I love the title of this book. Imagery at its best and it is
the underlying theme of the story. When a tragedy has
blinded you of any desire to face your past and move toward
a future than you are indeed living only part of a life.
Novak lets us know that this is a story about facing demons
both real and imaginary. In reviewing THROUGH THE SMOKE I
was faced with a challenge to do it justice while being
very careful to keep the amazing plot line under wraps.
There are no spoilers here.
Reading through the list of previous books by Brenda Novak
was like revisiting old friends. I never realized just how
many times I've returned to this author and the joy her
stories bring. THROUGH THE SMOKE is a historical romance
and quite a departure from her usual genres. Those
who have enjoyed Novak's contemporary books will certainly
find this one to their liking. Suffice it to say it kept me
quite enthralled and guiltily occupied to the demise of
other tasks.
Greed and avarice is the stuff suspense novels are made of.
When there is a huge list of suspects to choose from the
chase is great. In THROUGH THE SMOKE there comes a point
where everyone becomes a suspect.
For Truman the local Earl it's the task of finding his way
back after a tragic fire that has basically left him
emotionally empty. For bookstore owner Rachel it's a way to
see clearly what her options are for herself and her
brother. Neither has a clear vision of what their future
holds and each is beset with many obstacles in their way.
Here are two people from opposite sides of society so to
speak. Nothing in common and yet there was no denying their
intense attraction to each other. If you are a believer of
love at first sight, this is a wonderful example of how
love completely takes over someone life. Throwing caution
to the wind Truman has finally found someone that seems to
be his soul mate. But theirs is a profoundly unsanctionable
relationship. One does not cross class lines without great
repercussions.
Being the recipient of the attention of the local earl is
putting Rachel's life in great peril. How odd when you
think of it. Truman's goal to keep her safe is making her
the target of some hurtful in the least and dangerous at
the best attention. There's no denying that Rachel's life
has been severely altered since she has come under Truman's
protection. The entire town, her people have turned their
backs on this poor young woman left to care for her young
brother. The bookstore left by her mother is in financial
ruin. Her funds are quickly diminishing. So using all her
strength and ingenuity Rachel tackles any employment
opportunity she can find. But even there she is faced with
people who seem determined to see her fail. What she can't
understand is why.
How did this young woman truly beloved in her community
become a pariah. Someone is going to great lengths to keep
Rachel fighting for her life. Turning to Truman goes
against all she knows. Being protected is going to further
ruin her reputation. But faced with unerring peril takes
away your choices. Drives you to making decisions that have
no future. What's important is the here and now.
Truman has his own demons to contend with. He has been
unable to find any proof that he was not responsible for
the death of his wife. His burned hand is a constant
reminder of his failure to save her. And yet his dreams are
filled with images that give him pause. Are there some clue
to the fires origin that his mind has blocked? What will
trigger his memory?
Being with Truman will bring no joy to either of them and
sooner or later they will have to obey the rules that are
intent on keeping them apart. But rules were made to be
broken and the rewards just may be greater than the price.
Brenda Novak has drawn us into a maze of peril that page by
page draws us closer and closer to what we hope will be a
happy ending. But clearly Novak wants to keep us guessing
till the very end. Once again Novak has a cast of great
characters in this book. She stays true to the period. As
always there is a compelling storyline in THROUGH THE SMOKE
as we have come to expect from Novak.
A shocking betrayal…
Riches. Power. An ancient heritage of pride. The Earl of
Druridge wanted only for an heir. So when he learned that
his wife was carrying another man’s child, he was filled
with a thirst for vengeance.
But he wasn’t the one who caused Katherine’s death. Or was
he? To his horror, he remembers nothing of that dreadful
night, when their last shocking confrontation ended in
scorching flame and cold blood.
A forbidden love…
Rachel McTavish, the beautiful daughter of a coal miner,
knows something about the fire that took Lady Katherine’s
life. In secret, the strong-willed girl strikes a bargain
with the desperate earl: he must send his physician to help
her dying mother or he may go to the scaffold—and the devil.
The earl agrees, but Rachel is still unsure that her
revelation will be enough to save him when so many wish him
dead.
Passionately drawn to the nobleman, despite all the doubt
and mystery that shrouds him, Rachel wonders if he can
really be a murderer. Or if he is the only man who will ever
own her heart…
© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy