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.
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This new to me author has just joined my list of favorites and I look forward to reading more by her. “Beneath the Surface” caught me right from the get-go. Leigh seems to be one of the unluckiest people I know. Ryan is her knight in Dive Team uniform. I thought for sure I had the “who-done-it” a couple of times, but I was wrong all around, thus the book kept me on the edge of my seat, guessing to the very end. A good, sweet, clean romance. I look forward to the next in the series. I enjoyed the secondary characters, so I’m curious who the next book will be about!
Loved this book, hard to put down!
Beneath the Surface by Lynn H. Blackburn
My review is 4.5 Stars
Though there were clues about who the serial killer was, they were not overt, and there was some misdirection that had me second-guessing as I read. The investigation was very interesting to read about. I appreciated the fact that so many people and methods were employed. Though the MO of the killer was disgusting, the descriptions were not gory. Plus, I wisely read the story on a Saturday during the day, so I was able to read it when it was light out and finish it in the same day I started. Whew!
The investigators in the story were interesting and very well developed. The fact that they were all believers and had such a close comradery was a nice touch. Anissa’s prayer for the investigation and the meal was so beautiful. I can’t wait to read more of their stories in the next books.
Ryan was Leigh’s brother Kyle’s best friend, and unbeknownst to her, all Kyle’s friends had been warned to not even think about pursuing a relationship with her. While I really like this plot element, I really have to wonder how often this happens in real life, and what in the world those big brothers are thinking! I don’t have a brother, but always figured that falling in love with their friends is the whole reason God gave big brothers to girls in the first place. Isn’t it?
There is a strong Christian message in the story as Leigh struggles with trusting that God cares about her and is working things for her good. It was incorporated very naturally to the story and was very touching and insightful.
This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net
For a special feature of the blog tour, be sure to read Phyllis’ “The Power of Prayer” at AmongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Just Read Publicity Tours, and Netgalley for giving me this item. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
From the moment I saw the cover of the first book in Lynn H. Blackburn’s Dive Team Investigations series, I was intrigued. Then I read the synopsis and have been waiting for it’s release since. Now it’s here and it was so worth the wait.
When full-time homicide inspector and part-time dive team investigator Ryan Parker comes across an unexpected discovery during a training dive, he professional plate fills.
Leigh Weston has returned to her family home after a harrowing experience at her previous job. Working in the Emergency Department of Carrington’s hospital is fulfilling yet residual fear remains. When multiple attempts are made on Leigh’s life, Ryan takes on the responsibility of protecting his best friend’s sister.
But is he balancing too much? Will dropping the ball cost Leigh’s life?
Beneath the Surface is the perfect introduction to the entire dive team, the town of Carrington, and more. With two cases, multiple intense and heart-rate-increasing situations, and a possible serial killer, this is a book you will not want to put down.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Beneath The Surface is such a scary, laughable, mysterious, romantic story all rolled into one – isn’t that fantastic? I just love it. You are pulled into the intrigue right away with the danger – then – you are lulled into a false sense of security when WHAM – you get hit in the gut with more murder and intrigue to gall the major characters and that is just what they are – characters and a half – and they are fascinating and exciting and you just won’t know who it is or why until the end and I really mean that you really won’t know who it is – oh how much fun you shall have – oh how much fun……… I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all of the opinions expressed in this review are all my very own.
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com
Beneath the Surface (2018) by Lynn H. Blackburn is the first book in her Dive Team Investigations series. Beneath the Surface released this past March 6th, and can be purchased wherever books are sold. This book comes in all forms including eBook, and is 352 pages in length. With a full-time job and a precocious five-year old at home, this story took me two days to read. I received a review copy of this novel in paperback form from Revell Books. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give Beneath the Surface 5 STARS. This story is a Christian Romantic Suspense.
Whoa! Whoa! WHOA! Beneath the Surface is an edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting page turner. I was hooked from page one, and genuinely could not figure this story out. The writing is flawless, the suspense is INTENSE, and the cast of characters is great. The Investigative Team that we meet in Book 1 — Ryan, Gabe, Anissa, Adam, and Sabrina — is so diverse and unique. This is the book you read late into the night saying, “Just one more chapter. I can do just one more chapter!” Before you know it, it’s midnight and you realize your alarm is going to go off in a few hours. I definitely lost track of time reading this one.
