Title: Protecting Tanner Hollow

Author: Lynette Eason

Pages: 375

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Rating: 4 stars overall


Protecting Tanner Hollow is a collection of four novellas Lethal Homecoming, Lethal Conspiracy, Lethal Secrets, and Lethal Agenda by Lynette Eason that take place in a fictional small town in North Carolina called Tanner’s Hollow forty five minutes from Ashville. While each of the novella can be read as a stand alone its still best to read them in order. Otherwise there’s small spoilers for other novella’s if read out of order. I enjoyed all four novellas and even got a story I wanted since I read the Blue Justice series. Derek St John’s story. Which was my favorite of the novella’s my only complaint is simply that it was too short.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

A few years ago, Lynette Eason self-published a trio of novellas set in the fictional small town of Tanner Hollow. Recently, the rights were purchased by Revell and the books have now been republished into a collection and a fourth novella featuring tie-ins to Eason's Blue Justice series has been added.

Lethal Homecoming
This novella is the first and the shortest. So short, there is barely enough time for the story to happen. I had that feeling the first time I read it when it was self-published, and I had hoped that some editing would have fleshed out the story a little better for its republication. Unfortunately, it still seems largely unedited. Nolan and Kallie are intriguing characters, but due to the length of the story, the reader never gets a chance to connect with them. Similarly, the plot felt very rushed. There were a few action scenes, then you snap your fingers, and the story is over. In that respect, this novella was a bit disappointing, and my least favorite.

Lethal Conspiracy
Thankfully, the pacing issues seem to have resolved after that first novella. While still short—these are novellas, after all—the story and characters were fleshed out more thoroughly, making for a more enjoyable read. I enjoyed seeing Nolan's brother, Jason, as the lead in this story. It was also a nice deviation from the norm in having a firefighter for the hero versus a law enforcement officer. Lillian is a tough character who has been through a lot and is hesitant to accept help. But I enjoyed seeing her and Jason's relationship progress through the story.

I do have one complaint with this story though, and that's with the inaccuracies portrayed in the opening scene. This situation is one of my biggest pet peeves, so it really stuck out to me, but an editor or the author could have done a bit of research on the protocol for this situation and corrected these issues. Jason responds to a house fire, and an unresponsive woman is found in her car in the garage as they work to put out the fire. Jason immediately pulls her out, suspects carbon monoxide poisoning (a fair conclusion) and starts mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Now, in giving first aid to someone who is not breathing, mouth-to-mouth is NOT the first step. Chest compressions are always the first step. Also, as a first responder, they would have PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as a face mask/shield on hand (which it is clear Jason didn't use) for doing mouth-to-mouth.

Aside from those minor issues, this novella was a major step up from the first one, and I greatly enjoyed it!

Lethal Secrets
The plot in this third novella is the most complex yet, and I was kept guessing throughout. Honor's five children each had such character and made the story more enjoyable. Eli fell a bit flat to me, but generally, I did enjoy these characters. The small-town aspect of the series really shines in this book as the entire town rallies around Honor to help her family. Eason also touches lightly on some difficult topics, which also adds some depth to the story. Overall, this one wasn't my favorite but was still an enjoyable read.

Lethal Agenda
And now onto the final novella and my favorite. This one features Detective Derek St. John, one of the three brothers in Eason's Blue Justice series. I was very disappointed that Derek didn't get his own full-length novel like the rest of his siblings did, but this novella worked well in this collection and shared his story perhaps just as effectively as a novel would. Claire Montgomery is a crime scene investigator and Derek's counterpart for this story. (Fun fact: Claire appears in Lethal Conspiracy as well.) Our detective is just in town for a little R&R, but after an attempt is made on Claire's life, he gets pulled in to help an old friend out. Derek and Claire had a lot of chemistry and were great characters together and individually. The backstory of how they initially met made a lot of sense and made the romance so much more plausible. The story keeps you on your toes throughout with a good dose of mystery and, of course, Eason's trademark action-packed scenes.

All in all, this collection of action-packed romantic suspense stories was an enjoyable, quick read that I recommend to new and old Lynette Eason readers!


FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

4 thrilling novellas set in the seemingly idyllic Tanner Hollow, one featuring Derek St. John!



Action-packed, thrilling reads from Lynette Eason. I was so excited to read these novellas, and would save them as rewards for myself for getting other tasks done. They did not disappoint!



The first two stories feature brothers Nolan and Jason Tanner, as they evade killers and find love. The third story finds Eli Murphy risking his own secrets to help Honor. And the 4th is an absolute must read for fans of Ms. Eason's Blue Justice Series, as it stars Derek St. John.



I enjoyed every one of these stories, they all pack a huge punch in a novella-length story. Great heroes and heroines, thrilling, suspenseful stories that do not disappoint! Perfect for fans of suspense!



