J.D. Robb discussion

Suzanne Brockmann returns to the action-packed world of her bestselling Troubleshooters series with a new novella featuring U.S. Navy SEAL Izzy Zanella, his extended family, and his kickass teammates in SEAL Team Sixteen.

The only easy day is yesterday. BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training is known for being the toughest, meanest, most physically punishing program in the entire U.S. Navy, and a new crop of tadpoles have arrived in Coronado eager to prove their worth—to make it through Hell Week, and become U.S. Navy SEALs.

Although Izzy prefers assignments out in the “real world,” he’s glad to be an instructor for the current BUD/S class, because it allows him to spend time at home with his wife, Eden, and her lively and lovable extended family.

Eden’s sixteen-year-old brother, Ben, is dealing with a new crush and a homophobic bully in his high school, but it soon appears that things are not as they seem.

Meanwhile, Eden’s other brother (and Izzy’s SEAL teammate and former frenemy) Danny Gillman and his wife Jenn have just had a baby who has colic and cries constantly.

As Ben deals with the type of too-serious high school drama that could involve a body count, and Danny and Jenn juggle a new baby, lack of sleep, and postpartum blues, Izzy is intrigued by “Boat Squad John,” a misfit team of young SEAL candidates all named John, including the intriguing young Seagull, his swim buddy Timebomb, and Seagull’s nemesis Hans.

Does Seagull have what it takes keep Boat Squad John still standing when the dust of BUD/S Hell Week settles or will they ring out?

Set in Coronado during BUD/S training Hell Week, in Ready to Roll Brockmann introduces the SEAL officer and instructor nicknamed Grunge—Lt. Peter Greene—as she delivers what she does best: a story celebrating the U.S. Navy SEALs—and the women (and sometimes men) who wholeheartedly love and support them.

Settings
Coronado Naval Base
San Diego, California

13 Chapters

Character List
(view spoiler)[
Irving (Izzy) Zanella: Navy SEAL, Team Sixteen. He's married to Eden.
Eden Gillman Zanella: Izzy's wife, Danny and Ben's sister. She runs the on-site daycare at Troubleshooters, Inc.
Ben Gillman: Eden and Danny's 16-year old brother. He splits his time between Izzy & Eden's home and Danny & Jenn's. He has red hair and is openly gay.
Dan (Danny) Gillman: Navy SEAL, Team Sixteen. Ben and Eden's older brother. He's married to Jenn and father of their newborn son, Colin.
Jennilyn (Jenn) LeMay Gillman: Danny's wife, chief of staff to Assemblywoman Bonavita. She just gave birth to son Colin.
Colin Gillman: Danny and Jenn's newborn son.
Sam Starrett: Former Navy SEAL with Team Sixteen, now an operative wit Troubleshooters. He's married to Alyssa and they have a 2-year old son, Ash. He has a 9-year old daughter, Haley, from his first marriage.
Haley Starrett: Sam and Mary Lou's 9-year old daughter who sometimes helps Eden at the day care.
Robyn (Robbie) Nilsson: Meg and Nil's 10-year old daughter who is Haley's friend. She also sometimes helps Eden at the day care.
Robin Chadwick Cassidy: Famous actor now married to Jules.
Tony Vlachic: Navy SEAL, Team Sixteen. Engaged to Adam.
Adam Wyndham: Actor, engaged to Tony.
Mark (Jenk) Jenkins: Navy SEAL, Team Sixteen. He's a corpsman (medic). Izzy's friend and he's married to Lindsey.
Jay Lopez: Navy SEAL, Team Sixteen. He's a hospital corpsman.
Ryan Spencer: Boy Ben is interested in at school.
Wade O'Keefe: Bully at Ben's school who's deep in the closet.
Cody O'Keefe: Wade's abusive brother.
Angel O'Keefe: Cody's wife, Wade's sister-in-law.
Peter (Grunge) Greene: Lieutenant and Navy SEAL, Phase I BUD/S instructor.
Big Mac MacInnough: Navy SEAL, Phase I BUD/S instructor.
John (Seagull) Livingston: SEAL candidate in Phase I BUD/S training. Leader of Boat Squad John.
Jon (Timebomb) Jackson: John Seagull's swim partner in Phase I BUD/S training, Boat Squad John.
John (Hans) Schlossman: SEAL candidate in Phase I BUD/S training, Boat Squad John.
John (Q Public) Pilkington: SEAL candidate in Phase IBUD/S training, Boat Squad John.
John (Doe) Capano: SEAL candidate in Phase I BUD/S training, Boat Squad John.
Julie Busch: Young woman who works with Wade.
(hide spoiler)]

Spoiler Info
(view spoiler)[
Tom and Kelly Paoletta have two boys, Charlie and Joe.
Dave and Sophia Malkoff have a 4-year old son, Jeremy.
Davis and Molly Jones have two daughters, Hope (4-years old) and Faith (2-years old). He works for TS in Florida.
Max and Gina Bhagat have two children, Emma (4-years old) and Michael (2-years old).
(hide spoiler)]

Discussion Question #1
Discussion Question #2
Discussion Question #3

I loved this one! It might be short, but it's so good! :)

look forward to reading this. of course overdrive doesn't have it so might take a couple of weeks to get it.

I've just ordered the paperback copy from my library. This one looks really good, packed with action and emotion.

Ladies, pay special attention as this novella roles directly into . time wise, and the boys of Boat Squad John have a role in the new book.

Thanks for the heads up!

I feel really lucky to have waited until this month to listen to as there is no time lag between them. The short stories filled the gap between the last full length novel and Some Kind of Hero.

