Some of us become intimate with death earlier than others, so was the case of Samantha Wells, Black Smoke to the people who hire her unseen due to her reputation. A human retriever with the ability to eerily move in and out of situations rescuing the hurt, tortured and those with only a sliver of hope. Sam’s latest assignment has her paired with an elite team of soldiers ready and willing to enter the land of the Taliban to rescue a kidnapped American. Their unofficial leader Kong, Lieutenant Mark Lowe, blows his cool when he sees that their short term partner is a slip of a woman who’s legendary extractions are those only whispered in secret. Sam, Kong and his partners will need to trust each other and powers unseen if they plan on making it back to U.S shores alive.

I’m not even sure where to start as I discuss a book that moved me in more ways than I can count. With so many people putting their hats into the writing arena I find it harder and harder to find books that really tell a “story”. Black Smoke is without a doubt a well thought out creation with explosive chemistry, mind-blowing action sequences and a love story that was painful but achingly beautiful to experience. Sam a true heroine, living through the pain of death and using the spirit she was blessed with to help people in parts of the world most people would love to forget existed. Her “Kong” was a true hard head, fighting his love as hard as he fights viscous enemies; he was a roughened gem that just needed a little time, care and polish to make him realize he was more than a fighting machine. Rounding out this star-studded cast is a protective and loving uncle, and teammates Ricochet and Boomer, three men who any woman would be lucky to have in her corner.

This is a story that takes the world’s current turmoil and brings it home into our living rooms, giving a slight glance at what men and women in uniform and out may be experiencing across the oceanic waters. Robin Leigh Miller created something powerful but full of hope, passion and extreme courage. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

Reviewed by: Rachelle