Above and beyond the call of duty… lasting half a century, the McLeods have every reason to be grateful and James McLeod is happy to show their appreciation. But is he motivated purely by a sense of duty? Wealthy and successful, James is a Dom, used to getting what he wants. And he wants Heather.
As the sole police officer on the remote Highland isle, Heather has a job to do and a promotion to earn. Assertive in her work, she doesn’t welcome distractions. But Heather is shy and unsure in her personal life, and James’ skilled touch both terrifies and intrigues her. Will she dare to take what he is offering?
Submission does not come easily for a woman trained to take charge. Or maybe it comes just a little too easily…
One thing is for sure—James McLeod proves hard to resist.
But can James protect Heather when she is at her most vulnerable? Especially when a dark and dangerous secret which has festered for years suddenly resurfaces and threatens to destroy all she has worked for.
If you enjoyed Highland Odyssey you will not want to miss this page-turning sequel. Above and Beyond charts the turbulent and sensual love story of PC Heather Douglas and James McLeod against the beautiful, atmospheric backdrop of the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands and the exciting, bustling city of Winnipeg in Alberta, Canada.
Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers.
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~Truly lovely romantic suspense, mystery, with an erotic edge~
A meeting occurred two years prior, but things did not really gel between them until the passing of someone dear to them both brings them together.
The sizzle between Officer Heather Douglas and James McLeod is definitely there, but her independent and practical brain discourages her heart before anything can begin. Confident and secure, James is ready to take it to the next level, and he has much to show this woman who has captured his interest.
So sets the stage for the ebb and flow of suspense and mystery elements, along with the bloom of their romance, with wonderful descriptions of the isolated Highland isles and surroundings as well as a major city in Canada, and the ties of family and roots.
Highland Mystery!
From the Isle of Skye, Scotland to Alberta, Canada “Above and Beyond (The Skye Duet Book 2)” is a roller-coaster ride of emotion, family, mystery and suspense. As a reader with an avid interest in both the Inner Hebrides and Orkney Islands, the ability of Ms. Barker to transport readers to the Scottish Highlands as well as Winnipeg, Canada in strikingly realistic imagery is unsurpassed. In addition, Ms. Barker intricately captures the culture of Skye, portraying residents with vivid depictions incorporating local speech, characteristics as well as demeanor. “Above and Beyond” is more than simply erotica but also an adventure integrating diverse characterizations, complex characters, intelligent dialogue, mystery and heat. Character chemistry is intense, at times kinky and completely convincing. Although a true dominant, James is portrayed as a caring individual and Heather as an intelligent, capable police officer with a vulnerable side. Skillfully written and fast-paced, “Above and Beyond” is difficult to put down and an exhilarating counterpart to “Highland Odyssey (The Skye Duet Book 1)”.
Disclaimer: No Kindles were seriously harmed while reading this novel. Children 18 + only due to explicit sexual encounters within a BDSM theme and unequal power exchange relationship!
Disclaimer for the Disclaimer… The term “seriously harmed” is not intended to include: overheating, scorch marks, minor melting or inconsequential fire that can be put out with an extinguisher. Fire retardant gloves highly recommended while reading. Reviewer is not responsible for run-on sentences, misplaced commas or illegal use of overly descriptive language.
RATING DETAILS (Based on 1 to 5 Gold Stars):
Steam Factor: 5 Dominant Stars
Writing Style: 5 Professional Stars
PLOT: 5 Suspenseful Stars
Engaging Characters: 5 Complex Stars
Satisfying Conclusion: 5 Satiating Stars
The Skye Duet, Book 2. Can she survive this baptism of fire…or him?
SPOILER ALERT: It’s really best if you read this duet in order. Book 1 (Highland Odyssey) is definitely not a cliffhanger. But If you’ve haven’t read Highland Odyssey, you may miss some backstory on both the main characters in Above and Beyond, and this review may contain spoilers.
That night shattered me. But I had no choice. I buried it in the depths of my soul and moved on. Heather Douglas lets nothing stop her! Then, a mere year later, I took Harry McLeod to Angus and Ann-Marie. It seemed the right thing to do. But what did I start? As the chaos that is Clan McLeod descends, it’s up to me, the sole police presence on Skye. I can handle ANYTHING, right? Except James McLeod? Oozing charm, seducing with a look, leaving me breathless. His dark dominance entices and captivates. And he wants what? No…just NO! I won’t! He’s leaving. I can’t. I won’t do this! Then—out of nowhere—HE’S back! The utter blackness of that night returns! But just who is he? I’ve never known. The terror can’t take me. I’ve a job to do. Only, how? As things spiral out of control, there have to be answers. Where? And just how does James fit into all this? I can’t let my past affect my present, blind me to what’s right in front of me. It may hurt like hell, but I have to know the truth. Or do I?
Heather and James are like both oil and water and the opposite poles of a magnet. Heather’s dazzling, the consummate, independent officer of the law, loving, dedicated, kind, and generous. She’s also stubborn as hell, and doesn’t take anything from anyone. You can’t help but love her. And James? He’s seems the ultimate in entitlement but with compassion, warmth, and a sense of genuine caring. Wealthy, sinfully sexy, and overwhelmingly dominant. And that dominance bewitches Heather. But just exactly who, or maybe what, is James? He’s obviously used to getting whatever he wants no matter the cost. And what does Heather really know about him? Does being a McLeod mean anything? There’s never a dull moment in this story, with twists and turns pulling you along at breakneck speed. Ashe Barker’s books are always a slice of heaven for me. I love how she creates a stunning mosaic of people, emotions, mystery, beauty, and sexy romance with every story she writes. The supporting characters are just as beautiful and well-developed as the main ones. Then she tops it off with gorgeous descriptions of the Scottish highlands that are mind blowing. And no matter how much I thought I knew what was coming, nothing could have prepared me for this book’s ending. Thank you, Ms. Barker! I was enthralled and captivated from the first page. This book is a true delight!
A final note. This is an ADULT book. It contains explicit language and BDSM sexual scenes. If you don’t enjoy this genre, this may not be the book for you. Check the book blurbs and reviews available on Goodreads, BookBub, and Amazon. Please use them before buying this book. I absolutely adored this book. You HAVE to read it! I’m positive you’ll love it too!
Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!
A good solid mystery with a hot romance to back it up. I really enjoyed the plot and how the story progressed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A woman strong professionaly, but unsure personally and a dominant alpha male with a purpose.
Add in some mystery, chemisty, intrigue and secrets and this story that arcs over a period of years is a gripping read!
Ashe Barker deftly combines romantic suspense, the glory of the Scottish Highlands, and a touch of BDSM in Above and Beyond. The heroine Heather is a marvelous character: an independent woman forging a career as a police officer, living in a rural community in the UK and proud of her local people and her work. I loved that Heather isn’t defined by any of the Bechtel test principles. She doesn’t need to have her life revolve around a man, and indeed, Above and Beyond doesn’t. While the first half of the book does focus on the growing relationship between Heather and James (brother of the hero of the first book in this series, Highland Odyssey), the second half of Above and Beyond deals with a mystery and a danger to the women of Skye and how they rise to the challenge and address it.
The story is told from Heather’s point of view, so our awareness of her hero James is by default not as strong. He’s a bit on the perfect side (rich, principled, thoughtful, handsome), so I liked that the complications from their relationship arose from assumptions and silences on both their parts; it illustrated his humanity.
The BDSM elements are also nicely underplayed. While not overtly stated, these two are experienced in this lifestyle, so there’s none of the usual “let me teach this to you” pedagogy going on. It’s just two people who add elements to their relationship that are a bit unusual. And matter-of-factly having Heather be submissive in her sexuality but competent and driven in all the other aspects of her life was wonderful.
The suspense story that develops in the second half of Above and Beyond is well handled, and I loved that the emphasis in this part of the book was on the women: Heather, her higher-up contact Stella, and the local women Jenny and Sally. (CW for attacks on women, as that’s what drives the suspense.) These women work together to address the mystery they need to solve, with the men aiding them. It was a refreshing perspective for a romantic suspense angle.
Barker shows again why she’s one of the best in her genre with Above and Beyond. And with its strong female focus, this book is a treat for fans of romantic suspense with a splash of BDSM romance on top.
I was really taken with this story. The way it unfolds. Everything was so subtle that it all just flowed. The subject matter was intense but not in an in your face way. Human trafficking, murder, kidnapping. All very deep but the way it was all told in this story just made sense. It was enjoyable to follow Heather and James journey of discovery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.