Overall Rating: 4.55Action: 2.7 / Emotion: 4.1 / Romance: 4.6 / Sensuous: 1.8 / Suspense: 2.9 // Laughter: 2 / Giggles: 2 // Tears: 6 / Teary: 0Frisco's Kid: 4.55:Since Suzanne Brockmann is a favorite author, it was not surprising to find this book a one-sitting, enjoyable, enthralling, entertaining re-read. Because this is a Harlequin "series" book, it lacked the depth and development of a main stream novel.Hero: 4.5:Alan "Frisco" Francisco: a wonderfully realistic hero. Brockmann peeled back the layers of this handsome, well-muscled man who defined himself by his job as a Navy SEAL, to reveal an incredibly stubborn, strong-willed man filled with anger and bitterness to reveal his kind and gentle side. Readers joined him on his journey towards accepting he was no longer physically capable of being an active SEAL, but, nevertheless a worthy man.Heroine: 4.1:Mia Summerton: her background was not as richly developed to explain why this beautiful, intelligent, compassionate, determined heroine was strong enough to stand up to and stand beside Frisco on his journey to accepting that he was physically challenged, but not helpless.Story Line: 4.5:An incredibly interesting and intriguing story line. It is too bad that this book was not a main stream novel so that Brockmann could have used her magic skills of developing complex characters and intricate plots as she let readers into the mind and revealed the emotions of an injured SEAL, who had to reach a place of acceptance that he was no longer physically capable of participating in his chosen career . . . and the woman who helped him reach that point.Action: 2.7:This book did not contain a lot of exciting, adventurous SEAL-type action scenes, rather it was filled to the brim with everyday, ordinary incidents that Frisco and Mia had to endure. These events moved the story along at a strong, steady pace.Emotion: 4.1:Brockmann did such a great job of developing an empathetic tie to Frisco (and to a degree, Mia) that it was impossible not to laugh and cry right along with them.Romance: 4.6:Brockmann did a phenomenal job of keeping the strong, potent awareness that sparked between Frisco and Mia always in the forefront of story. These two polar opposites could not deny the heat that passed between them. "You touch me, even just like this, and I feel it," she said huskily. "This chemistry -- it's impossible to ignore." (Mia, page 118)Sensuous: 1.8:The love scenes were passionate, spicy, and well-written and added to the enjoyment of Frisco's and Mia's story even though they subscribed to the tamer requirements of a Harlequin "series" book published in 1997.Suspense: 2.9:There was a minimal degree of suspense woven into the story when a villain was inserted into the plot sequences to bring out Frisco's protective instincts.Secondary Characters: 3.9:Brockmann created two extremely intriguing and barely developed secondary characters that stole the spotlight when it was their turn to walk the pages of the book; namely, {1} Natasha (Tasha or Tash) Francisco, the precocious five year old niece of Frisco, who declared herself a Russian Princess and wanted a pink settee, and {2} Thomas King, a street-wise, intelligent young man who was not afraid to go toe-to-toe with Frisco. The rest of the undeveloped characters were thrown into the story to facilitate Frisco's and Mia's journey; namely, {1} Captain Steve Horowitz, {2} Sharon Francisco, and {3} Dwayne Bell; and also included the brief introduction of the members of SEAL Team Ten's Alpha Squad: {1} Joe "Cat" Catalanotto, {2} [Carter] "Blue" McCoy, {3} Harlan "Cowboy" Jones, {4} Daryl "Harvard" Becker, {5} [Luke] "Lucky" O'Donlon, {6} Bobby "Bob" [Taylor], and {7} Wesley "Wes" [Skelly]. A more in-depth, detailed, spoiler-ridden review of Frisco's Kid appears at Wolf Bear Does Books.
