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thebookdisciple's review
4.0
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:
Spoiler
Kini was the victim of a physically abusive father. It is not detailed as to what happened, but it is mentioned that it happened. - Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger:
Spoiler
no - HEA:
Spoiler
More of an HFN. There is no OW/OM drama, no cheating or anything, but I'm not sure I fully believe that these two are in it for the long haul.
books by authors like Pamela Clare, Cristin Harber, Kaylea Cross, Katie Ruggle...then you will probably like Smoke and Mirrors!
Smoke and Mirrors
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nikkisbooknook's review
5.0
Kini is having a hard time. She only wants to take blood samples to help develop a theory for the CDC vaccine. But the locals are against her from the start, she has been associated with a number of deaths that occurred after she arrived. Her car has been vandalised and she has had some other "bad luck". So the CDC send out Smoke to protect her.
It should be an easy job. Smoke is returning to his ancestral lands, he knows the people and is a grade A bada$$! But Smoke hasn't been home since his son passed away and he has guilt weighing him down. But Kini, well she is enough to make any man wish for a HEA!
Intense, fast paced, chock full of action and suspense...oh and a bit of sexy time thrown in! Kini can read Smoke like a book, which is handy cos he's not the most communicative of fellas! What Smoke lacks in verbals he makes up for in smarts and skills. The banter was off the charts. You can't help falling for a guy who says he fell in love with someone 30secs after meeting her!
It should be an easy job. Smoke is returning to his ancestral lands, he knows the people and is a grade A bada$$! But Smoke hasn't been home since his son passed away and he has guilt weighing him down. But Kini, well she is enough to make any man wish for a HEA!
Intense, fast paced, chock full of action and suspense...oh and a bit of sexy time thrown in! Kini can read Smoke like a book, which is handy cos he's not the most communicative of fellas! What Smoke lacks in verbals he makes up for in smarts and skills. The banter was off the charts. You can't help falling for a guy who says he fell in love with someone 30secs after meeting her!
lagadema's review
5.0
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.
clak5686's review
4.0
I fell in love with Smoke. He is such a great character. Both he and Kini are damaged. They really balance each other out. The story is very interesting. Hantavirus is the epidemic at hand. I found the story to be really, really interesting. I enjoyed the small town with the Native American culture. This book was different from the first in the series because it takes place away from all of other CDC characters. They only participate by phone. A very good book.
supersandra's review
3.0
Really starting to see the formula for these books coming through. Formulas aren't bad by definition, but see my review of Viable Threat for approximately the same complaints I have about this book.
soulwinds's review
4.0
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review
Thought and Plot
Kini is trying to gather information for the CDC to help with a possible vaccine for the deadly Hantavirus when threats against her start to rise. Kini is thrown into a race against time as more and more people start arriving with the early symptoms of this highly contagious virus and the mortality rate starts to rise. It’s obvious that someone is behind the outbreak and is trying to use Kini (and therefore the CDC) as a scapegoat.
Enter ex-military man sergeant Smoke. Smoke has endured several tours and knows that he’s getting to old to play soldier. But he has been avoiding his hometown and the memories of his son. So in order to do that, he decides to grab some supplies and head out into the desert to attempt heal. But those plans go out the window almost instantly when he lays eyes on Kini. This is the ultimate ‘love at first sight,’ I think. In fact, the author even goes so far as to point it out, which gave me a chuckle and allowed me to forgive her a little bit because I’m not usually one for insta-love.
”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 is…the ultimate romance hero just about. He immediately decides to help Kini. He’s willing to shield her from everything negative that is directed at her. Keeping her safe and helping her figure out what is really going on is his prime mission. He doesn’t talk overly much, but Kini can read him like a book. Their connection is probably what made the book for me (and I love action). Plus their humor…yeah. They were what made the book.
In Conclusion
While this book did have the dreaded insta-love within it, I mostly forgave the author because a) she pointed it out in a humorous way, b) it worked. This book is pretty action packed and the two love birds were adorable. I would definitely recommend this book and read more like it!
Thought and Plot
Kini is trying to gather information for the CDC to help with a possible vaccine for the deadly Hantavirus when threats against her start to rise. Kini is thrown into a race against time as more and more people start arriving with the early symptoms of this highly contagious virus and the mortality rate starts to rise. It’s obvious that someone is behind the outbreak and is trying to use Kini (and therefore the CDC) as a scapegoat.
Enter ex-military man sergeant Smoke. Smoke has endured several tours and knows that he’s getting to old to play soldier. But he has been avoiding his hometown and the memories of his son. So in order to do that, he decides to grab some supplies and head out into the desert to attempt heal. But those plans go out the window almost instantly when he lays eyes on Kini. This is the ultimate ‘love at first sight,’ I think. In fact, the author even goes so far as to point it out, which gave me a chuckle and allowed me to forgive her a little bit because I’m not usually one for insta-love.
”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 is…the ultimate romance hero just about. He immediately decides to help Kini. He’s willing to shield her from everything negative that is directed at her. Keeping her safe and helping her figure out what is really going on is his prime mission. He doesn’t talk overly much, but Kini can read him like a book. Their connection is probably what made the book for me (and I love action). Plus their humor…yeah. They were what made the book.
In Conclusion
While this book did have the dreaded insta-love within it, I mostly forgave the author because a) she pointed it out in a humorous way, b) it worked. This book is pretty action packed and the two love birds were adorable. I would definitely recommend this book and read more like it!
tiggerreads's review
4.0
Another gripping read. The romance portion has an Elizabeth Lowell feel to it. The intrigue was slightly different in this one. Kini's job is decidedly different than the previous heroine's. It was still very interesting to read about. Kini and Smoke have a lot of emotional stuff to work through, but they are willing to work on it together. The story was definitely fast-paced. These were just the thing to pop me out of the contemporary rut that I had been in.
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