A gripping new novel from New York Times bestselling suspense author Terri Blackstock.One father was murdered. Another was 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 hometown. His mother begs him to come back now that his father has been released from prison, but … back 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 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 not long after, people assumed Nate set the fire to get even for his father’s conviction. He let the rumors fly and left town without looking back.
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 now she’s fighting 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. Brenna is barely hanging on, and she’s turned to alcohol to cope. Shame and fear consume her.
As Nate and Brenna deal with the present—including new information about that fateful night and a wildfire that’s threatening their town—the past keeps igniting. Nate is the steady force Brenna has so desperately needed. But she’ll have to learn to trust him again first.
Praise for Smoke Screen:
“Full of secrets, lies, and with a visceral impact that grabs from the first sentence, Smoke Screen is Terri Blackstock at her finest.” —Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author
“Terri never fails to deliver a plot that moves, well-developed characters who are real, flawed, and relatable . . . Just a word of warning if you decide to pick up this book—don’t plan to do anything else until you finish it.” —Lynette Eason, bestselling, award-winning author
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I have long enjoyed this bestselling author and this is no exception. Characters are defined well through conversations, prayers, and actions, and most are engaging and likable. I became invested in the primary characters and appreciated reading their alternating points of view. It seemed (in my opinion) to start slow, then it picked up until I didn’t want to put it down. I was able to solve the mysteries almost completely, yet the novel was still of great interest, including how family challenges resolve.
Nate and Brenna were each other’s teenage first love until the night that changed everything. Brenna’s father, Preacher Strickland, was murdered. Nate’s father, Roy, was convicted of killing Brenna’s father. Now, fourteen years later, Roy is pardoned and released from prison.
Brenna is divorced, and ex-husband Jack announces his candidacy for mayor. Jack’s father William is still calling the shots, demanding that Jack take the children to campaign functions and file for full custody. His father wants Jack to show himself as a devoted family man despite leaving Brenna for a younger woman. It wasn’t enough to lose her husband and home, work for barely enough to pay the bills, and not see her children on any weekends.
As Brenna’s stress and heartache rise, she becomes the kind of person she never wanted to. Her late father would be horrified if he knew his daughter drank even a little sip of alcohol. Now she drinks much of the time the children are away from her. She wants to be numb, to survive the long hours until they are back home and she has value to someone again. Her ex-father-in-law is wealthy enough to buy off any judge in the state, and she is terrified of losing the children.
Nate is lead Hotshot on his firefighting team, doing what he always wanted to and loving it. Injured in a major fire while rescuing a family from their woodland retreat, he has to take time off work, and goes to visit his family. His brother Drew lives across the street from Brenna, and now owns the bar where the dispute began that ended the preacher’s life. Nate hasn’t seen Brenna since shortly after the murder.
He goes to visit her; they are so different in some ways! He believes in the Lord now. He no longer drinks. Brenna believes God is punishing her, and drinks on weekends. Then Jack’s lawyer sees them out having dinner when Jack has the children and Brenna is very drunk. Nate is accused of setting a fire outside town, and Noah, her young son, is struggling to breath due to asthma and Jack’s inability to give proper breathing treatments.
Brenna’s feelings are portrayed well, especially as she drinks and worries about her children. Nate is transparent, especially when it comes to his feelings about his father and Brenna. The demonstration of his faith, his witnessing to Brenna in a role reversal, and their painfully honest faith discussions are memorable. Alcoholism is discussed with sensitivity and dignity. Grace and forgiveness are major topics for both families. The pages flew as I became invested in Nate, Brenna, and her children. While some of the outcomes were not a surprise, some were stunning. I highly recommend this novel to fans of this bestselling author and those who appreciate well-written Christian fiction, mystery, and drama.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from CelebrateLit, a review was not required.
Terri Blackstock has done it again in her newest release, Smoke Screen. I was hooked with this book right from the start. I only intended to read a chapter or two before bed, but ended up staying up half the night and finished the whole book a few hours later. I just could not put it down until I read the very last page. I felt that other readers would find they would relate some way or another with the characters in the book. It was great getting to know Nate and Brenna. I loved the aspect of faith and inspiration of the story.
Smoke Screen is one book that just can not be missed. It is most definitely a must read. I would give it one hundred stars if I could. It is that good. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy a well written, suspense filled, and clean mystery.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
In Ms. Blackstock’s latest release, readers will find themselves immersed in this suspenseful page turner where it will be a race to see the conclusion. Ms. Blackstock’s writing continues to draw the reader in and feel as if they are a part of the story. This book focuses on Brenna, whose world seems to be falling apart. Her husband has divorced her and is trying to get full custody of her children. Her childhood sweetheart, Nate, comes home after staying away for many years. He left town after two events: his father was convicted of killing Brenna’s father and the church burned. After his father is released from jail, he returns home. Both Nate and Brenna spend time together to reconnect as friends. As time goes on, things began to occur that causes more questions as to what really happened to Brenna’s dad. As the title indicates, this story gives the illusion that all the facts are tied neatly in a bow, but could it all really be a smoke screen hiding the real story. This book will keep you reading all night! I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.
