It’s Here!

ONE FINAL BREATH

BOOK 3 IN THE DIVE TEAM INVESTIGATIONS SERIES is now available for purchase in paperback, audio, and digital formats!

About One Final Breath:

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 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.

Y’all, I love this book. I really do. I love the way Gabe and Anissa overcome so many obstacles and how they rely on their faith in their darkest hours. I love the way their friendship with each other and their friendships with Ryan, Leigh, Adam, and Sabrina have continued to deepen and flourish. I can imagine them hanging out together by Lake Porter for the next forty years, and it makes me happy. 

For those of you who’ve already read Beneath the Surface and In Too Deep, I hope One Final Breath more than exceeds your expectations. And for those of you who are new to the Dive Team Investigations series, I hope One Final Breath leaves you excited to go back and read the previous books in the series. 

Most of all, I hope that as you read One Final Breath you grow closer to Jesus – because He is the BEST!

Note: If the backstory between Gabe and Anissa intrigues you, I’ve written a short story (5K words) that explains, maybe not everything, but a lot! It’s available today to my newsletter subscribers. If you haven’t subscribed, now would be a great time! You can subscribe here!

And tonight, at 9PM (Eastern), we’ll be celebrating the release of One Final Breath, LIVE on Facebook! I’d love for you to join us!

Grace and peace,

The post One Final Breath – Available TODAY! appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

Hey y’all!

I shared this photo on my FB author page and Instagram earlier today and I’m thrilled with how excited y’all are about One Final Breath!

I also did a video (how goofy do I look in this thumbnail?!) with a little bit of  “behind the scenes” information and a few questions for my readers.

I’d love for you to check it out and give me your thoughts!

One Final Breath releases September 3, 2019, and is available for pre-order at your favorite bookseller!

Grace and peace,

The post One Final Breath – Final Edits appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

Do you BookBub? 

Here’s the description from the BookBub site…

BookBub is a free service that helps you discover books you’ll love through unbeatable deals, handpicked recommendations, and updates from your favorite authors. BookBub doesn’t actually sell books. We simply introduce you to books you’ll love that are available on retailers like Amazon’s Kindle store, Barnes & Noble’s Nook store, Apple Books, and others.

When you sign up, you choose which genres you’re most interested in and which authors you want to follow, and then you’ll receive a daily email with a listing of books that are curated to appeal to you, and that are steeply discounted. Typical e-reader prices are less than $3.

If you do most of your reading on an e-reader, BookBub is a slam dunk. You’ll receive an easy to scan email every day with book deals that are designed to appeal to you.

But what if e-readers aren’t really your thing? I get that! I didn’t jump on the Bookbub train right away because while I do read on a Kindle from time to time, I prefer the feel of a book in my hand.

But I’ve found BookBub to be an excellent resource for several reasons:

1. It’s a great way to try out a new-to-me author. Sometimes $15 is a bit much to spend on the unknown. But $1? I can take a chance on an author for $1!
2. Author updates! I follow my favorite authors on BookBub, and BookBub sends me an email whenever they have a new release. They also will send me recommendations from my favorite authors.
3. Sale priced e-books can often be used to land steeply discounted audio books. What? Follow me on this. When you purchase a book on Amazon, it is not uncommon to see an “add Audible” option. While many audio books run $20+, when you purchase the e-version for $1.99, you can often grab the Audible version for an additional $3-$9. You wind up with both the e-version and the audio version for under $10! THAT is a STEAL! (And an Audible account is NOT required). I have recently fallen in love with audio books, so this feature has been a game changer for me!

So why am I talking about BookBub now? Well, it turns out that the e-version of Beneath the Surface, Book 1 in the Dive Team Investigations series, is currently discounted to $0.99 (and sometimes as low as $0.79) and if you follow me on BookBub (@LynnHBlackburn), you should see something about that later this week (3/27/19). And at the time of this post (3/24/19), you can add the Audible version of Beneath the Surface for just $7.49 which will land you both the e-version and the audio version for less than $10.

If you already have your copy of Beneath the Surface, THANK YOU! If you don’t, this would be a great time to claim one before the price goes up in April.

Grace and peace,

The post Do you BookBub? appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

An invitation to join us on on Facebook, Thursday, February 7th, from 7PM – 9PM (Eastern).

Click here to go straight to the Facebook Event page. 

If you have questions you’d like for any of us to answer, feel free to leave them in the comments.

Grace and peace,

The post Facebook Romantic Suspense Release Party appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

I first want to say a huge THANK YOU to those of you who have prayed this week as I edit Book 3 in the Dive Team Investigations series.

