Smoke Screen

Tales of the Pacific #2

by Emilie Richards

Lost in a landscape of boiling mud pools and geysers, Paige Duvall wonders if she's finally descended into hell. The land her mother inherited in New Zealand is not the pastoral paradise she hoped for, a place where the worldly young woman hoped to recover from another failed relationship. Instead one wrong step can end her life. Then the devil himself, Maori sheep farmer Adam Tomoana, emerges from the swirling mists to guide her to safety.

While she must rely on Adam to guide her home, is it safe to trust this man with her heart? While she is fascinated by their encounter, only Adam knows that it's not their first. Both are battered souls; both need healing, as does Adam's small silent son. But to heal, both must tell the whole truth, and there are secrets in Paige's past, and relationships she can't remember.

If Adam reveals them, will he drive her away, or will he win her love forever?

Genres: Romance

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1988

About the author

I'm the author of seventy-something novels, including romance, women's fiction and mystery. When We Were Sisters debuted in June 2016, a stand alone novel about two foster sisters traveling back into their past together. I loved writing it and love the cover my publisher chose.

I'm also excited about my recent series, Goddesses Anonymous, which started with One Mountain Away and was followed by Somewhere Between Luck and Trust. The third book in the series, A River Too Wide, came out in July 2014. The Color of Light debuted in August 2015. Will there be more? We'll see.

I'm also putting up my newly edited romance backlist and love re-reading and updating them a bit.

Last year my husband and I moved from Virginia, to Osprey, Florida, the state where both of us were raised, met, and married. In the summer we live in Chautauqua, New York. I'm a quilter, knitter, kayaker, and the mother of four children, whom I regard as my greatest creative endeavors. And now there are four wonderful grandchildren to spoil.

Visit me at my web site, emilierichards.com, and my blog, www.emilierichards.com/blog. You can also find me at Twitter and on my Facebook reader page.

Reviews

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful oldie by Emilie Richards which I loved even more because of the unique setting and the cultural insights it offered into New Zealand, Maori culture etc besides the characters that I liked. Paige is the dumped fiancee from the first book and we notice that she wasn't heart-broken over her engagement but over the thought of losing her best friend. She grew up rich but didn't have much emotionally (mom an alcoholic, dad a business-man and none of them had time or love for her); she then followed into a marriage where her husband didn't know what fidelity was. When she comes to Waimuri to see the thermals her mom inherited she runs into the hero. The hero has a successful farm, knows the thermals and is also dealing with a son who has been emotionally scarred by his mother (hero was involved with her but she didn't like his Maori heritage and ran away with his unborn child and neglected her son for 3 years).

I loved the unique setting of the book and the details it had. The hero/heroine and both people who have been hurt and constantly try to defend and hide their real selves. Getting involved is the last thing they want. When the hero acts like a jerk, the heroine calls him on it. I also loved the heroine with the lamb & dog she adopted. We also find out that the heroine may not remember the hero but they met as kids. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing and entertaining story. As a kiwi I am impressed with the research and accuracy of the setting and land. Sorry to say though there are now malls and fast food places everywhere! My favourite characters were a lamb called Rambo, a dog called Cornwall and a small boy Jeremy.

[Emilie Richards]

Lost in a landscape of boiling mud pools and geysers, Paige Duvall wonders if she's finally descended into hell. The land her mother inherited in New Zealand is not the pastoral paradise she hoped for, a place where the worldly young woman hoped to recover from another failed relationship. Instead one wrong step can end her life. Then the devil himself, Maori sheep farmer Adam Tomoana, emerges from the swirling mists to guide her to safety.

While she must rely on Adam to guide her home, is it safe to trust this man with her heart? While she is fascinated by their encounter, only Adam knows that it's not their first. Both are battered souls; both need healing, as does Adam's small silent son. But to heal, both must tell the whole truth, and there are secrets in Paige's past, and relationships she can't remember.

If Adam reveals them, will he drive her away, or will he win her love forever?

[Katrice Lyness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smoke screen

Someone always thinking they are never really worth love and when someone loves them you really don't know how to act then you find out you have all this family that you never knew about so what do you do

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well researched and exciting story. I learned so much about the thermals and Maori people and traditions located in Waimauri, New Zealand. Adam and Paige’s story in this Tales of the Pacific series is about seeking truth and trust, and not only learning to move on in life, but also finding a way to actually fill the empty places of your life. Hamish wants to mess with the sacred grounds of the thermals and buy it for Outreach Corporation to turn it into a first-class health resort for the rich. Paige is there to explore the land owned by family to see about selling the land. As she explores this highly dangerous area with Adam as her guide, she learns about the Maoris and the thermals, while having nightmares at night. Adam’s four-year-old son, Jeremy, has his own nightmares and hasn’t been able to connect with anyone but his family. This story has a lot of history and secrets, and I was fascinated by it. Emilie Richards not only researched this area, but went there to experience the land herself. I would recommend that this series be read in order and that you start with Book 1, Glowing Embers. I look forward to reading the last two books.

[SOMDReigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a romance between two people who come together despite very different lives. They both have loved and suffered for it. That has caused them both to be suspicious and afraid of suffering again. Emilie Richards writes a very descriptive New Zealand culture. Smoke Screen contains drama, family secrets, and suspense. This is a story of seeking the truth, finding oneself, and trusting. It has very interesting characters. I loved seeing the different aspects of Paige – the cool, aloof, businesswoman, as well as the vulnerable, fragile woman who deep down needs family, love, and friendship. This is book 2 in Tales of the Pacific series. We have glimpses of book 1 characters Granger and Julianna as well as a snippet of Dillon (his book is next – Rainbow Fire). Eager to begin book 3.
Originally published in 1988, this is the second of four book Tales of the Pacific.
Book 1: Glowing Embers (Granger and Julianna)
Book 2: Smoke Screen (Paige and Adam)
Book 3: Rainbow Fire (Dillon and Kelsey)
Book 4: Out of the Ashes (Alexis and Matthew)

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. This book was a little slow starting at first but man did it pick up towards the end.