Even though it is a much different story, I couldn’t help but think of “Romancing the Stone” as I read Blue Fire. Maybe because both stories have strong women lead characters, not to mention the races against time across dangerous territories to save themselves and others.

The secondary characters in Blue Fire were as finely drawn as Alex, and I especially liked Mosi Ongeti. The long-time relationship they share in almost a father/daughter manner came across in telling moments when Alex would not abandon Mosi after he had been shot as they escaped from the mine.

The romantic relationship between Alex and her boyfirend Eric is handled nicely, too, and early on the reader can tell that they care deeply about each other. The fact that Eric agrees to help treat Mosi’s terrible infection speaks strongly about the depth of the relationship.

Reading this book I was introduced to countries that I didn’t know details about, as well as mining for a variety of gems. Tanzanite is a gem new to me, and I am eager to see the Blue Fire in person. The description of the gem gave me a good visual, but I would still like to see one.

The mystery of why Alex’s father, Brian, has disappeared, added to the mystery of who controls the mine in Brazil that is apparently mining tanzanite when it had previously only been mined in Arusha, Tanzania, keeps the tension high and the suspense going. My only quibble is that I would have preferred less about Shen and the Chinese, as both came across as stereotypical bad guys. Much less could have been written about them, and the focus stay on Alex and her attempts to solve the mysteries. Those were the chapters I enjoyed the most.

From memory, it has not been since the 1970s when Gerald Brown wrote books like 11 Harrowhouse that we've had a thriller about the gem industry. This one is a corker! It contains all of the usual action-adventure elements that keep the reader turning the pages. Unlike a lot of the genre, this one is particularly well-written. Adding in a lot of fascinating information about the subject matter makes this novel really stand out. I am going back to read Ms Prairie's first.

Blue Fire by Katherine Prairie, follows Alex Graham a geologist who has been brought Brazil by stories of an obscure mine that is rumored to turn out Tanzanite. Given Tanzanite’s rarity and the fact that is known to only occur in limited supply in Tanzania, this assertion peaks Alex’s interest. With the help of her good friend, Mosi Ongeti, and 2 inside men who work in the mine, Alex and Mosi concoct a plan to break into the mine and take a Tanzanite rock as evidence to prove the mine is not what it seems. Their plans are quickly derided;however, when Mosi is shot and injured when he emerges from the mine, and one of the insider miners who was helping them is killed. This unfortunate turn of events places Alex and everyone she knows and loves into the crosshairs of a ruthless group of investors who will do anything to protect the mine. It is unknown to Alex at the time, but the mine acts a funding front for secret arms deals, and they cannot risk anyone digging into the operations of the mine.

The story is fast paced and exciting. Story is realistic and engaging. Storyline is very believable and uses real places and lifelike struggles. Story addresses the controversial use of gems and stones to fund arms in conflict zones. Enjoyed the story overall. While this book is a second in a series, I don’t feel that you need to have read the prior novel to get footing in this story. Novel provided by Net Galley.

Blue Fire by Katherine Prairie is a thriller not to be missed. A tremendous discovery is being hidden by owners of a mine who. are keeping it hidden in order to avoid taxes and keep its valuable as high as possible. Furthermore, those tremendous profits are likely funding arms sales possibly to terrorists.

Alex is the daughter of a geologist and is a geologist herself. She goes to South America to investigate rumors of the discovery.. No one seems to have knowledge of such a discovery, and eventually, she and a friend since childhood plan a break in to the highly secure mine to determine if the rumors are true. Her friend enlists the help of two young men who work in the mine as miners. The breakin goes flawlessly until the very end when the three are leaving and are spotted by a sniper guard from a mile away. Alex hears gunfire while waiting for them in a truck on a public road. When the truck is fired upon by guards running down the road, she begins the escape of he life which will lead her across continents to save herself and rescue her friend. She enlists the help of friends and associates as well as her boyfriend, a Canadian doctor. When she finally meets up with her long time friend.from the breakin, she finds he has been seriously wounded,

The plot thickens as the mine owners try to keep the breakin quiet to protect their discovery. Their high wealth and strong contacts are after Alex and friends. Things become more and more complicated and more pressures rise and more interests become involved.

This is an edge of your seat non-stop thriller and it is long enough to keep the lights burning late into several nights.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and Stonedrift Press with no requirements for a review. I read and am providing this review.voluntarily.

A fantastic unearthing. An exciting storyline.
This is a very suspenseful book filled with action, danger, and excitement with a sharp powerful woman as one of the main characters. The story is centered around Tanzanite, a very unique blue gem supposedly found only in Tanzania. Its about the lengths people go to to keep it hush-hush and what others will do to unveil it. Great read. Lots of excitement.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Blue Fire by Katherine Prairie
Alex Graham Novel #2

Tanzanite – a rare gem found only in – Tanzania – or is it? What will people do to keep secret a new deposit of a rare gem? What will others do to uncover it and the ruthless people running the mine that is being kept a secret?

Alex and an old friend of hers are in Brazil at the behest of her father. After their plans go awry, one person is dead and another is injured they find themselves on the run with bad guys on their tails. This story goes from one exciting scene to another with a serious medical situation to deal with, missing people to find, evil from more than one source after them and twists and turns aplenty. From Brazil to Africa to Dubai to Canada this story is international not only in the countries visited but the people involved…including but not limited to Chinese mafia members as well.

When I read the first book in this series I was blown away with the complexity and craftsmanship of the story that educated as it entertained. I found myself feeling just as involved as I read this book though the information I learned was more about gemology this time. If you are looking for a suspense filled action-packed book with a strong intelligent female character that is in a relationship with an intelligent dedicated man and you are interested in learning while you read then this book is one I highly recommend. I am not sure what will happen in book three but am eager to read it and know that it will be well written, entertaining and will teach me something new.

Thank you to NetGalley and Stonedrift Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Mining geologist Alex Graham and her miner friend Mosi Ongeti are sent on a secret mission by Alex's geologist father Brian. Tanzanite is a rare blue gem that is supposedly only found in Tanzania. But there are indications that a Brazilian mine owned by Tabitha Metals may be secretly mining this gem. With the help of two local miners, Mosi enters the mine and finds concrete proof of tanzanite. But their break-in ends with a sniper killing one miner and injuring Mosi. Alex is determined to save Mosi and safely ferry him back to Africa but they are pursued by men working for Tabitha Metals.

Alex's romantic interest, Dr. Eric Keenan, is worried about Alex's safety. He abruptly takes a leave of absence from his job as an ER physician in British Columbia to fly to Nairobi to help both Alex and Mosi.

Why is Tabitha Metals so determined to keep their tanzanite mining activity hidden from the world? Funds to support arms smuggling and terrorism are the key and Tabitha Metals' ruthless leader is determined to do anything to find and silence Alex and Mosi for good.

This was a thrilling read and another enjoyable entry in the Alex Graham mystery series.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Stonedrift Press with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.