Review also posted at my blog: http://lbrychic.blogspot.com/2013/10/arc-review-through-smoke-by-brenda-novak.ht...

As always Brenda Novak KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK!!! As much as I LOVE Novak’s work, I don’t think I ever read any of her historical work until now. I was slow with actually starting to read this and couldn't put it down once I did. I don’t recall reading a historical novel where the main characters were not from the “upper” class. The way she wrote the story it definitely works.


I will most definitely look back for her other two historical novels, Of Nobel birth and The Bastard (also titled: Honor Bound). According to comments I’ve read on her FB page, Novak will have another historical out next year. While we are waiting for that to appear, we can devour a few of the contemporary romances that she’s recently put out and also releasing later this year.



Visit Novak at www.brendanovak.com or www.facebook.com/brendanovakauthor

You can also find out about her annual online auction for diabetes research. ( )

I am reviewing this from an ARC given to me by the author. All thoughts are my honest opinion.

This author is relatively new to me. I have read two Whiskey Creek novels from her. When I was offered the opportunity to read Through the Smoke, I took it for two reasons. One, I wanted to see if her writing was the same caliber across genres. Two, I am, proudly, from a coal mining family. I really wanted to see how that was written of. I am not a big historical romance fan. Most who know me, know I read across genres. You never know what I am reading but it is usually not historical romance. The reason for this is that sometimes the author gets so caught up in the language, the fashions, the customs that I feel like I am reading a school book with a little romance tossed in. Through the Smoke surprised me. I was so lost in the story that I had to actually go back and check for the above mentioned items to write the review! Yes there is a bit of language differences, references to fashion and customs but the main thing was the story. That is why I am giving this book 5 stars. Ms. Novak wrote a story. One you can get lost in. One you can feel the characters in. One you laugh, cry and get angry in. For me, one that represented coal miners. Yes there were some ugly, hard coal miners in it. But there were also references to hard workers doing a hard job for their families. Coal miner's have rarely made their worth. Whole families have lived and died for coal. And some miner's have been rough, ugly men who were hard on any woman stepping down into the mines. Different countries and different eras, I was still able to relate to the coal mining references. Kudos to Ms. Novak.
The story itself takes many twist and turns. When I thought I had it figured out, I was given pieces to make me doubt my choice. By the time I absolutely knew I was far to invested in how it would play out to care I guessed it. I recommend Through the Smoke not just to fans of historical romance and romance in general but also to those who are interested in exploring the historical romance genre. The book is due out fall of 2013 and I think it is a perfect time to get lost for a weekend. Wear your favorite jammies, put something in the crock pot, grab your favorite beverage and get comfy...then get swept away. ( )

I initially gave this book two stars based off of the fact that I liked the premise. After reconsideration, I've realized that was likely too generous of me. The initial sex scenario was one of the first issues for me - it smacked a bit like dubious consent to me. Neither of the main characters (Truman and Rachel) seemed all that bright to me in terms of thinking things through before acting upon them. The whole plot by the end made me cringe, and I really don't see how this book paid homage to Jane Eyre. I enjoyed the author's writing style, but unfortunately other than that, it was just not to my taste. ( )

"Through the Smoke", from author Brenda Novak, contains all the elements from the great Gothic stories which I relished as a younger reader: an intelligent young woman of character facing trying circumstances; a darker, brooding hero of wealth without happiness; and perpetrators of evil thoughts and heinous acts who seek to ruin said heroine and hero. Add plot twists and turns and more than one mystery to solve, stir in romance and passion, and spice things up even further with social class issues and laborer's rights and unfair working conditions, and you end up with an involving, enjoyable read. Truman Stanhope, Earl of Druridge, is tortured by the fiery death of his unfaithful wife, Katherine. The burn scars he bears are testament to his presence at the time of the fire, but his memory is not clear. Did his rage over his wife's behavior spur him to murder? His cousin, Wythe pulled him from the fire, saving his life, but was Wythe's true involvement? Beautiful Rachel McTavish, daughter of a coal miner father and a bookseller mother, has information the Earl needs to help him solve the mystery surrounding his wife's death. However, Rachel's mother had made her promise never to tell anyone, especially the Earl, whom her mother blamed for the deaths of her father and older brother. When her mother becomes gravely ill, the Earl presses Rachel again for the information, offering the services of his own physician to treat her mother in exchange for the information. Her acceptance of his offer is all for naught--cholera claims her mother, leaving Rachel on her own to care for her younger brother, Geordie. The information she gives the Earl is only of partial assistance, and many of his questions remain unanswered. An unexpected involvement between Rachel and Truman has serious consequences, and pressures from the miner's union along with punishing gossip from the locals creates a dangerously heated situation. Working together, can Rachel and Truman bring the truth to light? When all is revealed, who will wear the stain of guilt? Is there hope that Rachel and Truman can defy society and build a lasting, loving relationship? A compelling read from beloved author Brenda Novak.

Book Copy Gratis Amazon Vine ( )

interesting but predictable