Karen Rose - Beneath Dark Waters

Public prosecutor J.P. "Kaj" Cardozo has only lived in New Orleans for six months, and he's already working on a high-profile celebrity sexual assault case that's made headlines all over the country. But when his son becomes the target of a kidnapping attempt as a threat to Kaj, he is desperate to keep him safe and turns to a private investigative firm famous for their protection services.
A veteran Marine, Val Sorensen is glad to have found a new career with Broussard Investigations. Her latest assignment as the bodyguard to ten-year-old Elijah Cardozo reminds her why--Val is a kick ass guardian with a tender heart. Through her duties, Val grows fond of the boy--and his handsome father.
But when the high-stakes investigation reveals an explosive network of crime through a revived drug gang, lingering deep-seated corruption in the NOPD, and a group of murderers-for-hire targeting Kaj, Elijah, and his star client, they're all left scrambling for safety...

Comment: This is the 28th story in the long romantic suspense series by Karen Rose. Not all books are sequential, not all books feature the same characters of course, but there's a thin connection that wraps up all the stories somehow. Fans who have read the series from the start find this notion quite appealing, myself included. Still, for someone who wants a smaller reference, this book follows the events on Quarter to Midnight, book #26.

After the events we saw on the previous book, in which Burke Broussard's team joined forces with the NOPD to catch some bad guys, the adventure continues when an attempt on kidnapping ADA Kaj Cardozo's son fails. Kaj hires Burke for his son to have bodyguard and that's how he is able to spend more time with Val Sorensen, someone he finds attractive and the impressions seem mutual. Something is going on because why target this little boy unless it has something to do with the most sensational case Kaj is working on, but if it is so, how is that related to the two minors who tried the kidnapping? While everyone is investigating, some new information about Val's deceased brother comes to life, but is is the link that solves the case?

It feels very tricky to try to summarize the book or the blurb without explaining a bunch of stuff, which only makes sense, obviously, for those who have read the previous books. I mean, a new reader will find this to have the process of any other romantic suspense book, there's a beginning and a middle and an epilogue, but so much might be lost, so many references would feel pointless if that happens. I understand, after all investing in so many books can feel tiring, but reading in order does make more sense here.

As always, I was quite taken by the story and the evolution of things. The plot doesn't take too long to happen, a week if I remember correctly, but the emotional connections between some characters feel sweet and worthwhile. I'd say the issue is that a week seems too fast for these strong bonds to take shape and the characters face very adrenaline induced situations, but the author somehow makes it seem that these decisions and feelings are the only possible outcome.

Kaj and Val, as often happens to this author's protagonists, face huge issues, mostly emotional as expected, and they still seem stronger to have faced it, as if going through a huge event somehow strengthens the bond. I will confess I would have liked their romance to have more sexual tension perhaps, or more time to settle while the story is ongoing. I don't mind the fast paced plot but perhaps instead of things taking a week, they could take longer and the personal relationships could develop further.

Another personal preference for this to become possible would be to reduce the huge amount of pages in which we have the villains' POV. I get it, it makes it easier to see what is happening and how some characters reach this or that conclusion, but it takes away so much of the reader's attention from the good parts, which to me are the personal relationships and the romance, and the good guys achieving their tasks. Yes, I know this is relative, not all readers prefer what I prefer, but in the end all those villains' pages don't really matter after all.

The plot isn't that complicated when all the pieces are put together. I would not say this is the author's most ingenious plot - others were a lot more spectacular - but it does provide interest in knowing what would happen next and how would the protagonists finally connect the dots on some things. The themes are, as always, censurable and with a lot more complexity than what one would imagine. In fact, some situations didn't have to be this tricky, but it does add drama and adrenaline like I said.

I still felt engaged, despite my personal preferences, and I was looking for to have scenes with the good guys and seeing them becoming friends and doing all kinds of positive things. Another thing, if I think about comparing to the early books in the series.... the stories are a lot more complex and the good characters more and more understanding. I get it but no one is that perfect... still, I will keep on reading these books for certain.

