"Compelling human drama and love dilemma"

Ms. Brockmann has carved a niche for herself in the romance genre with her focus on the patriotic Navy SEALs. Her latest romance thriller INTO THE NIGHT sees Ms. Brockmann's groundbreaking effort in tying romance with terrorism - a topic which has gained currency with the unraveling of Al Qaeda network.

Which is all very refreshing except Ms. Brockmann chooses to stay rooted to the romance aspect - and the suspense element comes in intermittently when Husaam, a terrorist with the Al Qaeda network, plans to assassinate President Byrant during his visit to a Californian naval base. He uses disillusioned Mary Lou, wife of Navy SEAL Sam Starrett, as an unwitting pawn in his plans.

This novel is thus essentially romance and its strength is based on the compelling human drama and three intertwined complex love stories. Joan DaCosta, public relations for the White House, falls for the much younger Lt. Jr Mike Muldoon against her judgement. Joan's grandfather Vince strives to match Charlotte's enshrined first husband who died a hero in love, and Sam Starrett's relationship with Mary Lou turns awry when the latter traps him into marriage with a pregnancy.

There is sizzle and vulgar humour and Ms. Brockmann's characterization comes out as sincere as her admiration for the SEAL. It is also commendable that she does not stereotype the Muslims with her portrayal of gentle Ihbraham as a close friend of Mary Lou. Of the three stories, her secondary WWII romance with Charlie and Vince comes out tenderly poignant and evocative as Vince thinks he is fighting a dead man for Charlie's heart. Joan and Mike's age gap proves an interesting dilemma but unable to stop their wondrous chemistry and hearty humor from getting the best of them.

Therefore, INTO THE NIGHT, unlike the adventures in OUT OF CONTROL, is a straight romance aimed to salute the courageous SEALs. It is consistently readable and riveting but her immense admiration sometimes erroneously creates a romanticized version of SEAL as alpha male. It is only up to her tragic character Sam Starrett with his choice of honor over love that jolts us back to the fact that - they are after all men and not saints.

Reviewed by Desmond CHan
Posted December 9, 2002

The fifth installment in Suzanne's series about Navy SEAL Team Sixteen'™s counterterrorists. INTO THE NIGHT (released November 26th), features Lt. jg Mike Muldoon as he acts as SEAL liaison to White House staffer Joan DaCosta, who is helping set up a presidential visit at the navy base in Coronado.