About the Book
Book: Smoke Screen
Author: Terri Blackstock
Genre: Christian Suspense
Release Date: November 5, 2019
One father was murdered, and another convicted of his death. All because their children fell in love.
Nate Beckett has spent his life fighting wildfires instead of the lies and rumors that drove him from his Colorado home town. His mother begs him to come to Carlisle now that his father has been released from prison, but it isn’t until he’s sidelined by an injury that he’s forced to return and face his past. But that means facing Brenna too.
Fourteen years ago, Nate was in love with the preacher’s daughter. When Pastor Strickland discovered Brenna had defied him to sneak out with Nate, the fight between Strickland and Nate’s drunken dad was loud—and very public. Strickland was found murdered later that night, and everyone accused Roy Beckett. When the church burned down, people assumed it was Nate getting even for his father’s conviction. He let the rumors fly and left Carlisle without looking back.
Now, Brenna is stunned to learn that the man convicted of murdering her father has been pardoned. The events of that night set her life on a bad course, and she’s dealing with a brutal custody battle with her ex and his new wife where he’s using lies and his family’s money to sway the judge. She’s
barely hanging on, and she’s turned to alcohol to cope. Shame and fear consume her.
As they deal with the present—including new information about that fateful night and a wildfire that’s threatening their town—their past keeps igniting. Nate is the steady force Brenna has so desperately needed. But she’ll have to learn to trust him again first.
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My Review
This
novel was a bit different from the romantic suspense I was expecting
from Blackstock. The plot was more of a character study and really
had no suspense. I had trouble liking Breanna, the lead female
character. I do like characters to have flaws but Breanna's were a
bit much. She lacked that hint of core strength in the midst of
turmoil. And Nate was puzzling to me. He looked past all of Breanna's
faults to love her yet could not see past his own father's hurt and
disappointment to forgive him. Neither of the characters grabbed me.
The
plot had some interesting aspects to it. I enjoyed learning about
fighting forest fires. The conflict Breanna had with her ex-husband
over custody of the children was the main thread through the plot.
There was not much suspense involved there and the bit of mystery in
the novel just sort of solved itself without much work.
This
would be a novel for readers who enjoy a distraught female character
coming to grips with her faults and a male character love struck
enough to be by her side through the experience. Readers who are
looking for the suspense Blackstock is known for will not find it
here.
My rating: 4/5 stars.
About the Author
Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a
New York Times and
USA TODAY bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of
Intervention,
Vicious Cycle, and
Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Visit her website at
www.terriblackstock.com; Facebook: tblackstock; Twitter: @terriblackstock
Excerpt from Smoke Screen
I woke up in a blinding bright room, my clothes off and something clamped to my face. I tried to reach it, but I couldn’t bend my right arm, and my hand stung. An IV was taped to my other hand, but I moved carefully and touched the thing over my face.
An oxygen mask. I tried to sit up. “What happened?”
T-bird came to my bedside, a sheen of smoky sweat still soiling his face. “Nate, lie back, man.”
“The fire,” I said. “Need to get back. My men.”
“They’re still there. Making progress. But you’re not going anywhere near a fire for a month or so.”
I took the mask off and coughed a little, but managed to catch my breath. “A month?”
“Yep. Second degree burns on 20 percent of your body. Some of the burns are deep.”
It came back to me, the event that had gotten me here.
“The family. Were they injured?”
“Not a scratch or burn. Turns out it was a U.S. Senator from Kansas. He says you’re a hero.”
“You know I had no choice. They were in the path—”
“Take the praise where you can get it, man. We don’t get that much.”
I looked at my right side. My right arm was bandaged, and so was my side and down my right leg to the point where my boots had stopped the flames. Second degree wasn’t so bad, I told myself. Third degree would have been brutal. I’d be able to leave the hospital soon. I’d heal.
“I won’t need a month,” I said.
“Yes, you will. They can’t let you go back. Doctor’s orders. You’re grounded until he releases you.”
I managed to sit up, but it was a bad idea. The burns pulling on my skin reminded me why I shouldn’t. “I can’t be grounded during fire season. Are you crazy? I need to be there. You don’t have enough men as it is.”
“Sorry, Nate. It is what it is. Why don’t you go home to Carlisle for a while? Take it easy.”
Go home? Pop had just been pardoned, and he and my mom were trying to navigate the reunion. Though she would love to have me home, I didn’t know if I was up to it. My father could be challenging, and fourteen years of prison hadn’t done him any favors.
Taken from “
Smoke Screen” by Terri Blackstock. Copyright © 2019 by Terri Blackstock. Used by permission of
http://www.thomasnelson.com/.
Blog Stops
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.
This
is a good study of the majority of the gospel of Luke. Wiggenhorn has
done lots of research and adds supplementary historical and cultural
information throughout the study. There are a few journeys into the
Greek text but not many. The writing style is pleasant to read and
this would make a good study for someone wanting to study the life of
Jesus as shown through Luke, whether for the first time or as a
reacquainting experience. Wiggenhorn provides many opportunities to
relate the information in the gospel to everyday life.
ERICA
WIGGENHORN is
the founder of Every Life Ministries, bringing the truths of
Scripture to transform lives. She teaches in various local and
national venues and serves on the women's ministry leadership team
for her church. She's also taught women in the Arizona State Prison
system, and overseas. She loves to bring God's Word through Bible
teaching, conferences, seminars and retreats. A graduate of Azusa
Pacific University, Erica lives in Phoenix with her husband,
Jonathan, and their two children, Eliana and Nathan. For more
information about Erica, her Bible studies, and writing/speaking
ministry, visit www.EricaWiggenhorn.com.
