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| When the Smoke Clears |
Revell, 2012
Reviewed by Marian Baay
4½ stars
Alexia, Serena and Jillian were best friends in high school.
At the day they graduated Jillian saw something she had better not seen. Her friends saw that she was afraid of something, but Jillian never told them what she saw. That day she ran away out of their lives and neither Alexia nor Serena would hear from her in the next ten years. Also on that day Alexia started a new life. Her mother threw out of the house and she didn't know where to go.
Ten years later Alexia is a firefighter and she is loving her job. When she is in a burning house trying to save a child she runs out of air due to equipment failure. It seems like her equipment is sabotaged. She is off duty while the case is investigated.
Her friend Serena calls her to ask her to come home for a high school reunion. Serena also tries to talk Alexia in visiting her mother whom is in the hospital. Alexia hasn't seen her mom since she threw her out of the house. According to Serena her mother has changed, but Alexia finds it hard to believe.
When she comes home, she first visits her mother's house. When she is inside she's hearing a noise from the basement. When she goes to investigate she finds a man bleeding to death.
The police arrive and she's surprised to see Hunter as the detective. She knows him from high school. Hunter was a couple of years older than Alexia.
Hunter was attracted to Alexia in high school, but she didn't seem to show any interest in him. Now 10 years later he finds himself still attracted to her. His partner doesn't like Alexia and thinks she's quilty. Soon more troubles start and Alexia is always in the center of it. Can Hunter keep her safe? Will he believe in her innocence? Does the equipment failure at work has anything to do with the troubles at home?
Alexia has no idea who is after her. In between all the troubles she visits her mother and tries to remember things from her youth. She also seems to run into God everywhere. Will she surrender to Him?
This was a fast paced action book. I had a hard time putting the book down. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Lynette's books are available through Amazon, CBD and other bookstores.
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GIVEAWAY: A book of your choice by Lynette Eason. Leave a comment, your email, and answer the question to be entered in the contest. International winners can only choose an ebook by this author. Also, go read Carrie Fancett Pagels's interview on Dorothy Adamek's blog to get an extra entry. Put CFP to get two counts for your answer.
QUESTION: What do you like best about suspense novels?
All right, another GREAT review by Marian!! I do enjoy fast paced reads and this one sounds exceptionally good *smile* Again, this is not an entry....I was excited to see another review by Marian with the talented author Lynette Eason ;)
ReplyDeleteI like suspense novels with stories that grab me and give me an action paced journey that other books can't pull off. I prefer happy endings, but a good suspense book gives me a rush and the characters stay with me even when I'm done reading :)
Well done, Marian! Hugs and blessings OWG ladies!
Hugs and blessings right back at you KARA!!
DeleteIt was a great review wasn't it! Makes me want to read it again! You'll enjoy it KARA!
Thanks for your encouragement KARA!
DeleteBlessings!
Great review MARIAN!! And a good refresher, it feels like ages since I'd read it but more likely I've just read too many since then!!
ReplyDeleteLYNETTE, this was a great read and I really enjoyed it! I'm looking forward to reading the sequel. As I said in the last discussion, I didn't think this one had one of those cliffhangers that leave people frustrated whatsoever! The story ended perfectly!!
What do I like best about suspense novels... probably that they keep you turning the pages and that they add excitement to the story! I love it when a sweet romance is thrown into the mix as well, and I think that's what makes this book a winner LYNETTE!
Thanks NOELA! I had to reread my review before I started reading book 2, because I also read many books since this one. The rest of the story came back when reading book 2.
DeleteI hope you get to read this book soon!
MARIAN this story sounds as good as the first one, I can't wait to read them. Thanks for the terrific review. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, mom! You will love them!
DeleteWhat do I like best about suspense novel? They are fast moving which means they will be hard to put down once you start one .Would love to win a copy please ! Thank you ,Dana Spille
ReplyDeletejashbk@earthlink.net
Thanks for stopping by Dana. Good luck!
DeleteGreat review, Marian! You make me want to read this book -- that's for sure! I think I have it on my Kindle. I love an occasional suspense book b/c of the adrenaline rush they give me. :) Plus I always like to see if I can guess whodunit, and I usually can't put one down until I know!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana! I also had it on my Kindle for a while until I finally found time to read it. I think we all need an adrenaline rush once in a while. :) This book is a good one for that.
