Forced to take a leave of absence when someone sabotages her oxygen line, smokejumper Alexia Allen makes a last minute decision to attend her high school reunion. She can recuperate at her mother's home--not that her mother will want to spend time with her.
Within minutes of arriving home Alexia enters her mothers quiet house, interrupts an intruder and stumbles upon a dead body. The victim? It's Alexia's high school boyfriend. The handsome detective on the scene? He used to be part of her life too.
As Alexia's past and present collide, she is forced to confront the issues and relationships that have made her the woman she is today. Can she let go of the secret she harbored for so long, and open herself up for the possibilities of a better tomorrow?
Another great story by Lynette Eason. When the Smoke Clears, weaves suspenseful plot, deep characters, and a thread of romance that is sure to keep you turning each page. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that it ended. This is book one in the Deadly Reunions series, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this story takes us next. Definitely a 5 star read.
including Too Close to Home, Don’t Look Back, and A Killer Among Us. She is a member of American Fiction Christian Writers and Romance Writers of America. A homeschooling mother of two, she has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. She lives in South Carolina.
Exerpt:
“Get out, Alexia. Now!”
“Got to check the closet first, sir.”
“Get your tail outta there. Immediately!”
She needed air. How had her oxygen run out? She should have had at least another five minutes. Reaching up, she disconnected the hose from her tank and shoved it up under her heavy turnout. The coat would protect her as much as possible from smoke inhalation. And she wanted to minimize the blast of hot air that would fill her lungs. She caught a breath. The dizziness receded.
The countdown was on.
The decision: leave or check the closet?
She scanned the imaging device over
the door. Bingo. “I’ve got something.
Definitely a child.”
“Alexia! Get out!”
“She’s here, sir. Can’t leave without her.”
Alexia went to the door and turned the knob. A little girl. The child looked up at her, eyes wide, stark terror stamped on her tear-streaked features. Then she coughed and her eyes rolled back. Alexia slung the imager over her shoulder and leaned in to pick up the little girl.
Alexia took another breath and coughed.
Dizziness returned full force and she went to one knee. Vaguely, she felt the sweat roll down her back. “I’m in trouble,” she said into her radio, keeping her cool, refusing to panic. Help was just a second away. “Where’s RIT? No air.”
Lights flashed in front of her eyes and she blinked. Tried desperately to fill her lungs. How had she run out of air? She should have had plenty of time left.
She pulled in a lungful of smoke this time. Coughing, sputtering, she turned with the child, frantic to get her out before the flames caught up with the smoke.
And then she had no time to think as the spots before her eyes merged into one big black dot.
Then nothing.
