SPOTLIGHT & REVIEW
Cedar Tree series
Author ~ Freya Barker
Book #1 ~ Slim To None
Synopsis:
Since moving to beautiful Cedar Tree, Colorado, Emma Young, mother of one adult daughter, has worked from home doing some online bookkeeping and baking for her best friend’s diner to supplement her disability pension. Life has been pretty damn good. That is, until she received a strange phone call that started an alarming chain of events.
Investigator Gus Flemming was hot on the trail of a bail skip with organized crime connections, when he ended up in Cedar Tree. Here the focus of his investigation landed squarely on the gently rounded shoulders of the vivacious red-headed Emma, whose physical limitations have done nothing to dampen her zest for life.
When it becomes clear that Emma is at risk, Gus doesn’t hesitate to step in and protect her. Call it a job with some very hot benefits…..
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EXCERPT:
A few hours and half a dozen breaks later, the living room, dining area, and the kitchen were back to normal, and
Emma was about to fall over from hunger.
“Hey, you hungry?” She called out, not quite sure where Gus went off to.
“Gettin’ there.” Was the response coming from the vicinity of the other end of the hall.
“Gonna make us some sandwiches and a quick soup, that okay?”
“Sounds good to me.” Seeing Gus sticking his head around the door of her bedroom had her drawing in a sharp breath. Her bedroom. Fuck. He’s in her bedroom?
“Erm…need any help in there?” She quickly made her way over to see how deep his investigative powers went, hoping to God her little bedside buddies were still in their protective pouches and tucked away nicely.
“Nope. Finding everything just fine, thanks.”
Oh no. She could hear it. She couldn’t see it yet, but she could hear the contained laughter in his voice. Cocky bastard has had found something to smile about. Deep breathing to fight off the blasted perimenopausal flush that was creeping up her chest again. She made her way around the doorway to find him sitting on the bed with the contents of all her drawers spread out around him.
“What are you doing?” She managed to get out.
Eyes sparkling with amusement, the bastard, he looked at her with the edges of his mouth twitching, like he was fighting a losing battle not to burst out laughing. He’d better win that battle, or he might find a cane up his arse!
“Picked up everything that was tossed from the drawers onto the floor and put it on your bed. I was just trying to sort through it to see if I could put some stuff back for ya.”
“Uh huh… and, eh… were you successful?” She ground out, now trying to hold back on her own grin that was trying to make its way out.
“Sorta…” Gus said, bringing his hands up from beside his legs, where they seemed to be resting on the bedspread, but instead, were apparently covering her best little buddies…
“I rescued these from the floor. Is there any particular spot you would like these?” And with that, Gus let go, bending over laughing, while clutching her pink rabbit and her sparkly g-spot stimulator to his stomach, which, in turn, made Emma loose it.
“I’m really sorry, again.” Gus said over lunch. “I probably should’ve just stayed out of your bedroom, but I wanted to get a head start there, so we’d have more time for the office.””Don’t sweat it. Other than it being a tad embarrassing to have you find
my mechanical companions..…” Emma blushed, “…it is what it is. I’m too old to really give a shit, so there. If you have any lasting issues, well… Then I guess, that’ll be your problem.” She looked at him from under her eyebrows, giving him a little smartass smile.
Book #2 ~ Hundred To One
Synopsis:
Arlene Bowers is as tough as nails. She has survived a less than perfect marriage, managing to move past it to run her own diner. Her abrasive exterior has always been a way for her to hide behind the darkness and pain that she has endured, but a recent, violent attack and several disturbing phone calls have that tight hold on her emotions wavering.
Seb Griffin showed up in Cedar Tree eight months ago and was hired on at Arlene’s Diner as a cook. An ex-con with secrets of his own, Seb walks a fine line. Since he began working at the diner, he’s developed feelings for his fierce, stubborn boss, and the need to keep his distance from her, to protect her, is a daily struggle.
When it appears that Arlene’s past has come back, rearing its ugly head while her defenses are low, Seb steps up and claims responsibility for Arlene, praying that he can keep her safe from whatever is coming her way.
**Due to content of a sexually explicit nature, this book is recommended for a mature audience only.**
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EXCERPT:
“You were nice.” He says with an eyebrow raised.
“So? I can be nice. Just cause I haven’t had a reason to before doesn’t mean I don’t know how.” And I immediately busy myself wiping down the counters… again.
