Freeze Frame: a Snapshot novel Kindle Edition

Freeze Frame continues the story of Ben and Isla from Shutter Speed, the novella prior to this book.
In this story, we really get to see how each character develops—individually and as a a couple.
I love Ben. He is the ultimate alpha: strong—physically and mentally, takes what he wants, speaks his mind, protective, owns up to his faults, would move mountains for those he loves, smart, rides a Harley, beyond sexy, respectful, gorgeous, kind, and actually pretty funny. I'm talking ...The. Perfect. Man.
Considering the intensity and danger from Ben's former occupation, having a woman like Isla in his life is just what a man like him could appreciate.
Isla is a kind, tiny but sassy, sharp as a tack, loyal, hard-working, hard-headed, almost-forty-year-old tom-boy. She might be pixie in size, but her spirit is larger than life. She enjoys photography and sees the world in her own unique way.
Ben and Isla bring out the best in each other. Maybe it's due to the fact that they're somewhat older, acquiring those years of life's experiences in which they recognize and appreciate their chance for love and happiness. They are completely in sync with one another.
Because of Isla's Uncle Al gifting Isla the campground, which was originally given to him, along with his property, they find themselves building a home on the mountain and trying to enjoy day to day life together. Uncle Al, and Ben's sister Stacie and her adorable daughter, Mak, become so much a part of their lives that a sense of family is really starting to grow among them. I love when characters, who could potentially live a very lonely life, all find their way to a new, unexpected happy turn of events.
Ah, so they all live happily ever after!
Uh ... not so fast.
Unfortunately, someone from Ben's past, which could be any one in a long list of seedy characters he was forced to deal with, decides to make her presence known. Everything and everyone who is important to Ben is now in danger. As Ben calls in his buddy's from different sections of law enforcement, yes, we see Gus and Caleb, among others who try to put the pieces together in finding this psychopath.
So much happens thereafter. There are plenty of twists and turns which carry a path of death and destruction in their wake.
As bad as the situation gets, I love how it brings out the best in every one of who's involved. I guess one could say that all's well that ends well, but wow, what a harrowing ride. I loved the epilogue!!!
There's so much vivid description and heartfelt feeling in this book that it's as if the words and color and places and characters are all bouncing off the pages. The storyline itself is fantastic, and honestly, I didn't want this book to end. I've said it before and I'll say it again—Freya Barker is one of the BEST storytellers of our time; her books are like finding a treasure. Adding KT Dove to this one made it even more of a gem. I Highly recommend this series! Five Colorado mountain stars for me. I was given this ARC for an honest review and honest it certainly is.

I really, really wanted to LOVE this book. I mean, it continues the story of Ben and Isla, who I loved in Shutter Speed. But…I can’t say I loved it. I liked it a LOT. Just not as much as the prequel. And there isn’t anything I can definitively point to and say why.

I’ve thought about it a lot. And the only thing I can think of is that we’re dropped back into their story after all the angst and turmoil of the initial connection between the two is already over. So, if it’s been a while since you’ve read Shutter Speed, you might want to read that one again before you start Freeze Frame and read them both as one long book. I think that would have pushed my like more towards love…

Instead, you get a lot of routine decisions that every couple makes when starting out together. They’re not dull decisions but they are the less than exciting things that build a relationship. And I do that kind of stuff daily. I don’t even want to think about that stuff if I don’t have to in my own life. That’s why I read.

There is a lot of stuff going on in the background of Ben and Isla’s life that makes you think the threat against them is not over and I would have rather seen more of that story line. But, even though I wanted to get to more action, Barker and Dove do bring a well rounded story to the table.

In this continuation of Ben and Isla’s story we learn a little more about Ben’s past work with the DEA and his troubled family history. We also experience with them how difficult it is for two people to blend their two, sometimes very different, personalities into one life together. It’s not always as easy as everyone makes it out.

What you don’t question is the depth of the love these two have for each other. They have their challenges. They have tragedies they have to work through. Doubts they have to overcome. And they have to remember that each of them had a past before they met each other. Nothing that seems like it’s a deal breaker, but all together, definitely doesn’t make for a smooth transition into couplehood.

Regardless of whether this is read as a stand alone or as one long book along with the prologue, I have to give it to Barker for creating another solid story with incredibly likeable characters and a realistic story that will keep you reading.

Are you ready for a fast paced adventure that will you on the edge of your seat?

