When the Smoke Clears

Deadly Reunions #1

by Lynette Eason

After a brush with death due to equipment failure, smokejumper Alexia Allen is ordered to take time off while the incident is under investigation. She makes a last-minute decision to recuperate at her mother's home and attend her high school reunion--despite the fact that all she wanted when she graduated ten years ago was to get the heck out of the town that served as the setting for so much personal misery.

Within hours of arriving home, trouble finds Alexia in the form of an armed intruder, a dead body, and Hunter Graham, a handsome detective who had a crush on her back in high school. It's clear that someone is out to get her, but the conflicts ahead are nothing compared to the ghosts of her past. As she struggles to accept and forgive her family's failings, she must also decide if she can trust Hunter with the secret she's been guarding for the last ten years.

This edge-of-your-seat book from USA Today bestselling author Lynette Eason has a fresh new look for readers who can't get enough of her romantic suspense.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Christian, Suspense, Fiction, Romantic Suspense

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2012

About the author

Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina."

Series:
. Amazon Adventure
. High Stakes
. Women of Justice

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
Two favorite things: first, the realistic portrayal of faith and how certain characters had been totally changed by faith in Jesus. Plenty of scripture and realistic witnessing without being "preachy." Second, not being able to figure it all out! I admit, she had me going for awhile, on other suspects. Once or twice I noticed something about the villain that ended up being a telling clue, but there were so many twists that all of the suspects began to look guilty!

Well written and well plotted!

[Staci · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Deadly Reunion Series has a great start with three high school friends celebrating graduation. One of them is scared about something she witnessed and flees from the town. Ten years later Alexia is a fire fighter in Washington State and returns home to South Carolina for her high school reunion and to possibly reconnect with her mom.

While there were a lot of positives about the story line, the number of threats to Alexia's life went beyond plausibility.

[Kaitlyn Krispense · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Umm...wow. For a romance, that was phenomenal.
In fact, it's because of the romance that I can't give it the full 5 stars.

The upsides:
-The female protagonist, though determined to solve the mystery, wasn't the stubborn, do-it-all-myself type, which was fabulous. Because I tend to, um, highly dislike those. XD
-Chad. I mean, I suspected him of the murders almost from the beginning, but when he actually sobered up, I liked him almost more than Hunter. And I was so glad he ended up not being the killer.
-The real murderer completely blindsided me. I mean, I guess the clues were there and really pointed to it, but...idk, maybe I'm just unobservant. But it all made sense. And it was fabulous.
-The love triangle. Before you start shaking your head or rolling your eyes at this, let me tell you that I'm not a fan of love triangles either. But idk, maybe it was because I actually liked all the parties involved that it didn't bother me...? Anyway, I thought it was pulled off really well, and everyone's attitudes about it—especially poor Chad's—really impressed me.
-Dom. I mean, I KNEW he was gonna end up coming back, but still. I'm a sucker for happy family reunions.
-Um...all the characters?? I just loved them all. I mean, Hunter almost seemed...idk...shallow sometimes? But his faith was there and it made the whole thing better.
-Alexia's vulnerability. I know that sounds kinda cruel, but I could relate to her y'all!!
-The couple didn't start out disliking each other!! I'm so stinkin' tired of couples falling in love after being mortal enemies. They let each other know about their mutual attraction pretty much right away, which I could've done without, but it was definitely better than hating each other. MUCH, much better. I can't even describe how refreshing that was. XD

The downsides:
-The romance. Ugh, please, please don't give me so many details about a kiss. I don't want to know that it starts out lightly, exploringly, then turns deeper. I don't want to hear about kisses all over eyelids. *shudders* spare me plz. I mean, I guess some people like that kind of thing. But there's SO MANY romance books out there, can there please, please please be just ONE intense book out there with amazing cops in it without all the romance?? Pleeeeeeease?! I think this book would've been amazing without it.
But *coughs* that's just my humble opinion.
-And yeah, that's it...? Like I said, it was amazing, and the only thing I didn't like about it was the romance. It was okay when the couple wasn't kissing. I could handle that (except I don't wanna hear about how you think each other smells plz)

So yeah. Epic book, I must say. And that was probably the longest review I've ever written so you're welcome. XD

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying I am not a huge fan of Lynette Eason's last books, the Women of Justice series.I found them to be very predictable, so much so, that in one of the books I figured out the killer in the first 30 pages. But, I'm all for second chances and was hoping this book might redeem itself. While it was a little more difficult to figure out the killer, I did figure it out pretty early on and was rather disappointed with who it was. I won't say why, as I don't want to give the story away, but if you read this, you'd understand.

