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REVIEW – 10 CODE (Rock Point #4) by Freya Barker

Title: 10- Code
Rock Point #4
Author: Freya Barker

Genre: Romantic suspense
Release Date: June 17, 2019
Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

As a forty-one-year-old mother of three boys, working two jobs, Marya Berger doesn’t have the time or energy to consider a relationship. Especially after a lifetime of poor choices in the romance department. But when the disappearance of a young boy strikes a little too close to home, and a younger man she’s tried to ignore offers his help, she doesn’t stand in the way.

Single father, Dylan Barnes, the junior member of the La Plata County FBI team at thirty-three, has his focus firmly on his job and his son, Max. He’s certainly not looking to complicate his life, when he finds himself at his son’s soccer game, sitting beside the spirited brunette he can’t get out of his mind. Fate, however, appears to have different plans.

When an unspeakable crime draws the attention of the FBI, Dylan finds himself torn between his job and his instinctive need to protect Marya and her boys.

Available in Kindle Unlimited

AMAZON

BLP REVIEW – Tracy

Freya Barker is one of my favourite authors and in my opinion has only gotten better with each book that she’s written.

The fourth book in the Rock Point series is Dylan and Marya’s story and with a hard hitting and sadly, very realistic story arc, this was a great read and another hit in Ms B’s catalogue.

I love that her characters are older, with life experience, emotional baggage, health and emotional issues that can be related to most of the time.
Marya and Dylan were perfect for each other and their kids were a great addition to the story – and the easy acceptance of each of their families made for good reading.

10-Code was a sad reminder of just how awful people can be and how you can never judge a book by it’s cover – in more ways than one. It was also a reminder of how the capacity to give and accept love can change and enhance your life in many ways.

Action, suspense, tons of heat and some seriously hot down and dirty times, along with catching up with some of our fave characters from previous books made this another smasher of a story and one I’d most definitely recommend.

Freya Barker inspires with her stories about ‘real’ people, perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.

She is the author of the Cedar Tree and Portland, ME Series, the Northern Lights Collection and the Rock Point Series. She is also co-author of the SnapShot Series.

To see Freya’s complete backlist, or to find out what is coming down the pipe, visit freyabarker.com.

All Available in Kindle Unlimited

AMAZON

Posted in Authors & Books, Blurb, Buy Links, Favourites, More in the Series, Recommended, Reviews, Teaser

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NEW RELEASE REVIEW – Hit & Run (PASS #1) by Freya Barker

Oct 1

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Title: Hit & Run
Pass Series #1
Author: Freya Barker

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Suspense
Release Date: September 16, 2019

Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

Returning home to Grand Junction would not have been Rosie Perkins’ first choice, but with her mother no longer able to take care of herself, it’s the only one she has. As is working the night shift at a local hotel to bring in a much-needed income.
Rosie juggles to keep all the pieces of her life together and has no room to add anything more. One morning after a long shift, when she witnesses a hotel guest crash into a dumpster, her careful control starts to unravel.
Security specialist, Jake Hutchinson, has his hands full protecting the arrogant lead actor of a movie being filmed in town. Since the production company and crew arrived at the hotel, the entitled star has been nothing but trouble.
The only thing that can improve his mood is the occasional nightly glimpse of the redheaded housekeeper.
Until he finds himself trapped between desire and duty.

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO |

BLP REVIEW – Tracy

Freya Barker continues to be a ‘one-click’ author for me and I was delighted when I heard she was bringing out a new series based around the stomping ground of some of my favourite characters of hers!

Jake and Rosie at first glance were very different but beneath the veneer there were similarities. Neither did relationships – he’s work driven and too focused on trying to forget things that still haunt him from his time in the services and she’s got family problems that overtake all else – and gods, the issues that Rosie deals with with her mother felt a little too close to home at times…. personally, that’s what makes me loves these books of Freya’s so much – Ms. B does real life issues and believable circumstances incredibly well.

Freya’s characters have snark, fun, humour and a multitude of issues and emotions that you can’t help but relate to, especially if you’re of a certain age as her characters are that bit older and have experienced life in all different ways. The suspense, twists and heat within the books all add to the depth of the stories.

Hit & Run is a really good start to the PASS series and I’m looking forward to more stories and delving deeper into the lives of the other security team members.

If you’ve already read Ms. Barker’s books, you’re going to love this one and if you’re still a Freya virgin, this is a great place to start as it’s a brand new series – and even though previous characters are in the story, you don’t need to have met them previously or know who they are to enjoy the read.

A solid 4* for me.

Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and their own slice of happy.
A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya has not slowed down.
She continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

Posted in Authors & Books, Blurb, Buy Links, Favourites, Must Read, New Releases, Recommended, Reviews, Teaser

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Tags: #GrandJunction, #overforty, #suspense, @Freya_Barker

BLOG TOUR – Then There Was You, an all-new single parent collection

Aug 18

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Then There Was You, an all-new single parent collection is NOW LIVE!

14 Authors. 14 Stories.

Sexy Single Dads. Strong Single Moms.

THEN THERE WAS YOU features single parents who weren’t looking—didn’t need anyone—until the right someone came along.

Experience the highs and lows of parenthood, love lost and gained, and new beginnings with this collection of stories. They’re sure to leave you with a full heart and a smile on your face.

AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME

Proceeds will be donated to Family Promise, a non-profit organization which addresses family homelessness.

Contributing Authors:

Alex Grayson – Angel Devlin – Anna Brooks – Dani René – Esther E. Schmidt – Evan Grace – Freya Barker – Gianna Gabriela – Heather Lyn – HL Nighbor – Kalli Ashton – Kathy Coopmans – L.A. Cotton – Lauren Dawes.

Download your copy NOW!

Amazon – mybook.to/ThenThereWasYouAntho

AppleBooks – https://apple.co/2Z06Bkv

Kobo – http://bit.ly/31CITsr

Nook – http://bit.ly/2YENhtM

Google Play – http://bit.ly/2KsrOLY

Find out more about these Authors!

Alex Grayson – http://alexgraysonbooks.com/

Angel Devlin – https://www.facebook.com/angeldevlinbooks/

Anna Brooks – https://annabrooksauthor.com/

Dani René – https://danirene.com/

Esther E. Schmidt – http://esthereschmidt.nl/

Evan Grace – https://www.authorevangrace.com/

Freya Barker – http://www.freyabarker.com/

Gianna Gabriela – https://giannagabriela.com/

Heather Lyn – https://www.facebook.com/authorheatherlyn/

HL Nighbor – https://www.hlnighbor.com/

Kally Ash – https://www.facebook.com/pg/kallyash/about/?ref=page_internal

Kathy Coopmans – https://authorkathycoopmans.com/

L.A. Cotton – https://lacotton.com/

Lauren Dawes – https://www.authorlaurendawes.com/#!

Posted in Authors & Books, Blurb, Buy Links, Favourites, New Releases, Recommended, Review to Come, Teaser

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Tags: #ThenThereWasYou, @AlexGrayson10, @Freya_Barker

RELEASE BLITZ – Covering Ollie (On Call #2) by Freya Barker

May 15

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

BLURB:

Living in Durango, Colorado for the past eighteen years allowed Ollie Rizzo to build her own business and carve out a quiet existence for her and her teenage daughter. She’s used to going it alone. However, their new silver-haired neighbor might present a problem—not only is he handsome—he’s also Durango’s new chief of police; a complication she can’t afford.

For recently widowed Joe Benedetti, the job offer as Durango’s new chief of police came at the right time. With life, the new job, and his two young sons settling into a comfortable routine, he does his best to ignore the beautiful and intriguing woman across the street. Yet when he discovers she’s caught the attention of the FBI, there is no way he can stay away.