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

I loved this collection of novellas by Lynette Eason. I always look forward to Lynette Eason’s books, and it’s even more fun to see stories crafted around characters you meet in previous stories. Once again, she crafted stories that kept my attention and kept me guessing until the end. Even though they are shorter in nature, they are fully developed and full of emotion and action. Pick you your copy today!

I really enjoyed this collection of stories from one of my favorite authors. These stories have been previously released but were new to me as I hadn't gotten to the individual stories before. My favorite of the collection was the 2nd story. I really liked the mystery in that one and there were a couple of massive surprises in that one. I also loved that Derek St. John finally had his story told as well. All in all, a fantastic collection of stories! Recommended!

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

While I'm not a huge fan of novellas as they are usually brief and rushed in my opinion, I am a huge fan of Lynette Eason's writing. I quickly realized that this collection of four novellas was going to be one that did not disappoint. If you have read some of her other books, you will recognize some of the characters. Three of the four novellas have been published previously. And, although you meet some old friends, you will also be introduced to new ones. As with all of Eason's writing, the suspense and mystery are top notch. Because they are shorter stories, you will be guessing right from the start. Each of the novellas has a unique set of characters and storyline, but the setting is the same in each.

Lethal Agenda with Derek St. John was the one that I could not stop reading. This is also the novella that has not been published previously. I was glad to see his character find true love. And Claire is the perfect addition to the very full St. John family. The final scene wrapped up the St. John family perfectly.

Lethal Secrets with Eli and Honor is a sweeter story than the others, but it still has suspense intertwined. This one is full of matters of the heart. A widow of five trying to make ends meet and a man who has the gift of patience and serving. I enjoy when storylines are unique but still highlight different life paths.

Lethal Conspiracy with Jason and Lily was packed with intense scenes and suspense. But I felt that their relationship was rushed and a little unrealistic. So, it was my least favorite of the four.

Lethal Homecoming with Kallie and Nolan is packed with action and a re-kindled love. It includes several suspects and keeps you guessing.

As expected due to being novellas, they were a bit rushed for my liking. Overall, they are well written and "just one more page" reads. So, if you love Lynette Eason's writing, novellas or romantic suspense, these stories will make for a quick but satisfying read.

I have been a big fan of Lynette Eason's novels in the past, so when I saw that she had put out this collection of novellas, I was excited to get my hands on them. The first three stories may be familiar to longtime fans, as they had previously been released as ebooks only. This was my first time reading any so I was excited to dig into this collection of stories set primarily in the small town on Tanner Hollow.

Lynette Eason is fantastic at keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, and these novellas were no different. There were moments that I DID wish that these stories would have been full length novels just so that we could really expand on things a bit more in some areas, but I would still say she did a great job of packing in a ton of action, twist and turns and romance into each story despite their shorter length. Would I have preferred longer? Of course, but they were extremely satisfying regardless. Actually, the length was kind of perfect for this time of year when many of us are more busy and perhaps don't have as much time to read. These fast paced novellas give us that romantic suspense fix we love, but are quicker reads than a full length novel.

Each novella features different characters and a different story, but we do get glimpses at the previous characters as well--- which always thrills me as a reader. The final story features characters from Lynette Eason's Blue Justice series.

Overall, this is a must read for any Lynette Eason fan. They will lover her fantastic style in a smaller package. For those unfamiliar with her work, it's a great introduction and one that will have you begging to pick up a full length novel to get the full experience!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Reads. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts.

Lethal Homecoming
Just as mysterious as I recalled! Again, I didn’t figure out whodunit. I liked the family drama and that this was a complex little novella.

Lethal Conspiracy
Wow. So blown away by this one. Such a great addition to the series. I especially enjoyed the wonderful usage of technology and forensic science. The drama and suspense were spot-on and engaging. The faith thread was light, but that did not detract from the amazing quality of this story.

Lethal Secrets
Oh, be still, my heart! The fact that the author was gutsy enough to give the heroine five children in this novella made my heart melt. None of the kids got lost or felt flat in the ten-chapter story, and I liked the balance between the family drama and suspense. Fabulous!

Lethal Agenda
Derek’s story did not disappoint. Action-packed and stuffed to the gills with suspects, this tale was a blast to read. My only wish was that it would have been placed in the Blue Justice series rather than tacked on to the Tanner Hollow trilogy. Derek was the only St. John sibling to be shoved off into a different series, which made it feel strange and out of place. However, his story was five-star amazing, which I fully expected. I was happy that he had his moment to shine.

Protecting Tanner Hollow
Paperback – ebook, hardcover, audible, audio cd
November 5, 2019
by Lynette Eason (Author)







Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell
ISBN-13: 978-0800736460


Four nail-biting novellas in one!


