Ripe For Reader: Release Blitz & Review - HEAD START by Freya Barker

Book: Head Start
Series: Cedar Tree #7
Author: Freya Barker
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Margreet Asselbergs
Hosted By:Francessca’s Romance Reviews

Kendra Schmitt puts most of her time into the new clinic in Cedar Tree, which is now almost running full time. With her schedule a bit more predictable, she finally considers a personal life and concedes to a disastrous blind date. Always the responsible one in her family, she has avoided any kind of entanglement. In particular with a certain young investigator.

Junior member of the GFI team, Neil James, has seen and experienced more than most at his age. When his team becomes part of a task force investigating a series of murders in the area, his protective instincts kick in. The victims' profiles closely match that of a certain physical therapist.

Neil has been trying unsuccessfully for over a year to get closer to Kendra. Now that she might be in danger, he’s determined to break through her resistance and goes all out to win her trust.

Especially now that the killer’s focus appears to zero in on Kendra.

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Early Feedback

Freya Barker is a master at her craft. She weaves stories that are gripping, intense, deal with serious issues and yet are heartwarming and real. They give you hope and make you feel like you are one of the characters. ~ Kez’s Korner

Another superb book by one of my favourite writers. You certainly get plenty for your money with this one . ~ Goodreads Review

Head Start is one of the best new stories. We get mystery, drama, and love.
Freya Barker is a brilliant, insightful and awesome author. ~ Goodreads Review

“Why not? It’s half-price, one of those short notice deals.” My sister resorts to the pre-adolescent whine that gets our mom to cave every single time. Unfortunately, Karly hasn’t yet figured out that it does the opposite for me.

“Because those things are like floating sausage fests.”

“You’re such a stick-in-the-mud. Mom said she’d come too.”

Oh my God. Like that is any sort of enticement. I have to swallow hard to shove the contents of my stomach back down where they belong. I automatically turn my back to the waiting room when I hear the tell-tale ding of the door opening. “Not helping your case, Karly. Just sayin’… I’m not into quick, convenient fucks. Especially when most of the guys on those trips are looking to score as much and with as many as they can manage in the shortest possible time frame. Not keen on being the dessert buffet for a bunch of young idiots, hopped up on Viagra. Besides, as I told you a month ago, I’ll be moving house in two weeks, so I can’t come. End of story. You and Mom have fun, but count me out.”

By the time I get my nympho sister off the phone, my eyes have rolled heavenward a few more times. I should have spared one eye-roll to confirm it actually was my next patient coming in. It wasn’t. A familiar face with a toothy grin is leaning on the damn counter, right behind me. Instantly, my German ancestry betrays me with the robust blush I feel burning on my cheeks. Fabulous.

“What can I do for you, Neil?” I say none too kindly. One of his heavy eyebrows lifts all the way up, and the grin slips into a smirk.

“That, is a loaded question,” he teases, “especially given the tantalizing conversation I just overheard.” The heat on my face has now reached my hairline while I curse myself six ways to Sunday. “By the way, I like that color on you,” he mumbles, tapping me on the cheek.

5 of 5 Stars

We have gotten to know and love Neil throughout the series. He is GFI's resident computer geek who is loyal and always there. But we really don't get to see what he is really like until this book. He comes completely out of his hidden shield. He may be the younger of the bunch be he has seen enough over the years to make him older and wiser than one would expect. Now if he can just convince Kendra, he will be headed in the right direction.

Kendra has swept into town with her partnership with Naomi at the Clinic. She is a super hard working woman who has a special softness for her clients. She was welcomed into the little family of Cedar Tree with open arms. She keeps herself busy and doesn't put her focus on her personal life. Not sure that she needs the headaches that dating and love tend to bring. Or at least that is what she has watched while growing up with a single mom raising her and her little sister.

When things start to get a little crazy once again in Cedar Tree, Kendra finds herself in the thick of things this time. But GFI is quick to get involved and do what they can to help. The more time that Neil and Kendra spend together the harder she find it to keep her guard up. Neil slowly slips behind the shield. But can they both open up and share the whys of who they are? Will Kendra be able to completely let him in? Can Neil keep he safe while finding the madman who is still trying to get her?

Freya has a special way of weaving her characters into your heart. She keeps you guessing and flipping pages with the intrigue and suspense of the story but finds a way to mix love and happiness in there somewhere. The family of friends that she has created in Cedar Tree is one of acceptance, pride, encouragement, love and loyalty. We could only hope that in our lives we find these kind of people.

I am so very sad to see the end of a great series but I can see that it is time to move forward. I can't wait to see what Freya will come up with next for us. I know that she will bring us more real, strong people that we can relate to while reading.

Great Job once again, I can't recommend the Cedar Tree Series enough. Give it a try.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review.***

Freya Barker 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.

Always 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.