This book was provided to me by Revell Reads. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.
Note: Kristin reads and reviews both Christian and secular fiction on A Simply Enchanted Life. Out of respect for my readers, I am including a content review. This content review will help you decide whether this book is suitable for you.
Christian or Secular: Christian
ASEL Rating: moderately detailed violence
Content to be aware of: This book contains the description of dead bodies that have been mutilated. This is a clean suspense novel that revolves around an investigation into a serial killer.
Suggested Age: 15+
Beneath the Surface (Dive Team Investigations Book #1) by Lynn H. Blackburn
Published by Baker Books on March 6th, 2018
Genres: Christian, Fiction, Romance, Suspense
Pages: 352
After a harrowing experience with an obsessed patient, oncology nurse practitioner Leigh Weston needed a change. She thought she’d left her troubles behind when she moved home to Carrington, North Carolina, and took a job in the emergency department of the local hospital. But when someone tampers with her brakes, she fears the past has chased her into the present. She reaches out to her high school friend turned homicide investigator, Ryan Parker, for help.
Ryan finds satisfaction in his career, but his favorite way to use his skills is as a volunteer underwater investigator with the Carrington County Sheriff’s Office dive team. When the body of a wealthy businessman is discovered in Lake Porter, the investigation uncovers a possible serial killer–one with a terrifying connection to Leigh Weston and deadly implications for them all.
Dive into the depths of fear with an exciting new voice in romantic suspense. Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn grabs readers by the throat and doesn’t let go until the final heart-pounding page.
This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and it’s a great romantic suspense. The romance overshadowed the suspense at times and I was disappointed with how little of a part the killer had in the story. But, the book is a great clean read. There is also a good bit of faith content for those who look for that in a book.
But believing God truly loved her, truly had her best interest at heart even when it didn’t look like it? She didn’t know if she could muster that kind of faith.
The best she could do was whisper a humble “Help me.”
Somehow she knew that would be enough for now. That he heard her. That he wasn’t waiting for her with a long list of grievances. That he was running toward her, longing to hold her close if she’d let him.
The characters are what I really loved about this book. I really bonded with them even though Leigh seemed a bit juvenile to me. I liked that Leigh and Ryan had a history so that their attraction didn’t feel like insta-love. There was a solid background to draw on for their mutual attraction. And I honestly loved them. I love the entire team.
This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I was impressed. While the romance got in the way of suspense at times…there were still some really intense moments. I chose to read this book at bedtime and kind of scared myself. I was a bit thirsty but too freaked out to go get myself some water. Either I’m a big scaredy cat or this book had some really great suspense.
Overall, I liked this book and I will definitely pick up the rest of the series. In fact, I’ll probably check out her other books as well.
Next in the series:
In Too Deep (Dive Team Investigations Book #2) by Lynn H. BlackburnGenres: Christian, Fiction, Romance, Suspense
Pages: 352
The truth could set hundreds free–but someone is willing to do whatever it takes to silence anyone who threatens to reveal their secrets. Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn invites readers back to Carrington, North Carolina, where everything is not as it seems and sinister elements lurk behind the idyllic façade.
About Lynn H. Blackburn
Lynn Huggins Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in South Carolina with her true love, Brian, and their three children. Her first book, COVERT JUSTICE (Love Inspired Suspense), won the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. Her second book, HIDDEN LEGACY (Love Inspired Suspense), released in June 2017 and her new Dive Team Investigations series kicks off in March of 2018 with BENEATH THE SURFACE (Revell).
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