When investigator Gabriel Chavez had his cover blown by an aggressive reporter, the silver lining was being able to rejoin the dive team. The downside? Dive team captain Anissa Bell–a woman who both fascinates and frustrates him.Anissa grew up as a missionary kid on the Micronesian island of Yap and always planned to return after college. But she remained stateside, determined to solve the case … solve the case that haunts her–the murder of her best friend and the disappearance of a three-year-old child.
When Anissa’s fractured past collides with Gabe’s investigation into the tragic shooting death of a teenage boy in Lake Porter, they’ll have to put their complicated history with each other aside in order to uncover the identity of a killer. What they’ll discover is that revenge has no statute of limitations.
Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn closes out her nail-biting Dive Team Investigations series with a story that will have you wondering how long you can hold your breath.
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One Final Breath by Lynn H Blackburn is the final book in the Dive Team series. I have been eagerly waiting for his book and I am so happy to say that it exceeded my expectations. I loved this book, Ms. Blackburn’s books kept on getting better!
One Final Breath is the last book in the series and it follows the last of our characters, Gabe and Anisa! I have been waiting to read about Gabe and Anisa, they started off as enemies but as they helped their friends fight their demons, they became great friends.
Gabe had an air of mystery about him, he used to be an undercover agent but then he was exposed by a local reporter. He had a hidden past and he came off as rough, but underneath all of that he was a kind man who loved his friends. I really liked Gabe and it was so interesting to finally learn more about him. He had to learn what it meant to let people in and I was anxious right along with him as he tried to figure out the case he was given.
Anisa was really amazing, in the first two books you can see that all of the others really respect him. At first, Anisa and Gabe get off on the wrong foot, but as they worked together they began to see the other as a partner and someone they can trust. The suspense was great, I couldn’t put this book done because I needed to know what would happen. I loved how Gabe and Anisa came together and you finally got to learn more about both of them.
It was a wonderful conclusion to the series, and I loved seeing the other characters again. Ms. Blackburn is my favorite suspense writer and I would definitely recommend One Final Breath if you like suspense.
Investigator Gabriel Chavez and dive team captain Anissa Bell have a complicated history. When Anissa’s traumatic past collides with Gabe’s investigation into a tragic shooting, they are forced to work together.
I’m going to miss following the Carrington County Dive Team Investigators. They are an amazing, cohesive unit. I loved how they lived out their faith. This series is romantic suspense at it’s finest!
Recommend to those who enjoy inspirational, romantic suspense.
I purchased a copy. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
I have been anticipating this book for MONTHS! The first two books in this series are amazing and I knew the finale would not disappoint. It did not! The relationship between Anissa and Gabe was so intriguing in the prior books and watching their relationship progress in this story was so worth it. The mysteries in this book draw you in from the beginning and I had trouble putting the book down because I wanted to know what was going to happen. Learning Anissa & Gabe’s backstories(finally!) answered a lot of questions and played in to the current mysteries perfectly. I was also thrilled to see a favorite character of mine from the first book, Mr. Cook in this story and that he played a more major role in this book. Lynn is very good a crafting a perfect mix of humor, romance, mystery and faith in her stories and this one has all of that. I am so sad this series is done because it is a favorite of mine but I am excited to see what Lynn has in store for us next!
I received this book for review and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell at Baker Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts below are my own
ALL THE PRAISE FOR A FANTASTIC NEW SUSPENSE NOVEL BY LYNN H. BLACKBURN!
In book three of the Dive Team Investigations series, a decade old kidnapping, a budding romance between two intense characters and a recent murder binds the pages of this story together in a riveting read! After reading In Too Deep (Book 2) last November, I was elated to dive into this story and delighted to find out that it did not disappoint but rather exceeded expectations!
One Final Breath, book three in the Dive Team Investigations series by Lynn H. Blackburn follows the story of homicide detective and dive team captain, Anissa Bell and Investigator Gabe Chavez as they find themselves suddenly thrown into a mysterious shooting and subsequent murder on Lake Porter in Carrington Co., North Carolina. Both characters are intensely professional, strong and wildly passionated about their work, each with their own past influencing their daily lives at present. As the mystery begins to unfold, these two characters find themselves facing a decade old murder and kidnapping case, a current murder and a series of events that leads to Anissa’s life being threatened. With the help of their co-workers and friends, the dive team works together to uncover the truth.
One Final Breath was a definite page turner for me. I had trouble putting it down and enjoyed it even more than In Too Deep. While this story line isn’t constant action, it flows well and has many elements of surprise throughout. The suspense held my interest and the start of a relationship between two dynamic characters was something to savor as they work embrace their newly discovered feelings and connect on a deeper level. Blackburn creates a beautiful vision of professionalism, camaraderie and friendship between the dive teammates and characters from the previous two books, focusing on how each member has a unique talent and uses that gift to uplift others. The elements of faith that Blackburn wove into this novel are subtle yet profound, covering topics such as guilt, forgiveness and reliance on God.
