• When Lightning Strikes

  • Whiskey Creek, Book 1
  • By: Brenda Novak
  • Narrated by: Amy Rubinate
  • Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (721 ratings)

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When Lightning Strikes  By  cover art

When Lightning Strikes

By: Brenda Novak
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate
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Publisher's summary

Gail DeMarco left Whiskey Creek, California, to make a name for herself in Los Angeles. Her PR firm has accumulated a roster of A-list clients, including the biggest box office hit of all - sexy and unpredictable Simon O’Neal. But Simon, who’s just been through a turbulent divorce, is so busy self-destructing he won’t listen to anything she says. She drops him from her list - and he retaliates by taking the rest of her clients with him.

Desperate to save her company, Gail has to humble herself by making a deal with Simon. The one thing he wants is custody of his son, but that’s going to require a whole new image. He needs to marry some squeaky-clean girl who’ll drag him off to some small, obscure place like Whiskey Creek.... Gail’s the only one he can trust. She agrees to become his wife - reluctantly. But she isn’t reluctant because he’s too hard to like. It’s because he’s too hard not to love!

©2012 Brenda Novak (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about When Lightning Strikes

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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    338
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    95
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

worthwhile listen !

I usually judge a listen by how long it takes me to finish it.
By that standard, this was a great book - finished it in just over 1 day, after I downloaded it.
The storyline was good and the narrator kept me interested.
It was mostly believable (it is romance after all) with good character development.
All in all - an easy listen and a pleasant surprise!

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not my cup of tea

I don't want anyone to look at this review and change their minds about buying it based on my opinion alone. This type of book is not my thing. It didn't have any suspense to hold my attention, but for the type of book it is there are a few things to recommend it. There are no childish games going on between the main characters. The characters are fine and it's believable. But I like more mystery, suspence and suprizes in my books So while I probably won't read it again it's no ones fault but my own.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Pleasantly Surprised

Any additional comments?

I was not sure about this one at first but ended up enjoying it. The story is basically about a famous celebrity, Simon falls in love with a regular run of the mill person, Gail a public relations manager. At first they have somewhat of a love hate relationship where they butt heads and squabble. Then they enter into an agreement to help restore Simon's image so that he could get custody of his son. Despite all the partying, womanizing and drinking Simon is actually quite charming, friendly and fun to be around when he is away from all the distractions surrounding him like his pain in the rear end ex-wife, his obnoxious father, and greedy selfish manager. Gail on the other hand is strict and proper but despite everthing going on Gail saw past Simon's facade and believed in him when no one would. This book turned out to be an enjoyable read. I'm certainly looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Narrators can ruin books

I often wonder who decides what narrator to use and how they decide it. I know the author, in most cases, has nothing to do with the choice and that many authors groan when they hear their book in audio. I groaned the whole time I listened to this book. Another good story ruined by a valley girl narrator.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • CF
  • 10-01-12

Very enjoyable...

...I purchased on a whim and it was a worth the listen. I'll definately be keeping an eye out for other Brenda Novak contributions.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Just didn't feel it

Would you try another book from Brenda Novak and/or Amy Rubinate?

I'm not sure I would try either. I found the story very long and slow which I suppose some people say is more believable but I found just boring to listen to. Simon plays a self-destructive actor who has a problem turning his own life around. Enter Gail. She is a no- nonsense woman who wants to resurrect her PR business and definitely not fall in love with Simon. Overall both of these characters had their own inner turmoil to get over and obsess about...which they did repetitively. The story was good with some believable side characters. Lastly I didn't find any of the romance very...romantic. To me I found that Simon liked Gail because she helped him lead a more simple lifestyle compared to his old one in Hollywood; other than that nothing else about her really stood out as a reason he loved her.
That said, I listened to the whole thing and found myself curious as to where it would all go. Therefore I'm saying read it but don't expect fireworks.

Would you recommend When Lightning Strikes to your friends? Why or why not?

Don't think so.

What three words best describe Amy Rubinate’s voice?

I think she had a slight lisp...got a little distracted from the story trying to listen to her say words beginning with the letter 's' such as 'said'. Other than that she had good voices for the different characters and I think she did a good interpretation of Gail and Simon.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

This book has the potential to be made into a movie but hollywood would definitely alter into something more watchable and fast paced.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Where's the Lightning?

For me this was just an "okay" storyline. It had the feel of a book written several years ago. It was just over plain vanilla.
Really good writers draw a story that has melody and it brings you in and draws around you. There is not all this dialog sounds like the characters are 2 wantabe psychiatrist talking to one another.
Narration: I've decided narration is just so personal that I'm not sure how to be fair about narration that is fine, professional but it just doesn't give the book life.
I have nothing against this narrator...maybe it's just the book.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

delightful story

Where does When Lightning Strikes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites

What does Amy Rubinate bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love Amy. I actually sought out other books that she narrated. A great narrator makes for the best experience.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very enjoyable!

What made the experience of listening to When Lightning Strikes the most enjoyable?

The characters were well developed. The narrator gave a great performance.

What other book might you compare When Lightning Strikes to and why?

Not sure.

Have you listened to any of Amy Rubinate’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I have ordered another book where she is the narrator.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did not have an extreme reaction to the book but I can say that enjoyed it.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good

This book was very interesting, this is the first book from this author that I have listened to and I’m interested in hearing the next one and series 

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