This novel offers an exciting, suspenseful story filled with devastation and loss as well as love and the hope of redemption. Can people really get a second chance at life? The compelling story unfolds the past in a new light, but some things remain unclear, as if behind a smoke screen. Can healing come to an injured smokejumper whose father was convicted of murdering his former girlfriend’s pastor father years ago? Can she find healing in the midst of a custody battle with her former husband and his wealthy, controlling father? Can they overcome all the hurts of the past and forgive those who crushed them? The people and their struggles seem so real in this novel. Your heart will ache but also long for good to somehow come through, even though it looks impossible. The author did a fine job at bringing the tale to life—it jumps off the page and into your heart. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

Terri Blackstock is a go-to author for me. Her suspense-filled novels always touch on the personal struggles of the characters while providing a mystery to solve for the reader. Smoke Screen is a little different from the usual Blackstock novels. There is definitely a mystery — the long ago murder of a pastor everyone thought was a closed case — but the tension, which is palpable from the first page, is mostly from the train wreck life of main character, Brenna. The suspense doesn’t come from car chases, sniper fire, or explosions, but from the very real and bad choices made by the characters. Years before, Brenna and Nate had a high school romance that had to be hidden from her family. When it was finally revealed, tragedy overshadowed the relationship. Brenna’s family was devastated, Nate’s father was convicted of murder, and Nate left town seeking to escape the stigma of his father’s crime and the whispers about alleged wrongdoing on his part. Years later, the two are reunited despite the odds of years apart and the objections of both families. Nate is determined to discover just who the real killer is while seeking to help Brenna battle alcoholism.

Brenna is a complex character — a good and loving mother, who turns to alcohol to numb the pain of a custody battle. I didn’t like her very much at first, but Blackstock allowed me to get into the head of this character. I began to appreciate the very real struggles she faced. Nate is a hero’s hero, although he never seeks the limelight. On the job as a smoke jumper and in his personal life as a friend, he goes above and beyond — you will love him! I didn’t have any trouble figuring out who was behind the murder, but there were a few twists on how it happened.

Not action-packed, but filled with raw emotion and tension, Smoke Screen will appeal to Blackstock fans as well as those looking for a story filled with real life situations.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

I have loved Terri Blackstock's books since I first read her Restoration series many years ago, so I was looking forward to reading Smoke Screen and was not disappointed in the least. Blackstock is a master at writing suspense.
And woven into the suspense and action in this book is a thread of faith--a faith that trusts God to bring about second chances. Blackstock has permeated her story with drama, and emotional tension as she expertly and realistically deals with the family dramas that arise with the issues of alcoholism and child custody. She also tackles the gritty subject of wrong imprisonment for murder and subsequent pardon and how that effects the family members involved on both sides of the crime. And if the falsely accused person didn't do it, who did? Nate and Brenna's teenage love began the tragedies that ensued. Would they find love again or would the unfolding dramas of their lives draw them apart again? I enjoyed the tidbits of information regarding firefighting that the author wrote about. I was quickly drawn into the story and my interest was held high through the entire story. Readers who enjoy intense family drama and suspenseful romance stories will not want to miss Smoke Screen.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

Although many of the books I review fall into the historical fiction and nonfiction genres, I have always loved mysteries and suspense. I grew up with The Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Mandie, so when a review opportunity for Christian suspense comes along, I don’t even have to think twice. I read Terri Blackstock’s “If I Run” series as it was released and enjoyed all three books, and I was excited to see “Smoke Screen” hit shelves. I was also happy to note that it does contain discussion questions at the end to facilitate conversation and reflection.

By the time “Smoke Screen” reached the top of my stack of books to read for review, I was ready to dive in. After reading chapter one, I began to doubt whether I was going to like this book. The mystery angle was fairly interesting, if predictable, but the family drama honestly grated on my nerves. Even though I’m not much of a romance reader, I did enjoy Brenna and Nate’s blossoming relationship. The firefighting aspect was informative and interesting to learn about. Nate was my favorite character not only because of what he had overcome since his teenage years, but also because of the way he overcame—by going to therapy and to church. Romans 8:37 rang in my mind: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Jesus has already won the ultimate victory, and when we ask Him into our hearts, that victory becomes ours, too, no matter what we face in this life.

