Review of When
Lightning Strikes by Brenda Novak
Published: August 28, 2012
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: "Gail DeMarco left Whiskey Creek,
California, to make a name for herself in Los Angeles. Her PR firm has
accumulated a roster of A-list clients, including the biggest box office hit of
all—sexy and unpredictable Simon O’Neal. But Simon, who’s just been through a
turbulent divorce, is so busy self-destructing he won’t listen to anything she
says. She drops him from her list—and he retaliates by taking the rest of her
clients with him.
Desperate to save her company, Gail has to humble
herself by making a deal with Simon. The one thing he wants is custody of his
son, but that’s going to require a whole new image. He needs to marry some
squeaky-clean girl who’ll drag him off to some small, obscure place like
Whiskey Creek…
Gail’s the only one he can trust. She agrees to
become his wife—reluctantly. But she isn’t reluctant because he’s too hard to
like. It’s because he’s too hard not to love!"
I've read a few Brenda Novak books, mostly murder
mysteries with romance thrown in, but When
Lightning Strikes is one of my favorites of hers to date. I love how this is a totally Hollywood book,
having to do nothing with murder but rather the betrayals of life and getting
back on your feet. Simon is a character
who seems so self-destructive, but in all actuality is trying to muddle through
life by dimming his emotions. Gail is a
character who puts up this steely exterior, but is really the most vulnerable
person of all. I love how this story and
these characters are always changing, little by little. You don't expect them to change or the story
to grow so much it leaves readers in a mess of knots dying to know the outcome,
but this story really makes readers want for more. I give When
Lightning Strikes by Brenda Novak 5 smirks because it is a feel good story
readers will want to appreciate again and again.
Review of When Snow Falls by Brenda Novak
Published: October 30, 2012
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: "After growing up in cheap motels, moving from town to town with
her sister and mother, Cheyenne Christensen is grateful to be on her own. She's
grateful, too, for the friends she found once her family settled in California.
But she's troubled by the mystery of her earliest memories, most of which
feature a smiling blonde woman. A woman who isn't her mother.
Although Cheyenne has
repeatedly asked for explanations, the people who could help aren't
talking. Cheyenne is set on finding answers, but without so much as a birth
certificate, it won't be easy.
Things get even more
complicated when her closest friend is attracted to the man Cheyenne has
secretly loved for years. For Eve's sake, she decides to step aside—which lands
her right in the arms of Dylan Amos, oldest and baddest of the hell-raising
Amos brothers. He's the kind of guy she's sworn to avoid. She can't afford to
make a mistake, not when she finally has a chance to learn who she really is
and change her life for the better. But…maybe there's more to Dylan than she
thought. Maybe letting him go would be a bigger mistake."
S
When Snow Falls by
Brenda Novak is a story that will have readers rooting for the underdogs to
finally have their shot at true happiness.
Cheyenne is a character whose loyalty is as strong as her will to
survive her background is, which is so inspiring the pages just fly by as
readers time becomes irrelevant. What is so amazing and different about When Snow Falls is how there is a love
triangle, but it is such a love triangle full of honesty and trust it is almost
shocking to read it through. The first
time Dylan speaks to Chey I instantly am rooting for him and them as a couple,
because even the words on the pages readers
can see their souls colliding with each other. As for Chey and her hardships, her
friendships, family, her relationship with Joe and all the other messes that
seem to collide in her life all at the same time, the constant is always the
same. While I won't say what the
constant is, I will say that Chey discovering her past, her present, what she
wants out of her life, and how she finally stands up for what her heart truly
desires is the best part of this book. When Snow Falls by Brenda Novak is
easily 5 smirks because this story makes readers fall in love with characters
who don't know how to give up and who strive to never lose what they thought
they could never have.
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Review of In Seconds by Brenda Novak
To Be Released: August 30, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Laurel Hodges has changed her identity twice. She’s been on the run for the past four years, trying to outdistance the gang members who blame her for the death of one of their own. She’s finally found peace and stability in the small town of Pineview, Montana. But just when Laurel thinks she and her children are safe…the nightmare starts all over again.
The Crew, a ruthless prison gang with ties to Laurel’s brother, will never forget and they’ll never forgive. And now that they’ve finally tracked her down, they’ll stop at nothing.
Sheriff Myles King, who happens to live next door with his thirteen-year-old daughter, appoints himself Laurel’s personal guardian. His growing attraction to her could change his life—Myles is beginning to picture marriage and family. But it could also end his life. If he can’t save her, everything he’s built, everything he wants, could be destroyed. In seconds…”
In Seconds by Brenda Novak is a bittersweet story about surviving the worst when you didn’t think you would. In Seconds by Brenda Novak is the second book in this new, hot series. In this book readers get to see a new side of Laurel, a character who has survived so much, and yet still has the strength of will to fight for what she has achieved. Along with Laurel we as readers also get to see other familiar characters and their points of views. But the most intriguing part of Laurel’s story has to be the handsome, sexy Sherriff Myles King. With chemistry that sparks with every glance, readers will be on the edge of their seats wondering if, when, and how Laurel and Myles will be able to love again in spite of the circumstances which brought them together. I give In Seconds by Brenda Novak 5 smirks. There are different points of view, which I think gives readers, a well-rounded knowledge of the story itself. The main characters, Laurel and Myles, have this incredibly relatable essence which not only distinguishes them as individuals but as a couple as well. Their chemistry is tangible and the loneliness they both have had to deal with makes readers who have felt this emotion, less lonely in the process. The town of Pineview is charming and gossipy, in all the ways a small town should be. In Seconds by Brenda Novak is an honest, emotion breaching story that will leave readers wanting to know the characters are going to have a happily ever after.
Review of Inside by Brenda Novak
Released: May 31, 2011
5 out of 5 smirks
Synopsis: “Dangerous to know...
Virgil Skinner served fourteen years for a murder he didn’t commit. He’s finally been exonerated, but he can’t escape the gang he joined in order to survive. They’ll do anything to keep him from telling what he knows. And if they can’t get to Virgil they’ll go after his sister and her kids.
The California Department of Corrections needs someone to infiltrate another gang, one that’s taking control of the state’s most notorious supermax. Virgil agrees to do it under an alias—in exchange for his sister’s protection.
Chief Deputy Warden Peyton Adams is opposed to having Virgil in her prison. How will she protect him if things go bad? Besides, she’s far too attracted to him; she might even be falling in love with him. That makes her all the more desperate to keep him safe—and it gives him someone else to lose.”
Inside by Brenda Novak is an exhilarating story about making a difference and finding love in the most unusual circumstances. Brenda Novak (love all her books) has an uncanny ability to provide just the right amount of suspense, drama, action, adventure, and romance to Inside that will leave readers feeling like they ran a 6 minute mile. I give Inside by Brenda Novak 5 smirks because the story has a certain appeal of criminal justice, searching for the truth, and romance springing in the unlikeliest of places.
