In a world where safety is a luxury and honor is found only among outlaws, two people attempt to outrun dangers lurking around every corner and the tragedies that define them.
Bonnie is an outlaw on the run. Beautiful but dangerous, her dark past stalks her like the crater beasts in her nightmares. As the notorious and cruel outlaw Jones sends his henchmen to track her down and retrieve the treasure she stole from him, Bonnie hopes she can stay one step ahead. Because if he catches her, a fate worse than death awaits.
Jesse always dreamed of leaving the farm to explore the ruins of the big cities he'd heard about his whole life. He just never imagined he'd be forced to flee after strange men burned down his rural mountain town and murdered everyone he loved. Responsible for his kid brother and searching for an uncle he's never met before, he isn't sure he can navigate the perils of life among con artists and thieves long enough to find him.
When Bonnie uses her beauty to lure and rob Jesse in a dark alleyway, their two paths collide as they find themselves thrown together on the adventure of a lifetime.
Together, they may just discover that life is about more than just surviving.
"Bonnie and Jesse's backstories, which highlight their trauma and grief for the things long-lost are infused beautifully in the narrative. In addition to providing readers with plenty of delicious, scorching-hot romance between the couple, the authors add shocking twists to the gripping plot..." - The Prairies Book Review
"That the guns, outlaws, and conflicts can occur as easily against a modern society's backdrop as it once did in the past is a tribute to Lauren Sevier and A. Smith's storytelling prowess and their ability to translate many of the trappings of the old west into the new west of modern times..." -Midwest Book Review
"Guns and Smoke is a triumph of a book with characters who face real and dark internal struggles and who must learn to accept and face their demons. The supporting characters and worldbuilding are both vibrant and full..." -The Independent Book Review
TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains depictions of graphic violence, language, sexual violence, attempted rape, depictions of child abuse, and depictions of human trafficking.