Smoke Screen by Terri Blackstock
Sarah Grace's Rating: 5 out of 5 bookmarks

Terri Blackstock has been writing Christian fiction and suspense novels for a number of years and has had over 30 titles published. Smoke Screen is her most recent release and my first Blackstock book. And it won't be my last!

Blackstock writes like the veteran she is. Her writing style is polished, yet simple and engaging. I found myself very easily drawn into the story within a page or two. The plot and pacing are flawless; while not especially action-packed, there's never a moment that drags. The complexity of the multiple storylines kept me on my toes without ever becoming confusing. Throughout the course of the book, the author tackles some very difficult topics such as divorce, a custody battle, alcoholism, murder, and more. And she does so with much grace, grit, and honesty.

Smokejumper Nate Beckett returns to his small Colorado hometown after an injury sidelines him from his job. Years ago, his father was convicted—perhaps falsely—of murder, and upon his release from prison and Nate's subsequent return to town, rumors about the family run rife. Nate just wants to heal physically, and maybe find some restoration in his family. Brenna Hertzog is fighting a vicious custody battle against her ex-husband—and his influential father—and finds herself turning to alcohol to cope. The reunion between these characters couldn't have come at a worse time in their lives, but they are able to find healing as their relationship blossoms once more. The faith themes Blackstock weaves throughout the story were very beautiful and well done, and I loved seeing how the characters pointed each other back to God in the end. The romance between the characters was void of the extreme physical attraction that I find so tiresome in most romances, which was a breath of fresh air!

In summary, I think Terri Blackstock may have a new bestseller with Smoke Screen! Due to the aforementioned themes, I would recommend this book to older teens and adults. If you love a good contemporary fiction/suspense, you're not going to want to miss this one.




Sarah Grace is a voracious reader, and if it weren’t for this crazy thing called “Life”, she’d be tempted to spend all her days in front of a woodstove, book in one hand, coffee mug in the other. A lover of learning, she finds enjoyment in many things, and has more hobbies than she knows what to do with. When not reading, spending time with her ever-growing family, or buried in a textbook, she can be found painting, playing the piano, producing music and audio dramas, web designing, fangirling with her sisters and friends, or discussing technology with her brothers. Sarah Grace inhabits the State of Great Lakes and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.


Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.