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Smokescreen
Smokescreen by Anne Mather released on Apr 23, 1982 is available now for purchase.
185 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
3 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Anne Mather
799 books360 followersAnne Mather is the pseudonym used by Mildred Grieveson, a popular British author of over 160 romance novels. She also signed novels as Caroline Fleming and Cardine Fleming.
Mildred Grieveson began to write down stories in her childhood years. The first novel that she actually finished, Caroline (1965), was also her first book to be published. Her novel, Leopard in the Snow (1974), was developed into a 1978 film.
Mildred Grieveson began to write down stories in her childhood years. The first novel that she actually finished, Caroline (1965), was also her first book to be published. Her novel, Leopard in the Snow (1974), was developed into a 1978 film.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 7, 2016
Olivia Gantry's husband of six months, Henry, has just died after an illness. Olivia married him for revenge--her mother encouraged her to do this and Olivia believes he wronged her mother and father. Also, the marriage would help her ailing mother. It seems Henry married Olivia for other reasons too. He knew he was dying and wanted to make sure his son, Alex, wouldn't get his hands on the money or his wealthy corporation. Henry had been estranged from his son, Alex, and disowned him years ago. Alex has been living in Africa for many years and has just returned home. At first Olivia doesn't like or trust him. But after she starts to get to know Alex better she discovers things in the past aren't the way they seemed to be.
This was an enjoyable romance by Anne Mather. It had an interesting (but sometimes far-fetched) storyline, a good main couple, and lots of secrets/revelations from the past. Great fun read!
This was an enjoyable romance by Anne Mather. It had an interesting (but sometimes far-fetched) storyline, a good main couple, and lots of secrets/revelations from the past. Great fun read!
June 20, 2020
"Smokescreen" is the story of Olivia and Alex.
A wonderfully written romance between a widow and her estranged stepson. But it is not as simple as it seems. She married her now dead husband for revenge, and now he has left his estates to her name. The sudden entry of his long lost son shakes her life, but as sparks fly, many truths and lies are revealed.
I really enjoyed this book. The heroine was strong and smart, the hero smitten and silent. Loads of hidden vendettas and bloodlines in this book, and things get very entangled before they eventually get resolved.
Safe
4/5
A wonderfully written romance between a widow and her estranged stepson. But it is not as simple as it seems. She married her now dead husband for revenge, and now he has left his estates to her name. The sudden entry of his long lost son shakes her life, but as sparks fly, many truths and lies are revealed.
I really enjoyed this book. The heroine was strong and smart, the hero smitten and silent. Loads of hidden vendettas and bloodlines in this book, and things get very entangled before they eventually get resolved.
Safe
4/5
February 10, 2018
4.5**
This was really good book better then I anticipated - recommend this.
I feel if I continue I might just spoil the book. I have read few Mather books and it's hit or miss but this is definitely her better work!
This was really good book better then I anticipated - recommend this.
I feel if I continue I might just spoil the book. I have read few Mather books and it's hit or miss but this is definitely her better work!
March 27, 2023
I'm giving a 3.5 although it went a bit off the boil. Olivia is 22 and just widowed (her husband was pushing 70 and a multimillionaire businessman, estranged from his son). There's questions about the reason behind this short marriage and about the estranged son, Alex, who turns up at the end of the wake. Apparently he looked a bit like Robert Redford. Sold. There's corporate argy bargy, will argy bargy, the arrival of a woman and child who looks just like Alex...
Olivia heads to the small central African country to verify if Alex really is Alex. That's when it went a bit wishy washy for me. Not the worst AM for all its ludicrous mistaken identity shenanigans.
Olivia heads to the small central African country to verify if Alex really is Alex. That's when it went a bit wishy washy for me. Not the worst AM for all its ludicrous mistaken identity shenanigans.
August 14, 2012
The heroine wanted revenge now that her husband was finally dead. It was quite intense how the heroine let this all in her life, she seemed consumed by it. Until she meets the hero, her deceased husbands disowned son. Suddenly things are falling into place.
July 13, 2015
Loved it. The story was good. The hero and heroine were excellent to read about.
