Taking the Heat

The small town of Florence, Arizona, is known for one thing—its prison. Gabrielle Hadley is in Florence for personal reasons, though; she’s seeking the mother who abandoned her more than two decades ago. In order to support herself and her two-year-old daughter, Gabrielle is working as a prison guard—just about the only job available in this bleak desert town.

Randall Tucker is a prisoner at Florence, convicted of murdering his wife. He has one goal: to survive until he can prove his innocence—and reclaim his seven-year-old son, Landon, now living in foster care.

In the prison’s atmosphere of tension and corruption, Gabrielle discovers that Randall Tucker is far from the murderer he’s said to be. When he escapes during a prison transfer, she follows him into the unforgiving desert. To protect her job, her own integrity—or him? But the guard becomes the prisoner’s captive…and more. It’s a relationship that’s not supposed to exist, and yet it might save them both.


Like free books? Check out Taking a Risk, an on-line serial I wrote for eharlequin.com. For those of you who have read Taking The Heat, this is David and Lindy’s story…

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The small town of Florence, Arizona, is known for one thing—its prison. Gabrielle Hadley is in Florence for personal reasons, though; she’s seeking the mother who abandoned her more than two decades ago. In order to support herself and her two-year-old daughter, Gabrielle is working as a prison guard—just about the only job available in this bleak desert town.

Randall Tucker is a prisoner at Florence, convicted of murdering his wife. He has one goal: to survive until he can prove his innocence—and reclaim his seven-year-old son, Landon, now living in foster care.

In the prison’s atmosphere of tension and corruption, Gabrielle discovers that Randall Tucker is far from the murderer he’s said to be. When he escapes during a prison transfer, she follows him into the unforgiving desert. To protect her job, her own integrity—or him? But the guard becomes the prisoner’s captive…and more. It’s a relationship that’s not supposed to exist, and yet it might save them both.


Like free books? Check out Taking a Risk, an on-line serial I wrote for eharlequin.com. For those of you who have read Taking The Heat, this is David and Lindy’s story…

Order Ebook

Harlequin
Amazon Kindle
Apple Books
Nook
Kobo
Google Play

Praise

"This story started out with a bang and believe me, it didn’t stop through the whole story! I really wasn’t sure how I would like a story about a convicted murderer and a prison guard but Brenda Novak knows how to hook a reader... There was lots of tension and angst in this book but in a good way. I eagerly look forward to Brenda Novak’s next book."

Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:47:19-07:00

Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews

"This story started out with a bang and believe me, it didn’t stop through the whole story! I really wasn’t sure how I would like a story about a convicted murderer and a prison guard but Brenda Novak knows how to hook a reader... There was lots of tension and angst in this book but in a good way. I eagerly look forward to Brenda Novak’s next book."
"An excellent book, I highly recommend Taking the Heat... and look forward to more by this talented author."

A Romance Review

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:44:30-07:00

A Romance Review

"An excellent book, I highly recommend Taking the Heat... and look forward to more by this talented author."
"Novak’s story is richly dramatic, with a stark setting that distinguishes it nicely from the lusher worlds of other romances."

Publishers Weekly

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:49:14-07:00

Publishers Weekly

"Novak’s story is richly dramatic, with a stark setting that distinguishes it nicely from the lusher worlds of other romances."
"The story is compelling... a good mix of romance and suspense."

Judith Flavell, The Romance Reader

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:45:13-07:00

Judith Flavell, The Romance Reader

"The story is compelling... a good mix of romance and suspense."
"With Taking the Heat Brenda Novak has written exactly the kind of story that readers want to read... spellbinding."

Diana Tidlund, Writers Unlimited

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:43:26-07:00

Diana Tidlund, Writers Unlimited

"With Taking the Heat Brenda Novak has written exactly the kind of story that readers want to read... spellbinding."
"Taking the Heat took me by surprise. Not only did it have a stalwart hero, it had a pretty stalwart heroine as well. Now, you wouldn’t think there’d be much appeal to a romance that centers on a female corrections officer in an Arizona state prison, would you? But somehow, some way, Brenda Novak makes this unique premise work, and I found myself caring very much about what happened to Officer Gabrielle Hadley and convicted murderer Randall Tucker... It was easy to see why they’d fall in love and feel worthy of each other. I got into the book immediately and didn’t put it down until I’d finished it – a very good sign. Even with the unusual premise, there is a lot to like here, and I think you should give this one a try."