Being from Washington, I was hoping this book was going to be based there, and I was a little disappointed that it wasn't, but that's just me. ;)

Anyways,
I read a lot of suspense and thrillers, and I thought the amount of 'bad things' happing in this book was too much. It was just one thing after another after another! I think if the author would've halved the amount of attempts on Alexia's life and it would've been ok. It was definitely overkill, (Please excuse the pun.) and got to the point where the 'unexpected' was very expected.

I was also disappointed with the fact that this book is called When the Smoke Clears, and Alexia is a smokejumper, that there was no firefighting/smoke jumping aspect to the story like I was hoping for.

Now for what I DID like...
Alexia's story and background were interesting, and I found Alexia to be a strong character despite all she'd been through. But I felt like there was something missing to that would have made her a truly great character.
The romance aspect was not too cheesy or over the top, very well done.
The main themes throughout this book are Alexia dealing with her past and forgiveness. I liked that while this was a Christian book, it didn't come across as preachy.

[AlegnaB † · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good suspense. As is typical of L. Eason's books, there were oodles of sentence fragments that can be irritating to those of us who can't help noticing them.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this thrilling romantic suspense, smokejumper Alexia Allen returns home to face her past only to find a long-buried secret that threatens her life.

Lynette Eason's suspense filled Christian novels never disappoint, and this first book in the Deadly Reunion series is another page-turning, riveting novel. Filled with twists and turns that had me changing my mind several times as to whom the stalker was, I never suspected the actual culprit until it was revealed let alone the motives behind the horrible crimes. This book is not for cozy mystery lovers but rather for those who love writers like Collen Coble, Lisa Harris, and Terri Blackstock.

I loved the characters in this story as well as the slow developing romance between Hunter and Alexia. This book focuses on themes of redemption, forgiveness, and second chances; and the Christian thread flows well throughout the story. The reconnection between Alexia, her mother, and her brother was sweet. I would have given this a 5 but several problems are not resolved leaving the reader hanging. I am sure since this is a series they will be resolved in upcoming books, but it did leave me a bit disappointed. I noted on Amazon that several readers gave low reviews because of this, but I can understand the author's decisions.

FAVORITE QUOTES: "Seems like every time I turn around, I'm running into God....Then I suggest you give in. He always wins in the end."

"Know that you're loved. That you're worth being loved. And that you're loved so much that someone died so that you could live."

"God's not picking on you and letting bad stuff happen. But he wants to be there for you to get you through it."

[Kaytlin Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Lynette Eason!

Characters:
Alexis was a complex character, and I liked her overall...though she did get on my nerves a bit with all her running from her problems.
Hunter was a great character, and I liked him a lot!
Serena was so sweet! I loved her!
Christine and Chad were great, too!
Domonic🩵

Themes:
God loves you no matter how far you run from him or your past.

Romance:
Slowburn... sweet, a little like missionary dating, and they did have an argument they never resolved, but oh well.😂

Language:
N/A

Violence/Gore:
People die... like a few people, injuries described a bit, not overdone. Blood description on someone's hands. Shooting, sniper, someone gets grazed, fire, expolosion...this book had a little bit of everything.

Overall:
I enjoyed this read and am definitely interested in reading the rest of the series... which I already own, thankfully.😂

Recommend for ages 14+

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Someone seems to be after me and I’m not sure why.”
~Alexia Allen (page 143 of When the Smoke Clears)

I love a good suspense novel, don’t you?

Last week, when I was searching for a book to read in my oversized to-be-read pile, I had a few criteria. First, it had to be a novel that would quickly capture my interest. It must be one that I don’t want to put down until I read the very last word on the final page. This time around, I was looking for an author I had previously read before. And lastly, I needed to be finished with it in two or three days, so I could get back to work on my own manuscript.

When my eyes landed on Lynette Eason’s When the Smoke Clears, I knew I had found a winner. Previously, I had enjoyed her suspenseful Women of Justice series. They captured my interest and I could hardly put them down! Since I had finished each of the books in that series in less than three days, I figured the same would be true of When the Smoke Clears.

I was right.

Here’s my own brief summary of the first book in the Deadly Reunions series:

Since she’s been suspended pending an investigation into a piece of faulty equipment, firefighter and smokejumper Alexia Allen decides to attend her 10-year high school reunion in the hometown she fled immediately after graduating. As she’s confronted with her troubled past, a series of murders casts a murky shadow on her future. Will Alexia evade the killer long enough to clear her name in both cases looming over her? Or will she run away from her problems like she did as a child? Or will the killer catch up to her before she has a chance to do either?

Just thinking about this book again gave me the chills! I can’t wait to start reading the next installment in this gripping series!

If you are a fan of Christian suspense novels and have not yet discovered Lynette Eason, you should run (don’t walk!) to your nearest library or book store and pick up one of her titles. She does not disappoint readers looking for a good crime drama with lots of twists and turns. When I read a Lynette Eason book, I know I’m getting a tightly written story that will keep me up at night—the perfect and expected thing for a suspense novel to do! It leaves me so interested in the plotline, I don’t want to put it down. Besides that, I get so anxious to discover the killer that I couldn’t sleep a wink even if I wanted to.

I’ve decided that next time I read one of Lynette’s books, I’m going to make my own suspect list and see if I can figure out whodunit before the big reveal at the end of the novel. I challenge you to do the same!

Please visit Lynette Eason at one or more of the following places (and don’t forget to find a copy of When the Smoke Clears!):
www.lynetteeason.com
https://www.facebook.com/lynette.easo...
http://suspensesisters.blogspot.com/

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words like "intense" and "action-packed" don't even begin to describe When the Smoke Clears, a book I enjoyed from start to finish. The scenes read like a movie, and Eason excells in her descriptions and her fast-paced dialogue. Murder, unknown assailants, gut-wrenching fear - this book will have your pulse racing. And, though this book lies in the category of "romantic suspense", I didn't find the romance to be "over the top" (at least from a guy's perspective!), and as such this book will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Alexia is a complex character who becomes more and more fascinating as the layers to who she is are peeled away and we glimpse into her past and the person she has become.

Not only does the book entertain with the mystery and suspense, but it also tackles issues of forgiveness and reconciliation as well.The rift between Alexia and her mother is one that is portrayed with sobering realism, as such family issues are all too common in our world. The book leaves you with hope that anything is possible for any of us when the Spirit of God is at work.

I highly recommend this book and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you're looking for a book that will satisfy on many different levels, then look no further than When the Smoke Clears.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

[Sarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being introduced to Lynette Eason through her Women of Justice series, she found a place on my Top favourite suspense writers and her books top on my TBR list.

She did not disappoint with this book. Starting with the scene at the graduation party to the first murder attempt on Alexia, the book did not stop with action, suspense and mystery.

Lynette also did a great job of throwing in multiple suspects to keep you guessing. I had my suspicion after the shoot out but was not sure but then was revealed to be right.

The romance between Hunter and Alexia was sweet and secondary to the suspense, exactly what I prefer.

My heart broke for Alexia throughout the book as her past were revealed to the reader and I loved to see how she found that God loves her. I loved the part Serena played in Alexia's salvation.

This is the first book in the series, one I would suggest to be read in order since there is a plot which is carried forward to the other books in the series. I'm glad I have the whole series since I started to read book 2 right away after finishing book 1.

