Gone Too Far (Troubleshooters, Book 6) Review

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(More customer reviews)I absolutely LOVE this series; otherwise, I NEVER would have even considered buying a hardcover. I prefer smaller paperback books, but Ms. Brockmann can be credited for providing such an interesting world within a fictional US SEAL Team that I couldn't possibly wait for the paperback! I had to know how the outcome of the cliff-hanger from the last book. I had to know how Sam was going to win Alyssa back, after following their nail-biting, teeth-grinding exploits throughout the other books in this series. I had to know how the investigation would end and whether Sam's estranged wife and beloved daughter were really dead in that house!
I'm happy to say Ms. Brockmann delivers on all those unanswered questions... once again providing a thrilling mystery interwoven with great characters and plenty of love. Old friends are revisited and new twists keep the pace going full throttle. And again, the flashbacks to a WWII romance are an added bonus. Thank goodness, Ms. Brockmann hasn't "Gone Too Far", but has plenty more stories of wonderful characters to tell. I now look forward to Max and Gina's story! But in the meantime, I'll reread the series start to finish... it's just that good! Worthy of keeping. For those who aren't familiar with the Ms. Brockmann's US SEALs... this team's tales are great stand-alone stories, but are even better as a series. Their stories are found in the following books (in order):
1. Unsung Hero about Lt Tom Paoletti
2. Defiant Hero about Lt JG John Nilsson
3. Over the Edge about Sr Chief Stan Wolchonok
4. Out of Control about SEAL Ken Karmody
5. Into the Night about Lt JG Mike Muldoon
6. Gone Too Far about Lt Roger "Sam" Starett
She does have another series of 11 books on a different sexy SEAL team, some of which are being republished too. These are shorter books, without the interwoven flashbacks of the newer series. They are, so far:
1. Prince Joe about Lt Joe "Cat" Catalanotto
2. Forever Blue about Lt C. "Blue" McCoy
3. Frisco's Kid about Lt Alan "Frisco" Francisco
and Night Watch (formerly published as Wild Wild Wes) about Chief Wes Skelly, which is coming in September 2003.
(There are nearly a dozen books in this older series, so only the few above are easily obtainable. Hopefully the rest will be released again too???!!!)

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Into the Night (Troubleshooters, Book 5) Review

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(More customer reviews)I wish there was a 4.5 star choice.
I own all of the Troubleshooters and most of the Tall, Dark and Dangerous series and consider myself to be a die hard fan of either of Brockmann's SEAL novels. I impatiently looked forward to her new book INTO THE NIGHT, especially because I really loved Mike Muldoon as an ancillary character in her other Troubleshooters books.
As with all Troubleshooters books, there are several stories running concurrently which eventually intertwine. INTO THE NIGHT is no exception. The WWII story is lovely and well told, and I also really enjoyed getting to know Mary Lou Starett who I really didn't like prior to this book. Brockmann does a great job of creating a sympathetic character who you find yourself identifying with. Her humaness is what makes her so compelling. It also shows a new side of Sam Starett, who is my all time favorite SEAL character the author has written, and not all of that side is pleasant. Also fun is getting to see what our favorite past heroines are up to and how they deal with their husbands' scary jobs.
The primary love story, between Mike and Joan DeCosta is well written, but not as dynamic as her other stories. The build up of sexual tension is not up to Brockmann's usual par and when the two finally get together, it's almost anticlimactic, although the scene itself is unbelievably steamy.
I found myself rooting for the secondary characters more than the primary characters and have to admit to being a bit disappointed in not getting to see more interaction between Sam and Alyssa Locke, but I guess that the author is just whetting our appetites for her next outing GONE TOO FAR.
I would definitely recommend this book, however if I were recommending a Troubleshooters book to someone new to Suzanne Brockmann, I'd choose OUT OF CONTROL or THE UNSUNG HERO, which I think are even better than this novel.

