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Brockmann's first novels were stand-alones. But as her career progressed, she noticed that romance mini-series, with their opportunities for character development and intersecting story lines, had become extremely popular. Seeking to increase her readership, she decided to write a mini-series of her own. She found her "hook" in a magazine article on Navy SEALs and, in 1996, she released Prince Joe, the first novel in her Tall, Dark and Dangerous series. The alpha males of Brockmann's fictional SEAL Team 10 proved to be the perfect romantic heroes, and the series was an immediate hit with readers. Four years later, she launched a second series of military/romantic thrillers centered on the friendships, romances, and working relationships among a team of Navy SEALS and members of an elite security agency called Troubleshooters, Inc. Starting with The Unsung Hero in 2000, the Troubleshooters books have catapulted the author to the top of the charts.
Brockmann is known in the industry as a risk-taker, having written stories around such sensitive topics as interracial romance and homosexuality, In 2004, she garnered attention for her eighth Troubleshooters novel, Hot Target, which involved one of her most popular recurring characters, openly gay FBI agent Jules Cassidy, in a romantic subplot. Brockman, who dedicated the book to her gay son Jason, was not sure how readers would respond. To her surprise, the reaction from gay and straight alike proved positive. She stated on her website: "I love the fact that the world I've created in my books -- a diverse American world filled with the same variety of people who live in my urban American neighborhood -- has been so enthusiastically embraced by readers."
Brockmann's distinctive literary blend has come in for its fair share of praise. Writing in the Chicago Tribune, veteran Booklist reviewer John Charles stated: "Brockmann strikes the perfect balance between white-knuckle suspense and richly emotional romance." And USA Today has called her "[t]he reigning queen of militaray suspense." As further proof of her mainstream appeal, she remains one of a handful of Romance novelists to have made the leap from mass market paperback to hardcover.
A serious history buff from her youth, Brockmann has read widely on WWII and has been known to incorporate stories from that era into the books of her Troubleshooters series.
Brockmann loves music. She attended Boston University as a film major with a minor in creative writing but dropped out to perform with a rock and roll band. She also sang with and served as music director for a Boston-based a cappella group called "Serious Fun" and produced its first and only CD in 1998.
Brockman is married to novelist Ed Gaffney.
The mother of an openly gay son , Brockmann is a proud member of PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays).
In her writing, Brockmann employs a device she calls Deep Point of View. She explains it in an interview with the online writers' journal Writers Write: "In my books, I use subjective point of view, but I'm not satisfied with merely showing the reader what that camera sees from its perch atop a character's head. I bring the camera down, inside of that character's head, so we see the world through that character's eyes. We hear things through his ears. We smell what he smells, feel what he feels, think what he think. With deep POV, I write using words that that character would use. I tell the story with that character's voice."
The hostage incident inside the Kazbekistan Embassy started with an extremist group kidnapping widow Meg Moore¿s seventy-five years old grandma Eve and her ten-year-old daughter Amy outside the Smithsonian. The terrorists demand Meg, who has access to the embassy, kill a rival leader, Osman Razein of the Islamic Guard of Kazbekistan if she wants to see her beloved family members alive.
Knowing the seriousness of the terrorist threat, Meg captures her target and several other hostages before holing up in a bathroom. Her only demand is that Navy SEAL John Nilsson negotiates with her. Meg knows John from an incident he successfully performed when she worked in the American embassy in Kazbekistan. John is stunned when he learns about the situation inside the DC embassy because Meg is the woman he loves and he will assist her in any way possible.
THE DEFIANT HERO is a fast-paced action adventure novel with a touch of romance that works because the reader will realize the dilemma facing the heroine feels real. The characters make her Hobson Choice feel genuine as everyone plays their part to near perfection, which in turn provides the audience with a powerful story line. Suzanne Brockmann will garner new suspense thriller fans even as her current audience will remain faithful with this action-packed drama.
