Beyond Duty: Beyond Duty, Book 1

De: SJD Peterson

Narrado por: Jonathan Young

The repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" didn't come soon enough for Gunther "Gunny" Duchene and Macalister "Mac" Jones, career US Marines who met at boot camp in the 1990s. They've been somewhere between best friends and lovers in peacetime and wartime both, but as the clock ticks toward Mac's and Gunny's retirements, the guys have much more to worry about than coming out.

Whether their relationship will survive outside of the closet they've had to shove it into for over two decades is a big question mark. Gunny questions why a hot military man like Mac - who could get any guy he wanted, including a younger, sexier one - would want him. But as Gunny and Mac navigate emotional waters as choppy as any they saw on duty, they just might learn Semper Fi applies to more than their careers.

©2013 SJD Peterson (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

Great new narrator to voice our fav MM reads!

If you could sum up Beyond Duty: Beyond Duty, Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

Sexy, Emotional, Vibrant

What other book might you compare Beyond Duty: Beyond Duty, Book 1 to and why?

Don't Judge by AE Via. The characters are very similar, two strong alpha male types coming together and finding their own way to co-exist.

What about Jonathan Young’s performance did you like?

Yes I did! Will definitely be looking for more from him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The conversation Mac has at the breakfast table with his mother, I was weeping!

Any additional comments?

Gunther Duchene and Macalister Jones have been best friends and friends with benefits for the last twenty something years. With retirement approaching, both men are both elated and depressed with their pending exit from the military. Having not shared the intensity of their feelings for each other, the mutual interest in taking that relationship to the next level, they are both suffering thinking retirement also means losing the benefits part of their friendship.

Within an hour of the book starting Gunny and Mac have a heart to heart and talk to each other, share their feelings and agree to take that next step. (I have to say I was very pleased that there wasn’t that awkward not opening up, angsty, dragging out the way they really feel aspect to this part of the story.) But retirement is a few months away, and DADT has not quite yet been repealed on paper, so the two men have to continue to keep their relationship under wraps for a little while longer. The strain doesn't come from the DADT aspect so much as the fact they've actually been living their lives in secrecy with their family and friends as well. They both fear how their parents especially will react to learning not only are their respective sons gay, but they are lovers as well instead of merely best friends.

This story was so well written and conveyed that I was engaged and intrigued throughout. I loved the way there was this sprinkle of BDSM in the story, whereas Gunny has a kinky side and occasionally, Mac has to be a bit more stern with him than usual. I mean, I've read alpha male storylines before where both men are the archa type, but I don't think I've ever read any type of BDSM where the willing partners are so equally matched. It was a nice surprise. The love and respect that these two men shared was so compelling, that I was completely enamored with them. And the conversation that Mac had with his mom over breakfast completely restored my faith in parents loving unconditionally.

I’ve read Peterson’s work before and I’m always intrigued with her ability to write such strong characters and believable storylines, this was my first audio with Young though. I have to say I was very impressed with his voice, the way he brought Gunny and Mac to life was amazing. There is a couple times where Gunny is really put through the ringer emotionally and Young captured the pain and confusion he was feeling in the tone he chose to use at that time. He really immersed himself into the story completely as well, right down to every moan, groan and sexy little detail. Strong nuances and inflections, I’ll definitely be listening to his work again.

If you are a fan of strong, confident alpha males, military men and love stories with a harder edge then you’ll enjoy this story for sure.

Beautiful easy listen

Blue Roses: 4
Blue Flames: 4

Such an endearing love story. These two men were best friends and lovers during the time of "Don't ask, Don't tell. It's time to retire and finally the law has been repealed. We walk with them through their last days prior to their retirement ceremony. It was heartwarming and beautiful. I can not believe I skipped over this book many many times while browsing my wish list.

I loved these two men, especially because they are both sexy alpha males. The sex is hot and my heart melted by Gunny and Mac's love for each other. They are honest in their love for each other. I did not experience the usual drama and misunderstandings most of the romances have. Their love was the constant from which the story of their lives were told.the narrator.

Narrator: I was impressed by the narrator. He did a great job. I listened comfortably with no problems. His voices for the characters were distinguishable.

I do recommend this audiobook if you are in the mood for a steadfast, undying love story between two retired US Marines.

Happy Listening

Awesome, Touching Book

What made the experience of listening to Beyond Duty: Beyond Duty, Book 1 the most enjoyable?

The life that was brought to each individual character by the distinct voices and inflections.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beyond Duty: Beyond Duty, Book 1?

The retirement ceremony.

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

I have no listened to Jonathan Young before, but he was amazing. I really enjoyed the way he narrated the book.

Right in the feels

Any additional comments?

Two months prior to his retirement after twenty-two years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Gunny Duchene is floored to see that Obama is about to sign a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Twenty-two years too late for Gunny to be able to be out and proud with the love of his life, fellow Marine, Macalister Jones.

Mac's retiring in two months as well, in fact they're celebrating their retirement ceremony together, and Mac has big plans that have grown bigger with the realization that they will be able to be honest about being together for the first time as they say good-bye to active duty in their beloved Corps.

The story chronicles the emotions both men face about their impending retirement, facing their families about their relationship, and finally facing the Corps that made them the men they are today as a couple. Jonathan Young gives a solid performance with the narration of both the emotional times and the sexy times.

Told especially well from both Gunny and Mac's POV I enjoyed this thoroughly.

This is definitely a solid story featuring an established couple, a lot of very hot sex, quite a bit of quiet romance, and a surprising amount of feels.

RECOMMENDED!

More

Wish you could write the beginning of there relationship. Would love to read it. The bond they share is remarkable.