This novel can be read as a standalone but will surely be enjoyed just as much as part of the series. I highly recommend this story to both those who like romantic suspense and those who enjoy mysteries. This novel is appropriate for older teenagers in my opinion. It is a great read, for certain and I hope you enjoy One Final Breath as much as I did!
‘Gabe Chavez. He’d gotten under her skin for years, but lately he’d gotten inside her head.’ (p. 16)
At last! Anissa Bell now considers what her friends have already recognized…she and Gabe are meant for each other but before they can concentrate on their relationship they must try to find out who killed a teenage boy and attempt to solve a crime from Anissa’s past.
One Final Breath has heart-stopping action, exciting underwater adventure, and a sweet but intense romance between Anissa and Gabe. This is the final book of Lynn H. Blackburn’s Dive Team Investigations series and she gives her fans the perfect conclusion. We see the two couples from the first two books enjoying their lives together and we’re given the possibility of a future life for Anissa and Gabe.
I enjoyed learning more about the work of this special group of investigators and the events and situations that they handle and I wasn’t grossed out by the author’s descriptions, even though they are often traumatic and very dangerous activities. I could feel Anissa and Gabe’s confusion about their relationship and I truly enjoyed the friendship that these six team members share. Blackburn knows how to draw us into each story that she writes and One Final Breath is no different; it is worthy of being described as a “take your breath away” book! There is hope, faith, and friendship and I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense.
I received a complimentary copy from the author but a positive review was never required. These are my honest thoughts.
A book full of many twist, turns, and intrigue. This book keeps you guessing the “who done it” all the way through the book. Edge of you seat suspense, not sure who you can open the door for, who is around the corner, or who is always watching you! The characters are fighting all kinds of evil as they try to unravel a new mystery which leads them down the path of an old mystery. You never know what lies beneath the water for the dive team. As the characters lives play out in the story of friendships, love interest, and family. They all have to watch each others back. For there is a man with the gun and scope watching to take one of the team out for good!
What an exciting conclusion not just to the series but also in relation to the two main characters Gabe and Anissa! To appreciate the well-crafted characters and story it is recommended that if you haven’t read the first two books, In Too Deep and Beneath the Surface, that you read those before starting One Final Breath. Why? Lynn Blackburn takes readers on an underwater investigation that brings Anissa and Gabe together in In Too Deep, then continues the adventure in Beneath the Surface before audiences reach the exciting climax in One Final Breath. There are many series where books are written to be read as part of a series but can be read singularly; however, if you want to enjoy the mystery and suspense that Lynn has so well penned start from square one and enjoy!
Lynn Blackburn takes her experience and research to such a depth and interestingly weaves that knowledge into one exciting and suspense filled tale! In One Final Breath, Lynn injects tension that exists between Anissa and Gabe that continues to slowly build along with finding a killer who is bent on the ruination of others!
There are other characters in the series to be enjoyed, but Gabe and Anissa’s story stole my heart. The other aspect of the series that I enjoyed was the scenes underwater. It was easy to picture the scenes in my imagination because they were so well described in the book. Like other well written stories there were twists and turns in the plot that were exploding on the pages before I read them!
Other reviewers state that any book in the series can be read as a stand-alone but also agree with this reviewer that reading them in order helps deepen the experience of reading the Dive Team Investigation series. These are original stories. I haven’t read other books that take us beneath the water where there are clues as well as danger. It will be a little while before this author brings us another series to enjoy so audiences have time to read, share and talk about the books. Consider getting the series for fans of solid, entertaining and adventure seeking people in your life!
One Final Breath
Dive Team Investigations #3
By Lynn H. Blackburn
What can I say other than this was a really great read. Well, I guess I could say more than that and I will. First off this book is the third in the Dive Team Investigations series and this time the focus is on Detective Gabe Chavez and the Dive Team Captain Anissa Bell and their rather complex working relationship.
When a shooting on Lake Porter claims the life of a teenager and leaves a devastated survivor behind Anissa and Gabe’s pasts raise their heads in regards to this case. Gabe because of the links to his blown undercover career and Anissa because of her own survivor’s guilt. But the timing of the shooting leaves little evidence and leads are in short supply. As lead investigator Gabe is determined that this is one case that won’t go cold.
Soon the team is faced with two cases one that seems to be a personal threat against Anissa that places more than one team member in danger. The more they look for a reason or a suspect the more everything seems to point to Anissa’s past but could this case have a bearing on their current shooting as well?
