Let me preface this by saying, in general I like Brockmann - in fact a number of her books are 5 star reads for me. IN FACT every one of the Tall Dark and Dangerous series before this one I rated 5 stars.

And also I want to say, I read a lot of threads here and other forums about "pet peeves'" and frankly, in almost every case, I personally find a good author can make me believe any scenario and in general I don't have pet peeves - ok, I do have one. I can go with the flow on Secret Babies, The Big Mis, even some TSTL scenarios work for me.

Here is the one TSTL scenario that gets me riled up every time: the hero is a SEAL, or a cop/detective/sheriff, or a trained warrior, or even just built/buff/tall. The heroine has NO special training or intelligence in survival or rescue, no body building, no special workout. And yet, when there's a life or death situation, she tries to save the buff hero. Oh my gawd save me from stupid people.

THERE ARE SPOILERS IN MY POST:

So I'm reading along, enjoying the story. Oh No Mr. Bill - the bad guy is around the corner and he's got a gun!!! What does TSTL heroine do when SEAL hero says to get outta there? SHE STORMS THE VILLAIN WHO IS HOLDING THE UZI. And does she have any training in weapons, firearms, survival, rescue? No. She's a cowgirl and she can ride a horse.

Bang! Sigh. Bangbangbang. The first bang is the book on the wall. The last 3 are my head on the desk. But does that end it? NO. I pick the book up, and the villain makes them get in the truck and they drive far far away. All 3 get out, and while SEAL and villain fight, hero yells: Hey Heroine, get in the truck and get outta here! (note: they already called the sheriff, so if she would just LISTEN to the SEAL she could get him and direct Sheriff with gun to them) What does the TSTL heroine do? SHE GOES INTO THE WATER TO HELP THE SEAL.

Yes, you read that right. He's a SEAL and she thinks she can save him while he's fighting a UZI-toting villain IN THE WATER. This is the same heroine who, earlier in the book, was not able to save a small child clinging to a branch in the water.

Thank you for letting me vent. Ya know, when the author shows me the heroine is acting according to her training - say, she's Eve Dallas - then saving the hero makes sense. In fact, I believe other heroines in the TDD series were able to take care of themselves - like special agent Zoe Lange in the previous book!! When an untrained heroine is trying to save a SEAL by rushing a UZI toting villain, well, I just wish the guy had shot her and the next words were THE END. No, no, I know, the heroine never dies in romance, and really, I just want her slapped. Hard. But not really killed, it's just I'm so irritated!!!

Sigh, again I appreciate your patience while I rage at a fictional character. What a waste - I think I'll go shopping now.

I haven't read the book but  you did make me laugh.

I've read it and that's pretty much how stupid and useless the woman is unfortunately. Personally I've always thought it more sensible to hide under the bed or haul a$$ outta there while mr wonderful takes care of it all...hell from what I rmember about the story she could barely drive his a$$ to the hospital without screwing up.

eta: come to think of it she can't even get him to the hospital..

Yeah, that was one book I was glad to send on its way!! Brockmann's heroines definitely got better in the Troubleshooter books.

That reminds me of an old Louie Anderson stand up routine.  He said he wanted a ray gun for stupid drivers - not to kill them or anything, but they would just disappear off the road & end up sitting in a field somewhere for stupid people, and they'd slap their foreheads and say "Wow, I must have been driving like an idiot again."

TSTL - Too Stupid To Live :  )