Lethal Homecoming


Nolan Tanner never got over Kallie Ainsworth's sudden, unexplained departure. Now when he comes to her rescue after an attempt on her life, all the old feelings come rushing back.



My thoughts: Sweet! I loved the old feelings flared to life romance, the blended family dynamics, and the long harbored secrets that came to light. I had fun guessing who-dun-it and why--and I was totally wrong, wrong, wrong. Great read.


Lethal Conspiracy


When professional fundraiser Lillian Maloney sees her father's campaign manager commit murder, she goes on the run from the men he hires to kill her. A close call brings firefighter Jason Tanner to the rescue, but the killer is closing in . . .


My thoughts: This was a fast paced novella. The bad guys were not one step ahead, which made it more realistic. It seemed rather cut and dried, but all was not as it seemed and there were plenty of twists I never saw coming. Great read.


Lethal Secrets


Someone wants Honor McBride dead. When Eli Murphy helps her change a flat tire and discovers the danger Honor is in, he longs to help--but Eli has secrets of his own that could get them all killed.


My thoughts: I think this is the first story I've read where the heroine has five children. Eli and all five of the kids were great and for an abused woman, Honor is spunky though she doesn't always think things through. No big surprises but a good read. I really liked Eli.


Lethal Agenda


When Detective Derek St. John rescues a woman he's met only once before--and has never been able to forget--he finds himself falling for her. But he'll have to keep Claire Montgomery alive if they're to have a future together.



My thoughts: It was great to catch up with members of the St. John family in this fast paced novella. Derek and Claire had a previous connection, so the romance flared. As for who-dun-it, there is a twist but I guessed on the involvement earlier. no surprises. Loved the neighbor "boy".



Overall thoughts: Loved the whole collection. Great for Lynette Eason fans or novella fans. Recommended.



I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Protecting Tanner Hollow was a wonderful compilation of novellas that captured the heart of small town mystery and romance. There are four stories, each uniquely written with connections that weave through the stories. However, each can be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed seeing new and much loved characters pop up. From beginning until end these stories are packed with suspense.

Lethal Homecoming…perhaps a little too fast of a read/happy ending, but I loved the story anyway! When Kallie returns home she’s met with danger before she even gets there. Detective Nolan is one of those leading men that will capture your heart. He just wants to protect Kallie and maybe steal her heart, too. I love seeing their characters pop up in this series, too!

Lethal Conspiracy…When Lily wakes up in a hospital with firefighter, Jason and the doctor believing she is trying to kill herself the sparks are set off immediately. As she tries to get them to believe she was running from a murderer another attempt is made on her life. It’s a face paced story that kept me wanting more.

Lethal Secrets is such a heartwarming story of a widow of five, just trying to survive. Honor has little money and comes to Tanner Hollow to start over, but mysterious accidents and threats are making a fresh start difficult. Eli has a wonderful heart and as he steps into help, it just made me yearn for their happy ending.

Lethal Agenda is by far my favorite. As an avid fan of Eason’s Blue Justice series, I loved seeing Derek St. John’s story merge with the Tanner Hollow community. I’ve been hoping for his happy ending and though I wish he’d gotten a full length story, Eason did a phenomenal job with this novella. When Derek sees Claire again, she’s in the middle of danger and they both have to figure out how to keep her safe. I loved both their strong characters.

Overall, I thought this was a great 4 in 1 book. It was an easy, fast paced read, that ended with all the feels. Loved it! For fans of romantic suspense that want a quick read, this four in one will fit the bill! It’s a must read for Blue Justice fans.

I received an advanced reader copy through NetGalley by the publisher, Revell. All opinions in this review are my own.

Lethal HomecomingNolan Tanner never got over Kallie Ainsworth's sudden, unexplained departure. Now when he comes to her rescue after an attempt on her life, all the old feelings come rushing back.

Lethal ConspiracyWhen professional fundraiser Lillian Maloney sees her father's campaign manager commit murder, she goes on the run from the men he hires to kill her. A close call brings firefighter Jason Tanner to the rescue, but the killer is closing in . . .

Lethal SecretsSomeone wants Honor McBride dead. When Eli Murphy helps her change a flat tire and discovers the danger Honor is in, he longs to help--but Eli has secrets of his own that could get them all killed.

Lethal AgendaWhen Detective Derek St. John rescues a woman he's met only once before--and has never been able to forget--he finds himself falling for her. But he'll have to keep Claire Montgomery alive if they're to have a future together.

I enjoyed reading these novella's They were suspenseful and kept me reading when I should have gone to bed. I liked how they incorporated the characters from the previous novella's into the stories. I also enjoyed reading about Derek St. John finding his true love. All the men seem to be super heroes and can protect the women they love. That just adds to the appeal of the stories.

I recommend this book to all mystery buffs.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

This book comprising of four stories was one thrilling and exciting ride and I enjoyed every minute of it though it did keep me at the edge of my seat a few times wanting to know who the culprit was and how things would turn out for the people involved.
When a book holds you captive from start to finish although short, you know it's really good. It was hard getting to find out the culprits and they turned out to be the least expected people which made it even more interesting because you never knew how it was going to play out.
For all the lovers of romantic suspense out there, this is another one to check out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine

This book is a compilation of the four Tanner Hollow romantic suspense novellas. Each one is full of suspense and romance set in the small town of Tanner Hollow, but the romance takes a backseat to the suspense most of the time. They are connected by the numerous members of the Tanner family, their spouses, and friends who are all in various law enforcement positions. Because they are novellas, each moves quickly both in the solution to the crime as well as the romance aspect. Yet, overall, it was a very compelling read that kept my attention.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Thanks to NetGAlley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I have read many of Lynette Eason's books and I prefer the book format to a novella. I like to spend more time with the characters. But this is a good read and Lynette does not disappoint. Enjoyed this book a lot!

I've got mixed opinions about this book. Let me start with what I like. At the top of the list is the author. Lynette Eason is someone that you can count on for a riveting story. If the book has her name on it . . . I want it!

I also liked that it was four different stories in one book. It's a crazy busy time of year and it's nice to be able to sit down and read a story in one sitting. In my opinion November and December were made for novellas.

Each of the stories are stand-alone but they are also somewhat connected. The stories are complete but there are connecting threads such as the location (Tanner Hollow) and overlapping characters. I still think you need to read the stories in order but it's okay to finish a story and then not get back to the next one for several days.

Finally let me tell you what I didn't really care for. I know I just said that I like novellas this time of year but for me this group of novellas really short changed the stories. In my opinion each of these novellas begged to be a full blown story. Don't get me wrong, I liked them, but I just felt like too much was condensed into a shorter story. Again, in my opinion, novellas really tend to be lighter stories. As with most of Lynette's books there was a lot of intense action.

So my final analysis would be to get it if you are a fan of Lynette Eason and/or romantic suspense. Read it and enjoy it and let it be a reminder of how much you enjoy sinking your teeth into her full-blown novels.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

This is a collection of fast-paced, action-packed novellas. The action sucks you in from the first scene and doesn’t let up until the end. The romance aspect of the stories isn’t as developed as the action and there’s not as much character development but it makes sense because they are novellas instead of full-length novels. Even those this collection is a part of the Christian fiction genre, only the third novella (Lethal Secrets) really mentions God. If someone is looking for a quick read in the suspense genre, I recommend these.

This is a set of four novellas by one of my favorite romantic suspense authors. They all take place in Tanner Hollow, a town where people take care of each other, even strangers to their community. The romantic relationships seem to develop pretty quickly but I expect that in novellas. There were some dramatic twists and lots of danger.
I enjoyed all the mysteries but I think my favorite was Lethal Agenda. This story connects to the series about the St. John family and completes Derek St. John’s story. He comes to Tanner Hollow to see a friend and hopefully run into Claire, a woman he met and can’t get out of his mind. Claire has a special relationship with her autistic neighbor, Levi. He’s very interested in her job in forensics and it was cool that he played a part in solving the mystery. I’d recommend this book to fans of suspense and mystery.
Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can't go wrong with Lynette Eason's suspense. This novella collection has somewhat predictable romantic storylines, but the mysteries are still worth reading. It's always tough to put a whole story into a novella and this book is no exception; however, it's still worth the read if you enjoy suspense and Lynette Eason's books. Recommended.

Eason does not waste any time getting to the action. Protecting Tanner Hollow is full throttle in the first chapter. As I read on I discovered why. Protecting Tanner Hollow is a collection of four romantic suspense novellas, so it is necessary to get into the action from the get go in each of the stories. Fans of novellas are going to love this collection. The setting and a few recurring characters link the novellas, each containing a damsel in distress being rescued, very different than the author's Elite Guardians series' female characters, but still delightful. One of Eason's St. John family characters is featured in the last of these stories. Fans of Eason's full-length novels may find the novellas a little light due to the length constraints, but will still find them an enjoyable read.

I am grateful to have received a copy of Protecting Tanner Hollow from Revell Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

If you enjoy a book with non-stop action, full of suspense, and mystery, you’re in for a treat with four riveting stories.
What ties them together is the location Tanner Hollow, and a few characters that appear in each story, even if just a brief part.
When I finished reading, one I quickly got immersed in the next, and the book was finished before I knew it.
For me I loved all of the stories, but the last one reunited me with the St. John family, and wow, I wasn’t expecting it, but it made me happy!
I received this book through the Revell Reads Program, and was not required to give a positive review.