Active Defense (Danger Never Sleeps #3) by Lynette Eason {Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are my own. 

 As a former field surgeon in Afghanistan, Heather Fontaine is used to life-or-death situations. She just didn't expect them to follow her home. When she returns from a party to find that someone has broken into her house--and threatened her friends--she assumes it is the stalker who has been following her and creeping her out. She hopes to find safety and peace of mind by leaving the city and hiding out in a small town. But trouble has followed her even there.

Luckily, a stalker isn't the only one watching Heather. Travis Walker has been secretly watching out for her for weeks. As owner of his own security agency, it's what he does. Together, Travis and Heather must figure out who wants her dead--and why--before it's too late.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason will have you looking over your shoulder as you dive into this fast-paced, suspense-filled story about losing control and finding something even better.

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Collateral Damage and Acceptable Risk, as well as Protecting Tanner Hollow and the Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

If you're looking for a good bedtime read... well, this probably isn't going to be it. With nonstop excitement and suspense, this one had me on the edge of my seat staying up all night to see what was going to happen next... just as I have come to expect from Lynette Eason!

Active Defense is the third book in the Danger Never Sleeps series, and I'll just say again... the series lives up to its name! While I would highly recommend reading the series in order (it's fantastic), I believe this could be read as a standalone just fine as well. If you've read the previous books you'll see some familiar characters, but enough background is given to not feel lost too. 

This story focuses on Heather. Having returned home from Afghanistan, it seems trouble has followed her in the form of a stalker. When things escalate, she leaves town but finds the trouble didn't stay behind. Despite her unwillingness to ask for help, Travis tracks her down to offer it anyway. I enjoyed their romance and seeing how Travis helped to break Heather out of her own issues... but the suspense definitely took center stage in this story. Just when you thought it was safe to take a breath, something else would happen. I truly couldn't put it down and found myself finishing in less than a day. 

Initially, I found Heather's character to be a bit frustrating with her inability to seek help... but I also saw a lot of myself in her as well. While I wouldn't be one to run off without protection in a situation such as this... I am one who avoids asking for help in other areas of my life, as I think many of us do. As such, I think many of us can in some ways can find her a more relatable character in that way. 

Overall, this was a fantastic read and one that fans of romantic suspense are sure to enjoy!