Customer Reviews

Into the Storm (Troubleshooters, Book 10)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

It's the Saltwater Cowboys versus the Troubleshooters... as the two are pitted together in an exercise and competition of sorts. Troubleshooter Lindsey Fontaine is nursing a huge crush on vertically challenged SEAL Mark Jenkins (hey - I'm not the one who made his stature abundantly clear 25 times in the book). When she is chosen as the "victim" she has to work double time to prove her SEAL-worthiness. Mark is attracted to Lindsey, but has always wanted childhood goddess Tracy Shapiro. He thinks he might have a chance with her now that Tracy has broken up with her wandering eyed boyfriend Lyle. Again. But after the competition, it is Lindsey who lands in his bed, then races out of it when Tracy has another meltdown and turns to Mark for comfort.

When the competition proves successful, they decide to do it all over again... in the freezing cold mountains of New Hampshire. Tracy gets to come along as the victim, and Lindsey relishes in letting her know she can only bring one carry on. As they set out on the new excursion, the tension between Mark (who is now head over heels for Lindsey) and Lindsey is so thick you can cut it with a knife. But ever the professionals, they try to keep their feelings in check. During the exercise, chaos ensues, and then suddenly, Tracy is nowhere to be found, and falls unwittingly into the hands of a sadistic serial killer. Will the cowboys and troubleshooters find her in time?

There is so much going on in this story. And yet, it really lags. There are three potential romances, two of which are triangles. And a serial killer on the loose... each could be a story itself. While Izzy can be humorous at times, it got old really quick. I found that the only compelling romance was between Sophia and Deck, and that one is destined to play out longer than Sam and Alyssa.

Was it just me, or did Marc and Lindsey's romance sound eerily familiar, like perhaps Wes and Brittany from "Night Watch?" Vertically challenged guy in love with a woman they cannot have so they have a "casual" relationship with the next best thing that really turns out to be the best thing... It was a good read, but not one that would stand up to repeated scrutiny or readings. If this is your first SEAL 16 novel, go back and read an earlier one like "Over the Edge" first.

I wasn't sure I even wanted to read this book, because I knew it was about Jenk, and who cares about Jenk? But I bought it and I'm glad. I could not put it down - I read it in one day. This is the Brockmann of old. I admit I didn't like her other Troubleshooter book - I didn't like Tess, Nash, OR Decker. But Sophia is very interesting, and her sidestory is intruiging, and I hope, not over yet. Izzy was the best secondary character, hands down, I can only hope he succumbs to true love next. He is taking WildCard's role in the series, I think, the lovable goofball who says outrageous things.

But Mark Jenkins and Lindsey are wonderful characters. They have real chemistry, and are very likable. I loved the setting too, having them in cold weather was quite a switch. Lopez cannot take cold weather? Who knew?

I laughed out loud over some parts, well, pretty much every time Izzy talked. The scene where they're making Jenks tell a ghost story in the car and Izzy keeps interrupting - classic.

The camaradarie between the characters was very strong in this book, and is one of the things I liked the best. Lots of kidding around, but real emotion, too.

Good job, Suzanne.

I've read all the books in this series, and _Into the Storm_ may feature my favorite stand alone romance (i.e. a romance that doesn't progress over the course of several books, but begins and ends in one volume). Lindsey and Mark have great dialogue, a ton of chemistry, and some believable conflict. They aren't a tortured couple, but they do have depth, and Lindsey, without a doubt, is one of the strongest female leads of the series. I liked her, I liked Mark, and I liked watching them fall in love.

The supporting stories are riveting, although I suspect most readers will find it hard to warm up to Tracy. Izzy, though, has a fresh and funny voice, and there are two scenes in particular that made me laugh out loud (something I rarely do while reading). Dave is a good guy as well, although I'm rooting for Sophia and Decker to finally get together.

I also think Brockmann should be praised for being one of the very few authors in an overcrowded "romantic suspense" market who is able to seamlessly blend romance that is truly romantic, and suspense that is actually suspenseful.

That said, there were a few things in this novel I enjoyed less than others. The serial killer plot, although original in terms of the plots of the other books in the series, is very hard to get through. Yet again, it's nice to see an author keep the focus on one group of people-- Navy SEALs in this case-- and yet branch out to include differing scenarios to amp up the drama.

My one other complaint is that I think it's time for Sophia and Decker to have their own book. They've reached that same point as Sam and Alyssa did in "Into the Night" where the misunderstandings and the angst are starting to grate. Having their story evolve into a kind of triangle is a twist, but one that quickly out-stayed its welcome, in my opinion.

