Discovering You by Brenda Novak
Whiskey Creek #10
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease, #CleanSweep
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N
Synopsis
Can she ever trust another "bad boy"?
India Sommers once had the perfect family--until an ex-boyfriend broke in and shot her husband. Not only did that cost her the man she loved, a respected heart surgeon and the father of her child, but she also feels responsible. Charlie died because of the people she hung out with before she had the strength to change her life.
Just after moving to Whiskey Creek with her little girl, Cassia, to start over, she's learned that her ex-boyfriend's trial ended in a hung jury. He's getting out of jail; he could try to find her again. And that's not all that scares her. She's extremely attracted to her next-door neighbor, but Rod Amos is the handsome "bad boy" type that's given her so much trouble in the past. If she got involved with him, her in-laws would sue for custody of Cassia.
India has to keep her distance from Rod--but the more she gets to know him, the more difficult that becomes.
Discovering You was another satisfying installment in the Whiskey Creek series. I quite enjoyed getting Rod Amos' story with a side of Mack Amos' story. (I can't wait for the rest of that one!)
All of the Amos brothers have wild child reputations and Rod earned his early. But you know the old adage "don't judge a book by its cover"? Well, there's certainly more to Rod than his tattoos and troubled youth would have you believe. Underneath all that, and the walls he's built to protect himself from heartbreak, is a kind, loyal, hardworking man. And once he meets his new neighbor, India, the true Rod really begins to shine through.
India's been through so much in the last year. She's working hard at rebuilding a life for her and her daughter and has come to Whiskey Creek for that fresh start. India's resilience is amazing and says a lot about her spirit. She's endured a lot of tragedy and loss and yet she's still such a bright spirit. Her immediate attraction to Rod concerns her because she's had some questionable judgement with men in her past but spending time with him - especially seeing him stand up for her in a difficult situation proves she's outgrown her had choices - Rod fits her perfectly.
The suspense element created around India's husband's killer gave Discovering You an edge. With the exception of a few decisions India and Rod made which I felt were a little too far-fetched, Novak made it all so real. One thing that bothered me though was India's lack of contact with her daughter. I understood everything she was thinking and feeling with regards to her in-laws but I felt I would have fought them harder. The side story between Mack and Natasha also added depth to the story overall. I felt for them both and the position they were in - I'm not sure I agree with Mack's thinking but I admire his commitment to making sure Natasha's future is bright - keeping all her options open.
Overall, Discovering You was a great read. I did miss my friends from Whiskey Creek since this story focused solely on the Amos' but I know I'll catch up with them soon. Getting to see Rod fall hard was wroth not spending time with them. I look forward to visiting Whiskey Creek again soon.
A Winter Wedding by Brenda Novak
Whiskey Creek #9
Release Date: October 27, 2015
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Goodreads
Synopsis
One Christmas can change your life...
Kyle Houseman believes he'll never find anyone he could love as much as Olivia Arnold, who's now married to his stepbrother. Not only did he lose her, he's been through one divorce and has no desire to go through another. He's determined to be extra careful about the next woman he gets involved with--which is why he fights his attraction to the beautiful stranger who rents his farmhouse for the Christmas holiday.
Lourdes Bennett is a country music artist. She's only planning to stay in Whiskey Creek long enough to write the songs for her next album--the album that's going to put her back on top. Her dreams don't include settling in a town even smaller than the one she escaped. But as she comes to know Kyle, she begins to wonder if she'd be making a terrible mistake to leave him behind.
Picking up the latest installment of Whiskey Creek is always like sitting down to coffee with old friends. A Winter Wedding was no exception. And despite the tension and angst, it left me feeling warm, cozy, and comfortable...and all caught up with my gang.
Kyle is such an upstanding, good guy. He's always there for his friends and he even continues being there for his ex-wife, Noelle, despite all her manipulations and machinations. So I was thrilled at the prospect of him finally finding that special someone.
Lourdes finds herself in Whiskey Creek under different circumstances than she had planned. After things going south in her professional and personal lives, she's in town to lie low, regroup, and work on a new album. She also find herself on the receiving end of Kyle's hospitality and generosity.
Novak did a fine job of creating the scenario whereby Kyle and Lourdes met. I thoroughly enjoyed watching as they got to know one another. They had an instant chemistry but became friends first before realizing what they were both feeling might be a little more than friendly. Even though they knew each other for a short amount of time and were both essentially hung up on others, their attraction was strong. Maybe things happened at a rapid speed but I felt like it was organic between them.
I appreciated how Kyle and Lourdes dealt with the trouble they were each experiencing in their private lives. They were both mature and gracious, for the most part, in the face of the turmoil it was causing. Those making the waves, Noelle and Derrick, needed to take serious stock of their lives and do some growing up. They both behaved immaturely, although Noelle's behavior was extreme.
