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High Risk #4
Breakpoint
Air Force Combat Controller Dallas O'Halloran is as tough as he is loyal. So he's not pleased when he's recruited into a new anti-terror unit and teamed up with Academy graduate Julianne Decatur-the icy blond JAG officer who nearly court-martialed his friends.
Assigned to investigate a Navy flyer's apparent suicide, they discover the trail of a ruthless killer-and an attraction between them that can't be denied. And when their prey turns the tables on them, Julianne will have to depend on the one man daring and reckless enough to keep them both alive...
Assigned to investigate a Navy flyer's apparent suicide, they discover the trail of a ruthless killer-and an attraction between them that can't be denied. And when their prey turns the tables on them, Julianne will have to depend on the one man daring and reckless enough to keep them both alive...
382 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 7, 2009
30 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
JoAnn Ross
240 books799 followersNew York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross has written over a hundred novels for a bunch of publishers. Two of her titles have been excerpted in Cosmo and her books have also been published by the Doubleday, Rhapsody, Literary Guild, and Mystery Guild book clubs.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 23, 2009
Rating: 4.5 / 5
I almost gave up on this series after reading the first book and finding it rather blah. But I decided to try the next book, which was better and had me wanting to keep going with the series. I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed this fourth book of the series. It engaged me on all levels.
NOTE: the High Risk series is about a group of SpecOps military men who have to move on with their lives after a mission goes bad and they are almost court-martialed. This fourth book could possibly be read on it's own without much confusion, but I'd recommend reading the books in order because the full backstory is pretty glossed over in this one.
In Breakpoint Air Force combat controller Dallas O'Halloran is one of the few who stayed in the military after the horrible events of the Afghanistan mission. He suspects his much-valued skill-set kept him from being court-martialed, but not from being interrogated for 3 days by rigid Navy JAG lawyer Julianne Decatur. Dallas made it through and went back to work. Then a freak incident outs his cover and ends his military career. He goes to work for the Phoenix team like his SEAL buddies Zach (Freefall) and Quinn (Crossfire) and former SOAR pilot Shane (Shattered). He's also tagged to be part of THOR, a division of Homeland Security that reports only to the President.
Also now working for THOR is Julianne - who ended up leaving the military after being obligated to pursue a court-martial against Dallas's friends. The two have a run in at a party one night and thought both try to deny it, the attraction the felt during that 3-day interrogation is still there. Then they are assigned a THOR mission together. Dallas is intrigued by the notion of working with her; Julianne is horrified. But they will work together to figure out whether a female pilot's death was really suicide...or something more. It's not long before it becomes obvious that there is something between the two of them...or that there is something much more devious going on than a pilot's suicide. The two have to curb their attraction - temporarily - to figure out why bodies are piling up and uncover and unexpected conspiracy. But when that's done, all's fair in love in war.
In each of the last books, there was always an area that fell kind of flat: weak romance, weak suspense plot, bad ending. But Breakpoint was solid in all areas for me. I didn't have a single major complaint as I was reading or once I finished.
I loved the romance part of the book. The dynamic between Dallas and Julianne was fantastic - the rough, tough military man and the rigid JAG lawyer who almost court-martialed him. There was some serious chemistry there. So much sexual tension. And even though it was a long way through the book before they could finally act on that tension, I didn't mind. It added to the anticipation and let the characters get to know each other and find out each wasn't quite what they other thought they were. They were able to realize they actually liked each other and weren't just sexually attracted.
I also enjoyed the characters of the book. I remember in one of the past books that Dallas was mentioned to be a womanizing flirt. And I wondered if I'd like him as a character, but he was actually very likable. I loved that he was more than a little secretly nerdy. So sexy. Julianne was a pretty good character as well...maybe a bit too rigid. I thought she could have relaxed and opened up a little more to Dallas.
The suspense part of the story was more on the low-intensity side. The romance is the more dominant part of the story, but I still liked the suspense angle. A simple supposed suicide turns into a complicated conspiracy. There were some nice twists and turns in there. And the climax, though a bit short in length, was nicely done. If I had one little qualm with the plot it would be that throughout the book, Ross gives a certain impression about the conspiracy being revealed. It made me feel like something really big and sinister was doing on. Then the real reason for everything is revealed and I thought it was a little mundane. I had been expecting something more. But that was only a mild annoyance for me.
On the whole, this was just a really solid book that was enjoyable cover-to-cover. I couldn't wait to keep reading whenever I had to put it down. So I glad that I stuck with this series and got a chance to read Breakpoint. I'll be looking forward to the next addition to the series.
I almost gave up on this series after reading the first book and finding it rather blah. But I decided to try the next book, which was better and had me wanting to keep going with the series. I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed this fourth book of the series. It engaged me on all levels.
NOTE: the High Risk series is about a group of SpecOps military men who have to move on with their lives after a mission goes bad and they are almost court-martialed. This fourth book could possibly be read on it's own without much confusion, but I'd recommend reading the books in order because the full backstory is pretty glossed over in this one.
In Breakpoint Air Force combat controller Dallas O'Halloran is one of the few who stayed in the military after the horrible events of the Afghanistan mission. He suspects his much-valued skill-set kept him from being court-martialed, but not from being interrogated for 3 days by rigid Navy JAG lawyer Julianne Decatur. Dallas made it through and went back to work. Then a freak incident outs his cover and ends his military career. He goes to work for the Phoenix team like his SEAL buddies Zach (Freefall) and Quinn (Crossfire) and former SOAR pilot Shane (Shattered). He's also tagged to be part of THOR, a division of Homeland Security that reports only to the President.
Also now working for THOR is Julianne - who ended up leaving the military after being obligated to pursue a court-martial against Dallas's friends. The two have a run in at a party one night and thought both try to deny it, the attraction the felt during that 3-day interrogation is still there. Then they are assigned a THOR mission together. Dallas is intrigued by the notion of working with her; Julianne is horrified. But they will work together to figure out whether a female pilot's death was really suicide...or something more. It's not long before it becomes obvious that there is something between the two of them...or that there is something much more devious going on than a pilot's suicide. The two have to curb their attraction - temporarily - to figure out why bodies are piling up and uncover and unexpected conspiracy. But when that's done, all's fair in love in war.
In each of the last books, there was always an area that fell kind of flat: weak romance, weak suspense plot, bad ending. But Breakpoint was solid in all areas for me. I didn't have a single major complaint as I was reading or once I finished.
I loved the romance part of the book. The dynamic between Dallas and Julianne was fantastic - the rough, tough military man and the rigid JAG lawyer who almost court-martialed him. There was some serious chemistry there. So much sexual tension. And even though it was a long way through the book before they could finally act on that tension, I didn't mind. It added to the anticipation and let the characters get to know each other and find out each wasn't quite what they other thought they were. They were able to realize they actually liked each other and weren't just sexually attracted.
I also enjoyed the characters of the book. I remember in one of the past books that Dallas was mentioned to be a womanizing flirt. And I wondered if I'd like him as a character, but he was actually very likable. I loved that he was more than a little secretly nerdy. So sexy. Julianne was a pretty good character as well...maybe a bit too rigid. I thought she could have relaxed and opened up a little more to Dallas.
The suspense part of the story was more on the low-intensity side. The romance is the more dominant part of the story, but I still liked the suspense angle. A simple supposed suicide turns into a complicated conspiracy. There were some nice twists and turns in there. And the climax, though a bit short in length, was nicely done. If I had one little qualm with the plot it would be that throughout the book, Ross gives a certain impression about the conspiracy being revealed. It made me feel like something really big and sinister was doing on. Then the real reason for everything is revealed and I thought it was a little mundane. I had been expecting something more. But that was only a mild annoyance for me.
On the whole, this was just a really solid book that was enjoyable cover-to-cover. I couldn't wait to keep reading whenever I had to put it down. So I glad that I stuck with this series and got a chance to read Breakpoint. I'll be looking forward to the next addition to the series.
August 6, 2018
Wasn't a big fan of this one......kinda dull :(
April 9, 2020
I read the third book in the series, and with some really upsetting OW drama, I went into this trying to prepare for the worst.
It was really interesting to me that the hero went across mountains that were traveled by Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and Marco Polo.
This author is extremely unsafe. 2/2 books by her and they have the same shit in it. They're at a party and he clearly wants Julianne. A redhead comes up to him and he doesn't get with her because 'she was the wrong woman.'
We get a heroine who spends time at her pregnant sisters and husband's place watching old movies--lame btw--and a hero who's playing bodyguard to some stupid pop star who keeps throwing herself at him, walking around topless in her underwear and taking her towel off for him. He has to pop Tums on the job and is constantly grinding his teeth it's just a challenge to resist. When he turns her down she has a tantrum then just accepts it and kisses him on the mouth after, saying she reminds him of his dad. Because, you know, that's not weird or anything.
Then he's on a random plane which has trouble landing, happens to randomly hit his head on a purse buckle of the passenger beside him, and needs stitches. What a freak thing. So he meets a female doctor. Go figure.
Wow this reminded me of book 3. He's out on a date fully wanting to hook up with her. And only doesn't because he's called on a mission. Screw this shit.
In one scene Dallas was written as Quinn which was really confusing for a second.
'"It figured," Quinn said.
"What?" she asked as he bartender lined up a row of glasses, then filled them nearly to the top from cans of Red Bull.'
It felt very unlikely that Dallas would be assigned to the investigation in the first place. Especially when she surmises he was brought on for his charm. Even he said he's never been on a carrier.
A characters dialogue and actions were broken up on different lines, which could be confusing.
I found the writing to be factual, lots of military lingo and references I didn't understand at times. The book was all business almost all of the time. Every conversation and action revolved around their mission, leaving very little time for anything else. The conversations were a little rambling, with people going on and on explaining stuff.
The characters would have internal thoughts right during a conversation.
Sometimes the writing was a little old-fashioned with "I've not" or "I've no doubt."
And using the word diddle for had sex.
I'm wondering if this series covers any heroines who aren't, or don't have a connection to the military. It seems their professions are always similar. It would be nice to see one of the guys with a regular civilian. Book 3 she was a doctor in the military, in this one she was a navy brat and was a lawyer in the navy.
I think he hasn't gotten with anyone since meeting Julianne, which would have been a miracle, and he just casually throws out to us that he dated a Carolina panthers cheerleader with fake boobs.
Why is it always the hero who recalls women from their past? Women with big boobs, skillful tongues, who were agile in bed, etc. but heroines never recall men from their past in a sexual way? Or rarely recall them at all? I've read hundreds of romance books and you never hear heroines make a reference to a guy from their past with a big penis, or who were skilled in some way in the bedroom. Why is that?
I used to like the ol sleeping in the same bed, wake up wrapped around each other thing, but no more. It's just unrealistic. Especially here, where it's taken a step further. They both end up having the same dream-super unrealistic-on a private beach,& they end up almost doing it.
In his service record it said he didn't have any STDs,& that the "pop star coyly hinted about there being something going on between the two of you." Julianne says she knows they didn't hook up "because you might have a reputation for being a player. But you're a stand-up guy. You're not going to screw around on the job." Which they didn't. But he'd been tempted. So he's not as stand-up as you think. Also, now that I think on it, he screwed around on this job. But I guess it's ok, because it's with the heroine.
Every woman in the book comes onto Dallas. He's everyone's type, apparently. The female aviator who undressed in front of them and even a random woman coming back from taking a shower is attracted to Dallas. Come on.
The heroine, despite thinking herself plain, is actually hot. Yet no one hits on her. I wanted that to even things out and to make Dallas jealous.
He's one of those heroes who tell the heroine they're going to make love, which I don't like, because it feels like the heroine gives in and the demanding hero gets his way.
I thought it was sweet, though unrealistic, when he said he'd traveled the world, scuba dived, climbed mountains and seen migrating monarch butterflies but had never been more entranced by a natural wonder than seeing Julianne blush.
It was funny when Dallas said A Few Good Men wasn't realistic cause Cruise wasn't attracted to Demi's character. That was disappointing that it didn't have any romance in it...His theory was the role was originally written for a guy, but they added Demi cause she was a box-office draw.
In the scene where they're interrogating the religious counselor, the guy suddenly stands up when I didn't know he ever sat down.
They were questioning him at a table, then Julianne stands up& somehow Dallas lowers his head to her. When had he stood up?
The MCs went from having nothing in common to having the same thoughts. He said she was wrapped around him like a python,& she used the same term. She thought the religious guy looked like Ichabod Crane and he says the same thing.
The book took a weird turn with the pagan/witch stuff. The doctor turns out to be a witch, thinking the moon is his guardian angel, calling it Her and being psychic. Okay...
I didn't even notice the lack of intimacy until I was getting close to 80%. And wish it hadn't taken so long in the book. Although they had only been together a couple days, so it's not like it was dragged out on the time frame, but it was still really late in a book for that.
While on the boat, it was confusing keeping track of the captain, the LSO, the doctor, the CDO, the admiral and other captain. At times I had no idea who was speaking.
It was cute how in the killers POV he referenced Dallas as 'her omnipresent guard dog' and 'he'd seen the way the flyboy looked at her. If anything happened to the former JAG officer, he'd turn relentless, not giving up until he'd gotten his man.'
The parts in that POV told us nothing. No clues whatsoever. So it wasn't really necessary.
It took 308 pages to mention anything about Julianne's sexual experience, while we've heard of the heroes the whole book. I honestly expected her to be a virgin. She says she's experienced, like a typical 30-something year old woman. But that it had been too long since she'd had a mans hands on her.
No details. No names, not a ballpark figure, no stories of a man kissing or having sex with her. Or any past dates. But the heroes always brag and reminisce of theirs. Which is complete crap, by the way.
It wasn't until page 309 that they finally have sex. That's 81% in, which is really long for a romance book. And it didn't even last one page. Are you kidding me?
I hated Julianne's sister was dragged into this. Like Kirby's friend being taken in book 3. They had enough going on. And the sister irritated me anyway, what with referencing her unborn kids as tadpoles,& how they'd cartwheel their way to the fast food place.
The hero gives worn out, unbelievable lines like he'd never wanted or needed another woman like he does her.
She doesn't normally have casual sex, despite being experienced. And despite having the experience of a 'typical 30 something' she'd never considered using the word love for any other man. How is that possible? And she loves him after a mere few days, which I can't stand in books.
'Love? The word, which she'd never even considered toward any other man, reeled in her head. It was a word she suspected they'd both always avoided. A word that had been continuing to grow between them for far longer than the past two days, until it was no longer deniable.'
She'd thought about him and dreamed about him often after the court martial, and compared every man she'd met since to him and they came up short. You didn't even know him them!! You were interrogating him across a table! How could you possibly love him and compare other guys to him?!
Her sister didn't seem remotely scared to have been kidnapped and drugged. And of course admired her sisters strength while Julianne had been jealous of her looks.
Even more ridiculous when the psychic witch doctor dreams about Julianne's sister being in danger, whom he's never seen!
But of course the tadpole reference stood out for the psychic because it's a really unique thing to call your kids.
I didn't like the parts in other characters POVs, like Dana Murphy, the bad guy and her sister.
It was cute how both sisters swore off getting involved with military men and ended up with them.
