Lynn H. Blackburn

Where Fear and Faith Collide

“Lynn Blackburn’s done it again. She made me read way past my bedtime and owes me several hours of sleep! What a fabulous story with characters who will live in your head—and heart—long after the last word. I’m eagerly awaiting the second book so I can return to Gossamer Falls and catch up with all of my new besties!”Lynette Easonaward-winning, bestselling author of the Lake City Heroes series
“With an exceptional gift for writing relatable characters who touch deep places of the heart, Lynn Blackburn’s voice is unrivaled! I quickly fell in love with Landry, Cal, Eliza, and, in fact, the entire compelling cast of characters in this brand-new romantic suspense series. A must-read, Never Fall Again delivers the emotionally gripping romance, riveting suspense, and captivating characters readers love!”Elizabeth Goddardbestselling author of Cold Light of Day
“Lynn Blackburn is a rising voice in romantic suspense! This book had it all—a delicious romance, obsession, found family, redemption and reconciliation, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and the kind of ending we all root for! Don’t miss this first book in what I believe will be a fantastic series.”Susan May WarrenUSA Today bestselling and RITA Award–winning author
Malicious Intent has an addictive plot that delves into the dangerous underworld of digital crime, and the protagonists’ chemistry, brewed during a lifetime of friendship and romantic longing, positively sizzles.Booklist
This book will grab you from the beginning and keep you captivated until the end.Interviews & Reviews
Blackburn's Defend and Protect series is off with a bang in Unknown Threat. This heart-racing romantic suspense is one for the keeper shelf! Don your tactical vests and get ready to engage a compelling story that will forbid you from abandoning its pages. Do. Not. Miss. This. One! Ronie Kendig Bestselling, award-winning author of The Tox Files
Unknown Threat is a fantastic read! An action-packed opening and sharply drawn characters drew me right in and held me captive. Blackburn has an exceptional gift for weaving twisting plots with characters that walk right off the page. I absolutely adore Faith, the bright and stalwart FBI special agent. I love the attention to detail regarding Secret Service operations. The swoon-worthy romance between Faith and Luke is the perfect slow burn. Unknown Threat is an exciting start to a thrilling new romantic-suspense series!Elizabeth GoddardAward-winning author of the Uncommon Justice series
In Unknown Threat, Lynn Blackburn has created a page-turning novel with all the elements I've come to love in her books. The hero and heroine are unique and compelling, while surrounded by a rich cast that adds depth to the story. The suspense thread is intense and pulses with energy and pressure. And the romance? It's perfection, with tension to keep me rooting for the characters. It's a perfect read for those who love engaging stories that are threaded with hope.Cara PutmanAward-wining author of Flight Risk and Imperfect Justice
Lynn Blackburn has skyrocketed to the top of my favorite romantic suspense authors list! In Too Deep was much anticipated and it did not disappoint! I literally devoured this book in one sitting! Filled with suspense, action, and danger, this book kept me anxiously wondering what would happen next! I love the balance between suspense and romance! And this gang of characters, the dive team, is everything! BringingUpBooks
Leigh’s ability to rescue herself, Ryan’s respect and support, and a terrific cast of law-enforcement and hospital personnel make this vivid start of Blackburn’s Dive Team Investigations series a real page-turner.Booklist
Fans of Dani Pettrey’s “Alaskan Courage” thrillers will enjoy this nail-biter of a series opener, which will also be appreciated by romantic and psychological suspense fans.Library Journal
The author balances the personal relationships and the mystery well. Her descriptions are so vivid and accurate that you can see the scenes playing out before you . . . Lynn is definitely going to be a great new author to follow.More Than A Review
Watch out readers. Lynn H. Blackburn is a new voice on the scene of Christian Fiction and has a bright future as a successful author.Lynette EasonAuthor
Kept me on the edge of my seat...Mary GoodwinAmazon Reviewer

Dec. 5th, 2011 Rediscover Joy

I used to love this time of year.

Before I grew up.

Before I discovered that buying
Christmas presents on a budget is hard work.

Before I longed to be in two places at
once.

Before I spent hours cleaning,
preparing, shopping, wrapping.