DeleteI love the adrenaline that it causes when your heart gets to pumping! maekighleekyleigh at yahoo.com
DeleteMegan, I also love that! Good luck.
DeleteI just love what it says, the Suspense. Trying to figure out the answers before I get to them , That I can't stop right now, I need to know what happens next. Thanks for the interview. Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteMaxie ( mac262@me.com )
You're entered Maxie. Good luck!
DeleteAlways fantastic reviews by you, Marian! You are my kindred suspense spirit :) I have my hand up high and waving furiously for this book!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne! :)
DeleteOops... I read this one. I'm waving for the new one ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL - it's the winner's choice :)
DeleteLOL Anne, hope you get it :)
DeleteGreat review! I love suspense novels! I love to be so wrapped up in a book that nothing else interferes with my thought processes. It's like being whisked away to some exciting place where there is constant action, keeping me completely alert. The only drawback with a book like this is that I can't put it down until it's finished, and I've lost a few hours of sleep when reading great books like this. Thanks for offering another great contest!
ReplyDeleteNancee
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Thanks Nancee! I like how you described that.
DeleteSuspense novels are just enetertaining. I'm always try to figure out who the bad guys are. Thanks for the great contest. Blessings, Susan Fryman susanngarrylee at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteSusan, I wish you luck in the drawing!
DeleteDid y'all read Lynette's Women of Justice series? It was great!
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't... yet! This was my first book. I think I have the other books somewhere tho...
DeleteYou are in for a treat! The first one in the series is SO psychologically creepy :)
DeleteI have always loved reading suspense novels. They keep you guessing until the very end. Was it really the butler who did it?
ReplyDeleteThanks for entering me in the giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet@gmail.com
I can tell you this... it wasn't the butler in this book. ;)
DeleteGood luck in the drawing, Janet!
TO ALL MY LOVELY FRIENDS
ReplyDeleteToday we celebrate our 12½ yr wedding anniversary, so I won't be much around here, but will check for comments later. You will be entered in the contest even if I'm not around. :)
Congratulations! Have fun :)
DeleteThanks Anne, we had fun. :)
DeleteCONGRATS, Marian!!!! And big hugs. sure hope that your cheesecake was super yummy!
DeleteThanks Carrie, yes the cheescake was very yummy. We have still some pieces left for tomorrow. Then next week back on diet. ;)
DeleteGuess I forgot to answer the question. I love suspense for the adrenaline rush but mostly for the puzzle aspect. I know mysteries are puzzles but suspense puzzles usually entail some serious psychological motivations for the crime(s) committed and there aren't many writers who capture that realistically on the page as much as Lynette does!
ReplyDeleteCFP
Beautifully said, Anne! :)
DeleteThanks for going by the interview, too, Anne! Dotti said she was blessed by the visitors this week!
DeleteI always enjoy learning more about my one of my favorite persons, or is it people? I'm no English expert :)
DeleteANNE, and you are the winner this week per random.org! And that was very sweet! You are one of my fav persons, too, so I am glad you won! Hugs!!!
DeleteGreat interview as usual. I love Lynette's books so was glad to read about another book by her.
ReplyDeleteI love reading suspense books and how keep guessing how it is going to end and if I am right or wrong about it.
Blessings,
Jo
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by, JO. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteSuspense novels are like riding an exciting roller coaster; full of dips,twists and turns as I experience a thrilling story. Please add me, I am a fan of Lynette's books. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
You all make it sound so good to read suspense novels!
DeleteGood luck in the draw!
i love the 'suspense' of the novels
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Thanks Karenk and good luck.
DeleteOh Marian, I forgot to mention I saw Carrie's interview on Dorothy Adamak's blog. Was nice to visit in Australia. Please give me a second chance. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling you saw Carrie's interview on Dotti's site. You're entered!
DeleteI need an edit on here. LOL Can't get my brain working right today. I also forgot to put the CFP on my comment about Carrie. Maxie
ReplyDeleteHaha, Maxie! Sometimes we have those days... :)
DeleteI love the excitement, not knowing what's going to happen, and trying to figure out the bad guy. CFP
ReplyDeleteshopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
Then I'm sure you'll like these series, Veronica. Good luck!
Delete