“Uh huh…” Comes from right behind me before I feel arms sliding around my waist.
“I like you nice.” He mumbles with his face buried in my neck, which has my body on high alert and aching.
“Don’t get used to it.” I manage, but I can’t resist leaning back a little, feeling his hard chest behind me. One big hand slides up under my work shirt and his rough fingers skim my stomach. My instant reaction is to suck that baby right in, but he catches me.
“So soft. It’s nice.”
Just the feeling of a man’s hands on me; this man’s hands on me, causes me to moan. It’s been so long since I have felt anything other than anger from a man’s hand. There is no anger in Seb’s touch, just a teasing gentleness that makes my wild side flare up and take notice.
When I feel his callused fingertips brush the underside of my breast, then slip under my bra, my breath hitches in anticipation. Damn I want his hands on me, his mouth on me. My nipples are so tight, they are almost painful, and when his touch finally finds them I can’t hold back anymore.
“Seb…” Reaching behind me I pull his head down and attack his mouth. My tongue eagerly finding entrance and tasting his. Hands tangling in his hair. I can feel his resistance waning and a greedy whimper escapes me.
He breaks the kiss, looks at me with eyes that are almost as black as midnight. Turns and lifts me up on the counter, initiating himself between my legs. Pulling at my knees so that my wet and aching center is lined up with what is a mouthwatering erection. Instinctively I wrap my legs around him, pressing him closer to my core. His hands now both under my shirt and working at releasing my bra. He shoves it out of the way along with my shirt and latches on to my breast while plumping the other with his hand. And I have lost all reason.
“So fucking tasty,” is all I can hear before he switches to the other side.
Eager to touch him, my hands trace his arms, shoulders and with my fingers I start pulling up his shirt, needing to touch his skin.
The phone rings.
“Fuck!” Seb swears as he leans his head to my sternum, all movements stilled by the insistent ringing. He pulls my shirt down and half in a daze I reach over to grab the receiver off the hook.
“A- … Arlene’s Diner.” I manage to get out.
“You think you can get away with that? You fucking whore! I’ll teach you…”
Book #3 ~ Against Me
Synopsis:
Patience has always been Caleb Whitetail’s strength. Quiet and unassuming is what you see with the GFI investigator, but the blood boils hot right under the surface. He kept his distance for years only to see the woman who has held his attention almost lose her life not just once, but twice. He is done standing in the shadows.
Katie Acker, once a tough and athletic security specialist now struggles daily to walk. The closest to family she has are her colleagues at GFI. Especially the man who saved her life and always has her back. So when she unwittingly becomes the focus of a Mexican cartel, it’s no big surprise she finds him right by her side.
With the combustive change in their deepening bond, Katie and Caleb do not see the oncoming danger – until it surrounds them.
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Excerpts
The sound of voices gets louder as I make my way through the now dark guesthouse to the bedroom. Leaning against the doorway into the room, I can just catch the last few sentences exchanged between the women sitting on the big bed. It’s obvious from the tearstained faces that some emotional stuff has gone down and I feel guilt eating at my insides. But then I hear Katie say that me walking out earlier meant I must have regretted what happened between us, I have to set her straight. She can’t be further from the truth and it’s time she knows it.
The moment her head swings around and her eyes meet mine, everything else disappears. I barely notice Emma leaving. In a few steps I reach the bed, lean in and pick Katie up.
“Whoa!” she calls out, scrambling to hold onto my neck. “Whatcha doing?”
“You in my bed means I can’t think, and I’m having a hard enough time thinking around you. We need to set some things straight.” I tell her, trying not to get lost in the feel of her soft body against mine, her subtle scent teasing me and her restless fingers playing against the short bristles in my neck. My dick, however, is a goner, and there is no way to hide it when I sit down on the couch with Katie in my lap.
“Stop squirming, you’re making it worse,”
When she throws me an irritated look I’m glad to see the fire back in her eyes. There she is.
“Okay, enough of the manhandling, Caleb,” Katie bats at my hands as I shift her around so she faces me. The old tank top and shorts she wears as PJs aren’t doing much to cover her and I can’t help the tortured groan that slips from me. Fucking hell, this is gonna be torture, with her nipples poking through the threadbare material. Right in my face.
“What the hell is this? I honestly don’t know whether I’m coming or going with you.”
