As Suzanne Brockmann is my favorite author, I eagerly counted down the months for the release of her latest in a series of suspense fiction, Into the Storm. It was worth the wait.

The story is about Lindsey Fontaine, a woman who works for an elite security company that goes head to head in a friendly training competition with the Navy's most elite warriors -- a team of SEALs.

During the training operation, the security company's new secretary, who was playing the hostage, goes missing. At the same time there are reports of a serial killer in the area. The SEALs and the security company launch a full-out search for the missing girl, but with temperatures dropping and a blizzard approaching, they begin loosing hope of ever seeing her alive again.

After a disappointing last novel, Brockmann comes back strong as ever in Into the Storm.

The plot is essentially one of romantic suspense, but it definitely transcends the stereotypical cheesy romance novels (the ones that sport the half-naked characters in a wild embrace on the covers).

Although the book is meant for entertainment, it also addresses serious issues plaguing America today. The main character is a Japanese-American who faces prejudice because of her race. There is also a plot line involving an openly gay character, a rarity in such books. Brockmann has created a world where there are all types of people just as there are in America, bringing to light a lot of the issues they have to face in the world today.

She does this through beautiful writing, with an amazing style that flows easily and full of suspense. She intertwines--as she does in most of her books--multiple story lines with the point of view coming from many different characters. Each character is developed skillfully; they have flaws but not the typical ones you find in normal romance novels. They are complicated and obnoxious sometimes, but in the end each of them brings something important to the book that enriches it completely.

Another interesting and important part of Into the Storm is that Brockmann brings the reader into an elite military group that deals specifically with terrorists. I think it's important in this day and age to completely appreciate the men and women who serve our country in the current war against terrorism. The way to do this is through knowledge and understanding. It might seem a bit absurd to get accurate information about the military situation from a novel (and a romance novel at that), but Brockmann knows what she's talking about. She skillfully portrays the attitudes, sacrifices and fears of the men serving our country.

Into the Storm was a relief to read because I was so disappointed with her last novel. This book is masterfully written, suspenseful, humorous and meaningful. Grade: A