December 22, 2025
A solid 3 stars, maybe even 3.5 for sheer entertainment value. As per the cover copy:
So yes, heroine Olivia marries rich, elderly patriarch Henry Gantry for convoluted revenge reasons, but then is thrown for a loop when his hot, estranged son (and her legal stepson) suddenly returns, after fifteen years, to contest the will.
Olivia is introduced as a surprisingly hard-boiled and manipulative heroine, which I honestly dug (though it doesn’t stick, and she’s eventually revealed to have been more the manipulated than the manipulator, boo). Overall, I liked her, though—she’s intelligent, pleasantly proactive, and never really annoyed me (even if she did turn into a helpless, virginal puddle whenever the hero and his “aggressive masculinity” was around, as these classic Harlequin Presents heroines are wont to do).
Alex, meanwhile, is your standard arrogant, overbearing, alpha asshole of the era/line, who starts macking on the heroine practically the instant he shows up, and runs irritatingly hot and cold for most of the book. That said, he’s introduced to us wearing double denim and a gold medallion (omg, AMAZING), and really leans into his (apparent) stepmom kink, so he’s at least more amusing than most love-interests of his ilk. He’s also canonically stated to resemble Robert Redford, so there’s that.
The book starts rather strong (well, after a boring first chapter), but the middle third in particular is a real slog, as it pretty much just consists of Alex being a dick and Olivia treading legal water. HOWEVER, the last third makes up for it in damn near demented fashion, as the dramatic secrets come bulldozing in and things take a downright V.C. Andrews-esque turn. WILD. I really loved the last third in a “so bad it’s good” kind of way, and had a legit hard time putting it down.
A superfluous, last-minute trip to Africa tops everything off, and Alex even manages to redeem himself by apologizing and turning genuinely quite sweet (and revealed to be noble) at the end. Perhaps my favorite part is the random, wikipedia-esque “Harlequin Plus” page on uranium at the back of the book (only vaguely related to the story, in that the mine Alex owns is indeed a uranium one). Muah, chef’s kiss, insane.
The cover art (by William Biddle) is fire, and—while the book is uneven—it has a nice, bonkers finish, and you could do far worse when it comes to a vintage Harlequin. I paid $2 for my copy at a local secondhand sale and don’t regret it at all. I might even have to check out more of Anne Mather’s work. Lastly, if you’re curious about my real-time reactions, and want some excerpts, let it be known that I live-blogged my reading experience over on Bluesky!
ALEX WAS NOT THE MAN SHE EXPECTED HIM TO BE
The time for Olivia’s revenge had come. Her elderly husband, Henry Gantry, was dead. She’d take Henry's monument to himself, his fabulously wealthy corporation, and either sell it or put it in the hands of the son he’d disowned!
But Alex Gantry was an unknown quantity. Suave and clever, he was too aggressively masculine for his own good.
Then why did he affect her as he did? Her own stepson! She’d never felt a physical attraction for any man before. Why this one?
So yes, heroine Olivia marries rich, elderly patriarch Henry Gantry for convoluted revenge reasons, but then is thrown for a loop when his hot, estranged son (and her legal stepson) suddenly returns, after fifteen years, to contest the will.
Olivia is introduced as a surprisingly hard-boiled and manipulative heroine, which I honestly dug (though it doesn’t stick, and she’s eventually revealed to have been more the manipulated than the manipulator, boo). Overall, I liked her, though—she’s intelligent, pleasantly proactive, and never really annoyed me (even if she did turn into a helpless, virginal puddle whenever the hero and his “aggressive masculinity” was around, as these classic Harlequin Presents heroines are wont to do).
Alex, meanwhile, is your standard arrogant, overbearing, alpha asshole of the era/line, who starts macking on the heroine practically the instant he shows up, and runs irritatingly hot and cold for most of the book. That said, he’s introduced to us wearing double denim and a gold medallion (omg, AMAZING), and really leans into his (apparent) stepmom kink, so he’s at least more amusing than most love-interests of his ilk. He’s also canonically stated to resemble Robert Redford, so there’s that.
The book starts rather strong (well, after a boring first chapter), but the middle third in particular is a real slog, as it pretty much just consists of Alex being a dick and Olivia treading legal water. HOWEVER, the last third makes up for it in damn near demented fashion, as the dramatic secrets come bulldozing in and things take a downright V.C. Andrews-esque turn. WILD. I really loved the last third in a “so bad it’s good” kind of way, and had a legit hard time putting it down.