“Shhhhh, don’t get upset,” I try to settle her before the tears I hear wobbling in her voice start flowing. “I just needed a minute.”
Cupping her face between my hands, I tilt her head so I can look her in the eye. “This I have wanted and waited to do for so long, I need to make sure I don’t miss a thing.”
Her eyes are big and a little uncertain and her lips are perfectly parted when I brush my nose along hers, breathing in the soft pants of her breath. A light brush of my mouth over hers, barely skimming, and then I taste the length of her full bottom lip with my tongue before sucking its plumpness in my mouth. Fucking heaven. Her taste is heaven and I need more. Katie’s fingers rubbing against my scalp is all the encouragement I need and I finally let go of my hunger for her and take her mouth. Jesus. Delicious wet heat meets me when my tongue plunges between her lips. Someone groans… and in the now furious tangle of lips and tongues I can’t tell anymore. I want inside her. In one twist and without my mouth ever leaving hers, I have her below me on the couch, and I’m grinding my painfully throbbing cock between her legs. It isn’t until she wrenches her lips from mine and murmurs, “Caleb…” that I realize I am fucking humping her like some deranged rutting animal. I shoot back upright and move to sit on the coffee table, my head in my hands.
“Fuck!”
Why? Why does she make me lose all control when control has always come so easy?
“Are you gonna walk out of here again?” The amused tone of Katie’s voice tells me she may be a little more attuned to the struggle I’m waging than she was before. “Because, that would seriously mess with my self-esteem, you know; getting rejected based on my abilities for giving head and kissing?”
I throw my head back and laugh. “Oh sweetheart, you couldn’t be further from the truth if you tried.”
~
~
“Morning, better sit yourselves down ’cause Emma’s cooked for an orphanage,” Gus says as he holds the door open for us.
“Shut your mouth, Gus, or you’re not gonna get any,” Emma pipes up from the kitchen, “and when I say ‘any’… I mean any!”
The faux-shocked expression on Gus’ face inadvertently makes me chuckle, “Show me the way to the food, but I’m warning you – if I get any fatter, I’ll need a sumo wrestler to wheel me around.”
The dead silence should’ve been an indicator my joke doesn’t go over too well.
“I need a word, Katie,” is my only warning, before my chair gets pulled around and pushed back outside. Okay then. Next thing I know Caleb is in my face with his eyebrows scrunched up.
“Please don’t do that.”
“What did I do?” I know, I just don’t want to admit it.
“Tell me honestly,” he asks, “is who you are so wrapped up in what you look like that you think it is all anyone sees? Cause I’m not buying it.”
I shake my head, because it’s not. It really isn’t, but insecurities pop up and spill out all over the place – unattractive as they may be.
“Aside from the fact that ‘fat’ is not an adjective that should ever be used in a description of you, it’s a load of crap. You want it straight? You have gained weight, rounded out and softened up. You have flesh my fingers want to sink in and my body wants to rest on. But I’d have taken you any way, thin, firm, soft, cause the only place you can find ugly is on the inside.”
I nod. Shit, what else am I supposed to do? It’s beautiful, what he says, I don’t want to take anything away from that.
“Let’s go eat.”
Book #4 ~ Clean Lines
Synopsis:
When her surly teenage son moves back to live with ER physician Naomi Waters unexpectedly, her motherly instincts go on high alert. Nothing could’ve prepared her for the wave of trouble that follows him back into her life.
Sheriff Joe Morris blew his chance with Naomi a few years back when he’d moved faster than his own past allowed. At the first opportunity to get his foot back in the door, he takes it and risks everything to keep her and her son safe.
But working for a future isn’t easy when you’re fighting to survive your past.
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Excerpt
On the short drive home, with Joe riding my bumper, I still have way too much time to think. And what I’m thinking is that I’ve gone and lost my mind. Who says shit like that? I behaved like some two-bit sex operator and sounded no better. If I didn’t need both hands on the steering wheel, I’d have my face covered right now; I’m that embarrassed. Emotional. Too fucking emotional. It’s either flat or deep with me and it’s exhausting. Why I have to be this emotionally unbalanced every time around Joe, I have no idea, but I’m sure the man’s had enough of crazy women for a lifetime.
When I park the car, I turn off the engine and drop my head on the wheel. Maybe this is not such a good idea. I probably should’ve stayed with Katie and the baby and not just gone running off with Joe at the first opportunity. Well, not exactly the first opportunity but still. It seems inappropriate. Doesn’t it?
