Books: Troubleshooters series by Suzanne Brockmann (R, S)
I just finished reading Hot Target and Breaking Point, the most recent additions to the Troubleshooters series, and was very pleased overall.
The series involves a combination of Navy SEALs and FBI agents all working to fight terrorism. The novels tend to have three intersecting plotlines: the primary love story, a secondary love story, and a love story set during World War II. While this could be busy or distracting, instead it offers a large cast of characters worthy of our attention.
These books are very intense. People use bad language. They make mistakes. People shoot bad guys-- or get shot. I like the grittiness and occasional tragedy because it makes the characters and situations seem more dangerous and realistic.
Hot Target's greatest weakness was the heroine. I didn't like her much and honestly thought Cosmo was way too interesting to waste on her. Once Cosmo saw through her public persona to the Real Her, there wasn't much to her, which meant their love story kind of shut down after they, well, you know. However, I just love Jules, and his secondary plotline more than made up for having to put up with Jane. Grade: B+
On the other hand, I had absolutely no complaints with Breaking Point. LOVED IT. It was fast-paced and there was a real sense of danger that Hot Target seemed to be missing. Max and Gina are a great couple, and we also get to see lots of Molly and Jones! I also REALLY liked the fractured timeline. It is a great way to tell stories and worked very well for this story in particular. Grade: A
I confess, I read romance for the heroines, to see how they handle the risks of falling in love, and tend NOT to like the tall, dark, and handsome alphas that abound. However, Brockmann doesn't just tell us about her heroes, but she climbs into their heads and lets us hear what they're thinking. She shows us who they are as individuals, not just as a placeholders in the story. Brockmann offers real, likeable heroes with more going for them than bulging biceps and a take-charge bravado. She makes me care as much about the men as the women they come to love, which for this reader is quite a challenge.
Of all her Troubleshooters heroes, Stan from Over the Edge is my favorite. Max is second and Cosmo probably comes third. However, while I do prefer some plotlines more than others, ALL of the Troubleshooters novels are on my keeper shelf.
The series involves a combination of Navy SEALs and FBI agents all working to fight terrorism. The novels tend to have three intersecting plotlines: the primary love story, a secondary love story, and a love story set during World War II. While this could be busy or distracting, instead it offers a large cast of characters worthy of our attention.
These books are very intense. People use bad language. They make mistakes. People shoot bad guys-- or get shot. I like the grittiness and occasional tragedy because it makes the characters and situations seem more dangerous and realistic.
Hot Target's greatest weakness was the heroine. I didn't like her much and honestly thought Cosmo was way too interesting to waste on her. Once Cosmo saw through her public persona to the Real Her, there wasn't much to her, which meant their love story kind of shut down after they, well, you know. However, I just love Jules, and his secondary plotline more than made up for having to put up with Jane. Grade: B+
On the other hand, I had absolutely no complaints with Breaking Point. LOVED IT. It was fast-paced and there was a real sense of danger that Hot Target seemed to be missing. Max and Gina are a great couple, and we also get to see lots of Molly and Jones! I also REALLY liked the fractured timeline. It is a great way to tell stories and worked very well for this story in particular. Grade: A
I confess, I read romance for the heroines, to see how they handle the risks of falling in love, and tend NOT to like the tall, dark, and handsome alphas that abound. However, Brockmann doesn't just tell us about her heroes, but she climbs into their heads and lets us hear what they're thinking. She shows us who they are as individuals, not just as a placeholders in the story. Brockmann offers real, likeable heroes with more going for them than bulging biceps and a take-charge bravado. She makes me care as much about the men as the women they come to love, which for this reader is quite a challenge.
Of all her Troubleshooters heroes, Stan from Over the Edge is my favorite. Max is second and Cosmo probably comes third. However, while I do prefer some plotlines more than others, ALL of the Troubleshooters novels are on my keeper shelf.
posted by JJ at 10:48 AM
