Romance, Historical or Otherwise discussion
Spectacular Series
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Troubleshooters series by Brockmann
haha -- why can't we make money for our GR posts. LMAO, what a dream. :-)Yes -- lush. Love it. Damnit man - -someone call me lush!
Leea, I totally read that spoiler! Some books I just don't care.I really really hope he doesn't turn out to be the terrorist because I'd hate to see Brockman lose this opportunity to show that just because a man may be muslim or look a certain way doesn't mean he's bad. I don't think he is, but then I heard taht Mary Lou (view spoiler), which damn that's heart breaking too!
I don't want to spoil anything for you Wendy -- where did you hear that?I will say that Brockmann never ever takes the easy way out of situations. For example I can see another romance author doing the set up of the other woman getting pregnant, Sam leaving Alyssa - -but then there is a miscarriage so Sam and Alyssa can reunite. Not Brockmann. And this is a theme in all of her books. Never the easy way out.
I can't remember. Maybe it was when I read the synopsis of Sam/Alyssa's book. (view spoiler) I think taht was it, and I'm hoping that I just jumped the gun and it's wrong. If it is, please tell me because it'll alleviate some of my stress, hahaha.
(view spoiler) And it is the last flashback. But it is an amazing flashback -- rivals the nazi spy one.I hope you are stress free now! :D
Thank GOODNESS!!!! I've been so sad because Mary Lou is really growing on me!
Yeah, I think Mary Lou has a negative self image (I struggle with that daily, ugh) It bothers me that she's so happy with her winning wet t-shirt contest status. I hate to think of young women gaining confidence from something like that. *steps off soap box* I have huge boobs, 34 DD and I try to hide those suckers. lol! She's got them on display.I finished and I have to say that I didn't like it as much as Out of Control. Having said that, so much happens to the characters in this book and I really didn't like the ending. (sorry Wendy, don't read till you're finished with the book) (view spoiler)
I think that Mary Lou's self image is contstructed because of her mother and her history. I'm hoping for some character growth there, I think she's already had some.I'm at about 45% now.
Leea, you summarized it perfectly. It is an important book, but not satisfying. The next one is satisfying, definitely! It provides so much needed closure and is full of non stop action. Then for me Flashpoint, #7 is hot hot hot and good stuf. LMAO, Brockmann does not pay me. I promise.
Yeah, sure ;) She should pay you or at least pay you in books. lol!I think Mary Lou's' journey is not finished, she made some progress but I hope there is more to come :)
Wendy, you're moving now. Yay!
Oh yeah, I'm at 58%! I'm not enjoying it as much as the last one, and for some reason the transitions from story to story are bugging me this time around. But I'm definitely eager to see what's gong to happen. Right now (view spoiler). This part is bugging me a little too, honestly. I'm eager to get past this.
The transitions are choppy, not as smooth as the last book. I miss Molly and Jones :)I felt that same eagerness, haha! When are we going to read book 6? lol!
Why do you all think it was not as good (not questioning, I agree, I am just trying to think why it didn't work as well ) -- I am thinking she wanted to do too much in this book, balancing Alyssa/Sam, ML/Haley/Ib, Donny and then the historical flashback, the terrorist threat and how it affects the team, and then the HEA for the "main" couple, plus it was a huge transition.
I sometimes feel like the main couple is not the one that i'm drawn to. I loved the last book but I was drawn to Molly and Jones. It was also a darker book, Mary Lou was really a depressing character to read about. Also, the Terrorist threat against the president seemed far fetched to me. I mean, it's 2003, so 9/11 is on everyones minds but I just found it hard to believe. Or maybe that's my wishful thinking. I also know that getting on base pre 9/11 and getting on post 9/11 there were some changes. I can't say what changes they made in Camp Pendleton but I know changes that were made at the base my FIL worked at.
Also, Coronado and Camp Pendleton are not close to each other.
It's hard to really put your finger on what's wrong with the book, it's just missing that spark
Mmmm, for me it's just a lack of connection. I felt the connection a bit in the beginning between Joan and Mike, but as the story goes on it just lags. I think it might be all the contrived drama (I'm too old and ugly for such a beautiful young man). I think that's part of why I really loved Molly and Jones. She wasn't perfectly beautiful, and she was older, but they both just accepted each other. I think I just get tired of reading this same plot device in most romance novels. Can't they just slowly fall in love and let the war and Brooke and stuff be the drama without all the miscommunication and eye rolling anger? Drives me batty.I don't know, I agree with Leea, it's just missing a spark I think. Ken's book just had that thing... I felt it in the start of this one when they were teasing and joking and stuff, but it just lost it around midway.
Maybe it's this; when I first started to read the book Joan came across really aggressive and assertive, hitting on Tom and everything. She was checking out all the guys and she had a big mouth that I thought was endearing. I actually almost came in here and made some comment about how I like the way Brockman writes different types of women. This is all still true, but somewhere around the middle of the book I just think she lost some of that. I understand she was trying to show Joans issues, but it just seems like she lost some of that pizzazz.
The other stories are alright. Nothing that jumps out as really bothering me about them. I like Ibrahaim and ML, I think their budding friendship is really sweet. I like the flashbacks with Charlie and Vince. But nothing about this one is really like, reeling me in.
You ladies said it well! And the thing is Joan wasn't really that old? 34? 32? I also found the scene on the rock climbing wall at the beginning kind of icky.Okay, once you are through this no more hiccups in the series.
Interesting about the bases Leea, thanks for pointing that out.