I always adore getting to spend time with my friends in Whiskey Creek and being there as Riley and Phoenix planned their wedding was a delight. I love the special bond between this group and that I get to be a part of it. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.
This Heart of Mine
Whiskey Creek #8
Release Date: March 31, 2015
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads
Synopsis
First love. Second chance?
As the daughter of a hoarder, Phoenix Fuller had a tough childhood. So when the handsome, popular Riley Stinson becamse her boyfriend in high school, she finally felt as though she had something to be proud of. Phoenix was desperate not to lose him--especially once she found out she was pregnant. Yes, she might have acted a bit obsessive when he broke up with her. But she did not run down the girl he started dating next!
Unfortunately, there was no way to prove her innocence. Now, after serving her time in prison, Phoenix has been released. All she wants to do is return to Whiskey Creek and get to know her son. But Jacob's father isn't exactly welcoming.
Riley doesn't trust Phoenix, doesn't want her in Jacob's life. He is, however, ready to find someone to love. And he wants a good mother for his son. He has no idea that he's about to find both--if they can forgive the mistakes of their past...
This Heart of Mine was quite an emotional read for me. I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes throughout most of it. It was an engrossing, powerful story - maybe my favorite in the series so far.
phoenix - noun - a person or thing that has become renewed or restored after suffering calamity or apparent annihilation
This is such an appropriate name for this brave and resilient woman. To endure all Phoenix had, and continued to once she returned to Whiskey Creek, she truly rose from the ashes. Phoenix has spent half her life in prison for a crime she maintains she's innocent of. She's missed out on raising her son, Jacob, as a result. She did all she could to be a part of her son's life and protect him, as well as Riley -- all at considerable personal cost. And she maintained her dignity. As Kyle stated,
"Most people in your situation would've let resentment and bitterness eat them alive. But you've managed to avoid that. As far as I'm concerned, someone like you will win out in the end," he replied.
I've always liked Riley but I feel for him a little more after this story because we got to see this other side of him. He is a good man and he was doing what he thought was best to raise Jacob. That he managed to approach Phoenix with more of an open mind -- let himself see her through his own eyes rather than the perceptions of others, made me proud.
Maybe the fact that I'm a mom is why Phoenix's story resonated so deeply with me. I can't imagine missing out on my kids' lives for any reason. She missed out on so much. Yet she was grateful to Riley for doing such a great job in her stead. And she was grateful for the present -- the time to get to know Jacob now. Phoenix is a character I greatly admire.
I always say how much I enjoy returning to Whiskey Creek. It's so good to sit down with my good friends to catch up. In This Heart of Mine, my friends made me proud to be in their acquaintance. Obviously, I was moved by Phoenix and Riley's story. As much as I'll be eager to meet up with all the characters from Whiskey Creek soon, I'm really excited for what comes next for Phoenix, Riley, and Jacob.
The Heart of Christmas
Whiskey Creek #7
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Goodreads
Synopsis
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 of 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 be 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 this 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!
It's always such a pleasure to return to Whiskey Creek. I've become so fond of all the characters, they're like friends. I was happy that Eve got her story and curious to see how it would turn out.
Eve Harmon is just a lovely young woman She's one of those women you know you'd shy away from because of her looks but would be drawn to nonetheless because of her genuine affability. She's sweet, loyal, and would do anything to help someone in need. She just happens to be turning 35 and, not being married yet despite most of her friends being so, is making her take stock of her life.
Brent Taylor/Rex, happens upon Eve on her birthday, when she's feeling a bit sorry for herself. They spend the night together, which is all Brent could promise. But he's finding it hard to leave Eve, even thought it's really in her best interest that he do exactly that. Brent isn't what he seems and his past puts Eve, and everyone in Whiskey Creek, in possible danger.
I really liked the element of suspense that Brent/Rex brought to the story. I liked watching as Eve helped him heal from his past. I also enjoyed the mystery of "Little Mary" - the story Ted decided to work on, with Eve's help. I hope that element continues. Although I'm still a little unhappy with Cheyenne about certain decisions she made, it was nice to see her and Dylan so happy. Despite a certain thing that happened between Eve and Brent, which I thought was a bit trite, I enjoyed how their story evolved and where it ended up. And of course, I adored seeing the group rally around Eve when she needed them most.
The Heart of Christmas was a satisfying return to Whiskey Creek...kind of like cuddling up under a favorite blanket. It's warm, comfortable, familiar, and makes you feel good. This group of friends continue to endear themselves and I'll be eager to return again.