Without giving anything away I will say the perpetrator is extremely determined and very vengeful. Definitely not the type of person to tick off. And believe me, you most definitely won’t guess who is behind what is going on. The intensity grows as the story progresses and there is no dragging that detracts from the pacing. Fans of Lynette Eason’s work and her Blue Justice series will enjoy a quick appearance once again from Detective Brady St. John. One doesn’t have to read the previous two books in this series before reading this one but it does help with understanding references to previous events if you read the series in order.
This is fairly clean reading with a touch of violence (murder isn’t too clean) but the romance is completely clean reading in this Romantic Suspense. Would make a good book club selection that would have a wide range of appeal satisfying the often varied tastes of a group’s readers. This is a page-turner that will keep you reading long into the night.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion, All thoughts expressed are my own.
Finally! A romantic suspense that has strong, independent women who do not need to rely on men to be saved! Lynn H. Blackburn’s final book in the Dive Team Investigations series, One Final Breath, is a refreshing change to those stories who have weak heroines who cannot fend for themselves.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love stories that develop strong relationships and have that ongoing wonder of will this couple move past a business/friend relationship into something more. In Blackburn’s Dive Team trilogy, she has female characters that are all unique. They are intelligent, look out for others, and take care of themselves in a crisis. Yes, they rely on their friends and the men in their lives, but they are all strong women who won’t be found sitting at home crying by themselves.
From the first chapter until the last, One Final Breath, will keep you up late at night to finish “just one more chapter.” This novel has what you are looking for: murder, suspense, relationships, and love. Will Gabe and Anissa move past their working relationship?
Blackburn has written the characters in such a way that anyone would want to be friends with them. Everyone needs a support team like Gabe, Anissa, Leigh, Ryan, Sabrina, and Adam.
Dive into this series today!
This series was the first books I have read by this author, and she had me wowed from early in the first book. Her first two books were totally awesome, with the perfect blend of suspense, drama, romance, and humor.
But One Final Breath is the book a lot of readers have been looking forward to. Blackburn came up with some really great and likable characters, and she writes great interactions between them on and off the job. Of all of these characters, the fan favorite seems to be Gabe, one of the two main characters in this final book. Gabe is a great investigator, diver…..and the class clown. (That may be why I liked him so much, given my sense of humor and love for jokes and humor). Blackburn did an awesome job of developing his character even more, and there were times I was laughing out loud, even laying the book aside for a moment til I quit laughing. This book really rocks.
The plot was intricate and well thought out: revenge. That wasn’t obvious at first, but even when it was, the mystery was who and why. In books like this, you always figure the good guys are going to survive and win, but it is still suspenseful and fun to see how it works out, and this book had a lot of suspenseful moments. Sometimes I had an idea what was going to happen, and sometimes I was totally surprised.
I used to not like the romance stuff too well, but these days I do, and Blackburn did a fantastic job on the Gabe/Anissa romance…..class clown and Ms sensibility play by the rules. This was the most fun romance of the three books, and the book was the most fun of the three also. While still being 100% suspenseful.
As with all of her books, the author made her books Christian and clean. This whole series stands high among Christian suspense, but Blackburn knocked one way out of the park with this one: perfect blend of suspense, character development and interaction, romance, and humor. I highly recommend the series, and though the third book really is the best of this great series, they should be read in order.
My only complaint? The series is over. I’ll miss these characters, but I am eager to see what this talented author has coming next.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
One Final Breath by Lynn Blackburn is the third story in the Dive Team Investigations trilogy. Each story can be read as a standalone, but if you read them all, you will get so much more out of this series. The team dynamics are my favorite parts of the stories. The relationships between the team members continue to grow throughout the series. I love their camaraderie and how they are always there for each other. I’m so glad we finally got Gabe’s story! I have been waiting for it ever since I read book one.
I was worried about Gabe and Anissa teaming up together, but I think Anissa ended up being just what Gabe needed. We got a lot of her backstory, which was helpful in piecing together who she is now. I wished we would’ve gotten a little more of Gabe’s backstory though. I thought the pacing was well done, and the mystery was not at all what I was thinking or expecting! One Final Breath is a great end to a great series! I highly recommend these stories for those who love romantic suspense. I am looking forward to Lynn’s next series!
A cold case solved, a friendship turned to romance, and the return of characters I just love—what a great end to this exciting series.
After seeing the sparks flying between Gabe and Anissa in the first two books of this series, I was ready to see their relationship unfold. I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed digging deeper into their great characters. Anissa struggled with guilt from her past and finding her purpose with God, but her faith was strong, which I loved. Full review is at my website.
I received this book complimentary from the author. I was not required to give a review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are my own.
