Under Fire By Lynn Blackburn

Under Fire

by Lynn Blackburn

Publisher: Revell

Series: Defend & Protect

ISBN: 9780800737979

I was so excited to start the last book in this series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books and couldn't wait for Tessa and Zane's story. Lynn knows how to weave a tale of suspense and I was ready for it. The book was sent to me from Revell for me to review.

Summary:

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?

My Review:

What a fabulous ending to a terrific series. I've read all three books (in order, mind you) and I came to adore the entire team. Under Fire is a perfect ending to the series!

Special Agent Zane Thacker is back in town to help Raleigh Special Agent Tessa Reed as part of the detail to protect the POTUS when he visits for an event. While they've put themselves in the friend zone, it's clear there's something brewing between them. Zane is steadfast & reliable - the type of hero we love in a story. Tessa is strong, yet vulnerable and I really loved her attitude!

While the team is investigating all of the threats against the President, they start coming in towards Tessa as well.  It was fantastic to see that her boss knows she's great at her job and asks her to lead the team. The team closes rank and I love the way the want to protect her! The only problem is, she has a "somewhat" kept secret and it could endanger everyone.

Zane has a history that parallels Tessa's so it complicates things even more between them. Just when it looks like they might be turning a corner, something happens to bring up the past which makes life even more difficult. There are just so many layers to this story that I couldn't decide which one I wanted figured out sooner.

And let's talk about the faith of the characters! Theirs is a light that isn't hidden. It's front and center. The author unabashedly puts it out there throughout the story and it filled my heart SO much with each occurrence. I will read EVERY single one of this author's books for this reason alone. There's so much hope given through not only Zane and Tessa, but the entire cast of characters. Truly, I could go on and on about the faith, but you need to experience it yourself.

This series is absolutely fantastic. If you're a fan of suspense, then you don't want to miss out!

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.

The Metropolitan Affair By Jocelyn Green

The Metropolitan Affair

by Jocelyn Green

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: On Central Park

ISBN: 9780764239632

You could easily call me a Jocelyn Green fan. When her book is available to read, it makes its way onto my bookshelves!! I was thrilled when she asked me if I would read the first book in her new series! She sent me her book for my review.

Summary:

Bestselling author Jocelyn Green sweeps you away in a dazzling novel of secrets, betrayal, and romance within one of New York City's most esteemed museums.

For years her explorer father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she'd accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations.

The first is her repentant father's offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the world of New York's wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.

With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York's high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him track the criminal. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger's identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.

My Review:

Wow! What a exciting start to a new series with The Metropolitan Affair! I had NO idea I could actually become fascinated with anything Egyptian! I did go to an Egyptian exhibit years ago, but wasn't as fascinated by it as I was with this story. Maybe if I'd had Lauren as my guide I would've fallen in love with it, too!

You've connected with characters in books, right? I'm not the only one? I certainly did with Lauren in regards to always trying to win her father's approval or even acknowledgement. And interestingly enough, I came to see my mom in a different light like Lauren did through the story. That piece really touched my heart.

Lauren is called upon by and old friend, who wasn't quite a flame back in the day, to help with some possible forgeries. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them through bits and pieces of their history through their memories as well as watch them grow in the "now".

And then Lauren's dad showed up and you could tell how hard he was trying to rectify their lost time... time he was willing to let go back then because of his own issues. What more could Lauren want?

The web of mystery of who is doing the forgeries begins to expand and the world Lauren has been living in becomes more dangerous! There were twists and turns everywhere and for the life of me I had no idea who was involved. Just when you think the author has given you a clue, it turns out she was misleading you! I was pointing the finger at everyone.

The sweetness of Lauren and Joe's relationship comes with its own issues because of their current lives and issues they've individually dealt with in the past. The faith shown throughout the story is solid and it just filled my heart with joy as it flowed into Lauren's life!

I'm giddy waiting for the next story! Will it be Ivy or Elsa, Lauren's roommates (and also one is her cousin)!

About the Author:

Jocelyn Green (www.jocelyngreen.com) inspires faith and courage as the bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including the Christy Award-winning The Mark of the King and Drawn by the Current and her On Central Park series.