Growing up a military brat and spending eight years overseas with the Army Medical Corps, clinical social worker, Willa Smith, has had enough of rules and regulations. Still able to work with veterans as she did at the VA Hospital, she is much happier at the new and far more relaxed South Avenue Shelter, until one of its residents is implicated in a murder.
Former military turned security … security operative, Dimas Mazur, has worked for PASS security, his brother’s company, since he returned stateside after a disabling injury. The job keeps him busy, but when a homeless veteran he knows runs into trouble with the law, he doesn’t hesitate to jump in. The strong-headed counselor at the shelter where his friend stayed is an unexpected bonus.
Until she puts herself square in the sights of the man he’s trying to take down.
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This is the second book in the PASS series, and as with all her other books, Freya Barker sucks you right in.
We first met Dimas in Hit & Run, and I have to admit, he lacked appeal. Well it didn’t take long for my mind to change. His story was everything I could hope for and more.
Willa is new to us, but this amazingly strong and independent woman who goes against her family’s expectations and forges her own path, quickly won me over.
The author continues to blow me away with her intricate and poignant plots. Her secondary characters are captivating. Her story lines are fluid and never disappoint. And just when you think you’ve figured out the ‘whodunit’ she sends in a giant curveball, demonstrating once again that she can write romantic suspense like the best of them.
Willa has always closed herself off to the idea of love and relationships because she’s never known love. Then she meets a veteran, Dimas, who works at his brother’s security firm, PASS, when he’s on a case she’s associated with. She’s feeling things she’s never experienced before and Dimas is the kind of man she had never dreamed would be in her life. When she becomes a target for the man they’re hunting, will Dimas and PASS be able to save her?
What I love most about Freya’s writing is that her characters are real and relatable and not in their early 20s. I love reading about romance among my peers, and no one’s better at romantic suspense for the 40+ crowd than Freya Barker. The case here is suspenseful and intense, and the relationship between Dimas and Willa is superb! Sexy, real, and emotionally substantial – perfect for this 40 something woman.
Highly entertaining and captivating read!! The storyline is intriguing, suspenseful and amazingly detailed. The story it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Dimas and Willa are fantastic together! As the danger increases so does the chemistry and attraction between Dimas and Willa. They both fear becoming too attached to the other but fate steps in and intervenes. Will they be able to clear Willa’s name? I can’t wait for the next installment of this highly addictive and suspenseful series!!
I love stories about disabled vet heroes and this didn’t disappoint! Dimas works for his brother at his security protection business. Willa is a therapist that works at a homeless shelter for veterans. These two have chemistry from the start but huge obstacles stand between them and their happy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
You’re guaranteed a few certainties when you pick up a Freya Barker book, namely you’re gonna pretty much ‘get’ the characters, you’ll encounter some real life issues that are more than believable (that you’ve maybe personally encountered or are familiar with), you’ll definitely be pulled in to an action packed, fast paced, engaging story and you’re without doubt gonna get snark, humour, heat, attraction and smokin’ hot sexy times when it comes to the leads!!!
Dimas and Willa’s story is the second book in the PASS series and we were introduced to Dimi in the first book, which featured Jake & Rosie.
I need to start by saying that on initial impression in Life & Limb I thought Dimas was gonna be a bit of a player and that I wasn’t gonna like him as much as I’d originally though (or hoped)…. but hey, why did I worry?? Ms Freya always gives you a reason to feel for her main characters and Dimas Mazur was no different!
Willa I was on board with from the get go. I liked the way she thought but I really enjoyed watching her character development and how she began to reassess some of her long held beliefs. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, knew what she wanted but wasn’t too stubborn or afraid to admit that she might have been living her life looking at things with an overly critical POV.
I liked the threads running through the story and while I thought I had a couple of characters pegged I didn’t quite get them right until more crumbs had been laid and we were heading for the end of the book. Characters were on-points as ever, we all know some folk like Willa’s parents, it was great catching up with Rosie & Jake and what was happening in their lives and I loved the hints at Bree’s possible leading man. I cannot wait for more in this series!!!
5* recommended read – and while you don’t have to have read Hit & Run before you dive into Life & Limb you should IMHO grab a copy and familiarise yourself with the PASS team and what they’re all about.
