Fire marshal Jessica McCormick is on a mission to find the arsonist who killed her family. But when she announces to the world that she won’t rest until she finds him, Jessica sets off a blaze of her own that threatens to ignite her whole world.

FBI agent Nathan Carlisle is battling his own demons from the past and determined to keep his distance. But as the attacks against Jessica escalate, so do their feelings for each other. Can they find a way to leave the past behind and forge a new future…or will the killer catch them first?

Fast-paced, tightly plotted, and packed with enough twists and turns to keep you up all night and racing through to the end!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Serial Burn was a great continuation of the Lake City Heroes. The fast-paced story kept me in suspense and guessing who was causing the fires. I enjoyed the undercurrent of a love story that doesn't overshadow the action. Looking forward to reading the next installment!

Mrs. Eason does it once again in this page turner full of suspense and keeps you guessing to the very end. Can you guess who the arsonist is? I could not.

Jesslyn is a fire marshal that works a job that hits close to home. She lost her own family in a fire. It looks like the arsonist is striking again and she is the one who has to solves this crime before he/she strikes again. Jesslyn has lived in fear because of what has happened in her past, but I love how the author weaves in how our God can rescue you from your past and take your fears away. Nathan has been assigned to help in these cases and he has his own hurts to deal with. These two lean on each other as they work tirelessly to find our culprit. As the pages turn, we see their relationship develop as they share their pain and hurts.

The characters are so relatable and you feel like they could be your friend. You want to be there to walk beside them in their hurts or jump through the pages to rescue them from the danger.

As the plot thickens and you are guessing who it may be, this author shows fine suspense writing as she shares detail after detail to slowly work in finding out who our arsonist is. This is what all suspense readers want!

I would highly recommend this for lovers of romantic suspense. This book can be read as a standalone, but the characters do flow over into the other books of the series.

Go pick up your copy today! You will be happy you did! Get ready to be hooked!

These are all my opinions! I received this book from the publisher and was not required to leave a review.

I enjoyed this romantic suspense. The search for an arsonist has clues to puzzle over, links to the past to unravel, and plenty of action to keep pages turning. The growth of Nathan and Jesslyn’s relationship was satisfying and sometimes humorous, and the message about forgiveness profound. This third novel in the Lake City Heroes series proves ongoing glimpses into previous main characters while still easily standing alone. I enjoy the way the friends interact and show up for each other and look forward to the next book. Recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I liked this inspirational romantic suspense. I liked that Nathan and Jessyln have the potential for romance but do their necessary work first. It was interesting that both characters had tragedy caused by fire in their history. Nathan had to face his past and develop, with the help of counseling, his own well being. It was a bit odd that Nathan's brother, a psychiatrist, had not come to the same place of well being. The character development of the good guys was done well and the plot kept the story moving along. The climax is suspenseful and required exact arrangement of timing by the villain. Jessyln wondered how it could have worked out and so did I. I am not sure the character development and revelation of the villain was entirely consistent.

Eason covers a number of issues in the novel. Healing from past mistakes is a big one. Along with that is the necessity of forgiveness for past actions, including a strong faith message. The plot includes marital infidelity and allusions to child mistreatment in foster care.

This is a good inspirational romantic suspense and continuation of the Lake City Heroes series. Each novel in the series focuses on a different character so each can be read alone.

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

Serial Burn by Lynette Eason is the second book in the Lake City Heroes series. While it has friendship ties to the characters from book one, Double Take, it is complete with no cliffhanger or missing background knowledge. What a story it is! The suspenseful storyline, clear vivid setting and complex characters! This story has it all. I so appreciated and loved the community formed among the first responders, including the FBI called into the fire at the beginning, the attention to detail, the building suspense, and the slow burn romance.

More than once I found myself holding my breath as I was reading because I wasn’t sure how Jesslyn McCormick was going to survive since the villain was so intent on ending her life. Still. it reaffirmed that God is able, so all things are possible. Many times, FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle was there at the right moment to help. Serial Burn by Lynette Eason is Christian Suspense romance at its best.

