Wow! Active Defense is a thrill ride with twists and turns like a roller-coaster. I loved the close group of friends and their loyalty and camaraderie. The main characters are likable, and it's easy to understand their actions due to their backgrounds. I enjoyed the slow change in Heather. It felt very realistic, not an overnight thing. The mystery and suspense was off the charts.! The romance is sweet and clean.
One of my favorite lines in the book is, "You know, just because you have a bad start in life doesn't mean you have to have a bad finish."
I highly recommend this book to clean romantic suspense readers and to action/adventure readers. I have enjoyed all of Lynette Eason's books that I've had the chance to read.
I received a copy through NetGalley. I chose to write a review and share my opinion of this excellent book.

In Active Defense Lynette Eason has given another taste of her writing skill with a different twist on the typical romantic suspense. There was still plenty of action, a hero, and a great romance. The story grabbed my attention from the very beginning moving from a military hospital in Afghanistan to the United States.
I love how the relationships are written with consideration for reality—no plastic people or stereotypes.
Travis wasn’t an army ranger or boldly pursuing Heather, but was willing to let their friendship grow into more. His patience with her insecurities made him my kind of hero.
Heather was a contradiction, tough in some ways yet the reader is given glimpses of the heart underneath.
This is a well crafted story with believable side characters that add depth to the story. I loved it.
I received an ARC courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Revell through NetGalley and this is my honest review of the book.

“Active Defense,” by Lynette Eason is a thrilling ride from beginning to end, as we follow former war zone surgeon Heather Fontaine, who has just returned home to South Carolina. She is attending a party when she discovers that she has a stalker. Unwilling to place anyone she loves in danger, she leaves town. Friend and security specialist Travis Walker determines to look after Heather and to help discover who the stalker might be. The story is high energy, but clean in language and content (how refreshing). The secondary characters are well developed and helped to complete the story. I cannot wait to read more.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

A quick-paced and explosively good book! Hannah Fontaine has returned from the battlefields of Afghanistan where she was a compassionate and caring surgeon. Unfortunately, the war seems to have followed her back to the states since her life is increasingly in danger as the plot progresses. With kidnapping, bombs, threats to friends and total chaos in her life, Hannah accepts the help of Travis Walker, a man who owns his own security company and who is determined to keep Hannah safe. With characters from previous books in the series playing key roles in this one, it was like seeing old friends again. I really enjoyed the intricacies of the plot and the “jump off the page” realism of the characters. I felt as though I was right there in the story with Hannah, with my heart pumping and my feet running. This book was a journey into the dark world of lack of forgiveness and revenge, with a stunning reveal of the villains at the end. My favorite character was a teen named Ryker, a young man with a hard life and a big heart. The author did a masterful job of creating a story that is compelling and riveting from the first page all the way to the end. Fans of romantic suspense mixed with a thriller will really enjoy this book. It can definitely be read as a standalone, but I enjoyed the entire series.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from #Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I can always count on Lynette Eason for a thrilling ride, "Active Defense" was no different and kept me guessing the whole time!

I wasn't sure how I would like the book since it says it deals with a stalker, but I found the twists and turns of the plot to keep the story from being creepy and balanced with a good bit of action.

The romance and healing between Travis and Heather were darling and I love, love, love the family, brotherly/sisterly, and romantic bonds were woven throughout the whole of the novel.

I did NOT see the ending coming, it completely surprised me, I am always happy to come across a book that keeps me guessing, I had no idea who was behind the stalking as it was, and the way this was ended not what I expected.

I highly recommend this novel to suspense lovers!

And, Ryker, dear sweet boy, he needs his own story!

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

As a former field surgeon in Afghanistan, Heather Fontaine is used to life-or-death situations. She just didn't expect them to follow her home. When she returns from a party to find that someone has broken into her house--and threatened her friends--she assumes it is the stalker who has been following her and creeping her out. She hopes to find safety and peace of mind by leaving the city and hiding out in a small town. But trouble has followed her even there.
Luckily, a stalker isn't the only one watching Heather. Travis Walker has been secretly watching out for her for weeks. As owner of his own security agency, it's what he does. Together, Travis and Heather must figure out who wants her dead--and why--before it's too late.

