"exhilarating romantic suspense"
For six abusive years, Manuel Rodriguez has kept his
insignificant other Vanessa Beacon a virtual prisoner. He
never married her because his family, especially his
mother, would not accept her because she is from the wrong
ethnic background, but he also refuses to let her go. With
the help of Carlos the gardener and others Vanessa escapes
when he is away on business. She changes her name to Emma
Wright and flees the prison with their five year old
diabetic son Dominick whom she calls Max for their trek. Manuel beats up Carlos and forces him to report the car he
gave to Emma which was reported stolen to the police.
They find the vehicle in Fallon, Nevada, but unoccupied.
Instead, San Francisco stockbroker Preston Holman
reluctantly gives the mother and son a ride east. He is
heading to Iowa to confront Dr. Vince Wendell who he
blames for the death of his son two years ago. Meanwhile
Manuel has to save face with his family so is coming to
take back his heir and at a minimum beat up or perhaps
even kill his fantasy woman. EVERY WAKING MOMENT is an exhilarating romantic suspense
thriller with the emphasis on the chase as the heroine
knows evil is following but is handicapped by her son's
health needs in her bid for their freedom. Manuel makes
the story line work because though obsessed, he takes
advantage of tools to abet his pursuit. Manuel's family
business and Preston's thirst for vengeance seem
like "convenient" devices enabling yet subtracting from a
powerful woman on the run plot. Brenda Novak provides a
compelling tale that grips readers from the moment they
realize that the bird flew the coop. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 24, 2005
SummarySometimes you have to risk it all...
Emma Wright has finally escaped the dangerous man who's
dominated her life for the past six years. She's taken her
five-year-old son, Max, and fled across the country, seeking
freedom, safety, a fresh start. But Max's father is no fool.
And he isn't willing to give them up so easily.
Preston Holman trusted the wrong person when he called his
good friend, Dr. Vince Wendell, to his house to treat his
sick little boy. When Dallas died only two days later,
everyone, including his wife, believed it was a tragic act
of fate. Only Preston was convinced that Dallas's rapid
decline stemmed from something far more sinister. Now he's
given up everything—his home, his wife, his past
life—to pursue the man he believes killed his son. He's
after revenge, closure. But the police won't listen. And he
knows it's very likely that Wendell will strike again.
When Preston meets Emma, he doesn't want anything to do with
her or her problems. He's carrying a gun he eventually plans
to use. And she has a boy who reminds him far too much of
Dallas, which stirs up the old memories and the pain. But
she's in desperate need of a ride, and he can't leave her
stranded. Fortunately, what we most resist is sometimes the
very thing we need....
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