If you love suspense this series should be on the top of your TBR.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love reading Lynette Eason's novels for each one is a delicious mystery waiting to be opened up and explored! The suspense that she provides from the first word to the very last keeps you on the edge of your seat hoping for more and more. I have now read over five of her works and I look forward to reading more to come.

"When the Smoke Clears" by Lynette Eason is a fabulous tale about the brave firefighting Alexia Allen and the handsome Detective Hunter! These two had met in high school, always afraid to admit their true feelings for one another, and now fate has provided them a deadly opportunity to meet up again 10 years later.

There is a possible killer after them, with the chance of it actually being two. Can they survive long enough to find the one behind all of the recent attacks? Will they find the one responsible for the attack on the air hose, the bomb, and the fires? What about the dead bodies? It seems this reunion will be one for the record books!

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great mystery with a strong female lead character. It's a page turner that was very difficult to put down until the mystery was solved. However, all of the mysteries aren't solved since this is the first book of a trilogy. So be forewarned if you don't like cliffhangers. I would've been very bummed if my library didn't already have all three books and the follow up short story available.

One thing that stood out to me is how some of the characters actually read their Bible and pray as opposed to just going to church.

[Amanda Tero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently, I forgot to review this one after I had read it. And now it's been so many months, I don't remember my exact thoughts. Lynette Eason is a fantastic suspense writer, and there are enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. I don't remember anything really standing out to me with a Christian theme in this book. And I totally don't remember details of the romance.

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. It had some great action and suspense but it was too much. I was never surprised because just like clockwork every chapter had someone trying to kill, in some way, the main character. It isn't exciting for it to happen so often, it became laughable at that point.

The main character has spent 10 years of her life doing life independently. She has spent a lot of time with herself she is a strong firefighter. She goes home and all of a sudden she becomes weak. Not only that but she never has an opportunity to breath because her 'man' is always there. Her mother is massively sick and she is trying to get some time with her at the hospital but noooo it has been 15 minutes and the man can't stand not being with her so what does he do, calls her and stops her from seeing her mother...in the hospital. There were more than a couple times where I said out loud STEP BACK, GET OUT OF HER SPACE. So that was just asinine.

And another thing

You want to sell more books, write the first one in the series in such a manner that people are impressed with your writing and as such have a great desire to continue the journey with your characters into the next book. Don't leave your story in such a state of un-resolve that I kept thinking I had missed a chapter. For me, blah not interested.

Obviously this story hit a nerve with me, I have no doubt that it would not affect others in the same way and many people I know would enjoy it. But for me I don't care how the series ends.

[Victoria Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

review to come.

[Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 3.75 star for me.
*I listened to the audiobook which was okay, but I'm just not a huge fan of southern accents, so it took me a bit to get used to that-you know, **without cringing**.😅

While I enjoyed it, I felt like it dragged on longer than was necessary(like they were working in circles rather than solving anything*shrugs*)
Anywho! I liked the characters well enough, though I can't say I particularly "loved" any of them(I guess I find Chad the most interesting), and I did really like the familial healing and all that mushy stuff sooooo to clarify; I enjoyed their story and wouldn't mind continuing the series. :)

-Someone tell me Chad gets a happy ending and stops "being such a Chad"?? *laughs worriedly*


Clean Rating 4/5
Mentions of abuse,"flashbacks", violence.

[Hunter Q Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A roller coaster ride.

This is a roller coaster ride of a story.Just when you think you have it figured out there is another twist.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexia grew up in a dysfunctional home and left as teenager. Now her past has come back to haunt her and someone wants her dead. Through it all she learns that God actually loves and is looking out for her. This is an exciting book that I couldn't put down.

[Grace Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!!

There were so many thrills in this book. And it took me a long time to figure out who the bad guy was. It was just golden! Normally, I can at least have an idea somewhere in the middle in a crime fiction book. This book, I didn't even guess until towards the end. I was right though, so I got myself a cookie in place of my cupcake bet.

I also really like the Christian message in the story, about putting trust in God and how God thinks that YOU are worth it. Because you are, she is, he is, you will always be... Worth it.

Star Wars fandom!!! Serena's animals have the best names ever!!! Yoda and Chewbacca! Only... Why call a girl dog Yoda.... I totally liked Alexia's ideas, like Princess or Leia. I LOVED IT!!!

Why I Removed a Half Star In My Rating:

As stated above I loved the thrill this book gives, BUT??? There didn't seem to be a break in between killing Alexia. It was just, "Oh, let's go and try to kill Alexia again! She got away, so let's try again right now!" It just seemed like they were trying too hard to kill her. Don't get me wrong, I liked Alexia, I didn't want her to die. BUT, there is no in between moments that allowed the reader and the character to reflect about what's going on.

A kind of reminded me of Bugs Bunny.



The other thing I didn't like was the romance. Felt very instant love. Sure they both kinda like each other in high school, I get that. But I just felt that they were almost instantly falling in love with each other when they were thrown back together.

Also when someone is trying to kill me and there seems to be an intruder in my home, I don't think the first thought I'm going to have is: "Boy, he sure has good smelling cologne." Ummm??? Okay, the intruder was a few lines later, but still, I'm not sure if his cologne is what I would be thinking about. Sure I'm going to notice it, I could see how she might associate his cologne with him and therefore safety. BUT??? I don't know people.... Maybe I'm just not very romantic.

Content in Book:

This is a crime story, so be aware that the contents might have some spoilers.

1. Abuse (physical, emotional, verbal).

2. Arson.

3. Burning buildings, fires.

4. Violence (abuse related, throwing beer cans, shooting someone with a gun, slapping, strangling someone with a wire, car crash that was on purpose, stabbing someone in the throat, etc.)
5. Injuries (Burns, gun wounds, a cut on the throat, etc.)

6. Drugging a person and a dog to forced them to sleep.

7. Kidnapping.

8. A bomb.

Will I Continue with the other Books in the Series???

YES!!! Actually I already did! And When a Heart Stops was even better!!!

Who I Recommend this Book To:

Those who like Christian crime friction and thrillers.

Special thanks to Sarita, my good Goodreads friend and buddy for the 2018 Christian Fiction Bloggers group Duo Team Challenge, thanks for recommending this series to me, I LOVED IT!!! Like you said I was going to. =)

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS is the debut book in the Deadly Reunions Series. What a start! Lynette Eason is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors in the Romance/Suspense genre.

Smokejumper, Alexia Allen is being swallowed up by misfortune. A near deadly accident on the fire line has her suspended while the incident is under investigation. Deciding to go home – something she hasn’t done in ten years – lands her smack-dab in the middle of a homicide investigation. With many skeletons creeping from her adolescent closet, Alexia’s world is turned upside down. Being hunted by an unknown person, for an unknown reason, she isn’t sure who she can trust. Detective Hunter Graham is willing to offer her the help she needs, but soon she deduces that she is turning up on the top of the suspect list. If he doesn’t have faith in her, she isn’t sure how she will prove herself innocent.

Detective Hunter Graham is floored when he sees Alexia Allen has returned to Columbia, South Carolina. Though she was a few years his junior, he had a secret crush on her in high school. But when she left immediately after her graduation, he never thought he would see her again. But, here she was, back in her hometown, conveniently at the same time someone is found murdered in her childhood home. Warning himself to put personal feelings aside, he can’t help the feeling he’s getting as more bizarre things seem to be happening. Though each incident happens in her vicinity, his gut tells him she isn’t the assailant, but the intended victim. But, time is running out to prove her innocents.

WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS had all the elements I look for in a romantic/suspense novel. From the first pages, you know this is going to be a book with no easy answers. Twists and turns, red-herrings and dead ends, you find yourself questioning every supporting character that is introduced. Though I figured out early in the book who the attacker was, I have yet to figure out the why. Ms. Eason ingeniously left a few loose ends that will undoubtedly be cleared up in the next installment. Or so I can hope.

Book provided for review purposes.

“Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic Romantic Suspense novel! Not only was it packed with romantic tension, but there were twists and turns all through the book. The hero was yummy and the way he related to Alexia was endearing. Gotta love a man who wants to keep his woman safe, right? One thing I loved most about this story was that I didn't know who was behind the killings, and at the same time I love that there will be another book in the series that ties with this one. Talk about leaving a trail of red herrings and leading the reader on a bit of a goose chase! Great job there. And the fact that Alexia even looked guilty herself on a number of occasions was sheer brilliance. The ending left me a bit speechless, but I like that, too.

There were many characters in the story I could relate to because the author made them feel so human. I understood Alexia's disillusionment with life based on her childhood pain, and Chad's issues regarding rejection based on his divorce. I loved how God put so many people in her path to reach out to her until her heart softened on a spiritual level. That aspect of the story was very well done and felt natural. I can't understand the extreme hatred her father had toward her, but maybe that will be revealed a bit more later. There is certainly potential to explore that more in future installments.

The romantic elements in this story were particularly yummy. I loved that there were several kissing scenes and various romantic situations. The best part was it didn't all happen at the end. Hunter played a big role in Alexia's healing, and that part of their relationship certainly helped her learn to trust a man, and one man in particular. I was feeling the love and the heat between them, but it never scorched me in a negative way. It was a warm experience for me as a reader. (Just using a bit of firefighter lingo to fit with the theme.) Anyway, I really enjoyed this story!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OHH my word!! this book is awesome, I was up until after 1 a.m. finishing this book. I was hanging on the edge of my bed for the ending! I loved this story and am now anxious for the next book!

Alexia Allen has come home, after ten years of avoiding her mother and running from her horrible past, she has come home. It is high school reunion time, so it seems a good time to come home, plus her mother has started contacting her lately asking her to come home. Why? Why would a woman who threw her out, and forced her to leave after graduation, ask her to come home now? After living years with a husband who beat her, and the kids, who tried to kill them all why would Hannah Allen want her daughter to come home? Alexia struggles with accepting this new Hannah Allen, that her mother has become. Add that to the fact that arriving home, she finds a dead man in the basement, and is constantly under attack, and in danger of her life, Alexia is convinced coming home was not a good thing to do.

I loved this book, I cannot state that too much. In my opinion this book is Lynette's best book, I just could not put this book down. There is so much action and the mystery is spine chilling, it will pit brother against brother and even brother against sister, and all the while you will be wondering who is behind all of it. Definitely a book that is deserving of a 5 star rating!

Available February 2012 from your favorite seller of Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a great suspense book When Smoke Clears was - I completely loved it! I now really want to go read Lynette Eason's other books!

When Smoke Clears, begins with a prologue that tells what happened on Alexia's graduation day ten years ago. I found this great, because as a result of what happened that night, someone is after Alexia and information she may or may not have.

I'm one of those people who likes to try and guess who the culprit/killer is in a book, and When Smoke Clears was no different. While I had my guesses and did change my thought of who it was a few times, the one person I really thought it was ended up actually being the killer! But there were so many twists I didn't see coming!

The characters were very well written and I can hardly wait to read the next "Deadly Reunion" novel after that cliffhanger of an ending!

If you want to read a pulse-pounding thriller, with many twists and so much suspense, I'd recommend When Smoke Clears because that is what this book was to me! I loved it!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

“Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared for a touch of vertigo as you rush to the end of this masterfully written suspense. My head is still spinning! And so is my mind -- busy assimilating the threads Eason pulled tight while mulling over the ones left dangling because this book doesn't end wrapped up in tidy little package. There is enough closure to satisfy Eason's avid readers, but enough left open-ended to leave those same readers chomping at the bit for more! No word on when the second book in the Deadly Reunions series will be out but it can't be soon enough for me!

Now, we all know that I am easily distracted by a good book. There isn't much that can stop my compulsive reading but I outdid myself this time! I neglected everything, including my poor, long-suffering dog, in order to race through When the Smoke Clears. All my valiant efforts to tear myself away to do something productive were thwarted by a fast-paced plot that didn't stop. With suspense, action, terror, an unraveling mystery, complicated relationships, difficult pasts and a developing romance there just wasn't an easy break to put the book aside...even when I reached the end!