Another hit for Ms. Eason. This book kept me reading when I should have been doing other things, Heather would rather run that ask for help from her friends. She was brought up in the foster care system and was told it's better to stand on your own two feet that accept help from others as they will let you down. She has learn to accept help when it is offered. Travis tracks her down and insists on helping. He also informs her that her friends are waiting to help also. The thing is that her friends have been threatened by the stalker. I had an inkling of who the stalker was as I was reading. But it was still surprising to see that I was correct.

I recommend this book to all who like a great mystery.

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

Lynette Eason hits another home run with “Active Defense,” the third installment of her Danger Never Sleeps series.

After returning home from Afghanistan following a suicide bombing, Dr. Heather Fontaine begins to believe she has a stalker, causing her to run away to keep herself and her friends safe. But when her group of friends, including Travis Walker who owns his own security firm, track her down, dangerous happenings begin to occur. With the help of her friends, Heather must try to determine who has a vendetta against her and why.

“Active Defense” is a non-stop, action-packed thriller right from the beginning. Hard to put down, its plot weaves brilliantly between suspenseful circumstances and a touch of romance as Heather and Travis find themselves drawn closer and closer.

Touching also on foster care and its impact on children even as adults, “Active Defense” is filled with many other great themes, like the importance of turning to and leaning on others for help; the impact of closing others out of our lives and not wanting to appear needy; and the need for control and what happens when we let go and let others in.

Eason also does a great job of developing strong, likable, yet relatable, characters who are also very flawed with issues to overcome.

Fans of authors like Irene Hannon, Terri Blackstock and Janice Cantore will enjoy this story.

“Active Defense,” which is due out Jan. 5, could be read as a standalone, but I’d highly recommend reading the series’ other installments.

Five stars out of five.

Revell provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

This book will keep you on your toes. It is fast-paced and suspenseful and makes it hard to put down. I could feel along with Heather in doing everything by herself instead of relying on other people but was also glad that she had friends that wouldn’t let her take on her stalker by herself once they find out. The romance between Travis and Heather also adds another dimension to the story and the supporting characters are delightful. This book is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.

I loved this book. The characters felt real and relatable. Heather has a sad history that has colored her relationships. She tries to not be a bother to anyone. So when danger comes to her door, she flees rather than let her friends help her. This doesn’t sit well with them, especially Travis who has come to care for her. It is amazing to see Travis care for Heather as he gently encourages her to stretch and grow in accepting help. He and his family are very special and welcoming. Heather has an amazing heart. She is willing to operate on a terrorist and to help a young man in a dark situation. She has learned how to take from her own horrible story to shed light into another’s situation.

This series is aptly named. Danger never sleeps. Danger follows Heather around from Afghanistan to her hometown and everywhere she tries to run. There are some twists and even a very unique surprise. It was so well-written. The pace was fantastic. This book was very hard to put down. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Another great nail biting romantic suspense by Lynette Eason. The book features Heather, a surgeon who is being stalked and doesnt know by who or why. This series has been very enjoyable and quite the adrenaline ride. This one is my favorite so far. I look forward to the next book by this author.
*I was given a copy of this book the publisher. This is my honest opinion

