HIGH INTENSITY (High Mountain Trackers HMT 2G) by Freya Barker

Posted on November 4, 2024 by Sandy

HIGH INTENSITY (High Mountain Trackers HMT 2G) by Freya Barker-review tour

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 4, 2024

Dog trainer and handler, Jillian Lederman, is moving with her pack to Libby, Montana, a place where she has made friends and hopes to find a fresh start. It’s time. For years, she’s just been keeping her wounds fresh by staying in Missoula—where there were regular reminders of all she’s lost—while the rest of the world has continued to move forward.
Perhaps the new house, the beautiful mountains, and a certain pair of clear, blue eyes hold the promise of new beginnings.

Since changing careers years ago, former FBI agent Lucas Wolff has found a much better work-life balance as a member of High Mountain Trackers. Still able to serve his community, he has also been carving out a comfortable existence for himself and is not looking to make any changes to it anytime soon. Not even for a particular bold and ballsy redhead he’s been trying to avoid.

That turns out to be an impossible feat when a plane crash during a blizzard sets both of them on the trail of a young girl, all alone in the mountains. But it soon becomes evident they are not the only ones looking, and staying safe means sticking close together.

•••••

REVIEW: HIGH INTENSITY is the second instalment in Freya Barker’s contemporary, adult HIGH MOUNTAIN TRACKERS HMT 2G romantic suspense series, a spin off from, set in the author’s High Mountain Trackers. This is thirty-nine year old, dog trainer and handler Jillian Lederman, and former FBI Agent Lucas Wolff’s story line. HIGH INTENSITY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jillian and Wolff) HIGH INTENSITY follows in the wake of an airplane crash in the mountains of Libby Montana. As the team at HMT struggle with the accumulation of snow, Jillian offers the use of her dogs as the team searches for any survivors, one of whom is missing, an eleven year old girl. As the FBI and law enforcement try to piece together what has happened, our heroine is targeted by a criminal enterprise as they too hunt, for the missing child. Working together to keep the young girl safe, questions begin to arise about the possibility of someone working from the inside in an effort to take control.

The world building follows several paths including the search and rescue of the plane survivors, and several lost hikers but not everyone will make it out alive. As Wolff declares himself guardian and protector of Jillian, he finds himself falling for the child, and the woman he is hoping to claim as his own. We are up close and personal as Jillian reveals the heart break in her life, and her ability to move on from the past.

The relationship between Jillian and Wolff began on a previous search and recovery when Jillian’s dogs were once again need to help but the recent snow storm brought Wolff back into Jillian’s life when he needed to ensure she was safe, having stranded himself over night. Working together to locate and rescue the missing child, our couple find themselves acting on their attraction, with the hope of something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we met in the original series. We are introduced to eleven year old, Hayley Vallard, as well as several FBI agents, law enforcement, and Hayley’s uncle Grant Vallard. The requisite evil has many faces.

HIGH INTENSITY is a story of betrayal and greed, search and rescues, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is detailed, captivating and dramatic; the characters are animated and spirited ; the romance is spicy and tender.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one HIGH FREQUENCY

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Driven to make her books about ‘real’ people; she creates characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills in their lives.

Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We’ve Read All Year Award for “Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya 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!

Facebook: http://bit.ly/FreyaFacebook
Twitter: http://bit.ly/FreyaTwitter
Instagram: http://bit.ly/FreyaInstagram
Web: http://bit.ly/FreyaWeb
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/FreyaGoodreads
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/Freya_Newsletter
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/FreyaBookBub

High Frequency (High Mountain Trackers 2G) by Freya Barker-tour

Posted on August 5, 2024 by Sandy

High Frequency (High Mountain Trackers HMT 2G) by Freya Barker-review & excerpt tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 5, 2024

When the rug is pulled from under Detective Sloane Eckhart, she leaves the Billings PD and returns to Libby, Montana.

Eight years ago she left with her pride and the promise of a future, but her heart was broken. On her return, there is no pride left, no prospects to speak of, but at least her heart is safely secured in the back seat.

Still, a bit of groveling, a kind offer of help, and a brand-new job with the sheriff’s office quickly gets her back on her feet.

High Meadow will always be home to Dan Blakely. Working with horses, being part of the HMT search and rescue team, and now building his own home right next door checks all his boxes. Only one thing is missing, but that dream walked out the door a long time ago.

Still, his life is good, steady…and perhaps a little boring.

