Customer Reviews

Checkmate (Bombshell S.)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

[I know this review is being posted *way* after the book was published, but I just recently re-read it and wanted to share my thoughts.]

I started this book about 9:00 p.m. one evening. I didn't put it down until I'd finished reading it at 1:00 in the morning. This is the second book I've read by this author, and it definitely didn't disappoint. There won't be much snarking in the following paragraphs.

Our heroine is Selena Jones, an FBI legal attaché and Athena Force (yep, it's one of a loosely connected series) graduate. She is married to Colin Jones, a CIA operative. Colin and Selena are going through a rocky patch--something to do with him kissing another woman--and Selena decides that a change of job scenery is order. So she takes an assignment to work at the embassy in the fictional Middle Eastern country of Berzhaan.

Berzhaan is on the verge of civil war, and a group of Kemeni rebels takes over the capitol building while Selena is there visiting the Prime Minister. Selena isn't taken hostage with every one else because she is in the bathroom throwing up and worrying that she is pregnant (she and Colin had been trying before she fled the country). Now it's up to Selena to stop the rebels and free the hostages. Kind of reminds me of Die Hard (the first--and only good--movie), but it does so without screaming "derivative".

Unlike many romance novel heroines--even ones in this series--Selena is realistically tough and vulnerable. She has some great kick-butt scenes, and her interactions with the lead villain, Tafiq Ashurbeyli, are interesting. Her fears about her possible pregnancy added a layer of depth, and I liked that fact that she didn't get overwhelmed by the distractions of Colin, baby, etc.

The author also does a good job of describing the world of the book--the weapons, the fighting, the lingo. Another book I read from this line ("Parallel Lies" by Kate Donovan) had a horribly constructed backdrop for the story. In this book, I bought it.

I think the weakness in this book is the romantic element (and hence only a 4-star).

First, the reason that Selena fled to Berzhaan turns out to be a BIG MISUNDERSTANDING. Remember that Colin was working undercover--and Selena knew that--when she saw him kissing the woman. So why did she automatically assume that the kiss was romantic instead of a just-doing-my-job kiss? That is never explained satisfactorily.

Second, Colin is not well developed, and most of the relationship scenes occur over the telephone, with Selena in the capitol building and Colin in the U.S. and later in Berzhaan. Late in the book, Colin and Selena do meet up in person under circumstances that had me saying, "Oh yeah, if it was that easy to [you'll have to read the book], then how come no one else did it?"

So overall, I can recommend this book to anyone who likes feisty heroines and lots of action. Ms. Durgin is definitely on my buy list in the future.

FBI legal attache Selena Jones accepts a mission to go overseas when she sees her husband kissing another woman. In no time at all she rescues two women in a village from being raped. She hightails it to the embassy to warn the ambassador of an uprising. She narrowly misses being taken as a hostage herself and she has no weapons. How is she going to survive? This book is nonstop action that doesn't quit to the last page. You will not be disappointed by this book. Selena Jones kinda of reminds me of a female version of Jack Bauer.

The Athena Force Series from Silhouette Bombshell started off with a bang in June of 2004, and Doranna Durgin's current installment, CHECKMATE, continues the action-adventure style! Each book centers around a woman trained both mentally and physically at the Athena Academy, a school for women funded by the government. These women truly know how to kick butt and take names, and Selena Jones, the heroine of CHECKMATE, is no exception.

What starts out for Selena as a routine change of pace quickly becomes a taut engagement amidst military unrest. As an FBI legal attache, Selena has seen her fair share of danger. Running away to a post in Suwan, the capital city of Berzhaan that's been ravaged by war and civil unrest, was simply supposed to be her way to get away from the States-and her cheating husband Colin. Desperate to get away from the emotions she's not yet able to face, Selena sees her new position far away from home as a welcome respite.

Until Kemeini rebels take control of the United States Embassy in Suwan-and along with it hostages that range from the country's Prime Minister, the US Ambassador, and several visiting college students. Only Selena remains free, having escaped the rebels' notice, and she immediately makes use of her anonymity to rescue the hostages.

Even though outsmarting the rebels and their fearless leader is anything but a walk in the park, what weighs even heavier on Selena and her emotions, is the fact that Colin, her cheating ex-husband who she vowed would never get under her skin again, is her only link to the outside world. Colin knew something was wrong the minute Selena failed to return to their Washington, DC, home, but he's still clueless as to what exactly happened. All isn't what it appears to be, both in Selena and Colin's marriage, and the political envoys she's trying to rescue.

A true action-adventure thriller with a romantic undertone that shows the underbelly of marriage, love, and trust, CHECKMATE is Doranna Durgin-and the Athena Force-at its best.

FBI legal attaché Selena Jones took the foreign post in Suwan, capital of war ravaged Berzhaan after she caught her husband Colin in the arms of another woman when he was supposed to be on assignment overseas. As far Selena is concerned her marriage is over.

However, Berzhaan Kemeini rebels take control of the embassy holding hostage many people including Prime Minister Omar Razidae, American Ambassador Allori, their staff, and visiting college students. On the loose as a wild card though trapped inside the complex is Selena who makes contact with the Feds. As she works to free the hostages, Colin is her lifeline to the outside, an assignment he demanded because he will do anything including storming the facility to free his wife who he loves.

Take Die Hard out of Los Angeles to the Middle East and change John McClane to a female Athena Academy grad to get somewhat an idea of this exciting thriller. The story line centers on the action as Selena tries to find ways to disrupt the terrorists and save the hostages. Selena is heroic as the "roadrunner" battling the "Coyote" while Cole is frantic to hug her from the moment he realized that something was wrong by how she left their DC apartment until the final "cartoon" confrontation. Doranna Durgin writes an exhilarating fast-paced Athena Academy thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Action packed from beginning to end. What a great ride. Get this book and strap in for an exciting read.