This book was so unique. Young love hits us like no other, and when it’s ripped away from us, it can effect the rest of our lives. Brenna and Nate were once in love, and although innocent, events of one night changed the course of both of their families lives. Nate’s father was accused of murdering Brenna’s father, who also happened to be the town preacher. Nate’s dad always proclaimed his innocence, but it was hard for his sons to believe that their drunk of a father wasn’t guilty. When he gets released, old wounds are opened and the past comes back to haunt them all.
Brenna had no choice but to move on after losing the love of her life, Nate. Feeling like they never had closure wasn’t an easy thing to live with, but now she has kids and they are the light of her life. Fighting for custody was not part of her plans. Her ex husband not only has a new and younger wife, but also has his eye on public office. With money and powerful people on his side, does Brenna have a chance at all? Seeing Nate again has reminded her that she was once happy, and that someone used to love her for herself. Can they work together to find out the truth? Or will everything come to light just a little too late?
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful mystery. The characters were very unique and had things that they constantly struggled with. Brenna was a very unique character in that she was an alcoholic, but only when her kids weren’t around. Being away from them made her feel scared, alone, and hopeless. It was interesting getting a glimpse into a lifestyle that so many are forced to cope with. It was easy to like Nate and I enjoyed seeing a man who was a hero, but also humble about it. I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what Hannon does next. I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
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.
The title the author gives this book is perfect, and shows up in more than one way, and it becomes crystal clear as you go further into this story.
There appears to be a lot going on here in this small Colorado town, but the action begins in another part of the state with smoke jumpers, and a horrible wild fire, lives are at stake here.
Things do not get more comfortable here, and there is a lot at risk, especially in the lives of young children.
You will be quickly immersed here, and you won’t want to put this one down until you know the answers
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.
Smoke Screen is a story about Brenna Hertzog, a recently divorced mother of 2 young children, and Nate Beckett, a smokejumper who is recuperating from injuries sustained while fighting a fire. Nate returns home to the town of Carlisle, Colorado for some rest while he’s healing and is reunited with his former love, Brenna who in the midst of a custody battle with her ex-husband and his new, much younger wife. The two have a complicated past that has driven their families apart, and Brenna’s life seems to be spiraling out of control, until Nate steps in to remind her of her once-strong faith and of how strong she really is.
I really loved reading Smoke Screen. The story offers excitement, mystery, and unexpected twists, and it’s a touching example of second chances and redemption. I appreciated how the author incorporated Brenna’s struggle with alcohol, her need to medicate her pain, and Nate’s desire to help her, not enable her addiction, but also not be codependent and try to fix her. I found the struggle between Brenna and her ex-husband over the custody of the children to be especially compelling. As a mother, I could easily identify with Brenna’s need to protect her children at any cost. Overall, I felt the story was well-written and very enjoyable.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Nate Beckett has spent his life fighting wildfires instead of the lies and rumors that drove him from his Colorado hometown. His mother begs him to come back 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 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 not long after, people assumed Nate set the fire to get even for his father’s conviction. He let the rumors fly and left town without looking back.
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 now she’s fighting 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. Brenna is barely hanging on, and she’s turned to alcohol to cope. Shame and fear consume her.
As Nate and Brenna deal with the present—including new information about that fateful night and a wildfire that’s threatening their town—the past keeps igniting. Nate is the steady force Brenna has so desperately needed. But she’ll have to learn to trust him again first.
This book is different than other books I’ve read by Ms Blackstock. I didn’t find it had the suspense as her previous novels. That said, it was still a good book. Brenna is having a hard time coping with her ex-husband trying to get full custody of their children. She turns to alcohol to help her. Only thing is, it doesn’t help. Nate is back to his home town recovering from burns he received as a hotshot smoke jumper. The problem is Nate’s dad was put in prison for murdering Brenna’s dad. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to others.
I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
‘God is powerful. He could be my dread champion, my rear guard, the one who fihts for me. But I feel like I’m fighting all alone.’
Terri Blackstock returns with a captivating new novel told in two different POVs. Nate Beckett’s father spent fourteen years in prison for killing Brenna Strickland’s preacher father. Now, Nate’s father has been released and Nate has returned to town to recover from a burn injury he’s gotten on his job as a smokejumper. Brenna has also returned to town, divorced and fighting for her children from a vengeful ex husband who left her for a younger woman. Brenna is coping with alcohol from this devastating turn of events. In the meantime, a wildfire is threatening their town. This is a many-faceted novel that will draw the reader in over and over and interest is held captive until the very end. It moved me greatly. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Terri Blackstock has not lost her ability to keep a reader enthralled with the depth of emotions and suspense she is known for. Recommended.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions stated in this review are completely my own.
Brenna and Nate knew each other as teens, but tragedy strikes and changes everything. As their lives intersect as adults, will things ever be clear enough and safe enough for them to consider their future? Join Terri Blackstock in her newest novel, Smoke Screen. From fighting wildfires to fighting the fires that consume our souls, this novel will ask you to consider how you would handle losing everything – lean into your faith or find an easier fix to dull the pain?
“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”