Troubleshooters series by Brockmann

[Leea]

Hmmm... so excited to read them - thanks ladies.

[Regina]

I know I keep saying this - but the first two are not a good example of how amazing these books are. :). Lol.

[Jill]

This is my favorite series of all time. Love the characters! They are people that you would love to know in real life, they are multi-layered, flawed, human... I hope they don't end!

[Regina]

Jill. I agree. It is my favorite of all time too. I agree with everything you wrote.

[Andrea]

Now, I love this series too. I can't seem to get enough of them. But once, me and my girlfriends were sitting around talking. Would you really, really, want to marry a guy like some of those tortured souls? Tell me!

[D.G.]

Oh man! I need to get started on this series!!

[Jill]

About marrying one of them, in a word, yes! :D

[Theresa]

Just started this series.... it was a slow start, but I'm starting to like them! Book 3 is definitely better than the first 2. There's more military action and character development.

[Regina]

#3 is one of my favorites!

[Leea]

I can't wait to start this series :)

[Theresa]

It's pretty cool, because they have subplots that you may or may not like. The first book did not have much military action, which was disappointing. However, I was surprised how well the author was able to define each character considering the fact that there so many characters and subplots in one book. The romance in the main plot of the first 2 books drags a bit, but I do appreciate that the characters are flawed. It makes them seem more real. I have to admit, I didn't really care for the first book. If my friend didn't swear I'd love the series if I pushed through the first 2 books, I probably would not have continued. Now that I finished book 3, I'm glad I did and can't wait to continue!

[Regina]

You have a good friend! The first two are very dated and much more simplistic. I love the set up of something that happens in 2 but there are other huge weaknesses. So I completely agree.

Yay have fun!

[Theresa]

OMG! I just finished book 6, Gone Too Far and LOVED IT! I was worried I would be disappointed because I had so much anticipation for Sam and Alyssa's story, but I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book! It definitely made up for all that was lacking in book 5.

[Theresa]

Regina wrote: "I know I keep saying this - but the first two are not a good example of how amazing these books are. :). Lol."

You are definitely right, but I think they should be read to fully appreciate the following books. I think the character development for Gone Too Far, book 6, starts from the beginning.

[Regina]

Theresa I agree. And I read 1 and 2, in 2004 or 2005 I think and I enjoyed them back then. But I know tastes have changed and Brockmann has moved her skill forward.

I am thrilled you loved it!!

I started and am really enjoying it.

[Theresa]

Is this a new series, spin-off from Troubleshooters?

Do you know if her TDD series is any good?

[Regina]

It is her new series, but not a spinoff it is sort of a PNR/dystopia with Navy Seals in the future not too far away. :)

I am not a fan of her TDD series. There are some strong advocates for it, but for me it is really dated. Most libraries have the ebook version on overdrive and most are really cheap on Amazon in ebook -- I think some of mine are lendable -- do you have a kindle?

[Theresa]

Yes I have a Kindle, but I'm still deciding if I want to read the series. If it's more of the same, but not quite as good as Troubleshooters, I may pass. It looks like she started TDD before Troubleshooters and since I wasn't that crazy about Unsung Hero, I'm thinking I may not like TDD. It's funny, I really like Tom and Kelly (especially in Gone Too Far), but I wasn't too crazy about their book. I think it moved too slow and I really disliked the Cybele storyline.

Anyway, you made me curious about the new series. I can't imagine Brockmann incorporating any PNR into her Seals stories. Is it a completely different series? No characters from Troubleshooters? I still have about 10 books to read in Troubleshooters, but I may try out this new series. Thanks!

[Leea]

*You guys are really making me want to start this series*

Okay, back to your conversation :)

[Theresa]

Regina, I did a search for a Suzanne Brockmann group and only came up with some romantic suspense group. I skimmed through it and found a post by you with a link to an interview you did with her. How exciting! I will definitely read through the interview on your blog tonight!

[Regina]

Oh yes! Sorry, I should have told you. It was a two parter -- she gave us 11 pages of answers so we split it into two days. :) She was great to deal with, so down to earth and friendly.

About the PNR aspect, I am only about 20 pages in. It is sort of dystopia, where things have gone bad in the world and with the government. I actually see things I have seen in other dystopia and UF series. And the powers *some* people have are in their mind - or mind based -- kind of like the X-Men.

[Theresa]

Really? I love the X-Men! That's different from the typical PNR/UFs. Does it have a depressing feel, like Hunger Games? Or is it more of an accepted post-apocalyptic setting, like Kate Daniels?

