previously published by Dreamspinner Press. This series must be read in order to fully appreciate the highs and lows of these unique characters.
Content Warning: Cutting, body image issues, kidnapping, violence, non-con, death of a secondary character.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2014
3 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Mickie B. Ashling
51 books346 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 25, 2014
2.5 stars.
While this book was well written and entertainingly soap opera-ish (which I knew going into it) I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. Here are my issues with it, in no particular order:
1. It was unrealistic- extremely unrealistic, especially the abduction plot point.
2. Sloane seemed to have issues with some aspects of Japanese culture (even though he's with a half Asian guy, go figure) and, because it was written in first person, it came across as xenophobia to me.
3. Trent is an even bigger asshole in this book. MAJOR SPOILER:
4. BDSM was once again a path to psychological and sexual healing, as it was in book 3.
5. Sloan became a more mature and reasonedguy umm...woman. Yes, I do mean woman. I kept asking myself why he reminded me of a female, especially after the point where he attacked someone with his fingernails.
6. Sloane was also a totally different person than he had been, even up until the last book, and I felt like I was reading about someone else.
As for Cole, he was mostly his usual taciturn self, except he had done some growing up so that was nice to see. Some people that were super mad about the last book will be happy with the ending of this book, and that's all I'm gonna say.
Anyone that doesn't mind these sorts of things will enjoy the hell out of this book.
While this book was well written and entertainingly soap opera-ish (which I knew going into it) I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. Here are my issues with it, in no particular order:
1. It was unrealistic- extremely unrealistic, especially the abduction plot point.
2. Sloane seemed to have issues with some aspects of Japanese culture (even though he's with a half Asian guy, go figure) and, because it was written in first person, it came across as xenophobia to me.
3. Trent is an even bigger asshole in this book. MAJOR SPOILER:
4. BDSM was once again a path to psychological and sexual healing, as it was in book 3.
5. Sloan became a more mature and reasoned
6. Sloane was also a totally different person than he had been, even up until the last book, and I felt like I was reading about someone else.
As for Cole, he was mostly his usual taciturn self, except he had done some growing up so that was nice to see. Some people that were super mad about the last book will be happy with the ending of this book, and that's all I'm gonna say.
Anyone that doesn't mind these sorts of things will enjoy the hell out of this book.
Read
November 25, 2014DNF at 30%. No rating.
OK, so I was really looking forward to this one. So much that I stayed up late the day before the release so I could peak at the ending and see how the story end. Yes, I cheated. Anyway, I didn't like what I saw at the end but I decided to give the author an opportunity to change my mind while reading this book. I decided to have an open mind.
So first, when I started this book I noticed that the Sloan here was not the Sloan I remembered from the other books. And just for reference I recently read all three books so he was "fresh" in my mind. Second, the Trent here is not the Trent I remembered either and I was not happy. I shouldn't have been surprised that if the author had done some character assassination on Book Two she would repeat that tactic here. I am not happy about it.
I read enough of the end to know that there's a HEA. And I am even OK with it. I am not OK with how it looks like the author made it happen. I may eventually read all of this book. But I will ALWAYS choose to think of Book #3 as the end of this series. At least I have that.
OK, so I was really looking forward to this one. So much that I stayed up late the day before the release so I could peak at the ending and see how the story end. Yes, I cheated. Anyway, I didn't like what I saw at the end but I decided to give the author an opportunity to change my mind while reading this book. I decided to have an open mind.
So first, when I started this book I noticed that the Sloan here was not the Sloan I remembered from the other books. And just for reference I recently read all three books so he was "fresh" in my mind. Second, the Trent here is not the Trent I remembered either and I was not happy. I shouldn't have been surprised that if the author had done some character assassination on Book Two she would repeat that tactic here. I am not happy about it.
I read enough of the end to know that there's a HEA. And I am even OK with it. I am not OK with how it looks like the author made it happen. I may eventually read all of this book. But I will ALWAYS choose to think of Book #3 as the end of this series. At least I have that.
December 22, 2021
Wow! Just wow...
October 24, 2014
This is the best series that Ms Ashling has written to date. What an incredible maturing process Sloan went through. He has the three men that love him to thank Cole, Trent and Max. This story took Sloan from an exchange of vows to a wild chase through Japan and back to an exchange of vows. The characters in this book and the entire series have been rich, alive and multi-faceted. They are all flawed yet manage to shine in their own way. The writing is smooth and it is easy to see that a lot of research went into this awesome story.
October 18, 2020
What a great series!
I just finished up with no. 4 @ 2a.m. I read three of the books in a day. I just couldn't put them down! They were full of joy, love, heart break, and action. What a great story. Cole and Sloan and Trent went thru so much but finally ended up with a happy ending.
I just finished up with no. 4 @ 2a.m. I read three of the books in a day. I just couldn't put them down! They were full of joy, love, heart break, and action. What a great story. Cole and Sloan and Trent went thru so much but finally ended up with a happy ending.
March 9, 2016
Fantastic ending to the Cutting Cords series. Truly an emotional roller coaster; I kept flip-flopping between who I thought Sloane should end up with. This was a raw and rugged journey to an HEA and I loved every minute of it. Recommend this series for anyone who likes rough edges on their love stories. This will be going into my "read again" pile.
November 4, 2014
The best of the best and loved every chapter. I wasn't disappointed one bit and it all turned out the way I had hoped.
November 7, 2014
Just when a HEA seemed possible for Sloan and Trent life threw numerous choices in their way to put their future in doubt in this final (?) installment in the Cutting Cords series. From the very first book emotions have run high and in this book those emotions come to a head as suspenseful twists and turns complicate things further, not only between Sloan and Trent but between Sloan and Cole as well. To fully appreciate the enormity of this storyline though it's best to have read the other installments as the past comes into play in very big ways with the evolution of Sloan and Cole, and the history they have with each other, greatly influencing the action.
Sloan and Trent are planning their wedding but things don't go smoothly as Trent decides to return to the service after the appeal of DADT without taking Sloan's feelings into consideration. He's also still going to the club to play with willing subs. These acts put a dent in their commitment and leave Sloan confused and frustrated as he doesn't want his husband's life constantly in jeopardy. He can't dwell on these concerns too long with the return of Cole creating even more chaos as he needs Sloan's help in rescuing the twins from kidnappers who have taken them to Japan. The two former lovers have only each other to count on and it leads to edge of your seat action, as well as old feelings resurfacing, amongst life or death circumstances coming from surprising villains. Their time together reignites their old feelings and the comfort they had with each other but their future isn't clear with one danger after another being thrown at them. They've both grown during their time apart, particularly Sloan. They now talk to each other about their thoughts and feelings and Sloan's interactions with the twins shows a man quite comfortable in being a family man. The intensity of Trent is always present though and still compels Sloan which keeps readers guessing as to who will get their HEA.
Ms. Ashling puts readers through the emotional wringer as the outcome of the story is never quite clear until the satisfying and hard fought conclusion. It's an intense story focusing more on internal struggles and feelings and less about sex. That's not to say it's lacking in sex but rather that sex means something for these men. It's not just there for entertainment....although it is steamy. The story pulls you in with its vivid imagery of both here and abroad and the suspense keeps you on edge turning the pages faster to discover the outcome. Ms. Ashling captivates readers with a story that's unexpected in many ways and will leave fans of this series satisfied with a conclusion that feels just right. She once again proves why she's a master of the genre and I recommend this to all fans of the m/m genre.
Sloan and Trent are planning their wedding but things don't go smoothly as Trent decides to return to the service after the appeal of DADT without taking Sloan's feelings into consideration. He's also still going to the club to play with willing subs. These acts put a dent in their commitment and leave Sloan confused and frustrated as he doesn't want his husband's life constantly in jeopardy. He can't dwell on these concerns too long with the return of Cole creating even more chaos as he needs Sloan's help in rescuing the twins from kidnappers who have taken them to Japan. The two former lovers have only each other to count on and it leads to edge of your seat action, as well as old feelings resurfacing, amongst life or death circumstances coming from surprising villains. Their time together reignites their old feelings and the comfort they had with each other but their future isn't clear with one danger after another being thrown at them. They've both grown during their time apart, particularly Sloan. They now talk to each other about their thoughts and feelings and Sloan's interactions with the twins shows a man quite comfortable in being a family man. The intensity of Trent is always present though and still compels Sloan which keeps readers guessing as to who will get their HEA.
Ms. Ashling puts readers through the emotional wringer as the outcome of the story is never quite clear until the satisfying and hard fought conclusion. It's an intense story focusing more on internal struggles and feelings and less about sex. That's not to say it's lacking in sex but rather that sex means something for these men. It's not just there for entertainment....although it is steamy. The story pulls you in with its vivid imagery of both here and abroad and the suspense keeps you on edge turning the pages faster to discover the outcome. Ms. Ashling captivates readers with a story that's unexpected in many ways and will leave fans of this series satisfied with a conclusion that feels just right. She once again proves why she's a master of the genre and I recommend this to all fans of the m/m genre.
October 31, 2014
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
I have loved this series right from the start and this 4th book is no exception. It would have been very easy for the author to give Sloan and Cole their happy ending way back when and keep everyone happy but I loved the drama of them finally breaking up and then of course Trent arriving on the scene.
So many ups and downs! This book has just as much angst as the last one and just when you think you have everyones relationship sorted in your head the author tips it sideways again. When we left Sloan in book 3 he was just a few weeks away from marrying his Dom and lover Trent, the man who swept Sloan off his feet when things went bad with Cole, nuturing him and keeping him sane.
Trent left the Army a few years ago refusing to hide his sexuality but after speaking to an old colleague about life after the repeal of DADT he suddenly decides that maybe his career isn’t over. This decision seems to come out of the blue and Trent is harsh with the way he informs Sloan of his plans and gives his opinion even less thought.
Sloan has gone from blissfully happy to not knowing what his future holds in the blink of an eye, but one thing he is sure he doesn’t want is Trent returning to service and leaving him for months at a time. Trent pays no heed to Sloan when he threatens to cancel the wedding and makes plans to head to Afghanistan for 6 weeks.
Mickie B Ashling did it again! She made me love Trent then she just as quickly flipped things around and made me think he was a cold hearted ass!! THIS is why I love this series!
At the same time Cole’s dodgy dealings with a surrogate geisha seem to have come back to haunt him. Noriko and his twin boys have been kidnapped and taken to Japan and the the only person Cole can trust and ask for help is Sloan. Slaon and Cole’s relationship is still quite shaky but the thought of the twins in danger over rides all Sloans concerns and the pair head off to Tokyo to pay the ransom.
Tokyo brings surprises, some good and some bad. It also brings Sloan and Cole closer together than they have been in years and although nothing sexual happens between them there is certainly parts of their old relationship hanging around. Sloan slips back easily into his role as Cole’s partner whilst they make preparations to meet the kidnappers demands.
All is not as it seems and circumstances become pretty bleak and desperate before Cole has his twin boys back in his arms and even then the horror isn’t over. These two old lovers have been thrown so closely together that they may find it difficult to leave each other when they return home. I think this had a very pleasing ending :-)
I have loved this series right from the start and this 4th book is no exception. It would have been very easy for the author to give Sloan and Cole their happy ending way back when and keep everyone happy but I loved the drama of them finally breaking up and then of course Trent arriving on the scene.
So many ups and downs! This book has just as much angst as the last one and just when you think you have everyones relationship sorted in your head the author tips it sideways again. When we left Sloan in book 3 he was just a few weeks away from marrying his Dom and lover Trent, the man who swept Sloan off his feet when things went bad with Cole, nuturing him and keeping him sane.
Trent left the Army a few years ago refusing to hide his sexuality but after speaking to an old colleague about life after the repeal of DADT he suddenly decides that maybe his career isn’t over. This decision seems to come out of the blue and Trent is harsh with the way he informs Sloan of his plans and gives his opinion even less thought.
Sloan has gone from blissfully happy to not knowing what his future holds in the blink of an eye, but one thing he is sure he doesn’t want is Trent returning to service and leaving him for months at a time. Trent pays no heed to Sloan when he threatens to cancel the wedding and makes plans to head to Afghanistan for 6 weeks.
Mickie B Ashling did it again! She made me love Trent then she just as quickly flipped things around and made me think he was a cold hearted ass!! THIS is why I love this series!
At the same time Cole’s dodgy dealings with a surrogate geisha seem to have come back to haunt him. Noriko and his twin boys have been kidnapped and taken to Japan and the the only person Cole can trust and ask for help is Sloan. Slaon and Cole’s relationship is still quite shaky but the thought of the twins in danger over rides all Sloans concerns and the pair head off to Tokyo to pay the ransom.
Tokyo brings surprises, some good and some bad. It also brings Sloan and Cole closer together than they have been in years and although nothing sexual happens between them there is certainly parts of their old relationship hanging around. Sloan slips back easily into his role as Cole’s partner whilst they make preparations to meet the kidnappers demands.
All is not as it seems and circumstances become pretty bleak and desperate before Cole has his twin boys back in his arms and even then the horror isn’t over. These two old lovers have been thrown so closely together that they may find it difficult to leave each other when they return home. I think this had a very pleasing ending :-)
November 2, 2014
I’m putting this review behind a spoiler alert because I can’t write what I want to say without revealing a few spoilers . So, if you don’t want to be spoiled in any way, stop reading now.
I’m going to state the obvious first. I love Mickie’s books. The stories always grab me, they and the characters are well thought out and well written, the editing is always good and I always find that my interest is grabbed from the onset. I also have to mention Mickie’s research. It’s obvious that she does a lot of it and I always learn new and interesting facts when reading. This time, I got to learn a lot about Japan.
I’ll also say something else about this series here as it affects the way that I view the characters and their relationships. I started reading Cutting Cords with book 2 – Vessel. I did not read book 1 until after I had finished Cleave. Therefore, I did not form the same relationship with Cole and Sloan that others did. I liked them but I always felt that this series was about Sloan – it was not about Cole and Sloan. However, after reading Cutting Cords I can understand why some people were upset when Cole and Sloan did not make it as a couple then.
Throughout this series I watched Sloan develop from a man who was racked with problems and who cut himself as a way of controlling the situation to a man who was in control of himself. He still had problems but, with help, he became his own person. The help that he needed came firstly from Cole and then from Trent. I was quite happy that he and Sloan were together but there was still something not right.
In book 4 – Cutting Out – I think that the wrongs in the relationships are finally corrected.
The synopsis is a simple one and can be read at the top of the page so I wont repeat it now. What we see in this book is a freshness coming into the relationship between Sloan and Cole as they are forced together in order to save the twins. We also see the breakdown of another relationship as that couple grow apart. This latter couple realize new goals as they face the fact that what they once had is no longer what they need.
The book has more action than others. Its main time frame is a short one so a lot happens in a short space of time. I found that when I started reading I did not put the book down for any length of time until I had finished it. I wanted to know what happened.
One other spoiler – and I know that I would go looking for this information before I finished the book. Freddie, Cole’s dog, is along for the ride but he is there and he is okay right to the end. So, if you are worried about something happening to him in the story, don’t be.
This book is definitely recommended.
I’m going to state the obvious first. I love Mickie’s books. The stories always grab me, they and the characters are well thought out and well written, the editing is always good and I always find that my interest is grabbed from the onset. I also have to mention Mickie’s research. It’s obvious that she does a lot of it and I always learn new and interesting facts when reading. This time, I got to learn a lot about Japan.
I’ll also say something else about this series here as it affects the way that I view the characters and their relationships. I started reading Cutting Cords with book 2 – Vessel. I did not read book 1 until after I had finished Cleave. Therefore, I did not form the same relationship with Cole and Sloan that others did. I liked them but I always felt that this series was about Sloan – it was not about Cole and Sloan. However, after reading Cutting Cords I can understand why some people were upset when Cole and Sloan did not make it as a couple then.
Throughout this series I watched Sloan develop from a man who was racked with problems and who cut himself as a way of controlling the situation to a man who was in control of himself. He still had problems but, with help, he became his own person. The help that he needed came firstly from Cole and then from Trent. I was quite happy that he and Sloan were together but there was still something not right.
In book 4 – Cutting Out – I think that the wrongs in the relationships are finally corrected.
The synopsis is a simple one and can be read at the top of the page so I wont repeat it now. What we see in this book is a freshness coming into the relationship between Sloan and Cole as they are forced together in order to save the twins. We also see the breakdown of another relationship as that couple grow apart. This latter couple realize new goals as they face the fact that what they once had is no longer what they need.
The book has more action than others. Its main time frame is a short one so a lot happens in a short space of time. I found that when I started reading I did not put the book down for any length of time until I had finished it. I wanted to know what happened.
One other spoiler – and I know that I would go looking for this information before I finished the book. Freddie, Cole’s dog, is along for the ride but he is there and he is okay right to the end. So, if you are worried about something happening to him in the story, don’t be.
This book is definitely recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2015
I love Mickie B's writing.
It is always so deeply emotional and it just flows off the page. Suddenly I am transported to a scene that is just so real it takes me away from my immediate surroundings. Not a good thing if I am cooking but excellent when I have that unrestricted time.
And this is one of my favourite series. I have them all in paperbacks and I won this one in a prize draw :) but I delayed and delayed reading it because I wanted the time to be perfect.
And it was.
Here again is Sloane, now settled in his life with Trent but then all of a sudden things happen to disturb the peaceful waters. Trent wants to return to the army and try out for six weeks. At the same time Cole needs help because his kids have been kidnapped and taken to Japan. Sloan lets go his anger against Trent so that he can help Cole retrieve his kids.
And in this strange way Sloan finds himself yet again having to deal with two men and their need of him but the way in which their love for him is just so complex and difficult.
I really like Sloan and his love for these two men and his open hearted vulnerability that leads him to put these selfish assholes before himself time and time again!!!
Yes both Trent and Cole are selfish as can be seen in the previous books and they are both still selfish. This isn't my favourite book in the series and I disliked seeing these two selfish men again and the way Sloan is caught in between the two of them. I would prefer Sloan to walk away from both of them.
Alas I am not the author!!!
I read this and enjoyed it but inwardly I feel disgruntled. Sloan could do so much better!! Bah!! Humbug!!
In any case despite my dislike of the assholes I thought this was a good story. I did think the amount of drama in the middle of the book and the things Sloan went through and how he just swept them aside afterwards were a bit unrealistic. I thought Noriko's behaviour felt a bit unrealistic too. Those parts of the story felt a bit too super humanish, as if the X-men would swoop in and save the day, a bit too far fetched for me but I still enjoyed the story.
Apart from that and apart from the fact that I don't like Sloan's choice of men, I thought this was a good book. I would love to have a grand finale with Sloan meeting someone entirely different who would treat him as the prince he is but other than that this was great!
And I enjoyed it.
And it still remains one of my favourite mm series.
so thanks Mickie B :)
It is always so deeply emotional and it just flows off the page. Suddenly I am transported to a scene that is just so real it takes me away from my immediate surroundings. Not a good thing if I am cooking but excellent when I have that unrestricted time.
And this is one of my favourite series. I have them all in paperbacks and I won this one in a prize draw :) but I delayed and delayed reading it because I wanted the time to be perfect.
And it was.
Here again is Sloane, now settled in his life with Trent but then all of a sudden things happen to disturb the peaceful waters. Trent wants to return to the army and try out for six weeks. At the same time Cole needs help because his kids have been kidnapped and taken to Japan. Sloan lets go his anger against Trent so that he can help Cole retrieve his kids.
And in this strange way Sloan finds himself yet again having to deal with two men and their need of him but the way in which their love for him is just so complex and difficult.
I really like Sloan and his love for these two men and his open hearted vulnerability that leads him to put these selfish assholes before himself time and time again!!!
Yes both Trent and Cole are selfish as can be seen in the previous books and they are both still selfish. This isn't my favourite book in the series and I disliked seeing these two selfish men again and the way Sloan is caught in between the two of them. I would prefer Sloan to walk away from both of them.
Alas I am not the author!!!
I read this and enjoyed it but inwardly I feel disgruntled. Sloan could do so much better!! Bah!! Humbug!!
In any case despite my dislike of the assholes I thought this was a good story. I did think the amount of drama in the middle of the book and the things Sloan went through and how he just swept them aside afterwards were a bit unrealistic. I thought Noriko's behaviour felt a bit unrealistic too. Those parts of the story felt a bit too super humanish, as if the X-men would swoop in and save the day, a bit too far fetched for me but I still enjoyed the story.
Apart from that and apart from the fact that I don't like Sloan's choice of men, I thought this was a good book. I would love to have a grand finale with Sloan meeting someone entirely different who would treat him as the prince he is but other than that this was great!
And I enjoyed it.
And it still remains one of my favourite mm series.
so thanks Mickie B :)
December 18, 2014
Cutting Out is the fourth installment in Mickie B. Ashling's series featuring Sloan Driscoll, Cole Fujiwara & Trent Hamilton. This entire series has been a rollercoaster of extreme highs and lows for this trio and this outing is no exception.
Sloan and Trent are weeks away from their wedding when their respective pasts threaten their happiness. Trent is about to resume his military career despite Sloan's objections when Sloan learns that ex-lover and close friend Cole's ex-wife and twin sons have been kidnapped. While Trent goes off on a mission before re-enlisting, Sloan and Cole must travel to Japan to deliver the ransom to the kidnappers.
Sloan and Cole have so much history between them that it is no surprise that they quickly settle into their old routines. Both characters have grown and matured over the years and their interactions reflect these changes. Sloan is more level-headed and he is better equipped to deal with his insecurities. Cole is more open to Sloan's suggestions and willing to take his advice. Sloan is surprised when his old feelings for Cole rise to the surface but their relationship remains platonic.
The disintegration of Sloan and Trent's relationship is similar to the rapid end to Sloan's relationship with Cole in book two of the series, Vessel. Trent makes a unilateral decision about his career and he expects Sloan to go along with it without any discussion. Trent arrives at what he thinks is the perfect solution for their relationship problems, but will Sloan agree?
Cutting Out is a superb addition to the Cutting Cords series. It is an engaging read that is fast-paced and full of unexpected twists and turns. Once again, Mickie B. Ashling keeps readers guessing how Sloan and Trent will resolve their issues, but I think everyone will be satisfied with the novel's conclusion.
Sloan and Trent are weeks away from their wedding when their respective pasts threaten their happiness. Trent is about to resume his military career despite Sloan's objections when Sloan learns that ex-lover and close friend Cole's ex-wife and twin sons have been kidnapped. While Trent goes off on a mission before re-enlisting, Sloan and Cole must travel to Japan to deliver the ransom to the kidnappers.
Sloan and Cole have so much history between them that it is no surprise that they quickly settle into their old routines. Both characters have grown and matured over the years and their interactions reflect these changes. Sloan is more level-headed and he is better equipped to deal with his insecurities. Cole is more open to Sloan's suggestions and willing to take his advice. Sloan is surprised when his old feelings for Cole rise to the surface but their relationship remains platonic.
The disintegration of Sloan and Trent's relationship is similar to the rapid end to Sloan's relationship with Cole in book two of the series, Vessel. Trent makes a unilateral decision about his career and he expects Sloan to go along with it without any discussion. Trent arrives at what he thinks is the perfect solution for their relationship problems, but will Sloan agree?
Cutting Out is a superb addition to the Cutting Cords series. It is an engaging read that is fast-paced and full of unexpected twists and turns. Once again, Mickie B. Ashling keeps readers guessing how Sloan and Trent will resolve their issues, but I think everyone will be satisfied with the novel's conclusion.
November 19, 2014
A great ending to a wonderful series.
I don't know how to express how much I loved this series. Sloan was an amazing, complex, strong, weak and just plain good person (character). I was with him 100% every step of the way in this journey. And the end was perfect...and as angry and appalled as I was at times with certain characters I'm shocked that I feel that way. Happily shocked! Thanks Mickie B. Washing for an unforgettable journey.
I don't know how to express how much I loved this series. Sloan was an amazing, complex, strong, weak and just plain good person (character). I was with him 100% every step of the way in this journey. And the end was perfect...and as angry and appalled as I was at times with certain characters I'm shocked that I feel that way. Happily shocked! Thanks Mickie B. Washing for an unforgettable journey.
November 23, 2015
This was a surprise and a roller coaster, much in keeping with the themes of the previous books. Mickie Ashling has perfected the 180 degree turn. I had just reread Cleave to refresh myself on where the story left off. Just when you think you know where it's going the story takes a complete turn in this final installment.
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