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Outbreak Task Force #2
Smoke and Mirrors
Someone scratched a death threat in the paint of CDC nurse Kini Kerek’s rental car. She’s in Utah researching Hantavirus, but damaging rumors about the CDC have left residents suspicious and uncooperative. Thank goodness for hot, sexy, former soldier Smoke, a man of few words, who’s assigned to protect and help her navigate the isolated desert town as she races to identify a deadly virus before more people die.
Memories from the combat zone leave ex-Special Forces soldier Lyle Smoke in a constant state of battle readiness, and he finds no solace, even after returning home to Small Blind. When he meets Kini Kerek, he discovers his heart isn’t entirely dead. But, that might not last long, because this outbreak is no mistake, and he’ll need to use all his survival skills gleaned from the military and his Native American upbringing to keep him and the beautiful, but secretive, Kini alive.
Each book in the Outbreak Task Force series is
*Viable Threat
*Smoke and Mirrors
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2018
66 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Julie Rowe
37 books2,164 followersJulie Rowe’s first career as a medical lab technologist in Canada took her to the North West Territories and northern Alberta, where she still resides. She loves to include medical details in her romance novels, but admits she’ll never be able to write about all her medical experiences because, “No one would believe them!” A double Golden Heart finalist 2006, Julie’s writing has appeared in several magazines such as Today’s Parent, Reader’s Digest (Canada), and Canadian Living. She currently facilitates communication workshops for her local city college. Julie enjoys hearing from her readers. You can reach her at www.julieroweauthor.com or on Twitter @julieroweauthor .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
April 19, 2022
First thing that came to my mind while listening to Smoke and Mirrors: this book is very similar to Susan Stroker's book.
The story itself is OK. I do not hate it nor love it. It is entertaining but the lenght is too long. Miss Rowe taking her time building the chemistry for her characters. I wish she cut the push and pull and adding more twist into the action.
Overall, this is OK read.
3 stars
The story itself is OK. I do not hate it nor love it. It is entertaining but the lenght is too long. Miss Rowe taking her time building the chemistry for her characters. I wish she cut the push and pull and adding more twist into the action.
Overall, this is OK read.
3 stars
July 10, 2025
This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced, steamy, romantic suspense novel. It is action packed with a strong and capable female protagonist, a heroic former military male protagonist, twists and turns, intrigue, supportive family, and a satisfying conclusion. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Mr. Jeffrey Kafer, has a captivating voice, and does an excellent job voicing the characters . This is the second entry in Ms. Rowe's outstanding Outbreak Task Force series, and it can be read as a stand alone. I am looking forward to reading the next entry with great anticipation.
July 16, 2018
Quick Summary:
Kini is in town trying to gather information for the CDC for the early stages of a possible vaccine for the highly contagious and often deadly hantavirus. When people start arriving in droves to the local hospital with hantavirus-like symptoms, the locals begin to panic and rumors fly that the CDC is somehow behind this sudden outbreak. When threats to her start to escalate, she’s charged with gathering as much information as possible and reporting back to headquarters ASAP to determine their next course of action.
Easier said than done when the body count starts rising. Pretty soon Kini is in a race against time and some deadly outside forces that are terrorizing the town and desperate to keep her out of their shady business. It soon becomes obvious someone is trying to use Kini and the CDC as a scapegoat. And the job becomes more than one person can handle.
Enter highly skilled and deadly ex-military Sgt. Smoke. After several tours in the army and starting to feel his age, Smoke is back home but with mixed feelings. Having avoided his hometown for the last eight years and still haunted by the ghost of the son he lost, Smoke’s plan is to stock up on supplies and head out into the desert and heal, both in mind and body. But the instant his eyes land on Kini, the feelings that had been numbed for so long get a live wire jolt back into the land of the living.
Something about her calls to Smoke and knowing that she is in danger kick starts his protectiveness. No way will he let her tackle a panicked town alone. The hantavirus isn’t the only thing to worry about either, not when something else is stirring up the fear in people. When the threats to Kini keep mounting in speed and aggression, Smoke is all too willing to be Kini’s shield. Finding out what’s really going on and wiping the threat at it’s source becomes Smoke’s top priority.
What I loved about it:
This was such a great read, it was intense, action packed, full of suspense and mystery and I loved the setting and the secondary characters. Kini and Smoke were amazing together. The fact that Smoke is a man of such few words and still Kini was able to read him and understand him on an emotional level was the highlight of the book. These two spoke their own language and that instant connection was awesome. They had their own style of banter and flirting that was sweet and lent the story some humor in otherwise highly intense life and death situations.
I loved the last book by this author and I loved her style and her well written and adrenaline filled plots. The MCs are always memorable characters and I’m always blown away by the time the last page is read. Smoke and Mirrors was no different. Easily a four star book for me.
Favorite Line:
Would I recommend?
Highly recommend! It’s been a while since I’ve had so much fun reading a book that delivers in the suspense, action and romance department.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
Kini is in town trying to gather information for the CDC for the early stages of a possible vaccine for the highly contagious and often deadly hantavirus. When people start arriving in droves to the local hospital with hantavirus-like symptoms, the locals begin to panic and rumors fly that the CDC is somehow behind this sudden outbreak. When threats to her start to escalate, she’s charged with gathering as much information as possible and reporting back to headquarters ASAP to determine their next course of action.
Easier said than done when the body count starts rising. Pretty soon Kini is in a race against time and some deadly outside forces that are terrorizing the town and desperate to keep her out of their shady business. It soon becomes obvious someone is trying to use Kini and the CDC as a scapegoat. And the job becomes more than one person can handle.
Enter highly skilled and deadly ex-military Sgt. Smoke. After several tours in the army and starting to feel his age, Smoke is back home but with mixed feelings. Having avoided his hometown for the last eight years and still haunted by the ghost of the son he lost, Smoke’s plan is to stock up on supplies and head out into the desert and heal, both in mind and body. But the instant his eyes land on Kini, the feelings that had been numbed for so long get a live wire jolt back into the land of the living.
Something about her calls to Smoke and knowing that she is in danger kick starts his protectiveness. No way will he let her tackle a panicked town alone. The hantavirus isn’t the only thing to worry about either, not when something else is stirring up the fear in people. When the threats to Kini keep mounting in speed and aggression, Smoke is all too willing to be Kini’s shield. Finding out what’s really going on and wiping the threat at it’s source becomes Smoke’s top priority.
What I loved about it:
This was such a great read, it was intense, action packed, full of suspense and mystery and I loved the setting and the secondary characters. Kini and Smoke were amazing together. The fact that Smoke is a man of such few words and still Kini was able to read him and understand him on an emotional level was the highlight of the book. These two spoke their own language and that instant connection was awesome. They had their own style of banter and flirting that was sweet and lent the story some humor in otherwise highly intense life and death situations.
I loved the last book by this author and I loved her style and her well written and adrenaline filled plots. The MCs are always memorable characters and I’m always blown away by the time the last page is read. Smoke and Mirrors was no different. Easily a four star book for me.
Favorite Line:
”When the hell did you have time to fall in love with her? You only met her three days ago.”
“About thirty seconds after I met her.” ~ Smoke
Would I recommend?
Highly recommend! It’s been a while since I’ve had so much fun reading a book that delivers in the suspense, action and romance department.
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
March 2, 2018
Julie Rowe is back in another smokin’ hot romantic suspense dealing with a biological warfare e-market where innocent men, women and children are the victims and Homeland Security is caught unaware.