Anyway, I skimmed through the interview but I plan to read it in detail tonight. It looks interesting because she talks about her writing style. She has a unique style, with the multiple sub-plots that somehow play into the main plot. I will definitely try out this new series, but I may wait a while since it's so new. I really don't like waiting for new releases, as I tend to have trouble refreshing my memory on the previous books.

[Regina]

I hear you, I agree I like waiting until multiples are out.

I am only 20 pages in, so ... I will update and let you know. Right now the jury is out on the world and feeling. I will let you know. :)

[Leea]

Wendy, Thought we could move over here so not to bother everyone with our buddy read for

I'm about 100 pages in, Mallory is modeling for David. Tom's team just figured out that (view spoiler)[The target is the Fifty-Fifty units reunion. (hide spoiler)] and they are coming to stay at Charles house. Kelly and Tom made a date to have dinner and there is some series sexual tension going on :)

[Lisa P]

Leea wrote: "Wendy, Thought we could move over here so not to bother everyone with our buddy read for

I'm about 100 pages in, Mallory is modeling for David. Tom's team just ..."

Hope you enjoy...I loved the Mallory and David storyline.

[Gwennie]

You're ahead of me now, lmao. Kelly and Tom have a date for dinner, she finally got the gumption to ask him, yay! But Mallory hasn't agreed to model for David yet. I have a feeling you're only a little bit ahead of me, though.

I'm going to be reading in just a second, so I'll try to catch up.

I've been nervous to come in here, lmao. I'm trying to avoid spoilers.

[Leea]

I'm enjoying that they are not this 'traditional' romance characters. So perfect. Mallory is described as uniquely beautiful, with very broad shoulders.

I can already tell that i'm going to really like this series.

[Leea]

Sorry Wendy! I'll make sure and mark with spoilers where i'm at :)

Don't read the past comments, that way you'll avoid any spoilers :) Hard to do I know.

[Regina]

I really like how Brockmann writes her characters - not all are perfect physically or personality wise. It makes them so much more lovable to me.

I have issues with #2 b/c honestly, I love it -- but I know it is weak like #1. But something about the set up I love just so darned much.

[Lisa P]

Regina wrote: "I really like how Brockmann writes her characters - not all are perfect physically or personality wise. It makes them so much more lovable to me.

I have issues with #2 b/c honestly, I love it -- ..."

Everyone seems to talk about books 1&2 of the series as being weak, but I really enjoyed them too. I can only assume that the rest of the books will just blow me out of the water! I'm looking forward to reading more :)

[Regina]

The rest are pretty darned amazing. There are a few weaker ones - -I did not care for either the hero or heroine, but the side stories and WWII flashback saved this story for me and it really pushed the story arc. is also a weak one for me, I do not like the ultimate pair ups or story line in this one. It is important to read as it concludes a few story arcs and HEAs, which was a relief. I have done multiple re-reads of this series, but I have never been able to re-rea:

Unsung Hero, Dark of Night, and Dark of Night. Those three once was enough for me.

If Wendy and Leea can stick through to #3 -- I will be re-reading #3 with you all. :) #4 is damn good too.

[Theresa]

I'm currently on Hot Target and for me, the weakest books are 1,2 &5. I think 5, Into the Night, was mostly set up for Gone Too Far, which is my favorite so far. I feel like Flashpoint should be the start of a new series, one that is a spin off from the first 6 books. There are mostly new characters and the writing has changed a bit. No more WW2 subplots for one thing and Brockmann's political views are starting to show more. Overall, I'm loving the series!

[Regina]

LOL -- you and I are very similar. 5 was a setup for 6, I agree. I loved Flashpoint! I loved the setting and the mission. The new characters are key and without giving too much away, there were be more of the old characters. I forgot where the flashbacks were left behind. I liked how she did the flashbacks in Gone Too Far (Sam's memories).

[Leea]

I think Regina kept telling us how horrible bad Unsung Hero was that the bar was set so low that I now think it's good. lol! That's great you'll be joining us for #3... yay!

Lisa, what book are you on?

I'm loving the flashbacks in Unsung Hero with WWII and Tom and Kelly when they were in high school.

[Gwennie]

LOL, I'm about 40% in now. I'm really enjoying it too! I was prepared for it to be not so great, so it's definitely exceeding my expectations.

Leea, where are you at so I know what I can say or not, lmao.

I'm loving the flashbacks with Joe, Charles and Cybele. I'm (view spoiler)[sad for Joe (hide spoiler)].

I'm also really loving Mallory and David! I think they're my favorite part of the story, but I'm so scared! I just have a really bad feeling.

