Harvard's Education by Suzanne Brockmann

THE MAN AND HIS MISSION

As a navy SEAL, Harvard had seen his share of trainees before, but PJ Richards managed to pack more fire in her five-foot-two-inch body more than all the men he'd ever worked with. And he couldn't help hoping for some more personal contact.

One thing, always-in-control PJ Richards couldn't afford to do was let herself get sidetracked. Not now, when her goal was finally within reach. Unfortunately, so was Harvard--every hard-muscled, pure-male, irresistible inch of him...

There's nothing like an old SB reread to save my week. It started with me having two books to read. These were the ones I picked up last weekend and was quite excited about them. (I never keep a TBR pile because if I see all these yet to be read books, I'm 99 per cent sure to stay home to read each one of them rather than go to work. Believe me, it already happened.) One was a paranormal romance I thought would help get me out of historicals mania; the other was a historical to continue said mania. I did find out two things for sure: I'm not one for paranormal reads--all that biting/immortality/time travel just don't do it for me. And that I'm not not totally immersed in my historicals mania not to recognize an unejoyable Regency/medieval read. I guess it's safe to say that I won't be making reviews for those two books--total waste of time.

I think senior chiefs are absolutely lovable characters--and their own love stories always pack quite a punch. They play the always-there, go-to persons for all the big, bad SEALs and that puts them in a deeply reverent position.

And don't you just love it when they are brought down from their lofty positions in the alpha male ladder by a woman's love? Then you realize that they're only humans, too. Not machines, like I'm sure they bust their asses off to project.

Just as Daryl "Harvrd" Becker was determined to keep PJ Richards under his wing to prove that women don't belong in the front lines of war. PJ, however, is set to prove him wrong. But as their training turns into a real mission, H was forced to accept that PJ could be an asset as they go into enemy territory. And not only to complete one dangerous mission but most importantly, to save a friend and a comrade.

But not before they admitted to themselves that they were meant for each other. And the scene of their "marriage," handfast-style, is one of the most romantic scenes I've ever read. There's nothing quite like two people pledging their love for each other in the presence of God and nature.

And do you think it was coincidence that the H got a PJ for a heroine? LOL!

Final verdict: 7.5/10. Great read.

Everyday, Average Jones by Suzanne Brockmann

The girl next door?

When Melody Evans needed someone to rescue her, she knew that Navy SEAL Harlan "Cowboy" Jones was just the man for the job. But afteward, when things got more intimate, she had to write it off to an adrenaline rush. After all, she was looking for an ordinary guy--and Cowboy was anything but. Too bad their encounter left Melody with more than just memories...

Then Cowboy paid Melody a surprise visit and saw her burgeoning belly. That did it--he had to convince her that they were meant to be together! That he could be as ordinary as the next guy. And he’d do it, too--even if it meant twenty-four-hour-a-day, hands-on contact...


This was my first ever SB. And it came to me as a birthday gift back in...1999. From my best pal, Olive. Lucky me!

I think Cowboy is a cutie patootie. Really. I mean, I love Cat but I can't say that about him because, well, that's Cat we're talking about. The big boss. Or maybe I'm just biased because as I've said, Cowboy's book was my first dose of SB. Ironic 'cause now I have some serious jones for SB's SEALs--both in the TDD series and the TS series.

So, aight. I have admitted my jones for Jones but I'm not the biggest fan of his book. It was okay but then when I got to read the other books in the TDD series, Jones' just didn't have enough SEAL action. Yeah, there was the rescue mission right at the start but maybe because it was right there at the top of the story that the rest of the plot just kinda dragged for me. And Melody was a so-so kind of a heroine. First, she didn't tell Jones that she became pregnant; then when Jones found out and wanted to marry her, she refused. So what if Jones might just be doing it because it was the right thing. He didn't exactly have the time to get used to it because she ended their few-day affair as if it was nothing. Stubborn woman. I wanted to give her a dose of Mary Lou Morrison.

In the end, it was Jones that came through and saved the story--by leaving Mel and giving her what she wanted as long as she agreed to place his name on the kid's birth certificate and for him to be there at its birth. That was a great idea from him. It had all the shades of "you don't know what your missing until you lose it." And it worked so kudos to Cowboy.

But someone who didn't get a kudos in this book was Lucky. What was the assholeishness all about?

Final verdict: 7/10. Good read.


P.S. This book review is a first in a list of future reviews on contemps. I couldn't give up on reading so instead I decided to give up historicals for Lent. I couldn't quite get enough of them lately so its sacrifice enough. I think. So How about you? What have you given up for Lent?

Forever Blue by Suzanne Brockmann

Blue McCoy was once the hero of Lucy Tait's teenage dreams -- quiet, dart and dangerous. After high school he left Hatboro Creek, South Carolina, to join the military. Years later, now a Navy Seal, Blue was a man who embodied all of Lucy's fantasies.

Now Blue is back in town, and Lucy is not the person he remembered. She's a no-nonsense police officer -- and a woman Blue can't take his eyes off. But then Blue is accused of murder. And Lucy is assigned his case. Now their brief affair has became part of an extensive investigation, where what's at stake is critical -- Blue's future . . . and maybe Lucy's heart.

I dunno why but I just wasn't able to connect to this book like I expected to. It's a Brockmann, for chrissakes! But it just wasn't one of my favorites. Don't get me wrong though, I adore Blue. And Lucy. But there's something lacking in the book--maybe it's the lack of SEAL action. I probably just missed Alpha Squad joking around and saying some really ashole-ish jokes. Or maybe not. But there it is.

But I lack sleep and I don't wanna get cranky. And talking about the details that made me not like this book (in SB level) is bound to make me cranky so let's not. Lemme just point out some of the better points instead.

