Under Fire is another fantastic read by Lynn H. Blackburn, the third in her Defend and Protect series. This is Zane and Tessa’s story. There are so many twists and turns as the team prepares Raleigh, NC for a visit from the president. As they look for any and all threats, someone targets Tessa. While protecting the president, the team protects Tessa. This is fast-paced and suspenseful and was difficult for me to put down. Although each book can be read as a standalone book, I recommend the entire series.

I've been waiting for Zane & Tessa's story forever and it did not disappoint!!! I laughed out loud so many times during this story.

Lynn H. Blackburn crafts stories that make you feel like you are a part of the friend group in the book. I love being a "fly on the wall" with the Raleigh RAIC and I love how the Carrington group is so involved and integrated with them.

I will say that this book seemed more character driven than plot driven, but I think that was mostly because so much of the book was prep for the president's visit. I definitely did not suspect anyone or anything and was quite surprised by how things went down.

Zane and Tessa are great characters. I admire Zane for the things he's done, how he put Tessa's needs before his own, and even how he didn't let his past hold him back from what he could have for the future. Tessa is very brave for how she handled her mistake and problem, allowed her friends to help her, and didn't let pride stop her from doing the right thing. It was also very interesting to see the tumult that can occur when people who want to be more than friends try to just be friends and then go to more than friends. Falling in love with your friend might sound fun but it's not without it's issues.

The progression of the ending was fantastic. I've never seen a book do that before and I absolutely loved it! I also like how Blackburn is setting up her next series. I'm hoping that our RAIC friends will be popping up here and there.

I have loved this series by Lynn Blackburn, it has been a delight to read. The characters are fun and sweet, with interesting lives. I have also enjoyed the Secret Service aspect. I was surprised by the opening scene in the book, it felt uncomfortable for me as the reader. The story delves into a recovering addicts life, after she gets help and I really liked this aspect of the story. People are complicated and messy and it's good to normalize that. But some of fallout of the recovering (especially in relation to the first scene) felt awkward like the author was going for shock value.
I look forward to more from this author and hope it is more like the first two book sin the series.

this is another great story in the series. special agent tessa and zane where team members but she had a drinking problem and he helped her now he works to keep the President safe and she is in the Raleigh office but the president is coming to town and so is zane so they will be working in the same office. the threats to kill the president are coming in and they have to check them out if you like suspense and some romance you will want to read the book this is a reviting story that you will not be able to put down to the last page i was given a copy of the book by nethgalley but this is an honest review

Under Fire
by Lynn H. Blackburn
Pub Date: March 7, 2023
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I have read all the books in this series and this one is the best of them all. This is the final book in the series.
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.
I highly recommend this book and author! Read it as soon as you can!
5 stars

Lynn Blackburn is one of my new favorite authors! This is the Last book in this series and I have enjoyed them all. It didn’t take me long to finish it, I was in the edge of my seat most of the time! I loved the characters of Zane and Tessa as well as all their coworkers and friends. It was a wonderful read!

I have enjoyed this series and the glimpse into the lives of several Secret Service agents. It has been interesting to learn more about that branch and what they do in addition to protecting the president.
That said, this book lacked the drive of the other books in the series. It seemed like the characters were just spinning their wheels for the first have of the story, failing to gain much traction. It picks up eventually, and winds up finishing well. It was just hard to get into.

"Under Fire" is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the third in a series, but it works as a stand alone. Tessa's leading the local efforts to prepare for a visit by the president. Not only did the team need to investigate and prevent the threats against the president, but a threat came in against Tessa. She (and the teammates protecting her) had to avoid repeated attacks while stopping threats to the president. Tessa was competent and kick-ass during the suspenseful parts. So were her teammates. Great team.

Tessa was an alcoholic (now over a year sober) who got help after nearly getting raped and not knowing who did it. Zane's mother was an alcoholic who severely neglected him, so he once told Tessa that he'd never get into a relationship with an alcoholic. They've become best friends, care about each other, know what the other likes, and have shared their lives. They worked well together as part of a team. But they must overcome this issue before they can allow the relationship to turn romantic.

The main characters were likable, complex, and reacted realistically to the situations. I cared about what happened to them. The Christian element was genuine prayer about the relationship problems and about dealing with the threats. Tessa realized that only God would show her perfect love. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I would recommend this enjoyable, exciting suspense novel.

I love the insight into all the work, coordination, and agencies involved in making sure our President is safe when traveling to different locations.
Entwined in the stress and long hours is a couples story of finding their way through human failures.
It is hard to heal and move on from parts of our past that shame us. Tessa’s personal struggles are compounded with trying to keep herself alive as she in turn, tries to the the POTUS alive. Zane is there for her no matter what. But can she survive and untangle who is behind her murder attempts? As usual, you will be turning the pages to the very end.

If Blackburn’s novel was a buffet I would have been so satisfyingly stuffed you’d have to roll me out the literary door! Her character development is so rich you’ll end up wishing you could join the group—except for the danger and such!

Tessa and Zane’s story comes together in such a perfect and believable way you’ll swoon and be so happy for these two people who aren’t even real—it’s that good!

My only problem with this one is that now the series is done. I could stay with this bunch forever, but now I can hardly wait to find out what’s next.

Lynn Blackburn kept up her great writing in Under Fire book three of Defend and Protect. Zane Thacker, now in the presidential protection detail, returns to Raleigh to prepare for the presidents visit.

