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.