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

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+