Who are Dimas and Yanis? Where are they from? What business are they in? Who and what is Mercedes? Oh, she’s not a nice one! At least I don’t think so! Who are Jake, Bree, Rosie, and Willa? Who are Brad and Arthur? What happens to them? Love the slow romantic burn that happens in this story. It is not too slow to cause one to lose interest, but just enough to keep you reading. It was a very interesting story to read!
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT from BookfunnelFOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin’ With M. Brennan.
Willa and Dimas. Strong heroine, playboy ex special forces. But they are both so much more. Both characters have strong purpose, and purpose brings them together and allows them to see each other differently. Dimas’s playboy ways do cause a bit of a ruffle and miscommunication, but ultimately their is a difference and he let lets Willa know she is different. Willa doesn’t want to lose herself, like her sister and mom submit to their spouses and their old fashioned ways. Dimas and Willa allow each other to just be..and their chemistry makes it that much better. In addition to telling the story of our main characters, this story is enriched by the suspense the story line creates. It is such a great and equal balance of both romance and suspense, that it leaves the reader wanting more of the world that these characters live in. Great read!
4.5***** stars. Willa is a veteran social worker at a homeless shelter geared to veterans. Dimas was in Special Forces until he met up with an IED while rescuing a POW in Iraq when he lost his left leg. He works with his older brother in security. His other brother is married to Willa’s boss. She is a military brat that is independent and doesn’t fill the 1950’s role for a woman. She calls him out on his BS and gives as good as she gets. He is falling for her just as she is. Neither of them can boil water, what a pair! Dead vets are showing up and innocent people are being set up for the murders. They have to prove otherwise making themselves targets. There is quite the conspiracy going on… Danger, mystery, corruption and intrigue! Lots of action! Focus on veterans who have PTSD and how the civilian environment affects them. Eye opening! And, of course, steamy stuff. This one has it all and you can’t put it down.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book
Dimas works for his brother at PASS (Protection and Security Services). He meets Willa and is highly intrigued by her strength and grit. Willa is a veteran and works at a local homeless shelter as a therapist. She’s built walls around herself and does not let many people in. Fortunately, Dimas has no trouble climbing those walls. Neither were looking for anything series, but fate had other plans.
Willa finds herself in the middle of a police investigation and a target is put on her back. Dimas and the rest of the PASS crew will stop at nothing to solve these crimes and protect Willa.
Life & Limb is book 2 in the PASS series by the incredible Freya Barker. Her hero’s are swoon-worthy and her heroines are kickass! Just when I think I couldn’t love Freya’s books any more than I do…she writes another one. This one is action packed from the start and will keep you guessing til the very end. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next
Wow, what a great book. Freya Barker hit it out of the park with this book. I couldn’t put it down once started.
I loved Dimas and Willa together, they just fit each other. They help each other out and be there for each other.
I loved we got to see everyone again. And loved how Rosie and Willa are close to each other.
Another amazing book by Freya Barker.
Another phenomenal read by an author who has become an instant go to author!
She’s a master at creating original, riveting and sexy stories about ordinary folks who are simply extraordinary.
This story resonated with me not only because the storyline was captivating but because the characters are every day folks who shined!
With the current situation going on around us, it was refreshing to give our essential workers a starring role as unsung heroes in a mystery/romance.
This author has that “it” quality in creating characters who are fierce, real and relatable. I didn’t know I wanted to read a story about these characters until I was swept into the world of Willa and Dimas.
This well paced, intense and passionate story investigates a murder mystery that reveals more than whodunnit.
The pace, the suspenseful build up, and who the suspects were made this read a perfect anecdote to feast on.
I don’t want to say more except read it!
I am always so giddy when I get a new Freya Barker book and this one had me devouring each word.
This is the 2nd book in the PASS series and my new favorite. Willa is an extraordinary character. What you see is what you get with her and I just loved that. Dimas who we met in the first book, comes off as a bit of a player but there are so many layers to his character.
I loved how their relationship developed. They were honest with each other, didn’t play games and accepted each others faults and out of that something beautiful grew.
This book had lots of emotion, great characters, some mystery and suspense, all the qualities you love in a Freya Barker book.
I highly recommend this book.
I did enjoy this book, although I found the number of characters and thier relationships a bit complex to get a grips with. Willa works at a homeless shelter which houses mainly ex-servicemen. Dimas is also ex-miltary working for a protection company. When Dimas meets Willa, sparks fly between them, the chemistry between them is hot but neither are looking for a relationship. When one of the ex-servicemen in the homeless shelter is found “murdered” and a friend of Dimas (who is also staying at the shelter) is arrested for the murder, Willa becomes an unlikely target of an underground fighting ring. The “ping pong” match between Willa and Dimas as they explored their relationship, was well done with a good amount “spanners” thrown in the works.
