Smoke Screen by Terri Blackstock

This book is typical of Terri’s blend of romance and suspense. The characters were interesting, and in some cases, heroic. The plot moved quickly, but was a little predictable. The ending was satisfying and left a few questions unanswered.

I found the main character’s vocation, a combination sky jumper/fire fighter, interesting. Brenna’s dilemma with the custody battle over her children seemed realistic. Her alcoholic tendencies seemed a little too easily overcome, however.

All in all, it was an entertaining read, but not to be compared to her If I Run series, which I found excellent. Readers who enjoy clean romantic suspense will like this book. I received a free copy from the publisher, for this, my honest review.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a Christian Romantic Suspense story. It is about long lost loves, family, and forgiveness. This book does switch point of views very frequently and I did get confused at times about who was actually talking. I did enjoy this book and this author is a favorite of many of my customers

I can't write reviews without giving away spoilers so I will just say...I've read a lot of mystery & suspense novels by Christian authors but this is one of the best.


I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Smoke Screen was an enjoyable book filled with twists and turns to keep the readers guessing. Author Terri Blackstock has a way of dipping deep into the readers’ emotions and creating an authentic story that is both relatable and compelling. Her portrayal of the contentious custody battle between Jack and Brenna was unfortunately very realistic and common with parents who have gone through a divorce. My heart broke for Brenna as she had to deal with all the ugliness and hatred from her ex-husband and his family. The murder mystery was an intriguing part of the novel.

Smoke Screen was written in first person from both the heroine and hero’s points of view, so that was confusing as I had to stop and reread several portions of the book to remember who was speaking at different points in the story.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Thomas Nelson and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Smoke Screen is one of the best Christian Fiction books I have read recently. Nate Beckett who is a smoke jumper fire fighter who finds his life turned sideways which leads him back to home town of Carlisle, Colorado to heal his wounds. Back home he crosses paths with a past love in Brenna who is struggling in her own life situation. Will the pains of the past continue to haunt both of them or do they have what it takes to overcome?

The author takes on some storylines that demonstrate for the reader the risks that come with false assumptions, false accusations, and living with the demons of the past. How does someone remain strong in their faith when the difficulties continue to pile on top of each other? Terri Blackstock finds a way to create the picture for the reader that life is sometimes messy and Christians stumble and struggle. This book is a refreshing look at the role of heroism and standing up for what is right. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

Scandals surround a family in Colorado in this powerful novel of faith and forgiveness. Nate and Brenna, at age 16 snuck out of their houses to meet on a night that tragically changed everything. Years later, Brenna is struggling from a divorce and fighting for custody of her children. Nate, a smoke jumper comes home to heal after suffering injuries when saving a senator and his family during a forest fire. Nate's father has been pardon for the crime of killing Brenna's father. The connection between many events become clear throughout. This is a very enjoyable story, though a little predictable. It's easy to figure out who was behind the events just not the motive. Recommended!

This novel is a wonderful story of forgiveness, mercy, and long-lost love. While I was worried that the plot was rather predictable, the ending surprised and delighted me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a story proving that love can win in spite of past mistakes. It follows two people going through life problems and just how devastating selfishness, greed and divorce can be on families and friends. You join Nate and Brenna on this emotional roller coaster ride, experiencing each new revelation with them.
A definite read for everyone who loves others!

This book is AMAZING!!! Terri is one of the best.
I loved the story of Nate and Brenna. Brenna dealt with problems we all face, anxiety, depression and feeling out of control. We all have a way of coping with problems weather people turn to alcohol or not. She didn't like that she drank but she needed help!
All Nate wanted was to have his dad proud of him. He knew he was in Christ but he still wanted his dad's approval. And let's just discuss for a moment how brave he was to be a smoke jumper. That is BRAVE all over just that!
I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves good books and Terri Blackstock! It will keep you turning the pages!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I absolutely loved “Smoke Screen” by Terri Blackstock! I have never read a book by Terri Blackstock that I haven’t loved. This one is a little different than her other books that I’ve read, but she still delivered!

This book is told from the perspective of two different people, Brenna and Nate. Brenna and Nate were in love once, when they were 16! Since then, they broke up and both of their lives have taken a different turn. Both Brenna and Nate’s fathers weren’t happy about the idea of their children dating. This in turn, turned tragic, and Brenna’s father ended up murdered! Nate’s father was convicted of the murder, although he always claimed his innocence. Now, after fourteen years have passed, Nate’s father is pardoned. Nate comes home to visit with the family, and he and Brenna start hanging out together. Now they will try to find who really did kill Brenna’s father.

I highly recommend this book. It is a very easy read. If you enjoy good, clean, romantic suspense fiction, you will enjoy this. This book didn’t have a lot of mystery, but it had enough to keep my attention!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Smoke Screen by Terri Blackstock, a solid Christian Suspense book. Blackstock is a true master of hooking your feelings and then drawing you in to her characters.

