Ahhhh. Lynn H. Blackburn has done it again! Some authors just can't write a boring book, and Blackburn is definitely one of them. I loved the first book in this series, so I've been looking forward to Malicious Intent for a while now, and it did not disappoint!

Dr. Ivy Collins' company is about to start clinical trials for a new prosthetic, but it seems there is someone who will stop at nothing to make sure it doesn't happen. When her home is broken into while Ivy is home, her childhood best friend, U.S. Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon just happens to be the first on the scene. Gil has always wished that things had ended differently with Ivy, and he isn't about to waste their second chance at happiness. But there's something standing in their way, and they just might not be able to get past it.

I loved everything about this novel: the chilling suspense, the exciting plot line, the heart-pounding race to uncover who was behind everything, the strong faith throughout the story. the raw, real characters. And let's not forget the Princess Bride references throughout the book, and the fact that Gil was named after one of the best classic heroes of all time--Gilbert Blythe. I really liked both Gil and Ivy. They were both very strong characters who weren't (or learned this in the story) afraid to fight for what they wanted and to lean on God through it all. I also was a big fan of Emily, and wished she had played a bigger role in the story. I enjoyed seeing the characters from Unknown Threat again as well.

All in all, Malicious Intent is a fantastic addition to the romantic suspense world, and I cannot wait to see what happens next in the series.

*I received a complimentary copy of Malicious Intent through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

The second book in this series was filled with the same fast paced, adrenalin rush as the first. This time we followed fellow secret service agent Gil Dixon and his long lost (and recently found) friend Ivy Collins. Ivy's backstory was filled with lots of interesting twists and turns that we are slowly lead through but I felt Gil's story could have had a little more depth. It was a good, all-over read and I look forward to the next instalment.

I REALLY liked this book!!!! Where do I even start?

This was the second book in a row that I've read where reconciliation of old relationships was a major theme. I love when people get a second chance at a relationship.

THESE CHARACTERS! Gil was fantastic. I loved that he was named after Gilbert Blythe and he wore the name well. (Yes, I'm aware that he's as fictional as Gilbert Blythe.) The baseball angle was so nice. Baseball is too rarely in books and I loved the little nod to America's Pastime. Ivy was so surprisingly human. She's a super genius, very strong female (you find out just how strong in the story) but she didn't feel out of reach. She was scared. She cried. She hurt. But she didn't let it stop her. I just really liked that. I wish Emily had been around a little bit more but she was terrific in her limited role. Especially how she related to Gil. Such a great sibling relationship. Oh, and I can't forget Ivy's nickname!!!! Blackburn got baseball AND The Princess Bride into one book!

Blackburn did a great job incorporating all the other agents. I really liked the amount of time Luke, Zane, Tessa, & Faith were around. I absolutely LOVED how much Carrington was involved. One of the things I love about Blackburn books is how she weaves her series' together. It's so fun!

I wasn't sure how much I'd like this book just from the blurb but I loved it. It was touching and human and funny!! I laughed several times at the banter. I will definitely read it again and I look forward to the next book in the series!


A few quotes that I thought were amazing in their wisdom:
You can't force someone to accept forgiveness and grace. You can offer it, but they have to take it.

"I've known her my entire life." "No, you knew her as a kid. You met her as an adult less than twenty-four hours ago."

Malicious Intent, by Lynn H. Blackburn, is book two in the Defend and Protect series. The story does reference to things and people from the first book in the series, so it is best to read this series in order. This is a contemporary Christian crime story that is starts out strong and goes to the very end. It is filled with mystery, suspense, friendships and romance.

The U. S. Secret Service agent Gil Dixon is investigation counterfeit money and stumble right into a much bigger crime. Someone is out to get Ivy Collins, founder of a company working on prosthetics. Gil and Ivy were very good childhood friends that had not been in touch with each others for many years.

This is one of those stories that is hard to put down. I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. I loved the relationships the agents had and how they worked so well together. I was kept guessing until the end as to who was after Ivy.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book through Net Galley, this is my honest review.

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.