But I can't wait for the next book in the series. This was is absolutely worth reading.

Could be like the characters in a Suzanne Brockmann novel, the world would be a much better place. This book is stellar; I can't say enough good things about it.
Mark Jenkins is a first rate hero, with a few hang ups which he strives to overcome. The heroine, Lindsay, is smart mouthed and sassy but with a great heart. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. There are some great comic moments with Izzy Zanella, another Navy Seal who I can't wait to read more about. The subplot with the psychopath who captures the women and forces them to participate in his own private cock (Hen?) fight is truly depraved and fascinating in a train wreck kind of way.

I love that Suzanne Brockmann takes people down to a fundamental level that transcends, gender, skin color, sexual orientation or any other grouping and shows the reader the compassionate side of human nature.

Suzanne Brockmann can't write fast enough to satisfy this fan!

SEAL Team Sixteen and the security experts from Troubleshooters Inc. have arranged a training exercise in New Hampshire's frozen countryside. The two teams recently went head to head while training together in San Diego. After that mission, SEAL, Mark 'Jenk' Jenkins shared a night of passion with Troubleshooter Lindsey Fontaine that ended badly.

Working together in a hostage extraction scenario, Jenk and Lindsey continue to spark and sizzle despite their earlier quarrel. And despite the extreme cold. When the training exercise abruptly ends, Troubleshooter receptionist, Tracy Shapiro, playing the role of the hostage, disappears. Lindsey, Jenk, SEAL Team Sixteen, and the Troubleshooters team up to find the missing receptionist.

After a young woman is found dead in Tracy's coat, the FBI liaison, Jules Cassidy, determines that Tracy has most likely been kidnapped by a prolific serial killer. With a blizzard on its way and time of the essence, Tracy and Jenk must work together to rescue Tracy. And each other...

I am a huge Suzanne Brockmann fan. And as a huge fan, I have my favorite couples within the Troubleshooters series. In fact, I didn't think any book could out-do Max and Gina's story, Breaking Point. Boy was I wrong! Into the Storm is my all time favorite Suzanne Brockmann book. Ever!

Lindsey is an awesome heroine! She's strong, smart, gorgeous and despite her flaws, I want to BE her. And Jenk is delicious! Gorgeous, brave, clever and heart poundingly romantic, he is my ideal! I can re-read their story over and over again.

Another reason this is my new all time favorite Suzanne Brockmann book is the tremendous sub-plot. Brockmann's Troubleshooter series is famous for it's sub-plots and Into the Storm has by far the best sub-plot yet! The sub-plot is EXACTLY what I want in a romantic suspense. Plot twists and turns, action, hot sex and delicious romance, Into the Storm is Ms. Brockmann's best work yet!

Annmarie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This was the first Suzanne Brockmann novel I have read that left me dissatisfied. It seemed that there was too much of everything: too much emphasis on Jenk's short stature, his repeated overtures to Tracy despite clear signals that she was not interested, Dave's relentless hovering over Sophia, and the over-the-top graphic horror of the scenes with the serial killer. The story didn't flow as smoothly and logically as her earlier works did. Tracy's problem with alcohol isn't even introduced until more than halfway through. Even then, it is given little significance--but in reality, an alcoholic's behavior is governed by this addiction, either managing it or giving in to it.

I will still read her books, but I won't buy them before reading the local library's copy first. She's a great talent, and I hope she returns to her earlier form of well-defined characters and believable plots.

I'm a huge Suzanne Brockmann fan, probably because she is so skillful at weaving multiple storylines and balancing humor and suspense. In those terms, this book does not disappoint, as it moves at a fast clip and keeps the reader entertained and engrossed to the very end.

My primary disappointment is the serial killer storyline. Blech. It's so predictable and has been done to death by just about every contemporary fiction author out there. Not to mention that it's gruesome, perverse, and disturbing.

In terms of characters, Lindsey is a real winner, Jenks is ok, but Izzy completely steals everyone's thunder to such an extent that one can only hope he will be the main character in Brockmann's next novel.

Beware: the plot "synopsis" here at Amazon (the same as what is written on the jacket sleeve of the book) will take the reader about two-thirds of the way through what happens in the book. I don't understand why book publishers do this. It just makes the author look bad by giving the impression that they are taking f.o.r.e.v.e.r. to get to the "point". And it can utterly destroy any suspense the author might have been trying to build. I purposely didn't read the jacket sleeve before finishing the book because it detracts from the my enjoyment of the story so much.

