ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Beneath the Surface
Series:
Dive Team Investigations, Book 1
Author: Lynn H. Blackburn
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: March 6, 2018
Genre: Romantic Suspense
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.
A character like me...When you are reading a book, do you catch yourself identifying with one character more than the others? This book has so many realistic characters–the kind that you feel like you know them as friends by the time you reach the ending. As a part of this blog hop, I signed up to do a post about a character from the book that I can identify with. So I kind of had this thought in mind the entire time I was reading. The one I kind of thought I’d be identifying with when I started…the one I really want to say is Leigh. She was such a sweet, likeable character. But in all reality, I honestly found myself identifying more with Ryan. His fear for Leigh, his desire to protect her. His love for her. His deep desire to stop the perpetrator. And then, towards the end, his fear for her safety….I think I identify with this because I have a tendency to worry and fear too much myself. (Not that I think Ryan was a worry wart like me, I’m just trying to reason this all out as I’m typing here…) I love my husband and daughters “so much it hurts”. I need to learn how to trust God more. After all, He does have our good in mind! 🙂 And no, we don’t have anything even remotely like a killer on our tails…but there is the evil one out there…the enemy of our souls…who will stop at nothing in his desire to turn us (and our loved ones) away from Jesus, and turn us toward his own evil ways.
My thoughts:
This is a new-to-me author. I love her style of writing! This book is a masterful creation of romantic suspense. As I read, the mystery stayed just ahead of me, almost within my reach, but yet, not quite what I expected. I loved the plot twists, and the unexpected events. I loved each one of the characters. Their actions. Their interactions with each other. All so masterfully woven together.
Leigh was such a sweet, caring main character. She’s faced issues, but has come through stronger for them.
Ryan. A perfect hero. Strong, protective.
And then some of the other important characters–Gabe, now he’s a fun one–he adds a lot of humor to this story! And Sabrina–can’t forget her. (I’d love to read a book about her!) Oh so smart and intelligent. Capable of finding answers when others only met dead ends. And then there were of course others…but these are the ones that will stick with me the longest.
The suspense and mystery in this book were so well written, I honestly had no idea where this one would end up, and found myself as bewildered as the characters themselves, as to who was the culprit.
The story line was very attention grabbing, that nail-biting kind of suspense novel that you just don’t want to lay down until you reach the end. I was so glad to have this mystery solved when I finally reached the end! 🙂 And I am very much looking forward to the next one in this series!!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Here’s an extra tidbit, just for fun… a recipe for the cookies found in this book. (I think I found this on a blog post, one where the author did a guest post on someone else’s blog… I should have made a note of where…but I didn’t.) What I did, do however, was bake these cookies, and then take a picture of them, with my book! 🙂 They are delicious!
ABOUT LYNN
Lynn H. Blackburn is the author of Hidden Legacy (Love Inspired, June 2017) and Covert Justice, winner of the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. 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 Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.
TOUR SCHEDULE
JustRead Publicity Tour Landing Page
April 23
Create Explore Read – Author Interview
A Baker’s Perspective – A Day with a Special Agent
April 24
Savings in Seconds – Quote Highlight
Grace in Our Moments – Guest Post from Author
April 25
Christen Krumm – Guest Post from Author
Among the Reads – Beneath the Surface & the Power of Prayer
April 26
Blooming with Books – Character Profile
Fiction Aficionado – Did you know this about diving investigators?
April 27
Remembrancy – Photo Tour of Carrington
Stories by Gina – Quote Highlight
April 30
The Christian Fiction Girl – Quote Highlight
Daysong Reflections – Underwater Investigations & Evidence
May 1
Worthy 2 Read – Quote Highlight
Kat’s Corner Books – Beneath the Surface with International Adoption
May 2
All of a Kind Mom – A Character Like Me
Robin’s Nest – Quote Highlight
Edits & Reviews by Leslie – Food Beneath the Surface
May 3
By the Book – Quote Highlight
Cafinated Reads – Quote Highlight
May 4
Book by Book – Playlist
Pacific Northwest Bookworm – Cookies Beneath the Surface
GIVEAWAY
(3) Winners will win:
- (1) Print copy of Beneath the Surface by Lynn H. Blackburn
- Surprised Bookish Treat
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All-of-a-kind Mom 
Thank you for your wonderful review on “Beneath the Surface” by Lynn H. Blackburn and for being part of the book tour. I’m loving all the posts on this tour and learning so much about the book. I loved the way you described the mystery as plot twists, unexpected events and the answers staying just out of your reach What an awesome way to describe an awesome story! I have it on my TBR list and would LOVE the opportunity to read it.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
What a great way to introduce both Ryan and Leigh! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!! Blessings!