WHEN SUMMER COMES – Brenda Novak
Whiskey Creek Series, Book 3
Harlequin MIRA
ISBN: 978-0-7783-1423-3
February 2013
Contemporary Romance

Whiskey Creek, California – Present Day

Callie Vanetta is living in her grandparents' old farm house several miles from town.  She has been diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and is waiting for a liver transplant.  Without a transplant she only has six months to live.  She is awakened by her dog Rifle's barking and scratching at the door.  A man is pounding on the door begging for help.  He tells her his name is Levi McCloud, his motorcycle broke down, and he was attacked by dogs.  Afraid to allow him into the house, Callie calls the police.  The police arrive and, although they find blood on the porch, they cannot find the injured man.  Callie later finds him in her bathroom trying to take care of his injuries.

Feeling sorry for Levi who looks as if he has lived a hard life, Callie calls her neighbor, a retired veterinarian, and he takes care of Levi's wounds.  Levi is worried about his motorcycle and backpack—everything that he owns in the world.  Callie calls Kyle, a friend, to help look for the motorcycle.  They find his backpack, but his motorcycle is gone.  Knowing that she may not live long with her debilitating disease, Callie is determined to help him.  She has not told him or her friends about her medical condition.  Kyle is concerned because Callie has a stranger temporarily living in her barn.

Levi has a lot of baggage from his father as well as his tour in Afghanistan and a woman that he had fallen in love with there.  He feels guilty about being attracted to Callie.  She wants to live a normal life for the few months that she has left, and refuses to talk about her illness.  The thugs who own the pit bulls that attacked Levi are angry that the police took their dogs and are determined on revenge.

How can you not love these terrific people who need each other so desperately?  Callie needs Levi's goodness and strength, and he needs her helpfulness and kindness while they try to deal with their problems.  Once readers begin reading, they won't want to put this book down.  They will meet characters from the previous books in the amazing Whiskey Creek series.  They all look out for each other and are a wonderful circle of friends.  WHEN SUMMER COMES is a well-paced story with action, friendship and romance, an excellent tale by the talented author, Brenda Novak.  If you haven't read the previous books, you will want to know more about the residents of Whiskey Creek.

Marilyn Heyman