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Over the Edge (Troubleshooters, Book 3) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Saltwater Cowboys are at it again, as they are charged with the rescue of 120 passengers on-board a hi-jacked plane which is forced to land in Kazbekistan. Joining the SEAL team in the covert operation is FBI hostage negotiator Max, agents Jules Cassidy (who merely is window dressing again) and Alyssa Locke, who continues her tortured romance with Lt. Sam Starrett., and Reserve shopper pilot Teri Howe.
This time out, it is crusty Senior Chief Stan Wolchonok who gets the love interest, though he tries numerous times to blow it by setting her up with hunky Lt. Mike Muldoon. Teri Howe is the pursuer, while Stan tries to steer clear of the whole enlisted verses office fraternization rule (which does not apply to reservists). Each step Stan tries to take away from her, she takes two steps forward. It is nice to see the least romantic of the SEALs show his softer side.
This one is fraught with so much tension and a pretty harrowing assault of one of the passengers (as the negotiation team has to sit by and watch and listen in abject horror). Negotiator Max wrestles with his growing feelings for the hostage, who is nearly 20 years his junior, and his inability to save her in time.
One thing I can do without is the WWII junk. I just skip over that stuff. It does not add anything to the story line other than additional pages. I like when they use an alternate font so that skipping is even easier!
I usually do not like serial books, but this particular series manages to make each book stand on their own merits. You really get to like the characters, and they pop up all over the series, but it is not a forced inclusion like some of the other stories I have read. I look forward to each new installment.

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Dark of Night: A Novel (Troubleshooters) Review

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(More customer reviews)
This book should be used as an example in writing classes on HOW TO jump the shark (if for some reason an author were so inclined) If you have not followed the series you may enjoy this book but for those of us who have been waiting for the past 5 years for a resolution to the story arc it's pretty brutal.
Characters have been completely re-written and in some cases are nothing like the previous books. Nash and Dave who have barely exchanged more then a few sentences are suddenly great friends! Same with Decker and Tracey, apparently there was an animalistic attraction between the two of them for years now! Surprise!!! Dave, who in past books has been described as geeky, needy and insecure is suddenly an Alpha hero who's tough as nails and of course saves the day. AND could be a SEAL with one hand tied behind his back. Gimme a break.
Tracey, sweet ditzy Tracey who was introduced to us in ITS as not smart enough to work a phone system, clothes obsessed and sexually inexperienced (2 previous partners not including one night stand Izzy) is suddenly the smartest character in the book, quickly putting all the pieces together and is sexually confident enough to order Decker around and act out his BSDM fantasies. The thing about character growth is we actually need to see it - Brockmann just makes drastic changes to their personalities and we are supposed to believe that it's just peeling back the layers, we just didn't see those aspects in them before. And if you believe that I have a bridge to sell you in Alaska. Of course I'm more of 'show me, don't tell me' kind of reader and Brockmann seems to have lost her ability for subtlety.
For those who were devastated that Decker and Sophia would not find their HEA together (despite all the signs in prior books and lets not forget those misleading polls that Brockmann has on her website indicating their couple status) this book doesn't make you feel better. Prior to the release spoilers indicated we would find out exactly WHY Sophia and Decker would never work out - and the reason why? Decker apparently is a closet BSDM wannabe. I read that and thought, seriously??!! Does the author really believe her readers are that naive?? We would simply say, oh it's ok they aren't together because Decker wants to be tied up, covered with a hood and whipped! That's a good reason to suddenly pair her with Dave. I feel the author had to come up SOME reason since she changed her mind halfway through the arc and thought this might do it. Paging JR Ward!!! The one conversation that Decker and Sophia have about their past is disappointing and anti-climatic.
The plot is beyond unbelievable and I was laughing out loud at parts that were not intended to be funny.
Now onto the couples. Dave and Sophia were nauseating as expected. Granted I would have been a tough sell in order to find them believable as a couple and unfortunately Brockmann failed to convince me. I still don't believe that Sophia is IN love with Dave but rather loves him, their baby and the life they will have together. The basic premise of her realizing that she loves Dave, her best friend is when he is in danger and is almost killed in the parking lot....so it's OMG you almost died, I do love you after all!!! And right near the end of the book she tells Decker she's a bit jealous of his and Tracey's happiness, but at the same time she's not. So she's slightly jealous? She obviously still has feelings for Decker then. Not exactly an HEA worthy of a romance novel, more like real life where the girl settles for 2nd choice, but has kids and a house and joins the PTA and is very content.
Tracey and Decker were the best part of the book (their character issues aside) and I would have liked to have seen more of them, particularly at the end which felt very rushed. Again, I'm not really convinced of a very happy HEA....they seemed a bit more in lust then in love.
Very happy to have Tess and Nash wrapped up and happy.
Near the end of the novel Sophia is talking about Dave and Decker and how the two of them are not interchangeable. Which is the exact complain many fans have with Brockmann at this time. For years she builds up Sophia and Decker and then in one very anticlimactic novel she switches it all around so she could have her surprise ending. I guess we are supposed to celebrate her edginess??? Praise her for pushing the boundaries??? Sorry, but when you create a 5 year story arc and then have it end in such a cluttered book she should be prepared for the backlash she is now experiencing. Maybe this won't effect her sales, maybe this book will be a hit for her but I'm tired of being manipulated.
This series has been on the decline for some time now and this was the final nail in the coffin for this reader. I'm sad to say that I think Brockmann is going to places that I just don't care to follow. I think her style has changed and perhaps mine has as well........I just don't like to read romance novels that are more like far fetched soap operas....or perhaps more like 90210 considering the lingo of most of the characters. It really wouldn't surprise me at this point to have characters come back from the dead, like Bobby Ewing in Dallas.
Some of you, particularly Dave fans, may enjoy this book but for me it was a wall banger.