My review: Another great book by Ms. Blackburn. Ivy is super smart and all she wants to do is help those who need assistance. But someone is out to get her. Gil has been in love with Ivy his entire life. He's now getting the chance to be reunited with her. If you like a fast paced mystery with romance thrown in, you will love this book. Looking forward to the next book.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

The author drew me into the suspense right from the beginning. An encouraging reminder of the importance of friends and the need for support, with listening ears.

Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn is the second book in Defend and Protect series. Personally, I feel it is best to read Unknown Threat first. When I began reading Malicious Intent, I felt like I had missed out on key information (or a prequel). Malicious Intent is a fast-paced romantic suspense. Dr. Ivy Collins and U.S. Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon have a history which is evident from the first moment. It has been fifteen years since they last saw each other, but they have not forgotten each other. They still care for each other. Before they can get their happily happy ever, Gil and his colleagues need to figure out who is after Ivy. I thought the story contained good writing and it moved along at a swift pace. There are two main characters and five secondary characters. Ivy is a smart, resilient woman with a good heart. Gil is a protector with a heart of gold. He provides emotional support for Ivy during her time of need. The mystery involves violence. It is explained in a matter-of-fact way (not gory but detailed). There are several suspects. It was one little detail that allowed me to identify the wrongdoer. Romance is the main game in Malicious Intent. An incident in the past has kept Gil and Ivy apart. They never stopped caring for each other and we are privy to all of their thoughts regarding the matter. I would have preferred less romance with a more complex mystery. Romance lovers, though, will enjoy it. I like how faith was incorporated into the story. It is light but present. There is no foul language or intimate scenes in the book. We get to catch up with Faith and Luke from Unknown Threat as well as their colleagues. I appreciated the epilogue that nicely wrapped up Malicious Intent. I enjoyed this suspenseful story with its strong women and handsome men. Malicious Intent is a thrilling tale with savvy Secret Service Agents, a resolute researcher, a steadfast sister, caring colleagues, and a dangerous desperado.

This is a novel for readers who like much more character thought and rumination than action and suspense. Gil and Ivy knew each other years ago and then were separated with much misunderstanding. When their lives intersect, there is lots and lots of thought and ruminating about their relationship in the past, their relationship now, and their potential relationship in the future. I did appreciate the interaction between Gil's law enforcement companions. There is some clever dialogue there. The actual suspense is little, mostly near the end.

There was one area that puzzled me. The power had been cut to the building where Ivy and her employees had their offices and computers. She muses that might have been done to keep her from closing sensitive financial and personal documents that were open on her desktop. (453/5125) That is just unbelievable. Even I have a battery backup to safely close down my computer when power is cut. We are to believe this accomplished and innovative business designing prosthetic devices didn't have battery backup?

This is a novel of romantic suspense for readers who like an emphasis on the romantic and appreciate character thought more than action and suspense.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Malicious Intent by Lynn H Blackburn is a fantastic story for romantic suspense fans. Gil Dixon is a Secret Service Agent who has a case that involves with his childhood sweetheart, Ivy Collins. He hasn’t seen her in years, but when he shows up at her house, he walks straight into danger. Ivy is in trouble, and Gil pulls out all of the stops to protect her.

The novel has plenty of suspense and action. No spoilers, so let’s just say the ending had me on the edge of my seat! Everywhere Ivy and Gil turn, the threats never stop. But much of the story centers on the rekindled flames between Ivy and Gil. She walked away from him years ago, but now they are thrown together in the midst of a challenge to survive. Of course, it’s hard to fight old feelings.

A lot of characters from the first book in the Defend and Protect series (Unknown Threat) are in Malicious Intent (remember Luke and Faith?) But also some favorites from the Dive Team Investigations series make a guest appearance in this story (who doesn’t love Sabrina?)

While there was a bit more romance than I like in a story, the danger and suspense create a nice balance. Fast-paced and edgy, this is one story you won’t want to put down.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Well, this one's intense!! Lynn Blackburn continues to amaze with her action-packed, suspense-filled novels. This one is a stunner!
I loved this sequel, the second in Ms. Blackburn's Defend and Protect series. This is Gil's story.
The story begins with Gil visiting his childhood best friend about some counterfeit bills. Only, when he & his partner get to Ivy's house, she requires rescuing from some villains who were torturing her.
This is only the beginning of the many attacks that are made on Ivy's life.
Seemingly, someone is after information that she has on her computer. Perhaps it is something to do with Hedera, the brilliant prosthetic company she founded.
This story is just FULL of action. So much going on. Ivy is in constant danger. Gil is determined to have her under protection around the clock.
I loved the twists and turns, and not being able to guess what would happen next.
I also loved seeing the relationship between Gil & Ivy progress....

