🌐🖥️🎯 “Malicious Intent” (Defend and Protect #2) (2022) 🎯🖥️🌐 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Defend and Protect (Book #2)
Paperback: 368 Pages
Publisher: Revell (March 1, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800737962
ISBN-13: 978-0800737962
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“Dr. Ivy Collins, founder and CEO of Hedera, Inc., is ready to begin clinical trials of her company's cutting-edge prosthetic. Her work has been heralded by government, medical, and advocacy groups and everyone hopes the device will be a success. Well, almost everyone. Someone is trying to sabotage Hedera and the launch, but to what purpose--and how far will they go to get what they want?
Meanwhile, U.S. Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon can't believe he's finally been reunited with Ivy, his childhood best friend. Now that he's found her again, Gil intends to spend the rest of his life with her. But it will take all his skill to uncover the truth in time to save Ivy's life's work, her own life, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy through Interviews & Reviews. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
In late 2019, I saw the author’s One Final Breath-Dive Team Investigations and REALLY wanted to read it as a reviewer. I didn’t get a chance, but my mother bought me the entire series for Christmas a few months later. I had planned on reading them … but, things happened.
Fast-forward to February 2021 when I won a copy of Unknown Threat, the first book in this series through Library Thing. I was ECSTATIC.
And, WOW! That was NOT a disappointing introduction to the author’s work.
That was non-stop action with unexpected twists and turns, an exciting and dangerous plot. Even before the official release day for that book – I was already looking forward to this one. The intense cover of this book (similar to the first book) definitely drew me in.
Before I continue, most second or middle books lose momentum as they follow up a great starter book. But, Malicious Intent takes the momentum that Unknown Threat built, and took off with it. It was like a quarterback in the final quarter grabbing the ball and making a mad dash towards the goal to get the win.
Since this is connected to Unknown Threat, readers MIGHT want to read that first to get an an introduction to the characters and the relationship dynamics. This is romantic suspense – not a thriller like one reviewer thought.
Most of the characters from the first book return:
🚓 Luke (Secret Service)
🚓 Faith (FBI)
🚓 Zane (Secret Service)
🚓 Tessa (Secret Service)
🚓 Gil (Secret Service) – of course this is HIS story so he will return
🥼 Dr. Ivy Collins (CEO of Hedera, knew Gil and Emily)
New characters:
🥼 Emily (Gil’s sister; did not appear in Unknown Threat)
🚓 Daniel Morris (Police Department)
💲 Preston (Ivy’s step-dad)
🥼 Dr. Abott Percy (Ivy’s ex-boyfriend)
Readers of the author’s Dive Team Investigations (DTI) are in for a treat as those characters return as well with some significant roles in this book:
🤿 Ryan & Leigh Parker (Beneath the Surface)
🤿 Adam & Sabrina Campbell (In Too Deep)
🤿 Gabe & Anissa Chavez (On Final Breath; this also gives a slight “spoiler” into the couple’s relationship)
While reading the first book I didn’t think it necessary to check out the previous series, it might be worth it to meet those characters as well.
With all the characters in this book, one might think this would be confusing read or get bogged down. It doesn’t. There are only TWO MAIN POVs – Gil and Ivy, a third one belongs to a mystery man who is intermittent starting in chapter 7 (page 60). Obviously, this man is behind the attack on Ivy. But, that is as much of a hint that Blackburn is going to give the readers.
Like the first book, the author also writes in short chapters with a non-stop pace. The story doesn’t stop until nearly the end of the book, and I mean less than 15 pages to spare. Past the halfway point, I really couldn’t put this down.
There is some content that is disturbing or concerning in this book. Mentions or “acts” of: theft, human trafficking, kidnapping, amputation of a character’s limb, drug use, what could be considered a mass shooting (no deaths or injuries), attempted kidnapping, and torture. Also, a slightly disturbing mention of a bad character’s death. Readers might want to exercise caution when reading this.
The first line:
“The stack of cash on his desk was as close to currency as squeeze cheese was to Brie.”
That was already getting my attention. Zane asking “free money” definitely elicited a giggle or two. The entire scene on the first page drew me right in and I wanted to see where this was going. Obviously, it is connected to Hedera and Ivy. Readers met her in chapters 17-19 of Unknown Threat.
Gil and Zane head to the company to talk to Ivy, but it is closed. They head to Ivy’s house. Ivy and Gil’s reunion is a literal bang as the two agents show up when stuff is going down.
It first looks like it centers around the company computers. The counterfeit money angle is dropped for the time being, Ivy’s safety is a primary concern.
