Review: Troubleshooters Series #9: Breaking Point

Ever since Suzanne Brockmann's third book of the series Over the Edge, I've been waiting and hoping for this book.

Synopsis:
Max Bhagat, FBI commander, pushes himself to the limit and puts nothing ahead of his work, including his feelings for Gina Vitagliano. Having met Gina many years ago when Max served as negotiator as Gina was held hostage on a plane, Max has buried his attraction to her. Not to mention he's about 20 years her senior. But when Max receives the shocking news of Gina's death, there's no question that he will investigate her death himself. As he arrives to the scene of Gina's death, Max discovers that Gina is still alive and proceeds to do everything in his power to find her.

Gina is in Southeast Asia with Molly Anderson, who we met in Out of Control, Book 4. She's with Molly in the same little village working as a relief worker. Gina and Molly soon both find themselves being used as bait in a deadly trap against Grady Morant, a.k.a "Jones", whom Molly loves.

Max and Jones find each other and team up, with FBI agent Jules Cassidy as their only backup, in an attempt to make a deal with the devil and get Gina and Molly back.

My Response:
Wow, I liked this book. There's something about Max that I've always loved. He's always on top of his game, never looking ruffled and never breaking a sweat. It was great to see Max become a little more human and finally confront rather than run from his feelings. Gina is a strong young woman who has always known what and who she's wanted.

And again, we have more Jules helping to save the day. He's a great character!


Overall Enjoyment: 4.5
Language: Yes
Explicit: Yes
Age Appropriate: 21+ years old.

Review: Troubleshooters Series #8: Hot Target

Hot Target is another great book by Suzanne Brockmann in the Troubleshooter Series. And this one sets up some characters that we'll be seeing in future books.

Synopsis: 
Jane Chadwick is a high-profile movie producer in LA working on a film that portrays the homosexuality of a real-life hero during World War II. A group of extremists known as the Freedom Network is pressuring Jane to abandon the project. As the harassment turns to death threats, Troubleshooters, Inc. is called in to provide round-the-clock security.

Navy SEAL Chief Cosmo Richter finds himself facing a month's leave with little to do. As he's never really learned how to just take a vacation, he offers his services to Troubleshooters, Inc. and ends up in LA protecting Jane, which she fights the entire time.

Starring in Jane's movie is her brother, Robin Chadwick, who is in denial with regard to his messed up life. Robin meets with openly gay FBI agent, Jules Cassidy, in an attempt to research the gay community. Suddenly, and seemingly out of the blue, Jules' ex-lover, Adam, walks back into Jules' life and turns him upside-down. Jules knows Adam is trouble, but he just has a hard time staying away from him. Jules suggests Adam for the co-starring role in Jane's movie, and after Adam gets the part a tense dynamic begins between Jules, Adam and Robin. Robin, who Jules finds himself attracted to. Robin, who is straight.

My Response:
Even though Jane and Cosmo are the focus of this book, I was really drawn to the story between Robin, Adam and Jules. I love Jules' character and I'm hoping he gets a book of his own. Robin is very likable and his life becomes a little more out of control as the book goes on.

There's a tragic event that takes place in this book which, as surprising as it was, I appreciate Brockmann writing it as she did. These SEALs and protectors are in a dangerous business and to gloss over the danger and not have anyone ever get hurt is unbelievable. The tragic event added a realism that made the story even better.

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

Review: Truths and Roses by Inglath Cooper

I like to browse free and cheap books on Amazon. When doing so one night, I found Truths and Roses by Inglath Cooper for 99 cents. You can't go wrong with that.

Synopsis:
Will Kincaid was the kid everyone always wanted to be around. A professional football star, he suffers a career-ending football injury and heads back to his small hometown of Lake Perdue to recuperate and figure out the next stage of his life.

Hannah Jacobs never left Lake Perdue. She is hiding a life-changing, traumatic experience from everyone she knows. She dresses plain, doesn't wear make-up and does everything she can to not be noticed. When Will, literally, runs into her, she conceals her identity so that Will will not recognize her. When he finally does, he wonders what happened to the girl he once knew and hasn't forgotten about.


My Response:
With reason, Hannah is definitely avoiding life. She hasn't dealt with the trauma from her past and she's just afraid to put herself out there. Her self-esteem is zero. After her truth comes out to Will, he takes action to make life in a small town a little easier for her and she is finally able to start getting the help she needs. In turn, Will has a secret of his own that most adults would be completely horrified to admit.  Hannah helps him to overcome his obstacle and they both begin to heal.

The events of their lives were very believable and handled in a real way. I wanted something "more" from them, however. More sorrow, anguish, something... But, I enjoyed the book. There's a good message of it's never to late to change your past and become the person you want to be.

Overall Enjoyment: 3
Language: I can't remember, so there must not be very much :)
Explicit: Not really. More suggestive than explicit.
Age: 17+