Tessa Reed is the lead agent on the Raleigh office detail for the visit. Tessa is targeted and the hunt is on to not only protect the president but find the connection to the presidents visit.

Lynn weaves suspense with romance to bring us a great story. Highly recommend this conclusion of the series.

This is absolutely my favorite of the Defend and Protect series by Lynn H. Blackburn. Book 3 Under Fire follows Zane and Tessa as they team together to plan for the President's visit to Raleigh, NC.
US Secret Service Special Agent Zane Thacker transferred from the Raleigh field office to his dream drop of protecting the President in DC. He is thrilled when he is given the opportunity to work alongside his best friend (sure wish it was more) Special Agent Tessa Reed.
Tessa has conquered her demons and she has created a healthy and healed life. When she is tasked as the liaison between the field office and the President's protective detail her past creeps up from where she'd long buried it. Now she must do whatever it takes to keep her team and the President safe.
Zane works hard to walk right beside Tessa through all the drama. Will he be able to keep her and the President safe?
Blackburn does an excellent job of keeping readers engaged and guessing as she explores what it takes to keep the President safe and the lives of two devoted USSS agents. The devotion it takes to stay focused even while their own lives are throwing curveballs can be daunting. How do you have a personally life when the stakes of your job are literally life and death?
I enjoyed this series and this story. Well done, Lynn H. Blackburn. This is one series I'm not ready to see come to an end.
Thank you NetGalley and Revell for the opportunity to read this book.

This series was one of the best romantic suspense series, with Under Fire blowing it out of the park. I loved Zane and Tessa. From book 1, I was excited to read their book, and now that it's finally here, I can say Under Fire is my favorite of the Defend and Protect series. This book had just the right amount of romance to soothe my hopeless romantic heart. It had the perfect balance between suspense and romance. Goodness, the action was thrilling! One critique, however, is that the denouement is so confusing. The ending was perfect, but in the final chapter when everyone is safe and discussing what happened, the names confused me because they all started with the same letter, and it made the explanation a little chaotic. Additionally, I feel like chapter 33 could be a good epilogue, and chapter 34 and the epilogue were completely unnecessary and just prolonged the book.

Please note: I critiqued the last couple of chapters for being unnecessary. HOWEVER, I read a review copy of the book, which was the unpublished, non‐final version of the book. There is a possibility this could be altered in the final version. All opinions are my own.

I very much enjoyed this book. It was well done, fast paced, intriguing and enjoyable. I would recommend others to read and enjoy it for themselves.

In the stunning edition of the Defend and Protect series, Lynn Blackburn masterfully crafts a highly enjoyable, continuing storyline with favorite characters from previous books. Difficult issues such as substance abuse and dysfunctional families are treated with compassion and grace. Under Fire reveals the intelligence, strategy and suspense of the Secret Service branches. Readers will not be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

I would give this book fifty stars if I could! No one does swoony romantic christian suspense quite like Lynn Blackburn! I've been waiting for this couple to get tougher and it did NOT disappoint!!

Lynn Blackburn is one of my favorite suspense authors and this third book in the Defend and Protect series is fantastic. Under Fire centers around the Secret Service with a few FBI agents thrown in for good measure. I was so absorbed into the story I could hardly put it down. 5 stars!

USSS Special Agents Zane Fletcher and Tessa Reed have their hands full trying to prepare against any and all threats against the President during a visit to Raleigh, North Carolina. Tackling that mission, in addition to their developing relationship fraught with personal land mines, keeps these two very busy and on high alert.

I love that Blackburn's characters deal with real life issues including addictions, and she doesn't shy away from talking about the potential they have to do a lot of damage if not kept under control. The suspense and mystery involved kept me turning pages as fast as I could. I especially enjoyed her wit and humor,
"You kissed that girl and she didn't throw you off a high-rise. Congratulations!"
Zane chuckled. "Did you expect her to throw me off a high-rise?"
"Not if you did it right."

Under Fire is a fast-paced, spine tingling, edge of your seat suspense readers won't want to miss! I'm looking forward to Blackburn's next series that Tessa and Zane introduce in the epilogue set in Gossamer Falls in western North, Carolina. I appreciate Revell Publishing making a copy of Under Fire available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

"Under Fire" is a great mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page! This is the third book in the Defend and Protect series, but you can read it by itself. This story line centers around Tessa and Zane. I loved the suspense in this book, but I also loved the romantic tension between Tessa and Zane. And I love revisiting some of the other characters in the past book. These characters feel like their close friends! I highly recommend this book if you enjoy good, clean, romantic suspense books.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

This is the third book in the Defend and Protect series but could be read as a standalone. Tessa is trying to protect the President but someone is targeting her. This is a great read for lovers of romantic suspense. I highly recommend this book and this series.

I've been waiting for Zane and Tessa's story for months. Lynn is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors, and she has been teasing their relationship all through this series. Without spoiling the story, I'll say that I was caught off guard by the place Lynn chose to start--and end. She did a lovely job tying together the series and giving us fun cameos by the characters in her previous series.
I so appreciate that Tessa has a very serious struggle and yet still is the furthest thing from a damsel in distress--she's calling the shots and showing incredible insight and strength. Her relationship with Zane is healthy and not rushed, which I also liked. Lynn took us on quite a ride with events hitting right and left without a common thread until the end. As Tessa deals with her love for Zane and her challenge to protect the president from threats coming right and left, she keeps the book together. As much as I like Zane, Tessa is 100% the heart of this story, and I'm hoping she makes appearances in Lynn's future books!