Opening Line: "Dr.Zoe Lange gazed out the window of the limo as the driver pulled up at the Pentagon."

What a great addition to the Tall Dark & Dangerous series this turned out to be. I would have to say that THE ADMIRAL'S BRIDE is one of the better (best?) from the series so far and the reason why all stems from its absolutely sigh-worthy hero (and some damn sexy shower scenes) With this 7th addition we get 53 year old Admiral Jake Robinson’s story and who knew I’d end up having a thing for older men when I was done? But Jake is just a great hero regardless of his age; accomplished, kind, selfless, more than capable, oh so sexy and kinda awesome.

After first meeting Jake in (Hawken's Heart) I was a little sceptical about his romantic lead abilities however I need not have worried because Brockmann does an excellent job here with the older man/younger woman scenario, writing both characters in such multifaceted ways that I had no trouble in believing that they belonged together despite their considerable age difference. Zoe, with her military background is Jake’s perfect match as she understands him in ways even his late wife couldn’t. A little hero worship on her part doesn’t hurt either.

When six canisters of a deadly nerve agent are stolen from a military testing lab our Admiral defies convention and decides to lead his handpicked team of SEAL’s in infiltrating the cult leader’s compound where the deadly toxin is being stored. Posing as a married couple Jake’s partner on this mission is Dr Zoe Lange, a biological warfare specialist and expert in espionage. She is well aware of the Admiral’s reputation although she seems to be the only one on the team that has faith in his aging capabilities. Jake is still sharp however and in as good of shape as men 30 years his junior.

The love scenes in this one are smoking hot in part because of this ‘big brother’ scenario our couple finds themselves in. Once inside the compound their every move is being monitored, forcing them into some fake newlywed intimacy. This really added an element of naughty sensuality to an already volatile situation because despite the roles they’re playing these two want each other. Zoe however often doesn‘t know if the affection the Admiral is showing her is real or for the benefit of those watching on the strategically placed cameras? When the shower becomes the one place that they can truly be alone um… Wow!

Of course then we still have the added element of Jake grieving for his wife, the guilt over that and again the age difference. Oh and lets not forget about those canisters of deadly nerve agent, the crazy cult members and the team of wisecracking SEAL‘s watching everything back at base. Yeah this was super good.