Tom and Kelly are probably my least favorite arch in the book, but I'm still not minding them. As far as this genre is concerned for me, (not my favorite usually), this is better than others I've read.

[Leea]

I have to agree. Okay, i'm on page 222/304... it's gotten to the point where I don't want to put it down.

The flashbacks with Joe and Charles in France are heartbreaking (view spoiler)[I can't believe Cybele is in love with Charles, he's such an ass half the time. Joe - I love Joe, he's sweet and truly loves her. I'm scared that Cybele is going to get killed. (hide spoiler)]

Mallory and David - so cute! (view spoiler)[She just realized that he's cute in a geeky way :) I wonder now if it's David who will join the military? (hide spoiler)]

At first the Tom/Kelly storyline was just okay. It's picked up! (view spoiler)[When Joe told Tom he should just ask Kelly to marry him, because he's loved her in high school and you shouldn't wait to find happiness. I felt so sad for Joe! Plus, Tom and Kelly are just hot. When she told him she was a good girl but all the things she wanted him to do to her - that took guts. (hide spoiler)]

So far it's a 3 star book for me.

[Gwennie]

Wow! You're flying through. I wish I wasn't at work so I could catch up! I'm not going to read those spoilers yet.

[Gwennie]

Our Kindle page numbers are off. Mine shows 401 pages. I'm at 40%, but I'll be reading here in a minute again (second break at work, hahaha).

[Leea]

I'll slow down... although it's hard :) Wendy, what's our plan? We going to read #2 after or wait? I know Lover Reborn comes out tomorrow :)

[Gwennie]

LOL! You don't have to slow down. I'll get plenty of reading in tonight when I get home. I'm really liking it though, it's making me laugh out loud. Like when Tom called it a blitz-kiss...

I want to keep going, but I'm not sure if I can once I get Lover Reborn. I may have to break and read that and then go into 2.

I'm at 50% now. (I'm sneaking and reading at work!) How far do I need to read before I can snoop out those spoilers. Talk to me in percentages, hahahaha.

[Leea]

Uhhh, maybe 75% not quite sure. Lol!!

Oh my gosh... Keep reading. Wow!! Mallory and David. Wow!! Tell me when you get to that part, you'll know. I've got 30 pages left. It's so much better than I thought.

[Gwennie]

Eeee, I'm so excited. I can't wait to get out of here and reeeeeead!

[Lisa P]

Leea wrote: "I think Regina kept telling us how horrible bad Unsung Hero was that the bar was set so low that I now think it's good. lol! That's great you'll be joining us for #3... yay!

Lisa, what book are yo..."

I am on #3, but haven't started it yet. I will definitely have to read Lover Reborn first though...as you pointed out that it comes out tomorrow.

[Regina]

#3 is soooo goooooood!

I cannot wait for Lover REborn.

[Gwennie]

Im nervous about Lover Reborn. The girls over in the BDB group were posting spoilers all over a thread that was supposed to be spoiler free, so I found out something that I don't like, lol.

So I'm nervous and excited.

So, back to Unsung Hero, every time it talks about Cybele's (view spoiler)[son, I want to cry. Her story is so sad (hide spoiler)]!

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

Oh no. I hope Lover Reborn is still good though. I hope to be able to start it tomorrow if I can manage a copy.

[Leea]

I can't wait for Lover Reborn. I've been avoiding the BDB group because I don't want to read any spoilers. I'm sorry you read something there. Ugh!

I finished Unsung Hero... You ladies are crazy, I really liked it! Now i'm wondering if there is just something wrong with me for liking it so much. haha! Parts were cheesy but I can tell that Brockman has some real talent writing because the whole Joe, Charlie, Cybele in France - that was a heartbreaker. Mallory and David, OMG that was so sweet. The end, I cried! Yeah total looser...

[Regina]

Leea, nothing is wrong with you at all. The first time I read it I really liked it enough to go on to the next one. After I re-read the entire series I went back to re-read this one and just couldn't -- not because I didn't like it, but b/c it wasn't stellar enough for a re-read. You know?

I warn people off, not b/c I didn't like it -- but b/c when I have recommended this series to people enough readers have said to me that 1 and 2 were not that good. Maybe I should have sold them as sucking. :)

[Regina]

Stacia *the pusher wrote: "Oh no. I hope Lover Reborn is still good though. I hope to be able to start it tomorrow if I can manage a copy."

If you are willing, please keep me in the loop!

[Leea]

Yeah, keep me in the loop too :)

Thanks Regina! I understand just what you mean. I makes me want to read the rest of the series.