Smoke and Mirrors

I used to read Harlequin/Silhouette romances regularly. There were some powerhouse authors coming from these series line, then they moved on to full size books. I like to read before I fall asleep and they are the perfect size and distraction. However, I stopped for a period because of the pedestrian merchandising of the Publishers - there are only so many babies and cowboys you can take each month! I drew the line when they had seven titles bearing baby or cowboy in eight of the releases for one series that month (one line had both!). The writers were uninspired, so the readers were being shortchanged. Then a few fresh voices started to turn that around, Julie Leto and Tori Carrington for Blaze are two names that shine in these lines, and without doubt, Jenna Mills is for Silhouette Intimate Moments. Her talent blew me away with her first book I grabbed on a dash through the airport. It was so polished, so full of strong emotions. She does more in 100 pages than most writers do in 300! Each time I start a new novel by her, I tell myself not to expect too much, that surely one of these days they will not live up to her previous works. And EVERY TIME, I find not only does she match the quality, she pushes the limit. So provokes, conjures and mesmerizes me as few writers do. "Smoke and Mirrors" is another of her amazing tales - amazing to believe this is her first book. It's hard to rank her books because each one is top drawer, but I think this one is likely a favourite along with her "Shock Waves". This is a dark, sexy, steamy tale of people living behind masks. Cassidy Blake is a top Chicago cop working undercover trying to bring down Derek Mansfield. Suspicions are that Derek uses his ultra-rich hotel to distribute drugs to Chicago's elite. She has been on the case for six months and so far turned up nothing. Time is running out. Everything changes when Derek returns from Scotland. Cass is not prepared for the man, not prepared how he quickly pulls her into a situation over her head. Derek is playing games, too, but not with Cass. He knows it's dangerous to let her near, but he cannot seem to stay away from the sexy, sassy lass. Each faces the other from behind a mask, but neither are able to hide the real person that feels more than they should. They are playing with fire and both are bound to get burned. It's a cat and mouse games that builds to a pulse-pounding climax showing Jenna Mills is a talent above the rest. The romance between these two sizzles and pops with the crackle of lightning before a summer storm. It's just as good as it gets.

As I read this exciting story I kept thinking it should be a TV movie. It has it all -- action and suspense as police close in on a ring of drug dealers, a compelling romance as the heroine, Cass, an undercover cop, falls in love with the prime suspect. Cass and the oh, so sexy, hero Derek, each struggle to banish the demons from their past as they move ahead into present danger. The climax is a nail-biter! Can't wait for Jenna Mills' next book.

I absolutely LOVED this book! I am a big fan of authors such as Nora Roberts, Danielle Steele, Judith McNaught, etc and Jenna Mills ranks right up there as one of the best new and up and coming authors! Smoke and Mirrors kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I often found myself sneaking in a few pages here and there just to see what would happen next! Derek Mansfield was a sly and sexy guy who kept me intriqued and interested and Cassidy was an independent, loving, and emotional woman yearning to find that ONE man who could make all her dreams come true. The way their relationship unfolds and comes together is absolutely dynamic in nature! This book is definitely a 10 and I can't wait until Jenna Mills' next book!

SMOKE AND MIRRORS is a fast paced, steamy story that pits Detective Cassidy Blake against suspected drug dealer Derek Mansfield. The feds and the CPD are investigating the link between Vilas, an international drug dealer, and Derek Mansfield, part owner of the Sterling Manor Hotel in Chicago. Cass and her partner have been undercover in the hotel for six months in an effort to build a case against him. Having lost her husband and small son five years ago, Cass throws everything she has into her job. She's determined to bring Mansfield to justice, but isn't prepared for the immediate attraction that develops between them when they meet. The characterization is compelling. Still haunted by her loss and the guilt she feels for it, Cass keeps herself closed off from others. Derek, too, has secrets, and is unwilling to risk opening himself up. The growth in the two as the relationship develops is fascinating.The suspense climbs steadily and the sexual tension positively sizzles as the story builds to its explosive conclusion. With this first book, Jenna Mills has proven herself an author to watch.

Readers buy this book before everyone else beats you to it!!! Yes, its that good. You all are going to be drooling over millionaire Derek Mansfield, the hotter than hot hero, who interacts with the awesome undercover cop Cassidy Blake all through this knockout book. Wow, Zowie, and oh baby!Cassidy and her partner Gray have been working undercover in the luxurious Chicago hotel owned by Derek Mansfield and his stepbrother Brent for a while waiting for him to return. Derek is suspected of being a front man for drugs and has been in Edinburgh for six months and everything has been quiet. The minute he comes back all hell breaks loose and so do your emotions when you meet this devastating man and the woman who stirs his very soul. Talk about chemistry, this book has it in dynamite sticks. Wait until you read the electrifying first meeting. I thought I was going to melt down. Cass never dreamed she'd be falling for the very man she has as a prime suspect. A man bent on revenge, a woman out for justice and a sizzling, simmering heat that never cools down between the two. Wow, and wow again is all I can say for this startling new author's work. Reserve time for this book since you won't want to be disturbed once you start it. Surprises you right up until the end.