Many of the reasons that I didn’t engage with this book as much as I was expecting to are my issues and not the author’s. Alcoholism and divorce both play a major role in this story, and I am not a fan of reading about either, but they are undeniably prevalent in society today, and Blackstock writes about these issues well and in a clean manner, which I think is so important. Brenna’s ex-husband and his family had me shaking my head every time they entered the narrative, which was no doubt the author’s intent. Blackstock creates convincing characters and situations that evoke empathy and are thought-provoking. By alternating between Brenna and Nate’s first-person viewpoints, she gives readers insight into how trauma affects our reasoning and our faith—sometimes for the better, sometimes not. I appreciated how, in one scene, Brenna helped Nate to see his mom in a different light. One particular conversation between them, though, really tugged at my heartstrings:
“But I’m not the same person I used to be. You probably won’t like me once you get to know me.”
“Oh, you’re still the same,” he said. “You’re just a little burned. But trust me. Burns heal.”

The underlying message of “Smoke Screen” is one of perseverance and hope, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. With a faith element that is gentle, this story speaks to the everlasting love of God and His pursuit of us, drawing us into relationship with Him and through the cleansing refiner’s fire.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

WOWIE!!! This is my first read by this author but it definitely won’t be my last! With plot twists and turns, Ms. Blackstock packs a punch in this story!
From adult children bearing the stigma of their parents’ actions to bearing the brunt a sibling’s behavior, old ghosts haunt both Brenna and Nate—including their feelings for each other.
I appreciated the ugly reality of Brenna’s drinking; this reviewer knows the heartache of watching the crippling effects of alcohol. As a mother, my heart broke for Brenna’s battle for custody of her kids, but I also knew Nate’s struggle to balance between helping and enabling… Ms. Blackstock portrayed both exquisitely.
The dialogue, and the interactions and reactions of the characters were genuine and believable. The journey of the story moved naturally and easily to a perfect conclusion.

ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Smoke Screen, Terri Blackstock, Celebrate Lit

ADRENALINE OVERLOAD!

SMOKE SCREEN is the latest evidence of Terri Blackstock’s Award winning writing skills. She continues to be masterful in the art of creating characters that are believable, plots that are dynamic from beginning to end, descriptions of setting that make you feel as though you’re right where the action is taking place and subject matter that is timely, easily understood and relatable.

This is the story of uncontrolled wildfires - 1) the kind involving REAL FIRE that scorches absolutely everything in its path and 2) the kind involving FIRE FROM THE TONGUE that also scorches absolutely everything in its path. Both are horrible. One takes years to recover from. One may never see restoration from the devastation that has taken place. Most everyone is familiar with the old English-language children’s rhyme that says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones But words will never harm me.” We also know that nothing can be further from the TRUTH! Some things can be said about you when you’re young and you can’t outlive the LIE! The characters in Smoke Screen deal with both types of these Wildfires. Blackstock showcases her writing skills as she cleverly weaves her plot around these Wildfires. She shows the effects on individuals, their families and their town. She shows the effects many years later. Blackstock writes of greed, power, insensitivity, hatred, misplaced loyalty, deceit and also shows how love NEVER fails.

I was provided an complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

Smoke Screen is a very quick Christian contemporary. It involves Brenna, a single mother struggling with a court battle to keep custody of her children. It also involves Nate, whose father is out of prison having served time for killing Brenna's father. I ended up enjoying the romance. Brenna and Nate's past history really added to their relationship. It was definitely not a light read as it deals with struggles of faith in God, family and friends. It also deals with the struggles of alcohol abuse. So...definite trigger warnings. I was really rooting for Brenna. I thought her struggle with drinking came across as realistic. The story also sends a good message about the crisis of faith and what you can do to let go. There is a little bit of a mystery because Roy (Nate's dad) swears he is innocent. I liked how that story line was wrapped up nicely. I do recommend trying this one out.