I have certainly felt your prayers!

My editor, bless her, found a rather significant plot hole. What’s crazy to me about this is that five people have read the book up to this point and none of us noticed! I’m thinking I may need to send her chocolates or something!

Thankfully, after a quick brainstorming session with my friend Lynette Eason (this involved a text where I said, “Can I call you…now?”), the plot hole has been filled. Whew!

Did you know that the editorial process involves a lot of back and forth between the author and editors? The part of the edit I’m working on now is usually the biggest and most daunting, but after this point there will be multiple emails over the next few months as we do everything we can to get Dive Team Investigations Book 3 to be the very best it can be.

So since this week is all about the editing, I’m keeping today’s blog post short and sweet.

I did an interview a few months ago with author Johnnie Alexander and the video is now live at her site, Novelists Unwind. Johnnie was an absolute joy to talk to you! We had such a great conversation! You can hear my southern accent and see how it’s impossible for me to talk without using my hands and also get the scoop on my writing journey, scuba diving, and all sorts of fun topics. I hope you’ll check it out!

Grace and peace,

The post Novelists Unwind Interview appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

It’s time to edit the third book in the Dive Team Investigations series. While this is exciting and wonderful because it means that this book is getting closer and closer to being in the hands of readers, I have to say that, well, editing and I don’t have the best relationship. Please note that I said editing – not to be confused with editors – my editors are amazing and I’m extremely thankful for them!

As I’ve been processing my feelings toward this part of the process, I wrote this prayer and I thought I’d share it with you. I’d be honored if you would pray with me over the next two weeks as I dive into this story and try to make it all it can possibly be.

Dear Heavenly Father,

It’s me. Again.

I’m dreading this. Again.

Dreading opening the file and seeing all the places I got it wrong. All the places my meaning was murky and my words were misunderstood. 

I’m dreading the hours of work ahead. The rewording, rearranging, and rewriting. 

I’m dreading having my mistakes pointed out to me—over and over and over again.

Deep in my core, I want perfection. 

In some ways, I know it’s because that’s what I was created for. A perfect world where every day began—and ended—with no mistakes in it.

But the same sin that ended that perfect place also corrupted my desires. 

Now, my perfectionism is more about control. More about saving face. More about longing to be be impressive. More about the desire to be praised than about the desire to put something into the world that will draw others to praise You. 

Father, pry my fingers from my words. Open my hands and my heart to the beauty that is waiting on the other side of this journey. Open my mind and my will to make changes that will better convey the story that You gave me, the story that You want told. 

Jesus, thank you for dying and rescuing me from my own tiny world where I want to reign and rule. Thank you for living now and interceding on my behalf, even when I regularly try to take the throne away and sit on it myself. As I dive into this story would you, the Word made flesh, fill my mind with the words that will best draw readers closer to You?

Spirit, I long for a fresh breath of Your creative power. I need You to give me the desire to do this work with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And when I falter, to remind me that all things are possible through You.

I’m so thankful that You’ve already gone before me into this day, into this story, into the future where readers will someday join me on this journey. You’ve proven yourself faithful—time and time again—as I wrote this story. Why would I doubt that You will be faithful as I finish it? Please help me see this part of the process, not as a painful necessity, but as a glorious opportunity to make every chapter, scene, paragraph, and word, matter for eternity. 

To You, the Author and Finisher, be the glory.

Amen

The post A Prayer for Editing appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

For my first post of 2019, I thought it might be fun to share some of my “what worked/what didn’t work” list with you. 

I got this idea several years ago from Anne Bogel (Modern Mrs. Darcy). It’s simple and filled with grace. This isn’t a “beat yourself up over your mistakes” method, but a calm approach to evaluating what is or isn’t working so that you can work to eliminate the negatives and repeat the positives. I like to use this method of reflection to help me think well about everything from vacations to book launches. (If you’re a writer, you might find this post interesting- it’s about how I use this method for my writing life). 

Here are a few things that made my lists for 2018.

What worked, and what didn’t work for me in 2018. #NewYear #DiveTeamInvestigations
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What Didn’t Work for Me in 2018

Scrolling. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but my phone and I have an unhealthy relationship. It’s just so easy to scroll—when I’m tired, when I’m frustrated, when I’m bored. How many hours of my life have been lost to … what? The latest Instagram post? Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy social media and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with letting your mind disconnect and scrolling aimlessly. For a little while. But I found that it was becoming my default—standing in line at Costco, waiting on my kids’ during sports practices, at the end of a long day. There are much better ways I can spend that time. 