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Identity: Unknown (Tall, Dark & Dangerous, Book 8) Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't see anything posted as to what this book is about, so here is the info from the back cover: Navy SEAL Mitchell Shaw woke one morning with no clue as to who he was. And the items hidden in his possession were no help--an address, along with a .22 caliber side arm. The address led him to the Lazy 8 Ranch--and its beautiful manager, Becca Keyes, who made him believe he might have a future, even if he wasn't sure about his past.
The gun was another story altogether....
Since I first discovered her work, it has been my pleasure to read every book that Suzanne Brockmann has written. I have many favorites by this wonderful writer, but I have to say that I have particularly enjoyed Identity: Unknown. As an extremely jaded romance reader who has been reading love stories 35 years and romance since its inception in the early 70s, in my opinion, this book totally fulfills the highest purpose of romance, to make the reader feel, and feel intensely. The emotional and passionate impact of this story is tremendous! I believe there are multiple reasons for this achievement.
First, characterization. Since romance, more than any other form of fiction, is utterly character driven, the most essential requirement for excellence is wonderful characters. Ms. Brockmann has totally succeeded at this goal in Identity: Unknown. These characters are not just sympathetic, they leap from the page.
Second, conflict and motivation. This book is brimming with believably motivated and very gripping external, internal, and most important of all, relationship conflict between the lovers. It is essential in a romance that the lovers be together constantly, be absolutely "made for each other," and yet something compelling and believable keep them apart, elements which are there "in spades" in this book.
An additional vital component of excellent fiction, including romance, is great plotting. It is very evident in this book in Ms. Brockmann's fascinating use of a continuing Navy SEAL theme. When Mitch, the hero, receives an injury while on undercover assignment that leads to temporary amnesia, this fascinating plotting device works beautifully with a well-motivated internal conflict centering around the honor and integrity of the hero. This in turn seamlessly leads to the exciting external and internal complications which race the story along and keep the reader rapidly turning pages.
Along with all of the above vital components of good popular fiction, in a romance, there is the additional requirement of a love relationship of such an intensity that the reader is moved to tears, quivers and sighs. In this, Ms. Brockmann thrillingly exceeds our expectations. The tenderness, poignancy, trust, compassion, caring--and blazing sensuality--between Mitch and Becca are astounding.
Mitch is one of my all-time favorite heroes, and, which is all-important for me as a reader, the heroine is worthy of him in her ability to love, her bravery, initiative, independence, and ethics.
Do yourself a favor and read this book, one of the best the romance genre has to offer! And after you do, pass it on to all your friends and relations who have ever scoffed at romance.

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What he remembered: His clothing size What he didn't remember: Everythingelse Navy SEAL Mitchell Shaw woke up one morning with no clue as to whohe was.And the items hidden in his possession were no help -- an address, alongwith a .22 caliber side arm. The address led him to the Lazy 8 Ranch -- and itsbeautiful manager, Becca Keyes, who made him believe he might have a future.Even if he wasn't sure about his past. The gun was another story altogether...--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Taylor's Temptation (Tall, Dark & Dangerous, Book 10) Review

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(More customer reviews)Bobby Taylor is a Navy SEAL, and his best friend is his swim buddy, Wes Skelly. As Wes ships out on an assignment, he asks Bobby to go to Boston to look out for his younger sister, Colleen, who is doing stuff that has big brother in overprotective mode. Bobby goes, but is full of reservations because his feelings for Colleen Skelly are far from brotherly. As this is a serial romance novel, you can probably guess where the plot goes from there.
The dialogue is snappy and characters are very well drawn. The conversations between Wes and Bobby, as well as the brief appearances of other SEALs from earlier books work very well.
My only knock would be that we never learn much about Bobby's background and history. Normally I wouldn't notice this, but in all of the other Team Ten Books the heroes had a history that was explained, so its absense was noted here.
There is a good segue to the next book in the series (expected to be Wes' story) at the end. All of the Suz Brockmann fans who have been waiting impatiently for the next installment of her Team Ten books will be pleased with this effort.

