The Night Is Mine

December 5, 2011
Buchman’s romantic fiction formula consists of one part romance, one part action/suspense, and two parts military procedural. Capt. Emily Beale blends the unlikely combination of gourmet cook and ace Black Hawk helicopter pilot in one beautiful (natch), highly toned body. When the first lady receives threats, she decides Emily will make the perfect guard in the guise of a chef, so President Peter Matthews, who was Emily’s literal boy-next-door childhood crush, orders her reassignment from “an undisclosed location in southwest Asia” to the White House’s East Wing. Emily misses her high-energy, high-risk nighttime missions as well as her CO and lust object, Maj. Mark Henderson. Unbeknownst to her, Mark returns her feelings, so when he shows up stateside, sparks begin to fly. Predictable red herrings join a few unsurprising plot twists in this well-written but unexceptional offering.

August 1, 2016

Buchman's "Night Stalkers" series is high-octane military romance featuring the men and women of SOAR (160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment). When Delta troops or SEALs need to go in, or get out, SOAR gets them where they have to be and pulls their assets out of the fire--often while taking fire. These helicopter pilots are the best of the best, and no one gets accepted without years of medal-winning experience. When these men and women face the enemy together, day after day, the best fall for the best--and the army is smart enough to let them serve together. The women here are every bit the warriors that the men are. They all have the chance to rescue one another and find their happily ever after with someone who understands what they stand for and who they are. So far, there are 15 books and ebooks in this series. Buchman keeps the action going as well in two spin-offs. "Delta Force" features special ops heroes still in uniform, and "Firehawks" follows the careers of the "Night Stalkers" as they transition into civilian life as a wildfire-fighting outfit.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 15, 2012
No one can question helicopter pilot Captain Emily Beale's courage and valor, even when she's under heavy enemy fire. After a dangerous, daring rescue, she has the respect of every man in her company. And it's clear to everyone, especially Major Mark Henderson, that she has earned her place in the elite Night Stalkers, the Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), and that even though she's the only woman under his command, she deserves to stay. But their practically perfect forward deployment team becomes a thing of the past when Emily is put on special assignment at the White House. It seems someone is trying to kill the First Lady, and Emily's military skills as well as her ability as a chef make the perfect combination for an undercover bodyguard. Buchman's hard-to-put-down novel, with its nonstop action, surprise villain, and story of forbidden love, will be a real treat for fans of military romantic suspense. Readers who enjoy Suzanne Brockmann, Vicki Hinze, and Merline Lovelace, as well as those who like good romantic suspense, military or otherwise, will enjoy the first book in the Night Stalkers series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)