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Smoke & Mirrors (Brainrush Series Book 5) Kindle Edition

by Richard Bard (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 763 ratings
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Named "Best book of the year!" by IndieReader.com

Smoke & Mirrors (Brainrush 5) is the exciting conclusion to Brainchild, Book-4 of the Brainrush series.

A gifted boy forced to grow up too fast... A father who will do anything to protect him... A madman bent on destroying them both.

Jake Bronson and his seven-year-old son, Alex, possess mental gifts that could provide the missing link to a cybernetic life-extension project that will transfer individual consciousness to a personalized avatar. But those same gifts are sought by a Chinese underworld mastermind who will use them to infiltrate the world's most secure networks.

As the story continues from Book-4 of the Brainrush series, Alex and his brother and his sister are lost, and Jake's wife and best friends have been taken hostage. Jake will risk everything to save them, and he is thrust into a frantic race that takes him from the back alleys of Hong Kong to the depths of the South China jungles, where he must lever every scrap of his failing abilities to rescue his loved ones and crush a madman's plans to bring the world to its knees.

An international thriller with soul. Ideal reading for fans of Michael Crichton, Nora Roberts, Clive Cussler, James Rollins, J.D. Robb, Marcus Sakey, Michael Grumley, Brad Thor, Dan Brown, Matthew Reilly, Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, and Vince Flynn.

(Note: "Smoke & Mirrors" was formerly entitled "Ephemeral.")
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  1. Book 5 of 7
    Brainrush Series
  2. Print length
    276 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    January 3, 2015
  6. File size
    1506 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"SMOKE & MIRRORS (formerly entitled "Ephemeral") doesn't hold back on danger, thrills, or page-turning action. Five Stars and named as one of IndieReader's Best Books of the Year." - IndieReader.com
"The action will get your heart pumping, and if you aren't careful you may be up well after your bedtime. Once you start, you won't want to stop until it's over." - Self Publishing Review Magazine

About the Author

Richard Bard draws on his own experiences as a former USAF pilot and cancer survivor to craft compelling characters who risk it all for love and loyalty. Born in Munich, Germany, to American parents, he joined the United States Air Force like his father. But he left the service when he was diagnosed with cancer and learned he had only months to live. He earned a management degree from the University of Notre Dame and ran three successful companies involving advanced security products used by US embassies and governments worldwide. Now a full-time writer, he lives in Redondo Beach, California, with his wife and remains in excellent health.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00PPESR56
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Richard Bard (January 3, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 3, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1506 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 276 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 763 ratings

About the author

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Richard Bard

Richard Bard

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Richard Bard draws on his own experiences as a former USAF pilot and cancer survivor to craft compelling characters who risk it all for love and loyalty. Born in Munich, Germany, to American parents, he joined the United States Air Force like his father. But he left the service when he was diagnosed with cancer and learned he had only months to live. He earned a management degree from the University of Notre Dame and ran three successful companies involving advanced security products used by US embassies and governments worldwide. Now a full-time writer, he lives in Redondo Beach, California, with his wife and remains in excellent health.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
763 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

NoelGSr
5.0 out of 5 stars Well paced story, interesting characters, cool tech and a fun read
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
I am thoroughly enjoying this series by Richard Bard. Picking a new author can be a challenge, but this really delivers. Compelling scenarios with characters you can emphasize with in their journey. Thank you!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Eagerly waiting last book of series
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
This series thoroughly captivated my imagination. The author has woven an amazing tale of fascinating characters interspersed with high tech gadgetry use. The paradox of good versus evil in situations where the only chance of survival entails killing the bad guys is woven throughout the series. This series of books had it all as the story line and characters are involved in romance, friendship, action, high tech gadgetry, politics and determining a moral compass.

I look forward with excitement and a little bit of sadness to the publication of the final book. Following Jake and the others throughout their adventures has been an amazing read. Looking forward to more from this author.
2 people found this helpful
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Desert Dogs2
4.0 out of 5 stars Great 5th Book In A Great Series!
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
A very good read--some is written in first person and some in third person. I liked that we learned more about the child (first person parts). It is hard to maintain interest and energy when you get into the 3rd, 4th and 5th books in a series, but Mr. Bard does it. The only part I disliked was the end--now I have to wait for the next book to see what happens. Write quickly, Mr. Bard! The expanding group of characters also adds interest. Definitely a series worth reading!
One person found this helpful
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Purple Dawn
5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait to read book 6
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024
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This book is one of the best in this series. I can't wait to read the final book in the series.
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Uk abroad
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
Oh my gosh these books will have you on the edge of your seat. I am guessing there will be another book in the series, I need to know what happens next. I purchased these two books to read on vacation and made the mistake of just peeking at the first couple of pages. I couldn't put them down and subsequently read both of them before I even got to the airport ! Exciting, horrifying, tear jerking and breath taking action. You feel like family and part of the team and almost can't read the words fast enough. I read the Brainrush series last year and wholeheartedly recommend this author and his works.
One person found this helpful
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claudette valliere
5.0 out of 5 stars Just one awesome series. Waiting for the next one.
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2015
Verified Purchase
Another great read. This series gets better and better.

