Lynn H. Blackburn is one of those author names that I get excited when I see on the cover of a book. She does suspense wonderfully and I always look forward to reading her newest. As such, I was excited to read the newest book in her Defend and Protect series. This is the third book in the series, and while I do believe each could be read fine as a standalone, I feel like you definitely get the most out of the series by reading in order and better understanding of the team dynamics.

I have very much enjoyed the previous books in this series, but I have to say that I struggled to get into this one a little bit. When I have read other books by this author, it seems like the action starts early and holds up, but this one felt like I was still just really waiting for the story to begin. Don't get me wrong, there was definitely suspense and action, it just didn't feel quite the same as I had come to expect both in the genre and more specifically from this author. Instead, there seemed to be more focus on the relationship between Tessa and Zane. While the building of that relationship was done very well, it just wasn't quite what I was expecting.

Though not my favorite from the author, this was still an enjoyable read. If you enjoy romantic suspense, this series as a whole is certainly one to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

It was so good to see our friends from the Raleigh RAIC office and those from Carrington County again. Zane and Tessa’s story has been a long awaited one for me at least. I enjoyed getting the back story that brought them to the place where this book begins, to see another dimension to Zane and Tessa. I am sad to see this series end, as I am with all of Lynn’s books.


**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this amazing opportunity.

Tessa is one tough cookie. She fought against the bad boys and often won! She had the respect of her co-workers and did everything she could to keep them safe. Zane is her best friend. Zane was supportive and always there for her. But Tessa wanted more.

Under Fire was certainly action packed. It was difficult to put it down. I'm a night reader. I was just ready to turn off the light when Tessa was in a situation that she had to escape from.

Alcohol addiction and shame were battles that Tessa fought every day. Could she have the future she desired? Could she have a future with her best friend?

#RevellReads

This is the first book I have read by Lynn Blackburn. Under Fire is an excellent romantic suspense novel that gives us a look into the Secret Service and how an office would prepare for a presidential visit. I have never given this responsibility much thought as my life is so far removed from the whirlwind of politics and protective services.
I enjoyed meeting Zane and Tessa and following them through the complicated process of untangling emotions from job and responsibility. Their love is a sweet outcome of this book.
I haven’t read the other books in the series so it was my first meeting with Luke, Gil, Jacob, Benjamin, Faith, Sharon and several others. I admit to not always keeping up with who was with who as there is backstory that was briefly mentioned as Under Fire progresses.
The danger the team faces comes on two fronts - a threat to Tessa and groups wanting to harm the president. It was interesting to see how the team dealt with both dangers.
This is a Christian novel. The characters pray at time throughout the book. I like this insight into praying because it gave me ideas on changing my own prayers to be more praising of God and recognizing his power.
Thank you to Netgalley and Revell for approving me to enjoy a copy of Under Fire before publication.

All Lynn Blackburn's books are riveting reads, impossible to put down until you are finished books and 'Under Fire' is no exception. The characters are believable because they are not perfect, Tessa had an alcohol problem which got her into a very dangerous situation, which with help from Zane, she realised she needed to go to rehab and fought hard to get and stay clean. This book is unapologetically Christian, not in a preachy way but in how when things got hard, they prayed for wisdom and strength. I loved the close friendship and support of their friends and workmates. Yes this is book 3 but it can be read as a standalone however be warned, when you meet Tessa and Zane's friends and workmates you will be keen to read the earlier books to find out their stories. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, but this review is my own.

Terrific romantic suspense. Co-workers are also great friends. Heart-breaking back stories for the main couple. Clever mystery that kept me guessing. I look forward to reading the next one.

Tessa and Zane have serious history. There is a secret that is coming back to haunt her as they enter a mission that protects the life of the President of the U.S. Deep intrigue, danger, a mystery they can't seem to solve along with threat to lives brings the two close together. Who is the real target?
There's a great deal of tension for all involved. I really like the thought of members of the Secret Service and FBI as friends and family to one another. The characters in this story watch each other's backs, have a solid comradery and share a faith in God that brings them together in prayer. I like the believable characters the author has created. I couldn't help but care about them as I became immersed in the story.
Thanks to Lynn H. Blackburn, the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book.
This is my own personal and unsolicited opinion. I enjoyed this stand-alone book that is part of a really intriguing series.

Secret Service Special Agent Zane Thacker has been transferred to the DC office where he is on the detail protecting the President. The President has planned a campaign trip to Raleigh, which brings Zane back to his old unit in Raleigh and Special Agent Tessa Reed who is in charge of the local detail for the visit. Zane and Tessa have a history and a budding romance but there is a lot of stuff going on that put them both in danger and increases their dependence on each other.


I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my own honest opinion.

I have loved this series and the characters so much! It’s hard to say goodbye (although I have hope that we’ll get glimpses of them in the new series). This book was so perfectly paced with the romance given the history with Zane and Tessa. And oh gosh… I loved their romance. The suspense was a bit less action-packed in this one but still really good. We get an inside look at a presidential visit. And it is so much fun getting another glimpse of the Carrington crew! Definitely recommend this one to fans of romantic suspense!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required. I’ve also pre-ordered the book for my keeper shelf.

Ms. Blackburn draws you into the book with a shocking scenario that leads Tessa to finally seek the help she needs to overcome her alcoholism. What this has to do with the rest of the story is what makes you want to keep reading to see how it connects.

I liked the faith that both Tessa and Zane display as they work through difficult aspects of their pasts and their relationship. The twist at the end of the story was surprising and not one that I had expected. The epilogue was intriguing and I am hoping that this is a teaser for a new series.