If you enjoy romantic suspense, this is a story you definitely won't want to miss!
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

It was fun to return to the characters that I enjoyed so much in book one, Unknown Threat, and even to catch up a bit with the characters from the Dive Team Investigations series. This second chance at romance story threw the main characters together early on in the book and I was definitely curious to find out what had caused the long separation between the two.

The threat to Ivy was double edged. It seemed that someone wanted access to her company and needed her various passwords and information. This was a definite threat to the company, yet it was also a threat to Ivy as the book opens up with Ivy clearly having been tortured for information. I was impressed with the depth of the planning that the villain had gone to in order to try to gain the access needed. And I was impressed with the way the investigators, including Gil, went about trying to piece a lot of information together while also attempting to keep Ivy safe.

It was nice to see Gil reconnecting with Ivy. He definitely had deep feelings for this woman and worked hard to not only keep her safe, but also to let her know that he felt that they should move forward from the past and that he wanted a future together. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn is one of my new favorite books. This is the story of Dr. Ivy Collins, CEO of a company about to bring a cutting-edge prosthetic to market. Ivy’s life is going well, except it seems that someone is trying to sabotage her business. Meanwhile, someone in her company has deposited some counterfeit money, which gets the Secret Service, and Agent Gil Dixon, involved. This is the same Gil Dixon who was Ivy’s childhood friend and first love, although they haven’t seen each other for many years. The back story about why they haven’t seen each other, which eventually takes center stage, is part of what makes this so interesting.

Malicious Intent is fast-paced and suspense-filled from start to finish. It is a story of greed and revenge that was hard to put down and held my attention from start to finish. The characters are likable, and the dialogue realistic. There’s suspense, mystery, friendship, and romance. Malicious Intent is the second book in the Defend and Protect series, but it easily stands alone.

Lynn Blackburn has done a fantastic job with this one! A great plot. Characters that you really want to get to know better - and some you don’t! Suspense from start to finish. Don’t miss this one!

I received a copy from Net Galley and the publisher. The opinions are my own.

Blackburn always brings the action and intensity. Gil and Ivy knew each other as children and vowed to never part, but circumstances tore them away from each other. Now they meet again under extenuating circumstances. The threats toward Ivy force Gil to protect her, whether she wants him to or not. I love that the story brings out how greed and revenge can destroy a person's heart and how good wins over evil. Gil and Ivy's story is sweet and intense and the friendship of all the agents is uplifting and encouraging. If you enjoy suspense, Blackburn is for you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Aww, I just finished this one. What a sweet ending! These are my favorite kinds of suspense—great action, dialogue, and characters you’re rooting for to succeed, and a pinch of romance. I think there must be other books in this series based on some references, but you can definitely read this as a stand-alone. I will be looking for those other books! Highly recommended.

Okay, if I thought loved Unknown Threat, then I LOVED Malicious Intent!

I love all the second chance romance vibes and not only do Ivy and Gil have the sweetest back story, but it’s also a super complicated one and current circumstances draw them back together after 15 years. It’s a fascinating and original dynamic! I’ve read a lot of books with second chance romance and childhood friends to more (there’s an element of this to their story too!), but never one like this! So original and so complex and layered. The characters have so much depth, as does their relationship! And Gil is such a beautiful character, but not perfect, which is important! There are definitely flaws in him, but he will also melt your heart! A perfect balance.

And the way Gil and Ivy’s back story so seamlessly ties into what is happening in the present is so good! And the suspense plot line in the present - amazing! It takes so many twists and turns and is SO unpredictable! All the points for that.

I adored this book! Definitely my favourite romantic suspense read for the year so far!! Yep, I said it. It’s that good!!!

