Thursday, August 19, 2010

Review & Giveaway - - White Heat

White Heat
By Brenda Novak
Publisher:  MIRA Books
Release Date:  July 27, 2010






White Heat kicks off a new romantic suspense series by Brenda Novak featuring the operatives of Department 6, a private security company that specializes in dangerous, high-risk assignments.  This book features Rachel Jessop and Nate Ferrentino, two people who are less than thrilled to be on their way to Paradise, a ghost town in the Arizona desert.  They've been on eggshells around each other since the awkward and unhappy morning after their one and only night together several months earlier and now they'll be going undercover as husband and wife to infiltrate a religious cult that appears to have taken a turn into dangerous territory.  A woman has escaped from the cult's compound, claiming that the members of the Church of the Covenant attempted to stone her to death and now a local teenage girl is missing and her mother is certain her disappearance is at the hands of the church. 

Ethan Wycliff is one scary dude.  The charismatic founder of the Church of the Covenant is well-spoken and handsome, drawing and binding people to him with ease.  Unfortunately, his charm hides a much darker side that includes drugs, countless depravities and even murder.  This is the man Nate and Rachel must bring down and he proves more than a worthy adversary.  Novak has created a villain that is the worst kind of cult leader and I admit, he brought more than a few chills to my spine, especially when his plans for Rachel are brought to light.  I think what makes him so scary is his realism.  This is a man that could live next door, be my child's college roommate, be the murderer about whom people say, "He was such a nice man."

White Heat is a gripping, edge-of-the-seat story with intriguing characters and truly evil villains.  The desert setting is perfect, giving the reader the same feeling of dread and isolation that Rachel feels when she purposely puts herself at the mercy of Wycliff, cutting herself off from Nate and outside help.  The love story builds slowly and realistically, gaining in intensity and culminating in a classic life and death race against time.





This is a book that I had a hard time putting down. In fact, it kept me awake late into the night until I finally turned the final page. The story grabbed me from the beginning and still has me thinking about it long after the final page was turned.  Brenda Novak really is a master of her craft.

I can't wait to read more Department 6 books. Luckily, I won't have to wait long! The next book, Body Heat will be released August 31st, to be followed by Killer Heat on September 28th.







 

  















To celebrate the kick-off of Brenda Novak's new series, MIRA Books generously is offering a White Heat prize package to one lucky commenter. (U.S. and Canadian addresses only) The package includes a tote bag, a 3D viewer bookmark, a copy of White Heat and White Heat Lip Gloss - made especially for the book. Just post a comment (please include your email address) now through August 25th to be eligible.





~PJ







27 comments:

  1. I'll have to check this book out, PJ! I don't believe I've read anything by Brenda Novak, but I've heard nothing but good things about her books.

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  2. Good review. This is the first time I have seen the video. Brenda writes great thrillers and this one appears to be another one. I have a few of her books in my TBR pile that I need to get to.
    Thanks for the review and hosting a very nice giveaway.

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  3. your book sounds wonderful I'll be looking for it.peg360@hotmail.com

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  4. Trisha, this was my first Brenda Novak book. I'd heard good things about her writing for years but, for some reason, had never picked up one of her books. I won't make that mistake again!

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  5. It was a terrific book, Peggy. Kept me riveted to the pages until the very end. I hope you enjoy it!

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  6. I haven't read any of Brenda Novak's books yet either. But I'm starting to think that I should!


    I think what makes him so scary is his realism. This is a man that could live next door…
    When you’re reading fiction but it feels like it could really happen to you … Eeeewwww! That is suspense at its best.

    …he love story builds slowly and realistically…”
    Thank you. Half of the fun of reading a love story is watching the characters’ feelings developed. When things happen to fast, I feel cheated.

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  7. I've never read a Brenda Novak book before and would love to try it. ^^

    Melissa

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  8. I haven't read anything by Brenda Novak yet, but this sounds interesting. Thanks for the review.

    penfield716@yahoo.com

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  9. Sounds like another winner from Brenda. I love a thriller.
    csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

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  10. oooh sounds awesome!! and lip gloss?? I'm lovin it!

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  11. oopsey my email sugarw@q dotcom

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  12. What a terrific gift pack. I've never read Brenda Novak's work before but after reading a little about 'White Heat' makes me think I've been missing something. Count me in the drawing please.

    kkhaas at bellsouth dot net

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  13. Half of the fun of reading a love story is watching the characters’ feelings developed. When things happen to fast, I feel cheated.

    Julie, without giving too much away, let's just say that they both have good reasons for not falling right back into bed with each other. I liked that the emotions came first this time around and that they grew gradually.

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  14. Melissa, this would be a good one to try!

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  15. Penfield, I think WHITE HEAT would be a good book to try out Brenda's writing. And, if you like it, you get the added bonus of two more books right on its heels!

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  16. Sounds like another winner from Brenda. I love a thriller.


    I do too, runner! Sounds like you're already familiar with Brenda's writing!

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  17. A girl can never have too much lip gloss! Good luck, Sugar! Thanks for stopping by!

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  18. Good luck, KarenH! Hope you give WHITE HEAT a try!

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  19. Gosh, I Got so excited about the book I forgot to leave my email addy!

    makuta3492@mypacks.net

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  20. Novak's books are great. Can't wait to read this one. Thanks. (Email in profile.)

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  21. Really looking forward to this one. Thanks for the chance!

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  22. I love romantic suspense and this has been on my TBB list. I'd love to win this giveaway.
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam
    pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

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  23. It looks like a really good story.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

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  24. PJ, I confess I haven't read any of Brenda Novak's books---so many books, so little time. ;-)

    After reading your review, I will definitely have to put her at the top of my list.

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  25. I became a romantic suspense fan when I discovered Pamela Clare's I-Team series, Brenda's book & new series sound equally great!

    jenma76 at hotmail dot com

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  26. Loved the Book White Heat. So suspensful that I could hardly put it down. It made for some very late nights. Really looking forward to Killer Heat next.

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