Welcome back to LiteraryScape! This week, we're wrapping up our discussion of Lynn H. Blackburn's Defend and Protect series with the final installment, Under Fire—the story fans have been waiting for since book one. The Story We've Been Waiting For If you've been following this series, you know that Zane Thacker and Tessa Reed's romance has been building for books. Zane has landed his dream assignment protecting the President of the United States, but when a presidential fundraiser brings him back to Raleigh, he's thrilled to work alongside Tessa again—his best friend and the woman he's been falling for all along. But Tessa is battling demons from her past. As the liaison between the Raleigh office and the president's protective detail, she's forced to confront her greatest failure—one that threatens to come to light at the worst possible time. Can Zane stand by the woman he loves while protecting the president from a mounting threat? A Shocking Opening Let's talk about that first chapter. We did NOT see that coming! Blackburn masterfully reveals something about Tessa's past that suddenly makes all the tension from previous books make perfect sense. It's the kind of revelation that has you frantically texting your book club friends because you need to process it with someone immediately. Complex Characters Facing Real Struggles What we loved most about this book was how Blackburn handled Zane's internal conflict. With his mother's history, he has to fight against his own perceptions and reservations. But he handles it with such gentleness and compassion—even when Tessa pushes back with her fierce independence. Their dynamic feels authentic, with both characters working through legitimate concerns while supporting each other. The way Tessa's past connects to the present threat is brilliantly woven throughout the story. When she finally has to share what happened with the team, Blackburn makes a wise choice: Zane tells the guys, and Tessa tells the women. The different reactions ring true—the women's nurturing response versus the men's protective anger—and it shows Blackburn's understanding of how people process trauma differently. Romance, Suspense, and Plenty of Drama This book delivers on multiple levels: • The attacks keep escalating: From car accidents to an assault at the donut shop (where Tessa's boots become the real MVPs), to creepy incidents in her apartment and car—including a truly unsettling snake scene • The romance is swoon-worthy: Zane rushing to every scene, being the only one who can calm Tessa down, those longing looks... their chemistry has been building for the entire series • The mystery keeps you guessing: The identity of "the fixer" remains hidden until the very end, and when it's finally revealed, it's genuinely surprising • Supporting characters shine: From Graham the butler to Bruce the homeless man who knows more than he can articulate, the cast is rich and memorable A Few Standout Moments We have to mention the donut shop scene where Tessa takes out an attacker with one kick, then threatens Rodriguez with those same boots. And the snake incident? Tessa's response says it all: "Burn the car." Girl has her priorities straight. Also, can we talk about how these Secret Service agents stay supermodel-thin while constantly eating donuts, muffins, and candy? Asking for a friend. The Ending We Deserved Without spoiling anything, Blackburn finds a beautiful way to resolve the career complications that could have kept Zane and Tessa apart. Yes, it's bittersweet that the team is splitting up, but it also reflects real life—sometimes God calls us to new places, and we have to trust that journey even when it means leaving people we love. Make sure you read the epilogue! (Not the sneak peek—the actual epilogue that's still part of Under Fire.) There's a Gossamer Falls connection that's absolutely delightful. Our Ratings • Drama Level: Latte ☕☕☕ • Inspiration Level: Mocha ☕☕ (We loved how often Zane suggests praying before taking action) • Mystery Level: Latte ☕☕☕ • Romance Level: Mocha ☕☕ • Suspense Level: Boiling Hot Latte ☕☕☕ (Each attack gets more intense and personal) • Overall Lasso Rating: 3 Lassos This might be our favorite book in the entire series. It's the perfect conclusion to a fantastic romantic suspense collection. Final Thoughts Lynn H. Blackburn has crafted a series that balances faith, romance, and heart-pounding suspense beautifully. Under Fire delivers everything we hoped for and more. If you haven't started the Defender Protect series yet, what are you waiting for? Want to learn more about Lynn and her other books? Visit her website at https://www.lynnhblackburn.com/ Stay tuned for next week's episode when we'll be interviewing Lynn H. Blackburn herself! Have you read Under Fire? What did you think of Zane and Tessa's story? Let us know in the comments! www.literaryscape.com/podcast/169