I enjoyed this book, in spite of the gross-out serial killer storyline, but I won't be re-reading it as I have with many of Suzanne Brockmann's other novels. Hopefully her next novel will turn its focus back to the more military/wartime storylines she does so well.

This is sweet and studly SEAL petty officer Mark Jenkins story. He's a very likable character because, hey, sweet and studly. After a night of passion spent with Lindsey Fontaine from Troubleshooters, some miscommunication and some harsh words, the pair find themselves working together on what is supposed to be a training op. A harsh winter storm in New Hampshire complicates the exercise, and then a team member vanishes into the wilderness, throwing the other team members into the dangerous elements.

Some other great characters and their stories include past players, Sophia, Dave and Decker in an on-going drama. New to the scene is Tracy Shapiro, who I kind of hated in the beginning, but she grew on me. Izzy Zanella has been a member of the SEAL team but has never really been fleshed out before this. He's a hoot and I hope he gets his own story.

INTO THE STORM also has a very creepy serial killer in the mix, which ratchets up the suspense.

The Troubleshooter series does not disappoint.

Shelley Dawn, author of, Sweet, Sweet Jessie and Dark Nights

Lindsey Fontaine has a crush on sexy (if short) Navy Seal petty officer Mark Jenkins (Jenk), but Jenk has decided on his perfect mate--sexy secretary and hometown sweetheart Tracy Shapiro. That Tracy still thinks of him as a girlfriend's little brother doesn't bother Jenk. He's a Navy Seal, and that means he doesn't give up. Still, it also doesn't mean he doesn't find Lindsey attractive--she's just not the woman he's decided to marry. Meanwhile, much damaged Sophia still can't bring herself to talk to her great love, Decker, who also can't manage to talk to her. And Dave, who also loves Sophia, is getting sick of waiting for her to either decide to take some initiative with Decker or to notice that Dave is there and waiting. Meanwhile, Tracy is having trouble deciding what she wants--Lawyer/Lyle seems like the most likely possibility, but he is such a jerk (and is definitely not a Navy Seal).

Joint training between the Navy Seal Team and the Troubleshooters puts lots of male testosterone together with the sexy women of Troubleshooters--and gives Lindsey a chance to get to know Jenk better--as well as increasing Sophia's discomfort level by putting her in proximity of Decker. The training moves from sunny California to snowy New Hampshire and when one of the Troubleshooter team is kidnapped by a serial killer, the joint exercise becomes a race against time to save the victim before the killer adds to his list of victims.

Author Suzanne Brockmann writes well-researched and exciting romance with plenty of action and suspense. INTO THE STORM starts out with a bang--the Navy Seal team in Afghanistan facing an overwhelming force of insurgents. And it ends with another bang as Lindsey, separated from the rest of the Troubleshooters and Seals, is forced to face a deadly serial killer on her own.

Usually, Brockmann manages a seamless blend between her romance and her action. Action intensifies emotion, reminds the characters that life is short and that waiting might mean never achieving, just as the romance and emotion increases the reader's stake in the outcome, making us care whether the Navy Seals survive enemy action. In INTO THE STORM, however, Brockmann didn't manage this difficult blending as well as I had hoped. After the action-packed beginning, I felt like I'd stepped into a soap-opera with characters suffering strong emotion and talking past each other, refusing to listen, making assumptions about the other's goals.

Brockmann is a talented author and wordsmith. Even a less than perfect Brockmann novel is definitely worth reading, and her strong action wrap-up gave this story a payoff that packed a punch. Still, this is definitely not Brockmann's best.

The short story at the end is a cute read, with the sympathetic Jules playing a major role.

This book had me laughing out loud quite a bit. I found myself wanting to be part of the team so badly that I ached for it. They trust each other, love each other, protect each other, and make each other laugh. And I was laughing right along with them. That's when I fell head over heels for Izzy. He is hysterical. And you gotta love a man who can do tons of push-ups without breaking a sweat. I didn't think I would like a story about Jenkins. I was like Jenkins??? The short one??? But he was extremely likeable and definitely SEAL-worthy. Tracy was beyond annoying and so unbelievably unlikeable. ICK. Like I said, this was one of my favorite in the series. When I wasn't reading it, I counted down the minutes until I could get my hands on the book and thought about it (and still do) all the time after reading. This one stuck with me.