After a church outing, Ivy reveals info about an ex-boyfriend who fits far too many markers for Gil’s liking. Gil can’t ignore him though.
Gil and the team investigate what is going on, while he and Ivy close the past and work towards the future with a few interesting moments along the way that are dramatic, heart-warming, and even funny. It all adds to the family dynamic as well.
The family dynamic is important in that it holds the character driven parts together seamlessly. Blackburn also works in a way to set up the story for book #3, obviously Zane and Tessa’s story.
Each character has their special moment, and each has significantly developed since the end of the first book.
Faith has a great (and the best, in my opinion) scene on page 220 when she tells Ivy about watching Gil get shot and not wanting Ivy to see something like that as he will take a bullet to protect her. It was a grab the tissues moment. Faith stating that she won’t be quiet if Ivy refuses to allow them to protect her in a way that they ALL live to fight another day, was moving and powerful.
There are also some characters from the first book not in this one. One, was a minor character (a nurse) I really wanted to see again. A major one was FBI Agent Janet Estes. I’m VERY interested to see what happened following her mistake. Hoping the author wraps that up in the next book. As far as a returning character from this book – the police detective, Morris – definitely want to see him again.
In addition to the main story, Blackburn also highlights one important fact that affects everyone – Ivy’s codes for her ATM and other things were a variation of the date of her father’s accident – as a result, anyone close to her could guess it.
On a lighter note, I adored the references to The Princess Bride, especially Gil calling Ivy “Buttercup”. Right off it endeared me to the guy. And, having almost lost him in book #1 – this is a welcome treat.
Malicious Intent is an intense, gripping, dramatic, edge-of-the-seat thrill ride that kept me hanging on until the last page. At times it was a smooth ride, other times it looped backwards and upside down.
I have to admit that this year is going to be an EXTREMELY long wait before I get to read book #3 which will likely be Tessa and Zane’s story. I am eagerly hoping to get the Dive Team Investigations series read sometime this year.
Readers won’t have to wait too long to return to this series though. In November, Blackburn returns to the Defend and Protect series with the novella Targeted which will feature Emily Dixon – Gil’s sister, so I’m hoping to get some glimpse of the agents and their lives to tide me over. That novella also features stories by Natalie Walters and Lynette Eason.
Fans of the author, Lynette Eason, and Elizabeth Goddard, along with those who read Unknown Threat definitely won’t want to miss this one. Blackburn really outdid herself!
As it is distributed by Revell, a primarily Christian/faith-themed publisher, there will be strong references to faith and Christian beliefs. Some of those are integral to the characters but not the story.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Previous books in the series:
Series: Defend and Protect (Book #1)
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Revell (March 2, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800737954
ISBN-13: 978-0800737955
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“US Secret Service Special Agent Luke Powell is lucky to be alive. Three of his fellow agents have died in unusual circumstances in the past ten weeks. Luke is devastated by the loss of his friends and colleagues, and his inability to locate the killer feels like a personal failure. He's an expert at shielding others, but now the protectors are in need of protection.
FBI Special Agent Faith Malone is driven to succeed and confident in her ability to solve every case she's assigned. She's been put in charge of the investigation into the unprecedented attacks, and with Luke's life in danger, the stakes have never been higher. But it's hard to know how to fight back when you don't know who the enemy is.
As more agents are targeted, Luke and Faith will have to work together to bring a killer to justice and prevent any more names from joining their fallen brothers and sisters on the Secret Service Wall of Honor.”
Series Connected to Defend and Protect:
Publisher: Revell (March 6, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800729382
ISBN-13: 978-0800729387
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“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.”
Publisher: Revell (November 6, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800729293
ISBN-13: 978-0800729295
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“When the dive team is called in to recover a body from a submerged car, they aren't prepared to find an encrypted laptop--or an unsettling connection between investigator Adam Campbell and the dead accountant.
Adam turns to his friend Dr. Sabrina Fleming--a professor at the local university with unparalleled computer security and forensics skills--to recover the files from the laptop. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier the investigation becomes. When evidence uncovers a human trafficking ring and implicates members of Adam's own family, he and Sabrina will have to risk everything to solve the case.”
Publisher: Revell (September 3, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800729307
ISBN-13: 978-0800729301
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“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.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn H. Blackburn is the award-winning author of Unknown Threat and the Dive Team Investigations series. She believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. Blackburn is 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. Learn more at LynnHBlackburn.com.
She can be found on the following social media networks:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LynnHBlackburn/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnhblackburn/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynnHBlackburn/
Website: https://lynnhblackburn.com/
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