Force of Nature

September 24, 2007
Brockman's pair known as the Troubleshooters—former policeman Ric Alvarado and his sexy young assistant Annie Dugan—are brought to laudable life in the audio version of the 11th entry in her popular series. Lawlor and Ewbank (who are also both credited as the directors of this audiobook) catch the voices and attitudes of the Florida private eyes with admirable restraint and make the other male and female characters—who include a gay FBI agent in love with a closeted movie star and a notorious crime boss who happens to be a film buff—impressively distinctive. There's plenty of laughs from the character's witty banter and romance of all possible shapes, sizes and persuasions, which adds an extra layer to the story. Brockman's strong sense of character and her successful mix of romance into an action-packed suspense thriller make this a memorable listen. Simultaneous release with the Ballantine hardcover (Reviews, June 25).

June 25, 2007
Ex-cop Ric Alvarado, after receiving word that Florida mobster Gordon Burns may be working with international terrorists, manages to gain access to Burns's inner circle in prolific bestseller Brockmann's enjoyable 11th Troubleshooters thriller (after 2006's Into the Storm
). Alvarado's feat brings him to the attention of Jules Cassidy, a maverick FBI agent and counterterrorism expert derided by fellow agents for being gay. The message of tolerance and the personal issues—Cassidy's relationship with closeted Hollywood leading man Robin Chadwick; Alvarado's crush on his attractive assistant, Annie Dugan; Cassidy's determined struggle for acceptance and recognition—at times interfere with the terrorist plot in the mix of undercover police work and romance, but romantic suspense fans should be well satisfied.