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The Hardest Word #2
Hard Lessons
The Hardest
The Hardest Word charts the sensual journey of Freya North and Nick Hardisty. Unable to speak since early childhood Freya’s fortunes change dramatically when she finds herself holding the winning Euromillions Lottery ticket. Over forty million pounds richer, she still can’t buy the one thing she really wants—a skilled Master to train her in the fine art of submission.
Her first ill-fated approach to Nick Hardisty, a Dom who comes highly recommended, earns her a punishment spanking at his BDSM club. From the outset Nick is able to find ways around and beyond Freya’s communication issues to release her innermost submissive instincts. Fascinated, intrigued, and hopelessly attracted to Freya, Nick does agree to train her, but on his terms not hers.
Freya moves into his home for one month. The deal is total obedience, and absolute submission. But while her body, and her emotions, are an open book, she doesn’t reveal to him the true extent of her wealth.
As their relationship develops and deepens, how long can Freya keep her secret from the powerful Dom who insists on total honesty from her in every respect? As her two separate lives threaten to collide, Freya is torn between the stern Master she has come to adore, and the opportunities her wealth provides, to grow into the strong, independent woman she longs to become.
Hard Lessons by Ashe Barker
Book Two in The Hardest Word serial
Once her body and her emotions have been laid bare, what other secrets is she keeping?
Freya’s chosen Master has agreed to train her, but only on his terms. He demands that she spend one month alone with him, at his home, her body his to control. He demands total obedience and absolute honesty from her. He is hard, demanding and committed to training Freya in every aspect of submission.
Nick is a tough and uncompromising Dom, but he’s also a master of his craft. From the very beginning he is able to get beyond Freya’s inability to speak to him, to release her innermost submissive instincts. She feels safe with Nick, she trusts him to take care of her, and as she willingly submits to his hard lessons, and slowly unfurls in his hands, he is more and more captivated by his silent pupil. But although her body and her emotions are an open book, Freya has not revealed to him the full extent of her wealth. And as their relationship deepens it becomes more and more difficult for her to confess her deception. How will Nick react to the news that his exquisite submissive is rich enough to buy anything she wants? Except him.
And will just a month with Nick be enough? Freya knows the Dom she wants. Can she convince the Master she adores to claim her?
The Hardest Word charts the sensual journey of Freya North and Nick Hardisty. Unable to speak since early childhood Freya’s fortunes change dramatically when she finds herself holding the winning Euromillions Lottery ticket. Over forty million pounds richer, she still can’t buy the one thing she really wants—a skilled Master to train her in the fine art of submission.
Her first ill-fated approach to Nick Hardisty, a Dom who comes highly recommended, earns her a punishment spanking at his BDSM club. From the outset Nick is able to find ways around and beyond Freya’s communication issues to release her innermost submissive instincts. Fascinated, intrigued, and hopelessly attracted to Freya, Nick does agree to train her, but on his terms not hers.
Freya moves into his home for one month. The deal is total obedience, and absolute submission. But while her body, and her emotions, are an open book, she doesn’t reveal to him the true extent of her wealth.
As their relationship develops and deepens, how long can Freya keep her secret from the powerful Dom who insists on total honesty from her in every respect? As her two separate lives threaten to collide, Freya is torn between the stern Master she has come to adore, and the opportunities her wealth provides, to grow into the strong, independent woman she longs to become.
Hard Lessons by Ashe Barker
Book Two in The Hardest Word serial
Once her body and her emotions have been laid bare, what other secrets is she keeping?
Freya’s chosen Master has agreed to train her, but only on his terms. He demands that she spend one month alone with him, at his home, her body his to control. He demands total obedience and absolute honesty from her. He is hard, demanding and committed to training Freya in every aspect of submission.
Nick is a tough and uncompromising Dom, but he’s also a master of his craft. From the very beginning he is able to get beyond Freya’s inability to speak to him, to release her innermost submissive instincts. She feels safe with Nick, she trusts him to take care of her, and as she willingly submits to his hard lessons, and slowly unfurls in his hands, he is more and more captivated by his silent pupil. But although her body and her emotions are an open book, Freya has not revealed to him the full extent of her wealth. And as their relationship deepens it becomes more and more difficult for her to confess her deception. How will Nick react to the news that his exquisite submissive is rich enough to buy anything she wants? Except him.
And will just a month with Nick be enough? Freya knows the Dom she wants. Can she convince the Master she adores to claim her?
- GenresBDSMEroticaM F Romance
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Ashe Barker
140 books807 followersUntil 2010, Ashe was a director of a regeneration company before deciding there had to be more to life and leaving to pursue a lifetime goal of self-employment.
Ashe has been an avid reader of erotic romance for many years—historical, contemporary, fantasy—you name it. Now, at last in control of her own time and working from her home in rural West Yorkshire, she has been able to realise her dream of writing sexy and compelling stories herself.
She draws on settings and anecdotes from her previous and current experience to lend colour, detail and realism to her plots and characters, but her stories of love, challenge, resilience and compassion are the conjurings of her own imagination. She loves to craft strong, enigmatic men and bright, sassy women to give them a hard time—in every sense of the word.
