“We want to be in a situation under maximum pressure, maximum intensity and maximum danger. When it’s shared with others, it provides a bond which is stronger than any tie that can exist.

I’ve read many romantic suspense novels in my 18+ years of reading. Some stories written more than ten years ago can kick the ass off the books written today. When you read Risky Games by Olga Bicos, which is a smartly written romantic suspense novel, then we can talk. Moving on.

I’ve noticed a few people were raving about Stephanie Tyler’s “Hard to Hold.” I thought: let me give this one a try. Maybe I’ll find a new author. No such luck.

The action kicks off from page one when a hostage situation arises in the jungles of Africa. Navy SEAL officers Jake Hansen and Nick Devane’s mission hasn’t gone smoothly. Jake was shot at during a random skirmish and they’ve both been running for the past three days with whatever intel and equipment they were able to recover.

They’re only a mile away when they get the call that a American doctor, Isabelle Markham, has been spotted alive. She was kidnapped and left for dead by her bodyguard. Refugees are moving out of the jungle under rebel fire and Isabelle’s injuries makes this rescue a challenge. During some down time, the two share a connection, a moment. Isabelle asks Jake, “what’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?” and he reluctantly tells her his answer after she tells him hers. They share a kiss and then they are saved.

Two months later, Isabelle has been working at the clinic at the military base where Jake’s been stationed. Jake is surprised and a little annoyed to see her. Isabelle has always wanted to catch up with him and thank him for saving her life. But Jake doesn’t want to get involved with someone who’s drawn to him because he rescued them or some variation of that and of course, he does get emotionally involved in the secrets and lies that surrounds Isabelle’s family.

Jack also agrees to provide Isabelle protection. She’s the target of a deadly mercenary who is itching to strike back at her mother and uncle. She’s just the valuable chess piece for him to use in his game of revenge.

While this book wasn’t bad per se, it didn’t stand out either. Like I said, I’ve enjoyed my share of good romantic suspense novels so chalk this up as a “I’ve read better.” Also, the story is not well plotted and lacks substance. The mystery element in here wasn’t difficult and the secrets were easy to guess. The romance was a #romfail because I could have did without all this nonsensical, dizzying back and forth drama.

Jake had the usual emotional baggage: bad childhood (check), shady past (check), wild kid out of control (check) and he was also a speed demon (check) and arrogant (check plus). He is at times reasonable. He didn’t try to talk Isabelle out of going back to Africa (yes she wants to go back!). He had some good qualities along with some annoying ones.

And I am personally tired of the hero being described as being best at everything but it’s not a deal breaker. The heroine wasn’t too annoying but she is “special” and stood out. She’s a gifted reconstructive plastic surgeon. Her mother is a state Senator. Her uncle is an Admiral in the army. She volunteers her time with Doctors Without Borders where she feels needed and lastly, she was engaged to a pediatrician but it didn’t work out. Now she’s the target of a nut job.

Jake along with Nick and Chris are brothers and all are Navy SEALs. They are not blood brothers. Nick and Jake were adopted by Chris’s family but not in any legal sense. They just grew up together and have a bond. They all fit the familiar character types that I’ve seen before in my reading.

Nick is described as someone who has the need for speed (gee, haven’t we read this before?) and well, I guess every family has to have one, the crazy one and that would be Chris, with his two different colored eyes. There was some weird stuff with the father being psychic that I just didn’t even indulge in.

Just about everybody had a point of view in here with the added flashbacks for context. I liked the ending so there’s that and the villain was real enough and wasn’t paperboard thin which was also good. I couldn’t recall any too stupid to live moments which is another plus. I see a lot of readers enjoying this story but not me. I just prefer something more original and spectacular and a cut above. C. This story just lacked substance to me.

Into the Storm by Suzanne Brockmann is aptly titled. Brockmann made my reading experience something of a memorable event that included a lot of frowning and confusion. The plot for this book seems to be all over the damn place.  Here is a description of it:

In a remote, frozen corner of New Hampshire, a Navy SEAL team and the elite security experts of Troubleshooters, Incorporated are going head-to-head as fierce but friendly rivals in a raid-and-rescue training exercise. Despite the frigid winter temperatures, tension smolders between veteran SEAL Petty Officer Mark “Jenk” Jenkins and former cop turned Troubleshooter Lindsey Fontaine after an impulsive night goes awry. And then, suddenly, Tracy Shapiro, the Troubleshooters’ new receptionist, vanishes while playing the role of hostage during a mock rescue operation.
Teaming up with the FBI to launch a manhunt in the treacherous wilderness, Jenk and Lindsey must put aside their feelings as a record snowstorm approaches, dramatically reducing any hope of finding Tracy alive. The trail is colder than the biting New England climate until a lucky break leads to a horrifying discovery–a brutally murdered young woman wearing the jacket Tracy wore when she disappeared. Suddenly there is a chilling certainty that Tracy has fallen prey to a serial killer–one who knows the backwoods terrain and who doesn’t play by the rules of engagement.
In a race against time, a raging blizzard, and a cunning opponent, Jenk and Lindsey are put to the ultimate test. Rising everything, they must finally come together in a desperate attempt to save Tracy–and each other.

Brockmann’s stories are usually entertaining despite the flaws. However, I am a tiny bit curious at the validity of her plots. Is it just me or do  all her stories seem completely implausible and way out there? I find myself pondering stuff that I probably shouldn’t like: How strong is the research? Does she even do research? Are any of these characters based on real people? I hope not. Another point for my lack of enjoyment might lie in the fact that I had to admit that I found nothing interesting  in a romance developed during a training ops that goes absolutely nowhere. A fruitless exercise and subterfuge. Another reason for my lack of engagement may lie in the fact that I am finally tired of all the Troubleshooters, Inc and their very talented, elite staff members. There are so many of them and everyone’s…happy, content and a heroic. B-o-r-i-n-g.

Brockmann, while entertaining, her stories are full of: does that happen for real? No, I can’t always suspend disbelief. I had no clue that a civilian in a Third World country could email a Navy SEAL and in return, receive help from them, in the Middle East. I had no idea that you could outrun explosives or fool the insurgents while you make good, your daring escape. The hero, Jenk or is it Jenks? I saw his name spelled both ways in the first two or three chapters before I gave up. Editor issue or does he go by both names? Also, there are so many staff members in this Troubleshooters, Inc, that I know each and every one of them will have their own book one day. Maybe all of them will get a book before Sofia and Deck ever will? Sorry. I’m just bitter that a half-way interesting, decent romance that has more chemistry than all her previous leads has been relegated to the backseat. I somewhat anticipate and dread the telling of their story. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Remember Max and Gina’s story? Heehee. I didn’t read it.

Anyway, Into the Storm should be retitled, Into the Mess because it was a disaster area. The dialogue is still surfer dude, high school, silliness. Sophomoric in tone. It’s even worse in this book. I can’t stand Tracy, the office secretary that flirts with all the married and unmarried Navy SEALs. What’s even more amazing is that the author has us believe that Jenk’s had a crush on Tracy since high school. High school, people! Who has a crush that long? His slated love interest, Lindsey, is described as Asian and seems to like Jenk a lot but she comes off as being way too judgemental when we first meet her. I didn’t care for her, honestly. However, a brownie point for Brockmann’s diversity. Her lead, Jenk, comes off like a clueless twit, still in high school, not the Navy. This romance was doomed from the start, when they met. Story over.

Take away from this review what you will but note that I didn’t finish it, didn’t care to finish it and will probably steer clear of the next book in the series. My grade, DNF.