Lynn H. Blackburn Novellas Review: Deadly Objective & Out of Time
Double the Romance, Double the Suspense: A LiteraryScape Review of Lynn H. Blackburn's Latest Novellas
This week on LiteraryScape, we took a slightly different approach and dove into not one, but two captivating novellas by acclaimed author Lynn H. Blackburn. These fast-paced romantic suspense stories—"Deadly Objective" and "Out of Time"—serve as perfect bridge stories in Blackburn's beloved series, giving readers deeper glimpses into beloved characters' lives.
Deadly Objective: When Professional Lines Must Be Crossed
The Setup: Physical therapist Emily Dixon and Secret Service agent Liam Harper have been maintaining strictly professional boundaries—until the Vice President's son becomes a killer's target. Sometimes keeping someone safe means crossing every line you've drawn.
Emily, who readers will recognize as Gil's sister from earlier books, finds herself thrust into a world of constant danger alongside Liam, who's on protection detail for the Vice President's family. What makes this pairing so compelling is how these complete opposites complement each other. While Liam is the ultimate outdoorsman, Emily freely admits she prefers her nails done and doesn't enjoy sweating—limiting her outdoor time to just five hours each in spring and fall!
Standout Moments That Stuck With Us:
The podcast hosts were particularly moved by two scenes that showcase Blackburn's talent for blending romance with heart-pounding action. The first involves an initial attack where Liam protectively covers Emily, whispering "I need you to breathe, baby" even though they weren't officially together yet. The second features Emily with a bow and arrow in a tent, with Liam calling out "Don't shoot me, baby, it's me" as danger closes in around them.
One of the most satisfying character arcs involves the Vice President's son himself, who transforms from a seemingly spoiled teenager into a protective, understanding young man once the truth about his situation emerges. His character development adds unexpected depth to what could have been a straightforward protection detail story.
Out of Time: Second Chances and Stubborn Hearts
The Setup: Attorney Hope Malone has built a successful law practice in Raleigh, North Carolina, but when an old friend reaches out for help, Hope finds herself pulled into a dangerous world of organized crime—and back into the path of FBI Special Agent Charles Romero, the one man she's determined to avoid.
Hope, Faith's younger sister, carries the burden of believing her disability makes her unworthy of love. Despite Charles's clear interest—which has apparently existed since he first served as her protective detail—she's convinced she'd only be a burden to someone so physically capable.
The Battle of Wills:
What makes this romance particularly engaging is how Charles turns Hope's own arguments against her. When she insists on making decisions for him based on assumptions about what he should want, he brilliantly points out her hypocrisy: "You don't like people assuming you need help because you're in a wheelchair, yet you're assuming and making decisions for me."
The restaurant scene where Hope surprises a flirtatious Spanish-speaking waitress by responding in fluent Spanish had our hosts laughing, especially Charles's understated response: "That wasn't very nice, Hope."
Our Ratings Breakdown:
Deadly Objective:
Drama Level: Latte ☕☕☕
Inspiration Level: Espresso ☕
Romance Level: Espresso ☕
Mystery Level: Latte ☕☕☕
Suspense Level: Espresso ☕
Out of Time:
Drama Level: Latte ☕☕☕
Inspiration Level: Mocha ☕☕
Romance Level: Espresso to Mocha ☕-☕☕
Mystery Level: Latte ☕☕☕
Suspense Level: Steaming Hot Latte ☕☕☕🔥
Overall Lasso Rating: 3/5 🤠🤠🤠
Why These Novellas Matter
While these are quick reads, they're far from throwaway stories. Both novellas enrich the larger series by developing relationships we've been watching build over multiple books. They're perfectly paced for readers who want their romance with a side of adrenaline, and Blackburn's skill at creating authentic chemistry under extreme circumstances shines through.
These stories serve as excellent stepping stones to book three, where readers will finally get Zane and Tessa's long-awaited story. If you've been following this series, you know exactly why that's exciting news!
Ready for more romantic suspense? Check out Lynn H. Blackburn's complete works and upcoming releases at her official website.
Join us next week as we dive into the series finale and finally uncover what's been brewing between Zane and Tessa—a story our hosts are calling their absolute favorite of the entire series!
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