This is a story of two young people whose love ended because of the objections of their parents but it is so much more. It is also a story of mistaken guilt, infidelity, a custody battle, and alcoholism. Author Terri Blackstock spins a tale filled with suspense and corruption and it is hard to put it down. Brenna Strickland Hertzog's fight to keep her children is a situation that happens much too often and I suffered along with her as she battled her ex-husband, his new wife, and her wealthy ex-father-in-law. As her life spirals out of control, Brenna seeks to numb herself with alcohol. Nate Beckett has returned to his hometown to recuperate from work injuries and as I learned more about smoke jumping, I could understand why all these brave people need to be named American heroes.

It soon becomes apparent that Nate's feelings for Brenna never really ended but Brenna's only focus is keeping her children with her. As Nate steps in to help, they both struggle and their faith is often tested. Author Terri Blackstock proves her amazing ability to show their doubts and uncertainties and we readers are reminded that God is ever present in our lives, even when we don't understand His plan and His timing. Brenna goes from a doubting belief: "The best I could do was hang on and pray like mad. But I doubted that God was listening to me anymore" to unwavering faith: "God had answered my prayers. He was still listening. He did care."

Smoke Screen is heartwarming, it is exciting, and it is inspiring. It is also a book that requires tissues--lots of tissues! I recommend it to all who enjoy romantic suspense and Christian fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. A favorable review was not required and all opinions are mine.

3 Stars: 3/5 Stars


This was not my favorite book. It was very well-written though. It was slow for me to get into and then did not leave me gripping my seat as I anticipated from the description. I do enjoy other books by the author and others may well enjoy the slower pace of this novel, it just wasn't for me.

I received a digital version of this book from netgalley and Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Terri Blackstock never disappoints. And the smoke screen she describes has many layers and players. The depth of each character is as deep as the smoke from the fires they must put out. This novel kept me guessing from the first page to the last.

I love Terri Blackstock’s stories. She is a master at writing romantic suspense and I absolutely loved her Christmas novella Catching Christmas. I was so excited to read this story, but sadly, it just did not work for me - on any level.

I have to be able to root for a character to feel invested in a story, and I just struggled to find someone to root for. For me, it was really hard to root for Brenna or her ex-husband when it came to their kids. I felt like neither option was good. I also felt like the tag line - One father was murdered. Another was convicted of his death. And all because their children fell in love- set up for an awesome story, but sadly, that part was really just background material. I wanted so much more from this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Brenna and Nate both have complicated lives due to prior events. High School sweethearts, Nate has returned to his hometown because his father has been released from prison and pardoned from his murder charge, and Nate is also recovering from burns received in his fire fighting job. But Nate is not sure he can ever forgive his father for his past actions and his attitude towards him. He's trying to find his answers in his faith. Brenna is reeling from a divorce and now a suit for custody of her 2 children. She's trying to find answers at the bottom of a bottle. This book was so interesting as as Brenna and Nate work together to find answers to the mysteries of the past that were setting the present happenings in motion.

The twisting solutions to all the past and present events taught both Brenna and Nate mercy, grace, forgiveness, and love. I appreciated how Nate did not reveal who set the past fire that he found himself accused. It showed his understanding that it was truly an accident and not intentional.
Another great read from a super suspense author.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Some books just tear me up inside while I'm reading them. Sometimes it is the circumstances of the characters' lives. Sometimes it's the choices they make. With Smoke Screen, it was both!

Brenna and Nate's families were both against seeing the two of them together. Brenna's because they believed his father guilty of murdering hers, Nate's for the same reason. While this alone would have been tension enough to make a great story, the added drama of the custody hearing pushed it over the top.

Nate was something wonderful! Despite the accusations of the town he grew up in, he came back to heal from injuries sustained fighting wildfires. And even though Brenna had reason for not wanting to see him after what his father had allegedly done, he couldn't stay away. His heroic mindset - not seeing anything amazing in what he had done - was such a deep part of who he was. And his concern for Brenna and desire to help her get out of the pit she was in was very touching.

I loved the secret that Nate was willing to keep, and his reason, especially because of the impact it had on the way he was perceived. His clear thinking helped Brenna provide her attorney with valuable information for the hearing. Moreover, his faith helped Brenna to turn her eyes back on Jesus, the source of that faith.