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When it came to protecting the innocent, Bobby Taylor was your man. But when his best friend, Wes, asked him to keep an eye on his little sister, Bobby desperately wanted to pass. Because to him, gorgeous redhead Colleen Skelly didn't look like anyone's kid sister. He doubted she was innocent. And he wanted to keep more than just his eye on her....

After years of trying to get magnificent Navy SEAL Bobby Taylor to herself--and away from the prying eyes of her meddling brother--Colleen had finally succeeded. Bobby was hers, if only for a few days. And she had her work cut out for her. She had to prove that she was a grown woman--and that he was all she would ever need in a man....
--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Night Watch (Tall, Dark & Dangerous, Book 11) Review

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(More customer reviews)Girls, if you're the saving type - you know, stray kittens, kicked puppies, men with low self-esteem so afraid of their emotions that they choose not to feel them - then Wes Skelly is the hero for you! He's so emotionally closed down that he only allows himself to feel much of anything when he's drunk (not a pretty sight!). This guy's going to need the mother of all savers!
And Brittany Evans is a saver if ever there was one! A woman who adopted a thirteen-year-old "juvie" to save him from foster care (he's now nineteen and a baseball prodigy) she's also a nurse and a very nurturing sort. But she's not nauseatingly sweet or annoyingly good. She's smart, sassy and on occasion a smart aleck and I liked her a lot. She fully recognizes her weakness for guys like Wes and so she tries to keep things light and casual when they are set up on a blind date. A sweet friendship results and it is clear that these are two people that truly like each other. All's well until she tries to help this intense emotional cripple to see the good and the positive in himself. Well she's really got her work cut out for her as we hear all about (she's a "talk it out" kinda gal) every issue Wes has: low self-esteem, height sensitivity, the death of a sibling, a cold, distant father, his possible drinking problem and his unrequited love for the wife of a friend. Phew! This guy either needs some serious therapy or an abundance of friendship and support from the most patient, understanding woman in the world! Lucky for him he meets Britt.
Don't get me wrong, I did like this story. But if you've got little patience for this particular brand of tortured hero, consider yourself warned. I'm a bit of a sucker for them myself on occasion, even though at times his problems seemed over the top. But Wes is a very likeable guy and worth the effort, though it seems Britt is doomed to a life of reassuring him (it seems she wouldn't have it any other way). And though I like Britt's character, we find out little about her other than what I've described above, that she's a great mom, that she's divorced from a guy who cheated on her and that she's jealous of Lana, Wes's unrequited love. Contrasted with the mountain of stuff we learn about Wes, she seems a bit short-changed (a chronic problem of almost all Brockmann heroines). But their friendship is sweet and their passion is hot! The background story of Lana's TV star sister's stalker, mainly serves to provide the expected, exciting SEAL Team Ten climax of the story.
If you are a fan of the Tall Dark & Dangerous series, I think you'll like this book. It's a quick and enjoyable read and it pretty much wraps up all the guys from Alpha Squad, though we are briefly introduced to "the new guy" Rio Rosetti. Could book 12 be in the works? A recommended read!

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Hollywood Nights . . . Leading To Hollywood DaysWhen U.S. Navy Seal Chief Wes Skelly was sent to L.A. on assignment, he agreed to go on a blind date with beautiful single mother Brittany Evans, sister-in-law of a fellow SEAL. After all, he had been secretly in love for years, albeit with a woman who belonged to another man. So what did he have to lose?Plenty, it turned out. Because suddenly the woman he thought he could never have was available. However, so was Brittany -- and not only that, she was in danger. Because of him. He knew he could keep her safe. But why was he increasingly certain that he was the one in danger?

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Into the Storm (Troubleshooters, Book 10) Review

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(More customer reviews)It's the Saltwater Cowboys versus the Troubleshooters... as the two are pitted together in an exercise and competition of sorts. Troubleshooter Lindsey Fontaine is nursing a huge crush on vertically challenged SEAL Mark Jenkins (hey - I'm not the one who made his stature abundantly clear 25 times in the book). When she is chosen as the "victim" she has to work double time to prove her SEAL-worthiness. Mark is attracted to Lindsey, but has always wanted childhood goddess Tracy Shapiro. He thinks he might have a chance with her now that Tracy has broken up with her wandering eyed boyfriend Lyle. Again. But after the competition, it is Lindsey who lands in his bed, then races out of it when Tracy has another meltdown and turns to Mark for comfort.
When the competition proves successful, they decide to do it all over again... in the freezing cold mountains of New Hampshire. Tracy gets to come along as the victim, and Lindsey relishes in letting her know she can only bring one carry on. As they set out on the new excursion, the tension between Mark (who is now head over heels for Lindsey) and Lindsey is so thick you can cut it with a knife. But ever the professionals, they try to keep their feelings in check. During the exercise, chaos ensues, and then suddenly, Tracy is nowhere to be found, and falls unwittingly into the hands of a sadistic serial killer. Will the cowboys and troubleshooters find her in time?
There is so much going on in this story. And yet, it really lags. There are three potential romances, two of which are triangles. And a serial killer on the loose... each could be a story itself. While Izzy can be humorous at times, it got old really quick. I found that the only compelling romance was between Sophia and Deck, and that one is destined to play out longer than Sam and Alyssa.
Was it just me, or did Marc and Lindsey's romance sound eerily familiar, like perhaps Wes and Brittany from "Night Watch?" Vertically challenged guy in love with a woman they cannot have so they have a "casual" relationship with the next best thing that really turns out to be the best thing... It was a good read, but not one that would stand up to repeated scrutiny or readings. If this is your first SEAL 16 novel, go back and read an earlier one like "Over the Edge" first.

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Into the Fire: A Novel (Troubleshooters) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have accepted that the Brockmann who gave us such classics as "Over the Edge" and "Out of Control" is gone, and this trend continues in her latest Troubleshooters book. Once again it's non-stop action, lots of injuries, and thinly drawn romance. It was, however, a very riveting book.
This review contains spoilers.
I've never been a fan of the "secretly in love with this guy but lets him marry her best friend, and wow, he's been in love with her too" story-line, so Hannah and Murphy interested me less than the secondary characters. For me those characters stole the book. Decker, Dave, Sophia, Nash, and Tess finally get a little more screen time. But let me break it to you - Sophia does not end up with Decker. Maybe Brockmann was going to go there several books ago, but she's not going there now. Which is very disappointing.
There is an explanation as to why Nash has always been such a secretive mess, and it satisfied me.
Now on to Izzy Zanella. I fell in love with Izzy in "Into the Storm", because the guy is such a freak and has such great one-liners. Kind of like the Wildcard of old. (Not the Wildcard of his own book.) But then Brockmann decided to pair him with a just-turned 18 year old who is pregnant with another man's child. Did I mention that Eden is Gillman's sister, Gillman, who hates Izzy? Oh, and Eden has the requisite awful childhood baggage, too. In one of Brockmann's favorite plot devices, they have a marriage of convenience which ends about as well as Sam's and Mary Lou's did. This storyline is not concluded in this book, since we are supposed to care about these star-crossed loves and follow their saga to the next few books.
Not for me. Not gonna happen. These two squick me out, for starters. She's 18, he's 29. They saw each other, got attracted, and that was the extent of their great connection. I don't WANT them together, I don't want to read about them so much as brushing elbows. I don't know if she thinks they are the next Gina and Max, but wow, they so are not. Eden is spunky and fiery, sure, but she's 18. And much as I love Izzy, he is not Max. I hate that she took Izzy there, just hate it. It's gross. It wouldn't work.
I'm sure in the next Troubleshooters book - or the one after that - since she loves to drag these things out - Izzy will be at the Ladybug Lounge, moping around, still wearing his wedding ring, waiting for his teeny-bopper wife to grow up. Then she'll get kidnapped by terrorists and they will rush in to save her, where they will argue while bullets fly around their heads, then hook up against a wall and decide they're in love. See, to me, this isn't romance. There's no build-up, no explaining WHY this person, just 1) Attraction 2) Hook up 3) Marriage and HEA. And in this case, I agree with Lopez; it's wrong and it won't work.
So why did Gina and Max work, but not Izzy and Eden? It's not just the age, although just-past 17 is TOO young, for me, but the situation. Max didn't take responsibility for Gina right after meeting her, he didn't marry her instantly and expect it to work. He tried to push her away, and while it got annoying, it made sense. But mostly I got a sense of the inside of their heads, and why they felt the way they did. With Izzy and Eden, I saw no reason why they liked each other beyond physical attraction. None at all. And it all happened SO fast.
It was an entertaining book, it kept my interest, but Brockmann is no longer an auto-buy for me. I loved seeing glimpses of my old favorites, and hope that she gives Lopez his own book. But I really miss the romance.

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The Defiant Hero (Troubleshooters, Book 2) Review

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(More customer reviews)When I purchased "The Defiant Hero", I really wasn't expecting to like it(me not being a big fan of action, shoot em' up types of novels). The book was much more than I expected it to be. In fact, the next in the series is at the top of my reading list. If I'm not mistakened it's entitled "Over the Edge".
The "The Defiant Hero" actually involves three stories in one, with approximately six main characters. One story(the main one) involves Navy SEAL, John Nilsson and Meg Moore, the woman with whom he fell in love a few years earlier, but couldn't have. Meg and John(Nils) are brought together again when her daughter, Amy, and grandmother, Eve, are kidnapped by foreign terrorists. John wants to make sure he doesn't lose Meg a second time as she makes every attempt, by risking her own life, to save that of her daughter. Out of desperation, Meg is beyond reason and is willing to do whatever it takes to get Amy back, and Nils is more than prepared to make sure she doesn't make herself the sacrificial lamb, even if he has to die doing so.
The second story taking place was my favorite and is why I loved the book. It involves the beautiful, biracial FBI agent, Alyssa Locke and handsome Navy SEAL, Sam Starrett. Sam and Alyssa met during a previous mission, and have decided that each doesn't like the other. Their paths cross again when they're forced to work together to try and rescue those being held. The sexual tension between these two is working overtime. Alyssa sees Sam as nothing more than a chauvinistic male racist, while he 'seemingly' views her as a stuck up sexual object. Through the strangest of circumstances, sparks start to fly, something Sam had been secretly hoping for all along. Alyssa, on the other hand, isn't so willing to form any type of relationship with Sam, to his dismay.
In reality, these two individuals are really into each other, yet they don't realize it. I found this part of the book to be the most enjoyable. It was not only romantic, but funny as well. You'll find yourself laughing out loud at Sam and Alyssa. I can't wait to read Over the Edge, Brockmann's continuation of the series. In that book the story of these two complicated people continues.
There is a third story which involves the grandmother's retrospective of her earlier life as told to Amy and one of the kidnappers. This one, I didn't like. There didn't seem to be a need for it, especially with the other two stories being so well written. I found myself rushing through this part to get to the other two(Starrett and Locke's especially).

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Tall, Dark and Fearless: Frisco's Kid\Everyday, Average Jones (Hqn) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a fun, sexy, exciting series with larger then life Navy SEAL heroes, capable of anything it seems except falling in love easily. This one contains books 3 & 4 from Brockmann's Tall Dark and Dangerous series which is in the process of being re-released as 2-in-1's with way better covers. Using proper military jargon Brockman gives us delicious alpha-male heroes and just the right amount of action, suspense and sweet romance to keep you coming back for more. And with each story just different enough from the last that it feels fresh and unique while still connecting the series as a whole, these well written quickie romances are totally addictive. While each can be read as a stand-alone I recommend trying to read them in order due to the continuing and evolving story arcs, and I dare you not to fall for any member of SEAL Team Tens alpha squad.
First up was FRISCO'S KID and this story hit my soft spot as I love a tortured hero. Injured in (Prince Joe) Frisco has been undergoing operations on his shattered knee ever since. He's just been let go from rehab however, being told he's as fixed as he's ever going to get. Frustrated, angry and in constant pain Frisco refuses to accept this outcome or the teaching job he was just offered, retreating instead to his 2nd floor condo where he hit's the bottle. Before long his well meaning neighbour Mia is sticking her nose in, trying to assist her rude and often drunk neighbour. When Frisco's wayward sister dumps her 5 year old daughter into his care he feels helpless, however this forces him to turn to Mia and a friendship soon develops. When it appears that Mia might have genuine feelings for him Frisco panics; he's a shell of the man he used to be, what could he possibly offer her? As Frisco pulls away his sisters nasty ex-boyfriend turns up and kidnappings, gunplay, and car chases ensue with Frisco calling on alpha team for backup.
In EVERYDAY, AVERAGE JONES when the American embassy Melody Evans is working in is overtaken by terrorists it doesn't take long for the Navy SEALs to come to their rescue however it does take them 2 days to reach the middle eastern border and a flight to freedom. During those tense few days Melody comes to trust her daring and charismatic rescuer with her life. Blaming the extreme circumstances on the ensuing week of passion they share together in Paris. However Melody doesn't want a relationship with a hero who risks his life on a daily basis, she plans on settling down with a everyday, average man. So when Jones gets called back to duty she thanks him for the laughs and breaks things off.
7 months later Jones gets reassigned to the east coast and because he hasn't been able to forget about Melody he looks her up. Shocked to discover that she's pregnant but being an honourable guy Cowboy Jones dons his dress whites and asks her to marry him. The only thing is she doesn't want him and no amount of camping in her backyard or doing normal suburban type things will make her change her mind. My least favourite in the series, this started with so much potential but after the `secret baby' storyline emerged I couldn't stand the heroine or the ongoing conflict between her and Jones. However we do get a lot of interaction with the rest of the SEAL team and some great supporting characters.

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New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling Author SUZANNE BROCKMANN returns with two more classic tales of tall, dark and dangerous men who face the msot daring adventure of all - FALLING IN LOVEFRISCO'S KIDBeing a Navy SEAL is more than a career to Alan "Frisco" Francisco-it is his whole world. So when a bullet wound threatens his future in the Navy, he is determined to achieve a full recovery…all on his own. But his lovely neighbor Mia Summerton has other plans for him. She can't mend his wounded body, but can she heal his heart?EVERYDAY, AVERAGE JONESAll her life Melody Evans has wanted to marry a plain, average man who doesn't take risks. But when the foreign embassy is taken over by terrorists and she's rescued by a daring Navy SEAL, Melody blames the extreme circumstances for their ensuing passion. When it comes to ordinary, Harlan "Cowboy" Jones is anything but, and their encounter leaves Melody with a little more than just memories….

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The Unsung Hero (Troubleshooters, Book 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)I admit that I'm a big fan of Suzanne Brockmann's books, so I may have been predisposed to like The Unsung Hero. However, I can objectively say that the book surpassed even my high expectations with its attention-grabbing mix of action/adventure, long-simmering romance, young love and an important secondary story told in flashback.
Intricate? You bet, but Suzanne does an incredible job weaving it all together in a way that kept me spellbound.
Everything in this novel works for me. The plot of injured Navy SEAL Tom Paoletti returning to his small-town Massachutsetts home to recover from a possible-career-ending head injury and spotting someone who could be a deadly terrorist is a great set-up.
The conflict between hometown doctor Kelly Ashton and her terminally-ill father Charles touches the heart.
Even though there's a lot going on, the primary romance between Tom Paoletti and Kelly Ashton is dynamite. I love having two people who have known and been attracted to each other for years finally meet up again.
Some readers don't like the addition of the WWII backstory involving Charles Ashton and Tom's great-uncle Joe Paoletti. I disagree. I think the flashback segments are extremely well done and make for compelling reading. I HAD to find out the whole story.
So, count this a rave for The Unsung Hero because it is definitely at the top of list of my favorite books of the year.

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Prince Joe (Tall, Dark & Dangerous, Book 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)I usually dislike any action/adventure in romances because the authors forget to concentrate on the characters and spend the entire book on car chases and gunfights. Well, Brockmann is one author who does it right! The characters are always the focus, with the action a nice bonus.
Joe Cat is a wonderful hero: a tough, intelligent, funny, blue-collar kind of guy. He is the leader of the Alpha Squad of the Navy SEALs. Veronica is a high-class and hoity toity media consultant. A job brings them together: Joe must pose as the Prince of Eustanzia to catch a terrorist. Veronica must turn this macho sailor with the atrocious New Jersey accent into a prince in 2 days!
The attraction between them is immediate and very powerful, but many things stand in their way. Joe, a usually confident man, feels insecure for the first time. His blue-collar background makes him think Veronica won't want him for more than a fling. Is he right? You have to read the book! Veronica, for her part, is scared for Joe as catching dangerous terrorists is a daily thrill for him. Does she ask him to quit the SEALs? You have to read the book! Believe me, it's better than I can ever describe.
I was excited to learn that this is Brockmann's 1st book in a 10-book (or more) series about Navy SEALs. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

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Veronica St. John is facing the challenge of a lifetime. The media consultant has two days to teach a rugged Navy SEAL to impersonate a European prince who has been targeted by terrorists. It's a tough assignment, but Veronica is sure she's up to the task -- until she actually meets Joe. Despite his physical resemblance to the handsome prince, Lieutenant Joe Catalanofto is nothing like the stuffy aristocrat. Everything about the combat-hardened Navy SEAL -- from the arrogant gleam in his eyes and streetwise attitude to the New York accent -- says regular guy, not royalty. One conversation and Veronica knows nothing could turn this military man into nobility. Joe, on the other hand, is confident he's got what it takes to complete his duty. But neither of them expects their assignment to include falling in love . . .

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Tall, Dark and Devastating: Harvard's Education\Hawken's Heart (Hqn) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a fun, sexy, exciting series with larger then life Navy SEAL heroes, capable of anything it seems except falling in love easily. TD and Devastating contains books 5 & 6 from Brockmann's Tall Dark and Dangerous series which is being re-released as 2-in-1's with way better covers. Using proper military jargon Brockman gives us delicious alpha-male heroes and just the right amount of action, suspense and sweet romance to keep you coming back for more. And with each story just different enough from the last that it feels fresh and unique while still connecting the series as a whole, these well written quickie romances are totally addictive. While each can be read as a stand-alone I recommend trying to read them in order due to the continuing and evolving story arcs, and I dare you not to fall for any member of SEAL Team Tens alpha squad.
Both of the stories here are super good, with fast paced plots, memorable characters, searing love scenes and sigh worthy endings. I couldn't really choose a favourite although because I have a thing for tortured heroes I'd have to say Crash (Hawken's Heart) is pretty dreamy.
First up was HARVARD'S EDUCATION and while I will admit this was a bit slow to get started by the end however I really felt like I knew our heroes and was completely wrapped up in their lives. When Harvard and the team take on an experimental training assignment no one expects a girl to be among the FInCOM recruits. After all with the type of life and death situations they face the SEAL's are exclusive boys club and that's just the way Harvard likes it. Enter PJ Richards, sharpshooter, most capable recruit, Harvard's perfect intellectual match and of course all woman. With his sexist attitude these two have problems from the start. Harvard just doesn't believe women belong in a combat zone, it's too dangerous, too brutal and she would be far too distracting.
The ending chapters here were fantastic as a planned out of country "training" mission goes horribly wrong. Leaving me hanging for quite a while as to whether the mission (and fatalities) were real or in fact a training op. Pinned down by hostiles, armed only with paint ball guns, and with their Captain severely injured and held hostage it's going to be up to PJ and Harvard to save the day. Will he be able to set his prejudices aside long enough to let PJ do her job and help rescue their team mates?
With HAWKEN'S HEARTH we get Billy "Crash" Hawken's story and Jeez did I ever fall hard for him. A member of the elite "Grey group" Crash is aloof, loyal to a fault and oh so sexy in his secretive, lethal sort of way. He's a man of few words and even less emotion, or so it seems. Told in two distinct sections each taking place a year apart Brockman encompass one of my favourite themes with this one; that of reunited lovers, made even better here as they're on the run and that always guarantees a good time.
When Crash becomes the prime suspect in the assassination of his commanding officer he is charged with treason, conspiracy and murder. Stripped of his commission he awaits the death penalty. The last person he expects to visit him in prison is Nell Burns; I mean things didn't exactly end well between them and he hasn't spoken to her since, avoiding any contact by accepting multiple overseas missions. Her faith in him is unwavering though and as she tries to clear his name Nell unwittingly becomes a target, forcing these former lovers on the run. When it becomes evident that Crash is going to give his life to keep Nell safe and find the man responsible for killing the Admiral SEAL Team 10 enters the picture to back up our boy.

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New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann has thrilled audiences with her Tall, Dark and Dangerous series. Experience them here, with two classic tales of heroes who face the most daring adventure of all-falling in love.Harvard's EducationSenior Chief "Harvard" Becker believes that there is no room for women in a combat zone. It's too dangerous, too tough…and with P.J. involved, too distracting. He might respect her sharp intellect and her shooting abilities, but he still doesn't want the responsibility of making sure she stays alive. But P.J. isn't a woman who backs down easily, and to her mind, Harvard has a lot to learn. She just doesn't expect him to be so eager to instruct her on other subjects…like trust, desire and maybe even love.Hawken's HeartNavy SEAL Crash Hawken awakens in a Washington, D.C., hospital to learn that he is the prime suspect in the assassination attempt on a commanding officer. Charged with treason, conspiracy and murder, he is alone-except for Nell Burns. Nell and Crash have a history-as friends, as lovers. And she knows he could not have committed these crimes. Soon they are on the run, determined to uncover what really happened the night of the attempted assassination. But first they have to survive another day.

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