What do you think?
Rate this book
Emerald Coast 911 #3
Smoke Screen
First, his fiancée was murdered. Next, a dear friend. Is an arsonist targeting firehouse chaplain Jake Rollins through his loved ones? FBI agent Chloe Davis is on the case—even though it brings her far too close to the handsome pastor. Chloe has always worked undercover, trusting only herself. How can she believe a man who says he knows her—and loves her—for who she is? Only when the smoke begins to clear will Chloe learn to see past her doubts and fears…and find the vengeful killer closer than anyone realizes.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2009
6 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Newton
14 books48 followersAward-winning author Stephanie Newton lives in Alabama with her pastor husband and three children, aged 23 months to 21 years. A Southern girl through and through, she loves sweet tea, SEC football, corn on the cob and air conditioning. She’s written eight books for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 29, 2024
Really good characters and story.
July 30, 2018
The best yet!!! Could hardly put the book down. Loved it!!!
May 11, 2019
Sparks fly in this spine-tingling romantic suspense novel!
March 5, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up.
March 29, 2017
#3 Emerald Coast 911
Who is targeting firehouse chaplain Jake Rollins?
Is the arsonist who killed his fiancée back?
I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series, and also the Christmas novella which comes later in the series, so I was looking forward to this one.
There were things I struggled with though.
I liked that FBI Supervisory Agent Chloe Davis returns in this story. It has been nearly a year since I read the previous story and I can't remember if Chloe became a Christian in that one. If she did it isn't very noticeable in this one. She doesn't like churches and is all for doing for herself. She doesn't pray either. So I had the impression she wasn't a believer.
It didn't surprise me that firehouse chaplain Jake Rollins (who is also pastor of the local church) fell for Chloe - they are after all human just like the rest of us. I did like how he reached out to show her God's love and how he explained it through the cookie baking sessions they had. What I did find surprising was that he pursued her, and didn't feel any back off or conflict in his spirit about pursuing her, and that he felt at peace with this from God.
So maybe Chloe is a Christian.
I'm not sure whether I missed Chloe's profession of faith, or her growth, or what, but when in danger it was the fact she hadn't let herself love Jake that she regretted most, not her lack of faith and love for God - and that goes for whether she was a believer or not, and it bothers me that I didn't really know where she stood throughout this book. Her acceptance to be a pastor's wife at the end without seeing her growth throughout the book just seemed strange and unnatural.
It was nice to return to Sea Breeze and meet up with familiar characters and to once again enjoy the scenery of the place which vividly came to life.
I do still want to read the rest of the series as I really enjoyed the others I've read. This one unfortunately just had something missing and I struggled to connect with the story.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#4.5
#5
#6
Who is targeting firehouse chaplain Jake Rollins?
Is the arsonist who killed his fiancée back?
I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series, and also the Christmas novella which comes later in the series, so I was looking forward to this one.
There were things I struggled with though.
I liked that FBI Supervisory Agent Chloe Davis returns in this story. It has been nearly a year since I read the previous story and I can't remember if Chloe became a Christian in that one. If she did it isn't very noticeable in this one. She doesn't like churches and is all for doing for herself. She doesn't pray either. So I had the impression she wasn't a believer.
It didn't surprise me that firehouse chaplain Jake Rollins (who is also pastor of the local church) fell for Chloe - they are after all human just like the rest of us. I did like how he reached out to show her God's love and how he explained it through the cookie baking sessions they had. What I did find surprising was that he pursued her, and didn't feel any back off or conflict in his spirit about pursuing her, and that he felt at peace with this from God.
So maybe Chloe is a Christian.
I'm not sure whether I missed Chloe's profession of faith, or her growth, or what, but when in danger it was the fact she hadn't let herself love Jake that she regretted most, not her lack of faith and love for God - and that goes for whether she was a believer or not, and it bothers me that I didn't really know where she stood throughout this book. Her acceptance to be a pastor's wife at the end without seeing her growth throughout the book just seemed strange and unnatural.
It was nice to return to Sea Breeze and meet up with familiar characters and to once again enjoy the scenery of the place which vividly came to life.
I do still want to read the rest of the series as I really enjoyed the others I've read. This one unfortunately just had something missing and I struggled to connect with the story.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#4.5
#5
#6
April 18, 2014
So. There I was at Ye Old Public Library, checking out the "Romance" section. Saw a title with the subheading "Inspirational Romance" - didn't know quite what it meant, but it was next to the trashy Harlequins - so my standards were set.
It was a Christian Romantic Novel.
Soooo, I knew that there would be no heaving bosoms and throbbing manhood, but I thought I'd give it a whirl anyway. I actually have set foot in a church before - I have read different types of Christian books - including Frank Perretti, those "Left Behind" books (at least the first five or so, after that they got so stupid I couldn't take it anymore). I have read C.S. Lewis, Randy Alcorn (yeah - the Prolifer), and other Christian heavyweights. The religious aspect didn't bother me.
Why did I give it one star?
Well, for starters - the mystery/suspense part wasn't great. I recognized the "red herring" character immediately. I also caught on pretty fast as to who the real culprit was - even though it didn't make sense - there is no way that this character a) would have done what they did or b) would have been able to do what they did and c) would have been able to live a double life like that. I mean - I figured it out - but I just sorta rolled my eyes...
Second - I didn't really see the initial connection between the two leads. It was contrived. I could understand the connection after the cookie baking episode - but I just didn't buy that they were getting close and attracted to each other so quickly.
Third - This is a romance. Notwithstanding my failure to willingly suspend my disbelief about the culprit - this is not suppose to be realistic in terms of the romance stuff. It is suppose to be escapist. I laughed out loud when I saw a guide for a study group to discuss the characters and their response. Yeeeesh. When I went to church - we had Bible Studies. We didn't have unrealistic Christian Pulp Fiction Romance studies. Puh-leeze!!!
There was something I did like - the descriptions of the beach and the scenery. If the author indeed draws inspiration from her surroundings - it does sound like a very beautiful place.
However, I will not be picking up any more "Inspirational Romance" from this publisher.
It was a Christian Romantic Novel.
Soooo, I knew that there would be no heaving bosoms and throbbing manhood, but I thought I'd give it a whirl anyway. I actually have set foot in a church before - I have read different types of Christian books - including Frank Perretti, those "Left Behind" books (at least the first five or so, after that they got so stupid I couldn't take it anymore). I have read C.S. Lewis, Randy Alcorn (yeah - the Prolifer), and other Christian heavyweights. The religious aspect didn't bother me.
Why did I give it one star?
Well, for starters - the mystery/suspense part wasn't great. I recognized the "red herring" character immediately. I also caught on pretty fast as to who the real culprit was - even though it didn't make sense - there is no way that this character a) would have done what they did or b) would have been able to do what they did and c) would have been able to live a double life like that. I mean - I figured it out - but I just sorta rolled my eyes...
Second - I didn't really see the initial connection between the two leads. It was contrived. I could understand the connection after the cookie baking episode - but I just didn't buy that they were getting close and attracted to each other so quickly.
Third - This is a romance. Notwithstanding my failure to willingly suspend my disbelief about the culprit - this is not suppose to be realistic in terms of the romance stuff. It is suppose to be escapist. I laughed out loud when I saw a guide for a study group to discuss the characters and their response. Yeeeesh. When I went to church - we had Bible Studies. We didn't have unrealistic Christian Pulp Fiction Romance studies. Puh-leeze!!!
There was something I did like - the descriptions of the beach and the scenery. If the author indeed draws inspiration from her surroundings - it does sound like a very beautiful place.
However, I will not be picking up any more "Inspirational Romance" from this publisher.
October 13, 2015
Emerald Coast 911
Book 3
The book was interesting. Jake Rollins was injured while trying to rescue his fiancee from her burning home. Now he can't fight fires anymore, but he's fighting something worse - a arson murderer. Two people have died by his enemies hand already...
I wasn't surprised when the real killer was revealed, though I guess I should have. There's a certain pattern to follow when reading these books, and I figured it out by following the pattern. Still, the suspense was an interesting read - and the reason the person did it was interesting and heart-breaking.
But...the romance side of it: I'm not trying to be too critical here, but Jake is a preacher. He chose that profession and all the responsibility that goes with it. He has the responsibility of choosing a proper spouse for himself and the church - and in my opinion, Chloe was not the proper spouse. First of all, he fell in love with a woman who wasn't a Christian. In fact, I'm not sure that she ever really became a Christian in this book. Sometimes Christian books hit you over the head with the "I can't love you because you aren't strong enough in your faith" and I get frustrated, but this time I think the author should have really thought about this. Jake, a good preacher does he not make, was wrong in messing around with a non-Christian woman...
Book 3
The book was interesting. Jake Rollins was injured while trying to rescue his fiancee from her burning home. Now he can't fight fires anymore, but he's fighting something worse - a arson murderer. Two people have died by his enemies hand already...
I wasn't surprised when the real killer was revealed, though I guess I should have. There's a certain pattern to follow when reading these books, and I figured it out by following the pattern. Still, the suspense was an interesting read - and the reason the person did it was interesting and heart-breaking.
But...the romance side of it: I'm not trying to be too critical here, but Jake is a preacher. He chose that profession and all the responsibility that goes with it. He has the responsibility of choosing a proper spouse for himself and the church - and in my opinion, Chloe was not the proper spouse. First of all, he fell in love with a woman who wasn't a Christian. In fact, I'm not sure that she ever really became a Christian in this book. Sometimes Christian books hit you over the head with the "I can't love you because you aren't strong enough in your faith" and I get frustrated, but this time I think the author should have really thought about this. Jake, a good preacher does he not make, was wrong in messing around with a non-Christian woman...
August 1, 2011
The third book in the Emerald Coast 911 series. Stephanie Newton keeps you in suspense. She gives you a whole line of people to suspect along with twists and turns.
Jake Rollins was introduced in the first book, Perfect Target. He was a firefighter who was injured trying to save his fiance from a fire. Now he is the chaplain for the fire department. He is also a Pastor. Women who are associated with him are being attacked, a second woman has died in a fire.
Chloe Davis is FBI. She was undercover as a homeless waif in Moving Target and Sailor was her suspect in a drug ring. She got to know Gabe Sloan during the investigation. Gabe & Sailor were now married. When Gabe seen the fire deaths were connected he called Chloe in as she was now on a team that looked into serial murders.
Jake and Chloe both had backgrounds that shaped them. Jake had a grandmother that helped him become a Godly man. Chloe did not have anyone like that. As Jake and Chloe work together and grow closer, she becomes a target as well.
Jake Rollins was introduced in the first book, Perfect Target. He was a firefighter who was injured trying to save his fiance from a fire. Now he is the chaplain for the fire department. He is also a Pastor. Women who are associated with him are being attacked, a second woman has died in a fire.
Chloe Davis is FBI. She was undercover as a homeless waif in Moving Target and Sailor was her suspect in a drug ring. She got to know Gabe Sloan during the investigation. Gabe & Sailor were now married. When Gabe seen the fire deaths were connected he called Chloe in as she was now on a team that looked into serial murders.
Jake and Chloe both had backgrounds that shaped them. Jake had a grandmother that helped him become a Godly man. Chloe did not have anyone like that. As Jake and Chloe work together and grow closer, she becomes a target as well.
October 21, 2010
This is a little too dramatic of a story but it plays out well. The suspense is just enough and the characters fit the story.
April 12, 2014
Was a great story. Will definitely read more of this author
January 26, 2017
these books are the tic tacs of what I call 'brain candy ' books. No thought required. I enjoy the nice easy, innocent read. Kind of sappy and over the top...like a hallmark movie:)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews