Review: Troubleshooters Series #15: Hot Pursuit

I'm getting to close to the end of this series and I'm not sure what to do when I'm done. It's been a great series!

Synopsis:

Troubleshooter Alyssa Locke has been trying to catch a serial killer known as "The Dentist" for years. The Dentist, known for keeping the teeth of his victims, has resurfaced and is doing everything he can to lure Alyssa to the scene of his crimes so that he can make her his next victim. What begins as an easy lesson in security for an assemblywoman quickly becomes dangerous for not only Alyssa, but also for Jennilyn, the assemblywoman's chief of staff.

Dan "Gilligan" Gilman is assigned to protect Jenni and they both quickly agree to two weeks of great sex with the understanding that they'll both just walk away when Dan goes wheels up. It sounds like a good plan in the beginning, but can they really just walk away?

My Response:

This was a great thriller. I really wasn't sure who The Dentist was going to be as Brockmann cleverly had you believing it could be any one of three suspects. The assignment really starts off as a kind of vacation for the group, and when they discover there is a real threat, several characters that we know and love are brought into the story. 

As Jules Cassidy enters the story, Robin comes too (because he is safe with Jules than away from) and ends up taking care of Alyssa and Sam's son, Ashton. Not only does this keep Ash well cared for, it also helps keep Robin sober as it's been announced that Jules and Alyssa will soon be leaving for Afghanistan. Robin can't even bear to think of the possibility of something happening to Jules. With the birth of their son, Alyssa and Sam now have to address the fact that they can't afford to go on dangerous missions together. I sense there may be a change of career for one or both of them in the future.

Jenni and Gilman's story ended a little differently than I expected, but I appreciate the way Brockmann wrote it. This series has created its own little world and endings are not always neat and tidy. Gilman is a bit of a jerk, but he's still very likable and you want to believe he's sincere by the end of the book. I guess we'll find out in the next one, which I'm downloading from the library right now.

Overall Enjoyment: 4.5

Language: Yes

Explicit: Yes

Age Appropriate: 21+

Review: Troubleshooters Series: # 11 and #12

These two books in the Troubleshooters Series just seem to go hand-in-hand. I just had to read #12: All Through the Night immediately after #11: Forces of Nature.

Force of Nature (Troubleshooters, Book 11)
Synopsis:
Former cop turned private eye Ric Alvarado isn't doing too well on his own. His life is out of control and his new assistant, Annie Dugan, is more interested in be a field agent than receptionist. As she is the younger sister of a childhood friend, Ric tries to ignore the sparks between them. As one of Ric's clients turns femme fatale and tries to gun down an innocent man, Ric comes to the rescue only to find out that he saved the life of the son of crime boss, Gordon Burns. Ric and Annie are soon both undercover as they try to bring Burns down.

FBI Agent Jules Cassidy has been trying to prove that Burns is tied to terrorist activity. Thanks to Ric and Annie, Jules finally has a way into the notorious crime boss' organization. In the course of the investigation, Jules finds himself face to face with movie star Robin Chadwick, who, while charismatic and handsome, is also self-destructive and still in the closet regarding his sexuality. And Jules is powerfully attracted to him.

With Jules and Robin's help, Ric and Annie are soon entrenched in Burns' organization and surrounded by killer who may have already killed and FBI infiltrator.

My Response:
This is another story where the main characters' story (Ric and Annie) becomes secondary to me. I was so much more interested in Jules and Robin! Some might be turned off by two gay characters falling in love, but I think Suzanne Brockmann does a great job of it. Robin's life is a complete mess and Jules is just the cool and collected guy that takes care of business. Jules is one of my favorite characters and you just want things to work out for him. I love that Jules has established a relationship with best friend Alyssa's husband, Sam. The two are such opposites, but it's clear that they've become close friends in their own right. Robin makes a huge, grand gesture at the end and hopefully, he can get his act together.

Overall Enjoyment: 4.5
Language: Yes
Explicit: Yes
Age Appropriate: 21+ 




All Through the Night (Troubleshooters, Book 12)
I finished Book 11 and immediately downloaded Book 12 from the library. I just couldn't wait to read Jules' story!

Synopsis:
Robin and Jules are getting married. Of course the guest list is made up of a long line of close friends from the FBI, SEAL Team Sixteen and the Troubleshooters. Good thing too, because Jules ex, Adam, shows up with complaints of a stalker. Adam also makes a play for Robin, which makes Jules less than happy. But, through several mishaps with home renovations, a reporter looking for a scoop and Adam causing trouble, Jules and Robin are determined to have their happy day.

While on assignment, Jules in serious danger. With the help of the nosy reporter, they work to communicate across the globe to get Jules out. Can Robin really stay sober when there's always the possibility of Jules not coming home from work?

My Response:
I thought this was a little more of a fluff book. Not complaining, because I was glad to read a little lighter story.

Overall Enjoyment: 4
Language: Yes
Explicit: Hmm...I can't remember. Probably?
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.