Binge Alert: A slow-burn romance you’ll devour.
In Held in the Rising Smoke, the third installment of the acclaimed Hymns of Blue Hollow series, author Kemma MarShall weaves a powerful story of survival, forbidden love, and haunting truths set against the turmoil of WWII.
Forced from her Tennessee home after Clive’s devastation, Esther finds herself swept into the charged streets of 1940s New York City. Skyscrapers. Bright lights. And shadows that never stop following—especially for a woman carrying secrets and a child. Her husband, Ian, fights to keep her safe, but as a German-born man in wartime America, suspicion dogs his every step. His brother Freddie tempts her with glittering escapes, but the glamour is fleeting, and the past is calling them home.
Back in the Blue Hollow Hills, the ATU and the moonshiners circle like wolves. Both want what Clive once claimed, and Esther may be the only one standing in their way. Atmospheric and deeply human, Held in the Rising Smoke is a gripping work of historical fiction, rooted in the strength of Southern women—where every choice carries a cost, and the past never stays buried.
For readers of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, The Nightingale, and The Giver of Stars, this epic Southern saga of slow-burn romance blends survival and lyrical storytelling with unflinching grit. A deep, rich story perfect for book clubs. Historical literary fiction, the Hymns of Blue Hollowserieswill sweep you away.
Take a step into the Blue Hollows with thousands of readers, and discover why fans fall in love one page at a time.
Prefer an independent bookstore? Order the paperback or hardcover from Bookshop.org.
Also available as hardcover on Amazon. Kindle edition also in Français, Italiano, and Português.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this book sit in the series?
Held in the Rising Smoke is the third novel in the Hymns of Blue Hollow series, part of “The Lost Pages” story arc.
Can I read it as a standalone?
Yes, Held in the Rising Smoke can be read as a standalone, but it’s best experienced as part of the ongoing series.
What’s the heat level?
A 3.5 out of 5. This is an open-door romance—intimate scenes are shown on-page—but always passionate rather than vulgar or crude, in keeping with the lyrical, literary style of the series.
Where and when is it set?
Held in the Rising Smoke moves the saga to 1940s New York City, before the story turns back to the Blue Hollow Hills in Tennessee.
Is it in Kindle Unlimited, and where can I get it in print?
Yes, Held in the Rising Smoke is included in Kindle Unlimited, and available in paperback and hardcover on Amazon.
What should I read next?
Continue the saga with Book 4, Forged by Wind and Song.
