Title: Flashpoint
Author: Suzanne Brockmann
Publishing Date: April 2004
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Rating: B+
Sensuality: Warm
Flashpoint is book seven of Brockmann’s Troubleshooter Series. This is the story of Jimmy Nash and Tess Bailey. Tom Paoletti, a former US Navy SEAL has started his own business Troubleshooters Inc. – an agency designed to help anyone in need (secretly specializing in covert operations). Nash and Tess are assigned to Larry Decker's (Deck) team to retrieve a laptop from a known Al-Qaeda terrorist who has died in an earthquake in Kazbekistan.
The beauty of Brockmann’s stories is the complexity of her characters. In the beginning of this book it was very hard to like Jimmy Nash. He is so afraid of emotions and feelings that he closes himself off from everyone around him; even his best friend Decker. He is afraid of intimacy with a woman and only has one night stands and lots of them. This is typically not the type of hero I like to root for. But, he is not one-dimensional. He also tends to collect a motley crew of unfortunates and does everything he can to help them. He is a complicated man who doesn’t think he deserves any chance at real happiness. It was a joy to see him grow emotionally through his relationship with Tess and Decker; to become the kind of man you can really stand up and cheer.
Tess was a pleasant surprise. She has a lot of courage and was very resourceful in tight situations. I was with Nash, always underestimating her and then she would turn around and surprise me (Nash too). I liked how she didn’t play games and she forced Nash to be honest with her and himself.
Even Decker, who is portrayed (at least through Nash’s eyes) as a stand up guy, makes some really poor, bone-headed decisions. I just had to shake my head at his lack of pitiful judgment. But, then he goes and surprises me by learning from his mistakes and he fully redeems himself. Decker and Sophia Ghaffari begin their story arc in this book and I wonder if they will eventually get their own book. Sophia is another great character. She is so strong and courageous. She really stunned me by surviving what she has gone through and her willingness to help Decker’s team. Another great addition to the Troubleshooter series. On to the next book we go.
12 comments:
hi Jill!
I'm a huge Suz Brockmann Fan.
Funny, you rated this a B. It's the only Troubleshooter-book I didn't like that much. I think, the HEA between Tess and Nash isn't believable at all.
Nash has so many issues and I never came to care for him. that never happened to me before with any other Brockmann hero.
kat
I love this series!! It is awesome. I have to agree with kat though, this particular one is probably down on my list of favorites.
Kris and Kat
I liked this one just fine, it wasn't the best one by far, but I still enjoyed it. Both women, Tess and Sophia, were strong heroines. I thought Brockmann did a good job showing Nash's dysfunction and his willingness to try and get past it. He wasn't my favorite hero but I still enjoyed the book.
The book I liked least was Into the Night, Mike and Joan's story. I didn't believe their happily ever after. Joan was not a likable character for me.
I am looking forward to Cosmo's story. He seems like a mysterious guy and I am looking forward to finding out more about him. I am a little leary of the storyline though. The summary says that Cosmo is going to protect Jane from death threats and that Jane will not let that stop her from making her movie. I just hope she is not one of those TSTL heroines who puts herself and other people around her in danger. But, I have complete faith in Brockmann!
So far, which book has been your favorite in this series? Have you read her other series?
I am in the minority because I have never read a Brockmann novel :( Perhaps it is the subject matter with Navy Seals and the Army which I am not a big fan of?
So, what book would you recommend I try to bring me into the Brockmann fold? :)
Hi Jill!
I've read all books by Brockmann and I recommend her Tall, Dark& Dangerous series too, although they're some books in this series, which are hard to get these days (at least in Europe).
It's hard to choose a fav out of her Troubleshooter- books, but I try. I loved GONE TOO FAR (Alyssa & Sam), BREAKING POINT (Max & Gina).
I truly enjoyed OVER THE EDGE (Stan & Teri), THE DEFIANT HERO (John & Meg, I know, many people didn't like that one) and I adored ALLTHROUGH THE NIGHT (Jules & Robin, although it was almost too much and I'd wished, Jules would have gotten a full length novel for his story.)
I liked INTO THE NIGHT also. I think, that Joan was just a "No-nonsense - cut the crap"-woman, She was pretty sure of herself, at least about what she was and what not. I liked her dry wit very much. she was a down-to-earth character and I believed in her HEA with Mike.
But as always, tastes are different.
kat
@Katie (Babs)
I'd recommend to read her Troubleshooter-series in order, so that you can really enjoy Brockmann's fantastic character-building.
It's not so important with her T,D &D series. these books are standing fine on their own too.
I am a Brockmann junkie. I love her books, even her worst ones (which are still above average in my opinion.) I think I have developed a bit of a blind spot where she is concerned. The flaws in her stories just don't register.
While Nash is not my favorite character (keep you eyes peeled at my blog for something regarding this soon!), I still liked him. Deck and Sophia stole the show, though. God, talk about a big misunderstanding!
@katie(babs)- I must agree with the rec to read the books in order. I started with Into the Night. While I loved the book, I felt as though I was missing something. Not with the plot line, but with the characters. You could tell the something had developed before (especially with Sam and Allysa.) I had to go back and start from the beginning. I believe this may have been when my "must read a series in order from the beginning" OCD was born. :)
I am a bit jealous of all of you. You still have new-to-you Troubleshooters books. I have to wait impatiently for the next release. Or I could start rereading. hmmm... revisit my favorite men? Not like I haven't done it before ;)
I would definitely say read them in order. Because some of the books build on one another. Most of the books share characters and talk about previous storylines.
I have read her TDD harlequin series as well and have really enjoyed those too. They are nice quick reads with action and HOT heroes.
Kat, I can't wait to get to Max and Gina's story. When I first read them in over the Edge, I was so terribly shook up. Following Sam and Alyssa throughout the books was wonderful too.
Katie, The first book in the troubleshooter series is The Unsung Hero. Start there. You can go to this link to see the order of the books. I did a post on it a while back. http://romancerookie.blogspot.com/2008/02/suzanne-brockmanns-troubleshooter.html
Shannon, Do Deck and Sophie get their own story later in the series? I really enjoyed their relationship. Suzanne Brockmann, is a goddess as far as I am concerned. I will definitely be reading everything she ever writes. I guess that makes me a fan girl.
nope, Sophia and Decker haven't got their own story yet. (I've read all her books too)
her new book, INTO THE FIRE (7/08), will be about Vinh Murphy (Flashpoint, Hot Target) and the heroine's name will be Hannah.
here's the link to the new book with a synopsis:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Into-the-Fire/Suzanne-Brockmann/e/9780345501530/?itm=1_
Kat, Oh well I hope there is more to Sophia and Decker's story. I really need to catch up with this series. Ahhhhh, I feel like I am so behind, another one in July... I am so not ready yet.
I am waiting for Decker and Sophia's book. Brockmann has built them up enough to leave us all panting for more. The big tease!
I'm not sure how I feel about Murphy's story. It will be interesting how she handles it. I don't want to say too much in case some of you have not read the previous books he has appeared in. I'm just not sure.
Of course, being the Brockmann whore that I am, I will definitely be reading it.
Shannon, I just finished Hot Target and I know exactly what you are refering to with Murphy. I soooo do not even want to go there. I have to say I am with you, completely sceptical, but such a fan girl that I will read anything.
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