When the Smoke Clears ~ Review!

About the Book:

As a member of the North Cascades Smokejumpers, Alexia Allen always takes care of the equipment that keeps her safe. So when she nearly dies in a fire due to equipment failure, she knows something is up. Ordered to take time off while the investigation continues, Alexia makes a last-minute decision to recuperate at her mother’s home and attend her high school reunion. Yet trouble seems to be following her, and within hours of arriving home she’s involved with murder, arson—and a handsome detective. But the conflicts ahead are nothing compared to the ghosts of her past. As she strives to remember and forgive her family history, she must also decide if the secret she’s been guarding for the last ten years must finally come to light.
Chock-full of the suspense and romantic tension readers have come to expect from Lynette Eason, When the Smoke Clears is the explosive first book in the DeaDly reunions series.

An Excerpt from the book:
“Get out, Alexia. Now!”
“Got to check the closet first, sir.”
“Get your tail outta there. Immediately!”
She needed air. How had her oxygen run out? She should have had at least another five minutes. Reaching up, she disconnected the hose from her tank and shoved it up under her heavy turnout. The coat would protect her as much as possible from smoke inhalation. And she wanted to minimize the blast of hot air that would fill her lungs. She caught a breath.
The dizziness receded.
The countdown was on. The decision: leave or check the closet?
She scanned the imaging device over the door. Bingo. “I’ve got something. Definitely a child.”
“Alexia! Get out!”
“She’s here, sir. Can’t leave without her.”
Alexia went to the door and turned the knob. A little girl. The child looked up at her, eyes wide, stark terror stamped on her tear-streaked features. Then she coughed and her eyes rolled back. Alexia slung the imager over her shoulder and leaned in to pick up the little girl.
Alexia took another breath and coughed.
Dizziness returned full force and she went to one knee. Vaguely, she felt the sweat roll down her back. “I’m in trouble,” she said into her radio, keeping her cool, refusing to panic. Help was just a second away. “Where’s RIT? No air.”
She pulled in a lungful of smoke this time. Coughing, sputtering, she turned with the child, frantic to get her out before the flames caught up with the smoke.
And then the spots before her eyes merged into one big black dot. Then nothing.

About the Author:

Lynette Eason is the author of several romantic suspense novels, including Too Close to Home, Don’t Look Back, and A Killer Among
Us. She is a member of American Fiction Christian Writers and Romance Writers of America. A homeschooling mother of two, she has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. She lives in South Carolina.


I am a HUGE fan of Lynette Eason's books! She's definitely is one of my favorite authors and I KNOW that I will definitely be in for a suspense filled ride! "When the Smoke Clears" was, without a doubt, her best book to date! From the very first page to the very last written word, I was on pins and needles wondering what the outcome would be and who in the world was after Alexia and why!! I've learned with Lynette's books that even if I think I've solved the mystery, she will point the clues elsewhere causing me to doubt my choice!

Alexia had a very difficult childhood. As soon as graduation was over Alexia moved away, making a life for herself as a female fire fighter, and a relationship with her family becomes pretty much extinct. Why would she want to talk to her mother when after all, she is the one who told Alexia to get out! Ten years later, Alexia finds herself on probation and told to take leave while an investigation takes place. Alexia ignored the Chiefs instructions to exit the fire immediately, but Alexia was determined to find the child that was still missing. While fighting this fire, she suspects foul play and almost dies when not just 1, but 2 hoses, are found with countless pinholes, causing the oxygen to be released far too quickly. Who would do this to her? While on "leave" she decides to return home for her high school reunion and is faced with her past. She literally walks through the front door of her childhood home and quickly finds herself a target, yet again. Why? Who wants her dead?

The mystery and suspense will have you turning pages as quickly as you can, and the romance will warm your heart! Watching Alexia face the truth of her past and finding her way as an adult is done in such a beautiful way. Many people grow up in dysfunctional families and don't know the Lord, let alone, HIS ways. Those who have been victim to abusive Fathers especially, have a difficult time with the "idea" of a Loving Heavenly Father and can't fathom the Love HE has for them. Forgiveness doesn't always come easy either, but when we see Christ in others and begin to have that desire to know HIM or to believe that HE just might care for us, we will surrender our lives to HIM and that forgiveness can be given because of HIM, even if the process takes time!

I will definitely recommend this book to EVERYONE! It is a 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s FOR SURE!


"When the Smoke Clears" is the first book in the Deadly Reunions Series.

Is there anything I didn't like??? YES ~ Book 2 is NOT OUT YET!!!

Other books by Lynette Eason:
Women of Justice Series

1 Too Close to Home

2 Don’t Look Back

3 A Killer Among Us



Thank you Donna for this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion!