Ripe For Reader: Release Blitz and Review - THROUGH FIRE by Freya Barker

Book Title: Through Fire (Portland, ME, novel #3)

Author: Freya Barker

Genre: Contemporary Romance & Woman's Lit

Release Date: July 19, 2016

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Violence corroded her…

Obedience defiled her…

Fear kept her chained…

Freedom is hard to embrace when she’s never learned to trust. Yet in the span of a second, she grabs a single opportunity and runs toward it. Straight into the sanctuary of a pub at the end of a wharf.

She doesn’t understand the concept of friendship. She’s never felt the connection of a relationship. She’s as innocent as the driven snow and yet tainted with corruption. Still, she finds herself surrounded by people who accept her, without even knowing the first thing about her.

But one of them is determined to dig deeper.

He treasures his friends, yet he’s steered clear of committed relationships. He likes his life comfortably predictable and entirely controlled. Until it isn’t. For months he’s avoided interacting with The Skipper’s newest addition. Perhaps realizing that once he looked deeply into those liquid brown eyes, he wouldn’t be able to turn away.

When his present and her past puts them both on the brink of change, they are forged through fire as one.

Listen to Freya read an excerpt from Through Fire

“Can I see?” His voice is right behind me now and I can almost feel the heat coming off his body.

Still without turning, I drop the peeler and hold my arm out to the side, slowly pulling up the sleeve of my sweater. He steps into my field of vision and wraps one of his large hands around my wrist, pulling my arm out further so he can see. It’s nothing. At least nothing compared to some marks I’ve carried. Still, the hiss of his breath over the raised blister on my forearm seems to burn itself into my skin, and I lightly tug at my arm. He releases it instantly.

“Did you put something on it?”

He settles his back against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest and it would be rude not to look at him. Although his voice sounds gruff, almost curt, his blue eyes only convey concern.

“I did,” I confirm. “It doesn’t hurt. Much,” I add, not quite sure why I felt the need to.

“Have you taken anything for the pain?”

I shake my head forcefully. “No.” No way in hell will I take any drugs. Not even if my arm was on fire.

I can feel him examine me closely and I keep my eyes focused on what my hands are doing. “Make sure to keep it clean. When those blisters open, it can easily get infected,” he finally says.

This time I simply nod. He seems satisfied with that and takes a look at the recipe while I pick up the peeler again.

For the next half hour we work in relative silence as we finish cutting the ingredients and toss them in the large pan, which is now ready to go in the oven. Tim’s easily taken charge and it’s obvious he is no slouch in the kitchen. I have to admit I feel more relaxed today than I did yesterday. Or even this morning when I should’ve been excited about meeting Viv at her apartment—my apartment now—but was worrying about the day ahead instead.

“I can teach you.” Tim’s statement, out of the blue, startles me. “Cooking, I mean. I’m no chef, but I can handle the basics.”

I’m not able to mask the flash of excitement at the prospect. Pam had tried but, with the constant interruptions at the shelter, I’d had a hard time staying on task. I quickly straightened my face, though, the moment I started thinking about the logistics. It would mean being alone with this large man for stretches of time. And where? At the apartment? Here at The Skipper? No. I can’t. I know enough to know that if a man offers you favors, it’s for good reason. Usually favors in return. Otherwise what would he get out of it?

“Why?”

He seems a little taken aback by my question. “Because you want to learn. You said so. Never too late to start. And if I’ve learned anything in my years it’s that regret is the one true failure. Besides,” he says with a shrug of his massive shoulders, “I like cooking. I don’t do it often enough.”

“Okay.” I slap my hand over my mouth but it’s too late to hold back the inadvertent response.

His eyes twinkle with amusement. “Good.” He nods with a smile, before turning back to the stove.

What have I gotten myself into? Idiota.

Book Trailer

5 of 5 Stars

I have loved the previous books of the Portland ME Series and Through Fire is no different. These wonderful standalone books can be read individually or as a series as some characters are seen again.

To say Ruby has lived a very difficult life would be an understatement. But the fact that she has made it this far from the scared 14 year old who experienced something so terrible to a 43 year old running for her life and a new start. Is short of amazing. She has such a long way to go still. Ruby needs to learn to trust in herself and others again, not an easy task. The Skipper and its amazing staff is her starting place but before she knows it her past is walking back in the front door. Will she have to run or will she find the strength to stand firm with the help of her new friends?

Tim is very much the lonely guys with a simple life. He doesn't really take notice of the new server at The Skipper as she isn't his normal type. When he runs to the kitchen to help after a horrible crash, he quickly notices Ruby and all her curves on curves beauty. He finds himself with a new focus on life. The changes come fast and in many forms but he wouldn't change a thing.

Can Ruby escape her past for good? Can she truly have a normal life? Has she found a man to love her, inside and out? Could she possibly turn her horrible past into something good by helping others?

Freya writes these books with such in depth emotions, while reading you feel like you are part of the story not just sitting back on the sidelines watching. She reaches into your heart. Her characters are so deep and developed the feel like real people fight for a better life they deserve.

Sure hope we get some more of the amazing group at The Skipper and the Portland, ME Series.

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

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. A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None,” Freya has since published eight books. She continues to spin story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!