While my heart went out to Brenna for her deep grief over the custody battle and her ex-husband's infidelity, I was torn apart each time she turned to alcohol. It made for painful reading and I was glad for the breaks I had to sleep and go to work. When Nate walked away from her when she chose to drink instead of dealing with her pain, I wanted to cry and cheer at the same time! Keep in mind, the author wrote this in a way that was fitting and appropriate - it is simply that my heart broke at the pain and poor choices made as a result.

The overall tone of the story is suspenseful and somber. There are some moments of dry humor and the ending is satisfying. If you enjoy serious suspense that brings glory to God, I encourage you to read Smoke Screen.

I’ve never read a novel by Terri Blackstock before. If I’m honest, it’s because I’m a baby. Her covers scare me. I am a super sensitive woman. If I read or watch anything scary before bed, I will have nightmares. Since I work full-time during the day, most of my reading gets done at night, which means a lot of suspense novels never make it to my TBR pile. But, my husband adores Blackstock’s novels and encouraged me to read this one, and the premise did sound really excellent, so I took a risk. Boy, am I glad that I did! Smoke Screen is a very well-written story: the plot is highly engaging, the characters have depth and are very relatable, and the conflicts are so frustrating I flew through the pages to get to the end because I had to know everything would turn out OK for Nate and Brenna. All in all, Smoke Screen is a seriously good read I highly recommend.

I found so much to love about this novel, but my favorite aspect is the illustration of corporate prayer. I am a BIG believer in prayer. I believe with my whole heart that God hears and answers prayers. And, I know that praying with others makes prayers super powerful. As stated in Mark 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I among them.” I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of Christian fiction books over the years, so I’ve seen characters pray. I’ve seen characters gather together at church to pray during Sunday sermons and masses. But I’ve not read a Christian novel where Christian characters go on red alert, immediately gather together, and corporately pray because a member of the congregation needs help ASAP. This moment in Smoke Screen is AMAZING — prayer warriors going to battle with God in order to help a member of their team. And God moves mountains for the character because of this corporate prayer. It’s one of the most awe-inspiring moments I’ve read in a book.

My review, I fear, doesn’t do Smoke Screen justice. I found this story to be sweet and romantic, frustrating and encouraging, and action-packed. If you are looking for a well-written novel filled with suspense, romance, and timely themes, then Smoke Screen is the story for you!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

“Innocent until proven guilty.” If only those words were true for Nate Beckett, who left his high school sweetheart behind when Nate’s dad was accused of killing Brenna Strickland’s dad. When the church where Brenna’s father pastored burned down shortly after that, townspeople whispered Nate was responsible.
Terri Blackstock is one of the best voices in Christian suspense. I always start her books thinking, maybe I won’t like this one as much as her others. But each time Ms. Blackstock proves me wrong, whipping up the tension into high winds, my reading satisfaction spreading like wildfire as I navigate (in this case) through the very realistic, sad mess that two families have made of their lives once tragedy strikes. I loved the twists that Blackstock incorporates, as well as the strong, solid faith message she projects. Blackstock’s remarks about faith are clear and concise, not preachy. I questioned an event at the end, but then again, people can be unpredictable and don’t always make the decisions one might expect. If you love faith-filled suspense, this is a great book for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. This is no way influenced my opinions, which are solely my own.

While many of Terri Blackstock's books have a redemptive story in them, Smoke Screen really drives it home. From the start I was intrigued by the main characters - Brenna and Nate. It is written from both points of view, which is done well. Nate Beckett and his career path of being a Fire Jumper are well written and descriptive. You will quickly understand what the demands and challenges of the job entail. He has a strained family relationship due to his father being accused of murdering the town's pastor. After being injured in a fire and heading back to his hometown, the story begins to unfold. Brenna is the daughter of the pastor who was murdered. She's a single mom with an ex-husband that will most certainly make you angry. And to make matters worse, she abuses alcohol as a coping mechanism. As the layers of the story unfold and you get to know the characters, you realize just how flawed and relatable they are and how twisted their struggles get. Even through the layers, the storyline is easy to follow and isn't confusing. The conflict is deep and keeps you guessing. I won't go into detail because nobody likes a spoiler!

