Force of Nature

Force of Nature
4.5 Stars

P.I. Ric Alvarado is hired to locate a missing person, but the case takes a dangerous turn when his client tries to gun down the son of a local crime boss. Soon Ric and his assistant, Annie Dugan, find themselves in the middle of an FBI investigation when agent Jules Cassidy asks for their help in infiltrating the notorious mobster's compound. The situation is further complicated by the appearance of Robin Chadwick, Hollywood's latest heartthrob and Jules's former flame, on the scene. Ric, Annie, Jules, and Robin join forces but quickly learn that they will be risking more than their lives in attempting to stop a malicious killer.

Although connected to the Troubleshooters series, this installment focuses on four show more side characters rather than on the main group of SEALs and operatives. Nevertheless, the suspense plot is intense and exciting, especially the riveting events at the end, and the dual romantic pairings, Ric and Annie, and Jules and Robin, are engaging and keep the pages turning.

Ric and Annie are relatively unknown characters. Ric made a short-lived appearance in Gone Too Far and Annie is new to the series. Regardless, their friends-to-lovers romance is adorable as they fight their attraction (and each other). While they have incredible chemistry, there are moments where their bickering is overdone although not quite as bad as Sam and Alyssa's.

There is finally some closure to Robin and Jules's complex entanglement. Brockmann's portrayal of Robin's struggle with his sexual identity and his drinking problem is realistic and adds an edge both to his character and to his relationship with Jules. Readers who have been rooting for these two amazing men will not be disappointed in how their connection unfolds.

On a final note, Brockmann constantly refers to the passage of time between Robin and Jules' first meeting and the present as "a few years". However, it has only been two years since they first met and the implication of a longer duration is incongruous and confusing. This is a minor issue but had the effect of drawing me out of the story.

Overall, an entertaining installment and I look forward to the next one. show less

4.5 "Action, 2 Couples, and Loads of Fun!" Stars for the Story and Narration!

I'm a little late to this series, having just started at the prior book (Book 9, Into the Storm), but I'm loving the action, suspense, and banter/heat between the couples that Ms. Brockmann matches up in the Troubleshooter Series. Fortunately, although you definitely get the sense that at least one of these couples has interacted in prior books in the series, Ms. Brockmann does a great job of summing up the background, so that I had no difficulty following the romantic (or suspense) arc of Force of Nature. To the extent that you are planning on listening to this whole series, however, I would recommend that you start at the beginning and listen to this series show more in order for maximum enjoyment.

One of the things that I loved the most about Force of Nature is that it was actually a first for me as one of the couples is an M/M romance. Thank you Ms. Brockmann for making my first time an enjoyable and interesting listening: ) I particularly was intrigued by the delicate handling of this subject matter with a particular focus on the difficulties presented by one half of the couple being reluctant to come out. This certainly gave me a glimpse into some of the unique challenges of same gendered couples that I had never been exposed to before, giving me a whole new sense of awareness.

Former detective turned private investigator Rick Alvarado is loosing the battle to keep his personal assistant in the office and as far away as possible from the dangerous fieldwork. When Annie's insistence on joining him in the detective work lands them both in the crosshairs of a dangerous mobster, Rick is left with no choice but to accept Annie's plea to get involved. But will he be able to both keep her safe and avoid falling for while they work this assignment?

Tied into the investigation of the mobster is FBI agent Jules Cassidy. Jules Cassidy has been attracted to actor, Robin Chadwick, an attraction which Robin shares. However Robin's profession as a hearthrob keeps him from publicly pursuing a HEA with Jules. In an interesting wrinkle Robin too goes undercover in the investigation that Jules, Rick and Annie are all involved in, making it impossible for both Robin and Jules to avoid their feelings any longer. But, will both couple be successful in both apprehend the bad guy and resolving their feeling for one another once and for all?

Adding further intensity to this action and heat filled adventure was the talented duo narration by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank. In the typical two narrator style where the chapters are divided among different characters' perspective, Mr. Lawlor generally narrates the ones from a male's perspective and Ms. Ewbank, the ones from a female perspective. This style works well for this book giving the listener natural transition points.

Mr. Lawlor is a natural for the upbeat, fast-paced scenes. He also manages to deliver the humurous lines with just the right punchline maximizing their effect. Melanie Ewbank, in turn, is a natural narrator for the gutsy females that tend to dominate Ms. Brockmann's Troubleshooters Series. The combination of these two talented narrators renders this a great title to sit back and enjoy in audio format.

All in all, I highly recommend both Force of Nature and the Troubleshooters Series to romantic suspense audiobook lovers.

Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review. show less

It's been a long time since I've stayed up till 4 am reading a book, but for some reason I just couldn't put this one down. I'd been in love with Jules and Robin since their appearance in Hot Target, and their culmination in this book was perfect.
Ric and Annie were completely adorable as well. Just enough sass and tension to keep it interesting, but with a sweet ending.

*sigh* It makes me sad to think I've only got 1 more book with Jules and Robin in it. Cant they just go on forever/

Wanted to skip ahead from Hot Target (Book 8) to read about Jules and Robin's story (Book 11) It did tend to overshadow Ric and Annie's, though I enjoyed them a lot too and I'm certain they'll turn up in future stories. The humour in this was again immensely satisfying! which is why this series has scored so highly with me. Another 15+ hours listen, yet I thought the stories of the two sets of leads wrapped up too quickly - a shame. Patrick Lawlor - what a master! reminds me of Dick Hill in his mastery of voices, and how he gets the tone just right.

So Suzanne Brockmann, once an automatic buy has become more hit and miss for me. This was an enjoyable book, mainly b/c we've loved Jules for a long time now and it's brave to see a homosexual rel being treated as straight forwardly as heterosexual one in a mainstream romance. So kudos there. Robin is a great name, really a proper unisex name, which kept the That being said, those boys can talk. There was a lot of exposition and then too much confusing action. It was all life and death moments leading to clarity. I was happy while I was there, but it's the sort of book that doesn't bear too close an analysis once you leave. Not a keeper but not a throw away either.

A very entertaining read. The action was non-stop and had me turning pages like crazy, wanting to know how the heroes and heroines were going to get themselves out of jam after jam. The dialog was quintessential Brockmann amazing, very realistic, and had me laughing out loud often.

The only reason this didn't earn a five star rating is that nothing about it was exceptional. The characters were very appealing - especially Jules and Robin - but nothing extraordinary. Definitely a keeper, but not my all time favorite Brockmann.

She continues to be an auto-buy, and I hope she keeps them coming.

When private detective Ric Alvarado and his assistant, Annie Dugan, rescue the son of crime lord Gordon Burns from an assassin, they are asked by the FBI to infiltrate Burns's operation and investigate rumors that he is planning to smuggle a terrorist into the United States. There's always plenty of action in a Brockmann novel and this is no exception. There are two love stories in this one…Ric and Annie and the continuation of the romance between FBI agent, Jules Cassidy, and actor, Robin Chadwick. This is #11 in Brockmann's Troubleshooter series and it moved a little slower than some, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. As always, it's fun to revisit characters from earlier Troubleshooter novels such as Sam and Alyssa and Max and show more Gina. Brockmann is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors, especially her Troubleshooter series featuring Navy Seal Team 16. show less