As a military wife, our family knew how quickly the life we knew could change, and not for the better. I'm a sucker for the "end of life as we knew it" books but I don't know how I have managed to moss John Gilstrap's post-apocalyptic thrillers. It opens with Congresswoman Emerson's military escort arriving at her home in the middle of the night to notify her that Crimson Phoenix has begun. This is the code name for the evacuation and relocation of the Senate and Congress to a designated bunker, designed to keep them safe as they wait out the fallout from nuclear war. When Congresswoman Emerson learns her sons will not be allowed entry into the bunker, she resigns on the spot. She will leave the area with her sons and her military escort. At this point, the storyline separated into two distinct, but equally important parts.
The 3rd Book in this awesome series finds our heroes on their way back to the bunker to lend their voices of reason to the political upheaval in progress. If the United States is to survive the catastrophic event and return to anything close to "normal" Congresswoman Emerson must use every skill she has to barter for the lives of the good guys.
This book is REALLY good. It's full of tension, intrigue, action, camaraderie, and almost every adjective you could think of in a thriller. The characters are great, even the jerks fill out an integral part of the story. This is one of those books that you'd love to be able to give it more than 5 stars.

Yet another great addition to this series. I think I liked this one as well as the first. For fans of thrillers with an apocalyptic side then this one is for you. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review

I loved that this book tackles a lot of real and serious issues within society but if like me you just want a action packed thriller with explosive consequences then it is also that and more.

White Smoke by John Gilstrap
Victoria Emerson #3

Good fiction is believable, draws the reader in, and makes them feel a part of the story – this series does just that. I am not sure if this is the final book in a trilogy or if there will be more books to look forward to.

What I liked:
* Victoria: politician, widow, mother, prepper, convinced that good will overcome evil, willing to do what is difficult, not always easy to understand her thinking but admired her and wondered if I could/would do what she did
* Adam, Caleb, and Luke Emerson: sons of Victoria, well trained by their parents, grew up quickly, capable, strong, intelligent and lethal
* Major McRea: a good man, strong sense of duty, widow, stalwart, protective, strategic thinker, grounds Victoria and provides balance
* The plot, pacing, writing, and conclusion…if it is the conclusion
* That it made me think, care, feel, and wonder what skills I would have to offer if in a similar situation after a nuclear war and how I would act and react
* Getting to see how the Ortho community was doing and how those at the annex fared – definitely would have preferred to be in Ortho!
* Wondering what will happen next in the lives of the Emersons, the lives they come in contact with, and the rest of the world
* All of it really…except…

What I didn’t like:
* Parsons and his posse and how wickedly evil they were
* Thinking about how easily society can devolve
* Contemplating government and how it does-doesn’t benefit society

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I've long been a fan of John Gilstrap. I especially enjoyed Crimson Phoenix and Blue Fire, the first two in the Victoria Emerson series. Well, White Smoke is the sequel and it did not disappoint. There wasn't much new to add to the story here, but the action was thrilling and the pace was fast and it was a quick and fun read. Also, I really liked the resolution and how it all wrapped up.

If you like lots of action, drama, and just a lot to think about, this one's for you.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

When the bombs drop and reality as you know it disappears in the blink of an eye, what do you do next? In White Smoke, John Gilstrap offers a raw and realistic look of just what might happen. With an emphasis on illustrating the benefits of survival skills, Gilstrap is quick to demonstrate that what might seem odd and even extreme in today’s society could in fact be what saves us if the worst should come to pass.

White Smoke is the third installment in this post apocalyptic series, featuring former Congresswoman Victoria Emerson as she continues to try and forge a functioning community in rural West Virginia. While Victoria tries to keep things progressing in ‘Eden’, as it’s come to be called by outsiders, a request comes down from on high… literally. The small band of violent men and women who have taken over a posh mountain top resort that had served as the cover for the U.S. government’s doomsday bunker. With what remains of the executive branch and congress now imprisoned by a mad man and the masses crying out for blood and retribution, a show trial has been established to quell the bloodlust. The current President of the United States, perhaps in name only, has requested Victoria preside over the trial in an attempt to bring some sense of fairness and normalcy to the process.