Harriet Klausner
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.nana1947
Posted October 19, 2011
Again, this is a great series and will reread this often.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This one definitely wasn't of the same caliber of the first in the Troubleshooters series, The Unsung Hero. For this one, I definitely was looking forward to hearing the stories of the secondary characters--Eve and Ralph from World War II era and Sam and Alyssa from present day--more than those of the main characters, Meg and John. Actually, come to think of it, Alyssa was really annoying me as well, with her larger-than-the-average-boulder-sized chips on her shoulder regarding her gender and race. I'm not saying there isn't some truth to what she experienced, but she took it way to far. For someone who wants to be judged on her own merits, she sure is awfully judgemental about Sam/Roger/Houston (at this point, I don't even remember what his real name is. Hopefully I'll have it figured out by his book, which I think is number six). She definitely has a lot of growing to do before she gets my vote as a sympathetic character; at this point I'm thinking Sam can definitely do better. Which leaves me with Eve and Ralph. I loved their story! Definitely a highlight of the book, especially since it wasn't obvious from the start what was going to happen there. It almost made up for the rest of the book. Almost. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of this series, but this one will never be counted among one of my favorites.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is the second book in Brockmann's Troubleshooter Series. I don't recommend reading them out of order but if you do, PLEASE don't start with this one. It's not the best. ---
In Defiant Hero we are introduced to more of the circle that become The Troubleshooters. The main characters are Niels and Meg, but honestly their storyline isn't the best in this book. The other two couples in this story are far more interesting. (FYI: Brockmann usually tells her stories from the perspective of three different couples.) ---
The second couple is Meg's grandmother and her beau during WWII. (FYI: The first few books in the series have a WWII story line told from a character's perspective.) ---
The third couple is Sam and Alyssa. They were in Unsung Hero, but we get a better introduction to them - and all of their dysfunction - in this book. (That's HUGE plus for me because I <3 this couple.) ---
A good book. I recommend it because it's part of the series and the series is worth the read.
LuvMyNookNYC
Posted April 9, 2010
What I love about this series is that is a combo romance (the sex scenes will get you as hot and bothered as the characters) and thriller (terrorists, kidnapping, etc) with touches of historical reference (WWII).
Another surprising aspect to this series is that the protagonists are military men.... and the author reminds you that their tough exteriors are filled with soft, emotional tendencies.
It combines all my favorite escapist tendencies when reading. I am up to book 4 in the series!
Anonymous
Posted August 22, 2009
I rate all my books by content and romantic pull (some call it smutt) whatever you call it. I rate them in my catalog 1 being the lowest 5 being the best. This is definitely 5 content and 4 romantic pull. I thought there was plenty of chemistry. And just to get the story straight, she was not having an affair. Read it again.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Carra69
Posted April 20, 2009
Any and all the books in this series are a must read. They keep you on the edge of your seat.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I love most Suzanne Brockmann novels, but this one was just ok. The main storyline between Meg and Nils was frustrating at best. I tried to sympathize with Meg, but she was just too stubborn to be believable. However, the character of Nils was sweet, endearing, funny and sexy.
It was the sub-plot of Sam and Alyssa that really held my interest. Since I didn't start this series at the beginning, I was already familiar with them as a couple, but it was good to see how it all began for them. Even the memory recall by Grandma Eve of her romance back in the 1940's was more enjoyable for me than listening to Meg whine and continually resist the assistance that Nils was offering.
If you are a "Troubleshooters" fan, I don't think you should miss this story. But if this is your first attempt at this series, I'd say pick some of the other books to start with and then come back to this one. The wonderful thing about this series is that you don't have to start with the first book to understand what is going on and to become thoroughly hooked. It really is one of my favorite series!