Although I resented the fact that her sister was used as the drama in the end, and which meant they had to leave their investigation on the ship behind, I was glad to see her husband Tom spring into action, although it was barely there. He needed more dialogue and the scene needed to be longer. Him rescuing his pregnant wife could have been a lot more emotional, because it wasn't really emotional at all.
I mentally sighed when her water broke right after. Way to make things completely corny.
We get a wrap-up of the bad guys, and I was so confused keeping up their titles and names I couldn't remember who was who. I even thought one of the men was her godfather, I was so confused. I had to go back and see who her godfather was. I was so glad he wasn't involved! So Ramsay got Lieutenant Murphy pregnant. And Wright killed her. And he started the rumors that Murphy and the LSO has an affair, not knowing he was gay. The captain was in love and didn't want her to have an abortion apparently. So before he could do something to blow his promotion, and ruin their chances of climbing the ladder, Wright killed them and arranged Merry's kidnapping, and the NCIS guy was involved in the kidnapping. It was a lot.
For all the time the case took up in the entire book, we don't even get to see the men arrested or anything. It's very hastily tied up, and off-page at that.
Merry naming the twins Dallas and Jules was too much. Pretty dang corny.
The ending could have been better. I was so looking forward to Dallas telling his friends he's with Julianne, the woman who almost had them court-martialed...and to see their reactions.
They didn't even say they loved each other, which is a big fail in a romance book. Julianne told readers she did but Dallas didn't.
It felt way too sudden for her to be ok if she got pregnant with his kid, when they've only known each other a few days, not counting the few days she interrogated him. Although I liked his response, "you humble me." Considering he never wanted to do to a kid what his dad did to him, which was abandon him.
Being that this is the last book in the series it needed a way bigger and better wrap up, with all the characters. I'm really disappointed in the ending. There was a sneak peek for Ricochet, which I found out was intended to be book 5, but her publisher wanted it as part of another series. That explains why there wasn't a wrap-up here.
I will say, this author either really knows a lot about the military or does a lot of research for her books. She's very knowledgeable about all the branches of the military, and it's very evident. On the same hand, it's almost too much military, to the point where you don't understand what's being said, and all the acronyms and terms they use.
This plot wasn't that good. I don't remember how I felt about book 3's plot, but I think I liked that one better. Probably because I didn't like the actual case they were on here. I didn't like the subject matter & the whole thing revolved around that case. All those people being killed or killing themselves.
Also this was hella confusing at times. Too many terms and lingo I didn't know, and too many characters. It would say captain or admiral without naming them and you had no idea who they were talking about.
Every conversation, every moment revolved around the case. I also dl books with really short time frames, like a few days. This was a cross between A Few Good Men, which was mentioned in the book, and also Top Gun, which was also mentioned.
The book was so serious, but then had some real ridiculous, unrealistic and corny elements at times.
Although book 3 had more OW crap, and this had less, I think I enjoyed that one more. I do think I like Dallas better, though, just going off memory. Both got 2 stars from me, though.
It was really interesting to me that the hero went across mountains that were traveled by Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and Marco Polo.
This author is extremely unsafe. 2/2 books by her and they have the same shit in it. They're at a party and he clearly wants Julianne. A redhead comes up to him and he doesn't get with her because 'she was the wrong woman.'
We get a heroine who spends time at her pregnant sisters and husband's place watching old movies--lame btw--and a hero who's playing bodyguard to some stupid pop star who keeps throwing herself at him, walking around topless in her underwear and taking her towel off for him. He has to pop Tums on the job and is constantly grinding his teeth it's just a challenge to resist. When he turns her down she has a tantrum then just accepts it and kisses him on the mouth after, saying she reminds him of his dad. Because, you know, that's not weird or anything.
Then he's on a random plane which has trouble landing, happens to randomly hit his head on a purse buckle of the passenger beside him, and needs stitches. What a freak thing. So he meets a female doctor. Go figure.
Wow this reminded me of book 3. He's out on a date fully wanting to hook up with her. And only doesn't because he's called on a mission. Screw this shit.
In one scene Dallas was written as Quinn which was really confusing for a second.
'"It figured," Quinn said.
"What?" she asked as he bartender lined up a row of glasses, then filled them nearly to the top from cans of Red Bull.'
It felt very unlikely that Dallas would be assigned to the investigation in the first place. Especially when she surmises he was brought on for his charm. Even he said he's never been on a carrier.
A characters dialogue and actions were broken up on different lines, which could be confusing.
I found the writing to be factual, lots of military lingo and references I didn't understand at times. The book was all business almost all of the time. Every conversation and action revolved around their mission, leaving very little time for anything else. The conversations were a little rambling, with people going on and on explaining stuff.
The characters would have internal thoughts right during a conversation.
Sometimes the writing was a little old-fashioned with "I've not" or "I've no doubt."
And using the word diddle for had sex.
I'm wondering if this series covers any heroines who aren't, or don't have a connection to the military. It seems their professions are always similar. It would be nice to see one of the guys with a regular civilian. Book 3 she was a doctor in the military, in this one she was a navy brat and was a lawyer in the navy.
I think he hasn't gotten with anyone since meeting Julianne, which would have been a miracle, and he just casually throws out to us that he dated a Carolina panthers cheerleader with fake boobs.