Grade: 7/10

Karen Rose - Cold Blooded Liar

Sam Reeves is a kindhearted psychologist who treats court-ordered clients. After one of his patients—a pathological liar—starts revealing plausible new details from a long-unsolved serial murder case, he’s compelled to report anonymously to the SDPD tip line, though his attempts to respect patient confidentiality land him facedown and cuffed by the aggressive (and cute) Detective McKittrick.
San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick loves the water. She lives on a boat, and when she’s not solving crimes with the SDPD, she’s assisting her foster sister with her charter fishing business or playing with her poodle. But there’s nothing that intrigues Kit more than a cold case, so when an anonymous caller leads her on the path of a wanted killer, she’s determined to end the decade-long manhunt.
Sam is soon released but goes home with both a newfound distaste for the SDPD and a resolve—not unlike Kit’s—to uncover the truth. Kit and Sam repeatedly butt heads in their separate investigations but are forced to work together to find one of the deadliest serial killers the city has faced in years.

Comment: Since I'm a fan of this author, I will make an effort to read all her books and it has been so for several years now. Although many stories are set in specific cities, sometimes a few characters might cross over. That isn't the case here, with this book a new setting in San Diego begins and I will say I'm surprised at how the author developed this story, which is slightly different from her norm.

Kit McKittrick is a young homicide detective, with the reputation of doing all she can and beyond, to help the victims or their families. That is why psychologist Sam Reeves decides to anonymously call and give a tip so they could investigate something a patient told him and that he can't disclose freely. Sam isn't certain if the information has any truth to it since the patient is a pathological liar, but he feels he has to at least give a hint. The problem is that his good Samaritan act turns against him and he is considered a suspect in the case of the young girls found killed. Kit feels that Sam seems too much of a good person to have been involved in the case, but she needs to do things properly, even if that means he won't trust her again as he did before. But the real killer is out there and apparently not caring about setting Sam up to take the blame... 

What can Sam and Kit do to finally catch the real killer?

I was quite surprised with this story, to be honest. I've read all the full length stories the author has published so far (this is #27 in the sequential general series if one considers it to be a single one) and if I remember correctly, this is the first book where we don't have the POV of the villain! I already considered that to be part of the author's trademark so this was quite refreshing. I also liked this element because I did complain before about the villain's POV taking up too many pages (in my opinion) and how annoying that was sometimes, which means I really liked this new tactic.

Something else I liked is that in all previous books there is always a romantic element, whether because we see previous couples in their HEAs or because the protagonist couple is starting off their relationship. The romances then to be caring and sweet - often the characters have went though some kind of trauma or complicated situations - and it was mostly like seeing people who already got along getting together. The formula, if one wants to use that word, was easily recognizable, but this time Kit and Sam don't get along right away (although we are told they like what they see in the other).

This means, clearly, that the goal is to develop their relationship in future installments, and upon checking the blurb of the next story set in San Diego, they are the protagonists again. This certainly means we will have a slow burn type of relationship, for at least one more book, and I think this was actually fun. We are told  - maybe the showing part could have been better done - they match in temperament, in personality, in common values and goals... I'm quite eager to see the next chapter, so to say!

The plot of this book isn't too different from the author's usual, though. There is a criminal killing young girls who seem to have theater interests in common. As it often happens, the events are set up in a linear way, so that we can see what is happening and how, and how the detectives are able to connect the dots. Some events seem too convenient of course, so that things progress more quickly, but thinking about this in the big scheme of things, I think it was done well enough and, mostly, convincingly.

The killer's identity wasn't a complete shock because the pool of options wasn't very wide. Nevertheless, the psychology of it was interesting, as was the way the story developed because of that. I'd say the suspense factor wasn't as high as in other novels by the author, and this was both b«good and not so good to me. In one hand, I did like that things were easier to follow and that I could stay focused on what I wanted to know instead of dreading the POV of the bad guys. On the other, perhaps with the lack of an obvious romance and clues from the killer, things weren't as urgent, it felt.