Riveting from start to finish! I can’t wait for the next book!

Sometimes forgiveness is the hardest thing to swallow, and forgiveness played a big part in the story within these pages. Forgiveness of self and of others is hard to swallow for the main characters. Lynette Eason is a master puzzle maker with her writing style as she weaves a story with many pieces at the beginning and slowly brings them together in the end.

Fire marshal Jessilyn McCormick is a lady on a mission. When she was young her entire family died when their family home burned. She is determined, now more than ever, to find the person responsible for the devastation. When a fire breaks out at Jessilyn's church, this starts a chain reaction of more fires, each with a strange clue left behind.

FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle is working the arson cases with Jessilyn. Both Nathan and Jessilyn have some past hurts that have carried over into their adult life. Nathan has bitterness in his heart and Jessilyn is focused so much on finding the person responsible for her loss that she cannot even see what is around her anymore. These two have their issues, but they also have a common thread and that is to seek justice.

This was a complex mystery that will grab your attention from the beginning pages as each puzzle piece starts falling neatly into place. There will be pain as the past comes roaring back to haunt our two main characters, but there will also be joy and release. The twisty ending was quite a surprise for me. You can never go wrong with a Lake City Heroes book. This is book #3 in this series, which spotlights the heroes of Lake City. This one deserves more than 5 stars. This was inspirational romantic suspense at its finest.

Thank you to the Revell and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This one was explosive! Jesslyn is the Lake City Fire Marshal and someone is out to get her, Nathan is a special agent for the FBI investigating the arson fires. There is plenty of action and suspense in this story along with faith, friends who have your back, humor, and mystery. Jesslyn and Nathan work together to try and figure out who the arsonist is before he/she succeeds in killing Jesslyn. This is my favorite in the series so far.

Serial Burn
by Lynette Eason
Pub Date: Jan. 21, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is book 3 in the series and it is one I can highly recommend!
Eason delivers a punch with this book!
In Serial Burn, Deputy State Fire Marshal Jesslyn McCormick has dedicated her life to hunting down the man who killed her family. Her sacrifice for their justice demands her all; her whole identity is wrapped up in seeking answers. Her dedication to finding the arsonist who is setting fire to Lake City buildings is equally consuming and readers will love seeing how past trauma relates to the current nail-biting tension as the twentieth anniversary of the tragedy approaches. .
5 stars

Another novel close to 5 stars for me!! Lynette Eason starts Serial Burn off with action and never really stops. Twenty years ago, Jesslyn lost her family to a fire. It drove her to be a firefighter. Two decades later, she makes a very public statement that she WILL find the arsonist who killed her parents and sisters. And that’s when strange things start happening in her town.

One of my favorite things about this novel and this series is the friendship between all of the characters. While having so many public servants (nurses/doctors, law enforcement, air marshals, firefighters, and FBI agents) in the same friend group may be a little far-fetched, I love how they have each other’s backs and really gather around the one who has a need.

The thing that made this one not 5 stars is how some of the thoughts from Nathan (the primary male character) and Jesslyn are a little corny and sometimes are out of place.

While this can be a stand alone, I HIGHLY recommend reading the first two novels from this series because you will have background on other characters.

A special thanks to Revell and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

"Was it possible for her to simply be Jesslyn? A woman in love? Could she leave what had become her mission? Her very identity?"

Wow, just wow! I didn’t see this story coming at all. I was expecting a romantic suspense, but it turned out to be so much more than that. This story hit all the areas I love: a gripping mystery, two broken people drawn to each other, deep family secrets, a murderer on the loose, family confessions, and a town fighting against the flames. Add in FBI agents and firefighters working together to solve the case, and it was just amazing.

The story had me on the edge of my seat, shocked as mysteries unfolded as more structures went up in flames. The suspense kept building, and at times, and the secrets uncovered even brought me to tears. I was so emotionally invested in Jesslyn’s journey. She does more than find out who is after her, she is about to unravel the truth about her past and wow, there was SO much hidden! Add in Nathan and what he ends up unpacking in this story, wow it was a lot to read, and yet... So powerful to walk through the journey with them.

