Over the Edge

When Lieutenant Teri Howe, one of the best helicopter pilots in the Naval Reserves, joins an elite SEAL team to take down terrorists who have hijacked a commercial airliner, the reader might expect a macho plot heralded by a strong, competent, and staunchly feminist protagonist. Not so. Brockmann, whose novels have been named the #1 favorite by the Romance Writers of America, offers more romance than adventure. Laura Hicks becomes the complex character of Howe, a consummate professional who is unable to establish appropriate personal boundaries with men. Hicks's inflection and cadence create credibility for the resolution of Howe's character. K.A.T. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

August 13, 2001
The elite SEAL Team 16 Troubleshooters squad is called upon once again to take down a group of terrorists who have hijacked a commercial airplane in this densely plotted romantic thriller. Amid the exhaustive drills and daily dramas of the mission, Brockmann (The Defiant Hero, etc.) weaves three romantic threads: a wistful WWII romance recalled by a Holocaust survivor; a turbulent relationship between SEAL Sam Starrett and FBI sharpshooter Alyssa Locke; and a burgeoning romance between the team's Senior Chief Stanley Wolchonok and helicopter pilot Teri Howe. When Teri asks Stan to help her keep a harassing officer at bay, his instincts are to comfort her and crush the officer. Instead, Stan arranges for her to accompany his team on a cushy training op that quickly turns into a real-life rescue mission. Teri doesn't mind being in the middle of the action, and she's eager to spend time with the fierce but compassionate senior chief. Meanwhile, Sam struggles to earn Alyssa's trust; the FBI's negotiator tries to keep his dealings with an American hostage from growing too personal; and the SEALs prepare to take out the terrorists. Taut suspense, sharp dialogue and splashes of humor help maintain the novel's swift pacing, and Brockmann's complex characters will capture the reader's sympathy. (Sept. 1)Forecast:Brockmann's last SEAL Team 16 installment left readers dangling, and her fans are no doubt eager to get their hands on her newest novel. Brisk early sales will give way to steady sales as word of Brockmann's sterling prose and expert plotting spreads.