Under Fire by Lynn H Blackburn Book Review

About the Book:

They'll protect the president at any cost--but who will protect their hearts?

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?

You can read an excerpt here.

My Review:

This novel is for fans of romantic suspense with an emphasis on romance. There is much more in this novel about relationships than suspense. There is a great deal of character thought about potential romance and reactions to romantic actions. There is a long section on decorating an apartment and another on donuts. There is a bit of suspense as someone is out to get Tessa but it is minor to the emphasis on the romantic relationship between Tessa and Zane. There is also a quick bit of suspense near the end.

One odd aspect of Tessa's character is that she is, by her own account, a recovering alcoholic. Interestingly enough, she never seems to struggle with the temptation to drink, even when under pressure or in a stressful situation. I would have liked to see her character presented a little more realistically in that area.

The plot centers around protecting the president during a visit to a private residence. While the team does background checks and investigates threats, most of the action in the novel revolves around the team keeping Tessa safe from attack. I was impressed, however, with the amount of work going into a presidential visit.

There is a very good faith message included.

This novel is for readers who like a romance aspect much stronger than the suspense.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

This is the third book in a series and you can read my reviews of the earlier books: Unknown Threat and Malicious Intent.

About the Author:

Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Unknown Threat and Malicious Intent, as well as the Dive Team Investigations series. She believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. Blackburn is passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don't make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Learn more at www.lynnhblackburn.com. Photo Credit: Mary Denman

Revell, 352 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)