Salvation

The Protectors, Book 2

By: Sloane Kennedy

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

"I lifted my gaze to tell Seth no but then I saw it. The thing I'd feared I'd lost. It wasn't hero worship or the wayward emotions of an innocent child. And it wasn't some distorted reflection of a man who no longer existed. All I saw was me...the way he saw me." (Ronan)

Trauma surgeon Ronan Grisham lost everything the day the man he loved was stolen from him in a brutal attack. Driven by a thirst for vengeance, he turns his hatred into building an underground group that can do what he couldn't that fateful day...take the lives of the guilty to save the lives of the innocent. But years later, he's forced to confront the one link to his past that he can't sever.

Seven years after the loss of his parents in a violent home invasion that left him permanently scarred both inside and out, 21-year-old Seth Nichols is trying to put his life back together so he can take over the reins of his father's global shipping empire. But the last person he expects to come back into his life is the man he drove away with one innocent, stolen kiss.

With one brush of his lips, Seth managed to do to Ronan what no other had since the day Ronan watched the light in his fiancé's eyes go out forever. He made him need again. But Ronan can't need anyone, least of all his dead fiancé's younger brother. Because even one touch from Seth could shatter Ronan's carefully constructed world and Ronan knows there's no coming back from that a second time.

But when a series of escalating attacks against Seth forces Ronan back into his life, Seth knows it's his last chance to show Ronan he can be the man the broken surgeon needs. Only the Ronan who returns isn't the Ronan Seth fell in love with so long ago....

Can Seth be Ronan's salvation or will he end up destroying them both?

©2016 Sloane Kennedy (P)2017 Sloane Kennedy

Fantastic narration, angst-fest!

This is hard to review. On the one hand, as the many, many reviewers before me have stated, this is a powerful book with two very broken MCs and if you enjoyed book one, it’s style and it’s characters are replicated here, so the continuation is nice.

However, the one big difference between one and two is how the “salvation” comes about. Ronan has some pretty serious trust/intimacy issues and it takes him awhile to work them through. While he’s working through them he is a DICK to Seth. It was painful to watch Seth throw himself at Ronan over and over and see Ronan treat him like dirt. It made both men hard to like/respect.

But… with time and patience both men do make significant changes in how the approach/are treated by the other. I had to bite the bullet and keep reading because I was tempted to bail after the initial sex scene between the two – but it does get much better.

The mystery element is there, as is the reveal of our next MC – Hawke, and a re-visit with our triad from book one.

All in all it was a gripping story that kept my interest – while I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as book one – I am really enjoying the continuation of the saga and can’t wait to dive into book 3.

4 of 5 stars

Audio

I loved the way Joel interpreted these characters. He’s just so good with the emotion and giving each character a truly unique voice. This absolutely is the best way to enjoy this story and I LOVED his interpretation of Ronan’s voice as well as Hawke’s. Fantastic! Highly Recommended!

5 of 5 stars for the audio

4.5 of 5 stars for the audiobook

Perfection

Sloane Kennedy does hurt/comfort like no one else. Joel Leslie is a narration genius. He puts so much emotion into the characters, whose voices are very distinctive, that you can't help reacting to their pain and their joy. And their arousal. 😉

His Salvation

Would you consider the audio edition of Salvation to be better than the print version?

I would consider this audio to be just as good as the book in print form! I loved hearing the characters come to life for me as I listened to their story unfolding.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Ronan's character! His character is one that carries the weight of the world on his shoulders but loves so hard and will die to protect those around him at any cost! He just needs the love of the right man to help with all his burdens!

Have you listened to any of Joel Leslie’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not that I am aware of!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Sexy, strong and will powered men will always win their love in the end!

Any additional comments?

I love this series and can not wait until the books are made available on audio!!

love it.

man I love Sloan's books but hearing the story told by the narrator was amazing.

Absolutely love!

Oh wow! I love Joel Leslie! He did such an amazing job on this! I love the emotion he puts into the characters! I loved this book and the series is one of my favorites and to hear it come to life was amazing!! He's such a true talent!! And I love me some Sloane Kennedy!!❤️❤️❤️

Loved it.

I must say I am a big fan of the Protector series & I'm thrilled that the audio was amazing. Joel Leslie really brings to life Ronan & Seth. I loved the way his voice changes to reflect each character & scene. He made it so easy to fall into the story & feel everything!! Seth & Ronan's story was heartbreaking. It's a story of love lost & found, of friendship. Two very different men, both equally broken in their own different ways trying to keep it together. I loved both the book & the audio & definitely recommend both. l loved the teaser at the end & look forward to listening to Retribution & hearing Hawks story. I was gifted a copy of the audio from the narrator.

hot hot hot🔥🔥🔥🔥

I really liked the ebook but I LOVE the audible version. The narrator had a few slip ups when switching between characters but it in no way detracted from the story.

Loved it!!

Any additional comments?

Joel Leslie did an awesome job in narrating Salvation.
Having already read this book, Mr Leslie added yet another dimension to the characters for me. He put a lot of emotion into his reading and brought Seth & Ronan to life.

I was given this audiobook and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Well done Sloane Kennedy & Joel Leslie!

Hot, hot, hot!

Story: 4.5 Stars
Narration: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Story:

I have been meaning to read Sloane Kennedy’s books for a while. I actually have 4 on my Kindle, but my reading schedule can get really crazy, so I had been unable to get to it even if Jaymie, my co-blogger, and Rita, one of our reviewers, have told me over and over to try her books out. I got the chance to review this audiobook, so of course, I grabbed it with both hands and I was blown away by Sloane’s storytelling skills!

It wasn’t an easy read, it was dark and angsty and gritty, it was very intense in some parts and really, mind the warnings, there are some scenes that are difficult to go through. There were a couple of scenes that were almost a bit too much for me, especially one at the start of the book, but I persevered and I’m quite glad I did, I would’ve hated to miss out on a fantastic book, because of something that in the end didn’t turn out to be as bad as it looked like. (Vague much? LOL)

Narration:

Joel Leslie did a fantastic job bringing Seth to life, I could feel his anguish, his pain, his love for Ronin coming through in the narration. Unfortunately, Ronin’s voice didn’t quite work for me. It was too hoarse, too uneven. It didn’t feel as natural as with Seth and that diminished my enjoyment of the audiobook a bit.

Still, I have to give the narrator props for his great job with the hotter than hot scenes that Sloane Kennedy wrote, because, damn, if I wasn’t afraid that my Kindle was about to catch on fire. *fans self*

Overall, the narration was engrossing and I was captivated by both the story between Ronin and Seth and everything else happening in the background. There were more than enough twists and turns to keep me guessing and at the edge of my seat wondering how it would all play out. It’s undeniable that Ms. Kennedy is a fantastic writer and I, for one, will be reading the other books in the series ASAP.

Highly recommendable!

So intense!!!

Wow. I had already read the book and had enjoyed it immensely, but to listen to it was a different kind of experience. The story was still a great read. Like any re-read you get more out of it the second, or third in this case, time. plus, the was Joel narrated made the emotions so much more. I look forward to listening to many more of Sloane Kennedy's books. I was given this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving a review. I have read every one of her books so I have no doubt it will be just as great an experience to listen to the others.

Fabulous Narrated

I love Sloane Kennedys books, but listening to Salvation gave it more depth. Reading this book is Joel Leslie(who I have listen to before)
This is the Ronan and Seth. Ronan lost everything the day his lover died, later he kept going back to keep an eye on Seth without Seth knowing, that was until Bullet the dog Ronan had brought for Seth stopped him then the story takes of to different past problems. But of course it ends with the happy ending.
Joel put his whole being into reading this book. Well worth listening too.

brilliant

Brilliant. Narration was perfect. All the emotions of Ronan and Seth. both men had been through so much and this book explains their past and how they eventually get together.

Absolutely Brilliant 💙

WOW......Outstanding the protectors series is simply brilliant been waiting to listen to this was gripped from the start couldn't stop listening to this Ronan and Seth story is emotional and heartbreaking two broken but special men that need each other to move forward despite their fear and Joel Leslie was amazing in bringing out all the emotions and delivered a brilliant story recommend so much. 💚

Salvation

Extremely well written book as with all of this author's books, narration fitted well to th e characters.

Ronan and Seth

Loving this series. My heart breaks with what these men have had to live with. Ronan loses his Fiancee and starts up a company to hand out justice. Seth has lost all his family and needs Ronan's love. Can't wait to continue their journey

great

Enjoyed the story.

Didn't really care for the narration, this was the first book I've listened to by this narrator. Voice was too raspy, like the narrator was yelling while whispering. It wasn't annoying enough that I could not listen or enjoy the story but if the narrator sounds this way for the entire series I would sick of it real fast. (In the bonus first chapter of book 3 the narrator had a cleaner sounding voice).

A gripping listen

Well that was explosive. There are no slow moments in this book - it's a tense, action-packed, unrelenting whirlwind. I loved it from the first word and struggled to put it down, gripped to the end and beyond, the story staying with me long after I'd finished listening. I've read most of Sloane Kennedy's Protectors series, and none of them in the right order! :) I'd never read this one though so I went back in time for this and really enjoyed listening to Roman's origins. It was hard to listen to at times as there's some serious angst here, so it's not for the faint of heart! Not many stories can make me properly tear up, but this one did at one particular moment (and I have to skip that bit on re-listens!). Joel Leslie is fantastic - as usual - nothing to improve here.

I've bought book four on audible too, and I'd love a few more (when and if they arrive on audible).
Great work, both of you!

I love this book

But the narration wasn’t for me. I was pulled out of the story and that wasn’t what I wanted.

so much emotion!

When I listen to a book, I try really REALLY hard to write a bit about the book then a separate bit about the narration.

However! Part of the reason I am enjoying these Protectors stories is the narration by Joel Leslie! So I cannot split them!

I'm not a fan of READING first person books and I make no apologies for that but LISTENING to them is becoming a firm favourite! Joel Leslie put so much emotion, feeling so much of the character's very soul into his work, and by god you feel for these guys, you really do!

I have no doubt, no doubt at all, hat I WILL be listening to the others books as they come out in audio. I don't want to switch to reading, I might not enjoy them so much!

5 stars for the book
5 stars for the narration.

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Better Than Reading The Book!!

I am going to be totally honest here, and say I loved the book, and I wasn't sure that the audio version would hold me as much as the ebook I have - boy was I wrong about that ! I have actually listened to this about three or four times now, and for some reason it just gets better each time I listen. All the raw emotion that was within the book, is also right here on the audio. Hats off to you Joel Leslie, you were incredible on this audio. This is one audio that I will continue to listen to again and again.

Seth is slowly getting his life back together, since the horrifying event of his parents deaths. However, it seems just as he is beginning to live a more normal life, it seems like someone doesn't want him to do so. Now enter Ronan, who doesn't seem to like being anywhere near Seth - or does he??

Ronan is a total conundrum really. You have met him before, but I have to say I wasn't sure about him. He comes across as a total loner, only interacting when he has to.... but this seems to be just a facade to puts up to keep people away. Is it possible for Seth to break through this façade?

Both Ronan and Seth don't realise how much they need each other, but both have to overcome their fears to get anywhere, but that is not as easy as it seems. To me, Ronan seems to crave what Seth is offering, but is held back in painful memories.

I am not going to give away the plot of the book, but rest assured you will be gripped by this story, complete with twists and turns. You will also be drawn right into the audio with Joel Leslie, he has a way of holding you in the story – so much so that you really won’t want to stop listening!!

If you love Sloane Kennedys books and also like audio I would highly recommend this audio to add to your collection – you will not be disappointed.

Audio gifted in exchange for an honest review