Brenda Novak's HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK

Brenda Novak has a new release in her Whiskey Creek series.  HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK is an emotionally charged story that will touch readers on many different levels.
Below is my review of HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK (be sure to check out the contest that follows):

Adelaide “Addy” Davies left Whiskey Creek after her high school graduation like the devil himself was licking at her heels. She had been violated by a group of boys at a party and just wanted to escape, keeping the attack to herself. Now she’s back to help her failing Gran with her restaurant. Addy’s Gran was her only source of unfailing love and security as she was growing up.  Soon after Addy’s return, she’s pulled from her bed and taken to the abandoned mine where she was gang raped all those years ago. Noah Rackham hears her cries for help and rescues her. It doesn’t help that Noah’s brother, Cody, was the ringleader in her rape and was accidentally killed in the mine that night. Noah is clearly interested in Addy, but she keeps him at arms’ length, despite having a serious crush on him back in high school. Addy chose not to tell anyone about her attack and has no intention of telling anyone now, but visits from the other boys, now men, prove that they are all nervous about the truth getting out. Needless to say, Addy’s rape affected her emotionally and her marriage failed because of it. She would love a future with Noah, but fears his reaction if he learns of his late brother’s attack on her.

Noah knows that Addy is hiding something and try as he may, he can’t get her to tell him. Someone is threatening her and he’s determined to find out who. Noah has issues of his own as a result of his brother’s death and his parents’ refusal to see Cody as being anything less than perfect. To further confuse Noah, his best friend Baxter confesses that he’s gay and professes to be in love with Noah. Despite Noah’s acceptance of Baxter’s sexual preference and insistence that they can still be friends, Baxter is deeply troubled about how the town and his family would react upon learning he’s gay.
I found Home to Whiskey Creek to be a highly emotional story. Anyone who has lived in a small town knows that they are prone to gossip that can be vicious and vile, and secrets that may or may not be kept. Addy and Noah both, in varying degrees, have dysfunctional families and some family members will have readers gritting their teeth.  This is not a fluffy little story, it is hard hitting and covers a gamut of emotions. The reactions to those emotions are sometimes painful and raw. I have no doubt that readers will be pleased to have been treated to such a warmly satisfying story.
 
My thanks to Brenda Novak for requesting an honest review in exchange for an advance copy of the book.

I am giving to two readers here Kindle or Nook copies of both WHEN SUMMER COMES and WHEN WE TOUCH (a novella), which precede HOME TO WHISKEY CREEK.  Leave a comment to be entered. You know I always love to hear about the author whose book is featured, so if you're familiar with Ms. Novak, tell us which of her books you've read and enjoyed - or a cover you love, etc. If you wish to leave your email address with your comment, I will notify you if you are the winner.  If you do not leave your email address, be sure to check back to see if you're a winner as I'm not likely to attempt to track you down. I will draw names on Saturday, August 3rd.  August already? Where did July go??

Laurie