OVER THE EDGE

Meet hero Senior Chief Stan Wolchonok, head of the American Navy SEAL Team. Action man. On a mission to Kazbekistan. A US plane carrying a senator’s daughter has been hi-jacked. The crack helicopter pilot on the operation is Lieutenant Teri Howe. Teri has the hots for Stan.

We know Stan is a hard man because in the prologue he rescues one of his men who is trying to take on twenty Marines in a barroom brawl.

So this is a blokes book. All lads together. Colourful language. Machine gun prose. Lots of fighting, shooting and violence but without being gratuitous.

But there is a difference. Teri Howe is a woman and what hits you as you read the book is that it is obviously written by a woman. The reactions are emotional. All the men in the squadron seem as involved with their relationships as with the job in hand. Luckily, this doesn't slow down the action; instead it all serves to give depth to the characterisation.

If you are a thriller enthusiast, don’t let this put you off for the plot is plausible, the suspense builds nicely and the action zips along. There is also a happy ending. Could be a Mills and Boon in disguise.

Yes, this is a men’s book but for New Men.