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