Active Defense delves into the life of Heather Fontaine, a honorably discharged military surgeon who has more plaguing her than just her nightmares of her tours in Afghanistan. Heather Fontaine has a stalker that has interrupted her peace, but she is stubbornly determined to keep her fears and suspicious to herself to not endanger her friends. Heather Fontaine has been a side character in previous books of Ms. Eason's Danger Never Sleeps series, but is the focal character in Active Defense.
Heather is blessed with a tight group of friends that truly care for her, but she determines to not put their lives in jeopardy after their lives are threatened by her stalker. Sunrise, North Carolina seems like a quaint small town where Heather can go off grid and leave her normal life behind for a few weeks. Soon, Heather's life turns into a waking nightmare, as she faces attempts on her life, dangerous situations, and a confusing web of ever-deepening betrayals, misinformation, and ghosts of her past. However, Heather has a surprising ally, someone who has been watching her and protecting her from the shadows, Travis Walker, one of her friends. Travis knows all about security from his career and his position as owner of a well-respected security agency. So, when Heather disappears one night, Travis gets to work, finding her and protecting her.
With Heather's life on the line, Travis puts his every effort and thought into protecting her and trying to find out who is trying to kill her. Heather hates to lose control of her life, but she is trying to trust her friends and allow them to help her. Can she let go of her tightly-controlled life and learn to trust Travis?Heather and Travis must discover the truth before it is too late. As they fight off the many attempts on Heather's life, Travis and Heather grow close, but can they survive the threats in order to see if they could possibly be more than friends? Who is behind the escalating threats on Heather's life? What does Heather know that her attacker is trying to silence her for?
Active Defense is an action-packed, suspenseful, and entertaining addition to the Danger Never Sleeps series and I honestly think each new book of the series exceeds well past my expectations. Ms. Eason's skill and expertise in writing Christian fiction with adrenalin-filled adventures without losing focus of character-building struggles, faith, family, and past issues is phenomenal. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend Active Defense as well any of Ms. Eason's works.
One thing I especially appreciate about all of Ms. Eason's writings is how she captures her reader's interest so thoroughly, beginning with a fast-paced introduction and leading to a plot thick with adventure, mystery, romance, suspense, and struggles. I also thoroughly appreciate the deep characters that Ms. Eason creates, bringing their individual stories slowly into focus throughout her series. I appreciate the relationship between Travis and Heather with its imperfections, but also the perseverance through difficult circumstances, willingness to selflessly adjust to the other's preferences, as well as a clear focus and priority on God. I absolutely enjoyed this book and hope that you have the chance to pick it up and read it! Happy reading!

Disclaimer: Revell graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

I enjoyed the action and suspense of this story. The heroine not only struggles to ask for help, but also has difficulty accepting help when offered. Having suffered a difficult childhood, she quickly bonds with a teenage boy living in similar conditions as those she dealt with when she encounters him while trying to get away from dangerous people. The hero wants nothing more than to protect her and get to know her better. She is part of a small close-knit group of friends who will do anything for each other if allowed to get close enough. But she just keeps pushing them back, thinking she can take care of everything on her own. Anyone who has lived long enough learns either that we need each other, or that we cannot count on others to help. Heather had learned the latter early in life at the hands of her father. When Travis and the others try to help, she tries to run and hide to take care of matters on her own and to keep them safe. She believes others only help because they expect something in return. Hold them at arms-length for self-preservation. She has some critical lessons to learn and we can learn as well as we travel along with her in this story. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

Review for Active Defense

The latest book by Lynette Eason, Active Defense, seriously cause me to consider calling in sick to work. I did not want to put it down for something as mundane as a paycheck. Yes, it is that good.

Again, Eason has given us a strong, brave woman, Dr Heather Fontaine. A woman with brains and a deep, deep heart. Even though that heart is guarded, she still cares for those who hurt. She helps everyone, but won't let others help her. Growing up in the foster care system has taught her that being in control is paramount.

Our hero, Travis Walker, has had feelings for Heather for a long time. But he doesn't act on them. He is dedicated and courageous and positioned, as the owner of a security agency, to protect her. Having grown up in a close and loving family gives him the tools to show her what true family looks like.

Someone is watching Heather. Someone is trying to hurt her. Travis convinces her to let him, and her friends, protect her and help her figure out who that someone is. And I will tell you right now, I had no clue who it was until just before the reveal. The suspense in this book is just that good.

If you like suspense, and action, and romance, mixed in with a good dose of faith, you WILL like this book. A lot. A whole lot. I mean it.

I just could not get into this one and usually, Eason is a favorite author of mine. The premise was good but I just was not a fan of how it all played out.

This third novel in the Danger Never Sleeps series by Lynette Eason started off with a bang and then seemed to slow for me. Perhaps I’m experiencing reader fatigue considering the number of books I’ve read during lock-down. It took me several chapters to get into the storyline despite the author’s ability to spin a tale of intrigue and crazy suspense.
Military surgeon Heather Fontaine has seen enough of the devastation of war and lives with the nightmare of losing a child on her operating table. She returns stateside and has an eerie feeling that the war hadn’t stayed behind in Afghanistan.
There are plenty of hair-raising moments through the pages of Active Defense, sprinkled with a bit of romance. The narrative is easy and evenly-paced, keeping the reader engaged for the most part.
I admit, the first twist in the book totally threw me off. It was one of those – “oh really?” kind of moments. A moment that I wanted to throw the book across the room and stop reading (but I didn’t want to break my tablet).
BUT… I’d invested too much time to give up. I’m glad I didn’t, because the last half of the book pulled me in until I read the final phrase. There’s more action, explanations that make sense, and goose-bump moments that will have you reading until the wee hours of the morning.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

A fast paced, suspenseful thriller! This series just continues to get better with each book and the expectations raised even higher for the next one.

Heather’s character has always been intriguing and sort of mysterious making the reader wanting to learn her story. I was not disappointed as her story unfolded in the pages of this book. Her past helped shape the cautious, strong, independent person that she is. Her compassion as a doctor is extraordinary. Her love for her friends is as big as the sky and causes her to often close them off to the real things bothering her so not to impose on them. Her complex character quickly draws you in wanting you to be her friend.

Travis takes more of a central role in this book than he has previously. We get to know and understand him as a person but also how he fits into the friend group. He is genuine with a big heart who would do anything for others especially family and friends.

This book tackled many different difficult issues. Mrs. Eason does an eloquent job discussing child abuse and suicide bombers. Her well written storyline made me look at both of those issues and the fall out of them in new ways.

This has been my favorite book of this excellent series! It is full of twists and turns, suspense, and romance. I found it hard to put down and yet not wanting it to end. I must admit that I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series after reading the teaser at the end of this one! It already proves it will be a thriller and I can’t wait to read it!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Third in the series, Active Defense is another suspense filled mystery by Lynette Eason. A former field surgeon, Brooke, carries a rough past and a trauma from active duty, all that come back to haunt her as someone comes after her. Her friends try and support her, Travis in particular and they go in a joint effort to locate the stalker and survive. A story with a lot of action, true to the authors style.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the aRC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Active Defense
by Lynette Eason
Revell
You Like Them
Christian | Romance
Pub Date 05 Jan 2021 | Archive Date 13 Feb 2021

Lynette Eason had me in her hand from the first page of this book. Suspenseful and interesting! Great story.
Can you imagine come home from war duty and being stalked... I really enjoyed it. Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the ARC. I can't wait to share this book with our Christian/Romance readers.


5 star

I loved “Active Defense” by Lynette Eason. Of course, I didn’t doubt that! I have loved every one of Lynette Eason’s novels. This is the third book in the series, but you can read this one without reading the others. However, there are some reoccurring characters. I was hooked from the beginning until the end. And there was a huge twist for me at the end. I never suspected what was going to happen!

If you enjoy good, clean, romantic suspense novels, I highly recommend this book and all of Lynette Eason’s books. I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I have read many books by this author, and this one does not disappoint. It is the third book in the series with some recurring characters, but this can be read alone!
I can’t imagine coming home from a war zone, and then having a stalker, now Heather doesn’t even feel safe in her own country, never mind her home.
The character Heather is a strong woman who has pulled herself up from her bootstraps to become a surgeon, coming out of a rough background amid foster homes.
You will feel yourself ducking as bullets fly, and evil is lurking, along with a bit of tender romance.
This one will not disappoint, and I would love to go on with the lives of these characters.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.