Marianne Stillings, All About Romance

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:54:27-07:00

Marianne Stillings, All About Romance

"Taking the Heat took me by surprise. Not only did it have a stalwart hero, it had a pretty stalwart heroine as well. Now, you wouldn’t think there’d be much appeal to a romance that centers on a female corrections officer in an Arizona state prison, would you? But somehow, some way, Brenda Novak makes this unique premise work, and I found myself caring very much about what happened to Officer Gabrielle Hadley and convicted murderer Randall Tucker... It was easy to see why they’d fall in love and feel worthy of each other. I got into the book immediately and didn’t put it down until I’d finished it – a very good sign. Even with the unusual premise, there is a lot to like here, and I think you should give this one a try."
"Terrific! Ms. Novak always comes up with something different. Her characters are three dimensional and riveting. She has relationships down pat. Don’t miss this one!"

Suzanne Coleburn, Reader To Reader Reviews

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:46:18-07:00

Suzanne Coleburn, Reader To Reader Reviews

"Terrific! Ms. Novak always comes up with something different. Her characters are three dimensional and riveting. She has relationships down pat. Don’t miss this one!"
"If you’re looking for a romance with some meat on it, Taking the Heat is for you. Your only hunger will be for more books from the very talented Brenda Novak."

Amy Cunningham, Romance Reviews Today

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:50:18-07:00

Amy Cunningham, Romance Reviews Today

"If you’re looking for a romance with some meat on it, Taking the Heat is for you. Your only hunger will be for more books from the very talented Brenda Novak."
"This was a terrific book... the characters were extremely well drawn and complex. All the secondary characters contributed to the story, and the plot was fast moving and refreshingly unpredictable. An excellent book, I highly recommend Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak and look forward to more by this talented author."

Jennifer, A Romance Review, 4 1/2 Roses

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:55:47-07:00

Jennifer, A Romance Review, 4 1/2 Roses

"This was a terrific book... the characters were extremely well drawn and complex. All the secondary characters contributed to the story, and the plot was fast moving and refreshingly unpredictable. An excellent book, I highly recommend Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak and look forward to more by this talented author."
"Vivid…intense... compelling. You have not read many books like this one."

Amanda Killgore, Huntress Book Reviews

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:56:33-07:00

Amanda Killgore, Huntress Book Reviews

"Vivid…intense... compelling. You have not read many books like this one."
"Heat, both environmental and emotional, abounds in this fast-paced drama that takes its protagonists on a harrowing trek worthy of a top-flight adventure story yet provides all the sexual tension a romance reader could want. Vividly realistic descriptions, especially of the disturbing prison scenes and the desert experience, combine with the classic man-falsely-accused or 'Fugitive' plotline, the added appeal of children, and a satisfying romantic relationship to produce an intense story that is more complex than the simple captor/captive tale one might expect... Readers will be quickly drawn in to this well-written, multifaceted story that is an engrossing, compelling read–complete with a sense of justice."

Kristin Ramsdell, Library Journal

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:51:49-07:00

Kristin Ramsdell, Library Journal

"Heat, both environmental and emotional, abounds in this fast-paced drama that takes its protagonists on a harrowing trek worthy of a top-flight adventure story yet provides all the sexual tension a romance reader could want. Vividly realistic descriptions, especially of the disturbing prison scenes and the desert experience, combine with the classic man-falsely-accused or 'Fugitive' plotline, the added appeal of children, and a satisfying romantic relationship to produce an intense story that is more complex than the simple captor/captive tale one might expect... Readers will be quickly drawn in to this well-written, multifaceted story that is an engrossing, compelling read–complete with a sense of justice."
"Novak masterfully takes readers into a gritty world in this well-researched work."

Debbie Richardson, Romantic Times Magazine

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:57:16-07:00

Debbie Richardson, Romantic Times Magazine

"Novak masterfully takes readers into a gritty world in this well-researched work."
"Brenda Novak has yet an other winner in her latest book Taking the Heat. You will be riveted from the first page to the last... I couldn’t put it down."

June Phyllis Baker, AOL Romance Community

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:48:21-07:00

June Phyllis Baker, AOL Romance Community

"Brenda Novak has yet an other winner in her latest book Taking the Heat. You will be riveted from the first page to the last... I couldn’t put it down."
"Ms. Novak does a nice job of blending intense emotional scenes with life-or-death situations. Taking the Heat... has all the components of a well-written novel, with a zesty romance that will leave readers wanting more!"

Janean Nusz, Road to Romance Reviews

Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)
2018-09-15T19:57:33-07:00

Janean Nusz, Road to Romance Reviews

"Ms. Novak does a nice job of blending intense emotional scenes with life-or-death situations. Taking the Heat... has all the components of a well-written novel, with a zesty romance that will leave readers wanting more!"
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Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (Book)

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