It is less of a suspenseful read and more of a drama in my opinion. There is a wide range of topics hit on and packed neatly into one book. If you are looking for a book club read, this would be a great book for discussions regarding forgiveness, blame, grace, alcohol abuse and the Christian faith.

My Thoughts on Smoke Screen:
Wow. I love this author so I knew I was going to love this book but I didn’t expect it to be quite this good! The style it’s written in often makes me give upon a book if it’s not truly engaging. The back and forth tends to give me a headache when I’m just reading for pleasure.

But I definitely did not stop reading this book. In fact, I could not stop reading. I had to know what came next and how it ended!

Smoke Screen is captivating and definitely gives you a level of suspense. It’s not suspense where you can’t breathe but more of slow steady burning suspense that you know something is going to happen at any moment.

I think that I’d be like Brenna if I ever lost my children. I’d be in a sea of depression with no anchor and nowhere to turn. But lucky for her, Nate comes back to town at just the right time to help her navigate the divorce and child custody battles.

But what if this is more than just her fight for her children? What if this is a fight for her life? And what if it’s all somehow tied to one fateful day year ago?

Great read! Highly recommend this book. And it’s one I’m okay with reading when I’m home alone too so that’s always a good thing!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Phew, in Smoke Screen, Terri Blackstock delivers a book filled with hurting and flawed people. Some are sabotaging themselves, some have paid for their (and others’ mistakes), and a few are given justice.

Even though I’ve never had any of Brenna’s issues, I sure empathized with her. Nate is just the kind of person she needs in her life. Someone who sees her value and strives to show it to her.

While the family drama and relationships take the front seat for the majority of the book, there are some crimes (old and new) that are slowly being solved as the story progresses too.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Terri Blackstock long ago became one of my favorite authors to read. The way that she grabs the readers attention and pulls on their heartstrings with her characters and stories is like no other. I always feel completely involved with her characters. Smoke Screen is no exception to her lovely way of writing. I enjoyed this book so much and could not put it down once I started.

Brenna is a middle aged woman that is going through a rough time right now. Brenna's husband has left her for a younger woman and now she finds herself in the midst of an ugly custody case, fighting for her two children. All while Brenna is trying to deal with this, her family learns that the man accused of killing her father is getting a pardon and will be out of prison in no time.

Nate is a smoke jumper and when we meet him in the book, he is in the midst of fighting a huge wildfire and helps some stranded people get to a safe place. While Nate was helping these people, which turns out to be someone pretty important, he ends up getting second degree burns and is sidelined for awhile. Nate decides that since his dad has just gotten out of prison, he is going to go back home and heal there.

Nate and Brenna have a past and when Nate hears that she is living across the street from his brother where he will be staying while he is in town, he knows that he has to go over and see her. There is some tension between the two of them, but they are working through some of it. Nate is worried about Brenna though, he notices that she is drinking a lot. Nate puts it off to her going through a tough time right now, but she is drinking a lot.

There were so many ups and downs in this story for the characters. I was rooting for all of them to figure out their unanswered questions though. You will get caught up in this story and have to know how it all ends for everyone. Such a great read once again by Terri Blackstock!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

It's another well-written novel from Terri Blackstock that is reminiscent of her Moonlighters series. It has intrigue regarding what may be considered "cold cases" from the past but the emphasis is more on the family drama and relationships as Brenna struggles through an ugly divorce and its aftermath and her old high school sweetheart returns to their hometown. There is a lot of backstory involved in Brenna and Nate's tumultuous high school relationship and the outcome of that past relationship collides with the present day happenings to bring some twists and turns to the plot. The heart-wrenching realities of divorce, alcoholism, wild fires, and desire for revenge are starkly real and the author digs deep into the emotion well to bring us close to the characters' hearts and motivations. These darker realities are balanced out by the growing affection between Brenna and Nate and lessons of faith and trust.

It's definitely not like the author's previous If I Run series in the intensity of suspense, but leans more toward her last book Catching Christmas in the intensity of emotion and shared human experience. If you enjoy contemporary fiction with a strong theme of overcoming adversity, you will enjoy this book. I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.