Smoke returns home to Small Blind after years in the combat zone but there’s no escaping his guilt. He tries to bury his demons and act normal, but he can’t outrun his own traitorous heart. Fate throws CDC nurse Kini in his arms but when someone blows up her car, he steps in as bodyguard. He calls his friend River and demands to be on the CDC payroll. Using all his instincts as a soldier and warrior, he investigates the outbreak and vows to bring vengeance to those responsible. What he underestimates is Kini and her healing touch. Will he push her away or is she the medicine he needs most of all?
Sweltering-hot romance with a serious medical thriller, Smoke and Mirrors is a pulse-pounding must read! The meat of the story deals with very bad men using lethal diseases as weapons and selling them to the highest bidder online. Smoke and Kini are pawns in a very dangerous game and with each plot twist, I gasped aloud. I loved how broken Smoke and Kini were yet in the end, they have the chance to heal and love again. Rowe also sheds light on the societal issue of the mistreatment of Natives in America (and elsewhere). Very well done.
If you love romantic suspense with depth in a very serious threatening situation which could happen (if it isn’t already), pick up Smoke and Mirrors! I can’t wait to read the next book.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author in the hopes I’d review it.
Favorite Character/Quote: “He glanced down. There was a woman in bed with him. Christmas? Months away. Birthday? Months away. Hallucination? Months too soon.”
My Rating: 5+ stars
This review first appeared on N. N. Light's Book Heaven: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si... Come and see all the books we're talking about!
Smoke returns home to Small Blind after years in the combat zone but there’s no escaping his guilt. He tries to bury his demons and act normal, but he can’t outrun his own traitorous heart. Fate throws CDC nurse Kini in his arms but when someone blows up her car, he steps in as bodyguard. He calls his friend River and demands to be on the CDC payroll. Using all his instincts as a soldier and warrior, he investigates the outbreak and vows to bring vengeance to those responsible. What he underestimates is Kini and her healing touch. Will he push her away or is she the medicine he needs most of all?
Sweltering-hot romance with a serious medical thriller, Smoke and Mirrors is a pulse-pounding must read! The meat of the story deals with very bad men using lethal diseases as weapons and selling them to the highest bidder online. Smoke and Kini are pawns in a very dangerous game and with each plot twist, I gasped aloud. I loved how broken Smoke and Kini were yet in the end, they have the chance to heal and love again. Rowe also sheds light on the societal issue of the mistreatment of Natives in America (and elsewhere). Very well done.
If you love romantic suspense with depth in a very serious threatening situation which could happen (if it isn’t already), pick up Smoke and Mirrors! I can’t wait to read the next book.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author in the hopes I’d review it.
Favorite Character/Quote: “He glanced down. There was a woman in bed with him. Christmas? Months away. Birthday? Months away. Hallucination? Months too soon.”
My Rating: 5+ stars
This review first appeared on N. N. Light's Book Heaven: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si... Come and see all the books we're talking about!
April 23, 2022
3 stars. This book had things that I liked and didn’t like. It was just ok overall.
I liked:
- the strong heroine who is capable of thinking on her feet (just like the heroine from book 1)
- the hero & his whole family are Native American, which is just rare in general and it’s nice to get a more culturally diverse story
- some parts of the action & the general story of the outbreak
I didn’t like:
- that we were never told the full story about the hero or heroine’s backgrounds - they never talked about their pasts to each other and everything that I learned was basically in passing comments
- the unreality of how many people in the town were acting completely unreasonably… to a wild extent (this was a big problem for me and almost made me quit)
- the very quick feelings & very quick intimacy between the hero and heroine felt forced and not natural
- the hero had a son who died (before the start of this story) because his ex was driving drunk - none of this added anything to the story imo because the hero barely thought about him besides a few moments of guilt
- the bs reason for separation near the end, made no sense & why did we even need this?
Overall, just ok. I might go on to book 3, because I really like the hero of that book (from the first two), but I’m skeptical if I really want to experience more of the same after this one.
Safe; no om/ow drama, heroine was never in serious relationship and we know nothing about her otherwise besides that she’s been celibate. Hero had a son with an ex and they were both killed off page - almost no info about his ex or dead son… 😕 hero has also been celibate. No cheating, no scenes with om/ow.
I liked:
- the strong heroine who is capable of thinking on her feet (just like the heroine from book 1)
- the hero & his whole family are Native American, which is just rare in general and it’s nice to get a more culturally diverse story
- some parts of the action & the general story of the outbreak
I didn’t like:
- that we were never told the full story about the hero or heroine’s backgrounds - they never talked about their pasts to each other and everything that I learned was basically in passing comments
- the unreality of how many people in the town were acting completely unreasonably… to a wild extent (this was a big problem for me and almost made me quit)
- the very quick feelings & very quick intimacy between the hero and heroine felt forced and not natural
- the hero had a son who died (before the start of this story) because his ex was driving drunk - none of this added anything to the story imo because the hero barely thought about him besides a few moments of guilt
- the bs reason for separation near the end, made no sense & why did we even need this?
Overall, just ok. I might go on to book 3, because I really like the hero of that book (from the first two), but I’m skeptical if I really want to experience more of the same after this one.
Safe; no om/ow drama, heroine was never in serious relationship and we know nothing about her otherwise besides that she’s been celibate. Hero had a son with an ex and they were both killed off page - almost no info about his ex or dead son… 😕 hero has also been celibate. No cheating, no scenes with om/ow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2018
Romantic fiction that brings biological warfare to the forefront is rare and Julie Rowe’s suspense series about soldiers, invisible but scary threats and doctors/nurses fighting to stop an outbreak always stood out because of their unique subject matter. Well, that and how the first few chapters of her recent books actually have the ability to tip the reader straight into a mystery waiting to be solved and a thrilling ride that pulls together conspiracy theory, medical science and law enforcement.
From the very start when Smoke first glided into the series as a mysterious, near-silent soldier, I knew I wanted his story. Yet Smoke barely lost his enigmatic cover and with a tragic past that was only briefly mentioned, ’Smoke and Mirrors’ started out as a straight up terse, tension-filled ride as Smoke and Kini rushed to uncover how widespread an infection had become in a claustrophobic and hostile small town. Still, a potent, deadly mix of hysteria and confusion that eventually turned into bloodlust made for engrossing reading, and like Kini and Smoke, the confusion and apparent connections between the seemingly unrelated incidents in town didn’t come together for me until the very end when the true monsters emerge. While I liked the action however, it seemed inconceivable that the crazy, superstitious town people leaped to any kind of conclusion (inexplicably ending up with fingers pointed at Smoke) like medieval folk to the point where it almost didn’t make logical sense.
There’s no doubt that Rowe handled the suspense superbly and the twists and turns in the narrative were sufficient hooks to keep the pages turning. The connection between Kini and Smoke however, was harder to get into (with some instalove going on as everything took place within a few days), despite the huge zing of attraction that Rowe wrote into the very bizarre first scene of them waking up together in bed. How believable is it for someone to climb into bed not noticing another person already in it? In any case, with a romance built on this weird foundation and growing too quickly in a short time—Kini and Smoke literally spent the whole time changing vehicles, zipping from place to place—the pairing looked like an incidental feature of the suspense, and the sex that happened down in the bare, hard dirt when Kini was badly injured and fatigued to the point of passing out felt more far-fetched than bedsheet-scorching (there weren’t even any).
