One Final Breath
by Lynn H. Blackburn

Revell

Christian

Pub Date 03 Sep 2019

I am reviewing a copy of One Final Breath through Revell and Netgalley:

Investigator Gabriel Chavez has his cover blown by an aggressive reporter, there was a silver lining though, he was able to join the dive team, the downside though was the fact that the dive team captain was Anissa Bell, a woman who both fascinates and frustrates him.

Anissa grew up as a missionary kid on the Micronesian island of Yap always planning to return after college. But she remained stateside, determined to solve the case that haunts her, her best friends Murder and the disappearance of a three-year-old child.

Anissa’s fractured past and Gabe’s investigation in the shooting death of a teenage boy. Anissa and Gabe will have to
put their complicated history with each other aside in order to uncover the identity of a killer. What they’ll discover is that revenge has no statute of limitations.

I give One Final Breath five out of five stars!

Happy Reading

Lynn Blackburn has returned for the last hurrah for her Dive Team series, #3, One Final Breath. Gabe Chavez and Anissa Bell rise to the foreground on this novel, falling for each other while trying to escape painful pasts.
The rest of the team is back, fleshing out the character list and bringing love, amusement, and memories from former books. Which leads me to relate that this novel is quite capable of being a standalone; it’s just sweeter when the reader can identify with the backstory presented.
The friendship and camaraderie of the dive team and their significant others really impressed me. Between the locale, the season, and the warm atmosphere the friends create, life was almost idyllic...
Until it wasn’t. Then life was frantic, uncertain, vomiting past terrifying experiences up in front of those who most needed to remain calm and collected.
Paisley Wilson is an interesting character to watch. The reader won’t know what to make of Gabe’s arch-nemesis who is suddenly very much a part of this case.
If the romance, intrigue, and suspense aren’t enough motivation, Mr. Cook returns and is a great reason to read this book. Everyone needs a Mr. Cook in their lives! He prays his way through adversity and sees much more than is actually visible.
Get this book and dive deep into some great suspense.
I received this book from the author through Revell and NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are solely my own.

This is book 3 in the Dive Team Investigations series. Let me first assure you that while reading this one, you'll be aware that there are previous books, but I have not read the first two and thoroughly enjoyed this one! So, if you, like myself, haven't read the first two books in this series, please don't let it stop you from reading this one. If you do, you will miss out on a really good book!
Dive Team captain, Anissa is great at her job. She is still haunted by a tragic event that happened when she was a teenager, and to this day carries the guilt of that day.
Gabe Chavez was a fantastic undercover investigator whose cover was blown by an all-to aggressive news reporter eager for the next big story. The only positive side of this was him being allowed back on the dive team. Gabe and Anissa have a strained work relationship.
While at a friends' house, sitting out on the dock by the lake, they hear a shot and a cry for help. They jump into action to pull two teens from the lake. One of the teens has been shot. As they attempt to solve this mystery, it become apparent that Anissa's life in in grave danger. She ends up with her own security detail.
An action, fast paced, suspenseful story that connects all the dots back to Anissa's teenage heartbreaking tragedy.
Very well written story and believable characters. Suspense and romance-what more could a reader ask for? Loved this story!
I was given a free ecopy of this to read from the publisher, Revell and Netgalley. I was not obligated to leave a positive review.

One Final Breath, by Lynn H. Blackburn, is set in central North Carolina. Anissa Bell is a homicide investigator and dive team captain for the Carrington County Sheriff's Office. Gabe Chavez is also an investigator. When the novel opens, Anissa and Gabe, as well as their coworkers are enjoying a peaceful evening at a home on a lake. Their peacefulness is shattered by a cry for help and what follows is a complex tale that intertwines many story lines.

Anissa and Gabe have accomplished much professionally, but there is much in their pasts that they are still dealing with. Anissa is haunted by a tragedy that she is afraid to share with Gabe. Gabe, too, has reasons he doesn't want serious relationships. Except for one long ago kiss, they have not been involved romantically. Now, working on the same murder case, their relationship begins to change. Even though they have no leads or clues and as their lives are threatened, Anissa and Gabe continue to grow closer. All the while, seriously alarming events occur. Imaginative and exciting, the story is filled with capable and interesting characters. Shocking secrets are revealed and what happens next is unpredictable. Who is the villain? The carefully constructed narrative has themes of love, fear and faith. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I do believe this one's my favorite.
I loved Gabe and Anissa.
I love their story. I especially enjoyed seeing their relationship.
The details of the setting, the details about the diving, all of it was just incredible.
And I loved the backstory, it was well-written, and placed here and there, revealed at just the right pace to make the story flow well.
The suspense was top notch. I couldn't wait to finish the book, to get the answers I so desperately wanted! But then, just like always, that ending is just so bittersweet--because once I reached the end, well, it was the end of time spent with these friends!
Lynn Blackburn has reached the place of being one of my favorite authors of suspense, and I can't wait to read more of her work.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I have been anticipating this book for MONTHS! The first two books in this series are amazing and I knew the finale would not disappoint. It did not! The relationship between Anissa and Gabe was so intriguing in the prior books and watching their relationship progress in this story was so worth it. The mysteries in this book draw you in from the beginning and I had trouble putting the book down because I wanted to know what was going to happen. Learning Anissa & Gabe’s backstories(finally!) answered a lot of questions and played in to the current mysteries perfectly. I was also thrilled to see a favorite character of mine from the first book, Mr. Cook in this story and that he played a more major role in this book. Lynn is very good a crafting a perfect mix of humor, romance, mystery and faith in her stories and this one has all of that. I am so sad this series is done because it is a favorite of mine but I am excited to see what Lynn has in store for us next!

I received this book for review and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

One Final Breath is the third installment from Lynn H Blackburn’s series, Dive Team Investigations. I have enjoyed the first two books in the series and this one does not disappoint. It is probably my favorite to date. It is full of adventure, action, mystery and suspense. I did not find Gabe and Anissa’s story to be predictable. There were some twists and turns that kept me to keep reading until the end. I had the whole book read in one sitting.

I am giving One Final Breath a well deserved five plus stars. I recommend this book, as well as, the series to readers who enjoy a well written and clean mystery.
Great read!

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Investigator Gabe Chavez and Dive Team Captain Anissa Bell find themselves working together when Gabe's current case has mysterious ties to a tragedy in Anissa's past.



Will they be able to catch the killer before it's too late?



An utterly fantastic, action-packed read. The third in a series, but the first book that I've read by this author, it wasn't hard to jump right in step with the characters in this thrilling, high stakes adventure.



Anissa and Gabe are both strong in their faith, they've worked together before but not to this extent. Anissa has always been at home in the water, raised the daughter of missionaries, she has always wanted to get justice for her friend. She is good leader, meticulous on the crime scene, with a strong sense for organization. Gabe is good at diffusing tense situations with humor. He is protective of Anissa and has admired her for a long time.



Overall, a fantastic read, with a complex mystery, well-developed characters, and plenty of action. I liked how this book balanced the action and suspense with great personal growth and depth. I loved the camaraderie between the dive team members, they are always encouraging each other, and are not afraid to give real advice. And if you are a Lynette Eason fan, you'll be thrilled as I was that a character from her Blue Justice Series makes a cameo appearance!



Highly recommend this dynamic read, if you come in on the third book like me or if you have read the whole series, this isn't one that you'll want to miss!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I LOVED this book. It was a great conclusion to the Dive Team Investigations series. It even brought in a character from a Lynette Eason novel which I also loved. The action is intense and the suspense builds to a great, satisfying climax.

Anissa Bell and Gabriel Chavez have an interesting relationship. They alternately fascinate and frustrate each other. It keeps things lively. When a case gets personal, their relationship takes a turn as they learn to trust and rely on each other. I appreciate how all the characters from this series had a prominent role to play.

This is an exciting read. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I’d highly recommend it. All opinions are my own.

#OneFinalBreath #Netgalley

Dive Team Investigations series:

Book 1: Beneath the Surface

Book 2: In Too Deep

Book 3: One Final Breath

This was an excellent end to a great series. The back story of both Gabe and Anissa was interesting and kept the plot moving forward. The romance was not over the top and the mystery was spot on.

The Dive Team Investigations series has come to a breathtaking conclusion with the release of One Final Breath. Wow! What an adventure! I have loved the couples in each of these stories. That they all played a significant role throughout the series made it all the more enjoyable.

This exciting finale starts with a bang as the six friends were relaxing on Leigh’s deck. When they hear an unnatural explosion mixed in with lightning from the storm, followed by a cry for help, Gabe, Anissa, and Ryan grab the boat to make a rescue. And discover that a murder has taken place.

I don’t recall reading about the process the dive teams used as they scour the bed of the lake in the previous books, at least not as a pair. Watching Gabe and Anissa work the grid together in an attempt to discover the murder weapon in a body of water so murky they could barely see each other was fascinating.

Having worked together for years, their growing attraction was no surprise to anyone, except perhaps to Anissa. When both Gabe’s and Anissa’s lives are found to be in danger, the way they determined to help the other was touching and sweet!

Despite having close relationships with God, neither Gabe nor Anissa felt like they deserved a relationship or that they knew how to make one work. As they worked together and delved deeper into the mystery surrounding the murder, they learned a great deal about the depth of God’s redemptive power in their lives.

