Prince Joe (original 1996; edition 2002)

Suzanne Brockmann's Prince Joe was a fun read. As my son can attest, it had me laughing out loud at several points. The Navy SEAL who is a dead ringer for the crown prince of a tiny foreign country bit seemed a bit eighties television-ish, but I was okay with that. I wasn't looking for War and Peace here. I wanted a fun, rather fluffy read, and that's what I got. My only real issue is with the level of miscommunication between the two main characters. I agree that some is realistic, even necessary. However, for a woman who makes a living as a media consultant in the arena of international politics, I really felt that Veronica St.John should have a better understanding of basic communication skills and knowledge of how to read others. I also thought it was breathtakingly selfish of her to admit to Joe that she loved him, all the while believing that she could never have a lasting relationship with him because she'd constantly worry about the dangers he faced in his job. If she truly loved him yet honestly believed that giving him up was her only recourse, she would have been better off not telling him at all. Why do that to the person you supposedly love? I love you, but you have to go away forever? Nope, doesn't do it for me. Of course it all worked out in the end--it is published by Harlequin, after all--but still, that aspect of the story just didn't sit well with me. In all, though, it was an entertaining way to spend a few hours. ( )

This was my first book by this author and I expected more from this book. After having heard so much about Suzanne Brockmann I wanted a book with more than a book with gaping plot holes and a exasperating romance. Joe and Veronica made me want to bang my head in the wall, the problems in their romance were so stupid and they were blowing it off to elephantine proportions. I wanted my characters to have more depth, the plot to have more thrill, the story to have less loose ends. I was disappointed and I do not see myself being a Suzanne Brockmann convert anytime soon. ( )

I really like action, military and series books. This book covers all three areas quite well. Good start to the TDD series. I started this series because the Troubleshooter series is so entertaining. It was interesting enough to purchase the rest of the series. JoeCat is a Navy Seal who has built his career through determination and will power. He was not born with a silver spoon. Veronica also has a great deal of determination and will power, but was born with a silver spoon. Government agencies have to work together, but of course do not communicate very well or actually listen to each other. Easy, fast read. ( )

Prince Joe is the first book in Suzanne Brockmann’s Tall, Dark and Dangerous series about Navy SEALs finding love, with a little bit of action thrown in to spice things up. I liked this one a lot, there was a great give and take between the two main characters. ( )

CO of SEALS Joe Cat impersonates a prince and meets Ronnie