Customer Reviews

Every Waking Moment

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Vanessa is on the run from her abusive lover Manuel with their son Dominick in tow. She has reinvented herself as Emma, and now calls her son Max. It won't be easy to hide - Max has juvenile diabetes, and requires medication and insulin. If Manuel pinpoints their location, he can contact local pharmacies to try to locate them. While on the run she hooks up with a fellow tortured soul - Preston Holman, who has spent the better part of the last two years searching for the doctor he holds responsible for the death of his son.

At first, Preston wants nothing to do with the rag tag duo, mostly because Max reminds him of his son Dallas. But a touch of guilt and his instant lust for Emma has him offering them a ride to Iowa. As Max worms his way into Preston's heart, and he and Emma embark on a passionate affair, Preston is able to open up and feel something more than his grief and his need for vengeance.

Manuel, a drug runner with an emasculating mama that makes Norman Bates look functional, will never let his lover get the best of him. He vows to find her and bring her home for punishment. He and his henchman follow up on clues but the trio on the run keeps one step ahead of them. Will their luck ever run out?

With a villain you cannot help but hate, and endearing child you cannot help but love, and a passionate but damaged couple who find a second chance for love, you won't be able to help but become entangled in this story and hope for that Hollywood ending.

Manuel Rodriguez kept Vanessa under tight control. Oh, he had to abuse her sometimes, but he figured he was simply using "tough love". Though they never married, Manuel knew he could always use their six-year-old boy to manipulate her into whatever he wanted. He never expected her to have the guts to PLAN an escape from him, much less succeed. But he would find her. She could not have much money. Once he got her back, she'd pay big time. She would never even THINK of running off again.

Vanessa had ID in the name of Emma Wright. Her son was now called Max. With luck, they could reach Iowa to live a nice, quiet life there. Even as Emma prayed that would happen, she knew Manuel was hot on her trail.

Preston Holman was hunting down the man he believed killed his son. He had only to find proof. When he met Emma he wanted nothing to do with her. Her son, Max, reminded him too much of his own son. But he knew they were desperate, running from something or someone, and he could not abandon them. He vowed to keep an emotional distance from the pair, drop them off in Iowa, and forget about them. Yet his heart knew better.

***** Author Brenda Novak has proven, once again, that she is one of the top suspense writers of our days. This one is a breathless romantic suspense novel that will keep her readers' attention from the first page until long after the last has been turned. The characters seem to actually come alive from the pages and I found myself holding my breath at a few points. An outstanding book that I highly recommend! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This book is one of the best suspense/romance novels I have read in years! I only wonder why Brenda Novak didn't ride the top of the bestseller lists with this superior book.

Emma is trying to escape with her diabetic son, Max, from her abusive "husband" Manuel (who can only be described as OILY- this guy really makes my skin crawl!) Manuel relentlessly chases her cross-country...but Emma finds reluctant help in Preston Holman, who is deeply troubled and on a quest of his own. Emma and Preston certainly don't love-or even really like-one another at first, but they DO need each other, and the story is built realistically in that vein.

The way this book is written, I didn't become frustrated with the book when an exasperating situation arose- just got angrier with creepy Manuel. And I was touched by Preston's slow (and therefore believable) change of attitude.

The end of this book is very charming and I cried a little. This is my second Brenda Novak book, and I liked it enough that I'll recommend it frequently.

Ms. Novak's latest romantic suspense is a page turner and one that will keep the reader firmly engaged and not a tad bit nervous!

Vanessa Beacon is finally going to take charge of her life. She is going to leave her boyfriend Manuel. Manuel is a controlling and abusive man and Vanessa is afraid that eventually he will turn his anger on their son Dominick who in Manuel's eyes is not perfect. Vanessa has another reason to fear him. His family is involved in something that could prove to be very dangerous. She wants to be as far from this man as she can. She is not counting on finding help with her escape from the man she meets in Nevada. Now if she can only forget the look in Prestons' voice or the feelings he makes her feel, or what his kisses taste like.

Preston is on a mission to find the man he holds responsible for the death of his son. He is not looking to play the hero for Emma (Vanessa) or bond with her son Max. Despite his good intentions he can't turn his back on her or the little boy that so much reminds him of his own son. Can these two wounded and troubled people find a balance and happy ending before Manuel catches up with Vanessa?

Ms. Novak is very adapt at creating a storyline that will chill the reader while at the same time tying them to the pages. Vanessa and Preston are compelling characters and little Dominick will worm his way into the readers heart. A strong romantic suspense!

This book is very very good. It can keeps you on the edge of your seat. Please give it a chance you will not be sorry... A 5 STAR I GIVE IT

In order to escape her abusive boyfriend, who is also the father of her son, Vanessa Beacon assumes another identity. As Emma Wright she and her son are on the run when she meets up with Preston Holman. Preston is a man running from his own demons. He's convinced that his son's death was deliberately caused by the doctor who was treating him. He's the only one who believes this and with no proof everyone thinks that he just unable to accept his son's death. With the death of his marriage, he only has one thing left, revenge against the man who cost him his family. When Preston runs into Vanessa(Emma) and her son getting involved with them is the last thing he wants. But despite himself he finds himself falling in love with Emma and her son. But with both of their pasts about to collide can they survive?

Every Waking Moment was a great romantic suspense. Manuel, Vanessa's ex, is villain that readers will love to hate and you will quickly find yourself becoming involved with Vanessa and Preston. Both Preston and Vanessa have been hurt and neither of them are looking for a new relationship but sometimes love doesn't come when it's convenient. Brenda Novak is quickly becoming one of my "must read" authors for romantic suspense.


Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I have just recently found Brenda Novak as a new author to read.
This was my second book of hers.......the first kept me reading till the end.......this one .....found a little boring....kept putting it down.....and re-reading pages.....till I finished the book. Have looked up other books she written and will give them a try.

Typical book by this author. I like all her books. Just enough suspense with a great story line.

The stuff about Max's diabetes was really interesting and educational, but the romance between Emma and Preston wasn't really deep and Emma just kind of seemed stupid at times when it came to Manuel. Also, there really wasn't much of a resolution to the Vince-Preston issue. Not one of Novak's best.

I really loved the characters of Emma and her son and especially Preston. I fell in love with him myself. The story is fast paced and keeps you interested throughout. I know the author publishes a lot through Harlequin, but I'm hoping she'll write more novels in this genre.