Their worlds collide with the appearance of FBI Special Agent Cruz Livingston. The agent has a warning to deliver, one that spins life in Durango out of control, giving Joe a crucial mission—keep Ollie alive.

BUY LINKS:

Available on KU

Amazon.com
Amazon UK

BLP REVIEW – Tracy

FLOVED IT…….as always!!

When you pick up a book by Freya Barker you know that you’re gonna get a growly, overly protective, hot leading man and a feisty AF, determined, straight talking leading lady to give him a run for his money….

Covering Ollie gave us that, along with a genuine sense of family, some action, more than a few secrets, intrigue and some well placed humour.

I’ve read Ms B’s books since the start and I continue to enjoy them, all these books in. I love the fact that her characters are that bit older (an age I can empathize with), they are often times bruised if not battered, quite often have health issues (that they deal with ‘cos they have to – just as in life!!) but are all more than worthy of love, affection, devotion and their own HEA.

I liked the fact that CO is a part of Susan Stoker’s ‘Badge of Honor’ world and was tickled that Ms S got an author shout out in the story!!! 🙂

While this is the second book in the On Call series, it could be read as a standalone but, IMHO, to fully enjoy and engage with the supporting characters, reading the Rock Point books and Burning for Autumn would be a good way to start.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

MORE IN THE SERIES:

Burning for Autumn

When Autumn McCoy accepted a temporary work contract in Durango, she thought it would be a safe way to add some spark to her existence. She may be getting more than she bargained for when she finds herself the target of impending danger. The outspoken forty-two-year-old isn’t prepared for that spark to ignite flames threatening to engulf every aspect of her life.

Buried under the weight of responsibilities, all interim Chief of Police, Keith Blackfoot, wants is to get back to good old-fashioned detecting. He gets his chance when an encounter with a feisty redhead seems to incite a wave of arson cases. Although a visit from friend and firefighter, Roman “Chief” Proudfit, provides some direction, he’s left to battle an invisible menace fueling fires that could leave his town—and his heart—in ashes.

This is a full length novel with almost 80,000 words.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon.com
Amazon UK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya has not slowed down.

She continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

AUTHOR LINKS:

http://www.freyabarker.com/
https://m.facebook.com/FreyaBarkerWriter
https://www.goodreads.com/FreyaBarker
http://www.twitter.com/freya_barker

Posted in Authors & Books, Blitz, Blurb, Buy Links, Favourites, More in the Series, New Releases, Recommended, Reviews, Teaser

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★RELEASE BLITZ★ HWY 550 (La Plana County FBI ROCK POINT #3) by Freya Barker

Feb 17

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Title: HWY 550
Series: La Plata County FBI ROCK POINT #3
Author: Freya Barker

Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: February 17th, 2019

Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

Special Agent Luna Roosberg lives and breathes her job. Who needs a personal life when work is so rewarding?
When a new case sends her to investigate a local motorcycle club, covering as the president’s new flavor of the week, the lines between professional and personal quickly start to blur.
Although the Arrow’s Edge MC stays mostly on the right side of the law since Ouray took the gavel, the appearance of the feds at their gate can still rattle his cage.
When a string of robberies points squarely in Ouray’s direction, he’s forced to cooperate and put the blonde, prim and proper half-pint on the back of his bike.
With pressure mounting both in—and outside—the club, Ouray no longer knows who he can trust, except the woman who is shaking up his life—and stirring his blood.

BLP REVIEW ~ Tracy

I finished this book with the biggest smile on my face!!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Freya Barker keeps raising the bar when it comes to her books….

I’ll be the first to admit that I found it hard to connect or understand Luna Roosberg when we’ve previously met her in the series. I could never quite put my finger on why I couldn’t get a handle on her but Ms B worked her magic as usual and pretty much from the outset of HWY 550 and Luna’s character totally won me round.
She’s tough and brusque on the outside but we soon discover that this hardshell covers a very different woman!

Ouray….man, what can I say about this guy!! He’s kinda brusque and tough himself but that’s a given seeing as he’s the president of an MC club, but he’s another one who has a completely different hidden centre, it’s just taken one particular woman to bring it to the fore (not that he lets everyone see the sweet, protective side of him that Luna releases – he has an image to protect after all!)

With a couple of interesting and complex storylines running through the story, there was plenty of action and characters, new and old, that all added to the fun and made for a fabulous read. Hot, steamy and a touch of sweet with a load of heart, Freya let us catch up with favourites from previous stories and teasingly introduces us to a possible couple for a future book in the series….. YAY!!

As well written as you would most definitely expect from FB, this was another excellent instalment in the La Plana County FBI ROCK POINT series and I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Freya Barker inspires with her stories about ‘real’ people, perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.

She is the author of the Cedar Tree and Portland, ME Series, the Northern Lights Collection and the Rock Point Series. She is also co-author of the SnapShot Series.

To see Freya’s complete backlist, or to find out what is coming down the pipe, visit freyabarker.com.

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Posted in Authors & Books, Blitz, Blurb, Buy Links, Favourites, Giveaway, More in the Series, Must Read, New Releases, Recommended, Reviews, Teaser

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Tags: @BuoniAmiciPress, @Freya_Barker

BOOK TOUR ~ Cabin 12 (Rock Point Series #2) by Freya Barker

Sep 20

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Title: Cabin 12

Series: Rock Point Series #2

Author: Freya Barker

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: September 13, 2018

Even at thirty seven, with a challenging but rewarding career as a paramedic, Bella Gomez is treated as the baby of the family. It’s made her allergic to anyone meddling, so she chooses to keep mostly to herself. Unfortunately that doesn’t stop her family from inserting themselves in her life. Nor does it deter the one man she knows she shouldn’t get close to from showing up on her doorstep.

Jasper Greene, an FBI agent with the La Plata County field office, doesn’t even know the meaning of family. His team is his family, which is why—when his boss asks him to keep an eye on his baby sister—Jasper readily complies. Even when the sister in question is a spectacularly developed princess with plenty of attitude.

With a shooter on the loose and corruption running rampant, Bella is a magnet for trouble, and Jasper finds himself with his hands full—in more ways than one.

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The ceremony was lovely, and I swear I saw my brother surreptitiously brush away a tear. Something I will file away for future use, should I need some extra leverage.

Of course I was back on Jasper’s arm, following the newly married couple back to the house, and just like the walk up the aisle, he was silent. A tad unsettling, since what little I know of him, he never seems at a loss for words. The silence felt ominous.

I’m reminded of that when I spot him coming out of the house, holding a beer bottle by the neck between two fingers, casually making his way over. I look for an escape but am weighed down by Kim’s little boy, who I offered to watch while his parents dance under the strings of lights covering the roof of the rented canopy tent. Exhausted from the long day, Asher fell asleep on my lap in seconds, his warm cheek pressed against my cleavage. There’s no way I can slink away with a sleeping toddler plastered to my boobs.

“Your scar is showing,” he says, pulling out a chair and sitting down, his back to the dance floor.

“Shit.” I try to reach around Asher to tug my dress into place, but part of my skirt is wedged underneath his little butt.

“Lift him up.”

Fearing my family will make a scene if they see my injury, I do as he orders, but throw in a scathing look for good measure. A blush quickly replaces it, when I feel the surprisingly rough pads of his fingers brush the skin where my thick thighs are pressed together. My body responds immediately, and I’m suddenly grateful for the little boy on my lap, effectively hiding the evidence.

Damn that man. I mentally scold myself for responding to him the way I do. It’s like it’s genetically ingrained for me to be attracted to this type of guy. Handsome, charming, charismatic, and easily distracted by the next piece of fluff darting in front of his eyes. It’s not healthy.

“Last thing I expected was to find you sitting here looking like some kind of modern-day Madonna with a child on your lap. I’d figured you’d be partying it up on the dance floor by now.” His raspy voice draws me from my musings, and I’m not quite sure whether to be insulted or flattered right now.

“And I’m surprised you sat down to join me, I keep looking around to see where you might have left your flavor of the day.”

Clearly I went with insulted, echoing back what I choose to take as a negative characterization. His eyes go big in his head as he looks around him, appearing confused.

“Flavor of the day?”

“Your date? The tall blonde I saw you schmoozing with at dinner?”

Last thing I expected was the deep belly laugh escaping from his wide smile.

!!! FLOVED IT !!!

The above was what I thought once I’d finished Cabin 12 and I’ve finally got round to writing my full review….. Real life has inconveniently interrupted my reading and blogging lately…… and talking of real life, I’m pretty sure I’ve said it before but it’s worth repeating… one of my favourite things about Freya Barker’s books is the realness of her characters and how I can get their life struggles, worries and issues!

I really loved Bella and Jasper together (ah, Jasper, le sigh, reminds me of another book ‘hero’ I absolutely adore….. Ms Barker did well with this character name!). They were in equal parts frustrating, funny, adorable and fabulous.

The intertwined story lines don’t start out real obvious and you have to think about where things are maybe going – which I love, as I don’t necessarily like or need an author to hand hold me through every event in their story!! The heat, affection, love and camaraderie/sense of family are excellent and the intimate scenes are scorching hot!

I’m excited about what’s coming next in this series… a few possibilities that I think I saw while reading …. but I’m gonna keep my thoughts and patiently wait and see if I got it right or not!

A definite must read, the Rock Point series is fast moving up my table of ‘favourite Freya reads’

~ Tracy

Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and some hot, sizzling sex in their lives.A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya has not slowed down.
She continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

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Posted in Authors & Books, Blurb, Book Tour, Buy Links, Excerpt, Favourites, Giveaway, More in the Series, Must Read, New Releases, Recommended, Reviews, Teaser

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Tags: #ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarystories, #RockPointseries, @EJBookPromos, @Freya_Barker

RELEASE BLITZ ~ Cabin 12 (Rock Point Series #2) by Freya Barker

Sep 13

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Title: Cabin 12

Series: Rock Point Series #2

Author: Freya Barker

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: September 13, 2018

With a shooter on the loose and corruption running rampant, Bella is a magnet for trouble, and Jasper finds himself with his hands full—in more ways than one.

Freya is a go-to author for me. Her words and sexy, suspenseful stories never fail to keep me reading late into the night! — Brynne Asher, Author of the Carpino and the Killers series.

“Cabin 12 captivated me from the very first page. Edge-of-your-seat pacing, dynamic characters, and the perfect amount of heat…this is without a doubt my top read of 2018!” — Anna Paige, Author of the Thrill of the Chase series

“Hey.”I whip around at the sound of Jasper’s voice, who is leaning against one of the porch posts, looking at me from under his eyebrows.

“Oh. Hey,” is all I manage, a bit tongue-tied, and more than a little embarrassed. I never even tried to contact him to thank him. Sure, I no longer have a phone, but I could easily have gotten the number off Damian.

“Damian asked me to come and take your statement.”

The closed off look on his face, combined with those dispassionate words, send me straight from embarrassed to injured, and anger wraps around me like a protective cloak.

Really?

“Oh, he did, did he? Let me get this straight; you’re telling me the reason you’re here is because my brother asked you? That’s priceless.” I don’t even bother holding back on the venom in my tone.

“Squirt…” he mumbles, but I’m already too far lost in my head of steam to let the nickname, which just days ago would make me feel safe and protected, sway me from my path.

“No. You don’t get to call me that. Didn’t take much to set you running did it? Did you suddenly decide I was too much of a challenge? Too damaged for ya? Too fragile?” Hot tears come spilling down my cheek as I rant, and I agitatedly brush at them.

