Lynn Blackburn's Under fire is exciting and suspenseful, an enthralling story from beginning to end. Book three in the Defend and Protect series reunites the characters from earlier books and I always enjoy updates on characters form other books. Tessa and Zane are well developed including flaws. They are both strong characters who show quite a bit of growth as the plot progresses. I have really enjoyed all three books in this trilogy.
So brew a pot of tea and settle in for a suspenseful read.
I was given a copy of Under fire by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Wow! What an amazing series and story! The characters and story line kept my interest and engaged from beginning to end with lots of action and drama!

Special Agents Zane and Tessa, along with her team, are assigned to protect the President and eliminating any potential threats before his arrival to their area Raleigh NC. I liked that the other characters from the previous 2 books in this series were also included in this story. I liked the teams energy, integrity, faith and family focus. What an amazing bond they shared!

I highly recommend this Christian fiction, clean romantic suspense series! I can’t wait to see what this author is going to write next. She is one of my favorite authors to read.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About this book:

“USSS Special Agent Zane Thacker has landed his dream assignment protecting the president of the United States. When the president plans a fundraiser at the exclusive estate of a political supporter in Raleigh, Zane is thrilled to be working again with Special Agent Tessa Reed, his best friend--and the woman he desperately wishes could be more.
Though Tessa almost lost everything, she battled her demons and came out on the other side healthy and healed. But when her role as the liaison between the Raleigh office and the president's protective detail wrenches her past back into the present, her greatest failure threatens to come to light.
Zane refuses to let Tessa go through this alone. But can he stand by the woman he loves and protect the president from a mounting threat at the same time?”


Series: Book #3 in the “Defend and Protect” trilogy. Review of Book #1 Here! And Book #2 Here! Mentions characters from the “Dive Team Investigations” series and does give slight spoilers from those books. Also mentions a couple from the novella “Deadly Objective” by this author.