This new series gets even better with book 2! Willa and Dimas really fit well together and I enjoyed reading about such a strong female character. The story kept me entertained and left me wanting Bree’s story even more now! Can’t wait to see what happens next.
Life and Limb is the second title in the PASS series featuring Willa and Dimas.
Freya Barker crafts character that are complex, yet flawed, but are also experienced in life. Willa and Dimas are more mature characters aged in their late thirties and early forties.
Willa is a social worker, she’s strong, independent, kind, caring and compassionate.
Dimas is a veteran, and security expert who uses his charismatic and charming personality to his advantage. He’s driven, determined and protective, but also quite caring and battles demons from his time in the service.
Neither are looking for a relationship, but sometimes you find happiness and love in the most unexpected places. The chemistry between this pair is undeniable, and there were quite a few moments of levity and humour that had me laughing out loud, which was a surprise, as this title is riddled with suspense, intrigue and danger.
Freya Barker, while still relatively new to me, sucked me into this story and family from the start. And no I didn’t read the first book in the PASS series but I was able to follow along with the other connections in Life & Limb just fine.
I really like Dimas. He was strong and capable and didn’t let his disability define him. More over, he wasn’t put off in the least by Willa’s strength. If anything he admired her all the more because of it. And to me, she was the real star of this book. A strong woman, both physically and mentally, who was also vulnerable. She knew what she would and wouldn’t stand for. And even with everything happening in her life she still kept a mostly cool head when things started to spiral out of her control.
With Willa somehow stuck in the middle of his messy case, all of Dimas’ protective instincts came out. Talk about intensity and danger and mystery. I was just as blindsided by that final twist as Willa and Dimas when the final pieces clicked into place.
Yes, Life & Limb is fiction but I want to take a moment to commend Freya Barker for highlighting the reality that so many of our veterans face. For not sugarcoating the things they go through when they return ‘home’. I love that she showed both Dimas and Willa’s strength and vulnerability in overcoming all they had seen and endured. And that ending…I can not wait to hang out with this ‘team’ again!
Life and Limb is book 2 in the PASS series and even though I haven’t read book 1 you can easily read this one . Willa and Dimas story is full of lots of hard hitting tops that Freya Barker is so good at, this story is a bit of slow burn but will light you up in the end. You will absolutely love Dimas’s parents. Definitely worth reading.
Life & Limb is the perfect addition to the PASS series by Freya Barker. Again, we are treated to great characters and a storyline filled with steamy moments, intrigue and suspense that will keep you engaged and the pages turning to see how Willa and Dima find their way into each other’s lives and out of a sticky situation that puts them both in danger.
I love those hot, protective, alpha men with a big heart and Dima is that in spades. He has is eyes and heart set on Willa and nothing will get in his way in order to keep her safe.
Willa is a strong, independent woman who was definitely not looking for a relationship but there is no way she can deny that there is something growing between herself and Dima.
This is a fantastic story and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
Growing up a military brat and spending eight years overseas with the Army Medical Corps, clinical social worker, Willa Smith, has had enough of rules and regulations. Still able to work with veterans as she did at the VA Hospital, she is much happier at the new and far more relaxed South Avenue Shelter, until one of its residents is implicated in a murder.
Former military turned security operative, Dimas Mazur, has worked for PASS security, his brother’s company, since he returned stateside after a disabling injury. The job keeps him busy, but when a homeless veteran he knows runs into trouble with the law, he doesn’t hesitate to jump in. The strong-headed counselor at the shelter whee his friend stayed is an unexpected bonus. Until she puts herself square in the sights of the man he’s trying to take down.
Get ready ladies to fall head over heals in love with Dimas Mazur!!! I love that Freya Barker writes older characters too. You’re also going to love Willa. She is a super strong female character and I always love when the female character are strong ones. This book is filled with amazing characters and lots of suspense. I don’t want to give the story away but I know that once you pick this book up you will not be able to put it down.
I had a great time and was highly entertaining with each turn of the page. The characters are strong and well developed and engaging. With a storyline that flowed smoothly from beginning to the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.