Summary: Eve Harmon has always enjoyed Christmas, but this year it reminds her of everything she doesn’t have. Almost all 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 his 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!

Title: The Heart of Christmas
Series: Whiskey Creek #7
Author: Brenda Novak
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Released: 28th October 2014
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Format: eGalley
Source: received from Author for an honest review - thank you!

I love this series and Brenda Novak has added another fabulous instalment to the collection. Each book revolves around a couple, but mostly around a group of school friends that have stayed in touch long after graduating. I really love idea and with each novel we get to know the characters a little more. The Heart of Christmas was very intriguing with the addition of a mystery man that’s in hiding and discovers love.

Eve Harmon is a thirty-five year old woman that always follows the rules and is predictable. Seeing all her friends in love and starting families has been hard for her. It’s what Eve dreams of now and as one of only a couple singles left in their group, Eve is determined to change her life. Eve’s life has consisted of running her parent’s B&B and with Christmas approaching comes the fun of sharing the spirit with the town. Little Mary’s has been the finest garnished establishment for years and Eve has always enjoyed making it glow. It appears this year though Eve isn’t really focused on the festivities and is too focused on a tall muscled man.

Known as Brent Taylor in the town of Whiskey Creek, he’s keeping low and out of mischief. The only problem is he met Eve at a local bar and together they got terribly drunk which they ended in bed. When Eve woke up next to him, she was shocked, never has she ever done anything like this; it’s so out of character for her and the other problem, she can’t remember much, not even his name.

Brent doesn’t normally drink that much either and when he wakes it’s with anger. Telling Eve he’s only passing through, that it’s dangerous to be with him and he’s being quite rude about the whole thing. At least Brent remembers their evening and the one big question that Eve has for Brent is if they used protection? Will Eve become pregnant from their encounter?

Brent can’t seem to stay away from Eve and somehow they have more one-night-stands but he won’t commit to anything. Eve can’t help but be curious about this man, she knows he’s being vague on answering questions about himself and when some clues come to hand, will she follow up on them to get answers? Will that put her in danger from the gang chasing down Brent? What has he done that’s put him on the run? Who is this mysterious, handsome and dangerously sexy man that Eve is starting to fall for?

The Heart of Christmas was a beautiful tale of love, family and that secrets can be kept for years but will eventually come out. The loyalty of this group of friends is awe-inspiring, the way they all pull together to help the other and when in need, nothing is too great to overcome. I certainly cannot wait to read the next instalment in Whiskey Creek and discover if more secrets are uncovered. I highly recommend this book and the series to all romance readers.

5 MYSTERIOUS and DANGEROUS HEARTS

Other books in the series:

You can read my review of Take Me Home for Christmas HERE and my review of Come Home to Me HERE.

About the Author

It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.

“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”

However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.

Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.

“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”

Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Many of her novels have won or placed in contests such as the National Reader’s Choice, the Bookseller’s Best, the Write Touch, the Award of Excellence and the Beacon Award for Published Authors.

Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. She juggles her writing career with her children’s softball and soccer games, field trips, carpool runs and homework sessions.

When she’s not spending time with her family or writing, Brenda is usually working on her annual fundraiser for diabetes research—an on-line auction held at her website May 1st – May 31st. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking–she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!

~ courtesy of Brenda Novak's website