Lethal Intentions: Targeted for Elimination by Jennifer Chastain

Book review:

He’s a man on the run.

Undercover ATF agent Jack Spencer has been running away his entire life. His last assignment has him questioning who he really is, what he believes, and who he can trust. When his cover is compromised, and he’s injured, he must disappear in order to survive.

She wants a fresh start.

After five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, ex-Army medic Maggie Coleman wants a quiet life, one without emotional trauma. The peace and serenity of the Hawai’ian Islands is just what the doctor ordered. Then Jack crashes into her life, taking her on a rollercoaster ride into the unknown. 

Now, they’re running for their lives.

Maggie and Jack flee the Islands only to find their every move is anticipated. As the days wear on, they form a bond that transcends their situation, and they must learn to depend not only on each other, but God as well. When they finally reach the safe house in the mountains of Montana, Jack and Maggie hunker down and wait for reinforcements. Before help arrives, Maggie is kidnapped, and Jack has only one option—offer himself in exchange. Failure is not an option. Because if he does, they both stand to lose more than just their budding relationship. 

My review:
  Confession: Had I known I was reviewing an e-book, I would have passed on this one. Not an e-book fan, and I like books I review to be on my shelf. But had I passed, I would have missed a great read.

  This was a completely new author to me. It looks like she has one other book under her belt, a Christmas novel. The description of the book made reviewing it an easy sale. And it did not disappoint.

 The book starts out with a bang - literally. Jack and Maggie are thrown together as she rides along to save his life, ultimately making the decision to stick with him as he runs for his life while she does her best to keep him alive.

  I can't really come up with anything negative about the book. As with any movie, TV show, or book, a gunshot victim always gets around better than they would in reality, yet I felt the author did a better job on that than most authors, especially with an EMT along for the ride to keep an eye on the wound.

 I loved the two main characters. Jack made a great hero/male protagonist, and Maggie made a great heroine/female protagonist. The book had non stop suspense - just as I like it - a lot of attraction/romance, and the author did not shy away from Christian content, with Jack and Maggie realizing and discussing how God was protecting them. On the romance part, I wanted to knock their heads together a few times, but all is well that ends well.

 And the book did have a great ending. As I said at the beginning of my review, I would have passed on this had I known I was reviewing an e-book.....so I am glad I didn't pass. This may be the author's first suspense novel, but she knocked it out of the park. Definitely a 5-star review.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Jennifer Chastain is a member of ACFW, ACFW-NC, and My Book Therapy/Novel Academy. Several of her other stories were finalists in the Blue Ridge Mountains Foundations contest and she was a finalist in the Touched by Love contest, sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers. Her contemporary romance stories contain the themes of redemption, grace, and forgiveness.   

A hopeful romantic, Jennifer loves dark chocolate, Diet Coke, old movies and a good romantic movie. She loves to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen and when not cooking, she’s reading or conducting more research for her stories. Growing up in the snowy North, Christmas has always been her favorite holiday, with the scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and pine scenting the air.  

Check out her other book, The Mistletoe Contract

Under Fire, Defend and Protect #3 by Lynn H Blackburn

Book description:

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:
   Lynn Blackburn may be the favorite author of mine with the least amount of books published. This is her second series, and I think 8th full length novel. It didn't take long for her to become one of my favorites.

 The Defend and Protect Series is totally different than her first series, Dive Team Investigation Series, but just as good and with just as likable characters. Blackburn excels at interplay between her characters, which makes her books all the more enjoyable and entertaining.

 But this is a review of the third and final book in this series: Under Fire, Zane and Tessa's story. Blackburn has been setting their story up throughout the other two books. It was obvious there was a history there, but not even their friends and coworkers knew.

 In this book, it becomes known.

 I mentioned how good this author is at the interplay between characters. What goes on between Zane and Tessa is beyond entertaining. It is funny, definitely entertaining, and honest and deep at times. We find out why Zane has a key to Tessa's house, and also find out her deep dark secrets, and why Zane struggled with the idea of a relationship with her.

  And then there is the suspense. This series has been about the Secret Service, and that has been a bit different from other suspense novels, but definitely interesting and enjoyable. A lot happens in this book as the team tries to protect the president of the U.S. and also try to protect Tessa from whoever is trying to take her out.

 The author deserves a nod at the compassionate way she addressed addiction. No excuses are made, but she shows there is hope for addicts, and a way out.

 My only criticism is the epilogue. I love epilogues. And keep in mind, I read an advanced reader copy. I read it, and was left wondering what was going on. But maybe that is just me. :)

 But still, Under Fire was a wild ride of suspense that was a terrific ending to this awesome series. It shows Blackburn has rightly claimed a spot among the best writers of quality Christian Suspense.  Looking forward to what the author has coming next.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

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.

Check out the other two books in the series:

                                                                Book #1

Book #2