While this request is a political minefield in the fledgling society, it is the actual threat of physical violence on the roads that Vicky and her team must overcome to even stand a chance of giving the President what he wants. With marauders, slavers, and desperate souls lurking behind every bend in the road, nothing about this request or journey will be easy.

Gilstrap does an exceptional job of condensing complex societal and interpersonal issues into easy to digest and compelling storylines. The philosophical debates about the nature of man, the cost/benefits of extreme justice, etc. in this story (and series) should make readers ponder “what if”. There is plenty of action and emotional turmoil if you just want to read a fun action thriller without too much thought though. I’m not sure what is in store for this series after three installments, but I hope for more to come in this intriguing universe.

I received an ARC from Netgalley to read and review.
Describing a book series that begins with nuclear Armageddon as hopeful seems crazy, yet that is what this series is. Terrible, awful things happen, and it seems like there’s no way basically decent people can survive, yet they do. More than that, Victoria Emerson and her family (both blood and found) keep on fighting the good fight.
After the events of <I>Blue Fire</I>,Victoria finally has all of her boys back together, but it’s hardly time to rest. A messenger arrives from Hilltop Manor with a message from Penn Glendale, former Speaker of the House and now President. He’s been captured by the people at the Manor and wants Vicky to come preside at his trial. It’s a dangerous mission that doesn’t seem to have much hope of success, but Vicky is determined to go. What follows is a nail-biting tale as we follow along both with the Emerson bunch and the mess at the Manor. Humanity’s worst traits are on full display, yet Vicky never wavers in her quest to do what she feels is right, regardless of the personal cost. This one kept me up reading way past my bedtime as I had to find out how things would play out - a terrific read!

ARC Book Review – White Smoke – John Gilstrap
“White Smoke,” the third book in the Victoria Emerson series by John Gilstrap is some wonderful eye-opening fiction. It's suspenseful, well written and scary relevant. The story moves along at a decent pace and the characters are all interesting and appealing. It’s a very intense action-drama encircled by unimaginable circumstances. Gilstrap’s narrative points out human behavior during times of crisis. He paints a picture that's both uplifting and horrifying at the same time. This story brings main character Victoria Emerson back to the government bunker where the remaining members of Congress and other government officials are being held captive by a group of bandits. The security of the bunker was penetrated by the bandits who took for themselves after the nuclear attack and terrorized struggling survivors. Roger Parsons, a former professional wrestler, has taken charge of the raiders making himself judge, jury and executioner of the remaining government officials/politicians and has vowed to put them on trial for their roles in causing the nuclear disaster. The former Speaker of the House, now acting President manages to get a message to Victoria Emerson asking her to come help save what's left of the United States government. Victoria and her loyal followers answer the call, and the story leads to a final showdown between the two leaders of a post-apocalyptic environment – Victoria Emerson and Roger Parsons. White Smoke is a riveting and engrossing story that makes the reader take a hard look at the nature of humanity. The concept of leadership and putting the good of the overall over immediate sentiments and personal ambitions is very telling in this well written novel. Gilstrap’s penning of the effectiveness of partisan politics in a time of crisis is brilliant and Victoria Emerson’s moral character and leadership is amazing! One could only hope that there's a ‘Victoria Emerson’ around if something like this ever happens in real life! Intense. Shocking. Heartbreaking. Stressful, and way too close to reality, White Smoke is a ‘must-read’ action-drama thriller! I thoroughly enjoyed this series and recommend all three books to any thriller enthusiast. Special thank you to Kensington Publishing, NetGalley and author John Gilstrap for the honor in reviewing an Advance Reader’s Copy of White Smoke.

This series continues to impress. Unlike other "end of world" series Gilstrap focuses on the political side and the positive. The main character, Senator Victoria Emerson, decided at the last moment not to enter the government bunker during an eminent nuclear strike because her sons were not to be allowed in with her: select government personnel only. She and her family, along with the two military officers whose final duty was to deliver her to the bunker, take off in an attempt to get as far out of DC as possible before the missile hits. They find refuge in a small town and Victoria's down-to-earth, common sense leadership skills take center stage. It's not her intent to lead this community but it does seem to be her calling. Those left in the world are frightened, some to the point of violence and cruelty others to get what they need and others who will cower and concede just to live another day. Victoria doesn't believe it needs to be this way and a peaceful society can be rebuilt through a lot of hard work and cooperation.

The second half of the story has been those government officials tucked safely away in their bunker with all their needs being met, but no way to interact with or help the survivors, and their petty in-fighting believing they still hold a position of power.

This third book brings Victoria back to the bunker away from the "Eden" she's helped build. The security of the bunker has been pierced by a group of marauders who take for themselves and terrorize others for what they have. Parsons is the leader of these marauders and has made himself judge, jury and executioner of the remaining members of Congress. Victoria and her loyal followers aim to bring peace and justice to their holdout and the refugees surrounding it.

Again, I truly enjoy this series not just for the action and survival stories but the morality and focus on what it would take to truly rebuild a society and for the better. The characters and setting are so well presented they are nearly tangible.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

In a world far from normal, former West Virginia U.S. Representative Victoria Emerson, is the glue that holds Eden and broken people together. Following the cataclysmic events in Crimson Phoenix and Blue Fire, Emerson is tasked with keeping peace in a war town world following all out nuclear holocaust.

White Smoke is where Emerson and her rag tag group of survivors from Ortho, a small town in West Virginia, are minding their own business when a soldier from the Annex at the Government Relocation Center (GRC) rolls in with urgent news. Roger Parson and his crew of misfits running the hilltop manor at the GRC have taken it upon themselves to charge the remaining Senators and Representatives in the annex with treason. Treason is a serious charge, but coming from Parson’s boy band gives credence to the clown show that they are trying to uphold while kicking everyone while they’re down.

As Emerson receives news that now President Penn Glendale and fellow constituents are about to stand trial in a cockamamie court, run by a former entertainment wrestler, she is trying to maintain calm and order in her own community. As Glendale prepares for the gallows, Major Joseph McCrea helps lead the Emerson to Hilltop journey to help preside over what should be a ‘fair’ trial for the new President and Congress. While the horse and buggy armada makes their way, they are challenged tactically and mentally time and time again. The outlaws and hooligans that run the robbery and crime trails don’t make it easy on Victoria’s crew and this is when the blood begins to flow in this adventure.

Gilstrap champions Victoria Emerson through grace and grit. She defies post-apocalyptic America expectations by delivering hope and unity in uncertain times. On the outside she’s the epitome of what every person should look up to and garner their strength from, while on the inside things are probably not the same. She is the model citizen as she forces everyone to come to a realization that the old world is gone and it is up to them to make the best of the future. She is rock solid while leading from the front and you can tell the character development has been a pained one for her, but something that the people of Ortho have come to depend on.

Victoria Emerson is a leader for a reason, and she doesn’t sugarcoat the truth. The equity that she puts into Ortho and its people is just the same that she puts into her kids and their responsibilities. This is nothing short of what kind of people we hope come to lead our country in rough times, while the real world still has a say in things. White Smoke has action, emotion, and every bit of unease you could ask for.

Fans of the dystopian thriller will enjoy this tale of Vicky Emerson, a strong woman who has been asked to save what remains of the US government after nuclear war destroyed so much and infighting has eaten away at important institutions. A wrestler is now running things and he's determined to exact revenge on politicians and others for Hell Day. Vicky, who has been in Ortho, Virginia with her sons (great kids) and some trusted bodyguards and military people, has been asked to step up and help. This third in the trilogy will be more meaningful for those who have read the earlier books (in fact, you might be a bit lost at times if you haven't). It's got an urgent pace, a not always subtle message, and terrific characters. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

As a fan of John Gilstrap's 'Jonathan Grave Series', it's a no brainer that you'd want to give his 'Victoria Emerson Series a try and enjoyed 'White Smioke' a lot.

With any book, you need to like the main character in this case it's Victoria Emerson, but it's well written, riveting, fast paced, full action, pulse pounding, set in West Virginia, chaos after a electromagnetic pulse wipes out electronics and technology and you've got a setting in a post apocalyptic World.

I haven't read too much in this genre, feel that John Gilstrap's written made it a great escapism read, peek my interest enough to want to read more of this style of novel. Lastly found that 'White Smoke', not a standalone book, once I've read the first and sec and books, will edit this review and added more to this review.

I have enjoyed both the Jonathan Grave series and the Victoria Emerson series. This is the third book in the Victoria Emerson series and I strongly recommend that you start with the first book, Crimson Phoenix, and read them in order. I found the pace of this one a little slower than the other two but I still enjoy the characters and the storyline. Strongly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advanced reader copy.

Wow. White Smoke, the third installment of the Victoria Emerson thrillers by John Gilstrap, begins hot and continues at a fiery pace. Although I'm not a fan of dystopian stories, I'm hooked on this series!

Settled in the West Virginia enclave where Victoria has helped build a settlement that uses trust, helpfulness, and honesty as they move forward after a global nuclear disaster, other groups have decided that marauding, stealing, and killing are what needs to happen. People look up to Victoria. She is brave, honest, and charismatic. She speaks her mind and is fair to all.

Now Victoria is called to head up a group going to the 'new' seat of government. There are those in her group who want her stay. It might be a set-up. It might be a way to attack her thriving new town while she is gone. Right or wrong, Victoria feels the need to go and at least see what this new 'government' is all about.

How will this end? Will Victoria meet her demise while trying to do the right thing? Will her children be safe when she heads out? Knowing that there are many more people who might be against her at this meeting, can she turn people so that good and right prevail?

In my opinion, this series should be read is order. You need the background laid out in the previous books to be able to follow the story. Having said that, you could read this one first and then go back and read the rest, then re-read White Smoke! It's just that good.

I hope this is not the end of the Victoria Emerson series. There are still so many ways this story can play out!

I was gifted an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.

The title and description of this book drew me in - I had not read anything from this author before. The writing was detailed, crisp, and very descriptive which made the story move along in a colorful fashion. It would have been a much better book for me if I had read the previous two books as there were times that I felt a bit lost and had to re-read certain passages in the book. The leadership qualities of the strong female lead are evident throughout the story and provides the basis for the book's premise. I generally do not read this type of novel but am glad I did and will keep the author in mind for future book reading entertainment. I appreciate NetGalley for providing me an advance copy to give an unbiased opinion.

The country is devestated by nuclear war. Society and government break down. One woman emerges as a natural leader. She struggles to keep a community together while seeing the call for a larger role. The morality issue is the violence required to survive versus doing the right thing. Good book.

A fantastic protagonist, exiting scenes, and a shocking story kept me captivated throughout White Smoke, John Gilstrap’s newest novel in the Victoria Emerson dystopian series. It also has aspects of a political thriller and an action thriller.

Victoria (Vicky) Emerson was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the state of West Virginia when a nuclear war was imminent. When she couldn’t take her sons into the bunker for Congress, she resigned and she, her two youngest sons (Caleb and Luke), and her escorts, Major Joseph McCrea and First Sergeant Paul Copley end up in Ortho, West Virginia. The world is in chaos after an electromagnetic pulse has wiped out all electronics and technology. With Victoria as the de-facto leader of the town, they are trying to provide housing for refugees that are starting to inundate the town. Living off the land is necessary. Food, clothing, shelter are needed. Medicines are in short supply. The town has established rules for those that want to stay. Criminals face a type of frontier justice that can be brutal.

Victoria receives a request from the deposed president of the United States to come to the bunker at Hilltop Manor 40 miles east of Ortho. A ruthless group of people has imprisoned the remnants of the U.S. government. They plan to punish the former rulers. Meanwhile, citizens that have gathered outside Hilltop Manor are starving. Victoria feels she has to answer the call, but it won’t be easy. Brigands terrorize travelers along the road. Can she succeed in returning the rule of law to society?
Victoria is optimistic, honest, caring of others, cautiously trusting of others, and inspires them as well. However, she isn’t perfect, and that adds realism to the story. The secondary characters have varying degrees of depth and several are dynamic, experiencing changes in attitude or outlook as they respond to events.

This book is exactly what one would expect from a well-written dystopian thriller with lots of concern over how to survive and protect one’s family, but it is so much more than that. It raises several questions about justice, cooperation, leadership, fear, power struggles, supporting others, trust, desperation, political infighting, having to deal with the loss of all of the electronics we rely upon today, and much more. The loss of electricity, basic sanitation, running water, and communications present problems that most have not faced in their lifetimes.

The author brought a strong sense of time and place to the events in the book. I felt as though I had been transplanted to West Virginia and was living through the events. Survival, adjusting to a new normal, and strength of character take center stage in this novel. The plot is intriguing, includes several twists and turns, and definitely has some surprises. The action and suspense had me rapidly turning the pages.

Overall, this book was riveting, fast-paced, action-oriented, and pulse-activating. Would we have the skills to rebuild and survive if this actually happened? This is the third book that I have read by this author and the third in this series. I recommend that the series be read in order for best understanding of the characters, their backgrounds, and the events that have occurred. I hope there will be another book featuring Victoria. I also want to read Gilstrap’s Jonathan Grave series.

Kensington Books and John Gilstrap provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be February 21, 2023.

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read the ARC of White Smoke, by John Gilstrap. Gilstrap is one of my "buy the next one right away" authors, best known for his Jonathan Grave series (one of my favorites). White Smoke is the 3rd (and final? I hope not) installment of the Victoria Emerson series. I decided to give this second series a chance purely based on the Grave series, and boy, I was not disappointed. Vicky is a single Congresswoman who decides to forego her place in the Congressional bunker when an impending nuclear war approaches, because her 2 sons would not be allowed in. She's a long time prepper, well equipped to survive on her own. This volume brings the 3-book series to a potential stopping point, although I hope Gilstrap finds a way to continue it. Emerson and her family are intriguing characters, as is the post-apocalyptic premise. It's a well written book, full of twists and turns, and a few surprises. I'd recommend the entire series highly - you won't be disappointed if you like the genre.

White Smoke is the 3rd novel in the Victoria Emerson series from John Gilstrap.

"The bunker has been breached at Hilltop Manor. Roger Parsons, the former professional wrestler, who has taken charge, has vowed to put the remaining members of the House and Senate on trial for Hell Day. He plans to save the former Speaker of the House, now acting President, for last. But the Speaker managed to get a message to Victoria Emerson at Ortho, asking for help. And now she is marching toward Hilltop with reinforcements hoping to save what's left of the US."

Gilstrap uses this story as the final showdown between the good of Emerson and the last big threat facing Ortho and the scattered survivors. Gilstrap mixes a lot of commentary on human behavior in with the occasional action scenes. There's also some comments about the effectiveness of politicians in a crisis and the things they hide behind.
Gilstrap paints a picture that's both uplifting and horrifying. You just have to hope that there's a Victoria Emerson around if Nuclear Armageddon hits.

Lots of interesting comments in the Acknowledgements about this series and current events.

This is part of a series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but the series should really be read in order to get the full story arc. This feels like the last book. It'll be interesting to see where Gilstrap takes us next.. Some good eye-opening fiction from Gilstrap.

This is a very intense book set in the aftermath of a nuclear war. Society as we know it has broken down and it’s all about survival. For me it’s a little to close to home, entirely plausible and frightening. This book was part of a series and I think I would have benefited by reading the previous books. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.