Anonymous
Posted November 6, 2007
I was so looking forward to this book but i was disappointed. the hero and heroine did not have any chemistry. And the whole romance with the married woman and younger man was not that romanctic. I didn't like how her husband gave her permission to cheat and she was going to do it. I didn't see where she was actually inlove with the hero.I like ms.Brockman's writing but i find that the supporting characters take away from the main hero and heroine. She make you more interested in the other characters than the main ones. Like sam and Assyla, A havent read their story yet but i hope it's good.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 28, 2006
I've never read a Suzanne Brockmann book before, but you can bet I will be getting more of her books! I couldn't put this book down. Lately I've been lucky to read a book a week, but I read this book in two days. I loved how Ms. Brockmann made Nils (the male lead) a decent guy with feelings and depth. So often military men are portrayed as cavemen beating their chests. But in this book the author took the time to make him human and the effect was sensational. I especially liked the way he allowed Meg to come to certain realizations on her own instead of using brute force. I also loved the fact that there were really three stories going on at once. It was AMAZING. Eve's story was touching and fit perfectly into the context of the book despite the fact that it had happened sixty years ago. And I liked how the author launched Alyssa and Sam's story within the context of Nils and Meg's story as well. I feel all the characters were as developed as they needed to be to serve their purpose within the story and I was particularly appreciative of the fact that the story was never allowed to drag. Don't miss this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 3, 2004
I absolutely LOVED this book. The story between Nils and Meg was fantastic. For those reviewers who claimed it was unbelievable that Nils couldn't get the handgun away from Meg, one of the major points of the story was that he could have taken control at any time, but he wanted her to give it up VOLUNTARILY. Meg makes this realization herself in the book. For those of you who haven't read it, don't miss this book!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 15, 2004
I loved this book. I thought Brockman did a another great job with this book. I love they way she included the love story of Meg's great grandmother and also Sam and Alyass's rocky start. I love all the novels she has written about Team Sixteen and can't wait to read more. Great Job Suzanne. Can't wait to read more!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 20, 2003
This is the first book by Suzanne Brockman that I have read and I loved it. I fell in love with Nils and his devotion to Meg. I can't wait to read all the other books by Suzanne.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 3, 2003
This is my favorite of the 5 books I've read about Navy Seals by Suzanne Brockman. While I agree that the plot was a bit far-fetched (a big Navy Seal can't get a gun away from an itty bitty woman??), the character of John Nilsson facsinated me, and I'm not even sure why. Maybe it's his deep love for Meg, his gentle demeanor or his undying trust in that Meg will do the right thing
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 31, 2003
I've read all of the Team 16 books and can't wait for the next one! But, this is my least favorite. I just could not get into Meg + Nils. Nils is a SEAL and he can't get a gun away from Meg after spending 3 days in a car with her - come on! The flash back WWII was my favorite of the 'sub plots' that she's done, though.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 6, 2003
I read Unsung Hero and I just loved it, couldn't put it down so I immediately got another Suzanne Brockman book, Defiant Hero. I was very disappointed. The story was totally unbelievable, the characters not well developed, and I had to force myself to finish it. A mother kidnaps a big ferocious male terrorist single handedly, drugs him and carries him around, is exhausted with no sleep and we are supposed to believe that a well trained elite Navy Seal can't knock a small gun out of her hand while sitting practically on top of her. Please. I do not recommend this book.
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Posted November 11, 2002
I couldn't put it down. If you've ever fantasized about Navy Seals, like I have, this is the book for you. But, Suzanne, you've GOT to change Sam Starrett's situation.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 28, 2001
I spent six years of my life as a United States Navy SEAL. Suzanne Brockmann has captured on paper, the type of men, I worked with everyday of those six years. Not only does she get it right but she does with a great story. Enjoy the read.
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Posted July 22, 2001
The Defiant Hero was a great read. Several subplots and relationships add to the main and interesting action-adventure , love story. If you love love stories with suspense this is a book for you. Did I mention Navy SEALS!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 14, 2001
Everyone else I've talked to about THE DEFIANT HERO has really quite liked it-so I was rather surprised when I didn't. It certainly had the potential as the hero, Nils, was a wonderful character, but I found that the multiple story lines were distracting and took away from the emotional connection the reader is suppose to feel towards the main characters. Overall, it wasn't a bad read, just not as good as I had been led to believe.
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Overview
In The Unsung Hero, award-winning author Suzanne Brockmann dazzled readers with her remarkable cast of tough and tender U.S. Navy SEALs. Now her daring men in uniform return for THE DEFIANT HERO—a thrilling novel of steadfast courage, intimate passions, and the profound risks that are taken in the name of love. . . ."The United States refuses to negotiate with terrorists." Meg Moore remembered the warning from her job as a translator in a European embassy. Those same words will spell out a death sentence for her daughter and grandmother who have been kidnapped by a lethal group ...