Why is it always the hero who recalls women from their past? Women with big boobs, skillful tongues, who were agile in bed, etc. but heroines never recall men from their past in a sexual way? Or rarely recall them at all? I've read hundreds of romance books and you never hear heroines make a reference to a guy from their past with a big penis, or who were skilled in some way in the bedroom. Why is that?
I used to like the ol sleeping in the same bed, wake up wrapped around each other thing, but no more. It's just unrealistic. Especially here, where it's taken a step further. They both end up having the same dream-super unrealistic-on a private beach,& they end up almost doing it.
In his service record it said he didn't have any STDs,& that the "pop star coyly hinted about there being something going on between the two of you." Julianne says she knows they didn't hook up "because you might have a reputation for being a player. But you're a stand-up guy. You're not going to screw around on the job." Which they didn't. But he'd been tempted. So he's not as stand-up as you think. Also, now that I think on it, he screwed around on this job. But I guess it's ok, because it's with the heroine.
Every woman in the book comes onto Dallas. He's everyone's type, apparently. The female aviator who undressed in front of them and even a random woman coming back from taking a shower is attracted to Dallas. Come on.
The heroine, despite thinking herself plain, is actually hot. Yet no one hits on her. I wanted that to even things out and to make Dallas jealous.
He's one of those heroes who tell the heroine they're going to make love, which I don't like, because it feels like the heroine gives in and the demanding hero gets his way.
I thought it was sweet, though unrealistic, when he said he'd traveled the world, scuba dived, climbed mountains and seen migrating monarch butterflies but had never been more entranced by a natural wonder than seeing Julianne blush.
It was funny when Dallas said A Few Good Men wasn't realistic cause Cruise wasn't attracted to Demi's character. That was disappointing that it didn't have any romance in it...His theory was the role was originally written for a guy, but they added Demi cause she was a box-office draw.
In the scene where they're interrogating the religious counselor, the guy suddenly stands up when I didn't know he ever sat down.
They were questioning him at a table, then Julianne stands up& somehow Dallas lowers his head to her. When had he stood up?
The MCs went from having nothing in common to having the same thoughts. He said she was wrapped around him like a python,& she used the same term. She thought the religious guy looked like Ichabod Crane and he says the same thing.
The book took a weird turn with the pagan/witch stuff. The doctor turns out to be a witch, thinking the moon is his guardian angel, calling it Her and being psychic. Okay...
I didn't even notice the lack of intimacy until I was getting close to 80%. And wish it hadn't taken so long in the book. Although they had only been together a couple days, so it's not like it was dragged out on the time frame, but it was still really late in a book for that.
While on the boat, it was confusing keeping track of the captain, the LSO, the doctor, the CDO, the admiral and other captain. At times I had no idea who was speaking.
It was cute how in the killers POV he referenced Dallas as 'her omnipresent guard dog' and 'he'd seen the way the flyboy looked at her. If anything happened to the former JAG officer, he'd turn relentless, not giving up until he'd gotten his man.'
The parts in that POV told us nothing. No clues whatsoever. So it wasn't really necessary.
It took 308 pages to mention anything about Julianne's sexual experience, while we've heard of the heroes the whole book. I honestly expected her to be a virgin. She says she's experienced, like a typical 30-something year old woman. But that it had been too long since she'd had a mans hands on her.
No details. No names, not a ballpark figure, no stories of a man kissing or having sex with her. Or any past dates. But the heroes always brag and reminisce of theirs. Which is complete crap, by the way.
It wasn't until page 309 that they finally have sex. That's 81% in, which is really long for a romance book. And it didn't even last one page. Are you kidding me?
I hated Julianne's sister was dragged into this. Like Kirby's friend being taken in book 3. They had enough going on. And the sister irritated me anyway, what with referencing her unborn kids as tadpoles,& how they'd cartwheel their way to the fast food place.
The hero gives worn out, unbelievable lines like he'd never wanted or needed another woman like he does her.
She doesn't normally have casual sex, despite being experienced. And despite having the experience of a 'typical 30 something' she'd never considered using the word love for any other man. How is that possible? And she loves him after a mere few days, which I can't stand in books.
'Love? The word, which she'd never even considered toward any other man, reeled in her head. It was a word she suspected they'd both always avoided. A word that had been continuing to grow between them for far longer than the past two days, until it was no longer deniable.'
She'd thought about him and dreamed about him often after the court martial, and compared every man she'd met since to him and they came up short. You didn't even know him them!! You were interrogating him across a table! How could you possibly love him and compare other guys to him?!
Her sister didn't seem remotely scared to have been kidnapped and drugged. And of course admired her sisters strength while Julianne had been jealous of her looks.
Even more ridiculous when the psychic witch doctor dreams about Julianne's sister being in danger, whom he's never seen!
But of course the tadpole reference stood out for the psychic because it's a really unique thing to call your kids.
I didn't like the parts in other characters POVs, like Dana Murphy, the bad guy and her sister.
It was cute how both sisters swore off getting involved with military men and ended up with them.
Although I resented the fact that her sister was used as the drama in the end, and which meant they had to leave their investigation on the ship behind, I was glad to see her husband Tom spring into action, although it was barely there. He needed more dialogue and the scene needed to be longer. Him rescuing his pregnant wife could have been a lot more emotional, because it wasn't really emotional at all.
I mentally sighed when her water broke right after. Way to make things completely corny.
We get a wrap-up of the bad guys, and I was so confused keeping up their titles and names I couldn't remember who was who. I even thought one of the men was her godfather, I was so confused. I had to go back and see who her godfather was. I was so glad he wasn't involved! So Ramsay got Lieutenant Murphy pregnant. And Wright killed her. And he started the rumors that Murphy and the LSO has an affair, not knowing he was gay. The captain was in love and didn't want her to have an abortion apparently. So before he could do something to blow his promotion, and ruin their chances of climbing the ladder, Wright killed them and arranged Merry's kidnapping, and the NCIS guy was involved in the kidnapping. It was a lot.
For all the time the case took up in the entire book, we don't even get to see the men arrested or anything. It's very hastily tied up, and off-page at that.
Merry naming the twins Dallas and Jules was too much. Pretty dang corny.
The ending could have been better. I was so looking forward to Dallas telling his friends he's with Julianne, the woman who almost had them court-martialed...and to see their reactions.
They didn't even say they loved each other, which is a big fail in a romance book. Julianne told readers she did but Dallas didn't.
It felt way too sudden for her to be ok if she got pregnant with his kid, when they've only known each other a few days, not counting the few days she interrogated him. Although I liked his response, "you humble me." Considering he never wanted to do to a kid what his dad did to him, which was abandon him.
Being that this is the last book in the series it needed a way bigger and better wrap up, with all the characters. I'm really disappointed in the ending. There was a sneak peek for Ricochet, which I found out was intended to be book 5, but her publisher wanted it as part of another series. That explains why there wasn't a wrap-up here.
I will say, this author either really knows a lot about the military or does a lot of research for her books. She's very knowledgeable about all the branches of the military, and it's very evident. On the same hand, it's almost too much military, to the point where you don't understand what's being said, and all the acronyms and terms they use.
This plot wasn't that good. I don't remember how I felt about book 3's plot, but I think I liked that one better. Probably because I didn't like the actual case they were on here. I didn't like the subject matter & the whole thing revolved around that case. All those people being killed or killing themselves.
Also this was hella confusing at times. Too many terms and lingo I didn't know, and too many characters. It would say captain or admiral without naming them and you had no idea who they were talking about.
Every conversation, every moment revolved around the case. I also dl books with really short time frames, like a few days. This was a cross between A Few Good Men, which was mentioned in the book, and also Top Gun, which was also mentioned.
The book was so serious, but then had some real ridiculous, unrealistic and corny elements at times.
Although book 3 had more OW crap, and this had less, I think I enjoyed that one more. I do think I like Dallas better, though, just going off memory. Both got 2 stars from me, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2009
Breatpoint is another great novel from JoAnn Ross, and I will definitely keep reading this series. It is filled with realistic details, and because of that I was disappointed with only one aspect of this book - but it was a biggie IMHO. Without giving away the story, I was simply shocked that to bring the H/H together, Ms. Ross just changed their minds about each other. Just like that. Of course, the man had a good excuse - he discovered the heroine was hot, even hotter than when they first met, so of course he changed his tune. But when the female lead did the exact same thing, just like that, I didn't buy it. There had been too much water under the bridge (pun intended - this story takes place on a Navy carrier) for them to get over it that quickly. Other than that, I enjoyed the zig-zaggy plot and the mental gymnastics the two went thru to solve their case. JoAnn Ross creates a believable Alpha male in all her books, and this was certainly no exception, however I would have enjoyed hearing a little more about our hero's military experiences which made him the man he became.
February 15, 2012
TBR Challenge 2012- Personal Challenge: Read books posted on my to-read list before 2011. Breakpoint was #1 on my to-read list, added October 1, 2009.
A solid romantic suspense book by a consistent author. Breakpoint was a fast, easy read with enjoyable characters and a decent mystery plot. However, there was nothing unique or surprising about the story or the characters.
The author had obviously done her research, but wasn't as adept at blending her knowledge smoothly into the story. Every pause to tell the reader what each word or acronym meant was disruptive, and for the most part unnecessary. The paragraphs detailing the structure and operation of the aircraft carrier, and other parts of military life, were interesting but broke the flow of the story. It would be much preferable to add this information in the form of a glossary of terms and a short afterword with the details.
Overall an enjoyable day of reading, but something I'm likely to forget quickly.
A solid romantic suspense book by a consistent author. Breakpoint was a fast, easy read with enjoyable characters and a decent mystery plot. However, there was nothing unique or surprising about the story or the characters.
The author had obviously done her research, but wasn't as adept at blending her knowledge smoothly into the story. Every pause to tell the reader what each word or acronym meant was disruptive, and for the most part unnecessary. The paragraphs detailing the structure and operation of the aircraft carrier, and other parts of military life, were interesting but broke the flow of the story. It would be much preferable to add this information in the form of a glossary of terms and a short afterword with the details.
Overall an enjoyable day of reading, but something I'm likely to forget quickly.
Read
October 9, 2010I was disappointed in this one, I'm sorry to say. I have really enjoyed the other books in this series, and I looked forward to getting my hands on this one. But Alas, I can't give it my Wendy's glowing review.
