Harvard's Education by Suzanne Brockmann

So I'm reading these out of order... So what! I'm brave I can do this. Ugh! This one was from the library so I had to read it sooner than later and I just couldn't wait for book four in the Tall, Dark and Dangerous series Everyday Average Jones to arrive from my swap. Since the other two books I had read (Prince Joe & Frisco's Kid) from this series were good standalones, I started this book with hopes that the trend continued. It was close enough. There was a blurb about Cowboy (the hero in book four) but not enough to actually spoil the book for me when I get around to reading it.

This one is about the only African American in the Alpha Ten Squad, Senior Chief Daryl "Harvard" Becker. He is part of an initiative to create a FinCom/Seals counter terrorist team in which PJ Richards will take part.

PJ has had to deal with men getting in her way all her life and when she lands a spot among the four FinCom agents to take part of this operative she is ready to deal with everyone questioning her ability to be part of the team. The other three finks (as the Seals call the agents) are all prissy little men but PJ has had to prove her merit too many times to be substandard.

Harvard has to deal with his adverse feelings of having a woman on the team as well as his growing attraction to PJ. But when PJ proves to be able to hold her own against the men and pulls out in front of the leader of the finks, she earns the grudging respect of the Seals. This doesn't make it any easier for Harvard to put aside his protective feelings for her as they go into a combat situation.

I had just one real problem with this one and it was with PJ herself. The chip she carried on her shoulder was so large it made it difficult to relate to her in a more human manner. She always expected to be under minded and she always expected a twist in the men's respect. This just became old and tiresome. Harvard was a complete gentlemen at all times (yes, even when the time came to consummate their relationship) and he never denied his issues with having her on the field, yet when push came to shove, he was able to put those feelings on the back burner in the best interest of the team.

As always Brockmann does not disappoint. This series is well worth picking up. Now I just have to wait for Cowboy's story before moving on to Taylor's.

Grade: B