Noela reviews SMOKE AND MIRRORS: A Romantic Suspense Collection

Smoke and Mirrors

SMOKE AND MIRRORS: A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE COLLECTION

by Connie Almony, Sally Bradley, Hallee Bridgeman,

Heather Day Gilbert, Kelli Hughet, Alana Terry,

Rachel Trautmiller, and Alexa Verde

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

The enthralling ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ collection masterfully combines fast-paced, breath-stealing suspense with delicious, sigh-worthy romances, and enriching spiritual reflections. All eight novellas are exhilarating reads, but I hope the couple I’ve reviewed below will provide a titillating glance!

THE LONG VIEW by Connie Almony

Destiny Long finds herself thrust into the middle of a suspected terrorist plot that’s right in the middle of her backyard, so to speak. Daughter of an FBI supervisor, she knows a few things but is completely inexperienced, placing her in grave danger as she tries her hand at sleuthing. Two men hold affection for Destiny—Damien, a close Muslim friend and owner of a gym at the shopping centre she works at, and the man J.T with whom she’d once shared a mind-altering kiss with, but then walked out of her life. Discovering J.T head-down praying upon a rug makes her wonder who she can trust. Who will betray her and will Destiny and those fighting the war on terror prevail before numerable lives are lost?

I’m a huge fan of Connie Almony’s exceptional stories on important, present-day concerns and topics. I think we need more novels like this that give our spirit food and not just milk. But hold on to your seats, this novella is also chock-full of surprises, mystery, and page-turning suspense—together with a romance that is just as thrilling!

ON THE ROPES by Hallee Bridgeman

Mara Harrison is in hiding and using a new identification. Witness in a federal case against a ruthless Russian mafia boss after seeing a triple murder, she has been keeping low until the trial. Working with the kindly Pastor Ben to restore his dilapidated church, Mara feels safe and treasured.  Formerly a doctor, Mara helps save a boy from a deadly rattler bite but her picture turns up online just one week out from the trial. She barely has time to even pack before the mob leader’s son turns up on the doorstep! Will Victor Kovalev with whom she was once planning to marry try to stop her from attending his father’s court case, or does he have other plans?

Thrilling, heart-stopping, hopeless but hopeful—‘On the Ropes’ is written in the past and the present until the time-frames dramatically collide. This edgy romantic suspense was so powerful; it took me a while before I could read anything afterwards. Hallee Bridgeman is a new-to-me author and I can hardly wait to read more from her!

* ~ * ~ *  ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

You may purchase SMOKE AND MIRRORS for a bargain price from here: AMAZON

GIVEAWAY: Connie Almony is generously giving away 3 E-BOOKS of 'Smoke and Mirrors'! For your chance to WIN one of these, leave a comment below and be sure to include your email address! Write (at) and (dot), to protect against spammers. 

Kelli Hughett Interview by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Author Kelli Hughett

Kelli, welcome to Overcoming With God. We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. I sure enjoyed meeting you at ACFW conference a few years back and sharing a dinner table with you!

Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help? Answer: Three years ago, I was seriously injured in a car crash. To date, I've had two spinal fusions and countless therapies and procedures. At the time, I had nine year old, a six year old, and a three year old.  

I’d always been an active person. I enjoyed lifting weights, playing sports, and especially hiking and camping with my family. I think the hardest thing was teaching my kids to crawl into my lap, instead of picking them up. They missed the cuddling. They missed the mom-that-used-to-be.

But God knew what a struggle I would be facing, and in the moment before the other car hit us, I heard His voice. “Everything is going to be okay.” Simple statement. Big results. In the months and years that have followed, I have relied on that perfect promise. No matter the pain, the fear, or the unknown, it’s true. Everything is going to be okay. God has already overcome for me through Christ.

What passages in the Bible have been most helpful to you in those times?

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I can overcome anything because of this promise.

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio? Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print?

Not at this time, but Red Zone is in the process of being produced in an audio format.

Red Zone by Kelli Hughett

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?

One book that influenced the character development of Marcy in Red Zone is, Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. In my experience, most women have struggled with overcoming their belief that they aren’t truly beautiful. Captivating changed my own beliefs in my true beauty in Christ.

Question you’d like to ask readers:

What is your favorite part of romantic suspense? The romance or the suspense?

Author bio:

"To fall in Love with God is the greatest Romance; To seek him, the greatest adventure; To find him, the greatest achievement." Augustine

I don't spend my days writing, but I squeeze it in where I can. From my office window, I see barns, the Rocky Mountains, yards of farm fence and wide swathes of green grass surrounded by trees that are just starting to turn this fall. You'd imagine me writing Amish or Prairie Romance, right?!

Many people who know me well have asked me why I chose to write suspense. It is a little out-of-character for me, I suppose. I collect tea cups, read Austen and classics regularly, wear frilly dresses and dote on agricultural landscapes. My favorite book is Anne of Green Gables. So, why suspense?

I guess it taps an unseen part of my personality. What's more exciting than a murder mystery? Suspense is the spice of life, even if we aren't standing over dead bodies all day. It enhances marriages, gives authority to news and announcements, and makes our hearts beat fast. No book, no matter the genre, would be interesting without a little suspense!

And what story is complete without romance?

I hope you'll find my books entertaining without offending your soul. I hope you'll discover the magic of ordinary days and characters in extraordinary circumstances. Maybe you'll find yourself in one of my books. I know you'll find little pieces of me. Visit me at http://kellihughett.com or follow me on social media Twitter: @KelliHughett or Facebook: Kelli Hughett: Author and Speaker.

Kelli’s book, Red Zone, is available at http://www.amazon.com/Red-Zone-Christmas-Thanksgiving-overtime-ebook/dp/B00P4CBPGW/

Giveaway: A copy of Kelli's contemporary suspense!