“That’s not—” he starts, but I stop him with a hand in his face.

I’m angry and so hurt. I trusted him, opened up for him in a way I never had for anyone. I feel exposed to the core, and found lacking. Again.

Suddenly deflated, I squeeze my eyes shut and drop my head. “Tell my brother he can come get his damn statement himself.”

Without even looking at him, I turn back inside, swing the door shut behind me, and walk straight into Kerry, who closes me in her arms.

“Honey, maybe you should give him a chance to talk before—”

Behind me the door slams open and I’m suddenly pulled from Kerry’s hold and swung around by an angry looking Jasper.

“Goddammit, Bella,” he swears, cupping my face in his large hands and tilting it up. “Jesus, how can someone so smart get it so fucking backward?” He barely gets his words out before his lips take mine in a bruising kiss, laced with anger and regret. I find myself leaning in and almost whimper when he pulls back, leaving his forehead pressed against mine. “Don’t you see?” he mumbles softly. “It’s me who comes up short.”

Next thing I know, he is stalking out the door.

“Oh my,” Kerry whispers behind me.

“What just happened?” I ask no one in particular, trying to get my bearings after going through what feels like an emotional spin cycle. My eyes land on Kerry, who is inexplicably smiling. “What?”

“That boy’s got it bad.”

Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and some hot, sizzling sex in their lives.

A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya has not slowed down.

She continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

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Posted in Authors & Books, Blitz, Blurb, Buy Links, Endorsements, Excerpt, Favourites, Giveaway, More in the Series, Must Read, New Releases, Recommended, Review to Come, Teaser

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Tags: #ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarystories, #RockPointseries, @EJBookPromos, @Freya_Barker

SALE BLITZ ~ Keeping 6 (Rock Point series #1) by Freya Barker

Sep 8

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Title: Keeping 6
Series: (Rock Point #1)
Author: Freya Barker

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Cover Designer: Freya Barker
Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

Bookstore owner Kerry Emerson finally seems to be back in control of her life. Her failure of a marriage firmly in her rearview mirror and her recent business expansion a success, she is in charge of her own future. One that is looking better than ever.
The sight of the tall man, with the familiar salt and pepper goatee pushing open the door of her store, sets her hair on end. He doesn’t exactly bring good memories.

FBI Special Agent in Charge, Damian Gomez, is just looking for a decent cup of coffee when he walks into the small store offering books and brew. The pretty, feisty woman behind the counter is an unexpected surprise. Not at all unpleasant, especially since her finger that used to hold a wedding ring is now bare.
Her wild hair, boho style and silvery grey eyes suddenly hold a lot of promise. But when his office is pulled into an international investigation into the trafficking of rare books and manuscripts, the straight-laced SAC realizes he has to keep his distance from the woman who might well be involved.

Easier said than done, since fate seems determined to throw them together.

Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and their own slice of happy.
A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya has not slowed down.
She continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted in Authors & Books, Blitz, Blurb, Buy Links, Favourites, Giveaway, Must Read, Promo, Recommended, Special Offer / Sale, Teaser

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Tags: @Freya_Barker

BOOK TOUR ~ A CHANGE OF PACE (Northern Lights #3) by FREYA BARKER

Jul 27

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Title: A Change of Pace

Series: Northern Lights #3

Stand alone

Author: Freya Barker

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 16, 2018

Once a man who lived by the letter of the law.

Newt Tobias will do anything for his little girl. Even take early retirement, sell his city home, and move to cottage country, hoping that the simpler life will provide a better balance for his troubled teenage daughter.

Yet, not long after they’ve settled, he finds himself toe-to-toe with a stubborn, fiery tempered woman with pretty brown eyes.

Once a recluse preferring to live alone.

Working with troubled adolescents, Frederique Marchand doesn’t suffer fools and won’t put up with bullies. Especially handsome strangers like Newt who think they can run roughshod over her. She loves her work, but on her own time she much prefers the company of her menagerie of animals.