That said, I did like both protagonists however; Kini was, quite literally, a ball-buster and Smoke was so cool and deadly—who catnaps in jail after being falsely convicted of murder?—that they could have been a solid pair if they’d been given more time for the burn between them to sizzle apart from the constant flurry of action that gave no one any time to literally breathe.
‘Smoke and Mirrors’, like the rest of Rowe’s books, is only loosely connected to the rest of the series, and functions perfectly as a standalone. I did miss seeing the other couples who’d found their HEA in previous books though, despite some familiar characters turning up, but there really little for me to stand on here, especially when Rowe always leaves me dazzled but chilled by the end of her story.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
From the very start when Smoke first glided into the series as a mysterious, near-silent soldier, I knew I wanted his story. Yet Smoke barely lost his enigmatic cover and with a tragic past that was only briefly mentioned, ’Smoke and Mirrors’ started out as a straight up terse, tension-filled ride as Smoke and Kini rushed to uncover how widespread an infection had become in a claustrophobic and hostile small town. Still, a potent, deadly mix of hysteria and confusion that eventually turned into bloodlust made for engrossing reading, and like Kini and Smoke, the confusion and apparent connections between the seemingly unrelated incidents in town didn’t come together for me until the very end when the true monsters emerge. While I liked the action however, it seemed inconceivable that the crazy, superstitious town people leaped to any kind of conclusion (inexplicably ending up with fingers pointed at Smoke) like medieval folk to the point where it almost didn’t make logical sense.
There’s no doubt that Rowe handled the suspense superbly and the twists and turns in the narrative were sufficient hooks to keep the pages turning. The connection between Kini and Smoke however, was harder to get into (with some instalove going on as everything took place within a few days), despite the huge zing of attraction that Rowe wrote into the very bizarre first scene of them waking up together in bed. How believable is it for someone to climb into bed not noticing another person already in it? In any case, with a romance built on this weird foundation and growing too quickly in a short time—Kini and Smoke literally spent the whole time changing vehicles, zipping from place to place—the pairing looked like an incidental feature of the suspense, and the sex that happened down in the bare, hard dirt when Kini was badly injured and fatigued to the point of passing out felt more far-fetched than bedsheet-scorching (there weren’t even any).
That said, I did like both protagonists however; Kini was, quite literally, a ball-buster and Smoke was so cool and deadly—who catnaps in jail after being falsely convicted of murder?—that they could have been a solid pair if they’d been given more time for the burn between them to sizzle apart from the constant flurry of action that gave no one any time to literally breathe.
‘Smoke and Mirrors’, like the rest of Rowe’s books, is only loosely connected to the rest of the series, and functions perfectly as a standalone. I did miss seeing the other couples who’d found their HEA in previous books though, despite some familiar characters turning up, but there really little for me to stand on here, especially when Rowe always leaves me dazzled but chilled by the end of her story.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
February 25, 2018
Talk about your smoldering, scarred, uber alpha, military leading man! Rowe writes a nail biting novel that is sure to pull the reader in hook, line and sinker.
I received this ARC copy of Smoke and Mirrors from Entangled Publishing, LLC. This is my honest and voluntary review. Smoke and Mirrors is set for publication Feb. 26, 2018.
My Rating: 5 stars
Written by; Julie Rowe
Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Publication Date: February 26, 2018
Sold by: Macmillan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Smoke-Mirrors-...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/smok...
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
I received this ARC copy of Smoke and Mirrors from Entangled Publishing, LLC. This is my honest and voluntary review. Smoke and Mirrors is set for publication Feb. 26, 2018.
My Rating: 5 stars
Written by; Julie Rowe
Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Publication Date: February 26, 2018
Sold by: Macmillan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Smoke-Mirrors-...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/smok...
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
March 6, 2018
I feel like I’ve read this story a hundred times before. Brooding, ex-military alpha male who say one to two word sentences. And an intelligent, independent woman who all of the sudden needs a savior. And of course some really weird times for romance (when I'm running from my life and hiding, I am not thinking of getting hot and heavy with my fellow runner; I am thinking of survival).
I didn’t feel like these characters were fleshed out at all. They were very cookie cutter to the genre and tropes which they came from. And they suffer from a heavy case of insta-love. Three days before declarations of love. I think the same story could have been told over a few weeks or months and would have worked just as well and had the love be more believable.
I did enjoy the subplot of a virus outbreak and how it was intertwine with so much throughout the plot. Rowe seems to have done her research on the virus itself and that was nice to see.
I didn’t feel like these characters were fleshed out at all. They were very cookie cutter to the genre and tropes which they came from. And they suffer from a heavy case of insta-love. Three days before declarations of love. I think the same story could have been told over a few weeks or months and would have worked just as well and had the love be more believable.
I did enjoy the subplot of a virus outbreak and how it was intertwine with so much throughout the plot. Rowe seems to have done her research on the virus itself and that was nice to see.
March 9, 2018
WOW! I recommend you grab yourself a copy of this book to read if you enjoy well written, hot, romantic suspense. There is a touch of humour, too - I mean, fancy waking up in your own bed only to discover a beautiful stranger is sharing it with you! This is an enthralling story dealing with many different issues involved, from misinformation, prejudice, biological warfare, racial tension, PSTS and so much more!
It is a story to keep you on the edge of your seat as CDC nurse Kini Kerek tries to carry out research into Hantavirus and inadvertently steps into the middle of a conspiracy that will put her own life and that of others in danger. Rumours suggesting Kini is infecting residents rather than just taking blood samples have made most of the locals wary of helping her, so much so that she’s received death threats. Ex-special services soldier, Lyle Smoke, is a local who is determined to help protect this young lady, even though it will take all his army and native survival skills to help do so as a widespread infection fuels the locals’ fears and proves fatal for so many of them.
The story is part of a series of standalone stories, so you don’t need to read the earlier story, Viable Threat, to enjoy this one. I liked the way the hero uses knowledge gleaned from his Native American family, his local knowledge and his determination to help thwart the threat to both his community and, especially, to Kini. It is a fast paced story, taking on the gossips, the attackers, an uncooperative doctor who is determined not to admit to needing help and uncovering a deadly danger whilst also developing a hot romance.
I requested and received a copy of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.
It is a story to keep you on the edge of your seat as CDC nurse Kini Kerek tries to carry out research into Hantavirus and inadvertently steps into the middle of a conspiracy that will put her own life and that of others in danger. Rumours suggesting Kini is infecting residents rather than just taking blood samples have made most of the locals wary of helping her, so much so that she’s received death threats. Ex-special services soldier, Lyle Smoke, is a local who is determined to help protect this young lady, even though it will take all his army and native survival skills to help do so as a widespread infection fuels the locals’ fears and proves fatal for so many of them.
The story is part of a series of standalone stories, so you don’t need to read the earlier story, Viable Threat, to enjoy this one. I liked the way the hero uses knowledge gleaned from his Native American family, his local knowledge and his determination to help thwart the threat to both his community and, especially, to Kini. It is a fast paced story, taking on the gossips, the attackers, an uncooperative doctor who is determined not to admit to needing help and uncovering a deadly danger whilst also developing a hot romance.
I requested and received a copy of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.
January 23, 2019
Kini Kerek is in Small Blind, Utah to collect patient histories and blood samples for local residents, most especially those of Native American Descent. Kini is a CDC nurse and member of the Outbreak Task Force and she has been tasked to track the incidence of infection and the development of antibodies for the Hantavirus. There is some weird pneumonia going around town and people are showing up at the hospital sick. Rumors start to escalate and Kini finds herself in a dangerous situation when the townspeople think she is the cause of it.
Lyle Smoke, known as Smoke to everyone that knows him is back home in Small Blind, Utah after spending eight years in the army. He was once a soldier that could track ghosts and capture boogeymen, but now he is no one. He just wants to get away from it all and have a quiet week in the desert, but after meeting Kini he vows to keep her safe from harm. He garners a job with the Outbreak Task Force and together Kini and Smoke to to piece together what is exactly going on with people coming to the hospital in droves with symptoms like the Hantavirus. But, someone will stop at nothing to make sure that Kini is silenced forever. Will Smoke be able to keep Kini alive long enough to stop the outbreak from decimating the town?
Wow! Where have I been hiding that I have not read anything from Julie Rowe before? Smoke and Mirrors is absolutely amazing and everything that I look for in a Romantic Suspense book - tortured brooding hero and kick ass heroine blended into an action packed, edge of your seat storyline that had me completely hooked right from the beginning. The romance and suspense were meshed so well together and I never felt like one tried to outdo the other. I quickly found myself thrust right into the action and was non stop right from the start. It almost felt like I was watching an action movie.
Lyle Smoke is the ultimate Alpha hero. He is a man of few words and uses his talents he learned in the army to keep Kini safe. Smoke has a tragic past that still haunts him to this day and does not feel as if he is deserving of a woman’s love because he is broken. He learns a lot about himself with help from Kini and although, he feels an attraction to her he knows their relationship can not last as something permanent. He is not built for forever and his past keeps him from getting to close emotionally. I absolutely LOVE Smoke and he is my new boyfriend so hands off ladies he's all MINE!
Kini is a strong and capable heroine who has a few tricks up her sleeve and can hold her own against men bigger and stronger than her. She too has a tragic past that keeps her from getting involved with men like Smoke. But, she comes to quickly learn that Smoke is not like other men and she soon finds herself wanting forever when she knows forever may not be possible. Kini moves around a lot for her job and even though she would like to settle down and have a family, her career does not afford her those kinds of opportunities, but is there hope for Kini and Smoke when she finds herself warming up to the big strong man?
Smoke and Mirrors is an intense, action packed story filled with wonderfully drawn characters, a sexy steamy romance, and a mystery that will keep you guessing all the way till the end. This is definitely a book that you do not want to miss. Trust me!
Lyle Smoke, known as Smoke to everyone that knows him is back home in Small Blind, Utah after spending eight years in the army. He was once a soldier that could track ghosts and capture boogeymen, but now he is no one. He just wants to get away from it all and have a quiet week in the desert, but after meeting Kini he vows to keep her safe from harm. He garners a job with the Outbreak Task Force and together Kini and Smoke to to piece together what is exactly going on with people coming to the hospital in droves with symptoms like the Hantavirus. But, someone will stop at nothing to make sure that Kini is silenced forever. Will Smoke be able to keep Kini alive long enough to stop the outbreak from decimating the town?
Wow! Where have I been hiding that I have not read anything from Julie Rowe before? Smoke and Mirrors is absolutely amazing and everything that I look for in a Romantic Suspense book - tortured brooding hero and kick ass heroine blended into an action packed, edge of your seat storyline that had me completely hooked right from the beginning. The romance and suspense were meshed so well together and I never felt like one tried to outdo the other. I quickly found myself thrust right into the action and was non stop right from the start. It almost felt like I was watching an action movie.
Lyle Smoke is the ultimate Alpha hero. He is a man of few words and uses his talents he learned in the army to keep Kini safe. Smoke has a tragic past that still haunts him to this day and does not feel as if he is deserving of a woman’s love because he is broken. He learns a lot about himself with help from Kini and although, he feels an attraction to her he knows their relationship can not last as something permanent. He is not built for forever and his past keeps him from getting to close emotionally. I absolutely LOVE Smoke and he is my new boyfriend so hands off ladies he's all MINE!
Kini is a strong and capable heroine who has a few tricks up her sleeve and can hold her own against men bigger and stronger than her. She too has a tragic past that keeps her from getting involved with men like Smoke. But, she comes to quickly learn that Smoke is not like other men and she soon finds herself wanting forever when she knows forever may not be possible. Kini moves around a lot for her job and even though she would like to settle down and have a family, her career does not afford her those kinds of opportunities, but is there hope for Kini and Smoke when she finds herself warming up to the big strong man?
Smoke and Mirrors is an intense, action packed story filled with wonderfully drawn characters, a sexy steamy romance, and a mystery that will keep you guessing all the way till the end. This is definitely a book that you do not want to miss. Trust me!
February 13, 2018
Well I wasn't expecting a romance with biological weapons to keep me so interested. Yes I saw the cover ( fanning myself !) and thought it would be a typical contemporary story with alpha former military guy who jumps in to save the heroine and ironically I think she kind of saves him . Ok I'm getting ahead of myself here but I really liked this story with its Native American hero who isn't afraid to tap into his heritage.
Smoke isn't exactly chatty but Kini doesn't seem to have much trouble understanding him although trouble is most definitely following her around ! People are getting sick and its Kini who is getting blamed for it and in a small town rumours spread pretty fast. The real danger is played down though as the author unravels her story with absolutely jaw dropping revelations!
As much as this is a romance it's the mystery and suspense that elevates this book . Honestly there's a plethora of books with brooding heroes and heroines who stand up and kick ass or in Kinis case more sensitive places ! Plus as much as I liked them both their passionate encounters always felt weird as in I'm not sure it was always believable when injured or just in peculiar situations. I suppose Smoke does sizzle ( couldn't resist that pun ) and this taciturn guy really goes the extra mile with his awesome family backing him up. Kini is independent and brave and the chemistry she shares with Smoke is instant and incendiary . I just felt something was missing, maybe I wanted more of an emotional connection but of one thing I'm sure and that's the fact that I've found a new author to look for and if you enjoy romantic suspense then this series is well worth checking out.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Smoke isn't exactly chatty but Kini doesn't seem to have much trouble understanding him although trouble is most definitely following her around ! People are getting sick and its Kini who is getting blamed for it and in a small town rumours spread pretty fast. The real danger is played down though as the author unravels her story with absolutely jaw dropping revelations!
As much as this is a romance it's the mystery and suspense that elevates this book . Honestly there's a plethora of books with brooding heroes and heroines who stand up and kick ass or in Kinis case more sensitive places ! Plus as much as I liked them both their passionate encounters always felt weird as in I'm not sure it was always believable when injured or just in peculiar situations. I suppose Smoke does sizzle ( couldn't resist that pun ) and this taciturn guy really goes the extra mile with his awesome family backing him up. Kini is independent and brave and the chemistry she shares with Smoke is instant and incendiary . I just felt something was missing, maybe I wanted more of an emotional connection but of one thing I'm sure and that's the fact that I've found a new author to look for and if you enjoy romantic suspense then this series is well worth checking out.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
February 17, 2019
Finally, Smoke's story. Took long enough. *dives in*
ETA: I didn't love it, the story didn't make much sense and there were loose threafs such as Nathan, and the deputies who were shot. I did like the romance. Henry Lee needs to get his own book, and Dover and Rodrigues need a story.
Also, changing publishers did not improve the quality of the proofreading or reduce the number of typos.
ETA: I didn't love it, the story didn't make much sense and there were loose threafs such as Nathan, and the deputies who were shot. I did like the romance. Henry Lee needs to get his own book, and Dover and Rodrigues need a story.
