Under Fire by Lynn H. Blackburn: Book Review

 *Book received for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

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?

Sparks fly as award-winning romantic suspense writer Lynn H. Blackburn closes out her Defend and Protect series with this explosive tale of secrets kept, lies exposed, and relationships restored.

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.

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.