Review: Troubleshooters Series #7: Flashpoint

---Spoiler Alert in 1st paragraph---
Skip to Synopsis if you haven't read the first six books.

This book feels like the beginning of a new series. And in a way, it truly is. If you've read Suzanne Brockmann's first six books of the series, you'll remember how Tom Paoletti was basically run out of the SEALS on a rail. I'm still a little annoyed by all that transpired, but those events have led us to a new group of characters taking the limelight and to Paoletti's new business venture, Troubleshooters, Inc.

Synopsis:
Run by a former SEAL, Troubleshooters, Inc. helps anyone in desperate need - which provides a perfect cover for its other objective: covert special operations. An expert team is assembled to go into earthquake-ravaged Kazbekistan, under the guise of relief workers, to find a missing laptop computer that is believed to hold secrets vital to national security.

Jimmy Nash is a rule-breaker with secrets of his own, and is part of the team assembled together to retrieve the lost laptop. Also on that team and in the field for the first time, is Tess Bailey, the woman from the support staff he had a fling with and never called. Their attraction to each other is still deep, but they're in a volatile situation isolated from their own government and surround by people they can't trust. The last thing they need to do is act on their attraction. Tess is tired of being overlooked and is out to prove to the men around her that she is fully qualified and capable of being in the field.

We're also introduced to Lawrence Decker, who has just been briefly mentioned in the previous books. Deck is the leader of this group and has an unexpected encounter with Sophia, the widow of the owner of the laptop, that's throws him off balance.

My Response:
Flashpoint is a little different from the other books in the series, in that the romance part of the story is not the focus. And you know, that didn't bother me at all. The story is a really good story with action and suspense at every turn.

Overall Enjoyment: 4
Language: Yes
Explicit: Yes, but not as much as previous books in the series.
Age Appropriate: 21+

Review: Troubleshooters #6: Gone Too Far

If you've been reading this series by Suzanne Brockmann, finally...finally! We get to Sam's and Alyssa's story. I gotta tell ya, I really like Sam, aka Ringo, formerly known as Roger Starrett. All his many names are explained and Sam's back-story is something else. You really feel for this poor little lost kid, trying to be tough.

Alyssa Locke has her own struggles from a difficult childhood, and it's no wonder these two have had such a volatile and passionate relationship. They just can't trust each other! 

Synopsis:

Picking up where Book 5: Into the Night left off, Sam's soon-to-be ex-wife, Mary Lou, takes their daughter and runs off to Florida. As Sam shows up at Mary Lou's door, he finds his daughter is missing and a brutally murdered woman is laying on the floor. Alyssa Locke is assigned to help with the murder investigation, bringing her and Sam face to face once again. Unfortunately, Sam doesn't trust her and ends up on the wrong side of the law. Alyssa puts her career on the line as she tries to solve this case and gain Sam's trust.

In the historical story that is always present is this series, the love story between Sam's Uncle Walt, a Tuskegee airman and his Aunt Dot, a helicopter pilot, unfolds in a series of letters written during WWII. They struggle with the possible ramifications of being a bi-racial couple during a time of segregation.

The third story-line brings us back to Max Bhagat, FBI negotiator, and Gina Vitagliano, former hostage. Gina hasn't forgotten about Max and insists she's in love with him despite their 20 year age difference. Max insists that it isn't love, but rather transference as a result of being held hostage. Max, however, can't seem to forget about Gina either, and doesn't know what to make of that.

My Response:
I loved this book! Sam is an interesting character. Tough as nails, cocky and arrogant, he also feels his emotions deeply. A jerk, most of the time, he has a great sense of humor as well and just can't stop thinking about Alyssa. Alyssa is a strong woman keeping up her guard and having a hard time trusting someone that seems so completely out of control. The action and suspense of the story was great. I just wanted to sit and read all day.

Overall Enjoyment: 4.5
Language: Yes, it's Sam Starrett after all.
Explicit: Yes
Age Appropriate: 21+

Review: Troubleshooters Series Books 1-5

I started this book blog in the middle of Into the Night, book three in the Troubleshooters Series by Suzanne Brockmann. Since I just finished book five, now seemed like a good time to review the first few books in this series.

I love this series! The series revolves around the lives of Team Sixteen, an elite group of Navy SEALS. Each SEAL has a unique personality and interesting characteristics. Some are true golden boys, while others still struggle with their demons from the past.

In all of these books, Brockmann weaves additional historic stories that recount Nazi Germany or battles during World War II, with those characters becoming involved in the present-day story as well. Oft times, I wished the historic characters had a book of their own, as they were very intriguing.

The Unsung Hero (Troubleshooters, Book 1)
Story of Lieutenant Tom Paoletti who catches a glimpse of an international terrorist in his hometown as he is recovering from a near-fatal head injury. But, he can't trust himself to believe if what he sees is real or an injury-induced hallucination. Dr. Kelly Ashton is the girl he's always longed for.

The historical story is between Tom's uncle and Kelly's father, both struggling with the idea of being called heroes, as well as the loss of a woman they both cared for during World War II.

Overall Enjoyment: 3.5
Language: Yes
Explicit: Yes
Age Appropriate: 21+




The Defiant Hero (Troubleshooters, Book 2)
Meg Moore's daughter and grandmother have been kidnapped by extremists. Following the demands of the kidnappers, she is soon holding a foreign ambassador hostage. Found in a no-win situation, she requests former flame, Navy SEAL John Nilsson, to be called it to serve as negotiator.

The historical story is of Meg's grandmother, as she recounts the events of falling in love with her husband during WWII in an attempt to keep Meg's daughter calm.

This book has a third storyline that gives us great introduction to the tumultuous relationship between Roger "Sam" Starrett and Alyssa Locke. Sam and Alyssa's story was the one I really wanted to read about. I'm looking forward to more.

Overall Enjoyment: 3.5
Language: Yes
Explicit: Yes
Age Appropriate: 21+



Over the Edge (Troubleshooters, Book 3)
While on a simple training op for reserves, Lieutenant Teri Howe finds herself hoping that a past mistake won't jeopardize everything she's worked for. As she lacks assertiveness, she seeks out the assistance of Senior Chief Stan Wolchonok, who gives her pointers on being assertive. The training op suddenly becomes a real-life mission to rescue the daughter of an American senator when her flight is hijacked. As they prepare for the rescuer, Teri and Stan find themselves becoming more that friends and colleagues.

The historical story is about Helga Shuler who is brought in on the negotiating side of the hijacking. Helga, an older woman, is constantly writing everything in a notebook so that no one will find out that she is experiencing the early symptoms of Alzheimer's. She constantly finds herself drifting back to when she was a child, during WWII, and Denmark had been invaded by the Germans. Stan is her childhood friend's grandson.

We are also fortunate to get another dose of Sam and Alyssa. Again, this was who I really wanted to read about. Additionally, the bond that develops between Max, the FBI negotiator and Gina, the hostage that pretends to be the Senator's daughter, is heartwarming, yet tragic.

Overall Enjoyment: 4
Language: Yes
Explicit: Yes
Age Appropriate: 21+



Out of Control (Troubleshooters, Book 4)
In an attempt to save her uncle's life, Savannah von Hopf seeks out navy SEAL Ken "Wildcard" Karmody, a guy she met a couple of times in college and had a crush on. When Wildcard discovers that Savannah hasn't been upfront with him, he's tries to walk away, but just can't quite turn his back on her. The two of them fly to Indonesia and soon find their own lives in jeopardy.

The historical story is about Savannah's grandmother and grandfather, both of whom were double agents during WWII. The fun part about discovering this story line was having it unfold in the grandmother's published memoir that several different characters were reading. A very cleaver way to tell the story.

In a third storyline,  Molly the missionary and Jones the mercenary have an interesting relationship. Jones doesn't trust anyone, and Molly isn't sure she trusts Jones. We're never told Jones' whole history, and I'm hoping he'll get his story down the road.

And, we get some more of Sam and Alyssa. When things finally appear to come together, a former fling drops a bombshell and both Sam and Alyssa are crushed.

Overall Enjoyment: 4
Language: Yes - Wildcard's language is a little cruder than the other's in previous books.
Explicit: Yes
Age Appropriate: 21+



Into the Night (Troubleshooter, Book 5)
To celebrate a presidential visit to a California naval base, White House staffer Joan DaCosta arrives to scope out the area. Lt. Mike Muldoon is assigned as her SEAL liaison and is immediately attracted to her. Although there is only a seven year difference in their ages, Joan balks about it he entire time. Meanwhile, terrorists are plotting to assassinate the President during his visit.

In the historical story, we learn how Joan's grandparents fell in love after the death of her grandmother's first husband in WWII.

And, we get more of Sam and Alyssa. Unfortunately, they have completely separate lives. Sam is married to Mary Lou with a daughter, Haley and Alyssa is involved with Max, the negotiator from Book 3. Or is she?

Overall Enjoyment: 4
Language: Yes
Explicit: Yes
Age Appropriate: 21+

Recommendation: Outlander Series

This is more of a recommendation than a specific review. The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon is my favorite series of all time. Having read all seven books in the series at least twice, I cannot recommend it enough. Seriously. It's that good.

The Outlander Series is an epic historical romance novel with time travel, war, love, heartbreak, and men is kilts. I found this series shortly after I read the Twilight Series. I was Team Edward all the way, but let me tell you, Edward Cullen's got nuthin' on Jamie Fraser! He's a great character with passion, flaws and a great sense of humor.

Synopsis:
Claire is a combat nurse that has just return from the war and has reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon in the Scottish Highlands. She unexpectedly walks through the standing stones in one of the ancient stone circles where she is hurled back in time.

As she awakes in 1743 Scotland, Claire is thrown into the midst of danger. She is saved from life-threatening events by Jamie Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a torn between the love she has for her husband and the desire she feels for Jamie.

There are currently 7 books published in the Outlander Series. They are, in order:

Outlander: with Bonus Content

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, Book 2)

Voyager (Outlander)

Drums of Autumn (Outlander) Publisher: Delta

The Fiery Cross (Outlander)

A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander)

An Echo in the Bone: A Novel (Outlander)

Book 8 currently being written.

These books are HUGE, and Diana Gabaldon has done a tremendous amount of research to bring each one to life. The historical details are amazing and really give the reader an understanding of the political climate and how harsh living was in such a primitive and war torn time. It's a series that will make you laugh, cry, and become obsessed with all things Scottish. You may even find yourself telling others "...dinna fash yourself..." as Jamie is often known to say!

Ratings from 0 to 5
Overall Enjoyment: 5 - My all-time favorite series!
Language: 4 - Swearing and often crude references to body parts, but it fits the time.
Explicit: Yes, but not for the sake of being explicit. The story and historical details are the focus of this series.
Age Appropriate: 21+ years. 

Review: Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park

Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park is a great little book I randomly found on Amazon one day. I simply adore this book. In fact, I've already read it twice and I felt the same feelings the second time around as I felt upon the first.

Synopsis:

Julie heads to college in Boston and arrives to find that the apartment she rented is a bogus deal. Her mother puts her in contact with Erin, an old college roommate, and Julie moves in with Erin and her family. Julie immediately hits it off with Matt, the smart, caring and geeky college student son, and Celeste, the young quirky teenaged daughter. Erin's other son, Finn, is a traveling adventurer so Julie is set up in his old room. Saddened by the absence of Finn, Celeste carries a life-sized cardboard cut-out of Finn (aptly named Flat Finn) with her wherever she goes. While Julie thinks this is extremely odd, Matt encourages her to just go with it.

As Julie gets to know the family and particularly Celeste, she begins to realize that something is not quite right in this household. It's more than just Celeste's attachment to Flat Finn, it's the way the parents are detached and Matt is acting like Celeste's parent. Celeste is extremely sheltered and protected with no friends at school and dressing too young for her age. Julie begins to encourage Celeste to try new things and break out of her shell. Much to Matt's dismay.

While all this is going on, Julie and the real Finn become friends on Facebook and Julie begins to have feelings for him. Although Julie and Matt have become great friends, there's something going on that Matt just won't tell her. Finn gives her a little insight, but she knows there's more. 

My Response:

Julie and Matt have some really cute banter going on between the two of them that feels real and not cliche. Celeste is not only quirky, but freakishly smart too, and her very precise speech is a kick. When Julie finally realizes the truth of the events around her it's heartbreaking. I may have even said, "Oh no" out loud. I like a little bit of gut wrenching and I got it. Even the second time around I felt a little pain in my heart for this family. This book is definitely on the top of my favorite's list!

Ratings from 0 to 5

Overall Enjoyment: 5 - I loved it!

Language: 3 - swearing

Explicit: No, but a couple of suggestive comments

Age Appropriate: 17+