An assignment has just turned interesting for GFI investigator Malachi Whitetail. When a shy, mousy woman walks into his local diner, it takes him a minute to recognize her as an employee of the real estate office he’s been monitoring. Not a believer in coincidence, Mal decides a closer look at the short brunette might be warranted. It will be the first, but certainly not the last time, he finds … finds himself coming to her rescue.
Kimeo Lowe leads a pretty quiet existence, which is why, when she ends up a witness to a crime, her curiosity into her boss’s suspected shady dealings gets kicked into high gear. She may not be the most sociable of people, but she’s always been independent and industrious, so when an opportunity to dig a little deeper arises, she doesn’t think twice. It would seem that this time she’s bitten off a bit more than she can chew, and when a freakishly tall Native American Adonis intervenes not just once, she decides sleuthing may be best left to professionals. But it’s a bit too late.
Just when life has settled into a comfortable routine, Kim finds herself dealing with not just one, but two threats on her life. With every turn there are new challenges to face, and Mal is not about to let her face them alone. Not even when he turns out to be no match for her most dangerous enemy.
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Another great book in the series! Malachi is a bit of a jerk in the beginning but he also has a chip on his shoulder from past regrets. I liked the man he became when he fell for Kim. Poor Kim. This girl has been put through a lot. Her whole life seemed to be defined by her weight, no thanks to her family and friends treatment of her. I liked seeing both of these two being each other more joy and confidence into each others lies. The gang was all there again, and we got another great suspenseful storyline.
Audio-book: Narrators – Tanya Eby and Noel Harrison
Another entertaining and beautifully narrated audio by Ms. Eby and Mr. Harrison. I’ve yet to find one written by this author and narrated by this couple that I haven’t loved.
The sixth book in the series has solidified my belief that Ms. Barker is a genius when writing books that include older heroes and heroines as well as characters that have physical issues and/or concerns. Mal and Kim were wonderful both individually and together. I loved the way they worked through their own issues as well as those they faced as a couple. Mal was so protective of Kim even when he wanted to protect himself from hurt, he did what he needed in order to be there for her.
This has a rich plot filled with drama as well as close friends and some family drama. I enjoyed being able to see all the couples that have come prior to this book as they work together to not only beat the villain but to support each other.
Just when I thought the Cedar Tree Series by Freya Barker couldn’t get any better, the woman goes and writes Like Arrows. Malachi has been an supporting character in the past books and always a bit of an enigma. I love Ms. Barker’s writing style and her characters. She doesn’t write about millionaires and debutantes. She writes about real people with life experience and physical limitations. Her women are strong and feisty, some have disabilities and all have warm and loving hearts. Her men are the epitome of the alpha male: strong, protective, loyal, and sexy. She writes real people, with real bodies, real problems, and real love. Her stories are suspenseful and sexy. Malachi and Kimeo’s story is no different.
I think I loved this story because I relate to Kimeo. She has fought a weight problem all of her life. No diet or exercise program changed anything. She always thought it was a medical condition but after repeated doctors and specialists, nothing was found. Her father loved her for who she was, no matter her size. Her mother and sister on the other hand ridiculed her until the day she left home. Even her ex-boyfriend used her weight as a reason to cheat with her best friend.
When a case throws her into Malachi’s path, she refuses to see the truth about the man. She
couldn’t fathom a handsome sexy man wanting her. Malachi fights his own demons, the loss of family members in his past makes him feel as if everyone he cares for leaves. He is a perfect addition to Cedar Tree, his brother Caleb used to be my favorite of the series but now, I’m pretty sure I have to go with Malachi. He’s protective, caring, funny, and sexy as sin. Through the twists and turns of the plot, he shows Kimeo that he can be trusted with her most precious commodity, her heart.
While Ms. Barker gives excellent background in her books, this series enhances each book. She illustrates the deep connections between all of the couples and their undying friendships. I loved this book, this series, and this author. I cannot wait to see what she has up her sleeve for her next book.