That quickly changes when the rescue of a young, teenage girl, places the new sheriff’s detective squarely in his path. He’s not bored now, doing his best to keep her safe, even as their past holds them back while they fight for a future.

•••••••••

REVIEW:HIGH FREQUENCY is the first instalment in Freya Barker’s contemporary, adult HIGH MOUNTAIN TRACKERS 2G romantic suspense series, a spin off from, and set in the author’s HIGH MOUNTAIN TRACKERS and ARROW’S EDGE MC series. This is single mother, Detective Sloane Eckhart, and search and rescue specialist Dan Blakely’s story line. Dan Blakely is Lindsey Zimmerman’s half brother (EDGE OF NOWHERE 7).

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dan and Sloane) HIGH FREQUENCY follows the second chance relationship between our story line couple. Approximately eight years earlier Sloane walked out of Dan’s life but in the ensuing years, each remember something different about that time. Fast forward to present day wherein Sloane returns to Libby Montana as their newly hired Detective, a position that will bring her up close and personal with the man she once loved. Enter Dan Blakely. A missing teen, and the discovery of several bodies, and damage to Dan’s property finds Sloane diving head first into the investigation only to discover there may be a connection to all three, a connection that places Sloane in the direct line of fire. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Dan and Sloane, as they navigate their rekindled romance, and the possibility of a serial killer in the small town of Libby Montana.

The world building follows the second chance relationship between our story line couple, as well as the investigation into the discover of several bodies. As Sloane begins to uncover the clues, someone else targets Dan, in an act of anger and betrayal.

The relationship between Dan and Sloane is a rekindling romance. Eight years earlier Sloane walked out of Dan’s life, and Dan has no idea what happened or why. As our couple rebuild upon what was, Dan discovers not all was at it seemed. Working together, as well as journey towards their own happily ever after finds Sloane overwhelmed with everything. The $ex scenes are passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters, many of whom we met in original High Mountain Trackers series including Sully and Pippa. We are introduced to Sloane’s mother and step-father, as well as deputies Jason Heany and Frank Schmidt: Dan’s ex Shelby.

HIGH FREQUENCY is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, obsession and murder, forgiveness and acceptance. The premise is dramatic and intriguing; the characters are desperate and charismatic; the romance is magnetic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“What do you need me to do?” I offer.
Next thing I know, my arms open automatically when she shoves the baby at me.
“Take her.”
Ama disappears inside before my brain can come up with an objection.
Any baby experience I have began and ended with Carmi, Sully’s daughter, and Fletch’s son, Hunter, and that was twelve or thirteen years ago. It’s not that I don’t like babies, because I do, but the fact this is Sloane’s baby is making it a little awkward. Still, I settle her a little better in the crook of my arm.
Then I hear the creak of the rocking chair and Thomas’s raspy chuckle and look up. The old fart clearly thinks this is funny.
“You should see the look on your face,” he points out as he continues to rock his chair. “I’m guessing young Sloane becoming a parent was a surprise to you as well?”
“Yes,” I grumble, just as a little hand slaps against my chin and catches on the short hairs of my beard.
I drop my eyes to Sloane’s baby, who has her little face turned toward me. I don’t know who the dark hair belongs to, but those blue eyes are unmistakably her mother’s.
“Aspen. That’s her name,” Thomas shares. “Pretty little thing, ain’t she?”
She is, especially when her little mouth spreads in a wide, toothless smile.
“You look good holdin’ that baby,” he continues. “Too bad you let her momma slip away, or that wee one could’a been yours.”
Fuck. That stings.
Should’ve known the old man wouldn’t hesitate to poke his finger in the sore spot.
“I’m not the one who left.”
The bitter comment slips out before I can check it.
“No, you weren’t. You’re just the one who let her walk.”
Agitated, I get to my feet, shifting the baby to my shoulder as I start to pace the porch.
“It wasn’t that simple.”
“It never is, son. It never is.”

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Captivating Anika (On Call 9) by Freya Barker-review tour

Posted on May 15, 2024 by Sandy

Captivating Anika (On Call 9) by Freya Barker-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 14, 2024

Anika Jones has her future carefully plotted out and is checking the boxes, one by one, despite the bumps thrown in her path. This last one is a challenge, but she manages to stay on track; her salon is thriving, and she just bought a house. Unfortunately, when one of her employees runs into trouble, she inevitably gets sucked in, throwing her carefully paced life off-balance. It doesn’t help a friend, who’s been ghosting her for a year, suddenly makes an appearance.