I am a fan of Freya's strong independent heroines, Isla fits that bill perfectly. Not just any woman would pack everything up to go help look after a campground on the side of a mountain. But when her Uncle Al needs her help she doesn't think twice. This giving her the perfect backdrop and subjects to further grow her photography and pursue her dreams. Over the crest of 40 she had all but given up the hopes of finding love.

Ben finds himself at a turning point of his life. After many years undercover for DEA he is now retired and ready for normalcy. He was not willing to look for love and companionship while undercover but a certain Pixie has given him a direction and a place to start. Once he starts to settle in he is quickly realizing what he has missed out on and doesn't want to waste any time. Bringing what little family he has to Delores to spend time with them.

When Ben's past sneaks into Delores things get anything but boring. Can Ben keep his past from touching Ilsa and his family?

I often worry when two authors join forces on one book, can the writing style truly mesh. I think Freya and KT are either pretty well matched or maybe a ying/yang. The writing is seamless and I couldn't tell who was writing when. Ben and Isla are both in an adjustment faze and the growth of these character individually and as a couple was very touching.

I am excited to see where Freya and KT take us next with The Snapshot series.

The amazing couple that Freya Barker introduced in Shutter Speed is back with a full length novel and I couldn't be happier. I adored their interplay in the novella and it is back and better than before. Ben and Isla are in a new relationship and taking on new life challenges, including a person from Ben's past who is determined to destroy their relationship. As if there weren't other issues that blindsided the couple before the crazy person shows up. Just when Isla's photography seems to be taking off and new opportunities arise, the unexpected happens.
Ms. Barker's characters become like old friends in a matter of a few pages. Uncle Al returns and he is a hoot and a half. As is Ben's sister's child and the dog they acquire. The banter between characters is natural and when you add Ben's sister in the mix, it only gets better. I love the cameos by some of my favorite Cedar Tree residents, especially the way Neil riles up Ben.
Being in a new relationship, the couple still struggles with a few things but they seem very well suited to each other between the sheets. The sensual side of their relationship is HOT and the emotions they feel are realistic and true. Then Ms. Barker adds to her recipe her special ingredient, suspense. That cranks the entire story up several notches. The surprises Ms. Barker has in store for the reader will shock them. I love these characters and can only hope that there is more stories coming from this series.

4.5 stars

OK, confession time: when I finished Shutter Speed, I liked it but I didn't love it as much as some of Ms. Barker's other books. The heroine Isla was a particular challenge for me, so when it came time for me to crack open Freeze Frame, I did it with no small amount of trepidation especially since a new author was being added to the mix and my last few reads in general had been a bit of a mixed bag. I am happy to say those fears melted away from the very first chapter! The story flowed easily and the integration of two writing styles was fairly seamless.

Before starting Freeze Frame, I do definitely recommend reading the prequel novella so that you have an understanding of how Ben and Isla arrived at the place they are in at the start of this story. Ben has left his old job behind and is looking forward to settling into a different life with Isla, but the reality is that although he is certain where he wants the future to lead, they have only actually known each other for a short time and there is still a lot of unknowns between them.

They find a comfortable routine and enjoy a honeymoon phase for a while, and Isla is startled but thrilled to see her photography turn from a hobby to a fledgling business. She never expects one of her photos to dredge up a ghost from Ben's past while bringing danger to their newly constructed doorstep though.

Freeze Frame has all of the suspense and action moments I have come to expect from Ms. Barker's stories, and there is no shortage of steamy times complete with sexy alpha male attitude and sassy female responses either. I am still not a complete Isla fan but she worked her way into my good graces a bit more in this story. She still tends to overthink and overreact but I could live with it. As a fan of the Cedar Tree series, I loved the subtle nods to landmarks and people from those books throughout the story, and crossover appearances from some of my favorite guys like Caleb, Gus and Neil brought a smile to my face. Have no fear though, you don't have to be familiar with the other books to enjoy this one. FBI agent Damian Gomez is another familiar face who is slowly growing on me and I am looking forward to his eventual HEA when the time comes. Isla's Uncle Al returns, and a few of Ben's family members are introduced who I am hoping to see more of in the future.

While there was one particular aspect of the story late in the book that I raised an eyebrow at in terms of real world practicality and a smidgen of predictability, it was written in the spirit of providing the characters with the HEA they needed to have so I rolled with it. All in all, Freeze Frame is a great story and I am looking forward to more from this writing duo.