But with the welfare of a teenager at stake, she must put aside rocky first impressions and work with a man who needs her as much as she’ll come to need him.

Millie is sitting on the floor again, her backpack on one side of her, and Boulder on the other, his head resting once again on her lap. He’s not sleeping though, but is closely eyeing the sandwich Millie is munching on.

“I haven’t given him anything,” she says defensively, looking up.

“I know. He wouldn’t have accepted anything,” I inform her. She looks a little dubious, which makes me smile. “Go on, give it a shot. Try to feed him a piece.”

She takes a minute, waiting for me to urge her on with a nod, before she breaks a corner off her sandwich and holds it in front of Boulder’s face. As I knew he would, Boulder turns his head away, looking to me for a signal.

“He was trained to wait for approval before he eats. Watch.” I lift my hand, palm out, indicating to Boulder he should wait, and then I drop my hand as I tell him clearly, “Okay.”

Faster than I can blink my eyes, he snatches the treat from Millie’s hand.

“Try again,” I urge her.

Once again she tears off a piece of bread and holds it out for him to eat, but his eyes are not on the bread, they are on me. I give him the go ahead, and this time Millie smiles.

“That’s awesome. How did you teach him that?”

“Lots of patience and consistent practice, every time he eats.”

“But why?”

“He’s a therapy dog, and he comes in contact with a lot of people. If he just accepted every treat that was offered, he’d be as wide as he is tall. Not healthy for a dog.”

She falls silent and seems pensive as she absentmindedly strokes his fur.

“So how was your first week in school?”

“Not too bad,” she mutters, shrugging her shoulders. “No different from my old school.”

“Is that a good thing?”

Her response comes in the form of another shrug and then she adds, “It’s familiar.”

I’m not sure what to think of that rather detached answer, it seems a bit off, but something tells me not to push. Not yet.

“Do you have a dog? Or any other pet?”

She snorts. “I wish. My mom was allergic to animals, and Dad keeps saying only when I’m responsible enough to take care of one.”

“Are you?” I jump right in, and she shows the first spark of fire in the quick look she throws me, before fixing her eyes on Boulder again. “Your dad does have a point, taking care of, and training a dog, is quite a bit of work. Especially in the beginning. You can’t skip a day because you don’t feel like walking him or getting up to feed him. You get a dog, and it’s the same with a cat or any other kind of animal, it becomes dependent on you for everything. It’s not a toy you can just play with when you feel like it.”

“I know that,” she snaps, suddenly pushing Boulder’s head off her legs, grabbing her bag, and scrambling to her feet.

“Wait,” I call out as she moves to the door. She stops, but keeps her back turned. I smile at the show of defiance. “Millie, I’m not suggesting you can’t handle a pet—I’m asking you if you can.”

Slowly she turns around and when she speaks, her voice is soft.

“I think so. I’d like to try. I’d love a friend like Boulder.”

I’ve been an avid reader and big fan of Freya Barker since I got my hands on her first book. I have to say, boy, from Slim to None to now Ms B has totally upped her game and she’s without doubt one of the few authors who I’ll auto buy/pre-order without even needing to peek at a blurb!

One of the things I love the most about all of Freya’s books is the realism of her characters and just how much we can relate to them, their situations and life experiences.

Never one to shy away from the tougher curve balls that life can throw at us, Freya tackles subjects that aren’t easy to talk about never mind deal with but that everyone will ultimately have some kind of brush with in their lifetime – whether personally or through friends or family – be that bad health, unhealthy or dangerous relationships, loss of family or friends, heartbreak and tragedy or as she has in A Change of Pace children’s mental health and the threat of terminal illness and how these illnesses can affect the people involved.

Freya always writes these situations with a great deal of care, attention to detail and I know with a great amount of research. Her characters trials and fights are not made as fillers or fluff, most of the time they make up the basis of the story and are well written, serious points that make you think about what can often be invisible things that happen to people around us on a daily basis.