She's only 32, and he's 25. Sure it's a bit of a difference but nothing that crazy. I mean, jeez. My parents are a 10 year age difference! What part of the rock climbing wall made you feel icky?
Also, it's all Joan's issue with her 'he's going to break my heart and whoa is me I live across the country and blah blah blah'. She calls him mister steady, mr. perfect. Has he given her any indication that he's a quick lay?! He practically tolds her hates that about his hook ups. She just won't open her ears.
That she was so upset and nervous and he disregarded that, it took her several times for her to get her point across. Maybe bc I can imagine being that scared and terrified and it so upsets me to think of not being listened to.
Oh right, yeah. I get what you mean. I can see why he tried to get her up there, and it seemed that he was trying to be as gentle about it as he could. I really rolled my eyes at him when he did the trick, like obviously she was afraid and you just made it worse. But I guess I read that as cocky young guy showing off, trying to get attention. It didn't bother me the way they're acting now when I'm 3 quarters through the book.I just want to scream, "Say what you FEEL!"
I guess I'm a tough sell, because I don't believe the instalove (usually) and I can't stand the idea of contrived romatantic conflict. Give me progressional believable love, like Jamie and Claire. Or even Mac and Barrons, while he kept a lot of secrets it wasn't this same kind of back and forth that I'm seeing in this book, and in the others so far. Even Ken and Suzanne did this.
Wendy, I agree with you on that. It is frustrating.
I just felt like if this hot hunk of a man keeps telling me he loves my booty, curves and mind... why wouldn't you believe him? Joan was just scared and that's okay but at time she used Mike and I was almost frustrated that he forgave her so easily.Where are you at now Wendy?
I'm at 81%, almost done but I won't be able to read tonight. I have company.
I am always sympathetic with the female characters. Always, even when other people hate them or annoyed by their bad choices (e.g. Mac in Fever, Cass in Aftertime, Chess in Downside Magic -- and lots others) but I never clicked with Joan. And despite getting to know Mike better, I couldn't erase the image of him from #3, he just wasn't my type of guy.
I'm the same way. I always feel or sympathise with women having to make hard decisions. haha! Cass in Aftertime, just met her and I already feel bad for her. I better transfer over to the What are you reading thread :)
Damn, I'm bailing out. Sucks b/c I really wanted to join in on this convo. Into the Night is just not grabbing me and it's feeling like a chore to pick it up. So, I'll have to try to read this book again when my mood is for it.
I understand. Can she skip it, Regina? I mean we can always just tell you what happened...How far did you get?
I say skip it and we tell you what happened -- the only important stuff is the Sam and Mary Lou stuff and then why the commander of the seal team is in trouble.
Oh yay...I can skip it! thanks for filling me in. I only got to the part when Mary Lou meets the neighbor/landscaper. I think he's a terrorist? I'm not really invested in Joan & Muldoon but am curious about the older couple.
I finished today! I'll be writing my review today at some point. It's my 9 year anniversary so I won't be on till later.I am with Leea, I don't like the ending at all. I'm soooo (view spoiler).
Happy Anniversary Wendy! Hope you have a fun time with the husband. :)
Aww... Happy Anniversary Wendy and Jeff!Doing anything special?
Thanks ladies! No big plans today. He's getting me a Yorkie puppy, so we're taking it easy today. Dinner and just relaxing at home.
His dad is Jeff's aunts dog and his name is Marley, so we're naming our puppy Ziggy. He was just born though so we won't be bringing him home till the end of the summer.
How exciting, a new member of the family :)
Hows the dog doing Wendy?I started Sam and Alyssa's story Gone to Far, it's starts off right away, which I love. I can't wait to read a little bit about Sams past and Max with Gina. Yay!
I am glad you are liking it. This book has some great scenes. My FAVORITE guy is introduced very briefly in this book. I wonder if you can spot him. :)Wendy how is the pup?
We don't get to bring him home until the end of the summer. But this is him right now, he's only a few weeks old.
Aww how cute!! At least he'll know you by the time he comes home. I be Lexi is so excited. They boys want a puppy but we've got a dog, he's 12.Now i'll be on the look out Regina.
I already love Nick, Carrie and Tom P. Him and Kelly are smokin' hot!
We have a boston terrier too. He's about 14.
I'm just using the fact that Lucky is 12 to detour the boys from wanting a puppy. haha! It's not really working.
Hahahaha, I get that! Animals are my obsession. We have a dog, cat and guinea pig.
I love animals too but I can't take care of another living thing right now... no way!
I think i'm really hormonal or something. I almost cried while reading about how Dot (view spoiler)Regina, how much do we get of Max and Gina?
Oh god is he cute!!!! We have a dog we rescued almost 5 years ago and think he is now almost 7. That is enough for us. But I do love animals. If my kids could, we would have more. My good friends and neighbors have 2 dogs, 6 cats, and an uncounted number of guinea pigs. I am guessing you now know where Haley is? I don't want to spoil it for you! The historical story in this one is one I really liked. I think also because it ties directly into Sam and we learn so much about him.
Max and Gina are a slowly growing story until their story in ... 9, I think? Max is very appropriate, aware of Gina's fragile mental condition and her age -- Gina is more selfaware than Max is though. :) So we don't get a lot. The next book introduces a new crew -- all the result of the bad stuff that went down in 5. I really like the action and the new characters introduced in the next one, but it will feel like a new series. Because Brockmann had to invigorate the series with new guys and women. Don't worry though, the old ones are back in further books - the gang just gets bigger. With Max and Gina, you just have to be patient. The pay off is good though.
Romance, Historical or Otherwise
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Gah I hate when GR loses my posts. It did that to me last night.