Mr. Cook, a friend of Anissa’s family, introduced in Beneath the Surface as a man of prayer, continued to mentor the dive team and show them the love of the Lord and to help them see things more clearly. I think I’ve grown to love him more through each book! One of the great things about his prayers shown in this story is the way it was such a natural conversation with the Lord that would spring out of a conversation with others or end in a conversation, as if He were standing right there. Oh! Wait! He is, isn’t He?!

As with this author’s other stories in the Dive Team Investigations series, events that might have been made gory and macabre were kept clean, with only the most necessary of details mentioned. The mood, despite the heart issues being worked on, remained suspenseful yet hopeful and not depressing.

While each book does stand alone, now that all the stories are available, lovers of Christian romantic suspense can greatly enrich their reading experience by reading them as a series!

I love the family of characters that Lynn Blackburn has created in her Deep Diver series. It reminds me so much of the smart and creative worlds of television series like “Castle” or “Bones.” There is so much heart, an engaging story and plot twists that had me turning page after page to see how Anissa and Gabe and the crew would get through. I love how Lynn creates a narrative that weaves relationships together and creates a love for them from the reader, but also reveals hearts not unlike ours and how we relate and wrestle with our Creator. This is my first time reading one of her books and I can’t wait to go backwards and get caught up on books one and two!

Where has Lynn Blackburn been all of my life? She is easily one of my new favorite authors. She has a pizazz in her writing that I haven’t nailed down yet, but it is definitely my style. She is on the immediate pre-order list.
The Dive Team Investigators series has just been more outstanding with every book. I was so excited to “dive in” to Gabe and Anissa’s story, and I was not disappointed. Murder, kidnapping, mistaken identity, and mysterious pasts, each new revelation will keep you turning the pages until the wee hours. The romance was tender, well-paced, and true to what we know about the characters. The suspense hit you from tons of different angles and constantly kept you guessing on what would happen next. There were a few moments when I was craving more information about both Anissa and Gabe. I felt some was withheld too long and some was never shared at all. Gabe is a character that really intrigued me, and I wish we’d spent a little more time with him. Maybe we’ll see more Gabe in future Blackburn books! I’m really sad to say farewell to this group, but look forward to what Lynn is plotting out next!

I was given an early copy of this manuscript through NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love this novel and series! Finishing it is a mixed blessing – I couldn’t wait to see what would happen but didn’t want it to end! The main characters and their friends are strong Christians who are unashamed of their faith that influences their lives. The complex plot was impossible to for me to untangle, and spiritual lessons are priceless.

The dive team is at Leigh and Ryan’s home on Lake Porter. Adam joins them with Sabrina, his fiancée. Anissa, Ryan, Adam, and Gabe are on the dive team through the sheriff’s office. Anissa and Gabe get along like oil and water; she has few close friends. Gabe understands a bit of her heart, especially since she killed a suspect several months ago to save Sabrina. She has secrets in her past that she guards carefully, convinced that most will reject her if they know.

A thunderstorm rolls in as they hear a gunshot and screams. The dive team goes out in the boat to find who is calling for help. Anissa jumps into the water even as more gunshots are heard; she grabs the boy whose head a teen girl is trying to keep above water. Jeremy, the boy, has been shot, and they give him CPR until EMT’s arrive. Gabe might have to take himself off the case even though he is next in the rotation; he and the sister of Brooke, the teen girl, is Paisley, a reporter he had an unpleasant encounter with that forever changed his career. Paisley wants him on the case because he is so good at his job.

Gabe and Anissa are forging a peaceful working relationship and begin fighting an attraction to each other. Brooke attempts suicide. Brooke’s loss of her best friend Jeremy brings memories of a long-ago event for which Anissa has felt responsible, she could be a good friend to Brooke.

Someone is gunning for Anissa; Gabe is injured yet determined to protect her. The six friends work together to find who the bad guy is and why. Despite knowing Gabe will back away from her when he learns about the death of her best friend and disappearance of the three-year-old she should have been babysitting. It is necessary to reveal all, however, as the killer has resurfaced after all these years.

I love how well these friends work together! Sabrina, a professor of cybersecurity and computer forensics, is one of my favorite characters, as is Anissa. Sabrina’s investigation, intuition, and tenacious searching is invaluable. Anissa is a hard-working, faith-filled young woman who I so want to see have a chance at a better future than she has imagined! Whether or not she has met her match in Gabe remains to be seen; he is her protector and worthy investigative partner. The prayers and kindness of those in the community, especially Mr. Cook, are a balm to Anissa’s wounded soul.

One Final Breath is even better than the first two novels in this series. It is very complex, showing even the thoughts of the unnamed bad guy as his frustration rises at his best efforts at killing Anissa fail. Anissa struggles with her finding true calling and the spiritual lessons necessary for her to learn to go forward. I highly recommend One Final Breath, and the other novels in this series, to those who appreciate in-depth Christian thrillers where relationships with the Lord are demonstrated well, suspense is plentiful, and humor is woven throughout grave situations faced.

From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

This series just keeps getting better with each installment. I love every one of the characters that keep showing up in this series. I really enjoy reading about this dive team and how they help to solve murders and other crimes. Gabe and Anissa start out as friends and then fall in love slowly. They are not sure that they deserve to be happy. It is fun to read how they work it all out. I love the intrigue throughout the series. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I enjoyed this novel, the third and final in the Dive Team Investigations series featuring a dive team with a county sheriff's office. It read very well as a stand alone novel of investigation and suspense. In addition to the regular features of a police procedure novel, it has the element of investigative diving, providing some additional intrigue.

The character development was mixed. We readers find out a great deal about Anissa and her history but we don't find out that much about Gabe. I liked Anissa as she is a good team leader. She gets into suspenseful situations but never because of her own stupidity or lack of preparation. I like that. The other members of the dive team were featured in previous novels but they are presented here well enough that reading the earlier novels is not required.

The plot is well crafted. The seeds for the current attacks on Anissa are from decades ago but the history is revealed in a way I liked.

My favorite part of the novel is how the faith of the characters is represented. They are Christians and they act like Christians in the novel. They attend church, they call out to God with sincere prayers in tough situations. They forgive, they accept, they love. That was very refreshing to experience in a novel.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Having just listened to In Too Deep, the second book in the Dive Team Investigations series by Lynn Blackburn, I was eager to read One Final Breath. Several investigations converge and the past histories of some of the characters are revealed layer by layer. And yet the author keeps the reader's interest high with unexpected twists and turns and lots of action-packed scenes and of course, a sweet romance. I loved that the main characters from the three books are such good friends. They know each other well and have each others' backs. Their faith in God during difficult times is an inspiration. From the beginning to the climactic ending One Final Breath is a fascinating book. Readers who love romantic suspense will not want to miss this book or the whole series for that matter.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Netgalley and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

Although this is the third book in the Dive Team series, it is the first one that I have read and I really enjoyed it. There were some gaps about the characters that made me wish that I had already read the other two books first, but nothing that was big enough to disrupt my enjoyment. This is the story of Gabe Chavez and Anissa Bell. Gabe is an investigator and Anissa is a dive team captain who are thrown into investigating the same shooting when it happens on the water. Gabe and Anissa have a past that they have to overcome in order to build a romance together, and I enjoyed how Ms. Blackburn built their relationship together slowly. I liked the intriguing plot and the surprising ending; I was not able to guess who the villain was although, upon reflection, Ms. Blackburn did leave subtle clues. This is the first Blackburn book that I have read but it will not be the last because it included all that I look for in Christian romantic suspense. It was a clean read and very satisfying! Fans of romantic suspense will enjoy this book, but I do recommend reading the other two books in the series first.

Ahhhhhhhhh!! I love love love Lynn Blackburns writing!!!!!!! She does an amazing job of layering mysteries upon mysteries in her books all while making them believable and having you on the edge of your seat. I loved Gabe and Anissa's love story and that we got to see them together throughout the book. I also liked being able to see the other couples who were in the previous books. I hope the dive team investigation series continues, it would be fun to read about the married couples solving crimes!

I love Lyn Blackburn’s writing and she has outdone herself with the Dive Team Investigation series. One Final Breath is the third book in the series and I’m going to go out on a limb and say it is the best of the series. Simmering romantic tension between the two lead characters, three investigations with ongoing twists and a strong camaraderie between the Dive team and their respective significant others, makes for a thrilling and fantastic read.

Anissa Bell is the Dive Team Captain, so she is familiar with death and murder. But when she and her friends respond to shots fired in the Lake and must rescue a young girl and the young man she was with, it all hits too close to home and brings up some unwanted memories. Together, Anissa and her team, including Investigator Gabe Chavez, must pull together the threads of the case, even when there is little to go on. But when a seemingly innocent event indicates someone is attempting to hurt Anissa, the case gets personal.

Gabe and Anissa have been arguing, bouncing off each other and ignoring the depths of their growing feelings for the past two books in this series. They make a great team — even if they sometimes drive each other a little crazy. I loved every moment of their interactions, especially when they are verbally sparing, and watching them grow closer and brave enough to open up about their feelings.

But it is not just Gabe and Anissa’s romantic relationship that makes this book so special. Throughout the Dive Team series, we readers have got to know Anissa and her team well. They have such a strong friendship, deep faiths and commitment to finding justice.

The mysteries in this book, of which there are many, are both thrilling and intriguing. It was easy to get swept up in the threads of the story. And there was so much in this book. Just when I thought things might be wrapping up, I realised that I was only half way through and there was so much more to come in the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed One Final Breath, as I have enjoyed the Dove Team Investigations series. I highly recommend the series, which should be read in series order for maximum effect, to readers who enjoy suspense novels.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.