When the Smoke Clears, Deadly Reunions Series #1, -ebook
4.6
5
37
37
Intense Action With Solid Message of Forgiveness
Okay, itâÂÂs obvious from the beginning that this is the kind of book that will grab your attention in the same way someone can grab the front of your shirt and insists on keeping it until the last page. Apparently, someone is VERY determined to destroy Alexia AllenâÂÂs life from the beginning of the story. This is the kind of book that should be made into a movie (thatâÂÂs how I pictured the plot unfolding while reading it).
Even though Alexia is a firefighter and smokejumper (had to look this one up and found it on Wikipediaâ¦. A smokejumper is a wildland firefighter who parachutes into a remote area to combat wildfires), the book only has her on active duty at the start. I really wish there had been more parts of the story allowing her to be an active firefighter. She thinks like a first responder and firefighter throughout the book, but she doesnâÂÂt get to play a hero in this book as a killer hunts her down.
As great as this story was, there were a few things I didnâÂÂt enjoy about it:
Police officers are killed
There is intense abuse in AlexiaâÂÂs family
There are minor characters in the story who question AlexiaâÂÂs innocence
There are some parts of the plot that are left unanswered (which leaves room for a sequel but I really wanted more questions answered)
In spite of the above mentioned, I was really taken with this story. One thing I loved about this book, someone names her pets after Star Wars charactersâ¦.what a treat to read about Yoda and Chewy! When the Smoke Clears is extremely well written, nonstop action, and there is no profanity as we watch constant attempts on AlexiaâÂÂs life and those around her. There are three house fires, one explosion, and several unexpected attacks so there is plenty of violence but I considered the purpose to all of it and realized the MAIN message in this story was about forgiveness. There is much tragedy in AlexiaâÂÂs family that causes her to leave home the day she graduates from high school and so many things go unanswered or are forgotten because of the trauma she experienced. She has several flashbacks in the story and finally understands all that happened. She learns how much God loves her, starts reading her best friendâÂÂs Bible, and learns to pray for the first time. It is a nice ending and despite my not liking everything that went on, the story had my full attention and thatâÂÂs evidence of great writing!
May 3, 2013
Well written, interesting book.
I enjoyed this book. I like it when a book has every loose end tied up at the end, but I ordered the 2nd book in the series, so now I hope I can find out "the rest of the story".
January 2, 2013
Another great start
to a series. This is the story of firefighter Alexia who while struggling with her past, returns home after a 10 year period to find a dead body in her family home.
One thing I can always count on with this author is that she always starts things off with a bang and doesn't let the momentum slow throughout the book.
With Alexia I liked her character and I loved the fact that she struggles with her relationship with her mom as well as her budding relationship with God. This was something I could relate to. She was confident but not overly so. She had human strengths and flaws.
Our hero, Hunter Graham, I wasn't sure how I felt about him. On one hand he was a strong competent cop who excelled at his job. One the other hand, this whole competition thing with his brother Chad, made some parts feel to high school for me.
I'm thrilled that some of the mysteries will continue on into the next book. I really enjoy series that are tied together with a common thread. I am looking forward to reading the second book.
I love Lynette Eason books. She is one author that I lend out of my library a lot.
November 12, 2012
Excellent story! Looking forward to the rest of the series.
July 18, 2012
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