I thought that this one had great potential to be good, but It fell flat. There just wasn't enough action and I thought I might go mad with the characters complimenting each other on their intelligence. I think that JR really missed the boat here with these two. Dallas was a really hot character and was definitely attracted to the heroine, but though the chemistry was there the story and all of the suspense was not enough to get it there.
I thought that this one had great potential to be good, but It fell flat. There just wasn't enough action and I thought I might go mad with the characters complimenting each other on their intelligence. I think that JR really missed the boat here with these two. Dallas was a really hot character and was definitely attracted to the heroine, but though the chemistry was there the story and all of the suspense was not enough to get it there.
May 26, 2010
This book was okay but moved pretty slow. I just kept thinking okay, any minute they're going to get to the ship to investigate but jiminy if another odd unecessary scene didn't interupt. I kept reading the end of a chapter and thinking okay the next one will start with words to the effect that "they climbed out of the helicopter and onto the deck of the aircraft carrier" but no...
Once they finally got to the ship, things really picked up and I enjoyed the last half of the book much more.
Once they finally got to the ship, things really picked up and I enjoyed the last half of the book much more.
February 6, 2010
This was a really great book. Heavier on the storyline than the romance though. Dallas was a doll! I loved his charm.
October 14, 2018
Rather juvenile writing style. Shallow plot. Ross has done better
July 12, 2025
Giving this story some slack because it was published in 2009 but there are too many military metaphors: "The attraction had first hit like a Patriot missile." By pg 25, we know she is very hot for him. The writing is juvenile. For example, she is daydreaming thinking of him, her mind is "on the planet Orgasmitron." His hot dreams about her involve whipped cream, Hershey's bars, Pet Rocks and cherries (a s'more?). There are too many cultural references like Madonna, Top Gun, Pretty in Pink, which ages the story. He's attracted to her of course; admires her 'pins'; that's 'legs' from 2009. They end up working together. Terrorist plot, danger ensues, their attraction is undeniable. I was hoping for more.
November 1, 2022
Decent set-up but the plot climaxed and resolved too suddenly and the sex scenes were uncomfortably written.
Was very much not a fan of the M.C informing her partner that being there together felt "so right and natural” that they didn't need to bother using a condom.
Was very much not a fan of the M.C informing her partner that being there together felt "so right and natural” that they didn't need to bother using a condom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2021
I liked this book- I will look for the other 3 in the series. it was also a quick read
May 18, 2022
Ex Air Force Combat Controller Dallas O'Halloran is not overly pleased when he teams up with Julianne Decatur, the ex-JAG officer who investigated his friends "trip" into Pakistan.
July 3, 2017
Author: JoAnn Ross
First published: 2009
Length: 6065 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Afghanistan, Coronado, California, Hawaii, aboard USS O’Halloran, San Diego.
Sex: Very Explicit. Not Frequent.
Hero: Former Tech Sergeant now private.
Heroine: Navy lawyer now working for Homeland.
Trigger: Suicide of background character.
Includes: excerpt from Ricochet/The Homecoming
A nice finish to Ross’ suspense series. Winds up the horrific events in Afghanistan and gives Dallas an HEA.
Other characters from the crash (Lucas, Sax) get their HEAs in the Shelter Bay series.
A good read. Enjoyable. Nothing particularly remarkable but good.
High Risk:
Book 1 Freefall - Zach Tremayne and Sabrina Swan
Book 2 Crossfire - Caitlin Cavanaugh and Quinn McKade
Book 3 Shattered - Kirby Campbell and Shane Garrett
Book 4 Breakpoint - Dallas O'Halloran and Julianne Decatur
Shelter Bay:
Book 1 The Homecoming - Sax Douchett and Kara Conway
Book 2 One Summer - Gabriel St. James and Charity Tiernan
Book 3 On Lavender Lane - Lucas Chaffee and Madeline Durand
Book 4 Moonshell Beach - J.T. Douchett and Mary Joyce
Book 5 Sea Glass Winter - Dillon Slater and Claire Templeton
Book 6 Castaway Cove - Mac Culhane and Annie Shepherd
Book 7 Christmas in Shelter Bay - Cole Douchett and Kelli Carpenter
Book 8 You Again - Meghann Quinn and Adam Wayne
Book 9 Beyond the Sea - Conn Brennan and Sedona Sullivan
Book 10 Sunset Point - Tess Lombardi and Nate Breslin
References:
Author's website: http://www.joannross.com
Author on w’pedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoAnn_Ross
(ISBN 9781101133149)
-CR-
First published: 2009
Length: 6065 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary. Afghanistan, Coronado, California, Hawaii, aboard USS O’Halloran, San Diego.
Sex: Very Explicit. Not Frequent.
Hero: Former Tech Sergeant now private.
Heroine: Navy lawyer now working for Homeland.
Trigger: Suicide of background character.
Includes: excerpt from Ricochet/The Homecoming
A nice finish to Ross’ suspense series. Winds up the horrific events in Afghanistan and gives Dallas an HEA.
Other characters from the crash (Lucas, Sax) get their HEAs in the Shelter Bay series.
