Tall, Dark, and Fearless by Suzanne Brockmann comprises two stories about Navy Seals who are part of the elite Alpha Ten squad.

The first part of this book: “Frisco’s Kid” centers on Lt. Alan “Frisco” Francisco who was injured in an operation five years ago and has been in intense physical therapy to recover from a knee injury that has left him disabled. Readers follow him as he mourns the loss of being an active duty Navy Seal who has been dedicated to saving and protecting others. The central conflict is whether Frisco can accept the fact that he can no longer serve in the field but still serve in other capacities.

Frisco is angry and bitter after he is released from the VA hospital and returns to his apartment to wallow in his despair. He is forced to walk with a cane and endures constant pain as he continually pushes himself to try to regain his former mobility. He withdraws from his world feeling that he is just an “empty shell” of the man he used to be. However the unexpected entrance of his neighbor Mia and his five-year-old niece, Natasha, who is forced upon him while his sister is in drug rehab. Mia initially wants nothing to do with Frisco because of his cynical attitude towards life in general. He feels frustrated that he is forced to ask for help and has to rely on others to assist in taking care of his niece. Frisco and Mia’s relationship starts out rocky but as they gradually get to know each other, Mia finds herself drawn to this man who carries so much emotional baggage:

“He was everything she didn’t need. His wounds so deep and so catastrophic. She could handle his physical limitation… It was his emotional baggage-the bitterness and anger he carried with him-that had the bulk and the weight to engulf her and drag her down too.” (pg 209)

The plot is further complicated by a villain who kidnaps Mia and Natasha forcing Frisco to call upon his former teammates for help. A powerful story that reinforces the concept that you are only helpless if you refuse to ask for help.

The second story in this book is called “Everyday, Average Jones” and focuses on Lt. Harlan “Cowboy” Jones who is part of a rescue mission that brings home three hostages who have been help captive by terrorists in a foreign country. Cowboy takes responsibility for assisting one of the hostages, Melody Evans in returning to the U.S. As they work together to escape, Melody grows to trust and depend upon Cowboy to keep her safe. The attraction between them intensifies, and once the rescue mission is complete, Cowboy and Melody spend six passion filled days together before Melody returns home, and Cowboy is sent on another mission. Melody enjoys their time together but considers this to be just a fling, and she has no plans to continue seeing Cowboy ever again. She tells her sister, Brittany, “What I felt for him wasn’t love. It was hero worship.”

Jump ahead seven months later and we find that Melody has become pregnant with Cowboy’s child. She plans to keep the child but does not tell Cowboy about the pregnancy. She’s up to being a single mother. However, over these past seven months Cowboy realizes he doesn’t want to let Melody go. When the team is sent to Virginia for a training assignment, Cowboy decides to look Melody up. Eventually Cowboy discovers that he is going to become a dad and the central conflict resolves around whether he and Melody should marry for the sake of the child. Melody believes that passion and lust are not enough to make a marriage work, while Cowboy believes that a child needs a father in his or her life. The story line isn’t original, but what makes the read enjoyable are the ways Cowboy tries to convince Melody to give him a chance. He takes a rather unconventional approach to try to woo Melody. ( )

Frisco's Kid: Terrific story from a favorite author of mine. Definitely can see where Ms. Brockmann honed her SEAL skills prior to her "Troubleshooters" series. The Hero's anger feels very real and plausible; the Heroine's acceptance of all, seemed a bit "Pollyanna." Nice introduction into this early series for me, which I obviously started reading out of order (which did not matter).
story rates: 4 stars.

Everyday, Average Jones: The first part of this story was entertaining and kept my interest, the second, not so much. This is not to say the storyline is in anyway boring, just a bit too much fantasy in it. I really like Cowboy, but couldn't get a consistent read on him - young and idealistic OR wise beyond his years ? The heroine was similarly hard to pin down. Basically, read this story, with entertainment in mind and that it is a PRE-cursor of what's to come, in the author's later series.
story rates: 3 stars. ( )

Always enjoy Brockman's military series. ( )

Two Books in one. this is a great idea. I was very pleased to have this to read. I truly enjoyed both for the light easy romances they were. ( )

I loved the suspence of these 2 stories. ( )