Terri Blackstock is amazing at writing suspense, so many twists and turns that kept me engaged the whole novel. The characters and believable and relatable.

When firefighter Nate is burned saving a senator's family from a burning building, he goes back to his hometown for a few weeks of recuperation. He hasn't been there for years and the past comes flooding back in more ways than one. His father has just been released from prison and still claims he wasn't the one who killed the pastor father of Nate's childhood sweetheart Brenna. Some in town still believe that Nate burned down the church in revenge for his father's imprisonment, but Nate has other things to worry about. Brenna is going through a harrowing custody battle with her ex-husband, and Nate still cares for her. Could they rekindle their love or are too many problems stacked up against them?

I enjoyed this new story from Terri Blackstock. The main characters are likable and I found myself caring for them. Faith issues were explored, including questions about where God is when life is seemingly out of control. However, the twists didn't grab me in this one. It was pretty easy to work out the people responsible for various acts. However, it was an enjoyable read overall.

If you like romantic suspense with some food for thought, it's worth checking out this book. However, I felt the plotting wasn't quite as good as some of Terri Blackstock's other novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Smoke Screen by Terri Blackstock is a fine romantic suspense novel dealing with murder, arson, forgiveness, mercy, faith, and long-lost love. Interesting depictions of the Smoke Jumpers and how they battled wild fires features how much these brave men at are at risk while fighting fires. Realistic and reliable characters.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine.

Normally I really enjoy Terri Blackstock, but sadly, I didn't this time. I really struggled with the beginning of the book. It as hard for me to get into the story. I usually don't have that problem when I read one of her books.

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."

I couldn't put this book down, and it was extremely satisfying on so many levels. I appreciated the Christian attitudes expressed, especially in the burning down of the church over a decade earlier. The resolutions were positive and give me hope about truly good people in this world with second chances and opportunities for getting on the right path for happiness. Nate's devotion to Brenna was touching and the villain was so well done. This is the first I have read by this author and I will go look for more by her to enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

As always, Terri Blackstock is great at keeping her readers in suspense! I feel like this story is a bit different than the rest of her stories, especially those in the last several years. It has a lot more romance for one thing, so all you romance lovers out there will enjoy that part of it! 😊 And it just has a different "feel" to it, and that's good! Still a great story.
I was given an advance e-copy of this book by Netgalley, so thanks for that! All opinions are entirely my own.

Smoke Screen is a fantastic romantic suspense. The author has once again delivered a book with a plot that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. Characters are believable and relatable. I love love Ms. Blackstock’s books and this one was no exception. Fans of suspense will not want to miss this book. My thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

I loved this newest book by Terri Blackstock. Nate Beckett is a fireman who fights wildfires. He is injured saving a family from the flames and goes back to his hometown to recuperate when he is told to take some time off to mend. When he gets home, he has to deal with old rumors, situations from the past that were out of his control, confronting his dad who has been released from prison and meeting up with an old high school flame (Brenna), who has situations in her own life that she is dealing with.

This was one of those stories you want to read straight through with very few pitstops along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I am going to need to think about my review,
normally I take notes while I am reading to help me write a review ...
well this time I read, read, and read until the read (reading while brushing teeth and getting ready
in the morning before work, reading at work at my desk - I had to finish, I did not want to stop

well maybe this is my review right now, stop everything and read this book.
I have always enjoyed Terri's books - this one amazed me
I fell in with the characters and could not stop!!

I do wish for more - maybe a sequel?!

I love Terri Blackstock stories! She did not disappoint in her latest book. This story felt real. The struggle with gaining custody of children after a divorce, the pardon of a murder, (but was he ever truly guilty?), and an unsolved arson are woven in to form a plot that will keep you turning the pages.
Breann, dealing with stress in a destructive way, Nate, a parachute fire fighter trying to heal from burns sustained on the job, and town with prejudices from the past bring you a real look in to how life can become so ugly. And yet, there can be redemption and new beginnings.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was not what I was expecting at all. It was more like a depressing fictional drama than a suspense book. I could not find myself rooting for any of the characters and I really wanted more in the way of mystery, suspense, and plot in general. 90% of the book focused on Brenna’s alcoholism and custody battle. She was hard to empathize with and hard to like. I have a hard time thinking that the alcoholic needs custody of her children. I’m not sure what Nate saw in her and that made me question his judgement as well. Add in a 14 year old mystery that took a back burner to the drama and you have a really oddly plotted novel. I think Nate would have had an easier time jumping out of planes into fires than trying to figure out Brenna and her mood swings. This one wasn’t for me.

