Violence corroded her… 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.
**Due to some content of a sexually explicit nature, this book is recommended for a mature audience only.**
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Ruby has escaped her past and found herself in Portland, ME – after finding Pam and getting a job at the Skipper, she still hasn’t fully settled Ruby has to learn how to trust and accept that friendship and love do exist for her despite her past.
Tim has to face his fears after losing some of the stability in his life too and he meets Ruby at The Skipper…. both of the main characters have different issues and this book is about how they progress. Freya’s books are about people who’ve suffered in different ways. They can be traumatic, emotional, make you gasp, but draw you in to hope the characters can find their way through the minefield of all the angst, heartache, pain, drama, love and romance. In this plotline there are some abuse triggers, but this doesn’t detract from this story, it enhances it. A roller coaster of a ride, but so worth it.
A little over a year ago, I read my first book by Freya Barker. As soon as I read the first Cedar Tree book I couldn’t read the rest of the series fast enough. Her writing style and realism has made her one of my very favorite writers. Ms. Barker tackles the hard stuff in a manner that reflects not only grace but respect for the topic and her characters. Her characters are beautifully imperfect and real, like people in our real lives. The beauty of her writing is in the care she uses peeling back the layers of her characters’ imperfections and revealing the beautiful souls within.
Through Fire is the third book in her Portland ME series, and this series is compelling. Ruby and Tim’s story hits all of the emotions; I found myself laughing at times and near tears at others. Ruby’s backstory is truly heartbreaking. Victimized by a man she thought had feelings for her, she lost not only her family, but also her freedom and the right to control her own body. Violence has long been a part of Ruby’s life and ironically an act of violence provides her means of escape. Lucky for her she landed at The Skipper, safe in the arms of some of my favorite book friends. Dino, Viv, Ike, Syd and Gunnar provide a caring family that has been sorely lacking in Ruby’s life.
Then there’s Tim, sigh. Having grown up with parents that were into the free love movement, he has a warped ideal of commitment and relationships. He’s successfully avoided them by dating mindless women, until he meets Ruby. On multiple levels the poor man’s life is turned upside down, which is a treat for the reader. The couple’s journey is one of discovery, not only of their feelings for one another but also of what lies within themselves.
In true Freya Barker form, there is suspense, intrigue, humor, and most importantly love. I adore that Ms. Barker’s characters are not twenty-somethings: they are older, they are real, and they have loving relationships and sex. She is also the master of keeping the reader up to date on the lives of other characters in the series as well as showing the reader there are still stories to tell in this family of the heart. Here is my best advice. Read the Portland ME series, read this book, fall in love with this author’s words, you will not be disappointed.
Favorite Quotes:
Whatever shape or size you come in doesn’t change all the beauty that’s you.
Sometimes I don’t like Pam, particularly when her arguments start to make sense. But most of the time I appreciate her brutal honesty – I just prefer it directed at someone else.
I will spend the rest of my life erasing every single mark, every single touch, every single gaze any other man has ever left on you, until all you can remember is me.
…the strongest bonds are forged by fire. You have my heart, Ruby, and I’d gladly walk through the fires of hell, if it meant I could walk with you.
My Review:
Freya Barker excels at writing compelling, relevant, and life-affirming stories that give me pause while also summoning a desire to hold my loved ones close, give thanks for what I have, and to let go of the nominal complaints of my daily life. Her emotive and thoughtful stories have never failed to squeeze my cold heart or remind me that there are far worse things occurring in this world than my petty nonsense. Through Fire, like all her other works, was expertly crafted, well plotted and detailed, deeply moving, highly intriguing, and totally consuming. Ms. Barker has a special gift for providing endearingly flawed characters that feel inadequate and weak in themselves, yet are undeniably strong in that they were capable of coming out of the worst types of devastation and tragedy that would have ruined even the best of us. In addition to that awe-inspiring ability, she also magically conjures the perfect swoon-worthy partner to support, heal, and complete their recovery and transformation from fractured to whole. And along the way – she tosses in lots of sensual sizzle, a tender romance, and a bickering pair or two for periodic comedic relief. Impressive and highly addicting – to say the least!
“Sometimes you have to struggle through the bad before you can truly enjoy the good stuff.”
Through Fire is the 3rd book in the Portland, ME series which I have come to associate with a few specific characteristics: fierce women who have a core of pure steel to survive some pretty ferocious trials in life, alpha males with hearts of gold providing their safe port in the storm, and a group of friends who leave judgment at the door and provide cheerleading support, a shoulder to cry on, a quiet partner to share a drink, or a combination of the above.
She may not realize it yet, but Ruby Soto needs a little bit of everything I just mentioned. After witnessing her parents’ murder, she was forcibly taken from her home at the age of 14, relocated to a training brothel and imprisoned in a sex trafficking ring for almost 30 years. Her escape eventually brought her to the doorstep of the amazingly supportive counselor Pam at Florence House in Portland which in turn leads her to the crew at The Skipper.
Tim Veldman has spent his 43 years happily flowing through life as a bachelor but one curvy Latina suddenly has him sitting up and taking notice, a fact that has not escaped the notice of his friends. He knows endless patience is needed to show Ruby that he is different from the men she has been exposed to, and he has a feeling gaining her trust will be the best gift he has ever received. Then his own life is turned upside down and they find themselves unexpectedly leaning on each other.
Despite the undeniable 7th circle of hell Ruby has lived through, she still has a beautiful heart with fire and passion hidden behind the protective walls she has built. With each new painful layer of her history that is peeled back and revealed, she braces for the censure and judgment only to find it distinctly non-existent. Just when it feels like she is ready to embrace the good and move forward, a major speed bump throws her off balance and derails her hope for the future, but she once again digs deep and finds the strength to persevere.
There is no shortage of soul searching and emotional upheaval in this story. Ruby has to learn how to trust and accept that friendship and love do exist for her despite her past. Tim has to face his fears after losing some of the stability in his life too. Together they build a loving relationship surrounded by a diverse and somewhat kooky family comprised of blood relations and supportive friends alike.
Through Fire was well written, displaying the depth and quality I have come to expect from this author. Yet for some reason, Tim and Ruby just didn’t resonate with me as strongly as the first two couples in this series. It could have been that Tim didn’t appeal to me quite as strongly as Gunnar and Ike did. Or it could have been that Tim’s mother and brother reminded me a little too much of people in the real world that grate on my nerves more often than not. Occasionally life gets in the way of my enjoyment of a story, and this was one of those times when the external noise drowned out portions of the words on paper. Don’t let that deter you from experiencing an emotional and enjoyable read though- get your 1-click on for Through Fire today!
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.