One Final Breath by Lynn Blackburn is categorized as a romantic suspense. The suspense element was there and started in the first chapter after a “family” cookout, which was a good thing. The writing was top notch. I enjoyed seeing the different perspective of Gabe and Anissa as they told their story. They both had flaws and had to learn to overcome them in order to make way for their happily ever after. The main issue the plot carried for me was the romance. It was the main focus of the novel. Readers will see more about Gabe and Anissa trying to figure out their budding romance and their romantic feelings than the suspense. The suspense felt like an afterthought; the romance was the main leading storyline. Also, the motive for the bad guy felt cheap. It didn’t really justify, to me, why he was chasing the heroine. I shook my head in disbelief. Overall, One Final Breath by Lynn Blackburn is an okay romantic novel with hints of suspense. Not really one for the books. Fans of Elizabeth Goodard, Irene Hannon, and Colleen Coble might really enjoy this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of One Final Breath by Lynn Blackburn from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I do believe this one’s my favorite.
I loved Gabe and Anissa.
I love their story. I especially enjoyed seeing their relationship.
The details of the setting, the details about the diving, all of it was just incredible.
And I loved the backstory, it was well-written, and placed here and there, revealed at just the right pace to make the story flow well.
The suspense was top notch. I couldn’t wait to finish the book, to get the answers I so desperately wanted! But then, just like always, that ending is just so bittersweet–because once I reached the end, well, it was the end of time spent with these friends!
Lynn Blackburn has reached the place of being one of my favorite authors of suspense, and I can’t wait to read more of her work.
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
One Final Breath is the third installment from Lynn H Blackburn’s series, Dive Team Investigations. I have enjoyed the first two books in the series and this one does not disappoint. It is probably my favorite to date. It is full of adventure, action, mystery and suspense. I did not find Gabe and Anissa’s story to be predictable. There were some twists and turns that kept me to keep reading until the end. I had the whole book read in one sitting.
I am giving One Final Breath a well deserved five plus stars. I recommend this book, as well as, the series to readers who enjoy a well written and clean mystery.
Great read!
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Investigator Gabe Chavez and Dive Team Captain Anissa Bell find themselves working together when Gabe’s current case has mysterious ties to a tragedy in Anissa’s past.
Will they be able to catch the killer before it’s too late?
An utterly fantastic, action-packed read. The third in a series, but the first book that I’ve read by this author, it wasn’t hard to jump right in step with the characters in this thrilling, high stakes adventure.
Anissa and Gabe are both strong in their faith, they’ve worked together before but not to this extent. Anissa has always been at home in the water, raised the daughter of missionaries, she has always wanted to get justice for her friend. She is good leader, meticulous on the crime scene, with a strong sense for organization. Gabe is good at diffusing tense situations with humor. He is protective of Anissa and has admired her for a long time.
Overall, a fantastic read, with a complex mystery, well-developed characters, and plenty of action. I liked how this book balanced the action and suspense with great personal growth and depth. I loved the camaraderie between the dive team members, they are always encouraging each other, and are not afraid to give real advice. And if you are a Lynette Eason fan, you’ll be thrilled as I was that a character from her Blue Justice Series makes a cameo appearance!
Highly recommend this dynamic read, if you come in on the third book like me or if you have read the whole series, this isn’t one that you’ll want to miss!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
What a fantastic end to a truly fantastic series! One Final Breath was just as good as I was anticipating and totally did this series justice as a final book! Lynn Blackburn has delivered another suspense filled novel that is gripping and will catch you by surprise with its twists and turns. I absolutely love the characters she has created for this series and I had been anxiously awaiting Gabe and Anissa’s story. The romantic tension, the chemistry, it had been building for two books!!! Two books!!! I felt as though this love story unfolded exactly how it needed to! These characters each have a past that made them cautious of love and relationships and I felt that the author honored that, while slowly allowing them to break those barriers down as the story progressed. The mystery element in this story was intriguing and kept me turning the pages! And, the dive team gang was together for a good portion of this story which I loved! Can Leigh come and cook for me? Every time I read one of these books I want to hang out with this crew, and maybe steal their dinner. One Final Breath was such a solid ending to this series, you will not be disappointed! It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to these characters because I have such a fondness for each of their stories! If Lynn Blackburn ever takes us back to Carrington I wouldn’t be mad about it!
Loved this whole series. Couldn’t put it down, fast paced, with twists that kept you guessing.
I didn’t want this series to end but was compelled to read Gabe and Anissa’s story. Once again, Blackburn has produced a page-turning story with a plot any rollercoaster designer would envy. There are fascinating glimpses into backstory for the main characters and heart pounding action scenes. My only question as I closed the book was “when does her next series come out.” This whole series has cemented her as one of my go-to authors, but brilliantly, each novel can be read as a stand alone, it’s just more fun to already feel like you know the main players.
This series just keeps getting better with each installment. I love every one of the characters that keep showing up in this series. I really enjoy reading about this dive team and how they help to solve murders and other crimes. Gabe and Anissa start out as friends and then fall in love slowly. They are not sure that they deserve to be happy. It is fun to read how they work it all out. I love the intrigue throughout the series. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.