Sorry, I’ve wittered on and not yet told you what I think of the story…..

I FLOVED Newt and Freddy – and who couldn’t help but fall for Millie (and Freddy’s menagerie!!)

Newt Tobias and Frederique Marchand didn’t have the most pleasant of introductions and his initial muttered thoughts of her had me laughing, even more so when she later properly introduced herself using his words..
A single dad, struggling to get through to his teenage daughter and a woman who has lost much, neither saw the other coming, or even realised they were exactly what they each needed.

Although there was an attraction between the pair, the focus and concern was always on Millie and I liked that through talking Freddy helped Newt as much, if not more at times, than his daughter, even when he didn’t realise he needed a listening ear and to open up to start with.

The blossoming of their friendship and the depth of their attraction and feelings made for great reading. I particularly like that Freya writes slightly older characters who have baggage, are flawed, make decisions that they think are for the best even if it means that they unwittingly close other people out or upset them. Freya’s books also remind us that family is often not of blood but choice or design but I liked the inclusion of Freddy’s brother and his family in this read and the other characters that were introduced were all likable and added to the overall story.

Another great emotion pulling read in the Northern Lights series from the wonderfully talented Ms Barker!!!

A thoroughly deserved 5* and a read I’d definitely recommend.
Although part of a series, these books can be read as stand-alones.

~ Tracy xx

Freya Barker inspires with her stories about ‘real’ people, perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy. She is the author of the Cedar Tree Series and the Portland, ME, novels.

Freya is the recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None,” and is a finalist for the 2016 Kindle Book Awards for “From Dust”. She currently has two complete series and three anthologies published, and is working on two new series; La Plata County FBI—ROCK POINT, and Northern Lights. She continues to spin story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

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BOOK TOUR ~ A Change of Pace (Northern Lights Collection #3) by Freya Barker

Jul 21

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Title: A Change of Pace

Series: Northern Lights Collection (Standalone)

Author: Freya Barker

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: July 16, 2018

Once a man who lived by the letter of the law.

Yet, not long after they’ve settled, he finds himself toe-to-toe with a stubborn, fiery tempered woman with pretty brown eyes.

Once a recluse preferring to live alone.

But with the welfare of a teenager at stake, she must put aside rocky first impressions and work with a man who needs her as much as she’ll come to need him.

“How was school?”

“Fine.” It’s the same answer Millie gave me yesterday and it doesn’t tell me anything. I read somewhere once that when a woman says ‘fine,’ it means she’s everything but.

“Anything exciting?” I try again, which earns me an eye-roll, and I turn my eyes back to the road.

“Actually,” she suddenly says, surprising me. “I met a dog today.”

“At school?” I’m confused; I didn’t know they let dogs in the school.

“Yeah. Dad, can we get a dog?”

“Wait. Is that even allowed? Bringing a dog into school?”

“I guess so. He’s some kind of service dog. But, Dad, can we have a dog?”

“What—like a Seeing Eye dog?”

“No, he belonged to a therapist visiting the school. So can we?”

“You saw a therapist?”

“It was just some kind of welcome thing they do with new kids.”

“That’s pretty neat.”

“Whatever, it wasn’t a big deal. Can we pick up a donut at Tim Hortons?” she asks, changing tracks at lightning speed. We’re coming up to Nobel and Timmies is just down the road. “I just really liked the dog. So?”

“Sure, we can.”

The screaming that follows almost has me running the damn Jeep off the road.

“Yes! Thanks so much, Dad,” she says with more enthusiasm than I’ve heard her express in the past four years. “Can we get one this weekend?”

Now I’m confused. Does she not want me to stop now?

“You want your donut this weekend?”

“Donut I want now.” She turns to me with big wide innocent eyes. “But we can shop for the dog this weekend?”

Wait. What?

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