Jake left Amsterdam and is headed to Hong Kong with Lacy. This is where he thinks Francesca and his kids are and Lacy thinks Marshall is there as well.

Jiaolong using every camera everywhere knows Jake is on his way and has plans for his capture. The three sisters who unknown to Jiaolong are playing they're own game, are more than happy to help. Jiaolongs got a lock on taking over systems all over the world. His computers and those working for him are following Jake all over the world.

Marshal has landed in Jiaolongs hands at his facility in Hong Kong. A facility full of game players. These kids called greens are anxious to take on Marhshall who they think is TurboHacker. Of course Marshall had given the game to Alex and has no idea they think he's this super player called TurboHacker.

Jiolong also thinks Marshall is TurboHacker and wants his secret for playing the game which really isn't a game at all.

After making it out of the plane Alex, Serafina, Ahmed and Timmy are trying to figure out where they need to go and the monk Little Star is with them.

So begins another awesome read by Bard.

This one has Jake, Alex, Francesca, Ahmed, Sarafina, Little Star, Jiaolong, his plans, the three sisters, they're grandfather who has his own agenda, Marshall, the rest of Jakes friends and colleagues, a death, Jiaolongs grandfather who helps Jake and a story that hits the ground running and never stops.

Five Stars.
One person found this helpful
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kstate27
4.0 out of 5 stars Even Better Than the First
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2015
Verified Purchase
Even better than book one of this series. Love the Brainrush series. It felt like there could have been a lot more character development on the new and secondary characters. The book felt a little short and rushed at times when Bard skipped over some addtional plot lines and stories that could have given the book a little more depth. And the ending?! Can't wait to see what happens next.
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Sheila LS
5.0 out of 5 stars I could hardly wait to get Book 2--and I was not disappointed. This book kept you on the edge of ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
I have read everyone of the Brainrush series--devouring one right after another. When Everlast came out I immediately bought and downloaded it. At the end of Everlast you had the option to pre-ordering Ephemeral-Book 2 which I did not hesitate to do. I could hardly wait to get Book 2--and I was not disappointed. This book kept you on the edge of your seat and looking forward to see what happens next--a real page turner. Even though I wanted to keep reading it because I love this series so much that I only read this book over a 3 day period because I wanted to savor the story and make it last--I hated to see it end. Normally I read a book a day! For some reason I had the impression that there was only going to be 2 books for this series but I was wrong because of the way Ephemeral ended I knew that another book had to be in the works. Now I am impatient for the next one to come out!

I hope Mr. Bard won't go by the way of other famous authors and start to charge very expensive prices for his eBooks because that would be the only reason I would have to stop reading his books. People with limited incomes can't afford to put a lot of money into books so it is very hard for us to find good books and ones that we can afford. Thank you Mr. Bard for making these books affordable for people like me because it enables me to keep reading your books!
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Smoke & Mirrors
Reviewed in Canada on October 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
Excellent read. Lots of action and twists and turns around every corner. Once again, Richard Bard has taken us on a thrill ride never slowed down.
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Pat O'Meara
5.0 out of 5 stars Sizzling thriller
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2015
Verified Purchase
Ephemeral is the second novel in Richard Bard's Everlast Duology Series and we once again join forces with Jake Bronson and friends Lacey, Pete and Skylar as they arrive in Hong Kong searching for Jake's family and best friend Marshall.

So, Game on. Back on that roller coaster of thrills and spills, chock-a-block with action, suspense, danger, cutting edge technology, superb characterization and multiple strands in the plot line that all weave together to produce one fabulously exciting, fast paced and sizzling thriller.

Richard Bard you are indeed a master wordsmith- you NEVER disappoint. I was completely and utterly "in" the moment as I cheered them on, yelled at the baddies , laughed at some of their antics and shed a tear .

A Brilliant novel that comes highly recommended. I for one can't wait for the next.
One person found this helpful
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Diane Greenhaw
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Australia on January 28, 2015
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Loved it! And now......?
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Louise Barrett
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping books, read all 7 over 10 days!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
Read the first one, couldn't put it down - so many twists and turns and totally unexpected storylines. Downloaded the rest and got through them over the following week or so. Brilliant read.
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Doug
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling
Reviewed in Canada on April 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
A great read fast paced with lots of twists..Lots of new characters to help with an exciting plot.. Looking​ forward to the next book
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