Status
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Description
Fiction. Romance. Suspense. HTML:Bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann knows exactly what makes hearts race and pulses pound: peril and passion. No one succeeds more brilliantly at blending these exhilarating elements in breathtaking novels of men and women forced to grapple with the deepest emotions and the highest risks. And thereâ??s no better proof than Hot Target. Like most men of action, Navy SEAL Chief Cosmo Richter never learned how to take a vacation. So when he finds himself facing a monthâ??s leave, he offers his services to Troubleshooters Incorporated. Founded by a former SEAL, the private-sector security firm is a major player in the ongoing war against terrorism, known for carrying out covert missions too volatile for official U.S. military action. But the first case Richter takes on is anything but under the radar. High-profile maverick movie producer Jane Mercedes Chadwick hasnâ??t quite completed her newest film, but sheâ??s already courting controversy. The World War II epic frankly portrays the homosexuality of a real-life heroâ??and the storm of advance media buzz surrounding it has drawn the fury of extremist groups. But despite a relentless campaign of angry E-mails, phone calls, and smear tactics, Chadwick wonâ??t be pressured into abandoning the project. Then the harassment turns to death threats. While the FBI appears on the scene, nervous Hollywood associates call in Troubleshooters, and now Chadwick has an army of round-the-clock bodyguards, whether she likes it or not. And she definitely doesnâ??t. But her stubbornness doesnâ?? t make FBI agent Jules Cassidyâ??s job any easier. The fiercely independent filmmaker presents yet another emotional obstacle that Cassidy doesnâ??t needâ??heâ??s already in the midst of a personal tug-of-war with his ex-lover, while fighting a growing attraction to Chadwickâ??s brother. Determined to succeedâ??and surviveâ??on her own terms, Chadwick will face off with enemies and allies alike. But she doesnâ??t count on the bond she forms with the quiet, capable Cosmo Richter. Yet even as their feelings bring them closer, the noose of deadly terror all around them draws tighter. And when all hell erupts, desire and desperate choices will collide on a killing… (more)
User reviews
Story Arc Alert: Sophia and Decker’s story arc continues, as does Max and
POINT OF VIEW CHARACTERS: Chief Cosmo Richter (U.S. Navy SEAL) – Jane Mercedes Chadwick (screenwriter/ producer of American Hero) – Robin Chadwick (Jane’s brother, an actor) Jules Cassidy (FBI Agent) Lawrence Decker (TS Inc. Team Leader) *Patty LeShane (Jane’s assistant) *Jack Shelton (elderly Hollywood set designer and WWII veteran, upon whose life—and secret relationship with Hal Lord—the movie American Herois based)
Movie producer J. Mercedes
In this book we get to know Cosmo better (I loved it) as well as Jules Cassidy. This is the first time that Robin gets in touch with Jules and it's an important book to read in order to understand the others. (I guess that I'm repeating myself but from now on, every book must be read in order in order to understand some parts of the plot.)
I love this one too, especially because this one is a close to heart to Suzanne and it's impossible not tear up while reading the dedication. Thanks Suzanne for your wonderful work and for your dedication to gay rights.
Cosmo, has always been one of my favorite Team 16 SEALs. He's mysterious, quiet, and has eyes like a husky dog. While on leave to take care of his injured mother, Cosmo takes a quick job with Troubleshooters to work as a bodyguard for J. Mercedes Chadwick. She's an ambitious movie producer who has extremist groups threatening to kill her for daring to focus on a gay World War II hero in her latest film. I was disappointed that Cosmo wasn't developed as well as I'd hoped. The other books in the series seem to make him out to be this strong, very independent, quiet navy SEAL member, who supposedly is some kind of legend for killing so many enemies during a botched foreign raid. As much as I wanted to love Cosmo's story it was just too contrived. Why did Cosmo have to belong to PFLAG, with an actual card in his wallet, for readers to believe that he was sympathetic to gay people? A tremendous build-up that ultimately falls a bit flat.
FBI agent Jules Cassidy has a talent for attracting unsuitable men. Hot Target is where he first meets Robin Chadwick, who plays a gay role in the movie, and starts to come to the realization that he could be gay himself. He is incredibly attracted to Jules. Jules has been hurt before and doesn’t want to be go through it again, knowing that he could easily fall for the hot actor in a flash.
Soon the more compelling triangle of Jules-Adam-Robin heats up the story. When Jules' former boyfriend, Adam, is cast as Robin's lover in the movie, things heat up. Brockmann portrays the triangle with such sensitivity and compassion, the reader is swept away with the romance of it all.
Troubleshooters novels are always fun, fast reads and this one was too, despite my disappointment with the Cosmo storyline.
4.5 Stars
On leave from SEAL Team 16, Cosmo Richter accepts a freelance job with Troubleshooters, Inc., which has been hired to provide protection for Hollywood producer, Jane Mercedes Chadwick. Jane has been receiving death threats due to her controversial new film focusing on the
It is a toss-up as to whether this or book #3 is my favorite in the series. Looking at the two books, it is clear that my preference is for strong, silent, and stoic heroes, and Cosmo certainly meets each and every criterion. Unlike Teri, who is likable at the outset, Jane takes some getting used to as she initially comes across as shallow and self-absorbed. It soon becomes clear that she has developed this persona for professional and personal reasons. One of the highlights of the book is that both Jane and Cosmo are able to see beyond each others' facade to their true selves.
The secondary storyline focusing on Jules and Robin is just as engaging and it will be interesting to see how Brockmann develops this relationship as
While the assassin plot takes a back-seat to some of the other drama in the book, it develops well and keeps the reader guessing. The climax and resolution are intense and exciting, and there is one truly heartbreaking scene the really brings the threat to the fore.
Overall, one of the best books in the series and I look forward to the next book, which focuses on another couple whose story has been long awaited - Max and Gina.