He was born to pig farming, but for Noah (Hog) Hodgekins fighting fires is his calling. He wasted too many years honoring a legacy he wants no part of. But now that he’s finally free from family obligations, there’s nothing holding him back from pursuing the life he’s been dreaming of. The first step is mending bridges with the one person who is central to that future, but she comes with her own challenges, family and otherwise.

Instead of treading carefully to gain her heart, he ends up throwing caution to the wind when her recent string of bad luck lands the FBI on her doorstep.

•••••••

REVIEW: CAPTIVATING ANIKA is the ninth instalment in Freya Barker’s contemporary, adult ON CALL: Police and Fire: Operation Alpha multi-authored erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on side characters first introduced by author Susan Stoker. This is forty-nine year old farmer / fire fighter Noah ‘Hog’ Hodgekins, and thirty-nine year old, hair stylist/shop owner Anika Jones’ story line. CAPTIVATING ANIKA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: For fans of Freya Barker, there is a slight cross over with the author’s ARROW’S EDGE MC series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Anika and Noah) CAPTIVATING ANIKA follows the building romance and relationship between Anika and Noah. Firefighter Noah ‘Hog’ Hodgekins has been pining after hair stylist Anika Jones for several years but an off-handed comment from Anika left Noah in the friend zone until an attack on Anika’s co-worker brought Noah back into the fold. All was not well when Anika’s co-worker goes missing, and our heroine finds herself the target of revenge by more than one potential suspect. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Anika and Noah, and the potential fall-out as betrayal comes from the unlikeliest source.

The world building is frantic and wild. Anika is often the victim of violence and vengeance, and in this, our heroine is suffering for the sins of someone else.

The relationship between Anika and Noah is one of mutual attraction but Noah previously misjudged Anika’s feelings, and spent months to years wondering what went wrong. Anika is keeping a secret from family and friends but her secret will reveal woman struggling to get through, every day. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is another large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including many of whom we met in the previous story lines. We are introduced to Anika’s employees and co-workers: Molly, Monique, Landon, and Kim. The requisite evil has many faces.

CAPTIVATING ANIKA is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, obsession madness, acceptance and love. The premise is intriguing, captivating and twisted: the romance seductive; the characters are desperate, dynamic and determined.

Previous Reviews

Dissecting Meredith
Watching Trin
Igniting Vic

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

EDGE OF NOWHERE (Arrow’s Edge MC 7) by Freya Barker -review tour

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Sandy

EDGE OF NOWHERE (Arrow’s Edge MC 7) by Freya Barker-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 5, 2024

Open roads and honor meets poke bowls and self-control

I’m a homesick nomad.
A protégé, a mountain man, an ally, and a seeker.

My name is Wapi.

I’m a work in progress looking to belong, and though my road has been a winding one, my heart has found focus. I’m a straightlaced hellcat. A princess, a fool, a target, and a handle.

My name is Lindsey.

I can lash out fiercely when wounded, but my claws retract and my love glows bright in the hands of the right man. We got off on the wrong foot—hostility thick between us—but when murder hits close to home bringing about a second chance, those sparks now stoke a different flame.

Setting hearts on fire.

•••••••

REVIEW: EDGE OF NOWHERE is the seventh instalment in Freya Barker’s contemporary, adult ARROW’S EDGE erotic, MC romantic suspense series. This is MC member Wapi, and legal assistant Lindsey Zimmerman’s story line. EDGE OF NOWHERE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Some of the characters from the author’s HIGH MOUNTAIN TRACKERS series cross over throughout the story line content.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Wapi and Lindsey) EDGE OF NOWHERE follows the building romance and relationship between our leading couple. Four years earlier Lindsey was abducted and Wapi, struggling with the guilt, took off for places unknown. Fast forward to present day, Wapi has returned to the Arrow’s Edge MC, and once again, finds himself at the beck and call for our story line heroine but all does not go according to plan when our couple find themselves at the centre of a murder investigation, on the run from the FBI, and in the direct line of fire from a possible criminal organization. With the help from extended family and friends, Wapi and Lindsey seek protection with the High Mountain Trackers, only to be targeted on their trip back home. What ensues is the building romance between Wapi and Lindsey, and the potential fall-out as the FBI and local law enforcement suspect something else is going on.

