Welcome to the Blog Tour for Through Smoke and Secrets by Rebecca Hemlock, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book Through Smoke and Secrets

Title: Through Smoke and Secrets
Series: Dangerous Heirlooms #1
Author: Rebecca Hemlock
Publisher: Independently published
Release Date: January 21, 2026
Genre: Mystery Suspense

A century-old secret. A relentless enemy. One Locket that was never meant to be found.

When antiques dealer Annie Whitaker buys an unremarkable locket at a routine estate sale, she expects nothing more than a quiet ride home through the Smoky Mountains. Instead, a shadowy vehicle sends her car skidding off a cliffside road—and she realizes the attack was no accident. Hidden inside the locket is a key, a cryptic letter, and the first thread of a mystery tied to the disappearance of Eleanor Blackwood, a woman who vanished over a hundred years ago.

Someone has killed to keep that secret buried.

And now they’ve set their sights on Annie.

Her shop is ransacked. Her inventory was destroyed. Her building was intentionally set ablaze. With no phone, no transportation, and nowhere safe to go, Annie is forced to seek refuge in the only place left: the remote mountain ranch of Detective Jack Calloway, a man who once shared her obsession with cold cases—and who may be the only person she can trust.

As Jack digs into the evidence Annie uncovered, the danger spirals. Break-ins, threats, shadows stalking the ranch at night—each clue reveals a darker truth. The locket isn’t just a forgotten keepsake; it’s the final piece in a long-buried murder. And someone with power, reach, and generations of secrets will do whatever it takes to silence the truth forever.

With Annie marked as the next victim, Jack races to unravel a century of lies before time runs out. Every revelation tightens the noose around them both—and with Annie constantly in his line of fire, Jack’s focus fractures between the case and the woman he’s never been able to forget. The closer they come to exposing the killer, the more Jack realizes he may lose her long before the truth sees daylight. And every step forward draws them toward a final, deadly confrontation neither of them may survive.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author| Amazon | BookBub

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About the Author of Through Smoke and Secrets

Rebecca Hemlock is an award-winning Christian Fiction author whose love for mysteries began in childhood when she first fell in love with all things Nancy Drew. That early spark grew into a lifelong passion for crime-solving stories, complex puzzles, and characters who must fight for truth even when the world around them is dark and uncertain.

Her novels are known for realism, emotional depth, and suspense that stays tightly wound until the final pages. Rebecca creates characters who face danger, trauma, and moral crossroads — moments that either test their faith or ignite a brand-new relationship with God. At the heart of every story lies her guiding verse and creative compass, Romans 12:21: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Before writing fiction full-time, Rebecca spent four years as a freelance journalist, where she honed her ability to spot the thread of a story, ask the right questions, and build tension from real-world details. That experience sharpened her voice and laid the foundation for the 15 books she has now published, ranging from romantic suspense and mystery to historical-tinged thrillers.

She also writes children’s fiction under the pen name R.C. Burch.

Rebecca is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime, and she’s passionate about uplifting stories that blend danger, courage, heart, and hope. With a Bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing — plus an Appalachian Studies certificate — she brings layered settings, emotional authenticity, and cultural richness to her work. She continues to pursue further writing education, always seeking to grow as a storyteller.

When she’s not writing, Rebecca enjoys travelling, reading mythologies, exploring historical places, and spending time with her family. Her work is written for readers who love suspense that keeps you on the edge of their seats.  And faith that keeps you anchored through the storm.

Connect with Rebecca by visiting rebeccahemlock.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

My Thoughts on Through Smoke and Secrets

This is such a great book!  Once I started reading it I could not stop.  It read quickly for me.  So much danger and suspense!  Plus romance!

Let’s chat a bit.  

Annie comes back to town to open an antique store.  She was mostly raised by her uncle Eric, and he’s helping her.  But she’s got a past in this town.  When she told Jack she loved him four years ago, their lives fractured, and she moved away because of how he distanced himself.  But when she starts to be targetted due to a locket she picked up at an estate sale she needs his help. 

Jack didn’t know Annie was back until after she’d been attacked.  Now he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.  He can’t lose her again, even if the first time was his fault. 

Second chance romance.  Large family crime organisation.  Murder.  Cover-ups.  How many people will die to keep a secret buried?  And will Annie be one of those?

I can’t tell you too much more because you need to have the mystery unfold through the novel.  It’s great.  It will keep you reading.  Trust me.  I couldn’t put it down and stayed up too late finishing it.  I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Tour Giveaway for Through Smoke and Secrets

(1) winner will receive a book-themed prize bundle, including a tote, a mug, a kindle dust protector, a bookmark, and a $25 Amazon Gift card!

Find the full tour schedule linked below.

The giveaway begins at midnight on March 23, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 30, 2026.

Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.

Open to the US only.

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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