Also, changing publishers did not improve the quality of the proofreading or reduce the number of typos.
April 16, 2018
2,5/5
Not as good as the previous one, the plot doesn't really seem to move forward for along time, and sex scenes when one of the characters passed out from exhaustion and multiple wounds not two hours before are not enjoyable.
Not as good as the previous one, the plot doesn't really seem to move forward for along time, and sex scenes when one of the characters passed out from exhaustion and multiple wounds not two hours before are not enjoyable.
February 27, 2018
Lyle Smoke served 8 years in the Army and is returning to his hometown of Small Blind, Utah. Two years ago his son, Liam and Liam’s mother, Lacey were killed when she drove home drunk from a party with him in the car. This is his first time back since the funeral. He’s going home to figure out how to be a civilian again.
Kini Kerek is a Public Health nurse with the CDC, assigned to collect patient histories and blood samples from rural areas of Utah, especially Native American descendants to track the incidence of diabetes, heart disease and the incidence of hantavirus. She is well versed in self-defense moves. She is totally kickass. She refuses to take a back seat to her life, speaks her mind and stands up for herself.
Smoke arrives at his parent’s home after one in the morning. He quietly strips to his boxers and slips into his bed. He awakens with a mostly naked Kini draped over him. Some ninja warrior/spec ops he is not to have noticed she was already in the bed.
Smoke is a man of few words but seems to be able to communicate so much with so little. He is definitely alpha - dominant, over protective, stoic, take charge.
Conveniently, Smoke’s Army buddy, River, just happened to have offered him a job with the CDC on his way home. He accepts the job so he can be Kini’s constant companion to protect her (from the angry townspeople who think she brought the disease to town with her) as well as to be involved in the investigation. Smoke and Kini spend most of their time in the car (several different ones actually because they keep getting destroyed) trying to track down the rapidly spreading disease taking over the small town.
The story takes place over a few days. The insta-love needed more time to develop believably. The fast paced, action packed story draws you in quickly and holds your attention to the end.
I easily read this as a standalone and look forward to more from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
Kini Kerek is a Public Health nurse with the CDC, assigned to collect patient histories and blood samples from rural areas of Utah, especially Native American descendants to track the incidence of diabetes, heart disease and the incidence of hantavirus. She is well versed in self-defense moves. She is totally kickass. She refuses to take a back seat to her life, speaks her mind and stands up for herself.
Smoke arrives at his parent’s home after one in the morning. He quietly strips to his boxers and slips into his bed. He awakens with a mostly naked Kini draped over him. Some ninja warrior/spec ops he is not to have noticed she was already in the bed.
Smoke is a man of few words but seems to be able to communicate so much with so little. He is definitely alpha - dominant, over protective, stoic, take charge.
Conveniently, Smoke’s Army buddy, River, just happened to have offered him a job with the CDC on his way home. He accepts the job so he can be Kini’s constant companion to protect her (from the angry townspeople who think she brought the disease to town with her) as well as to be involved in the investigation. Smoke and Kini spend most of their time in the car (several different ones actually because they keep getting destroyed) trying to track down the rapidly spreading disease taking over the small town.
The story takes place over a few days. The insta-love needed more time to develop believably. The fast paced, action packed story draws you in quickly and holds your attention to the end.
I easily read this as a standalone and look forward to more from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
January 28, 2019
ARC REVIEW
Outbreak Task Force #2, Another great book. In this one the romance plays a more prodomainte part. The outbreak isn't in full force yet and the characters have sometime to build up their relationship before all hell breaks loose. Sergeant Lyle Smoke was just discharged from the Army, his buddy and fellow former Special Forces soldier offer him a job with the joint task force between Homeland Security and the CDC, the Outbreak Task Force, but before Smoke makes any decisions he needs to go home first. When he gets home he doesn't find a peaceful rest he finds a CDC nurse in need of help.
Kini Kerek was just supposed to do some field research for the CDC before they decide what to do, if the natural antibodies of the Hantavirus are capable of containing itself or if the CDC needs to step in a create a cure. But Kini is met with open hostility and rumors spreading that she's conducting experiments, death threats keyed into her car and physical attacks have her bosses send someone to help luckily he already calls the place home and with Smoke's knowledge of the area and the people it should make things easier. Until the Hantavirus starts affecting more and more people the next thing they know it's a full blown outbreak and the rest of the Task force is called in. But it's a little too convenient that this outbreak happened right when Kini showed up and now Kini and Smoke need to find out why before it's too late.
Overall, a great read. Fantastic writing and and ending I wasn't expecting. A little more descriptive setting than the last book and it really helped paint a nice picture when they were in the desert. The romance between Smoke and Kini was really nice, I loved that it was practically instantaneous Smoke had some emotional baggage but Kini was able to help him work through it and it was a real nice HEA.
Outbreak Task Force #2, Another great book. In this one the romance plays a more prodomainte part. The outbreak isn't in full force yet and the characters have sometime to build up their relationship before all hell breaks loose. Sergeant Lyle Smoke was just discharged from the Army, his buddy and fellow former Special Forces soldier offer him a job with the joint task force between Homeland Security and the CDC, the Outbreak Task Force, but before Smoke makes any decisions he needs to go home first. When he gets home he doesn't find a peaceful rest he finds a CDC nurse in need of help.
Kini Kerek was just supposed to do some field research for the CDC before they decide what to do, if the natural antibodies of the Hantavirus are capable of containing itself or if the CDC needs to step in a create a cure. But Kini is met with open hostility and rumors spreading that she's conducting experiments, death threats keyed into her car and physical attacks have her bosses send someone to help luckily he already calls the place home and with Smoke's knowledge of the area and the people it should make things easier. Until the Hantavirus starts affecting more and more people the next thing they know it's a full blown outbreak and the rest of the Task force is called in. But it's a little too convenient that this outbreak happened right when Kini showed up and now Kini and Smoke need to find out why before it's too late.
Overall, a great read. Fantastic writing and and ending I wasn't expecting. A little more descriptive setting than the last book and it really helped paint a nice picture when they were in the desert. The romance between Smoke and Kini was really nice, I loved that it was practically instantaneous Smoke had some emotional baggage but Kini was able to help him work through it and it was a real nice HEA.
February 27, 2018
This author knows how perfectly blend suspense, deadly infectious diseases, sizzlin romance.
This series like its predecessor blends Military and CDC personnel. Kini Kerek is a CDC health care nurse who was sent to Utah to gather blood samples and research for a cure for the Hantavirus. She is running into resistance and getting death threats when she finds out there are current cases of people dying at the hospital from the Hantavirus.
Lyle Smoke recently discharged from Special Forces after 8 years is returning home with memories of pain and blood. He is hoping for some alone time to go out hunting on his own to release the anger that lives inside him. What he wasn't expecting was a sexy woman to be sleeping in his childhood bed. When he realizes how much danger she is in he accepts a job offer from the CDC Outbreak Task Force so he can keep Kini safe while also trying to figure out what is going on in his town with the sudden outbreak which is killing residents at a fast rate.
Not as edge of your seat as some of the previous books but still a page turner.
This series like its predecessor blends Military and CDC personnel. Kini Kerek is a CDC health care nurse who was sent to Utah to gather blood samples and research for a cure for the Hantavirus. She is running into resistance and getting death threats when she finds out there are current cases of people dying at the hospital from the Hantavirus.
Lyle Smoke recently discharged from Special Forces after 8 years is returning home with memories of pain and blood. He is hoping for some alone time to go out hunting on his own to release the anger that lives inside him. What he wasn't expecting was a sexy woman to be sleeping in his childhood bed. When he realizes how much danger she is in he accepts a job offer from the CDC Outbreak Task Force so he can keep Kini safe while also trying to figure out what is going on in his town with the sudden outbreak which is killing residents at a fast rate.
Not as edge of your seat as some of the previous books but still a page turner.
March 14, 2018
Smoke and Mirrors is book 2 of the outbreak task force; however, its not related at all to the events in book 1, so you can read them in any order. An ex special forces soldier is home but he is far from okay. Chased by the demons of what he had to do in the military and the death of his son while he was deployed have turned him into a shell of a man. When he finds a nurse from the CDC sleeping in his bed, he realizes he isn't quite as dead as he thought.
Kini is interviewing local Native Americans in the small town Lyle Smoke grew up in to research and collect information for the CDC. However, the townspeople are NOT happy to see her and she begins to experience vandalism and violence at their hands. Smoke, being ex special forces, steps up and takes a job with the Outbreak Task Force and effectively becomes Kini's bodyguard.
The story is full of action! Initially, people are getting sick and they blame Kini. She realizes pretty quickly that it sounds like they have a hantavirus outbreak, but the local doctor won't call in the CDC. But, there is more unsettling behavior happening. Kini and Smoke have to figure out what the hell is going on before more people die. Where did the virus come from? What is going on at the old, abandoned farm? Why are people targeting Kini? The conflict occurs throughout the story and you are left wondering who is good, who is bad, and who is just caught in the small town gossip mill. While Smoke wasn't my favorite hero (he does the 'I'm not a good man so I am gonna push you away' bit that makes me crazy), the suspense of the book makes for a very compelling read that you won't want to put down!
POV: 3rd
Tears: no
Trope: ex-military, terrorism
Triggers:
Series/Standalone: stand alone
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
books by authors like Pamela Clare, Cristin Harber, Kaylea Cross, Katie Ruggle...then you will probably like Smoke and Mirrors!
Smoke and Mirrors
See full review on The Book Disciple
May 15, 2019
Smoke & Mirrors is the second book in Julie Rowe’s Outbreak Task Force series. There are some characters that carry over from the first book, Viable Threat, but this can be read as a standalone. Just as with the first book, Smoke & Mirrors is about a viral outbreak that happens somewhere unexpected in the United States and the CDC gets involved.
Lyle Smoke has just been discharged from the Army after serving 8 years. He returns to his hometown of Small Blind, Utah with a whole lot of baggage. The sad part is that not all of that baggage comes from his time in the Middle East. While serving, his son and the mother of his son were killed in an auto accident. Lyle blames himself because he feels like he let his son down. Outside of that, Lyle is quiet but deadly. He shows up at his parents’ house unannounced, goes to bed, and wakes up with a woman laying on top of him. Her name is Kini Kerek and she is a nurse for the CDC doing a survey in town regarding the hantavirus. His parents had offered up his room while she was in town and he didn’t know about it. Coincidentally, Lyle had received a call from his former Army buddy offering him a job with the CDC handling protection for an investigation team. Lyle’s need to protect and an attraction to Kini makes it easy for him to accept the job and immediately start working with Kini to keep her safe.
Kini had been encountering a lot of unexpected animosity from the townspeople. This is mainly because people have been getting sick right around the same time she shows up asking them to provide blood samples for the CDC survey. This illness ends up being an outbreak with origins leading some to think that it may be terrorist related. As Lyle and Kini investigate, it becomes apparent that there is something sinister going on. There is a lot of action involved and Lyle’s superb training is very much showcased as he does whatever it takes to keep Kini safe while they fall for each other. Kini has her own baggage when it comes to military men so she has to reconcile those feelings with her attraction to Lyle. In addition, Kini is no weak woman so she gives Lyle a run for his money as he tries to play the white knight.
Smoke & Mirrors seems to be much more sexually charged than Viable Threat. Lyle and Kini really turn the heat up in the bedroom. They are truly meant to be together in every way. There is also some great messages about family as Lyle’s father and grandfather also take part in the action when the stakes get much higher than anticipated. All in all, I really enjoyed Smoke & Mirrors. It was very well balanced and draws you in from the beginning. I am looking forward to reading Sleight of Hand, the next book in the series.
**Received a copy of the book from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed.**
Lyle Smoke has just been discharged from the Army after serving 8 years. He returns to his hometown of Small Blind, Utah with a whole lot of baggage. The sad part is that not all of that baggage comes from his time in the Middle East. While serving, his son and the mother of his son were killed in an auto accident. Lyle blames himself because he feels like he let his son down. Outside of that, Lyle is quiet but deadly. He shows up at his parents’ house unannounced, goes to bed, and wakes up with a woman laying on top of him. Her name is Kini Kerek and she is a nurse for the CDC doing a survey in town regarding the hantavirus. His parents had offered up his room while she was in town and he didn’t know about it. Coincidentally, Lyle had received a call from his former Army buddy offering him a job with the CDC handling protection for an investigation team. Lyle’s need to protect and an attraction to Kini makes it easy for him to accept the job and immediately start working with Kini to keep her safe.
Kini had been encountering a lot of unexpected animosity from the townspeople. This is mainly because people have been getting sick right around the same time she shows up asking them to provide blood samples for the CDC survey. This illness ends up being an outbreak with origins leading some to think that it may be terrorist related. As Lyle and Kini investigate, it becomes apparent that there is something sinister going on. There is a lot of action involved and Lyle’s superb training is very much showcased as he does whatever it takes to keep Kini safe while they fall for each other. Kini has her own baggage when it comes to military men so she has to reconcile those feelings with her attraction to Lyle. In addition, Kini is no weak woman so she gives Lyle a run for his money as he tries to play the white knight.
Smoke & Mirrors seems to be much more sexually charged than Viable Threat. Lyle and Kini really turn the heat up in the bedroom. They are truly meant to be together in every way. There is also some great messages about family as Lyle’s father and grandfather also take part in the action when the stakes get much higher than anticipated. All in all, I really enjoyed Smoke & Mirrors. It was very well balanced and draws you in from the beginning. I am looking forward to reading Sleight of Hand, the next book in the series.
**Received a copy of the book from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed.**
December 20, 2018
We have some crazy situations out there and I have to say that when I thought of the CDC I used to think about them in the small situations like figuring out some diseases not the outbreaks like this, I know that was small minded of me and has opened my eyes, has given me some fear to because a lot of things could happen with some pretty crazy radical folks out there. So in this segment we meet Kini Kerek and she is nurse who is working for the CDC. She is searching for antibody to assist with a Vaccine. But unfortunately she is met with rumors and suspicion making her job harder and threats of violence are not helping. She needs help and that comes in the form of Lyle Smoke an Army vet who has been recently discharged and his friend River asks him for help or offers him a job. Him and Kini are attracted but again time is not really on their side since they have to stay ahead of trouble and get the info they need and keeping them alive is the at the foremost...Enjoy!
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
January 8, 2019
Not great, some bright spots.
The plot didn't hang together well enough for me, particularly the first half of the novel. I didn't feel much suspense until the end. The writing was uneven, competent in some places and badly in need of editing in others. This book had a lot of melodrama - lots of clenched fists and angry glares and everybody who was not Kini and Smoke was either an idiot or an asshole.
I found the dialog exchanges between the two lovers somewhat exhausting. Generally the less dialog a scene had, the better written it was. The problem wasn't the words being spoken but the dialog tags and action beats in between screwed up the pacing. Too much flying between emotional extremes. Too much staring at people like they were crazy.
I liked Smoke's character. I liked his silence and his patience. There were bits of brilliance toward the end with building tension and exploding action. It made me wish the rest of the book had been that well written.
The plot didn't hang together well enough for me, particularly the first half of the novel. I didn't feel much suspense until the end. The writing was uneven, competent in some places and badly in need of editing in others. This book had a lot of melodrama - lots of clenched fists and angry glares and everybody who was not Kini and Smoke was either an idiot or an asshole.
I found the dialog exchanges between the two lovers somewhat exhausting. Generally the less dialog a scene had, the better written it was. The problem wasn't the words being spoken but the dialog tags and action beats in between screwed up the pacing. Too much flying between emotional extremes. Too much staring at people like they were crazy.
I liked Smoke's character. I liked his silence and his patience. There were bits of brilliance toward the end with building tension and exploding action. It made me wish the rest of the book had been that well written.
December 14, 2018
Great romantic suspense that kept me awake and almost late at work in the morning. The story and characters are well built with a nice depth. I just enjoyed reading it and had me sitting on the edge, no I lie I was laying in my bed but kept me interested all the way to the end. Beautifully written with enough suspense, hotness, mystery and action...I almost forgot to say that I really love to read about people in uniform, I can't help it, it is stronger than me. Can't wait to read the next book by Julie Rowe.
February 14, 2018
I received a copy of Smoke & Mirrors by Julie Rowe from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued by the summary and really wanted to like this novel, but the storyline could have been pulled together better and the characters developed more (less flat). It was a struggle to continue reading several times.
Unfortunately, this book just missed the mark for me.
I was intrigued by the summary and really wanted to like this novel, but the storyline could have been pulled together better and the characters developed more (less flat). It was a struggle to continue reading several times.
Unfortunately, this book just missed the mark for me.
February 18, 2018
Holy hell what a book. Wow Wow Wow! This book was crazy, in the very best way. It's a must read.
Romantic suspense can be a tough one but this book packed a serious punch and kept me flipping those pages like a loon!
Lyle Smoke comes home to Utah after his stint in the Army in over. He's been gone a long time, he's different now, he knows that yet some things don't change. In the small town he calls home, obvious home to other Native Americans as well the story pulls a little of that it, it's inherent in Lyle along with his Special Forces training. Smoke is hella hot and when he meets Kini the sparks fly.
Kini Kerek is on assignment for the CDC in a small town in Utah, sent to take blood samples, ask a few simple medical questions and a swab, she's been t-boned in her car, had her car keyed, beaten, had her car blown up and it's endless. There's an outbreak on Hanta virus in the town and people are dropping like flies. The people of the town are convinced that Kini is to blame when she's simply there to ask questions. Smoke has a friend at CDC and he calls him, River we met in book one. Smoke signs on with the CDC and swears to protect Kini. Kini has been staying at Smokes parents home since she came to town, they're good to her and protective as is Smoke. Getting Grandad involved too now we have the three Smoke men, an overcrowded, taxed hospital with no relief in sight, people are dying and when the chief of staff refuses to call in the CDC their hands are tied. Fortunately he dies and the next day the town's retired Dr says yes and even though help is on it's way there is something much more sinister going on here.
That's all you get from me. This book is a must read. The twists and turns how many times I said,
Didn't see that coming " I lost count. You think you know the bad guys, some are pretty obvious, some are not so much and there's a whole nut load of crazy going on here too. I loved when Smoke fell back on his childhood upbringing relying on his senses and knowing the canyons and where to hide. Smoke was a great character, Kini I adored.
Julie Rowe you knocked me out with this one and I loved it!! It's an absolutely fantastic read. I look forward to the next book!
*advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Entangled in exchange for an honest review. My review contains my own opinions and thoughts.**
Romantic suspense can be a tough one but this book packed a serious punch and kept me flipping those pages like a loon!
Lyle Smoke comes home to Utah after his stint in the Army in over. He's been gone a long time, he's different now, he knows that yet some things don't change. In the small town he calls home, obvious home to other Native Americans as well the story pulls a little of that it, it's inherent in Lyle along with his Special Forces training. Smoke is hella hot and when he meets Kini the sparks fly.
Kini Kerek is on assignment for the CDC in a small town in Utah, sent to take blood samples, ask a few simple medical questions and a swab, she's been t-boned in her car, had her car keyed, beaten, had her car blown up and it's endless. There's an outbreak on Hanta virus in the town and people are dropping like flies. The people of the town are convinced that Kini is to blame when she's simply there to ask questions. Smoke has a friend at CDC and he calls him, River we met in book one. Smoke signs on with the CDC and swears to protect Kini. Kini has been staying at Smokes parents home since she came to town, they're good to her and protective as is Smoke. Getting Grandad involved too now we have the three Smoke men, an overcrowded, taxed hospital with no relief in sight, people are dying and when the chief of staff refuses to call in the CDC their hands are tied. Fortunately he dies and the next day the town's retired Dr says yes and even though help is on it's way there is something much more sinister going on here.
That's all you get from me. This book is a must read. The twists and turns how many times I said,
Didn't see that coming " I lost count. You think you know the bad guys, some are pretty obvious, some are not so much and there's a whole nut load of crazy going on here too. I loved when Smoke fell back on his childhood upbringing relying on his senses and knowing the canyons and where to hide. Smoke was a great character, Kini I adored.
Julie Rowe you knocked me out with this one and I loved it!! It's an absolutely fantastic read. I look forward to the next book!
*advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Entangled in exchange for an honest review. My review contains my own opinions and thoughts.**
May 1, 2018
GREAT book! Full of suspense but also romance.
This is the first book in this series I've read and I believe it can be read as a stand alone.
First off Lyle's story is absolutely heart breaking. What he went through and continues to struggle with will just break your heart. He tries to protect his own heart from getting torn out again, but somehow Kini manages to break through his walls even if that wasn't her intent.
Kini is only trying to do her job, but people in the town aren't happy about her being there and make it well known. Initially they just make her job difficult, but when her life ends up in danger Lyle has had enough.
This is the first book in this series I've read and I believe it can be read as a stand alone.
First off Lyle's story is absolutely heart breaking. What he went through and continues to struggle with will just break your heart. He tries to protect his own heart from getting torn out again, but somehow Kini manages to break through his walls even if that wasn't her intent.
Kini is only trying to do her job, but people in the town aren't happy about her being there and make it well known. Initially they just make her job difficult, but when her life ends up in danger Lyle has had enough.
January 16, 2019
Smoke and Mirrors is new story from the Outbreak Task Force, not connected to the happenings of book one. The characters do overlap somewhat since they are the same CDC team so no problem as a standalone. Viable Threat had more mystery in term of the threat/outbreak and finding the source and the reasons. This was more solid in the romance part, no dwadling the feelings part and less sciencey but I didn't mind. The figuring out where things tie together was a bit faster, lots of action still. I liked the heroine of this one better, she came out strong and kicking. As for hero both Smoke and River are bad ass, here it's all Smoke though and a little of new guy. Smoke is more complex in backstory, he has his fair share of demons to conquer left over and needed to figure that out. Some stuff left up in the air like what happened the black market stuff that sold the disease/pathogens we are left with some hints I'm hoping there'll be more on that in the next book. I enjoy these series a lot.