I liked the fact that Blue could really talk with Lucy. We all know how talkative he was and when he started talking to Lucy about Hell Week, it was really kinda sweet. Any situation that has a person unconsciously go out of character and become this...better, and yet the same, person is always a beautiful and sweet thing. And she did that to him.

And I loved the letter Blue wrote to Lucy when he was detained in prison and he thought was gonna die--to be done in by the same people who murdered his stepbrother and whose murder Blue was pinned for.

"I've never said these words words to anyone ever in my life, let alone written them down, but somehow over the past few days, I fell in love with you, Yankee.
I thought you should know.

Blue"

And better point number three was when Lucy wanted to wear jeans to her wedding. I might not like the book that much but I gotta say: Atta girl!

Final verdict: 6/10. Have-to read. It's part of the TDD series, isn't it?

Frisco's Kid by Suzanne Brockmann

She couldn't mend his wounded body . . . but could she heal his heart? Being a navy SEAL is more than a career to Alan "Frisco" Francisco -- it is his whole identity. But now a bullet has threatened that existence. How can he function in combat when he can barely walk? Still, despite the doctor's warnings, Frisco is determined to achieve a full recovery.

But the unexpected appearance of his abandoned niece leaves Frisco with little time for anything but dealing with the five-year-old girl. He knows even less about parenting than about how to mend his broken body. And there is no way he's going to accept offers of help from his neighbor Mia Summerton. He doesn't need anyone's help . . . not to care for his niece, not to learn to accept his limitations and certainly not to fall in love.

This was the third installment in SB's Tall, Dark & Dangerous series...I'll do this one first because I've misplaced my copy of Forever Blue. Argh!

It really surprised me how much I liked this book because I really didn't know what to expect. But Frisco and Mia turned out to be very likable characters. Add Natasha to the equation and you get yourself a good book.

I can relate to this because I do have a cousin who pretty much gave up on life after a vehicular accident. But Frisco, being the SEAL that he was, was used to being physically fit and not being hampered by a constricting condition like the one he had. And his pride made him think that he was going to be nothing if he didn't have control of his legs. It practically translated to him not having control of his life. But when his niece Natasha came into the picture, he had to turn his life around and was forced to face the fact that he could no longer do the many things he could before his injury. But at the same time, being unable to do those things did not make him any less of a man.

Mia helped him accept those things despite his stubborn refusal to do so. She was a tough cookie, that girl. I know I wouldn't last in that kind of situation because patience is not one of my strongest suits. But she was what Frisco needed in his life, someone who could override his own bullheadedness.

Now, Tasha was one cute little button! I know SB has said she was going to write Thomas King's story. I don't care if that'll happen five years from now...as long as he ends up with Tash.

One of the best things about this book was the appearance of all members of the Alpha Squad in one go--Joe, Blue, Harvard, Cowboy, Wes, Bobby, and Lucky. What a bunch!

And lastly, lemme just say that I love the cover art of the Mira reissue. Hahaha!

Final verdict: 7.5/10. Must read.

Prince Joe by Suzanne Brockmann

Veronica St. John is facing the challenge of a lifetime. The media consultant has two days to teach a rugged Navy SEAL to impersonate a European prince who has been targeted by terrorists. It's a tough assignment, but Veronica is sure she's up to the task -- until she actually meets Joe.

Despite his physical resemblance to the handsome prince, Lieutenant Joe Catalanofto is nothing like the stuffy aristocrat. Everything about the combat-hardened Navy SEAL -- from the arrogant gleam in his eyes and streetwise attitude to the New York accent -- says regular guy, not royalty. One conversation and Veronica knows nothing could turn this military man into nobility. Joe, on the other hand, is confident he's got what it takes to complete his duty.

But neither of them expects their assignment to include falling in love . . .

The first book of SB's Tall, Dark and Dangerous series--and an absolute winner. SB is, of course, known for creating wonderful characters but I dunno what she was eating when she was writing this one because the chemistry between Joe and Ronnie was wonderful. There goes that word again. It was wonderful to read, wonderful to "experience," wonderful to reflect on.

Joe Cat had a great sense of humor that the only way to go was fall in love with him. I couldn't blame him for his prejudice about social classes because, admit it, they do exist. This "inferiority" thing he had when it came to Ronnie actually made him more adorable--because we hardly ever see our (SB) SEALs this vulnerable. Just because he was CO of an elite team of SEALs, he didn't didn't automatically think he was good enough for the "likes" of Ronnie. But because he knew she loved him, too, then he was ready to be with her no matter the cost. Pride be damned!

The British accent was a nice touch--I have a weakness for the brogue myself. I admit, I was pretty disappointed when Ronnie refused Joe Cat's proposal. I mean, it was she who said that "some things were worth the risk" (check page 140!). This was definitely one of those things and yet she was afraid to do it. But in the end, I was proud of her for overcoming that fear. Unlike soldiers who go to war with their eyes wide open, husbands and wives of servicewomen and -men, respectively, don't have the option to fall out of love because their loved ones have a higher risk of dying early than the average person. And asking Blue to promise to take care of Joe when they are away kinda nice, too. Although there's comfort when you know that your loved one is doing his best to stay safe, it's always an additional assurance to know that the people he or she is with will do their best to keep their company safe as well.

And their first kiss! It's the best as far as novel first kisses go. It was not the "I want you, You want me. Let's go to bed" kind which I had expected from Joe. He was alpha male, aight? It was their chemistry at work.

And if you want to unclog your tear glands, the scene with Cindy, the girl dying from cancer, would be the way to go. And I haven't quite reconciled Joe (or any other SEAL) and hair extensions. Victoria "Queen of Hair Extensions" Beckham, yes. Joe, no. That was good one.

Final verdict: 9.5/10. Must read, must have.