For those of you who have finished this book...

Did you read the author's note? She answered every single question I've had about the delay in this series over the past few years!

I listened, didn't read this one. It didn't have that, at least I don't think it did. Both my libraries bought the audiobook.

Just tell me she isn't going to go so long before we get another book. I just finished Some Kind of Hero and I just want more.

She promised she was working on Lopez's book!

The delay in writing Hero was because she was struggling to write All or Nothing and she ran into writer's block, which is what I suspected. When she wrote the short story for the fundraiser, the idea came to her for the short story trilogy. That got her juices flowing and voíla! Hero was born.

Wonderful! I am really looking forward to Jay's story. Is she going to finish "All or Nothing"? My library still has it as a "recommend" option, but it has the blurb for Some Kind of Hero attached. Or, did "All or Nothing" become Some Kind of Hero and there is never going to be a another Reluctant Heroes Series book? Inquiring minds want to know.

All or Nothing has not gone away and she's working on it.

Here's a link to a fantastic interview with Suz that posted today. It answers all of your questions.

http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com...

Absolutely Awesome!!!! That interview gave so much insight into Suzanne Brockmann. I am over the moon at the prospect of a new Tall, Dark and Dangerous book. I also am glad that she is going to finish "All or Nothing". It must have been awful to have started writing a book and then it just dies on you. I really liked the Reluctant Heroes Series, they were a little on the naughty side, not so neat and clean as the Troubleshooters.

I "met" her online about five years ago and have had contact with her over that period of time. It was sort of obvious she was struggling and I cannot imagine how painful that must be. It's one of the reasons I never really complained. She's so talented and deep down I just felt like she'd get there.

Great interview! Thanks for sharing.

This is now a spoiler zone and now appropriate for open discussion.

Izzy participated in BUD/S training and is actually pretty astute in his insights. Did you learn anything more about him through this story? Did your opinion of him change any?

He is a lot deeper than I had first thought, lots smarter too. Peter is right to push him toward Officer Training, he would make a great one.

I agree, Anita. I knew he was clever as he's quick witted. But his insights were a surprise. He's endeared himself to me but know I've got more respect for his skills.

There was quite a bit of drama involving Ben, Ryan and Wade. Were you surprised to learn that Wade and Ryan were in a relationship? Was Adam right to intervene? Your thoughts about how this all played out?

Too much drama for high school and I mean all orientations. The situation with Wade's home life was horrid, no matter if he was gay or straight. That Ryan cared enough for him to try and derail the older brother took a lot of courage. Poor Ben, he got caught in the middle and ended up with the coolest head of all. They needed help and Adam was good for that.

Jonetta wrote: "Izzy participated in BUD/S training and is actually pretty astute in his insights. Did you learn anything more about him through this story? Did your opinion of him change any?"

I just love Izzy! And through some previous books and then this novella, my respect and admiration for him has grown. At first intro, he seemed superficial. As his character has developed, a deeper more caring, smart, and talented Izzy has emerged.

Jonetta wrote: "There was quite a bit of drama involving Ben, Ryan and Wade. Were you surprised to learn that Wade and Ryan were in a relationship? Was Adam right to intervene? Your thoughts about how this all pla..."

I wasn't surprised. I had felt like the bullying aspect was a mask for his sexual orientation. I actually enjoyed this storyline and the way SB wove it in.

Jonetta wrote: "There was quite a bit of drama involving Ben, Ryan and Wade. Were you surprised to learn that Wade and Ryan were in a relationship? Was Adam right to intervene? Your thoughts about how this all pla..."

I'd figured out Wade was gay but his relationship with Ryan caught me off guard.

The whole situation at Wade"s home was pretty awful but really seemed to be realistic. I hated that teens were having to figure this stuff out and try to resolve life and death issues. Wade was willing to risk his life for his sister-in-law!

Adam quickly got that Ben was committed to the end so rather than remove him, he needed to help. It was touching how extended family rose to the occasion, even sleep deprived Jenn.

I loved this aspect of the story as it dealt with domestic abuse honestly and graphically without being gratuitous. Angel's behavior was almost textbook real, vacillating between freedom and Wade, all out of fear. Those kids were so brave.

John (Seagull) Livingston was a phenomenon during BUD/S training. Why do you think Izzy saw what Grunge didn't see? Your thoughts about the choices John made during the training?

Seagull was a little guy and overlooked a lot. That was his façade and it worked on everyone except his swim buddy and Izzy. He had a strength of character that few men have and he used it to make his team work together and survive.

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "I just love Izzy! And through some previous books and then this novella, my respect and admiration for him has grown. At first intro, he seemed superficial. As his character has developed, a deeper more caring, smart, and talented Izzy has emerged."

I agree 100 percent, Sandra. I wasn't much of a fan when he was introduced, but I am now.

Jonetta wrote: "There was quite a bit of drama involving Ben, Ryan and Wade. Were you surprised to learn that Wade and Ryan were in a relationship? Was Adam right to intervene? Your thoughts about how this all pla..."

I was a bit surprised that Ryan and Wade were involved. I was assuming that Wade had a thing for Ben. This was my favorite story in the book. I couldn't wait to see if Ben and Ryan could figure out a way to get Wade and his sister-in-law out of danger.

Jonetta wrote: "John (Seagull) Livingston was a phenomenon during BUD/S training. Why do you think Izzy saw what Grunge didn't see? Your thoughts about the choices John made during the training?"

I'm not sure why Izzy noticed Seagull when Grunge didn't see it at first. I think Seagull was purposely keeping a low profile and letting them think he was a weak link that wasn't going anywhere. I really liked this character.