Due to the nature of some of the topics that are in the story, I recommend this book for young adult through mature readers. Although the is the last book in the Defend and Protect series, it can be read as a stand alone.

I was given a copy of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I loved reading the first two book from Lynn H Blackburn's series, Defend and Protect. I was excited to read book three and it does not disappoint. I thought it was great. Four and a half stars.

Once again an excellent book by Blackburn. I enjoy reading her books because they have a little bite to them. They show that Christians are forgiven not perfect. Zane finally makes his move!!! Woot! Go Zane. But alas there are complications.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

Lynn H. Blackburn has created a whole law enforcement community and in her books we always encounter the same characters from her previous books. Feels like meeting old friends. her love stories are always complicated but relatable, the thrill is always there, they're constantly in danger and the mix makes for an enjoyable read.

"I think if I walked around introducing you as the pulse of my heart, we would get a few weird looks."

Zane and Tessa have had great chemistry and friendship throughout the series and I am so happy that they have their own adrenaline-fueled, romance-laced story to conclude this fantastic series about Raleigh Secret Service agents. The plot is fascinating and even though we hear the villain's voice in the story, we don't actually see the clues coming together until the very end. Zane is still very much part of the Raleigh office though he's now in DC protecting the president. The solid bond of brotherhood among Zane, Luke, Gil, and Benjamin is enviable and I loved their protective love of each other and their families. I've always liked Zane but his tender, romantic, patient heart totally swept me away in this book. Tessa is fierce and no-nonsense and a great Secret Service Agent. Zane and Tessa have painful pasts that prevent them from fully trusting each other with their hearts but their friendship and sizzling attraction are delightful. I loved catching up with Luke and Faith, Gil and Ivy, and Benjamin and Sharon from this office and Adam and Sabrina from the Carrington Sheriff Office from the author's previous series.

It's an excellent conclusion to Defend and Protect series that you won't want to miss. I received the book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book! I was suspenseful and action packed. The writing was well executed and I felt like I was right there in the story.

The truest sign of courage isn’t to ignore the threat but to prepare for it.

As a Secret Service Agent, Tessa is not new to threats but they are usually against those that are being investigated or protected. This time it is different - these threats seem to be against her personally. Or are they? Perhaps it is just because she has been tasked to plan and implement the protection for a presidential visit.

Be prepared to laugh out loud, sit on the edge of your seat and maybe even hold your breath as you read this book! The author keeps you guessing the whole time with attempted assaults, poisoning and more. Who is behind these threats and what has the victim done to deserve them? Will the team be ready to protect, regardless of the cost?

This early copy of #3 in the Defend and Protect series was received through Baker Publishing Group, Revell Books and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

Under Fire by Lynn Blackburn

US Secret Service Agent Tessa Reed, has spent the last year, 3 months and 27 days working on her sobriety after waking up in a seedy motel with no shirt on and no idea how she ended up there, she did not know if she blacked out from the amount of alcohol she drank or if she had been drugged. Either way it was clear she had been kidnapped.
Tessa knows that without God walking her through her journey, and providing her with wonderful Christian friends that happen to also be her co-workers, she would not have made it to this point in her life. Working for the Secret Service can be consuming and it has been wonderful to work with like minded and spiritually synced people. One of those people is Zane Thacker without whom she does not know how she would have gotten through much of this time.
US Secret Service Special Agent Zane Thacker is a good man. He has a job that loves and wonderful friends that share his faith and they have the same core principles that they live by. One of those best friends is Tessa, a strong, beautiful woman whom he would very much like to be more than friends with, except for one problem, her battle with alcoholism. Even though she has remained sober for over a year, he made the decision to keep them in the friend zone. He tells himself it's because he does not want to be the cause of her to ever drink again. But the real reason is because his Mom was/is an alcoholic whom never got control over the disease. So Zane decided to never date an alcoholic no matter how he felt about the woman.
Zane is the lead of a secret service team in DC and Tessa is the leader of a team in Raleigh, NC, when the President decides he wants to visit Raleigh, the 2 teams come together to provide the amount of security needed to make his visit a success.
Their teams are charged with checking all threats made towards the President, there are a lot. They decide to split the list of threats so they can get through them quickly. While they work together they both feel the pull of their attraction for one another. As they get through their list and investigate one particular threat they both begin to realize that whomever sent this particular threat was connected to the kidnapping over a year ago and to the attempts and successes to attack her while she has been investigating this threat. Tessa and Zane's teams work around the clock to solve this as quickly as possible. The President is coming to Raleigh in a matter of days.

Ms. Blackburn knows how to blend the action of her story with the truths of God's love, mercy & grace. Thank you for allowing me to be on this launch team.

Under Fire is a fantastic romantic suspense. Fast paced edge of your seat plot. I throughly enjoyed this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

Under Fire by Lynn Blackburn is a thrilling romantic suspense. It is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. Lynn tackles a tough submit of alcoholism in this book.

Under Fire balances perfectly the work of the Secret Service and the developing relationship between Tessa and Zane. They have become best friends. Some of the things they do together as friends are adorable.

They mystery of the president coming to visit was very well done. I don’t want to share too much so you can experience the thrill of who did it.

Even if you have not read the series you will enjoy the banter of the co workers. It is so realistic. It also adds humor to the tense moments.

Sexual content – kissing
Violence –
Drinking – the alcoholism is in the past

I have really enjoyed this series very much. I have really been looking forward to Zane and Tessa’s story and I was not disappointed at all. The plot was great and the characters well done. My thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book.