Thanks so much @netgalley and @revellbooks for the ARC. I was only required to share an honest review in return.

Malicious Intent is out now!! So go find it! You won’t be disappointed!

Ivy just barely survived a difficult childhood. She attempted to put her heartache behind her. Ivy could never forget Gil. He was always there. She never expected to see him again after all these years.
What an exciting storyline! Ivy was extremely lucky to have Gil and his friends to protect her and keep her safe. She sure needed them. But she was one tough lady herself!

I really enjoyed the book. It was fast paced and never dull. The characters showed vulnerability as well as their strengths. I got lost in the story.

I received this ebook to review from Revell.

"Malicious Intent" is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the second in a series, but it works as a stand alone. I liked the first part of the story, but it started to break down for me near the end. The bad guy started off by having lackeys torture Ivy for the password to her computer system so he could steal something (rather than asking her to give them what he ultimately wanted). As time passed, either the author or the bad guy forgot his original plan. Now he wanted to get past her computer security system to download a program that would deny her access to her files unless she paid a ransom. To force her to do this, he kidnaped someone. Rather than just demand the money directly in return for the hostage, he still wanted her to download the ransomware instead. Hm.

Ivy was smart and resilient. Gil was a caring and considerate guy. He made her food, provided physical protection and emotional support, and apologized when Ivy got upset with him for doing his job. I think she was upset that she needed protection. Gil was just doing what she'd been okay with before: planning a way to keep her safe while also keeping her protectors' safe. Gil even made sure she had a gun to protect herself and listened to her concerns, but she kept asserting her independence in unhelpful ways. Like one of Gil's main suspects wanted to meet with her alone in her office, and she did so because she couldn't believe that any of the suspects would harm her. Right or wrong, this expressed her doubts about Gil's judgement and abilities in a way that hurt Gil.

Ivy was ashamed of how her mother wronged Gil's family. Ivy had to accept that he'd really already forgiven her. There was no sex or bad language. The torture was clinically described by Ivy to the police and was somewhat graphic but not in an intense, gory way.

You will be kept on your toes as you race through this book to get to the end!

Don’t miss this 2nd book in the Defend and Protect Series. You will be fully captivated by the suspense, romance, and mystery involved with all that goes on with Dr. Ivy Collins founder of Hedera, Inc. and Gil 💕

The story that unfolds will tug at your heart. It will also get your heart pumping with the suspense of it all.

I love, love, love that we get to catch up with characters from the the 1st book. I will try to wait patiently for the next book.

***I feel this can be read out of order or by itself but it will definitely make you seek out the 1st book.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Words fail me to convey just what a gripping, exciting, and well-written romantic suspense novel that Malicious Intent is, but I'll give it my best. The story got my interest on the first page and then continued to pull me in as the plot became more and more tense with tons of action. I found both main characters to be likeable and relatable. I loved this second-chance romance between Gil and Ivy. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships between Gil, his sister, and his law enforcement friends. There is lots of banter and absolute loyalty among the group. And, they just immediately add Ivy to their circle of friends. I did not have the villain figured out, but it made perfect sense as the law enforcement team discovered more and more.
If you like clean romantic suspense or Christian romantic suspense, Lynn Blackburn should be on your list of authors. Read just one of her books, and she'll become one of your favoritesI
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher and am sharing my opinion of this fantastic book.

A solid second chance romance with a bit of mystery and a sprinkle of suspense makes this second book in Lynn H. Blackburn’s Defend and Protect an engaging read. There are plenty of characters to protect Dr. Ivy Collins from someone who wants to stake claim to a secret stash of cash - and there are just as many suspects as there are law enforcement.

The romance takes front and center place, the mystery is secondary. But it’s the mystery that throws the hero and heroine together again after fifteen years apart.

There are some pretty intense moments, acknowledging Ivy’s need for a protection detail. Readers are given a break from continuous suspense, allowing the romance time to develop, along with new friendships between Ivy and her protectors.

This book can be read as a standalone, though there are relationships developed in the previous book that would be helpful to know beforehand. I didn’t read the first book, so I found myself trying to figure out the relationships between the protective detail. By the middle of the book, it didn’t take as much effort.

I received an ecopy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.