Prince Joe (Tall, Dark & Dangerous, Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Suzanne Brockmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002

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 . . .

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Mira (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155166948X
• ISBN-13: 978-1551669489
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Suzanne Brockmann is the award-winning author of fifty-one books, and is widely recognized as one of the leading voices in romantic suspense. Her work has earned her repeated appearances on the New York Times bestseller list, as well as numerous awards, including Romance Writers of America's #1 Favorite Book of the Year and two RITA awards.

Married to author Ed Gaffney, Suz divides her time between Sarasota, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts and New York City. They have two grown children, Melanie, who is a personal trainer and a writer, and Jason, who is an actor and tap dancer, and two miniature schnauzers, C.K. Dexter-Haven and Little Joe, both of whom (unlike Mel and Jason) still live at home.

Suz is a proud member of PFLAG -- Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. She is also a card-carrying member of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign, and MassEquality. A firm believer in civil rights for all people, she has fought hard to bring equal marriage rights to all citizens of her home state, Massachusetts.

Suz also recently produced her first independent feature-length movie, a romantic comedy called THE PERFECT WEDDING, that she co-wrote with her husband Ed and her son Jason. The film is currently in post-production. (Find out more at www.ThePerfectWeddingMovie.com)

Visit Suz's Website at www.SuzanneBrockmann.com
Find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SuzanneBrockmannBooks

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced, character-driven, adventure romance!!, August 10, 2000

By 

"avonlea" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prince Joe (Tall, Dark & Dangerous, Book 1 / Silhouette Intimate Moments, No. 720) (Paperback)

I usually dislike any action/adventure in romances because the authors forget to concentrate on the characters and spend the entire book on car chases and gunfights. Well, Brockmann is one author who does it right! The characters are always the focus, with the action a nice bonus.

Joe Cat is a wonderful hero: a tough, intelligent, funny, blue-collar kind of guy. He is the leader of the Alpha Squad of the Navy SEALs. Veronica is a high-class and hoity toity media consultant. A job brings them together: Joe must pose as the Prince of Eustanzia to catch a terrorist. Veronica must turn this macho sailor with the atrocious New Jersey accent into a prince in 2 days!

The attraction between them is immediate and very powerful, but many things stand in their way. Joe, a usually confident man, feels insecure for the first time. His blue-collar background makes him think Veronica won't want him for more than a fling. Is he right? You have to read the book! Veronica, for her part, is scared for Joe as catching dangerous terrorists is a daily thrill for him. Does she ask him to quit the SEALs? You have to read the book! Believe me, it's better than I can ever describe.

I was excited to learn that this is Brockmann's 1st book in a 10-book (or more) series about Navy SEALs. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Run - Do not walk to buy this book!, January 26, 2000

By 

"recyndra" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prince Joe (Tall, Dark & Dangerous, Book 1) (Hardcover)

I aboslutely love this book and must have read it a dozen times. Joe is the most amazing, complex, sexy hero you could ask for and Veronica at first seems to be so reserved and stand-offish, but wow, do things heat up! This is the first book in the TDD (Tall, Dark and Dangerous) series and I can't believe they just keep getting better and better with each adventure. I love them all and can't wait for Lucky's book, which is next, but Joe Cat has a very special place in my heart. When an author makes you care about, remember and want to re-read about a character, you know you've found one terrific author. Keep up the marvelous work, Suzanne. And thanks from the bottom of my heart. (Yes, the one last skips a few beats thinking about a certain Navy SEAL.)

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 *s - Can a sailor be turned into a prince in 3 days?, September 5, 2003

By 

baltimore0502 "Hon!" (BALTIMORE, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prince Joe (Tall, Dark & Dangerous, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

FRISCO'S KID was the first Brockmann book I had read and now I am hooked on the TDD series. The first three books in this series have recently been re-issued (with MUCH better covers than their original releases - what were they thinking with those hokey covers?). First was PRINCE JOE, second FOREVER BLUE and third FRISCO. Looking forward to the re-issues of EVERYDAY AVERAGE JONES in spring 2004 and HARVARD'S EDUCATION coming July 2004. I hope all of the books in the series are re-issued and soon or I may have to look for them used.

Navy SEAL Joe Catalanotto is enjoying his leave fishing with friends when a chopper approaches their rented boat, drops a ladder and over the loudspeaker a voice announces "Lieutenant Joseph P Catalanotto, your shore leave is over". And just like that Joe finds himself whisked off to Washington, DC with no idea of why or what his mission might be. He finds himself face to face with media consultant Veronica St John who breaks the bad news: because of his uncanny resemblance to Prince Tedric of Ustanzia, he is to impersonate the prince on his US tour. The prince has been the target of an assassination attempt and they need Joe to act as the Prince until the terrorists are caught. Joe balks at first since he hates Tedric - because of Tedric, one of Joe's guys (Frisco) was seriously wounded when they rescued him from Baghdad years before. But Joe ultimately agrees to the plan.

Veronica St John certainly has her work cut out for her! She has to turn this rough, Jersey-accented sailor into a suave European prince in three days! While Joe is confident and cocky that he can play this part, Veronica is not so sure. He's more interested in the strategy and security aspect of his mission than getting down Tedric's mannerisms, accent and background - much to Veronica's frustration. She thinks he's not taking her seriously, but boy is she wrong. Joe takes her very seriously and he's starting to become attracted to her. But uncharacteristically, he's unsure - she's a rich, classy, professional who spends time in the company of royalty. While he hates this feeling of inadequacy, he starts to wonder if maybe she's out of his league. But he's a SEAL, the best of the best for God's sake! And anyway, he thinks he sees interest in her eyes, so why not go for it?

Oh, she's interested all right, but she's also wary of getting involved with a Navy SEAL who risks his life everyday - and enjoys it! It would be very difficult to watch him leave on a mission not knowing if he will come back. But being together so much with this undercurrent of attraction is bound to lead to something - and so it does. And as the tour moves on with Joe impersonating the prince, making himself a target each day, her feelings intensify as well as her fears. She's not sure she can live like this, always worrying for him. For Joe, things couldn't be better. The job's a cakewalk and he's got a girl he's crazy about. But when the terrorists are caught and the job is over will their relationship remain?

Joe is a great character, just so cute and cocky and sweet and tough. But a couple of issues: the end seems a bit rushed with the resolution to their conflict a little too easy, and I've heard this before about this author, while Joe's character is pretty well developed Ronnie could have used a bit more depth and dimension. But I still love and recommend this book highly!