Smoke on the Mountain: A Story of Survival (Ranger Jackson Hart)

Cody McAlister, a very successful Atlanta attorney, is recovering from a painful divorce, fed up with his high power job and totally stressed living in the big city. He decides to get away for a back country fly fishing trip in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Hiking into a very secluded area he finds the solace and peace he so desperately seeks when a life changing event occurs. He finds himself questioning his values and beliefs about himself and this is a core part of the story.J. Michael Stewart has written a very good book about survival in the wild and his concise writing style really sets the scene in your mind as the pages fly by as the reader is drawn into the story. Strong supporting roles are played by his girlfriend and ranger Jackson Hart. The story can get a little tedious at times but overall a fine first outing. I look forward to reading the sequel entitled "Fire on the Water". Give this book a try if you enjoy outdoor adventure stories.

If you love nature and the outdoors, you will be glued to this story as I was. I stayed up way too late a couple of nights because I couldn't stop reading! the characters are realistic...in other words, human. The plot is exciting and suspenseful all the way to the end. The only reason I gave it four stars rather than five is because the author tended at times to include too many boring details, rambling on about things that we're not pertinent to the plot and did not add to the story. I have a hunch this is his first published book. If so, he has great career ahead of him. My only suggestion to him is to hire a more thorough editor next time. CUDOS Mr. Stewart!

Smoke on the Mountain and it’s sequel, Fire on the Water was such a pleasure to read. Both of these books kept my interest so much so that I read both books in 3 days. I was so thankful when I finished the first book that there was a sequel so the story was not over. Wish there were more...... I love thrillers with a good romance throughout – it gives me all that I need when I read. The survival story of Cody and his run-in with the black bear - and subsequent love story with Katie was so interesting that, at times, it was hard to breathe. Survival stories always make me feel that way. I really enjoyed that the first book did not end in a cliff-hanger (thank God) but continued with the same characters right into the second book. I loved the character of the Park Ranger, Jackson – (if I was 50 years younger, I would have gone for him too!), and Tiffany and especially loved that the story was in the back country wide open spaces – loved it! Glad the author persevered with this story. It was exciting, enjoyable and fulfilled my expectations. Fire on the Water also took place “out of the city” which helped so much to understand the characters and their dedication to pursuing the real treasures of life. Sure hope to see more of this author – good going!!

I enjoyed this book. The last quarter was very exciting and spiritual. I love when someone discovers the meaning of life. We can all learn something from this book. We can all improve our lives and it does not involve money or power.

First off, the author of this novel is my son so I might be a bit prejudiced. This is J Michael Stewart's second published work and his first full length novel. The story is very well told and his ability to paint word pictures is astonishing. The setting for the primary part of this story is taken from a very real place which I visited many times when I was a teenager with my father and friends. I could literally smell the aroma of the deep woods and could see vividly in my mind the campsite and stream where Cody camped and fished. As young men, the author and his brother went with me to camp at the very site referenced in the book so it brings back a lot of wonderful memories for me. The story is fast moving and once you get into the plot, the book is very hard to put down. I am not the best at writing reviews but I am sure you will find this work very entertaining.

Good story but not exactly a real page turner . I perhaps get bored easily but the story teller seems to drag on and on over such minute things . I don't car what kind of car someone drives unless it will tie into the story , I don't care why she taps her fingernails on the counter or for how long she has had that habit . I was anxious to hear more about how he was doing stranded out in the mountains and wounded . I will read another book by this author because there is a good story teller in him/her if they loose some of the drival .

This book kept me in suspense almost from the beginning. I thought it was going to be a story of one thing but ended up being a completely different story. Very suspenseful! This is a book I had a hard time putting down. There was nothing I didn’t liked about it. I recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense.

After reading The Winning Ticket and Smoke on the Mountain, I am convinced that J. Michael Stewart's rise to the top is assured. I felt as if I knew the characters personally and at at times I couldn't wait to turn the page and at other times was afraid of the next paragraph. I could not put the book down until I read the last page and then I was sad that I had reached the end. It left me wanting more. I especially appreciated the attention to details. So many times I felt as though I was there fishing, camping, bleeding -- still gives me the shivers....Initially, I purchased two copies of the book thinking it would make a great birthday gift but now thinking this book is a great Christmas gift, as well. I eagerly look forward for more stories from this up and coming writer.

Love the author's description of the country & fly fishing / trout details.Good story of tenacity & survival.Like the presence of a strong female character, kind of wish he hadn't made one of the femalecharacters out as such a detriment to the search.

I really liked this book and loved the characters... It was a good light read and kept you guessing...Thanks

Exciting and suspenseful story.