The world building follows several paths including the return of Lindsey’s ex boyfriend, a man whose obsession of Lindsey adds another dimension to the ongoing investigation. A run in at the airport on the way home from her best friend’s wedding is the impetus for everything that follows.

The relationship between Wapi and Lindsey is acrimonious at best as the couple are constantly at odds with one another but an attack against Lindsey sends our heroine on the run, and with Wapi’s help, finds solace in the building relationship with our story line hero. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters from the Arrow’s Edge MC, and the High Mountain Trackers. We are introduced to Lindsey’s mother/attorney Melanie, her father Dave Zimmerman, and her brother Dan; ex-boyfriend Galen Wagner, and several members of law enforcement . The requisite evil has many evils.

EDGE OF NOWHERE is a story of betrayal, vengeance and obsession; secrets and lies, power and control, family, friendships, relationships and love. The fast paced premise is detailed, dramatic and exciting; the romance is seductive ; the characters are determined and sure of wha they want.

Reading Order and Previous reviews

Edge of Reason
Edge of Darkness
Edge of Tomorrow
Edge of Fear
Edge of Reality
Edge of Trust

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Snowbound by Freya Barker-review tour

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Sandy

Snowbound by Freya Barker-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 4, 2023

Had she known ‘doing the right thing’ would land her jobless, homeless, and snowed in with a moody bear of a man guarding her, Bobbie Strada might’ve thought twice.

Last thing US Marshal Dag Toland needed was to get stuck protecting a witness as tempting as this one. Especially when forced to share a small mountain cabin in the middle of a snowstorm.

•••••

REVIEW:SNOWBOUND by Freya Barker is a stand alone, contemporary, adult novella of romantic suspense focusing on US Marshall Dag Toland, and chef Roberta ‘Bobbi’ Strada.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Dag and Bobbi) SNOWBOUND focuses on the protection of our story line heroine. Bobbi Strada witnessed a murder, and the Russian Bratva are aiming to kill. In protective custody as the prime witness, Bobbi finds herself, once again, a target when someone has discovered the place she has been hiding.. On the run with US Marshall Dag Toland, Bobbi is once again, dependant upon someone else, to save her life, not only from the Russian Bratva but also from mother nature, and the outside elements.

The relationship between Bobbi and Dag is slow to develop. For two months Bobbi has been trapped with one of four US Marshalls but Dag is the reluctant team member, a man Bobbi is unable to see beyond the façade. Trapped and facing the dangers of the weather and the mob, Dag finds himself facing the very people targeting our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

SNOWBOUND is a fast paced, quick read of suspense and mystery. The premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is predicated upon close proximity and desperation; the characters are determined and strong.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Onyx (GEM 3) by Freya Barker-review tour

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Sandy

Onyx (GEM 3) by Freya Barker-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 6, 2023

GEM: A PRIVATELY-FUNDED ORGANIZATION OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY IN THE SEARCH FOR—AND THE RESCUE AND RECOVERY OF—MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN. ALTHOUGH, AT TIMES WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, GEM AIMS TO ENSURE THE VICTIMS RECEIVE JUSTICE…BY WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY.
____

Operator Onyx; balanced, strong, a guardian

She’s the voice of reason, advocates, and strategizes.

Supporting the team from the background, Onyx rarely goes out in the field. However, when a widespread child exploitation ring is discovered, her particular skill set is needed to get close.

Unfortunately, her boss—a man she’s never laid eyes on before—is dead set against her taking the lead. Outvoted, he finds a way to keep her in his sights, risking his own exposure.

•••••

REVIEW:ONYX is the third (and final?) instalment in Freya Barker’s contemporary, adult GEM dark, erotic, romantic suspense series. This is Rajani ‘Onyx’ Agarwal, and Jacob Branch’s story line. ONYX can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order.