4+ starsWhile there are still some sappy undertones in this story that belong stuck in the 1990s... and while Frisco's self-pity is almost more than I can bear... this was a really wonderful story - one that touched my heart.Frisco, as we've learned from the other 2 books in the series, is the SEAL who got shot up when they were extracting from a mission; that translated into his knee being so badly damaged, that he just can't return to active SEAL duty, regardless of his will or how determined he is or how hard he tries. But Frisco can't accept that.Frisco is kicked out of the local vet hospital when his Navy doctor tries to lay it on the line for him and tell him that he won't ever be fit to be a SEAL; and that if he continues pushing himself, he'll end up in a wheelchair, permanently. Frisco needs to find something else to do with his life. "Cat" (Joe Catalanotto) tries to tell Frisco he'd be a great Navy SEAL trainer. But Frisco sees that as giving up and not good enough, so he goes home to his condo in Southern California (San Diego area) to sulk. (BTW, San Felipe is really in Mexico, on the Baja; don't try to relate that San Felipe to the San Diego suburb that Brockmann tries to make it out to be.)Enter Frisco's next door condo neighbor, Mia. She's a high school teacher and about as anti-SEAL as one can get. She's a pacifist who doesn't believe in guns or armies or war. But she's drawn to the tough Frisco, especially when she sees him take in his 5 year old niece, Natasha (Tasha) because her mother has to go to Rehab to avoid jail after a DUI. Frisco can barely take care of himself, and he's never been around kids since he was one himself. Mia sees Frisco fight to take good care of Tasha, but way out of his element.And in the course of all of this... of course, Frisco and Mia find that chemistry - that deep attraction. And Mia helps Frisco to see that HELP isn't a four-letter swear word. Frisco starts to see a possible life with Mia and Tasha, but still as a SEAL, of course. And then we find out why.... and it's a doozy of a story - one that definitely tugs your heart strings.OF course, there's a dangerous element involved - one that threatens Tasha and eventually Frisco and Mia. And we see Frisco ask for HELP from his former Navy SEAL team... and the results. It's not all a quick wrap-up HEA... it takes some time and some soul-searching for both Mia and Frisco to figure out how to hold on to love and one another, while fighting for Frisco to find who he is now.I really enjoyed the interactions between Frisco and his niece, Tasha, and how their relationship built. I liked the "positive reinforcement" method that Mia teaches Frisco, and I love the medals and the pink couch!
What do You think about Frisco's Kid (2003)?
Fast read, in depth characters and real life issues and people. Alan 'Frisco" Francisco is a Navy SEAL whose knee was busted up during an OP 5 years ago, and has been desperately trying to reclaim his active status, despite not being able to walk without a cane, or without tremendous pain. It was a self-discovery novel about pain, loss, perseverance and finding happiness where you don't think there is any. I liked the Heroine Mia, as well. I loved Natasha, Alan's five year old niece. She was adorable in the face of neglect by her alcoholic mother.
—Mrs. Badass
This is the third or fourth time I've read this one...and I enjoy it every time. But boy did the disabled SEAL Frisco have a huge chip on his sculpted shoulders. Never have I read a book where the hero's identity and feelings of self-worth were so closely tied to his career. Thank god he had the lovely high school teacher, Mia, to show him the way to happiness. Loved their steamy relationship. It was intensely hot without being graphic. I also loved Frisco's relationship with his adorable 5 year old niece Tasha. I hope one day down the line SB revisits the characters of Tasha and high schooler Thomas King--wouldn't it be something if they did marry? I thought SB did a great job on character development and plot with a measly 250 pages. Fans of SB's Troubleshooters series---do yourself a favor and read this earlier series. This is where it all began. The books in this series are all quick, smart reads and you're guaranteed to fall in love with more than one of her hunky Navy SEALs. All of them are winners but I must admit "Frisco's Kid" holds a special place in my heart. 5 stars
—Auntee
This is my favorite of the series so far. It takes the wounded hero theme, and gives it the treatment it deserves. The hero's pain, shame and feelings of worthlessness are so well described, but in a way that doesn't make him seem less attractive or less of a hero, no matter how he sees himself. The heroine is also great - it's nice to have a heroine who has real insights into people, and is just a genuinely nice person. The attraction between them sizzles, but in a beautifully accessible and "normal" way. Also, I'm not much into children in romance stories, but this one really works well. The child is a major part of the fabulous plot but a small role.I'm giving this 5 stars, because I love the way the author explores the hero's angst in a completely respectful way, and he's also such a fabulous hero.
—Ruth