Not Reading Enough. I love to read. I was a reader before I became a writer. Books are my first love and best friends. Oh sure, I read my own words over and over and over again, but I didn’t spend enough time reading other people’s words. 

Traveling. I love to travel. But this fall I scheduled too many trips in too short a period of time. It wasn’t good for me or my family. Lesson learned. 

Running on Empty. I’m a very task-oriented person and it’s hard for me to give myself permission to relax when there’s work to be done. But when I don’t take the time to recharge my tanks—creatively, emotionally, spiritually, physically—I can’t do anything well. 

What Worked for Me in 2018

Audiobooks. I’m a visual learner and audiobooks are not my favorite way to consume stories and information, but they totally count as reading, and in the last half of 2018 I finally jumped on the Audible bandwagon. I’m so glad I did. Not only did my kids and I enjoy listening to books as we ran errands and zipped back and forth from ballgames, but I was able to “read” while I did laundry and cooked dinner. 

Saying No. I hate to say no to people. Truly hate it. But 2018 was the year I learned to say No more than I said Yes. Finally. There’s something very freeing about knowing your calling and knowing when saying no is the right thing. 

Learning New Things. I learned to scuba dive (barely – you can read my thoughts on the beginner life here) and I learned to crochet (you can read about that here). There’s something both terrifying and frustrating about being a beginner, but it’s also so rewarding. 

Choosing to Fuel My Creativity. My sister and I purchased season tickets to the Broadway series at our local performing arts center. It was a splurge and it felt very indulgent, but three shows in (and five more waiting on me in 2019) and I’m already planning for next year. I know that live performances are one of the best ways to recharge my creative well. Having set times to do that, already on the calendar and paid for, has already proven to be a true investment in my career. Plus, it’s just a lot of fun! 

As we dive into the new year, I’m contemplating all of these things (and many more) as I prayerfully consider what 2019 needs to look like.

I hope you’ll continue to join me on this journey! It’s going to be fun!

Grace and peace,

The post 2018 In Review – Here’s What Worked and What Didn’t appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

In Too Deep is here!

You can purchase In Too Deep in paper, ebook, and audio formats.

In Too Deep is Book 2 in the Dive Team Investigations series. I’m thrilled for you to get to know Adam and Sabrina in a whole new way. You met them in Beneath the Surface, but there is so much more to them than you’ve probably guessed. They are unique and so perfect for each other…I really hope they figure that out!

In Too Deep tackles the very real issue of labor trafficking in the Carolinas. I wish I could tell you I’d made that all up, but unfortunately it is a pervasive tragedy taking place all around us. My prayer is that eyes will be opened and hearts will be stirred to pursue freedom for those trapped in modern day slavery.

I will be chatting live on Facebook at 9PM Eastern and I’d love for you to join me! (Click HERE to be taken to the event page) You can ask questions prior to or during the event and I will try to answer as many as possible. 

It's release day for In Too Deep, Book 2 in the Dive Team Investigations series. #InTooDeep #DiveTeamInvestigations #AdamandSabrina #romanticsuspense
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I hope many of you were able to participate in the Fall Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt over the weekend! Over 1000 readers made their way through the entire hunt!

If you signed up for my blog posts or newsletter or liked my author page, followed me on Twitter or Instagram, commented on the post – whatever you did, I am truly thankful and I’m so glad you’re here!

I wanted to pop into your inboxes and feeds to let you know that I’ve drawn the winners for the giveaway I held on my site during the scavenger hunt.

The winners are:

• T. Kzoe – First prize! A copy of Beneath the Surface and In Too Deep as well a $20 Amazon gift card.
• Natasha E. – Second prize! A $15 Amazon gift card.
• Karen M. – Third prize! A $10 Amazon gift card!

The winners have been notified by email and prizes will be headed their way this week!

Grace and peace,

The post The Winners Are… appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

In Too Deep

is a Fall 2018 Okra Pick!

What’s an Okra Pick? 

Here’s the description from the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) website:

Okra Picks are a bushel of fresh titles chosen each season that SIBA Indie Bookstores want to handsell. These books should be southern in nature but can cover any genre, not just fiction. 

I’m thrilled that In Too Deep was chosen! I was able to attend #SIBA18 and had the chance to chat with booksellers and they were all just lovely. I adore independent bookstores and I can’t wait to see In Too Deep on store shelves! 

You can see all the amazing Okra Picks for Fall 2018 here! 

Grace and peace,

The post In Too Deep is an Okra Pick! appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.