A superfluous, last-minute trip to Africa tops everything off, and Alex even manages to redeem himself by apologizing and turning genuinely quite sweet (and revealed to be noble) at the end. Perhaps my favorite part is the random, wikipedia-esque “Harlequin Plus” page on uranium at the back of the book (only vaguely related to the story, in that the mine Alex owns is indeed a uranium one). Muah, chef’s kiss, insane.
The cover art (by William Biddle) is fire, and—while the book is uneven—it has a nice, bonkers finish, and you could do far worse when it comes to a vintage Harlequin. I paid $2 for my copy at a local secondhand sale and don’t regret it at all. I might even have to check out more of Anne Mather’s work. Lastly, if you’re curious about my real-time reactions, and want some excerpts, let it be known that I live-blogged my reading experience over on Bluesky!
Read
February 22, 2023I think Caitlyn Crews Castelli’s Virgin Widow was inspired by this book.
There’s a scene where step mother and step son see each other for first time in library.
Anyway. I think Crews did it better.
Sorry about missing apostrophe’s.
There’s a scene where step mother and step son see each other for first time in library.
Anyway. I think Crews did it better.
Sorry about missing apostrophe’s.
June 12, 2025
A convoluted premise with a newly widowed heroine (22) and the hero (32) going from hate to love. Nothing is as it seems, but it’s a little lightweight and I think more could have been made of it as both main characters were underdeveloped.
A tolerable 3 star.
A tolerable 3 star.
April 28, 2019
Not the best I read by A. Mather but OK.
Twisted plot - almost a soap opera.
Mysterious/hidden identities but the truth can be guessed....
Old school (outdated) romance but a good diversion.
Twisted plot - almost a soap opera.
Mysterious/hidden identities but the truth can be guessed....
Old school (outdated) romance but a good diversion.
Read
April 28, 2021Couldn’t engage in the book. Too many details in descriptions for my taste. Some readers may like so complete picture. I wasn’t impressed that she married to an old and sick man even for revenge. Maybe I give it another try later.
March 19, 2023
None of the characters are likable. Ugh, quasi incest.
May 18, 2016
2008 review: I didn't like it BUT, the story was very well written.
MY THOUGHTS: Ok, this wasn't my favorite book by Mather but I do have to be impressed with her writing skills and the story. There were twists and turn which I didn't expect. For that I give it four stars. I took one star off because I personally didnt really like the story - well I should say that I didn't like the characters. I didnt connect with the hero and heroine. I mean, they weren't bad, I just didn't feel close to them (like in other romance novels I read) And darn! I can't believe Olivia gave up all that money for the hero!!! Ok, I know love conquers all but still, wow, I guess, she REALLLY loves him. Ok, anyway, this book had a good story, with good unexpected twists and turns, but I personally didn't connect with the hero and heroine. They just seemed a bit blah for me. As mentioned, I gave it four stars because it had twists that I didn't expect/guess. But still, all that wealth gone bye bye!!!
MY THOUGHTS: Ok, this wasn't my favorite book by Mather but I do have to be impressed with her writing skills and the story. There were twists and turn which I didn't expect. For that I give it four stars. I took one star off because I personally didnt really like the story - well I should say that I didn't like the characters. I didnt connect with the hero and heroine. I mean, they weren't bad, I just didn't feel close to them (like in other romance novels I read) And darn! I can't believe Olivia gave up all that money for the hero!!! Ok, I know love conquers all but still, wow, I guess, she REALLLY loves him. Ok, anyway, this book had a good story, with good unexpected twists and turns, but I personally didn't connect with the hero and heroine. They just seemed a bit blah for me. As mentioned, I gave it four stars because it had twists that I didn't expect/guess. But still, all that wealth gone bye bye!!!
February 14, 2026
Olivia married Henry Garley, a man 50 years older then her, to have revenge! He destroyed her father long time ago and he was dying when he proposed to her! After his death, she wanted to give all his money to his disowned only son, but when she met Alex, the disowned son, she faced another dilemma! She wanted to give Alex everything, yet she feared him and desired him in the same time. He certainly won't making her final decision easy.
