Absolution

The Protectors, Book 1

By: Sloane Kennedy

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

After four years abroad, artist Jonas Davenport has come home to start building his dream of owning his own art studio and gallery. But just as he's ready to put the darkness of his past behind him forever, it comes roaring back with a vengeance.

The only thing keeping ex-cop Mace Calhoun from eating his own gun after an unthinkable loss is his role in an underground syndicate that seeks to get justice for the innocent by taking the lives of the guilty. Ending the life of the young artist who committed unspeakable crimes against the most vulnerable of victims should have been the easiest thing in the world. So why can't he bring himself to pull the trigger?

After years of fighting in an endless, soul-sucking war, Navy SEAL Cole Bridgerton has come home to fight another battle - dealing with the discovery that the younger sister who ran away from home eight years earlier is lost to him forever. He needs answers and the only person who can give them to him is a young man struggling to put his life back together. But he never expected to feel something more for the haunted artist.

Cole and Mace. One lives by the rules, the other makes his own. One seeks justice through the law while the other seeks it with his gun. Two men, one light, one dark, will find themselves and each other when they're forced to stand side by side to protect Jonas from an unseen evil that will stop at nothing to silence the young artist forever.

But each man's scars run deep and even the strength of three may not be enough to save them.

Note: Contains m/m/m scenes and is intended for mature audiences.

©2016 Sloane Kennedy (P)2016 Sloane Kennedy

A definite hit

This was my first Audible experience and I must say it was amazing. I had already read Absolution but was offered the chance to listen and review for free. Can't pass up on that :)
Being able to hear the voices gives another level of meaning to the story. You can just feel it more. I was not disappointed and will definitely do more audio in the future.

Hot - Hot - Hot

4.5 stars, rounded up for superb narration!

Umm, please excuse me while I take a cold shower. Definitely one of the hottest books I've read in a while. I will admit it was a bit over the top and there was some pretty serious insta-love, but this book was totally addictive. I couldn't put it down! It reminded me of a soap opera, a secret guilty pleasure of mine. I had to know what happened next with Jonas, Mace and Cole. I am sooo looking forward to Ronan's book. As much as I want to run off and read it right now, I will patiently wait for the audiobook...

Holy Hot Threesome !!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

OMG yes for sure. Riveting story, breath stopping danger, damning anger and passion all rolled together.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think Mace. I loved Jonas and Cole, but 'felt' Mace.. Such tragedy. His loss was unbearable. I cried for him and loved him.

What about Joel Leslie’s performance did you like?

Joel out did himself again. He improves with every story he reads.He seems to live each character. You can feel them and see them in your mind as he describes the actions in the book.

If you could take any character from Absolution out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Again Mace. I would love to pick his brain. He is so deep and private. I see a brooding hunk when I picture him. And I'd like to give him a big hug.

Any additional comments?

I am all excited about Book 2. Can not wait to get my hands and ears on it. Hurry up Sloan and don't forget Joel he has to read this one too. Great book, is on my favorite listen to again list.

Overall..., an Excellent Journey!!

This beginning to the Protectors Series is my second foray. Having read the series first, now enjoying the narrative, I have a totally new appreciation for Sloane Kennedy's work. Heavy angst is offset by the characters themselves. Damaged, suffering, healing, and bringing one another with them as they ultimately recognize where they needed to be, a well-crafted story, despite the dark subject matter.

Joel Leslie is a newer narrator for me; his voice, at times, would irritate and then elevate the subject matter. His sexy, rumbling bass register was perfect for portraying the large, dominant men crafted, but ambiguous for the softer/feminine points of view. All in all, it worked to create a pleasing trio of MC's, after acclimating myself to its resonance.

Of course I'm getting ready for book two, excited to revisit Ronan's story. As a former therapist, I truly appreciated Ms. Kennedy's research, creating the (believable) depth of her characters. She paid attention to the need, loss, and eventual healing of her people. Tying together a "thruple," into a believable finished product, was very impressive!

On to book 2! I see my FAVORITE narrator, Michael Dean, coming up. I confess to following his magic for YEARS, and consume almost anything with his name associated!!

Really enjoyable!

This is the first book in the Protectors series by Sloane Kennedy and is MMM. Joel Leslie does a fantastic job of differentiating the different voices for the 3 MCs. This is an angst fest, but very enjoyable. The ILYs happen pretty quickly, but seemed believable. The sex scenes were very hot and the narration of those was excellent. This was a very good audiobook and I am looking forward to listening to the rest of the series.

**I received a few copy of this audiobook from the author**