A good read. Enjoyable. Nothing particularly remarkable but good.
High Risk:
Book 1 Freefall - Zach Tremayne and Sabrina Swan
Book 2 Crossfire - Caitlin Cavanaugh and Quinn McKade
Book 3 Shattered - Kirby Campbell and Shane Garrett
Book 4 Breakpoint - Dallas O'Halloran and Julianne Decatur
Shelter Bay:
Book 1 The Homecoming - Sax Douchett and Kara Conway
Book 2 One Summer - Gabriel St. James and Charity Tiernan
Book 3 On Lavender Lane - Lucas Chaffee and Madeline Durand
Book 4 Moonshell Beach - J.T. Douchett and Mary Joyce
Book 5 Sea Glass Winter - Dillon Slater and Claire Templeton
Book 6 Castaway Cove - Mac Culhane and Annie Shepherd
Book 7 Christmas in Shelter Bay - Cole Douchett and Kelli Carpenter
Book 8 You Again - Meghann Quinn and Adam Wayne
Book 9 Beyond the Sea - Conn Brennan and Sedona Sullivan
Book 10 Sunset Point - Tess Lombardi and Nate Breslin
References:
Author's website: http://www.joannross.com
Author on w’pedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoAnn_Ross
(ISBN 9781101133149)
-CR-
August 24, 2013
Breakpoint is the fourth installment in the High Risk series and I have to be honest and say it took a while for me to get into this book but then it finally clicked. Dallas O'Halloran is an Air Force Combat Controller who is also a nerd genius and supposed womanizer. Juliane Decateur is the JAG lawyer who tried to court martial his friends intending to use him as a star witness. When they are paired 2 years later as Phoenix/SOAR operatives to investigate the possible suicide/murder of a female pilot aboard a carrier, emotions turn from distrust to lust.
Dallas and Juliane were both likable characters. Dallas' childhood made him the underdog who overcame and became an overachiever as well as a guy who had to learn to read people. Juliane was lost in the civilian world after a voluntary yet politically forced retirement.
Two things bothered me about this book. One, though Dallas and Juliane lusted after one another the eventual (and I mean LOOONNNGGGG awaited eventual) lovemaking was a letdown. I expected much more. And second, the crime solution was disappointing. I mean, they really didn't solve it. If Juliane's sister hadn't been kidnapped they may never have solved the crime...the criminals could have gotten away with it!
But I still enjoyed it and will certainly read more JoAnn Ross in the future.
Dallas and Juliane were both likable characters. Dallas' childhood made him the underdog who overcame and became an overachiever as well as a guy who had to learn to read people. Juliane was lost in the civilian world after a voluntary yet politically forced retirement.
Two things bothered me about this book. One, though Dallas and Juliane lusted after one another the eventual (and I mean LOOONNNGGGG awaited eventual) lovemaking was a letdown. I expected much more. And second, the crime solution was disappointing. I mean, they really didn't solve it. If Juliane's sister hadn't been kidnapped they may never have solved the crime...the criminals could have gotten away with it!
But I still enjoyed it and will certainly read more JoAnn Ross in the future.
July 11, 2016
This was different than what I thought it would be with a JAG lawyer in the story but I was pleasantly surprised. Julianne Decatur had met Dallas O'Halloran during a trial where is was a witness against his best friends. Just because he witnessed the event where his comrades had stepped across the military line, did not mean he thought that what they did were wrong. Now he was paired with this ex JAG lawyer as civilian investigators with the power of the American government behind them.
Great story with an interesting twist.
Great story with an interesting twist.
November 2, 2009
Military, paramilitary, Spec Ops...fast read, lots of innuendo & sex. Who knows if the military types are really like this?? Who cares?? Fun to read fast & no brainer. Good at a hockey game between periods when it's boring. It's a series, this is #4. I don't think they are connected by the same people/characters. I don't remember if I read any of the others. large print ed., also good for the treadmill!!
March 19, 2010
Not a bad read, but I felt that there wasn't enough conflict or interest in the romantic plotline. The conflict which was inherent in the original set up was resolved almost immediately, and what remained was too sweet and easy. The resolution of the whodunnit didn't feel entirely convincing, either.
August 10, 2014
This Was A Great Book. It's A Fast Page Turner, With Interesting Characters. The Suspense Is Well Written And I Liked The Sexual Tension Between The H/H. Great Story Line And I Can't Wait To Read The Others In This Series.
August 2, 2009
Hooked from the get go. A pleasure
August 10, 2009
This was my least favorite of the series so far. Sexual tension & sexual teasing took over the book, eclipsing the plot that could have been interesting.
Want to read
September 2, 2009Julianne Decatur and Dallas O'Halloran
August 20, 2009
I have really enjoyed this series, but this one was a real stinker.
April 27, 2013
Julianna & Dallas were one of my favorite couples.
February 12, 2012
I give this one 3 1/2 stars. It started off good, but then she lost me when she had the sister kidnapped. I think she could have gone a different direction than that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2012
Each book focuses on a different person but they are all connected by an incident that happened while they were in Afghanistan. P.M.
September 4, 2012
enjoy this author and this series.
March 16, 2013
Good book. I like the military background, good suspense. Strong characters.
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