This book moved a little slow for me in the beginning. I found myself wanting to skip a few chapters to get to the action at the end. Overall it was a clean book, that i would allow my teenagers to read. The author develops her characters well and I could imagine a sequel from this plot.

This latest read of Terry Blackstock did not disappoint. She is one of my faves for Christian suspense novels!

The story is multi-layered centering around a wrongful murder conviction and arson which tore apart two highschool sweethearts a decade previous. Money, corruption, greed, and a custody battle loss seemingly will win over justice. Except God had other plans for Nate and Brenna! This book was a lovely mix of suspenseful twists and romance, and I recommend it to those who enjoy figuring out the "who dun it" so to speak!

I thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC for this my honest review.

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


This was a good book. I liked the story line and the character development. The ending and unveiling for resolution seemed a bit rushed, but overall this was a good read.

This story was written in first person, which sometimes throws me off. Terri Blackstock did a good job with it, though. While I enjoyed it, I would say it’s not my favorite from her. There was definitely a mystery, but I wouldn’t consider it suspenseful. I liked the main characters, Nate and Brenna and their relationship. *spoiler alert* I’m glad the author tackled the tough subject matter of alcoholism and some tools used to combat that. I do feel like at least one story line went unresolved, though. Wondering if it’s covered in the next book in the series…? All in all a good read.

This is the first book by Terri Blackstock that I have read. I've heard such great things about her writing and I was not disappointed. This will definitely not be the last book I read of hers.
The characters were easy to relate to, they felt real and had real world problems. I loved the chemistry between them. Their romance was lovely to read and never felt mushy.
I found this very suspenseful and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't wait to see how it all turned out.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romantic Suspense.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of the book mentioned above in the hope that I would review it on my blog. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

I've always liked Terri Blackstock's books. This was no exception. She captures the emotional wreck(what I imagine is pretty realistic) of divorce, a custody battle, and what plays into Brenna's depression and alcohol abuse. Nate, the other main character, is the stable, logical, God-centered character that helps Brenna through the ordeal. I think Blackstock did a good job with the romance part of the novel, not making it about the two characters 'fixing' each other. The plot wasn't surprising but I still liked watching it unfold. It's always satisfying to read a story where justice is served. Well, ALMOST served- I would have liked a particular character to be punched in the face...

I actually hadn't read one of Blackstock's books in awhile and it wasn't as suspenseful as I remember her other books being. There was a bit more drama than action, which was fine, just unexpected.

The minor criticisms I have for this book are:
1) when she talks several times about Nate and his dad going through the box of murder files in order to clear his dad's name- that never ended up being how they figured out what happened. I was expecting them to come across a piece of vital information, it was misleading in a non-red-herring way. Why bother writing about them doing that if it wasn't actually going to move the plot?
2) the use of the word 'preacher'. Very rarely did she use Brenna's dad's name. Whenever ANY nonfamily member talked about him, it was always 'the preacher.' For one- do people use preacher over pastor? And two- I've lived in a small town where everyone knows everyone (similar to this book's setting) and people use names. They don't say, "Did you hear about the preacher? He must have killed the preacher. That's the preacher's house. I wonder what happened to the preacher." They would use his name. Especially a murder incident. His name would have been all over the news and papers during the trial. People would know who you are referring to. It just felt very unnatural and annoying how often the word 'preacher' was used. Just sayin.'

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

I loved this book and could not put it down. It was a heartfelt tale that included suspense, love, redemption and forgiveness. The story was a beautiful picture of grace and shed light on the complicated relationships that are often common between families. The author beautiful wove the stories of two characters who each faced their own difficulties, and how through prayer, forgiveness, and perseverance they came out stronger. The author did a great job portraying an alcoholic without completely vilifying her. A few parts of the story were predictable, but overall a great read that I would highly recommend.

This book, hands-down has been my favorite yet by this author. There’s such a deep meaning behind the story and the author was able to tell it in a way, that you connected with the characters and the storyline.

You should have an overwhelming feeling of pride for our main characters as they are both able to overcome personal struggles, defeat personal demons and come out on top!!