www.SuzanneBrockmann.com
New York Times Bestselling Author
HOT TARGET
Troubleshooters Series, Book # 8
Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0345467930
Hardcover release date: Dec. 28th, 2004
Paperback release date: Nov. 29th, 2005
About 400 Pages
New York Times Hardcover Fiction Bestseller
New York Times bestselling author Suzanne
Brockmann knows exactly what makes
hearts race and pulses pound: peril and
passion. No one succeeds more brilliantly at
blending these exhilarating elements in
breathtaking novels of men and women
forced to grapple with the deepest emotions
and the highest risks. And there's no better
proof than her new novel of suspense: Hot
Target aims to thrill on every level...
Like most men of action, Navy SEAL Chief
Cosmo Richter never learned how to take a
vacation. So when he finds himself facing a
month's leave with little to do, he offers his
services to Troubleshooters Incorporated.
Founded by a former SEAL, the private-sector
security firm is a major player in the ongoing
war against terrorism, known for carrying out
covert missions too volatile for official U.S.
military action. But the first case Richter takes
on is anything but under the radar.
High-profile maverick movie producer Jane
Mercedes Chadwick hasn't quite completed her
newest film, but she's already courting
controversy. The World War II epic frankly
portrays the homosexuality of a real-life hero --
and the storm of advance media buzz
surrounding it has drawn the fury of extremist
groups, including the neo-nazi Freedom
Network. But despite a relentless campaign of
angry e-mails, phone calls, and smear tactics,
Chadwick won't be pressured into abandoning
the project. Then the harassment turns to death
threats. The FBI gets involved, her nervous
Hollywood associates call in Troubleshooters,
and now Jan has an army of round-the-clock
bodyguards, whether she likes it or not. And
she definitely doesn't.
Jane's stubbornness is yet another emotional
obstacle that FBI agent Jules Cassidy doesn't
need -- he's already in the midst of a personal
tug-of-war with his ex-lover, while fighting a
growing attraction to Jane's brother.
Determined to succeed -- and survive -- on her
own terms, Jane doesn't expect the bond she
forms with the quiet, capable Cosmo Richter.
Yet even as their feelings draw them closer, the
noose of deadly terror all around them draws
tighter. And when all hell erupts desire and
desperate choices will collide on a killing
ground that may trap them both in the crossfire.
read by Patrick G. Lawlor and
Melanie Eubank
From Romantic Times Magazine:
Four and 1/2 stars and a Top Pick! "When his mother is injured in an accident, Navy SEAL Chief
Cosmo Richter takes leave to be with her. But since she tends to drive him nuts, Cosmo also agrees to
take a side job with Tom Paoletti's Troubleshooters, Inc.
Working on a biopic about a gay World War II hero, Hollywood writer and producer Jane Mercedes
Chadwick is harassed by an extremist neo-Nazi group called the Freedom Network. When the
harassment turns to death threats, the studio hires Troubleshooters.
The violent emails Jane receives match those sent to a recently murdered assistant district attorney. At
first, taciturn Cosmo and extroverted Jane butt heads, but they soon realize that each uses a facade to
protect their true selves.
The importance of both freedom and tolerance are the underlying messages in Brockmann's latest intense
thriller. Popular gay character Jules gets his chance at a possible new love interest while also being forced
to confront heartache from the past. Hot Target is an emotional banquet served with lots of taut
adventure." -- Jill M. Smith
"I must confess I was a little -hesitant- about a gay love story (I dunno why - I read Mercedes
Lackey, after all!) -- but you did a perfect job of moving our hearts ... and our beloved
characters'... to where they needed to be. You've given us a wonderful bunch of people -- heroes,
heroines, and villains -- who deserve to be widely-known and enjoyed by millions of readers." --
Merry Cutler, Bookseller
"Several characters from previous books in Brockmann's Troubleshooters, Inc. series have roles to play
in her latest riveting tale of danger and desire, including FBI agent Jules Cassidy, whose old romance with
actor Adam Wyndham and whose present somewhat confusing relationship with Jane's younger brother
provide even more romantic complications for the plot. Brockmann's latest is funny, sexy, suspenseful,
and superb." -- John Charles, Booklist
"A good old-fashioned page turner." -- Joe Milano, OutSmart Magazine
"Suspense propels this novel into constant motion, finding the reader immersed from page one.
Fans and newcomers alike can eagerly anticipate Max and Gina's story, the next installment in
this series that sizzles with romance even as it pays homage to our nation's heroes." -- Sheri
Melnick Read the whole review at: http://thebestreviews.com/review26071
"HOT TARGET is a well-written, emotional yet funny, compelling, and highly entertaining novel. In short,
typical Brockmann. But it's not typical, because much of the story also involves a secondary but equally
important story about FBI agent Jules Cassidy, who is gay, and his attraction to Jane's brother Robin.
This relationship is explored as fully as the relationship between Cosmo and Jane, and it is equally
interesting, riveting and fascinating.
In fact, that is one of the reasons that I particularly liked HOT TARGET, and am happy to nominate it for
a Perfect 10. It delves into issues that some romance authors may find too risky, but it does so with class
and without the typical stereotypes, and I became as emotionally involved in what was happening to Jules
as I was in Cosmo and Jane's story. Which, by the way, I totally loved. Cosmo was always the strong,
silent type in the previous SEAL novels, and I was just dying to have Ms. Brockmann devote an entire
novel to him. I couldn't imagine his type of woman, but I knew there were untapped depths to him. Little
did I know Jane was waiting in the wings; she's brash, funny, caring, and just perfect for Cosmo. You'll
excuse me if I speak of these characters as if I know them, but I do know them.
HOT TARGET is a great story, with all the romance and laughs I so appreciate in Suzanne Brockmann's
books. I expected nothing less. I highly recommend HOT TARGET and hope you find it as entertaining
as I did." -- Astrid Kinn, Romance Reviews Today
"This book is the latest installment in the eagerly awaited stories about Troubleshooter’s
Incorporated and Seal Team Sixteen. While many of the characters in this book were first
introduced in previous books, HOT TARGET is a stand alone novel...
Brockmann’s story development, her revelation of interesting tidbits of information about her
characters, and her plot twists are always fun to read. This book offers up details about Cosmo
that are fascinating, given that he has generally been a silent character in previous books. Cosmo
develops into a multi-faceted person in this book...
Suzanne Brockmann is very open in her dedication, in her website, and in the book itself, about her
wish to write a novel portraying homosexual relationships. I think she took a major risk with her
open portrayal of gay characters in HOT TARGET and I think she succeeded in pitching her
message “just right”, i.e., not too political, not too graphic, and realistically believable. She
beautifully captures the gamut of individuals very comfortable with their homosexuality to
individuals struggling with acknowledging this self-truth...
It is a mark of Brockmann’s popularity that she can write and publish this type of mainstream
romance novel with such a realistic message about homosexuality. Her message? Gay people are
not that much different from anyone else." --Reviewed by: Jeri Neal, Rating: 4 plugs, The
Romance Reader's Connection
When does truth tarnish an American hero? Suzanne Brockmann's sizzling new suspense novel, Hot
Target, focuses on two of today's most incendiary topics—gays and the extremists who love to hate
them. Movie producer Jane Chadwick's plan to film the biography of World War II hero Hal Lord means
outing him, and that's more than the rabid members of the Freedom Network will tolerate. Death threats
spook Heartbeat Studios enough to bring in a team of bodyguards, including Navy SEAL Cosmo
Richter, and FBI agent Jules Cassidy. Jane singles Cosmo out to foster her own façade as a Hollywood
hottie, but soon finds he's more than arm candy. Jane's brother, Robin, is the womanizing actor chosen to
play Hal, a career-making role. His "research" forces him to confront the self-denials driving his dissolute
lifestyle. This fast-paced, sensuous and provocative novel proves that all relationships contain virtually the
same nuances, angst and joys. Brockmann takes aim at stereotypes, fears and ignorance with the heart of
a warrior-writer and ably proves the pen is indeed mightier. Brava, Brockmann. -- BookPage Reviews