The door beside me opening startles me, but even more so does the feel of Joe’s firm hands pulling me down from my seat.
“Don’t. Don’t sit there and talk yourself out of something we both know is going to happen,” he says talking to the top of my head because I am studying the tips of my toes.
“Naomi?” He leans in and I can feel the heat of his words penetrate my skin as he speaks. “I need you. I need to feel your fingers tangle in my hair, your tongue in my mouth, your skin under my hands and your pussy squeezing my cock. I need it all, honey.”
Slowly raising my eyes, I find his burning with lust and something more. Need? I trace my fingers over his lips and along his jaw before whispering, “Let’s go.”
Where the fuck do I start this review???
Because wow. Just. Fucking. WOW.
The Cedar Tree series which I have just read back to back is outstanding. Freya Barker is just crazy ass talented and I’m totally fucking overexcited with my discovery and wanting the world to know, this means in my usual fashion the profanity when excited goes into overdrive, leaving me swearing like a sailor with tourettes, however as her writing is so flawless and overwhelmingly real – whilst also being hot as fuck (see I told you, profanity and excitement go hand in hand!) – I also want to wax lyrical and eloquent.
So where does that leave me?
A motherfucker of a poem?
Possibly.
Because I want to shout, put it on billboards, skywrite it and advertise far and wide, share with the world albeit in a colourful fashion that Freya Barker has a gift, writes real, heart-warming and emotional, funny, hot books with characters whose banter, friendships and stories will have you rooting for them, getting serious feels for them, purchasing new batteries for toys because oh boy did I mention HOT as FUCK, and all while effortlessly throwing in suspense, intrigue, fabulous funny sarcasm and humour. She dares to go where few authors will risk, writing older characters with health issues, disabilities, the reality and the fantasy seamlessly intertwined and breathtakingly beautiful. I remember when I finished my first Kristen Ashley immediately downloading the rest of the series, devouring them one after the other while the family took care of themselves because I was on a mission, déjà vu for Freya Barker. I have no clue why she is not more well-known or why this series, especially Slim to None, is not a huge bestseller because for me they were a special read, the author an awesome discovery and I had a real ‘oh my fucking god’ moment when I finished the fourth book Clean Lines because, apart from KA, not many have written a series where I literally could not choose my favourite, where every single book boyfriend was ‘The One’ and every single heroine I wanted to be or wanted as a bestie, all abso-fucking-lutely fabulous, the fantasy escape we read romance for but so bloody real. And yeah I’m gushing, I’m also stalking and pimping her crazy talented ass out, much as my blog partner-in-crime has done for some time, because she needs that one tiny little touch of luck to put these books where they belong…
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So let’s start with Slim to None, with my gorgeous Gus and sassy Emma whose start is the amazingly steamy “porn” phone call (I say “porn” firmly tongue in cheek by the way, check out the one star “porm” review!!) which personally I thought was hilarious, hot and worked for me!
“Sure thing. We’ve only known each other for what? Three, four days?” Forcing out a chuckle, she finished. “Just fun and games, right?” She could feel his growl behind her. “Fuck no, woman.” He bit out. “You know it, and I know it. We’ll sort it, but now is not the time. You’re exhausted and I have a team to set up. So, when I say ‘sort it’, I mean I’ll have myself up in your face, and under your skin and into your body so deep, you won’t be able to doubt my intentions.”
Oh Lordy I’m having a flush just reading that quote! Gus is all man, alpha male written with a vulnerability, warmth and humour that you will fall into a puddle at his feet, worshipping at the dream that is Gus. Emma is so strong and sassy, refusing to let life get her down, choosing to live and enjoy even with health limitations, without giving spoilers let’s just say the thoughtfulness shown by Gus for making Emma comfortable while still being sexually adventurous was all kinds of hot I wasn’t expecting. The chemistry between these two when it does explode is so well done that it’s seamless, the physical and emotional so well intertwined with sassy humour and banter that you almost miss, through the sheer panty melting hot scenes, the friendship and emotional attachment that is developing between them. This introduction to the Cedar Tree series is totally addictive because while being captivated by Gus and Emma, their intimacy and relationship and the friendships of the secondary cast all merges together to create a world I didn’t want to end.
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Hundred to One is the second outing, and features Arlene and Seb. A very different couple yet again Ms Barker managed to engage me with 100% attention, devouring this story.
“There is nothing to miss – there is too much to take in. Do you realize how unique it is to find what we have? With our backgrounds, both of our fucked up histories? We were a hundred to one odds. Who could have imagined that you and I would hit it off, let alone fall in love. I don’t want perfection… you don’t want perfection, we both want real and this is as real as it gets. Wrinkles, blemishes, nose hair and hang-ups… All of it.”
Arlene is just bloody fabulous, I adored her, strong willed, independent and fiercely loyal she was a joy to read, her altercations and interactions had me laughing out loud, Emma and Arlene could be me and my bestie talking! Seb was a bit of a sleeper for me, Gus and Caleb I was an immediate take me now! As Hundred to One progressed I was yeah I’ll take Seb as well. Dibs. They are a perfect match, I didn’t see it at first but as their pasts unfold and their relationship picks up speed then for me it was a real life fairytale. I don’t want to give spoilers but the ring is perfection and I’m fanning my face thinking of cold storage!
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Against Me was a knockout. I never cry, my blog partner will be in tears, wailing like a demented woman and I’ll be all “yeah it was emotional” but to get a tear or lump in the throat from me is epic!
“Amazing how one moment you realise it isn’t so much how people treat you that holds the power, but how you interpret and react to the treatment.”
At the end of Caleb and Katie’s journey I was a mess. MOTHERFUCKING CAPS LOCK FULL ON MESS! It has so much emotion packed in and is written so flawlessly that it is not a story, it is a journey, a hard, messy, emotional journey that shreds you while having such beauty it’s outstanding. Yet again Ms Barker gives us a couple different in feel from the previous two, Caleb is a patient man, silently in the shadows waiting for his time with Katie. Katie is dealing with huge physical and emotional issues recovering after an incident so she’s feeling vulnerable and has a loss of confidence. Watching these two come together and the development of the relationship was a joy, Caleb is my favourite type of book boyfriend – throw in the suspense, intrigue, feels, plus a secondary cast who interweave throughout again and you have a recipe that is mouth-watering and delivers. Doesn’t harm that again it’s as hot as fuck with almost a bit of kink thrown in, grab those batteries because OH LA LA that boy, panties not needed! My favourite so far and a reread for many years to come.
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And so to Clean Lines – Joe and Naomi’s book. The development of the storyline as a whole in Clean Lines is fabulous, SO much going on! And a total shocker of a surprise I never saw coming. Joe and Naomi have been dancing round each other due to misunderstandings for a while, Joe doesn’t help his own cause a lot of the time (typical man!) and Naomi, to be fair, worries too much and won’t take a chance. Their dance is very different again to the three previous couples but just as engaging, a determined to fix his mistake Sheriff and a determined to do right for herself and her child Mom, romance way down her list of priorities leads to some interesting misunderstandings and complications.
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The overwhelming factor for me that makes all of these such an enjoyable read is the amazing banter between all the characters, primary and secondary. The affection, humour and love shines through, the teasing, flirting, arguing, dirty sexy talk and insults flung around through these books make them a pleasure to experience. Like every family, whether blood or choice, they will frustrate and exasperate you – you will be rooting for them while screaming at them!
Kindle and the indie writing world gave me Kristen Ashley and Madeline Sheehan, I now add Freya Barker to the “I don’t need the cover or blurb because it’s an automatic one click on the strength of the author alone” list. There is no better compliment I can give to Ms Barker other than Thank You, you have created characters that will remain in my heart and memories for a long time to come, an outstanding series.
And oh yeah, dibs on Clint. Just saying!!!!!
~ R xx
About the Author
Freya Barker has always loved being creative. From an early age on she danced and sang, doodled, created, cooked, baked, quilted and crafted. Her latest creative outlets were influenced by an ever-present love for reading. First through blogging, then cover art and design, and finally writing.
Born and raised in the Netherlands, she packed her two toddlers, and eight suitcases filled with toys to move to Canada. No stranger to new beginnings, she thrives on them.
With the kids grown and out in the world, Freya is at the ‘prime’ of her life. The body might be a bit ramshackle, but the spirit is high and as adventurous as ever. Something you may see reflected here and there in some of her heroines…. none of who will likely be wilting flowers.
Freya craved reading about ‘real’ people, those who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, hot monkey sex and some thrills and chills in their lives – So she decided to write about them.
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