I love how Terri Blackstock writes! This story was easy to read and moved along quickly. I love how she balanced the mystery and the romance so well. Most stories lean more one way than the other. I felt that she made the perfect mix in this one. This is not as suspenseful as many of her books but the story moved along well with an evenly paced eventful plot line.
I am not usually a fan of books written in the first person but Ms. Blackstock's does it so expertly, that I couldn't help but enjoy it.
I highly recommend it!
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

SMOKE SCREEN by TERRI BLACKSTOCK has got it all - suspense, romance and really good Christian content. Add to that a fire fighter, two beautiful children in the middle of a horrible custody battle, false accusations and murder and you have a really thrilling read!
I have always admired Terri Blackstock's understanding of human nature and her memorable characters, and this book definitely does not disappoint in those areas.
When Nate Beckett is forced to take time off due to second degree burns, he decides he may as well go back to Carlisle to visit his family, seeing that his father has been pardoned by the governor and is out of jail after fourteen years.
Brenna Hertzog is going through an ugly custody battle with her ex husband and is finding it hard to cope. She and Nate have history, as do their families - in fact he was her first boyfriend when she was sixteen, and it is Nate's father who allegedly murdered her father.
It is a story of redemption, of trusting that, in spite of what we are going through, God has a good plan for our lives, and of the importance of forgiveness.
I am not going to tell you any more except to say that it is a really good read and I can highly recommend it.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This story centre around Brenna, a woman whose husband has left her and who is worried about losing custody of the children, She is struggling to cope and drinking too much when the children are away. Returned to the town is Nate, her teenage boyfriend. They were separated as children after his father was convicted of killing her father, I was expecting the story to be more of a crime novel as they looked into the events of the past but this part of the story is very much backstage. This is essentially a love story but I’m afraid it didn’t grip me particularly. There is an all round happy ending and her children are very sweet. I was surprised by the open references to Christian faith which I appreciated but you wouldn’t really get from a British author, I don’t think.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I have read Terri Blackstock before and loved her books. I felt her new book, Smoke Screen, missed the mark. Maybe my problem was I expected it to be more of a Christian suspense.

Smoke Screen does have Terri Blackstock's trademark attention to detail and good plot line. The hero, Nate, is your typical handsome good guy. He really seeks the good of others and not himself. He tries to mend the rift with his father even when his father stubbornly holds onto the past. I didn't really like the character of Brenna. I felt she is too weak willed and spineless. I understand that Nate needs a damsel in distress, but Brenna has fallen off the deep end. I did enjoy the mysteries surrounding Nate and Brenna's past. It keeps the plot moving and makes for a good read.

Overall, if you are a fan of Terri Blackstock, I would recommend reading Smoke Screen. Just don't compare it to her previous thriller novels.

I’ve read several books by Terri Blackstock and have enjoyed them all. They are all easy to read and fast paced. I highly recommend this book.

#SmokeScreen #NetGalley

A tragic story of minipulation and deceit. Nate is a smoke jumper, who saves a senator and his family when out fighting wildfires. Nate heads back to his hometown to heal from burns, he sustained while rescuing the senator and his family.. Nate's father just got released from a fourteen prison sentencing and wants to prove his innocence from being accused of murder. Nate's old high school girlfriend, Breanna is trying to be a good mom to two children, while going through a custody battle. Nate is drawn to Breanna and the tragedy of fighting to keep her children. As Nate, his brother and father try to put all of the pieces together, there is more to what is going on and they are determined to find answers. One story, two different point of views.

Another great book from Terri Blackstock. From the title, I was expecting a bit more edge-of-your-seat suspense, but instead the book is full of mystery, family, forgiveness and love. Both main characters struggle with issues in the past as their friendship and love from the past zooms to the present. This book moves quickly and is hard to put down once you begin reading it. I was hooked from the first page!

I am a big Terri Blackstock fan. I enjoyed this book but it definitely did not have the suspense that many of her other books do. The storyline was good and I liked Nate and. Brenna. Thank you to Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this.

Brenna's husband has left her for a younger woman. Now he wants custody of their two children. Backed by his rich father, they look for anything to discount Brenna's ability to parent. Brenna is quickly spiraling downhill and it looks like her ex will get his way, but a man from her past steps in to help Brenna.



Nate is a smoke jumper and has put his life on the line more than once. When he rescues a family from a fire and is burned terribly he returns to his hometown to recuperate. Nate's father has just been pardoned by the governor after spending 14 years in prison for the death of Brenna's father. Whom he swears he didn't kill. Nate was also accused all of those years ago of setting fire to the church that Brenna's father was the pastor of. Now Nate must face the father he has always wanted to make proud and the town that has always accused him of the fire he didn't set.



I have likes and dislikes about this story. I liked Nate's character. I thought he was perfect hero material. I loved how humble he was and how he was willing to give his fellow jumpers credit for the daring rescue he performed. I loved how he stepped in to help Brenna through her problem. I loved that they had a past when they were younger and that they seem to pick up where they left off. Brenna on the other hand annoyed me. Thoroughly! I'm not a fan of hysterical/weak women and Brenna was both. Yes, it added to the drama of the story and some people really like that in a story, but for me I just wanted to slap her and tell her to buck up and fight back and quit sabotaging herself! I liked how everything was all wrapped up in the end and once again Nate was a hero.