Before I realized that all those
decorations would have to be taken down in a few weeks . . . by
me.

Before I had somewhere to be fifteen
out of twenty-five nights.

Before Christmas became synonymous with
exhaustion.

Because before . . . I would fly
through the door and run to the tree. Had mom wrapped more while I
was at school? Was there another gift for me?

Before . . . I would rearrange the
gifts, shaking, weighing, trying to guess. Never peeking, because the
anticipation was almost as much fun as whatever delight lay hidden
beneath the wrapping.

Before . . . I would huddle with my
sister as we planned Christmas morning. When would we get up? Would
she promise to wake me if she woke up first?

Before . . . I would go to sleep
listening to the twenty-four hours of Christmas music (that started
on Christmas Eve instead of the day after Thanksgiving).

Before . . . the day was filled with
gifts—given & received, family, food, fun.

Before . . . Christmas was synonymous
with joy.

This year, I’m making an effort to
re-discover the joy. My calendar isn’t quite as crowded as it has
been in year’s past, and I’m relieved. My to-do list—well, it’s
insane. But I’m focusing on doing the things that need to be done and
leaving off the stuff that can wait.

I’ve cranked up the music, downloaded a
new album (Michael Bublé!), bought a few presents, and decorated the
tree. At night, I’m taking a few moments to sit in the flickering
light of candles and remember . . . remember what it was like . . . before the first Christmas.

Before . . . the sounds of angels in
perpetual worship.
Before . . . perfect harmony with God
the Father and God the Spirit.
Before . . . peace, joy, comfort.
Before . . . honor, reverence.
Before . . . glory.

But then He came.

To the sound of cattle, sheep, and
donkeys
To a people in continual tension with
their Roman rulers and religious leaders.
To cold, wet, hunger, pain.
To anger, gossip, slander, humiliation,
misunderstanding.

To exhaustion.

To death.

As a child, I knew the real meaning of
Christmas. I knew there was a baby. I knew we exchanged gifts to
commemorate the Ultimate gift.
But my young mind was full of Sear’s
Wish Books and shiny packages.

I didn’t dwell on the miracle.

But for my slightly more grown up mind,
I think the secret to rediscovering the joy is to rediscover the
miracle.

Christmas was
always about the gifts. It still is. But the Gift that brings joy
these days isn’t one that sits under the tree wrapped in shiny paper.

It’s the One that lay in a feeding
trough wrapped in rags.

Immanuel –
God with us. Isaiah 7:9 ~ Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (ESV)

Join me this month
as we rediscover the joy of the season.

****

The winner of last week’s giveaway is….Vicki! Congratulations! Email me at lynnhblackburn@gmail.com with your contact information and the fine folks at Baker will mail My Favorite Bible to you! Thanks to everyone who participated!

Comments

Join the Conversation

6 Comments

Tom Threadgill says:

December 5, 2011 at 12:17 pm

I can certainly relate! Looking forward to reading more.

Reply
Susie says:

December 6, 2011 at 12:10 am

I'm glad your schedule is lighter.It's hard to decide what to leave off the todo list. Thanks for a good reminder to focus on the miracle instead of carnal things like "will the Christmas play come together in the next 2 weeks?" and will I ever get the house decorated?
"For unto us a Son is born"

Reply
Kristi Butler says:

December 6, 2011 at 7:37 pm

Well said, Lynn. We surely need to take the time to experience the joy and peace of the season.

Blessings!

Reply
keiki hendrix says:

December 6, 2011 at 8:39 pm

The Christmas season…. It does send us to our memories. So thankful for those memories and for the new ones we make each year.

Reply
thebudgetmaven says:

December 7, 2011 at 12:57 am

Lynn,

I can so relate to the loss of joy you've experienced around Christmas instead of the joy of the miracle given as the first Christmas gift. I felt the lack of joy today as I trudged through aisles and aisles of meaningless toys, gift baskets filled with cheese and crackers, and the latest and greatest in technology looking for a gift for literally everyone!

Thanks for the reminder to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and not get bogged down with all the other junk.

Reply
amy says:

December 30, 2011 at 2:26 am

Awesome reflections.

Reply