Spiritual Content- A handful of Scriptures are read & quoted; Prayers (including quite long prayers and talking to God), Thanking God, & Blessings over food; Talks about God & forgiveness; 'H's are not capital when referring to God; Tessa says she refuses to allow alcohol to steal the life God has for her; As a child, Zane didn’t understand why God gave him his mother when other kids had good mothers; Zane prays that he knows God has the power to fix others, but he doesn’t understand why He doesn’t (this is not brought up again); Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches & church going; A few mentions of forgiveness & a man wondering if Zane would still tell him about God if he knew what he did; A couple mentions of being Blessed & blessings; A couple mentions of sins & a sinner; A mention of wishing someone Godspeed; A mention of people in a town “walk[ing] the talk” when it comes to their faith; A mention of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; A mention of Mother Teresa; A mention of someone’s “eternal reward”; A mention of someone sounding like they’re calling “down fire from heaven”;
*Note: Mentions of Greek gods & a Roman god (Janus); A few mentions of evil; A few mentions of Tessa’s demons & her fighting them; A few mentions of a protest group having neon-crosses (because the person that was killed last name is Cross); A mention of someone’s smile looking a “little wicked”; A mention of being jinxed; A mention of someone knocking on wood (superstition); A mention of voodoo; A mention of someone saying they saw UFOs.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘bah’, a ‘blasted’, a ‘blooming’, a ‘duh’, a ‘screw up’, a ‘shoot’, a ‘shut up’, a ‘suckers’, two ‘crap’s, three ‘dumb’s, five forms of ‘ticked/tick off’, ten forms of ‘stupid’, and twenty forms of ‘idiot’; A couple mentions of curses (including Zane bites back choice words once; others are said, not written); Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Being attacked, Being strangled, Fighting/Self-Defense, Pain, Blood, & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Seeing a multi-vehicle car wreck (semi-detailed); A hangover (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to shoot someone (a few times, not serious); In the opening chapter, Tessa has a hangover (from drinking, but also someone drugged her drink so she remembers nothing and is freaked out); Tessa has struggled with an alcohol addiction for years (later says her first drink was in middle school and that she’s the type who should never have alcohol because she will always want more), goes to rehab prior to the main of the book, and says she’ll always be an alcoholic but she’s healing and doesn’t want to go back to how she was; Zane had a “nightmare” of a childhood due to his mother being an alcoholic (details of him being terrified, upset, & not able to understand why she was like that; He knows it’s not true that he’s not important enough for someone to sacrifice for, but it’s been imbedded in him because of his childhood; He made a comment once to Tessa about not being able to trust a woman who drinks because he might one day love a woman “who needs alcohol more than she needs [him]”); All about many, many mentions of threats, threats of harming and killing, domestic terrorists, crimes, criminals, arrests, jails, protests, violence, & hits on different people (including towards government officials, barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of being shot/shot at, being strangled, injuries, pain, a fire burning down a house, explosions, attacks, & deaths (some of the events in Book #1, up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of hangovers, drinking, bars, getting others drunk, alcohol, alcoholics (Tessa and Zane’s mother), rehab, sobriety, & going to AA meetings (Tessa); Mentions of the death penalty & a criminal being executed on multiple charges (eight murders, sexual assault, & battery); Mentions of murders & murderers; Mentions of death wishes & not having one (it is discussed between Tessa and Zane, & a family member asked if she was depressed or had a death wish because of her career choice); Mentions of someone being shot, blood/bleeding, someone being injected with insulin (deadly for those not diabetic), & a gun being aimed (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of grenades, bombs, explosions/explosives, & threats of blowing people/places up; Mentions of biological weapons & plans to cause harm/ill on others with chemicals; Mentions of a multi-vehicle car wreck, possible wrecks, injuries, & being tailed (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of poison, being poisoned, wondering if something is poisoned, & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of Tessa being drugged & abducted (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of abusive family members, addicts, & substance abuse; Mentions of drugs, drug addictions, being drugged, & women at bars being drugged; Mentions of a possible stalker; Mentions of a break-in; Mentions of snakes, a death from a snake bite, & Tessa’s extreme fear of snakes; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of some men believing that women shouldn’t work in law enforcement & misogynists; Mentions of childhood trauma; A few mentions of blood/bleeding & a crime scene looking bloody (because of red food dye); A few mentions of being robbed; A few mentions of blackmail; A few mentions of parties & the party scene; A couple mentions of possible suicides; A couple mentions of school shootings; A couple mentions of gossip; A mention of a man beating his wife to death; A mention of a death from an overdose; A mention of someone threatening to drown another; A mention of kids being trafficked; A mention of someone almost having a panic attack; A mention of a DUI; A mention of a scam; A mention of a father leaving his family; A mention of nicotine; A mention of vomiting; A mention of bullies; A mention of a man being a “pain in the rear”; A mention of someone getting their rear kicked; A mention of something being “a kick in the pants”; A mention of a family’s pet being run-over (does not happen);
*Note: Mentions of mental illnesses (including someone who is mentally ill but refuses to take medicine, someone being locked inside their “mental landscape”, someone’s mind being broken after something bad happened, and someone thinking another has a mental illness but hasn’t been diagnosed); Mentions of brand names (Spam, Coke, Barbie, Krispy Kreme, & Louboutin shoes); Mentions of Uber; A few mentions of Apple products & features (iPad, Find My Friends, Siri, & FaceTime); A few mentions of awards (Tony, Emmy, & Oscar); A couple mentions of car brands; A couple mentions of Disney princesses & Mickey Mouse; A couple mentions of Zoom; A couple mentions of plastic surgery & Botox; A couple mentions of an actor & fiction characters (Jack Nicholson & the Cleaver family); A mention of Agatha Christie.


Sexual Content- Staring at someone’s lips (once), two fingers-to-lips touches, a hands/fingers kiss, three head/forehead kisses, two nose kisses, eight barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and a semi-detailed kiss; Remembering kisses (not-detailed); Wanting to kiss; Lots of Touches, Embraces, Warmth, Shivers, Hand holding, & Nearness (including a massage with a moan & touching another’s thigh and knee, up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); In the opening chapter, Tessa wakes up in a motel with her shirt missing (she was not sexually assaulted/raped, but it implies that it could have gone that way; She is ashamed of it); Two forms of ‘hot’ and three ‘baby’s; Many mentions of dates & dating; Mentions of sexual assault, sexual harassment, possible scandals from it, & the women being paid off; Mentions of kisses, kissing, & making out; Mentions of men that can’t take no for an answer; Mentions of flirting; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of couples kissing & imagining someone kissing another (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of when a drunk Tessa threw herself at Zane (he said no and nothing happened); A few mentions of a woman clinging onto Zane; A few mentions of players & a couple men dating more than one woman at a time; A few mentions of come-on lines, making passes, & being hit on; A few mentions of winks & blushes; A couple mentions of someone thinking that it would be a “disservice to all humankind” if a certain guy reproduced; A couple mentions of making it where a man can’t father children; A couple mentions of a man’s new wife being younger than his youngest son; A couple mentions of anyone (male or female) “says no, the answer is no” (said by Tessa regarding a woman clinging onto Zane); A couple mentions of crushes;A mention of a man’s childhood being full of “drugs, sex, and violence”; A mention of it not being wise for a(n unmarried) couple to be allow together at night; A mention of nothing “physical” happening between two friends; A mention of a creepy guy; A mention of Zane wanting to make sure a rapist can never do it again; A mention of a marriage being consummated; A mention of a man trying to get rid of/hide his pregnant girlfriend; A mention of a prenup that would leave a man a pauper if his does to his new wife what he did to his previous wife (no details); A mention of a mistress; A mention of someone feeling like they’re cheating; A mention of a hook-up; A mention of a man being called a dog (by Tessa); A mention of a woman possibly wanting to fall for a man who’s more attracted to her mind than her body; A mention of a man wolf-whistling at Tessa; A mention of a woman batting her eyes (said in a mocking way); Both Tessa & Zane are attracted to each other, but they have stayed friends for years because of different reasons; Love, falling/being in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Tessa kicks a male attacker in a “sensitive place”; A few mentions of rears (including wanting to shoot a man in his rear, a man being a pain in the rear, and someone getting their rear kicked); A couple mentions of some threats being more of a “personal nature” (from women to a man, no details given); A mention of a curvy woman; A mention of some men being unable to “keep their pants up”; mention of Tessa kicking a “foot to the—” on a male attacker (cut-off, but implied where); A mention of someone butting out of a conversation; A mention of being the butt of jokes.

-Tessa Reed, age 35
-Zane Thacker
P.O.V. switches between them & someone else (x3)
352 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)

{ Because of some content, I would say this book is best for older girls who are very interested in law enforcement and considering it as a career path. }

This was a wild ride from start to finish. At first, I was a little concerned with what I was getting myself into because of the opening chapter. Which is somewhat how I felt at the beginning of the second book in this series as well. But I continued on to “help” solve the mystery. ;)

One thing I’ve really enjoyed about this trilogy is the friendship circle. How welcoming they all are to the newcomers and how they all have the others’ backs. They might be a bit too nosy at times, but it’s because they care for each other. They’re quick to pray for and with each other (long, legit prayers, I might add) and I truly just love that. It’s what has made this series good in my eyes. (Side note: The epilogue was cute and sweet and confused me to pieces. I assume it’s a preview of the author’s next series?)

There’s a lot of suspense elements in this trilogy, and while I definitely enjoy the uniqueness of those elements, the author doesn’t shy away from having broken characters who are in the process of healing. Especially in this novel. Tessa is a recovering alcoholic (though, she says that she’ll always been an alcoholic, despite going to rehab and AA meetings, so I don’t know if I agree with that statement) and we see some of her worst moments thanks to time skips. Because of the opening chapter of Tessa waking up drugged and missing some of her clothing, and the frequent mentions of the almost rape throughout the rest of the book, I definitely don’t recommend this book for those in BFCG’s target ages. This author has a knack for showing the nitty-gritty parts of a law enforcement career and I would say only older high school girls that are seriously considering it as a career, would be the only ones I would recommend this book to in the 9-19 age range.

My minor is in criminal justice (hence why I read so many FBI and suspense books) so I enjoyed looking at all the different details of this plot and trying to wrap my mind around all the loose ends, trying to future out how everything was connected.
There were a couple twists I didn’t see coming and a few I did, but overall it was a wild ride that kept me engaged and questioning everything. Not a book I would easily recommend, but I will say that I mostly enjoyed it.



Link to review:



*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.

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.