Cruel Water

Portland, ME Series

By: Freya Barker

Narrated by: Brian Rodgers, Lorelei Avalon

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Innocence marked her.... Violation crippled her.... Love left her raw.... The life she carefully rebuilt is challenged when she is confronted with the sins from her past. The carefully applied protection is at once ripped away, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.

Her single night of indulgence with the silver-eyed stranger is only the beginning. He sees right to the heart of her and she is unable to ward off emotions that have been deeply buried. With the sting of betrayal still fresh in her soul, she's surprised to find herself opening up to the honest integrity of the sharp-eyed, rough-looking biker.

When he lost everyone who mattered, he was left without roots and learned to be content simply living in the moment. Completely unprepared for the feisty blonde bartender with old pain marring her clear-blue eyes, he questions his own rules of detachment, as she unwittingly finds a way under his skin.

Appearances deceive, and when the masks fall away, revealing deep, dark secrets, there is nothing left but to hang onto each other and survive the storm.

This book deals with issues around abuse that might be sensitive to some. Due to content of a sexually explicit nature, this book is recommended for a mature audience only.

©2016 Margreet Asselbergs as Freya Barker (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Good Narration. Tough Subject Matter

The subject matter in this book was difficult. It covers not one, but two very emotional and painful issues.

I liked Ike and Viv's more mature relationship. There was not the usual drama with a ton of communication problems. Ike and Viv had great chemistry. Ike was completely supportive. There was also romance, and a fair amount of heat.

I also like the family Viv made from her co-workers. It was nice to see she had a support network that included Ike.

All the drama came from Viv's family. I imagine it was supposed to be healing to forgive. Maybe I could forgive the brothers, but I am not so sure about Viv's mother. That would have taken me a LOT longer.

I listened to the audio book. I thought the narration was well done. The book didn't feel like it was long, and it kept me fully engaged. I would recommend it and rate it 4.5 stars.

I love this author

I love this author she writes a simple story with so much love action and drama. I'm hopefully getting the whole series so I can read them all.

Beautifully written

What a great story. Loved Vic and could wait for her book. Viv and Isaac were perfect together. He was just who she needed to battle her demons.
These narrators were fantastic!

I nice surprise

Freya Barker spins an interesting story with a woman who is struggling to find her way after a past of abuse and a man who struggles with guilt over the loss of his brother. Although there is plenty of angst in this story, it also feels very real with family dynamics, personal growth and support. The duel narration by Rogers and Avalon adds to the story.

A Trip Back to Portland ME

What did you love best about Cruel Water?

I love the characters in this story. Ms. Barker knows how to right real people in tough situations and make them stronger than they believe they can be. Her use of mature characters draws me into her books because there is often an element of commonality with the characters. I love how the author takes an unlikely pair and shows that in their differences, they are truly soulmates.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Viv is one of my favorite characters in Ms. Barker's books. She appears to be strong and take charge but that masks a lot of insecurity and hurt in her past. She strives to save and protect others while floundering herself. Once she finds Ike, her vulnerability is revealed and wrongs righted as best they can be. She's still a force of nature, just a little tamed by the love of a good man.

What about Brian Rodgers and Lorelei Avalon ’s performance did you like?

When I read the book last year, I heard the character's voices as I read. I thought Brian Rodgers was spot on as Ike, his intensity and range of emotions are very engaging for the listener. At first Lorelei Avalon's voice didn't meet the idea of Viv in my mind. However, after the first chapter her emotion and understanding of the character shone through and she became Viv.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were several moments that moved me nearly to tears but revealing them would spoil the story for the next reader. Suffice it to say when Viv and Ike share their pasts keep tissues handy.

Any additional comments?

I have read everything by this author and love her books. I cannot wait to devour the rest of her books in audio.

Emotional Romance

Book 2 from this series and we have some characters coming into their own. Back to the familiarity of The Skipper Pub, one of places where friends and family get together.... and we learn a more about Viv. Viv ended up in a women's refuge when she made the break from Frank and has been making her own way without brothers getting involved. With Pam’s help, the therapist and the owner of the women's shelter, she works through some of the issues that have run through her life, but there are surprises still to come.....there are some trigger situations in this book, so please be aware.
Viv has worked at the pub for a while...and one night notices a stranger....and indulges in a one night stand...thinking they’ll not meet again. The stranger is Ike a biker, who takes a shine to the feisty blonde bartender and through the book they help each other recover from backgrounds that have made them who they are. The storms and emotions that come to the fore are heart wrenching and the secrets that follow are mind blowing for all the family and friends.
This is as far as I’ll go with this review without giving the plot away, you need to read it yourself to appreciate the storyline. This is another special book from Freya Barker, an author who concentrates on characters who’ve lived a life, sometimes a very hard life, but along the way meet real people who make a difference to them