The Heart of Christmas Release News

I am so excited about the release of The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak  in just 4 days. 

You can already pre-order this fabulous book on Amazon.com .

Brenda Novak is also offering a $1.00 coupon 

Click over to Amazon if you want to pre-order or clip out the coupon and take it to your favorite store. Be sure to tell your friends about the latest installment from the Whiskey Creek series. 

THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS

Just call her Christmas Eve… Eve Harmon has always enjoyed Christmas, but this year it reminds her of everything she doesn’t have. Almost all her friends are married now, and that’s what Eve wants, too. Love. A husband and kids of her own. But the B and B she manages, and even Whiskey Creek, the small Gold Country town where she was born and raised, suddenly seem…confining. Eve’s worried that her future will simply a reflection of her past. There’s no one in the area she could even imagine as a husband – until a handsome stranger comes to town. Eve’s definitely attracted to him, and he seems to have the same reaction to her. But his darkly mysterious past could ruin Eve’s happily ever after – just when it finally seems within reach. And just when she’s counting on the best Christmas of her life!

For all the exciting news about The Heart of Christmas, The Whiskey Creek Series or any of Brenda Novak's books please go to 

http://www.brendanovak.com/

While visiting her website be sure to check out the contest for your chance to win awesome prizes and the freebies page for fun items. 

Review of Come Home to Me

Come Home to Me by Brenda Novak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This installment of Whiskey Creek deals with Presley. If you are already a fan of the series then you know Presley is Cheyenne's sister and not a major player in the clique of friends. We learn some of Presley in Book 2, When Snow Falls, which is Cheyenne's story. I wasn't certain Presley would be included in the series but was hoping. I think the relationship, and how it came to be, between Cheyenne and Presley is interesting and perhaps a bit difficult to understand. I try to avoid spoilers for those who haven't read the books, so this may be left mysterious for some but others know why I say that. It is the background you read of in Book 2 that lays the foundation for this strangeness. I would definitely suggest you read Book 2 before you read this book, if you haven't. There are things going on that influence heavily the decisions made by Cheyenne. If you love Chey you may hate this book. It definitely shows her in a human, flawed light. I personally loved this book. I thought the lying and scheming done brought up some of the psychological issues that are a part of Chey and Presley. While it may bring Chey down to some, I feel it shows how the past can influence you into doing things you usually wouldn't. For me, it made Chey more human, less perfect.Presley changed a lot from where she was left in Book 2. Her return brings her into contact with Aaron again, who has also been making changes in his life. It is difficult for Presley to accept Aaron changed enough to accept her and her son. I think this is a multifaceted issue. I believe that part of her difficulty was her own shame and guilt over her lie. One she really had no clue how to rectify and defend herself at the same time. This may have influenced her beliefs about Aaron, distorting the way she saw him. When you don't really forgive yourself completely your vision is distorted. I'm not certain what was going on with Riley and his sudden deep interest. Perhaps it was what I call, desperate single father syndrome. DSFS is what influences single dads to obsessively seek a "mom" for the family. I have known men who have raised their children to adulthood who are still seeking the "mom" to the family. These men, (not every single dad falls into this category), tend to look for a woman who has a child and then make decisions about her based on her mothering. I think Riley may be going through that and it is why he instantly fell hard for Presley. In my opinion this book is well done. It explores how our past influences our decisions no matter if we are the main character or the sister supporting her. I think it will be difficult for those who have put Cheyenne on a pedestal but for me it was perfect. I think Cheyenne and Presley have a unique bond that is very difficult to understand fully. It will be interesting to see how things go between them as they mature more with life's challenges. This is one series I definitely find fascinating. It is due, in part, to the author not being afraid to explore darker things and in part, to the author not being afraid of her characters falling down. No one is perfect though some are perceived that way. When their flaws are exposed it always brings out strong, intense emotions of like or dislike. This book will bring that out, for sure.

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*I was given an advanced ecopy of the book for review purposes. The author, nor anyone affiliated with her, requested a "good" review. Nor did they influence or compensate me in any way. All opinions and thoughts are my own.*  

Complete, (so far), Whiskey Creek Series covers.

          

You may find out more about the series and the author, Brenda Novak by visiting:

http://www.brendanovak.com/

https://twitter.com/Brenda_Novak

https://www.facebook.com/BrendaNovakAuthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12937.Brenda_Novak

http://www.amazon.com/Brenda-Novak/e/B001IGNW9G/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

This author is linked to the charity For The Cure and does an online auction during the month of May. For more information or to get involved please visit:

http://www.brendanovakforthecure.org/

For more information on Diabetes please visit: 

http://www.brendanovakforthecure.org/resources.html

When Snow Falls Review

When Snow Falls by Brenda Novak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Make sure you have a box of tissue near you for the ending. This book was intense and emotionally satisfying. The book is Cheyenne's story. What a heartbreaking story! The ending nearly killed me even though I saw it coming. I love how the author showed that two children raised together could take very different paths. I believe the difference for them was twofold; Cheyenne had a dream, Presley had a secret. Each weighed heavy on them and contributed to what drove them on. I have spent a lot of time thinking about that while reading this, (and most likely will continue to). I love books that make me examine the characters long after I close the book. This one is one of those for me. I hope the author explores it a bit more with a novella on Presley at some point in the future. I'm not sure a full book would be necessary as much is covered in this book. I absolutely love the Whiskey Creek series. Each book draws you in with enough reality that you could forget it is fantasy. At the same time there is enough fantasy to let you float away from reality. The characters are well written so you get to know them and love them. The characters become friends. As each story unfolds you discover so much about them, much as it does in life. You could read the books as stand alones but I would recommend the entire series. I am reading them out of order so I sometimes know how is with who. Normally that might be a problem but in this book, (and so far, the series), the complete story is so rich my knowledge takes very little away. If you like the angst of not knowing, then read them in the order written.

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Take Me Home for Christmas Review

Take Me Home for Christmas by Brenda Novak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this story best so far. So much of this story hit me so personally. Sophie's story touched me so deeply. I am a DV survivor. There were so many times when I read that story that I had to take a breath. The author describes what it is like to feel you deserve to be mistreated accurately. People always say why don't they just leave and it is so complicated. The reasons vary so much and many times there are more than one reason. I think the common one most have, is the silent one addressed in this book. We take it because we feel, for whatever reasons, we deserve it. It is the one I say is silent because rarely do you hear someone admit that. Part of it is shame, (we are admitting that we have done something that we believe was bad), and part of it is we know it will not be accepted. You need not say the words before you hear, it's not your fault. You didn't deserve it. I respect that and I understand the need for it. But for the longest time I just wished someone would validate my feelings, whether right or wrong, just allow me to acknowledge them. Finally, this author has and I thank her for it. There were so many twist to the plot, much like life. I think that is why I love this series so much. The author has done an awesome job with fantasy plots that feel realistic and characters you love, hate, change your mind about as you get to know them. Can you read this series as stand alones or out of order? Yes, though you will no doubt, want to read the others. Your curiosity will demand it. I am reading it out of order and even though I know some of who is with who, I am still breathless while I read. I am captivated by the story. I recommend this book to get you in the Christmas mode. It will make you laugh, be angry, cry, cheer and ultimately feel good about the journey.

Take Me Home For Christmas will be available late October 2013 and is available for pre-order on Kindle and in Paperback.

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For more on Brenda Novak please see her webpage at http://www.brendanovak.com/