Jesslyn is the fire marshal of Lake City, a job she’s passionate about due to the tragic loss of her family in a fire years ago. As the anniversary of their death approaches, she announces her desire to finally find their killer and plans to dedicate a space in town to honor her father. But her announcement doesn’t go over well, and soon, fires start popping up all over town, all seemingly connected to her in some way. And she seems to be their next target!

When FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle is called in to help, it brings up feelings they’ve both been denying for each other. Jesslyn’s life becomes consumed by the need to solve the case of her family’s murder, and Nathan, who has his own painful past, is determined to keep her safe,but he can’t help falling for her more and more. Jesslyn, however, isn’t in a position to even consider a relationship when her whole life revolves around this case. The chemistry between them is so strong, but they both know they need to focus on finding out who’s behind the fires, and why they seem to be targeting Jesslyn, before they can even think about the future.

Even with the tension and mystery swirling around them, the romance between Nathan and Jesslyn was so beautifully written. It was heartwarming to watch it unfold amidst the chaos and danger, making it all the more special and real. The combination of high-stakes suspense, emotional depth, and a sweet romance made this story unforgettable.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinion.

What a great mix of suspense, family ties, and romance!

Nathan and Jesslyn were great characters who were dedicated to their jobs, their friends, and their faith, but I love how they learned and grew through this investigation and found things within themselves that they could improve!

A great read!

Oh boy did this one keep me guessing! This mystery was super intriguing and all the pieces to the mystery are extremely well crafted. I had a suspect and I was off the mark by a mile! I never miss a Lynette Eason book, and this story is a perfect example as to why that is. Her stories never disappoint!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and also have pre-ordered my own Audible copy. I was not required to post a positive review and all thoughts are my own.

I’m not sure how I missed Target Acquired, but I’ll need to go back and read it. Please forgive me for skipping to from book one to book three of Lynette Eason’s “Lake City Heroes” series for this review. In Serial Burn by Lynette Eason, twenty years ago, Jesslyn’s immediate family passed away in a housefire. Seeking justice—and answers—becomes her goal in life, sending her down the career path of a fire marshal. When Jesslyn’s church goes up in flames, FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle comes with is partner to investigate. He has his own tragic history with fire. When the arsonist continues striking, both Jesslyn and Nathan must face their pasts, while simultaneously trying to keep Jesslyn alive.

Like all of Eason’s previous work, Serial Burn is action-packed and filled life-or-death situations, for both the main characters and minor ones. You think Eason’s taking a break, but a Molotov cocktail shatters the peace. Or gunshots. Or a car accident. Or another fire. The author keeps readers biting their fingernails; I certainly did. Eason pulled me into the story from the prologue, and I had to keep reading. When I couldn’t read, I found myself thinking about the book. Apologies to all the people who might have texted me, or engaged me in conversation, as I didn’t comprehend a word. While I found the amount of action to be…farfetched, it was the appropriate amount for a novel. It didn’t fill every page, but it wasn’t nonexistent, either.

What I appreciate most about Christian romantic suspense, though, is its underlying messages. Serial Burn focuses on acceptance, faith, forgiveness, and redemption. Acceptance and faith because we won’t always understand why things do—or don’t—happen. Redemption because it’s never too late to restructure relationships or to overcome the past. Forgiveness because…well, forgiveness is complicated. You can decide to forgive someone, even if it takes a while for your heart to catch up. Forgiving others is hard; forgiving yourself is harder; accepting God’s forgiveness is the hardest of all in so many ways. It is incredibly difficult to think that God could want to give it to us, after all the times we fail. After all the times we sin. But He does, and He will tomorrow, too. Serial Burn by Lynette Eason portrays this concept so clearly.

I loved Serial Burn. Lynette Eason is one of my “go-to” authors for romantic suspense novels. She never disappoints, and Final Approach needs to arrive sooner, thank you very much.

Serial Burn begins with a glimpse of events from the villain’s perspective which always seems to suck me into a novel. I’m always looking for a tiny clue that might hint at who is behind what is going on. There were plenty of potentially dangerous moments sprinkled throughout this book, however I would say that most of them were somewhat predictable which didn’t make this read one of those edge of your seat suspense books. This book was heavy on info gathering/investigating and low on the romance due to both characters having past trauma they needed to work through before sparking a major romance. The conclusion was definitely intense for the characters and even though I felt as though the person behind the arson was pretty obvious, it was still a danger filled, fast paced conclusion that featured how intelligent Jesslyn could be in moments of need. The author heavily featured themes of forgiveness, and dealing with guilt and grief from a Biblical perspective which was really authentic and one of my favorite things about this story. This one might be for you if you are looking for a suspense book that features strong friendships, moments of danger and overcoming your past to find your future with a bit of arson at every turn!

I was enthralled with this book. Having already read book 2 in this series (not required or necessary to enjoy this story, but it does bring the character developments and thread together for those who have), Serial Burn does not disappoint. It’s lively, full of thrills and suspense, a kindling of a new romance (to fit the pun!) and a lot of mystery to have you wondering who the baddie is.

Loved, loved, loved it! Already itching to read the fourth and final instalment of this series. Thank you Lynette for another fantastic adventure.

Serial Burn is an book that's impossible to put down until the end. Deputy State Fire Marshal Jesslyn McCormick and FBI Special Agent Nathan Carlisle are on the case to find a serial arsonist. Both characters are likable and well-developed. They are complex characters that have a lot to deal with from their pasts. The plot moves at a fast pace that is perfect for the story. There are twists, including a huge one towards the end that I did not anticipate at all. Author Lynette Eason's writing style flows well and allows her readers to get completely immersed in the novel. The dialogue feels natural and advances the plot. One strong theme is forgiveness. This romantic suspense novel made me ponder the difference between forgiving oneself and accepting the forgiveness of God. I found the ending satisfying with the crime wrapped up. I highly recommend this standalone third book in the Lake City Heroes series.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this extremely well-written and engaging novel.

Jesslyn investigates fires but she’s driven by the desire to find the person who killed her family in a fire when she was a child. On the twentieth anniversary of their deaths she gives an impassioned speech that starts a strange series of events.

Nathan is an agent with the FBI called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding a church fire. He’s acquainted with Jesslyn but the more he works with her the more he’s drawn to her.

As they work together in the midst of more fires, attempts on Jesslyn’s life, and no clear suspect will they survive long enough to take a step toward each other?

This book is well written and draws you into the emotions of the characters. It shows the cracks trauma can place in a family but the Lord has the power to restore and heal the broken places. I highly recommend this book.

I was given a copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion of the book.

The whole story is on edge. It’s a constant battle to figure out what is going on. I felt the frustration of the people in the story as they tried to piece out the information that they had. It’s thought of as 3 jigsaw puzzles all thrown together and you can’t find any borders. The author keeps you guessing throughout the story. I feel that’s more real than the mysteries that give you exactly what you need from the start.
Besides the mystery, there is a struggle to be vulnerable. Is it better to be alone than to have harm come to someone you care about? And when all is resolved, is it possible for her to simply be her, without the obsession, the vengeance, the justice? Who is she without the pity or the search for justice? Her past has consumed her. Who is she without her past?
The story also deals with guilt and suicidal thoughts while coming to terms with truth. There are other ways to grow and go on after tragedy and guilt, besides giving up.

Good one! Jessyln's social life and life goals are self stunted due to her focus on figuring out who caused the death of her family members. Years ago her parents and siblings perished in a tragic fire. Jessyln is determined to find out who started the fire and it seems she has poked a bear. The tables have turned and someone is setting fire to the places Jesslyn frequents starting with her church.

It was fun to try to fit together all the puzzle pieces and learn as they get sorted out.

Look forward to the next in the series!