I found the story immoral! A stepmom falls for a stepson and goes to bed with him certainly unacceptable even when the whole relationship was explained at the end! The important thing is she slept with him knowing he might be her real stepson!
I found the story immoral! A stepmom falls for a stepson and goes to bed with him certainly unacceptable even when the whole relationship was explained at the end! The important thing is she slept with him knowing he might be her real stepson!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2021
Alex was not the man she expected him to be
The time for Olivia's revenge had come. Her elderly husband, Henry Gantry was dead. She'd take Henry's monument to himself, his fabulously wealthy corporation, and either sell it or put it in the hands of the son he'd disowned!
But Alex Gantry was an unknown quantity. Suave and clever, he was too aggressively masculine for his own good.
Then why did he affect her as he did? Her own stepson! She'd never felt a physical attraction for any man before. Why this one?
The time for Olivia's revenge had come. Her elderly husband, Henry Gantry was dead. She'd take Henry's monument to himself, his fabulously wealthy corporation, and either sell it or put it in the hands of the son he'd disowned!
But Alex Gantry was an unknown quantity. Suave and clever, he was too aggressively masculine for his own good.
Then why did he affect her as he did? Her own stepson! She'd never felt a physical attraction for any man before. Why this one?
Read
June 29, 2013من يوقظ الليل
حين ترك غبريال مايسون لها ثروته، حارماً ابنه لم تكن تدري أنها ستواجه شخصاً شريراً خالياً من الضمير دانيال مايسون كان مصمماً على استعادة مال ابيه حتى بالخديعة وكان الشيطان حليفه يمهد له الطريق لكن إلى أين ستوصله هذه الطريق؟فهل تستطيع الإفلات من شرك الخداع أم تسقط في الفتنة المحرّمة
حين ترك غبريال مايسون لها ثروته، حارماً ابنه لم تكن تدري أنها ستواجه شخصاً شريراً خالياً من الضمير دانيال مايسون كان مصمماً على استعادة مال ابيه حتى بالخديعة وكان الشيطان حليفه يمهد له الطريق لكن إلى أين ستوصله هذه الطريق؟فهل تستطيع الإفلات من شرك الخداع أم تسقط في الفتنة المحرّمة
July 11, 2015
Seriously this one is disaster. I mean she gets married to a man who is 40years her senior cz her mother told her so. She wanted revenge and she hated them then she doesnt want revenge at all.Then comes his son but it appears that he is a stranger and no one recognise him at all. Seriously ?????
May 2, 2017
Leído el 06/06/2011
2.5 estrellas
EL AMOR SECRETO DE OLIVIA
A raíz de la muerte de su marido, un conocido magnate, Olivia se convirtió en una viuda muy rica a pesar de que el suyo había sido un matrimonio de conveniencia. Pero Alex, el hijo ausente de su esposo, había sido desheredado y le preocupaba.Olivia tenia la intención de enmendar la situación pero Alex no era el hombre que ella se esperaba. Alex Gantry era un enigma. Agudo e inteligente, era un hombre demasiado agresivo y masculino para su paz mental. Descubrió asi que su amor era lo más importante para ella , algo que no podría alcanzar. Él era su hijastro y ella nunca se había sentido tan físicamente atraída por otro hombre... ¿Por qué precisamente él?
¿Cuáles eran las intenciones de Alex al quedar viuda su madrastra?
2.5 estrellas
EL AMOR SECRETO DE OLIVIA
A raíz de la muerte de su marido, un conocido magnate, Olivia se convirtió en una viuda muy rica a pesar de que el suyo había sido un matrimonio de conveniencia. Pero Alex, el hijo ausente de su esposo, había sido desheredado y le preocupaba.Olivia tenia la intención de enmendar la situación pero Alex no era el hombre que ella se esperaba. Alex Gantry era un enigma. Agudo e inteligente, era un hombre demasiado agresivo y masculino para su paz mental. Descubrió asi que su amor era lo más importante para ella , algo que no podría alcanzar. Él era su hijastro y ella nunca se había sentido tan físicamente atraída por otro hombre... ¿Por qué precisamente él?
¿Cuáles eran las intenciones de Alex al quedar viuda su madrastra?
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews