I love books that start off with action and that is exactly what Under Fire does. Blackburn's novel takes off with a bang, taking you on a journey filled with thrills and much suspense. I found the book to be full of intrigue and romance. It also deals with one of the main characters who is a recovering alcoholic. If you are looking for a book that is filled with lots of action and suspense, then this is the right book. I love the way that Blackburn deals with her characters and brings life to them and the action is so real that you can visualize it as it happens before your eyes. She also brings in faith and trust in your fellow man and that is very important to a recovering alcoholic. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an E copy and I am happy to leave my review in my own words.

So much trouble mounts as the team of special agents hustle to solve crimes and to create plans to protect the US president when he visits Raleigh. Special Agents Tessa Reed and Zane Thacker have issues of their own, which affects their friendship and squelches any chance of something more, but one can hope. The rapid-fire-paced book will make you not want to put it down until everything gets worked out in a satisfying conclusion. This thriller can stand alone but it does include some characters from the first two exciting books in this series. The characterization and plot of all make for great reading. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #UnderFire #NetGalley.

Finishing Under Fire has me feeling like I need to go back and reread the rest of the series because wow did I miss so much. I always felt there were undercurrents of Tess's story in the previous 2 books, so this book was one of my highly anticipated reads for 2023.

I said it before when I read her first book, but Lynn Blackburn is becoming an author to watch for! I don't read that much suspense anymore. That's because I went through a phase where that's all I read, and they started to get too predictable for me. But this book - and this series! - manage to include the perfect amount of realism, humour, and deep topics that stands out from all the other suspense books I've read.

I really enjoyed getting to know Zane and Tessa better, and I thought the journey of their friends-to-more relationship was one of the best I've seen in fiction. It felt very realistic and not rushed at all. Both characters had concerns and needed to work through some

Content Notes
- 'Mild' swearing (I remember one use of 'crap' but forgot to mark any others so this might be the only one). Okay, so I have thoughts on this and since I'm noticing this more and more in Christian contemporary novel, I want to address this. It bothers me a little as it seems the standards are lowering. I know it doesn't bother most people, but I don't like seeing how liberal the language is becoming. 'Set apart' means not conforming to the world, which is what I feel like happens when milder forms of language slips into our Christian fiction/nonfiction.
- Potential spoilers ahead, although it happens right in the prologue:
- Tess struggled previously with alcohol and had gone through rehab.

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book in Lynn Blackburn's Defend & Protect series.
This is one that I've been looking forward to for quite some time, and it did not disappoint!

Zane and Tessa were fun to get to know, and I especially enjoyed the beautiful unfolding of their romance (uh-oh...did I say too much?! I guess this is a romantic suspense, right?! So there has to be romance somewhere)
Tessa's main task it to protect the President when he's visiting for a fundraiser.
But, there also seems to be someone out to get her, and she has no idea why.
Zane is determined to protect her at all costs.
And...they finally move forward in admitting how they feel about each other (have you read the earlier books in this series? if not, you need to!)
This story has lots of action, suspense, and mystery. I loved it, and recommend it for anyone who likes a good mystery novel.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Will this case spell the beginning or the end...

Wow, it's hard to believe that the Defend And Protect series is now over... However, I can say that Lynn H. Blackburn certainly concluded this series with a real bang! I was on tenterhooks from page one all the way to the end of Under Fire.

I have been waiting through the entire Defend And Protect series to finally find out what was really going on between Tessa and Zane. Would she continue to beat her destructive behavior? Would he beat his destructive past to have a chance at a future? And what kind of dangerous crisis could bring them together? Well, I sure found out in Under Fire!

Lynn H. Blackburn really brought her characters to the brink in this book. Disparate threads that seemingly have no connection keep Tessa, Zane, the others, and readers guessing until the rather explosive conclusion. And trust me, the final showdown is real edge-of-your-seat stuff!

Under Fire was a good romantic suspense read. It was enjoyable all the way through and I loved how the characters weren't always perfect. For those reasons – and more – I am sorry to be saying goodbye to the Defend And Protect people as they have become almost friends in the two years that I have been reading about them. So, now I am left wondering...where will readers be going next with Lynn H. Blackburn....wherever it is one thing can be guaranteed...it will be exciting...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Under Fire is the extremely satifying conclusion to Lynn H. Blackburn's Defend and Protect series featuring the United States Secret Service. Lynn H. Blackburn is one of my favorite inspirational romantic suspense authors. I love that her books are typically about 50% suspense and 50% romance, and she allows her readers to connect to the characters in a way that not many authors can do.

Even though this book can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the entire series to get more of the backstories of the supporting characters. I love how the Secret Service agents have formed a strong friendship and support each other, no matter what. Get ready for a wild ride as USSS Special Agent Zane Thacker returns to Raleigh to protect the President while USSS Special Agent Tessa Reed's past comes back to haunt her. Fans of Zane and Tessa's will not want to miss their story.

The ending gives readers a preview into her new series, and I cannot wait for more stories by Lynn H. Blackburn. Highly recommended.

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

This suspense novel is one wild and crazy ride! From page one Blackburn grabs the reader’s attention and keeps it the entire time. I could not seem to put the book down, I had to know what would happen. This story has it all; suspense, danger, mystery, and romance. I loved the relationship between Tessa and Zane. Their friendship was a natural springboard into romance and I wondered if they would ever get there. The friendship between their coworkers and their loyalty to each other was amazing. I think we all wish we had a friend group like that. Blackburn keeps the reader on their toes with this high stakes suspense mystery novel. I never knew what was coming next! I loved watching it all come together and the web being unraveled piece by piece. If you are a fan of suspense novels, Under Fire is a must read! I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Title: Under Fire

Author: Lynn Blackburn

Ch: 34 plus epilogue

Pg: 352

Series: Defend and Protect book 3

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell


Under Fire is a great finish to the Defend and Protect s series by Lynn Blackburn. I loved finally getting Tessa’s story. Which I wanted as soon as I meet her. I enjoyed the fact that she was a capable agent in her right. But most importantly she had hit rock bottom but she doesn’t stay there. She realizes she has a problem that she can’t fix on her own, and leans on God and her faith to change. Zane on the other hand it took me a while to warm up too. The romantic subplot was good but it doesn’t take away from the suspense.


Though my favorite part was indeed the suspense it kept me turning the page because I had to know what happened. All in all a great end to a good series. Can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

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

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.

Under Fire
Lynn H. Blackburn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Secret Service Special Agent Zane Thacker has been assigned to the protective detail for the president of the United States. A presidential fundraiser planned in Raleigh provides an opportunity for Zane to work again with Special Agent Tessa Reed. She's not only his best friend, but also the woman he desperately wishes could be more.

Tessa nearly lost everything, but has battled to become healthy and healed. Until her role as the liaison between the Raleigh office and the president's protective detail threatens to expose her greatest failure.

Zane and Tessa must work together to protect the president and Tessa's reputation as a top notch agent.

This was Blackburn’s third installment in her Defend and Protect Series. We have enjoyed each book in the series but we found this last book to be exceptional. Tessa’s and Zane’s story was multifaceted displaying a love that sought the greatest good for the other rather than fulfilling selfish desires. Blackburn crafted a true hero in Zane Thacker and he will no doubt be one of our favorite male leads. The story was complex, fast-moving, and portrayed a depth of spiritual maturity that only intensified our enjoyment of this book. It is always sad to say farewell to a beloved story, but thankfully, the novel closes with the lure of what will happen next in the lives of these men and women who defend and protect. We can’t wait to read what happens next and just might need to read the series again before the next book is released.

We received an advance copy from the publisher. This is our honest review.

Lynn H. Blackburn had already established her Defend and Protect series as action packed romantic suspense with a cast of characters who get right to your heart. The men and women of the Raleigh RAIC office of the U.S. Secret Service and their counterparts are fiercely loyal and staunch supporters of the people in their lives, and it is no challenge to feel like one of the team as you read. Under Fire picks up the story of our friends with Tessa Reed and Zane Thacker, coworkers who have the kind of friendship that is forged in the fire of addiction and recovery. As their fellow agents have found love, Tessa and Zane are nurturing a different kind of relationship and it is tried but not broken when Zane is moved to D.C. as part of the presidential protection detail. With the president scheduled to appear at an old friend’s home in Raleigh, Zane is back in town, and together they have to navigate the plethora of threats that emerge. The threat they were not prepared for is one specifically targeting Tessa. Now they have to reveal her greatest shame to the team in order to protect her life and neutralize the legitimate threats to both the president and one of their own.

This is a stellar addition to Blackburn’s catalogue.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

Under Fire by Lynn Blackburn is the final book in the Defend and Protect series and it rounded out the series nicely. As readers we have been building up to Zane and Tessa’s romance since the beginning!! I was happy that all of the missing pieces fell into place to explain what has really been going on between these two agents as we have walked with them through the previous books. I was not expecting what was revealed. There is so much revealed about these characters and their struggles and their triumphs in this book that you will not want to miss it! Tessa’s strength and resilience were front and center in this story and Zane was absolutely all in when it came to defending and protecting. This story has a lot of moving parts, but definitely keeps you invested until the very end! This series has provided a behind the scenes look at Secret Service work and the team component was absolutely my favorite part of this series!!!

SECRET SECURED, LIES LAID BARE & RELATIONSHIPS RENEWED!

Author Lynn H. Blackburn has released Under iFire, Book 3 the final book in her Defend and Protect Series and it is loaded with secrets secured, lies laid bare, and relationships renewed! I like that Blackburn writes about how the USSS & local SS offices work together when a sitting President makes a visit. She gives readers an insight into all the background prep that must go into things. She adds the fear of past failure and allows the lead female character to face this situation. Good thing she has a fellow Agent to help her work through her fears and encourage her leadership. They work together with the rest of their teams to expose lies and in doing so they find themselves being drawn back to each other. Only one of them lives in NC and the other in DC, will their relationship survive?

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell & NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence.

When given the opportunity to read and review Under Fire by Lynn H. Blackburn I couldn't resist it. It is the third and final book in her "Defend and Protect" series. However, it can be read as a stand-alone book.

The story's main characters are US Secret Service Agent Tessa Reed and US Secret Service Agent Zane Thacker who is attached to the president's detail. The president plans to attend a fundraiser at the private estate of one of his friends in Raleigh. Tessa is assigned to the Raleigh office and is given the presidential fundraiser to oversee the security. Tessa and Zane have a past and are now best friends even though he really would like to take their relationship further. The relationship between characters grows as the story progresses and we soon find out why Zane has a key to Tessa's house which tracks back to a very deep dark secret from her past that actually ties into the situation they now find themselves in...someone is threatening both Tessa and the president.

I love Ms. Blackburn's characterization in all of her books. From the first page to the last her characters pull me in and transport me on their journey with plenty of nail-biting suspense, twists and turns, and plenty of tension. Under Fire was no different and kept me guessing until the very end.

One thing that puzzled me was the epilogue. Now, most epilogues that I have read tied up the book's romantic suspense storyline. However, in Under Fire, the epilogue appears to be setting up another book or storyline and that part left me wondering a little as to what it all meant.

All in all, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romantic suspense novel with great characterization.

I give this book 5 Stars.

I would like to thank Revell Books and NetGalley, for my copy of Under Fire. I received my copy for free with no expectation of a positive or negative review. The opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR. Part 255.

My first from the author and I enjoyed this book so much, I have purchased the first two in the series so I can fully immerse myself in this trilogy. The suspense, the humor, the donuts, the pacing it was all just so amazing!

4.5 stars

Enjoyed this exciting romantic suspense from Lynn H. Blackburn! This is my first book by this author but definitely won’t be my last. I didn’t realize this was the third book in the series, but I felt like the author did a terrific job giving enough backstory and context that I felt I wasn’t missing anything. It’s the story of second chances and redemption along with a touching romance set against the backdrop of a stressful Presidential visit where more than one threat exists.

Tessa is a secret service agent who’s got her life back together after going through treatment for alcoholism. She recognized she needed help when several years ago she woke up in a hotel room and didn’t remember how she got there. Zane, a fellow agent whose mother is an alcoholic was there for her and helped her get treatment. Though there was a palpable attraction between them, Zane recognized Tessa needed a friend more than a romantic interest. How Tessa wound up in that hotel room plays an important role in the story.

Fast forward several years later and Zane is visiting North Carolina where Tessa now lives. They are preparing for the President’s fundraising event at a wealthy friend’s estate. As Tessa and Zane reconnect, it’s clear there’s a lot between them they need to work through. But, with a group threatening the President and someone clearly stalking Tessa, it’s all they can do to perform their jobs as well as they can. But, will they be able to protect the President and keep themselves safe?

I loved the camaraderie between all the agents. Though I wasn’t familiar with everyone from previous books, it’s clear they’re a close knit group. I enjoyed the way faith played an integral role in their lives. They unconditionally accept and love Tessa and I appreciated how they supported her especially when they learn of her past. The romance between Tessa and Zane was so enjoyable. I loved how they teased each other and how Zane called her princess.

There were plenty of suspenseful moments with a crazy group out to get the President and someone clearly after Tessa. I enjoyed the mystery, especially trying to figure out how Tessa’s past played into the story. It was definitely a page turner and I look forward to reading the previous books in the series. Highly recommend to romantic suspense fans! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

Since the first book, there was this chemistry between Zane and Tessa and readers had to wait until the final book in the series to see what is keeping them apart.

This book had emotional depth due to the subject matter of alcoholism and the effects on those dealing with the disease and especially those with loved ones which struggles with this addiction. I felt that the author tackled this subject with the hard facts but also sensitivity.

The suspense kept my attention, but I did wonder about the plausibility of it and the ending was a bit mellow for all the hype in the beginning.

There was a few loose ends, like -what is the reason that Bruce lives on the street – there was the expectation of more coming for this reader.

This was a great conclusion to the series. I loved the characters from the Dive Team Investigation series playing roles in this one and hope these secret service agents will pop up in future series as well.

Okay, so you guys already know that I LOVE this series, and… this one just might be my favourite!!

We finally get Zane and Tessa’s story and it more than lives up to expectations! It’s the perfect balance of great suspense and a sweet friends to more storyline that doesn’t, I repeat, DOESN’T have miscommunication as the reason they aren’t together yet (cue all the 😍 from me!!).

Plus, she really drops a gritty edge to the story that takes it a level up from just your typical romantic suspense. She gives us a story that is deep, gritty, suspenseful and sweet all at the same time!! (And this is the point at which I drop a note that this story does deal with alcoholism a little bit, so if that’s a touchy issue for you, feel free to DM before reading so you know what you’re in for!)

And I adore both Zane and Tessa! They’re both such wonderful, sweet, good hearted characters, and yet both so broken and flawed. I love that they show that those two things are not mutually exclusive.

Honestly, nothing but love for this story & I can’t wait for more from this author!!

Thanks so much @netgalley and @revellfiction for the ARC. I was only asked for an honest review, and here you have it!

I loved this book. It was full of action and danger. It was fascinating watching the team analyze threats to try to keep the president safe when he came to town. It made me appreciate the work involved. There's an eery mystery surrounding Tessa. People know things they shouldn't. She's in someone's crosshairs. She refuses to give in and pursues each threat relentlessly.

I like stories where best friends finally realize their feelings for each other. Tessa and Zane have been best friends for years. He's the one she calls when she's in need. He knows the worst about her. He's loyal and faithful. On her part, Tessa feels, "If he's too dense to realize he can do better, who am I to convince him otherwise?" That made me laugh.

Zane and Tessa have an amazing team of friends and co-workers who support them through everything. It was fun to see former characters again. The only weird thing for me was the epilogue. It sets up the next book or a future series but it just felt like it should be a first chapter teaser instead of an epilogue because it's such a big shift. Still a great read. I'd highly recommend this series.

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

This is book three in the Defend and Protect series, however I believe it is a stand alone book. You will miss history of some of the characters if you jump right into this one but you will be able to follow along with out confusion. I would recommend reading the entire series as they are all great books. We have met Special Agent Zane Thacker and Special Agent Tessa Reed in previous books, I fell in love with them there. I love that we continue their journey and reconnect with the entire Raleigh team and a few others from previous series written by Blackburn. Blackburn does an an amazing job developing her characters, their friendships, their flaws and the plot. I always enjoy reading her books. This book is full of humor, action, mystery, suspense, friendship, secrets, forgiveness and so much more. It is one that is hard to put down. I love the entire series. I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.

Special Agent Tessa Reed finds herself the target of mounting threats, which is a stress she doesn't need while serving as a liaison working with the president's security, which includes Zane Thacker, the man she can't forget.

A high stakes romantic thriller, with an action packed plot that kept me on my toes. Tessa and Zane have a complex friendship, and I liked seeing them work together and work through things over the course of the book.

A wonderful read with a multi-layered plot, filled with suspense, faith and romance. Compelling relationship building, with strong protagonists, I loved how they were there for each other through so much. Plenty of action, as well as familiar characters from other books. A wonderful addition to the series, but could be read as a standalone. Definitely recommend to fans of action packed suspense!

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