One of the marvelous strengths of this book and Eason's writing in general, is in the incredible depth of characters and relationships. That kind of writing brings a richness to the overall plot and makes for an extremely satisfying read. If you love romantic suspense this is one you definitely don't want to miss!

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm giving this 2 stars, but that's it. The action was good and the lesson on God was inspiring without being too "preachy". While I do like to read "series" of books, I like each book to resolve itself. Dee Henderson does this expertly in her O'Malley series. Each book is about a different person in a family, but you get to know the whole family better with each book. With this book just when you thought you would find out who really was doing the dirty deed, the book just ended. I had to flip back through the pages to see if I'd missed something. I really wished I'd read the reviews about this book before I read it, I would not have bothered with it. The one phrase that the author used TOO MANY times was, "She chewed on her lip," or a variation of it. Even though the main character got beat up pretty badly in the end, I was surprised she had any lip left to bloody. She just kept chewing on it.

[Wendy Sparkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

#1 Deadly Reunions

Murder, arson, threats, and a friend who disappeared 10 years ago.

How are they linked?

Who is framing her? Who wants her dead?

For Alexia time is running out.



Now need to read next 2 in the series!

#2 #3 #3.5

The story continues in books 2 and 3, and then uses the background of the 3 books for #3.5, so this would be a series best read in order.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to enjoy this book more than what I did. But the constant life threatening situations completely overwhelmed me and the story in my opinion. There is no way someone can go through the kind of things these characters did and simply walk away slightly bruised from each one.

I got fed up about halfway through and finished the book by skimming. It actually had me frustrated...lol. Very unrealistic and there were a number of things that just didn't add up or didn't make sense as to why the character or characters would make the choices they made.

Rating: PG -violence, weapons, assault and a whole lot of nonsense
Language: no profanity or use of deity
Recommend: not at this time

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, what more can happen to Alexia?! Just about every form of murder attempt on her life occurs in this book. And it's daily! First in the town she's currently living, then when she returns to her hometown for her 10-year reunion, attempts on her life or other's lives occur every day. She's got a murder cloud following her.

Like: Clean, no language, no "body-talk" other than handsome or tall, etc., and displays of affection to a minimum.

Love: 1) The reader doesn't know why Alexia's the target exactly. On one hand you know someone suspects something about her, but there's an eye-raiser involved.
And 2) The reader is in the dark about who the killer is until near the end. You can run through every character in your head as a possible suspect and you'll probably be wrong.
And 3) The reason for the murderer needing to kill Alexia will absolutely baffle you!

I also love how easily people share their faith throughout. Alexia is skeptical at first, but seeing so many changed lives convinces her of the truth of the gospel.

Don't like: All the killing and beating and foiled kidnapping. It might have been a bit overdone.
Also, the hero was there ALL the time! A bit unbelievable, but fun to read anyway.
And the fact that a believer pursues a relationship with a non-believer without regard to scriptural input.

But there are LOTS of surprises throughout the book, and it's a fun read if you enjoy murder mysteries.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Smoke Clears is book one in the Deadly Reunions series by Lynette Eason. Alexia Allen decided to go home and attend her high school reunion after an incident at work. However, on arrival, Alexia became involved in murder and arson. These incidents made Alexia start to think about her past and allow the local detective's involvement. The readers of When the Smoke Clears will continue to follow Alexia to find out what happens.

Lynette Eason again did it with her new series Deadly Reunions and the first book in this series called When the Smoke Clears. Lynette Eason knows how to ensure that I engaged with the plot of her books. I love Lynette Eason's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine with each other throughout this book. When the Smoke Clears is well written and researched by Lynette Eason. I like Lynette Eason description of the settings of When the Smoke Clears that allow me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

When the Smoke Clears, reader's will learn about being Smokejumpers, the specially trained firefighters who are first responders during bushfires. The readers of When the Smoke Clears will learn about the consequences of undiagnosed mental illness.

I recommend this book.