December 14, 2018
I've received a ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After reading Julie Rowe's "Sleight of Hand" novel and loving every single part of it, I just had to go back and read the first two parts of this phenomenal series. Once again, this novel was an instant hit for me. The action pack, suspenseful romance blew me away with not just the story line and characters but the consistency throughout all three novels. The only flaw, which I mentioned in my "Sleight of Hand" review, is the sex scenes were lacking and didn't entirely melt me off my seat but the everything else: characters, content and story line definitely made up for it. Would highly recommend this novel and it's other counterparts.
After reading Julie Rowe's "Sleight of Hand" novel and loving every single part of it, I just had to go back and read the first two parts of this phenomenal series. Once again, this novel was an instant hit for me. The action pack, suspenseful romance blew me away with not just the story line and characters but the consistency throughout all three novels. The only flaw, which I mentioned in my "Sleight of Hand" review, is the sex scenes were lacking and didn't entirely melt me off my seat but the everything else: characters, content and story line definitely made up for it. Would highly recommend this novel and it's other counterparts.
February 20, 2018
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
A solid, meticulously researched suspense plot. The romantic plot was insta-attraction and sex, understandable because of the extremely dangerous conditions the couple had to face. Having sex in said conditions and with the heroine’s weakened state seemed a bit unbelievable, though.
In spite of that, I liked the brooding hero and the part his family played in the book.
Now I’m waiting to read Henry Lee’s story. The ex-Special Forces soldier who is now a lab tech at the CDC would make a great wounded hero, I hope…
A solid, meticulously researched suspense plot. The romantic plot was insta-attraction and sex, understandable because of the extremely dangerous conditions the couple had to face. Having sex in said conditions and with the heroine’s weakened state seemed a bit unbelievable, though.
In spite of that, I liked the brooding hero and the part his family played in the book.
Now I’m waiting to read Henry Lee’s story. The ex-Special Forces soldier who is now a lab tech at the CDC would make a great wounded hero, I hope…
November 11, 2024
Well this was full on. Action packed to the extreme. I think in some ways I liked the first book more than this one. Kini was both stronger and less knowledgeable and I think I would've liked her better had she been a doctor with proper authority. On the other hand, she was more gungho than Ava which made her a bit more interesting. The plot was fast paced and full of action and not quite as realistic as the first one - but still very entertaining. I liked Smoke and his family. The romance between Smoke and Kini was weaker than Ava and River but still enjoyable. I'll definitely pickup the next book in the series. And DS is back! I love DS.
February 22, 2018
The second installment of Julie Rowe’s Outbreak Task Force series, SMOKE & MIRRORS, reinforces my opinion that science is sexy. Intelligence reigns in this thrilling race to find the source of a hantavirus outbreak in a rural corner of Utah. Only, the source of this outbreak isn’t of the typical rodent variety.
A week after Lyle Smoke is discharged from the Army, he heads home for a little R&R and family time. Arriving late and not wanting to wake up his parents, he stumbles into his childhood bedroom and crawls in the bed. He wakes up the next morning with a beautiful, naked woman plastered against him … with terrible black eyes and bruises on her face. Kini Kerek is a nurse with the CDC’s Outbreak Task Force and is in town, publicly, doing a health study of the local population. Privately, she’s “attempting to track the incidence of infection and the development of antibodies in the same population for the hantavirus.” She is an unwelcome entity in a part of the country where folks “didn’t like the government sticking its nose into their business.” Over the course of the story, her car is keyed and T-boned, death threats are issued, she’s beaten, kidnapped and shot. Someone is clearly trying to sabotage her.
Given all this, however, Kini is no shrinking violet. She’s a badass nurse with a spine of steel, a brilliantly sharp mind and courage out the wazoo. She’s also a dirty fighter. All things that call to Smoke, who hasn’t returned home since he buried his son, Liam, and Liam’s mother two years ago. The ghosts of his loved ones collude with the ghosts of his time in the service, creating a constant battle with Smoke and his yearning to move forward — both for himself and with this incredible woman.
Shortly after his discharge, an old Army buddy of Storm offered him a position with the Outbreak Task Force, which is made up of people with different backgrounds. As a soldier, his strength is in keeping the scientist he’s partnered with safe and able to do the job at hand. He mostly had a passing interest in it, until he realized Kini was part of the Task Force and needed the safety and protection only he could provide.
One phone call later, he’s on the team and officially watching her back. As Smoke and Kini race toward the unexpected source of the outbreak, fighting a cadre of forces with a seemingly endless supply of replacements and intricate consortium of bad guys, learning (and believing) they’re worthy of love is one of the hardest challenges they face. Because both have known love and loss.
I spent several years working in HIV prevention and education, and my team worked with the CDC. These people are not playing around when tracking down deadly pathogens and communicable diseases. I think the aspect that most draws me in with Smoke & Mirrors isn’t the exciting suspense or the believable, romantic romance, but the insider glimpse of following Rowe’s breadcrumbs that track the biology of the spread of disease. There are so many scary things out there in the world, and one of the scariest might be mice.
*Originally published with USA Today's Happy Ever After: https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2....
A week after Lyle Smoke is discharged from the Army, he heads home for a little R&R and family time. Arriving late and not wanting to wake up his parents, he stumbles into his childhood bedroom and crawls in the bed. He wakes up the next morning with a beautiful, naked woman plastered against him … with terrible black eyes and bruises on her face. Kini Kerek is a nurse with the CDC’s Outbreak Task Force and is in town, publicly, doing a health study of the local population. Privately, she’s “attempting to track the incidence of infection and the development of antibodies in the same population for the hantavirus.” She is an unwelcome entity in a part of the country where folks “didn’t like the government sticking its nose into their business.” Over the course of the story, her car is keyed and T-boned, death threats are issued, she’s beaten, kidnapped and shot. Someone is clearly trying to sabotage her.
Given all this, however, Kini is no shrinking violet. She’s a badass nurse with a spine of steel, a brilliantly sharp mind and courage out the wazoo. She’s also a dirty fighter. All things that call to Smoke, who hasn’t returned home since he buried his son, Liam, and Liam’s mother two years ago. The ghosts of his loved ones collude with the ghosts of his time in the service, creating a constant battle with Smoke and his yearning to move forward — both for himself and with this incredible woman.
Shortly after his discharge, an old Army buddy of Storm offered him a position with the Outbreak Task Force, which is made up of people with different backgrounds. As a soldier, his strength is in keeping the scientist he’s partnered with safe and able to do the job at hand. He mostly had a passing interest in it, until he realized Kini was part of the Task Force and needed the safety and protection only he could provide.
One phone call later, he’s on the team and officially watching her back. As Smoke and Kini race toward the unexpected source of the outbreak, fighting a cadre of forces with a seemingly endless supply of replacements and intricate consortium of bad guys, learning (and believing) they’re worthy of love is one of the hardest challenges they face. Because both have known love and loss.
I spent several years working in HIV prevention and education, and my team worked with the CDC. These people are not playing around when tracking down deadly pathogens and communicable diseases. I think the aspect that most draws me in with Smoke & Mirrors isn’t the exciting suspense or the believable, romantic romance, but the insider glimpse of following Rowe’s breadcrumbs that track the biology of the spread of disease. There are so many scary things out there in the world, and one of the scariest might be mice.
*Originally published with USA Today's Happy Ever After: https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2....
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