When she’s not writing, Ashe’s time is monopolised by her role as grandma to a lively toddler. She shares her writing space with a tortoise called Teefer.
Ashe has been an avid reader of erotic romance for many years—historical, contemporary, fantasy—you name it. Now, at last in control of her own time and working from her home in rural West Yorkshire, she has been able to realise her dream of writing sexy and compelling stories herself.
She draws on settings and anecdotes from her previous and current experience to lend colour, detail and realism to her plots and characters, but her stories of love, challenge, resilience and compassion are the conjurings of her own imagination. She loves to craft strong, enigmatic men and bright, sassy women to give them a hard time—in every sense of the word.
When she’s not writing, Ashe’s time is monopolised by her role as grandma to a lively toddler. She shares her writing space with a tortoise called Teefer.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 16, 2014
Hard Lessons, book #2 in The Hardest Word series picks up right off where the previous book leaves off. Anyone lingering on the previous title's cliffhanger should be relieved, but just you wait until the next one. Read on to learn more.
Of course, Nick has taken on the challenge of training Freya to be a sub. He definitely is a creative Dom on coming up with ways for Freya to be able to use safe words. But this book is not all about their BDSM lifestyle. There is a real relationship developing between the two of them. Even though things are hot between them, it is also very sweet. That are a few hiccups along the way that require a few punishments. One in particular is very 'brutal' to Freya, which allows us to learn a completely new side to her. It wasn't until towards the end of the book I found myself irritated with Nick. Why do men have to be so stubborn when the 'L' word comes into play?! I'm sure there is a story here as to why Nick is so adamant to remain single but still anyone can see after all they have gone through for each other, he is the perfect Dom to this little sub.
On a side note, each one of the covers Ms. Barker uses play an integral part to the story. I don't always catch it right away but when my 'AHA!' moment strikes, I find it makes the book so much more special. I won't go into detail because it would spoil the story but of all the covers in all the series, I think the story behind this one was my absolute favorite.
Anyone who has read Ms. Barker's trilogies knows there is a pattern to her cliffhangers. In Hard Lessons I can't help but fell there are two. One I anticipated (Can't have everything tied up in a nice neat package with a third book still to go) but the second had me screaming "What? No!" and tossing my Kindle. It may not be much of a cliffhanger for some but for me, ACK! I really cannot wait to get my hands on the next book now.
I received this book from JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars– 5, Flames – 4
Of course, Nick has taken on the challenge of training Freya to be a sub. He definitely is a creative Dom on coming up with ways for Freya to be able to use safe words. But this book is not all about their BDSM lifestyle. There is a real relationship developing between the two of them. Even though things are hot between them, it is also very sweet. That are a few hiccups along the way that require a few punishments. One in particular is very 'brutal' to Freya, which allows us to learn a completely new side to her. It wasn't until towards the end of the book I found myself irritated with Nick. Why do men have to be so stubborn when the 'L' word comes into play?! I'm sure there is a story here as to why Nick is so adamant to remain single but still anyone can see after all they have gone through for each other, he is the perfect Dom to this little sub.
On a side note, each one of the covers Ms. Barker uses play an integral part to the story. I don't always catch it right away but when my 'AHA!' moment strikes, I find it makes the book so much more special. I won't go into detail because it would spoil the story but of all the covers in all the series, I think the story behind this one was my absolute favorite.
Anyone who has read Ms. Barker's trilogies knows there is a pattern to her cliffhangers. In Hard Lessons I can't help but fell there are two. One I anticipated (Can't have everything tied up in a nice neat package with a third book still to go) but the second had me screaming "What? No!" and tossing my Kindle. It may not be much of a cliffhanger for some but for me, ACK! I really cannot wait to get my hands on the next book now.
I received this book from JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars– 5, Flames – 4
June 9, 2014
There is something about this story that had me at the beginning. I think it the way Ms Barker demonstrates how a Dom can be quite human and be relaxed and loving when not really in a scene. But what I appreciated more was the character development and the way she allowed both characters to come to life.
February 24, 2015
3.5
I think my struggle with this series is a personal preference and not so much the author or story line. For example: The sex scenes are amazing in detail and emotion. They are scorching hot, and wet...if you know what I mean. The author paints a great picture of the struggles of the main female character. I'm hoping to get more of what the male struggles are in the final book. These are all great things. Personal Preferences: There is not enough dialogue for me. I think this is due to the main characters disability, but still...I like character interaction. I've also gotten used to having more than a one-sided view. I'm dying to know what he is feeling. Lastly, for me too much detail of the area was given. It sounds beautiful but for this action girl it got boring.
Love Ashe Barker and moving on to book 3.
I think my struggle with this series is a personal preference and not so much the author or story line. For example: The sex scenes are amazing in detail and emotion. They are scorching hot, and wet...if you know what I mean. The author paints a great picture of the struggles of the main female character. I'm hoping to get more of what the male struggles are in the final book. These are all great things. Personal Preferences: There is not enough dialogue for me. I think this is due to the main characters disability, but still...I like character interaction. I've also gotten used to having more than a one-sided view. I'm dying to know what he is feeling. Lastly, for me too much detail of the area was given. It sounds beautiful but for this action girl it got boring.
Love Ashe Barker and moving on to book 3.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews