Review: Troubleshooters Series #16 Breaking the Rules

Two things to remember from previous books:

1. At the end of Book 15: Hot Pursuit, Dan Gillman tells Jennilyn LeMay that he loves her, but Jenni doesn't believe it's real. "If you really do," she tells him, "then call me when you get back from Afghanistan." 
2. Also, from Book 13: Into the Fire, Izzy Zanella married Dan's sister, Eden because she was pregnant. Not with his child but someone else's. After a miscarriage, Eden left Izzy and refuses to see him, no matter how many time Izzy goes to Germany to see her. 

Synopsis:
Dan is seriously injured in Afghanistan. Izzy uses some heroics to save him, coming close to death himself, and the two of them are recovering in Germany. When Jenni gets word of Dan's injury she immediately flies to his side. Izzy makes another attempt to see Eden, and when her roommate turns him away one more time, he finally realizes that it's time for him to move on.

Meanwhile, Eden is now back in the States dancing as a stripper in Las Vegas. The money is good and she needs all the money she can get in order keep her younger brother, Ben, from being sent away. Ben is 15 and gay and his abusive step-father is going to send him to a Christian camp in an attempt to "pray the gay away".

While at the local mall, Ben approaches Neesha, a young homeless girl that he's seen in the same clothes and eating the leftovers of others. Eventually, Neesha tells Ben that she's escaped from a child prostitution ring and she knows there are bad men out there looking for her.

When Ben is taken to the "gay camp" and nearly dies due to diabetic complications, Dan, Jenni, Izzy and Eden team together in an attempt to gain custody from Dan and Eden's waste of a mother and loser of a step-father. They also look for Neesha to protect her, but Nessha doesn't know whom to trust. The men from the prostitution ring spot Neesha and give chase. Eden makes a distraction and Neesha gets away, but the men now know the group has information they need and things go from bad to worse.

My Response:
I found it annoying that the two couples, Dan/Jenni and Izzy/Eden, don't want to admit they love each other. Or, they think the other doesn't love them as much, so they're just not going to say anything. Of course, neither of these couples know the other very well, so maybe it's for the best, but they just keep second guessing themselves.

I thought there was a little less action in this book, but we get to hear a lot about how Dan and Eden grew up and the things they went through. We learn why Dan is so hard on Eden and doesn't trust her as well. I'd actually be interested in a story about Ben and/or Neesha when they get a little older. I could see Neesha becoming a strong female character like Alyssa Locke.

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

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 #14: Dark of Night

Synopsis:
The Troubleshooters are reeling after the loss of one of their own. Led by Navy SEAL Lawrence Decker, a team of investigators, including my favorite, Jules Cassidy, former CIA operative Dave Malkoff, Sophia Ghaffari, Tess Bailey and even receptionist Tracy Shapiro, band together to uncover the truth regarding The Agency, a black-ops sector that will stop at nothing to achieve their objective.

When Decker barely escapes an attempt on his life, it becomes clear that the hunters have become the hunted, and the Troubleshooters are no longer just solving a crime, they are also fighting for survival.

My Response:
This book is getting a lot of bashing on Amazon. There's a lot of complaints about characters changing personalities. I don't know, it really didn't feel that way to me. Okay, so Tracy is a little smarter now. Is that really so hard to believe? I couldn't work the office phone system either after being there for 4 years, but I had the smarts to figure other things out. Maybe she really buckled down and learned some things.

It seemed like so much was happening and I really wasn't sure what was going to happen. Seriously, Suzanne Brockmann changed things up on us. And finally, Decker finds some peace.

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

Review: Troubleshooters Series #13: Into the Fire

Synopsis:
Vinh Murphy has been MIA ever since his wife, Angelina, was caught in the crossfire of a routine security assignment gone bad.  (See Book 8: Hot Target) Swamped by his grief, Murphy basically keeps himself in an alcohol-induced haze.

Hannah is a former cop, now deaf from an injury sustained on duty. She and Murphy have always been "just friends". And even though Hannah is the one who introduced Murphy to Angelina, she's always had feelings for him. Murphy seeks solace in Hannah's arms and is completely guilt ridden. In fact, Hannah's not sure she'll ever see him again. Finally, after several months, Murphy has decided to re-enter the land of the living and comes to Hannah. Things are easy with Hannah and Murphy finds his attraction to her growing. When it's announced that the leader of Freedom Network, a neo-nazi group that Murphy blames for Angelina's death, is dead and the FBI thinks he may have pulled the trigger, Murphy and Hannah set off to investigate because Murphy honestly cannot remember the last few months of his life. He thought about killing the leader many times. Did he actually do it?

Secondary Story:
Irving "Izzy" Zanella gets involved with Danny Gilman's younger sister, Eden. In fact, she's not even 18. Okay, it's the day before her birthday, but she's still much younger than Izzy. When Eden turns up pregnant six months later and is claiming Izzy to be the father, Gilman goes crazy as Izzy steps up and marries her. As Eden thinks Izzy is going wheels up, she discovers damaging footage of herself on the Internet. Izzy has been nothing my nice to Eden, but Eden leaves him before he can leave her.

And throughout all of this investigation and searching (oh yes, some of the group is taken) Nash and Tess are fighting. In fact, Nash is almost telling Tess to leave him. It's clear to Decker that he's hiding something, but Decker is so twisted inside about what happened between him and Sophia way back in Book 7: Flashpoint, that he hardly even speaks to Nash anymore.


My Response:
Wow. This story had some heartbreaking parts. First, Murphy is just a mess and you feel for this big, tough guy who just doesn't have an idea on how to heal after Angelina's death. The Troubleshooters are called in and there's a heart-pounding confrontation with members of Freedom Network as you wait to hear who's still standing. And I'm still not sure how I feel about it.


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

Review: A Lesson in Trust by Jennifer Connors

The Lesson Series by Jennifer Connors is an interesting idea. THIS book, A Lesson in Trust, is actually Book 6 of the series. The basic premise of the series is this:

Ginny and her friend finally go on a vacation. Although she's not a romance book reader, Ginny is persuaded by her friend, Lisa, to pack several romance books for the trip. Good thing she has them, because everything that can go wrong on a trip does. The resort is hosting the Gay and Lesbian Alliance, so there's a serious shortage of straight men. Ginny gets sick and lands in bed for three days. As she finally emerges from her room, a storm comes through knocking out power to the resort. After several miserables days, Ginny and Lisa finally give up and head home. They're almost home when Bam! they are hit by a truck. This is when the interesting part starts.

Ginny "wakes up" to find herself in another woman's body, in Scotland and in Medieval Times! Ginny quickly catches on that this isn't really real and that she's living in a romance novel. Surely, as soon as she finds the hero she's supposed to fall in love with and him with her, everything will be okay and she'll be herself again. But just as they fall in love and make that true heartfelt connection, Ginny's version blurs and she leaves that stranger's body and the man she just fell in love with. The next time Ginny wakes up, it's a different book with a completely different time period and with different characters and circumstances. 

While all of the heroes became likable, there's been a couple of times that I was really disappointed that it wasn't the end. The first was with Colby in Book 3, A Lesson in Patience. Oh, I really liked Colby! Colby was a rancher in 19th century America forced to care for his siblings after his parents are tragically killed. He's bitter and angry, but Ginny helps him to heal.

I started this series so long ago, that I can't go back and review them all. All in all, they've all been enjoyable and it's been a fun series to read. 

So now, Book 6: A Lesson in Trust...

 

Synopsis:

Ginny's new persona must live in the shadow of scandal created by her parents. She is sent to live with an Uncle in far north England. Her uncle unexpectedly disappears on a trip, but his wife, Olivia, agrees to let Ginny stay. It becomes clear early on that Olivia's brother, Michael,  is destined to become Ginny's love interest. Olivia is less than thrilled and as strange events happen to Ginny that make everyone question her sanity, Ginny and Michael seek to find out who is behind it all. Could it possibly be Olivia?

My Response:

This is the second time I've wanted the series to just end. I would have been happy with Ginny staying with Michael. He believed in her sanity and there was just something about him. I have no idea how many books will be in this series, but I'm very curious to see how it's going to finally end. I will admit, it's becoming frustrating. You just want Ginny to find her happiness! 

Overall Enjoyment: 3.5
Language: Mild
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+

Review: Troubleshooters Series #10: Into the Storm

You'd think by Book 10 I'd be looking for something else to read, but I just can't get enough of this Suzanne Brockmann series. When I realized what was going on in this book, Into the Storm, it kind of creeped me out, but this is another great suspenseful story.

Synopsis:
The guys from Troubleshooters, Inc. are going head-to-head with a team of Navy SEALs in a mock training exercise. While playing the role of hostage, the Troubleshooters' new receptionist, Tracy Shapiro, vanishes.

SEAL, Mark "Jenk" Jenkins had a one night fling with former cop turned Troubleshooter, Lindsey Fontaine. Both wanting to ignore the other, Jenk and Lindsey must set aside their feelings and team up to find Tracy in the New Hampshire wilderness as a record breaking snowstorm approaches. As they discover a brutally murdered young woman wearing Tracy's jacket, Jenk and Lindsey realize Tracy may be in the hands of a serial killer.

My Response:
Good and creepy. The serial killer in this story is not your average serial killer if such a thing can be said. Rather than doing the killing himself, he puts his victims together and waits for one to kill the other.

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