The characters in this story have a true relationship with God that is showcased throughout the entire book. It’s illustrative of the honest relationship we all should have with God. God is in this book all over the place: in Ryan’s cop car as he is driving to a crime scene, in the Emergency Department room when Leigh is working on a patient, around the dinner table as Ryan, Leigh, Gabe, Anissa, Adam, and Sabrina break from their work to eat a quick meal, and in the dark, scary moments when things don’t look so good for some of the characters. What I like so much is the example these fictional characters set for the reader. It’s subtle, but honest. The characters each relate to God in different ways, and have their own unique ways of praying, but they all relate to God as He wishes us to — as if He is physically standing next to us waiting to hear our prayers and thoughts. When Adam is frustrated, he yells at God out of frustration. When Leigh is scared, she prays desperate prayers. When Anissa prays before meals, her prayers are strong, sure, and confident as she speaks to her Lord. And, when the characters are confused and need answers, they go to God trusting He will give them the answers they are looking for in His time. At one point, Ryan is scared and frustrated and he starts to doubt, but he stops himself immediately and say, “NO! God’s got this.” And, then he confidently goes back to work. These excellent examples of relating to God throughout this book is my favorite part of this story. Such a great reminder to me to always be relational to God. God doesn’t want robots. He wants us in each and every moment — the sad ones, the frustrated ones, the happy ones, the boring ones!
Lynn H. Blackburn is TALENTED! I have a MA in Literature. I can pretty much figure out a story 1/4 to 1/2 way into it. If it’s a TV show, I have those figured out by the first commercial break. It actually drives my husband crazy. I don’t say this to brag, I say this to express just how impressive Lynn’s writing skills are. There are so many twists and turns and trails in this narrative! I kept telling my husband, “I think I know who did it”…and then I was totally wrong. I was wrong the whole time!!! It was AWESOME. The intrigue and mystery are so flawlessly written, and this is what makes this book a page-turner. “One more chapter,” I would say to myself just because I so desperately wanted to get to the finish line. I needed to know who the murderer was!
Beneath the Surface is the first book I have read by Lynn H. Blackburn, but it will definitely not be my last. Ms. Blackburn, your are a stellar storyteller, and I cannot wait for Book 2 in this series, In Too Deep. If you are looking for a harrowing and gripping story that will keep you turning pages way past your bedtime, then I cannot recommend Beneath the Surface enough. Run to your nearest bookstore today and get this book. You will not be disappointed.
Romantic suspense just as I like it. This one was a page turner in so many ways. Who was the killer? What did Leigh Weston have to do with it? Who was John Doe? Would Ryan just kiss her already? Yes, the romance kept me turning pages as well. I really enjoyed the way that it continued to simmer throughout the suspense. This is my first book from this author and it will not be my last. Full review is at my website.
I received this book complimentary as a participant of the Revell Blog Tour. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are my own.
The author places Leigh Weston on your heart from the very beginning of this story, and soon we are caring about several other people, they seem to have a heart for the Lord, but also for their fellow men.
Can you imagine being stalked by a patient, but she worked as an oncology nurse, and guy has died, so now who wants her dead?
Your mind is going to change constantly from whom you think is the perpetrator of evil, and once you finally decide, you will be changing your mind.
A page turner as we need answers, an old high school crush, a brother who wants to protect his sister forever, even from across the ocean, cute!
Once you begin this book, you will be hooked and wanting answers, there is a deranged evil person out there and the law does not want them to win any longer.
I received this book through the Revel Blogger Program, and was not required to give positive review.
A great story full of intrigue, action and blossoming love of Leigh and Ryan. I loved the comraderie of all the characters and how you get a peak into each personality. You are pulled in from the beginning and kept guessing throughout the investigation. I really look forward to the next book in the series. I received a complimentary copy and I am giving a review voluntarily.