This aside, I did like reading this book and it was always good to pick up the story and keep reading. Closer to the end, I was almost sure about who the killer had to be, but the hows are always more difficult to guess right. I've finished the book with a good feeling, I liked some of the secondary characters we've met and I'll definitely read the sequel at some point.

Grade: 8/10

Karen Rose - Quarter to Midnight

Good cops. Bad cops. Only one will win.
After completing her tours with the Marines in Iraq, Molly Sutton knew she could take down any bad guy she met. But when a family tragedy exposes the dark side of her local police, she joined up with her former CO Burke Broussard, who left New Orleans PD to set up a private investigative service for people who couldn't find justice elsewhere.
Gabe Hebert saw the toll that working for the NOPD took on his dad and decided instead to make a name for himself as one of the best young chefs in the French Quarter. But when his father's death is ruled a suicide after a deliberately botched investigation by his former captain, Gabe knows his dad stumbled onto a truth that someone wants silenced.
Gabe goes to his father's best friend, Burke, for help. Burke assigns the toughest member of his team, Molly, to the case. Molly can't believe she's being asked to work with the smoking hot chef whose chocolate cake is not the only thing that makes her mouth water. Sparks fly as they follow the leads Gabe's dad left them, unraveling a web of crimes, corruption, and murder that runs all the way to the top.

Comment: This is book #26 in the long romantic suspense series by Karen Rose. Although not all the books are IN sequence or have obvious connections, there's still a linear string making it all feel understandable if one starts from the start. It has been quite a commitment but I have enjoyed the books a lot - of course some more than others - and I do plan on reading this author for as long as she writes.

In this book, the author picks new characters and a new setting in New Orleans. Gabe, a now famous chef in the area, hires a PI firm to investigate the death of his father, which was classified as a suicide but Gabe thinks this was unlikely. Molly is the investigator in charge of the case but everything becomes more complex when Xavier, a young man in Texas, contacts Gabe following the instructions of his late father. Years ago, Gabe's father rescued Xavier during the aftershock of Katrina and Xavier confessed he had seen a murder. Someone is now trying to "clean house" and Xavier might be next...can the PIs and their friends and connections help Xavier? What about Gabe, who wants to know what happened to his father and is now feeling something for Molly, the more they get to spend time together?

I think, by this point, that my appreciation of this author's books isn't much if I like it or not. I already consider it a given that I will like reading the work by this author but sometimes the challenge is to see if the content is more or less interesting or appealing, depending on how the plot progresses. Here, the crimes being investigated aren't the most gruesome the author has invented which, for me, puts this book in that middle road between tame and hard to swallow.

There is still a slight connection element to sort of connect it with the previous book. Two of the secondary characters were also secondary characters in that other book and it was nice enough to see them have a role here. But, of course, the main ones are new, live in a place that is introduced as new as well and it was quite fun to try to get an idea about everyone. I would not say it was exactly bittersweet because the books are simply engaging, but it did made me think about everyone else, characters I had gotten used to already...

As for the author's style, it's obviously still the same, whoever reads one of her books kind of knows what to always expect. I like her style,lots of details and time dedicated to the characters' actions and I know this can feel a bit repetitive to many readers and too long or too boring at times. I would not go as far as to say I'm bored but it is true some situations just take too long. I suppose the idea is to use all the moments to enhance what is going on but perhaps letting the plot happen in a longer period of time might help? What the author still includes and I still dislike and would completely remove is the lengthy entries narrated by the villain or from his/her POV. Totally unnecessary for me.

The case being investigated was more on the tame side for me because it was about a murder and corruption (as opposed, for instance, to the crimes of sexual abuse and similar which some other books had and that, to me, are harder to read about) and the need to see justice happen is easier even when there were some obstacles. I don't mean to say this isn't as serious or bad to read about, especially when we empathize with the characters but there are definitely harder books to read by the author.

