Lynette Eason is the USA Today bestselling author of Double Take, Target Acquired, and Serial Burn, as well as the Extreme Measures, Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband. They have two adult children. Learn more at LynetteEason.com.
In this interview, Lynette talks about how she keeps her characters realistic in the various branches of law enforcement for the final book in her Lake City Heroes Series.
FF: Please provide a brief summary of Final Approach.
Air Marshal Kristine Duncan and FBI Agent Andrew Ross thwart an airplane hijacking only to uncover a complex plot of revenge. Now they must navigate a web of deception, blame, and a personal reckoning with the past to unravel the truth before it’s too late.
FF: Final Approach is the final book in the Lake City Heroes Series. Are there any threads that run through the whole series that will be wrapped up in this book?
No, all the threads are wrapped up in each book. I’ve discovered that readers don’t really appreciate if you leave them hanging at the end of one book and then they have to wait six months for the next one. In Final Approach, readers get to catch up with the characters from the other stories and see where they are in their lives.
FF: Your Lake City Heroes Series has featured different types of first responders and law enforcement personnel. How does Kristine Duncan’s story provide a fitting conclusion to the series?
Kristine’s story is the perfect way to close out the Lake City Heroes Series because it brings all the previous books’ characters together, highlighting the themes of courage, resilience, and teamwork that have been central to all the books. I love that Kristine has such a high-stakes role and that her ability to act decisively in a life-or-death situation showcases the bravery that first responders and law enforcement personnel demonstrate every day.
That’s what I strive to show in all my stories—their courage and bravery and determination to bring justice to those who need it. By bringing back beloved characters from the previous stories and showing their progress, Final Approach ties everything together, giving readers a sense of closure and satisfaction.
FF: What kind of research was required to accurately portray Kristine’s unique profession as an air marshal?
I had to do a LOT of research into the day-to-day responsibilities, challenges, and training that come with the role of air marshal. I have an FBI buddy who gave me insight into the role air marshals have in the world of law enforcement. She gave me a lot of information about the rigorous training program, including firearms proficiency, situational awareness, and tactical decision-making—most especially what happens before and after the cockpit is threatened.
To make Kristine’s character authentic, I delved into the protocols followed during in-flight emergencies and how air marshals collaborate with other law enforcement agencies like the FBI. This research ensured that Kristine’s actions and decision-making in Final Approach were both realistic and engaging for readers.
I also explored the personal sacrifices and challenges air marshals often face, such as maintaining relationships while working in such a high-pressure, secretive profession. This allowed me to balance Kristine’s professional life with her emotional journey.
FF: Your books often feature strong partnerships between law enforcement professionals. How did you develop the relationship between Kristine Duncan and FBI Special Agent Andrew Ross?
I LOVE strong partnerships between law enforcement professionals. The relationship between Kristine and Andrew was developed with an emphasis on mutual respect, trust, and complementary strengths. I wanted their partnership to reflect the challenges and rewards of working together in high-pressure situations while allowing their personal connection to grow naturally over time. Thankfully, they knew each other—and liked each other—before the book opened, so it was easier to simply put the relationship into a higher gear so readers could watch it develop.
Kristine and Andrew came from different branches of law enforcement, which meant they approached problems with distinct perspectives and skills. Kristine’s expertise as an air marshal gave her unique insights into in-flight security and rapid-response decision-making, while Andrew’s background as an FBI agent brought a deeper understanding of investigative techniques and the broader implications of the hijacking. As an air marshal, Kristine wouldn’t be involved in the actual investigation, and I tried to make that clear while taking some author license in having her be present in certain situations. After all, an author has to keep the story going, right?
As for their romantic relationship, I really wanted it to feel authentic and earned. Both of them carried emotional scars from their pasts, and working together forced them to confront those vulnerabilities. Through their shared experiences, they began to trust and open up to each other, finding strength in their connection. As a result, I hope readers connect with them as well!
FF: The investigation in Final Approach seems to lead to more questions than answers. What challenges did you face in crafting such a complex plot?
As always, I wrote myself into a few corners, as you might imagine. LOL. But crafting a complex plot was both exciting and challenging. I wanted the story to keep readers guessing for sure. One of the biggest challenges was ensuring that the layers of the investigation were intricate enough to create suspense but not so convoluted that they became confusing or overwhelming for readers.
I started with a pretty convoluted outline. More like brainstorming with a bunch of puzzle pieces all over the table. Then slowly but surely, I put them together, focusing on the character backgrounds, motivations, etc. The trick is not leaving any of the threads dangling. I always thank God for wonderful editors who catch all my mistakes and make me clear everything up before the book is printed. Ha!
FF: Your books often deal with themes of justice and truth. How do these themes play out in Final Approach?
These themes are definitely at the heart of the story and are explored on multiple levels as the investigation into the hijacking unravels deep personal secrets that were never supposed to see the light of day. On a professional level, Kristine and Andrew are driven by their unwavering commitment to justice that was shaped by their pasts. As the investigation progresses, it’s hard to figure out what’s a lie and what’s truth, but they don’t give up, and their pursuit of justice underscores the importance of integrity, determination, and teamwork in the face of corruption and personal danger.
FF: How did growing up and living in South Carolina shape your settings and characters in the Lake City Heroes Series?
While the series is set in North Carolina, my growing up in South Carolina still influenced the stories by providing a familiarity with Southern culture, values, and landscapes. As I was growing up, I spent a LOT of time in North Carolina and still to this day love visiting the area, especially Asheville and the Biltmore House. So I think it was just natural for me to set this series in a place I love. It’s a setting that reflects a sense of small-town charm, strong community ties, and the challenges faced by law enforcement in such areas. I think that this regional connection helps bring authenticity and depth to the characters and their experiences.
FF: What are you working on next?
I’m working on a novella to introduce the new series I’ll be writing next. I’m really excited about getting it into the hands of readers.
~~~
Final Approach
Lake City Heroes #4
Lynette Eason
Publisher: Revell
Genres: Suspense, Romance
Released: August 5, 2025
Available Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
ISBN-10: 0800741226
ISBN-13: 978-0800741228
Book Summary:
Air Marshal Kristine Duncan is not on duty when a hijacker attempts to seize control of the plane she and her friends are on as they head out on a much-needed vacation. Jumping into action and aided by FBI Special Agent Andrew Ross, Kristine thwarts the attack and the plane lands safely. But as the investigation into the incident gets underway, Kristine and Andrew are confused at every step. Nothing about the investigation goes as it should, and each layer they peel back just reveals another layer of perplexity.
As the two work together to navigate a web of deception, blame, and personal reckoning, they find there’s more to this story than meets the eye–and more to love and admire about each other. They’ll have to put their skills to the test–and their hearts on the line–to unravel the truth and ensure that justice prevails.
CLICK TO BUY
Buy Final Approach from the FamilyFiction Amazon Affiliate HERE!