SOME BACKGROUND: GEM stands for Gather, Evaluate, Mobilize

GEM, a group that works independently of other organizations, searching for missing and exploited children; and CARD (Child Abduction Rapid Deployment) is a division of the FBI working to stop those trafficking in children. Approximately twenty years earlier Raj (Onyx), and her fellow GEM agents Kate (Opal) and Janey (Pearl) were abducted from a teen youth center, help captive and abused by a madman who was believed to have died in a fire at the center but their investigations into the missing and exploited all reveal a connection to the center, and the probability the baddest of the bad survived.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Onyx and Jacob) ONXY focuses on the take down of the last man that destroyed Onyx, Opal and Pearl’s lives. Raised in a group home for troubled teens, the boys and girls were used and abused by the people in charge but a fire allowed the children to escape, and the survivors are searching for the ones who got away. Fast forward to present day, the members of GEM are all former childhood victims whose duty it is to protect those most vulnerable but as a side proclamation, GEM searches for the men who destroyed their lives, and with only one man still on the run, Onyx goes undercover in the hopes of taking down the remaining abuser who is about to turn the tables on our story line couple. With the help and coordination of GEM’s boss and CEO Jacob Branch, as well as Jacob’s friend Hamish, the trio face down the nightmare who continues to destroy so many lives.

The world building continues to focus GEM, but more specifically the three women and their boss Jacob Branch, who have pledged to help those unable to help themselves. With the number of missing and exploited children on the rise, GEM is kept busy searching for those unable to help themselves.

The relationship between Onyx and Jacob is employee and boss but very few people are truly aware Jacob’s secret or his real identity. As Onyx begins to tumble down the rabbit hole, secrets are revealed, lies are exposed, and Onyx struggles to accept what happened and why. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including Opal and Mitch, Pearl and Lee, Hamish Adrian, and Jacob’s caretaker Bernice Nelson. The requisite evil has many faces.

ONYX is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, forgiveness, acceptance and love. ONYX is twisted, passionate and dramatic story of tragedy and recovery; the characters are struggling and broken; the romance is fated but predicated on deceit and deception.

There are several moments of confusion, a couple of twists to the story line that at times left me wondering what happened and why but all will be revealed throughout the story.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Opal
Pearl

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Pearl (GEM book #2) by Freya Barker-review tour

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Sandy

Pearl (GEM Book #2) by Freya Barker-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /Chapters Indigo /Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 25, 2023

Operator Pearl; layered, mysterious, a protector.
She masks as delicate, analyzes, and moves stealthily.

Hot on the trail of a young accomplice in a child exploitation ring, Pearl finds herself posing as a teenager to get close. Unfortunately, joining a group of kids on a wilderness quest means stepping out of her comfort zone and into uncertainty. But with the target in her sights her focus stays razor-sharp.

The last thing she needs is the dogged journalist who’s been close on her heels catching up and rattling her cage. When he inserts himself into her investigation, she has no choice but to go along.

Thrown together in a mutual pursuit of justice, the negative energy between them sparks up in a new way.

GEM: a privately-funded organization operating independently in the search for—and the rescue and recovery of—missing and exploited children. Although, at times working in conjunction with law enforcement, GEM aims to ensure the victims receive justice…by whatever means necessary.

•••

REVIEW:PEARL is the second instalment in Freya Barker’s contemporary, adult GEM romantic suspense series focusing on three GEM agents and friends Opal, Pearl and Onyx. This is GEM Agent Janey ‘Pearl’ Fisher, and investigative journalist Lee Remington’s story line. PEARL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise throughout.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

GEM stands for Gather, Evaluate, Mobilize

Told from dual first person perspectives (Pearl and Lee) PEARL follows the search for a missing young girl with connections to a program for troubled teens called Evolution Quest .With the help of investigative journalist Lee Remington, Pearl goes undercover as a volunteer in the hopes of learning the who, how and why but Lee and Pearl are about to expose an intricate pedophile ring who target their victims at Evolution Quest. What ensues is the building relationship between Lee and Pearl, and the potential fall-out when Lee is targeted, and Pearl discovers the past never truly dies until you see if for yourself.

The world building continues to focus on GEM (Gather, Evaluate, Mobilize), a group that works independently of other organizations, searching for missing and exploited children; and CARD (Child Abduction Rapid Deployment) a division of the FBI working to stop those trafficking in children. Twenty years earlier Janey and her fellow GEM agents Kate (Opal) and Raj (Onyx), were abducted from a teen youth center, help captive and abused by a madman who was believed to have died in a fire at the center but their investigations into the missing and exploited all reveal a connection to the center, and the probability the baddest of the bad survived.

The relationship between Pearl and Lee begins acrimoniously as Pearl doesn’t want a partner aka Lee along for the ride. Pearl is desperate to locate the missing girl but Lee is about to reveal he knows more about the case than she could have imagined. As Lee and Pearl begin an investigation of their own, they will find themselves a target of the people involved. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters include Opal and Mitch (Opal), Raj (Onyx), GEM boss Jacob Branch, as well as several struggling teens, counsellors ,parents and law enforcement. The requisite evil has many faces.