“Was that when it all started? The slow drift away from a God who, in her mind at least, had let her down? Did she quit talking to him when he didn’t save her dad?” As Leigh Weston struggles to understand why someone is trying to kill her she also questions God’s presence in her life. “Was he working for her good even though it looked like he was dropping the ball? Could she trust him to keep her alive? Or trust him if that wasn’t his plan at all?”
These are just a few of the very realistic passages that Lynn H. Blackburn shares in her new novel “Beneath the Surface”. Leigh Weston is conflicted about her beliefs after surviving several attempts on her life but, even as she doubts, she isn’t completely alone. A long-time friend of her brother becomes involved in her case as he works to determine if the threats against Leigh are somehow connected to the serial killer who is targeting middle-aged men. Homicide investigator and volunteer dive team member Ryan Parker has a very strong faith and as he works to solve these crimes he also tries to help Leigh find her own faith again.
I thought that these two characters were very realistic in their portrayal of someone who is being tested and tried and the person who is trying to help them. It is easy to let doubts weaken one’s faith and people often need help in finding their way back to belief and trust!
“Beneath the Surface” has drama, suspense, and mystery and it also has sweet romance and a subtle, faith-based message. I enjoyed this exciting novel and I recommend it to other peoole who enjoy Christian mystery and suspense.
I received a copy of this book from the author but a review was not required and the opinions are my own.
Wow! This is the fabulous first thriller in an explosive new series, Dive Team Investigations. The author far exceeds my expectations with female leads this reader could connect with, scenes that elicit fear or excitement, the potential for a long-awaited romance, and a plot in which the bad guys/ gals quickly escalate attacks. All of this, with serious spiritual lessons and a sweet, renewed revelation of God’s love and faithfulness.
Ryan and dive partner Gabe, both homicide detectives, are in Lake Porter, in beautiful central North Carolina on a regular training dive, when he finds remains of somebody chained to weights on the lake floor. They need to investigate the site as much as possible for clues. Ryan visits Leigh, who is living in her late parent’s home with a dock that is perfect to coordinate from. Ryan’s best friend since high school is Leigh’s older brother Kirk.
Leigh is an oncology nurse, but a patient who couldn’t be cured stalked her during the worst of his disease. She returned home and began to work nights in the Emergency Department of the local hospital. Even though the patient has died, Leigh continues to hold her friends at a distance. Seeing Ryan, the subject of many teenage dreams at her door, was a surprise. That evening she went to work, and the next morning her brakes went out on steep, descending grades. After emergency surgery, Ryan told her that her brake line had been cut. He was assigned her case as an attempted homicide. With her stalker dead, was there yet another stalker? The stakes are impossibly high for both Leigh and Ryan as the attempts on her life escalate.
First and best, the author includes spiritual struggles with which many Christians who have gone or are going through trials have encountered. Leigh begins to examine her faith, or lack thereof, and is stuck on questions that I have certainly been stuck on. After many years of infertility, Leigh and her brother were adopted by their parents. We are given windows into the faith of their parents as she recalls and considers what they had shared. Ryan, whose family has also seen prolonged trials, understands and mirrors her questions. These are pages this reader wanted to savor, to glean from. They are so well and clearly written; the author demonstrates her understanding of faith and the several apropos scriptures included.
We get to know Leigh and Ryan best; it is easy to have empathy for Leigh and two other ladies, Anissa, a homicide detective, and Sabrina, a professor. This group that has bonded closely through the dual investigations. I am very impressed with each character involved in the investigations and how they fit into the whole! They are the kind of team that I would want on my side, or to be on their side.
Plot twists escalate the suspense and some even change the course of the investigations. It is very finely plotted and executed, leaving no loose ends or suspects. The crimes are intricately interwoven, providing no end of frustration to those studying security footage and internet sites. I had considered and discarded the real killer, and am too embarrassed to admit who I began to suspect! I highly recommend this novel, especially to those who appreciate Christian mysteries and suspense with a bit of romance. Accolades to this author for this riveting, spiritually enriched read!
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this novel from the author; a review was not required.
i loved the story, very good, a page turner, did not now how was doing the treats until the end, i was given a copy of the book but this is an honest review. if you like suspense,romance and a book you have a hard time putting down, you have to read this book