Favorite Quotes:
“I’m reminded of something my ana sani used to say. Something about words being like arrows and once you let them find their mark, their power may come back to haunt you.”
“He stands by my feet, looking at me like a starving man and I’m the last slice of bread in the basket.”
You think you can tell from the outside what a person represents? What their life is like? You think you know by just one look? Well feast your eyes as my fat ugly ass walks away with my amazing boyfriend. And in case you were wondering? He’s hung like a stallion and knows how to use it.”
“You know, we grow up learning that women are the complicated gender, when really it’s the men. They have this whole tough outer layer that they hold up in display, but it’s only there to hide the same fears, insecurities and struggles inside. Don’t get me wrong – they have a very different way of looking at the world at times and seem to be able to compartmentalize things better, but when it comes down to it they are as emotionally fragile as we are.”
“Whatever happens, if this moment, right here, is all we’ll have, it’s still the happiest I’ve had.”
My Review:
Like Arrows taps into and explores several interesting, current, and highly relevant issues for women – including but not limited to chronic and hidden illnesses, distorted body image, food issues, dieting, dysfunctional families, familial resentments, infidelity, mixed-culture relationships, and plus size bias. There were lots of feels along with Ms. Barker’s trademark quirky characters and witty banter. Both main characters were sensitive and complicated individuals with scarred souls, and despite each having lived a lifetime of personal pain, succeeded in bringing out the best in each other for an all-out rescue. I found this a more angsty story than some of her previous books, due to the heavy issues addressed, but still an enjoyable read with hits of sensuality and humor interspersed. I adore this series and the continuing story of her feisty and over 40 characters, with each book also able to stand alone is just perfection.
I have a new favorite hero. Malachi and Kimeo’s story had it all. The suspense we’ve come to expect from Freya’s Cedar Hill series was present, but there was a much more personal and physical challenge for Kimeo that really tugged at my heart strings.
I will be the first to admit, I didn’t like Malachi much in the beginning. Though I initially felt sympathy for him from his appearances in the earlier books, I was shocked at his blatant insults about Kimeo’s body image. He did, however, redeem himself in the end.
Kimeo on the other hand, I loved instantly. I don’t know if it was because of her cheating former boyfriend, her insecurities, her possible illness or her dysfunctional family. But this heroine kicked ass. Glad she finally let the super sleuthing to the professionals, because I really had a fear for her safety.
Freya, you’ve done it again. And as much as I just want to bask in the afterglow this story has left, I need you to write Neil’s story now.
Sweetie… you have done it again. I just fall in love with your characters…. they speak to me and make me want to keep reading their story to be with them as they find their direction and happiness in life. I love that you make me forget the world and live in the book.
Oh Mal… where do I begin. Mal has been with us for a while now in Cedar Tree but he is such a mystery. Good at his job and silent in so many ways. He keeps himself at a distance with everyone. Even his family. We have seen a change in Mal from his life of crime to a man of justice but we had not yet seen him truly happy with life. Watching him develop his feelings for the little mousy woman who he is supposed to protect is something else. Mr. Calm cool and collected can be seen tripping up and flailing like a fish out of water. Completely out of his element and funny as hell on occasion.
Kimeo has put a new meaning to not letting people in. When life treats you the way she has been treated it is not a wonder. However, she is still a spitfire or at least tries to be. Strength and courage are needed to survive that kind of life. When she finds herself being protected by the GFI gang she is absolutely overwhelmed. That last thing she expected was to make the best of friends from this crazy situation she finds herself in. When she finally realizes that Mal might be the real thing, she is slapped with another surprise.
Can they get past this newest hurdle? Will they attack it together with her new found family of friends or will she find herself alone and trying to survive the aftermath? Will Kim and Mal get their HEA?
What a wonderful addition to the Cedar Tree Series. So does that mean that Neil is next????