PEARL is another story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, abuse and obsession, love and understanding. The premise is dramatic, twisted and tragic; the characters are spirited, animated and stubborn; the romance is edgy and compelling.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one OPAL

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

OPAL (GEM #1) by Freya Barker-review tour

Posted on May 22, 2023 by Sandy

OPAL (GEM #1) by Frey Barker-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au / B&N / KOBO / Apple /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 22, 2023

She hides in plain sight, adapts, and infiltrates.

When Opal goes undercover in a youth center several teenagers have disappeared from, she’s shocked to find a ghost of her own traumatic past at the helm. However, her worry for the missing kids is greater than her concern being recognized and she risks her own safety to discover the truth.

To complicate matters, a familiar FBI agent shows up conducting his own investigation and almost blows the whistle on her. It takes some doing to convince him to join forces with her but as it turns out, they work well together.

In the course of uncovering an organized group of child molesters, they find themselves falling—for each other.

••••••

REVIEW: OPAL is the first instalment in Freya Barker’s contemporary, adult GEM romantics suspense series focusing on three GEM agents and friends Opal, Pearl and Onyx. This is forty year old, marksmanship trainer for the US army, GEM Agent Katherine ‘Kate’ Jones aka Opal Berry, and FBI Agent Mitch Kenny’s story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

GEM stands for Gather, Evaluate, Mobilize

Told from dual first person perspectives (Opal and Mitch) OPAL follows the search for several missing teens from a group home in the city of Lanark, Kentucky. Twenty years earlier, our heroine Kate, along with Janey and Raj, were abducted from a teen youth centre, held captive and abused by a madman who would eventually die in a fire at the same centre. Fast forward to present day wherein, several more teens would go missing, under similar circumstances to what happened years before, a similarity that brought with it ghosts from the past. Going undercover as part of the GEM investigation, Opal would come face to face with FBI Agent Mitch Kenny, a man determined to stop Opal before it’s too late but as the search turns dangerous, the investigation hits too close to home for the man with whom Opal is falling in love. What ensues is the search for, and rescue of the missing teens, and the potential fall-out the investigation becomes personal, pushing Opal out of Mitch’s life.

The relationship between Mitch and Opal begins when Mitch and Opal must work together in an effort to uncover the truth. A number of at risk teens are missing, pointing to a possible organized group of child molesters, a group of well connected and well known men in positions of power but as the names and faces are revealed, Opal finds herself facing down a ghost from the past. Mitch and Opal struggle in the face of work-place involvement but when the time comes to run, Mitch pushes Opal out of his life. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful , powerful and energetic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Pearl aka Janey, Onxy aka Raj, their handler and GEM founder Jacob Branch, FBI Agent Matt Driver, as well as Mitch’s daughter Sawyer, his ex-wife Becky, and her new husband Chad Miller, as well as several teens and volunteers at the Youth Centre. The requisite evil has many faces.

OPAL is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, abuse and obsession, acceptance and love. The premise is gritty and captivating; the romance is subtle and seductive; the characters are desperate, determined and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

The Reading Cafe

One stop pertaining to books and more

Tag Archives: Freya Barker

HIGH INTENSITY (High Mountain Trackers HMT 2G) by Freya Barker

HIGH INTENSITY (High Mountain Trackers HMT 2G) by Freya Barker-review tour

High Frequency (High Mountain Trackers 2G) by Freya Barker-tour

High Frequency (High Mountain Trackers HMT 2G) by Freya Barker-review & excerpt tour

Captivating Anika (On Call 9) by Freya Barker-review tour

Captivating Anika (On Call 9) by Freya Barker-review tour

EDGE OF NOWHERE (Arrow’s Edge MC 7) by Freya Barker -review tour

EDGE OF NOWHERE (Arrow’s Edge MC 7) by Freya Barker-review tour

Snowbound by Freya Barker-review tour

Snowbound by Freya Barker-review tour

Onyx (GEM 3) by Freya Barker-review tour

Onyx (GEM 3) by Freya Barker-review tour

Pearl (GEM book #2) by Freya Barker-review tour

Pearl (GEM Book #2) by Freya Barker-review tour

OPAL (GEM #1) by Freya Barker-review tour

OPAL (GEM #1) by Frey Barker-review tour