As for the romance content, that isn't exactly the focus and feels like it happens a bit too quickly. We also must bear in mind the action scenes and the adrenaline make the plto feel as if it's busier, that it has a lot going on and while this can help the romance feel like it's a natural development because of the close proximity and such, it can have the opposite effect. I liked Gabe and Molly and, for a novelty, at least one of them ins't in the police or any kind of legal authority profession. Did I think they were the best couple? Not close to my favorites, but since this the beginning of a new series... actually I'm more interested in reading about the couple who will be protagonist of the next book set in new Orleans...

Basically, this was a good novel, probably will appeal more to those who already love the genre or those who are familiar to the author's style.

Grade: 8/10

Karen Rose - Say Goodbye

For decades, Eden has remained hidden in the remote wilds of the Pacific Northwest, “Pastor” keeping his cult's followers in thrall for his personal profit and sexual pleasures. But the Founding Elders are splintering, and Pastor's surrogate son DJ is scheming to make it all his own.
When two of Eden's newest members send out a cry for help, it reaches FBI Special Agent Tom Hunter, whose friend and fellow FBI Special Agent Gideon Reynolds and his sister, Mercy, are themselves escapees of the Eden cult, targeted by the Founding Elders who want them silenced forever. The three have vowed to find the cult and bring it down, and now, they finally have a solid lead.
Neutralizing Eden’s threat will save captive members and ensure Tom’s new friends can live without fear. But when his best friend, ex-Army combat medic Liza Barkley, joins the case, it puts her life—and their blossoming love—in danger. With everything they hold dear in the balance, Tom and Liza, together with Gideon and Mercy, must end Eden once and for all.

Comment: This is the last installment in the Sacramento subdivision of the romantic suspense novels by Karen Rose. Although one can more or less have a linear chronology and some connection between the books' evolution and sequence, there are some books grouped around a more central city and the last three books were based on Sacramento. Next up, the plot of the new series will be set in New Orleans.

In this book we have the conclusion of the events started in Say You're Sorry, with the plot centered in a cult gone wrong and how those who were and are part of it suffer at the hands of a few charismatic people who only wanted money and, now, control. After what happened in the other books, this is the time to finish everything and the FBI agent who works the hardest is Tom Hunter who, with the help of several known characters, keeps tracking the path of the cult and the money movements, in order to finally free all of those who have been deceived by someone they trusted. With him is Liza Barclay, a childhood friend who has been in the military and is now going to become a nurse. Their relationship has been complicated lately, but will they have time to discover who they are for one another while so much is going on for them to do to help their friends?

This is an easily recognizable book by this author, mixing up a fast paced plot where we want to see the villains frustrated over failed plans and later on convicted because of their crimes, and with some romance between characters we feel deserve their happiness.

I must say, though, that as the stories evolved and the author added complexity to the plots, her characters became more and more hero/heroine material. I say this because the "good guys" are all wonderful human beings, even if they went through terrible experiences... and yes, most, if not all protagonists have some kind of trauma in their past, adding this notion of how much more deserving they are of an HEA. I know it feels as if I'm criticizing and it does get a little repetitive how perfect they end up being, but I kind of like knowing how easy it is to root for them... but... some change wouldn't be dismissed.

This aside, this book is quite the return to basics, because Tom, the main male character is the same teenage Tom (if I recall correctly he was indeed a teenager) from book #1, Don't Tell, which started this all. That book, I still remember, was a more traditional mix of suspense and romance and Tom's mother the heroine who escapes an abusive relationship and build up a new life with this swoon worthy hero, who became Tom's stepfather. I can't say if  Tom now being the protagonist is because the author wanted to somehow fix the loose points and finish this "arc" in a cute way or because we might start seeing more characters from past books...or perhaps she wants her future suspense novels apart from these ones we've followed for almost 20 years...

Either way, to me this story worked for what it aimed to accomplish. I like how fast paced everything happens, sometimes a little unrealistically, but it allows for the tension and hurry of some things to be explained and justified. It was also quite cute to see the easy bond between the characters (there are many!) and how we can picture their lives even after the book is finished...in a way, this is great, I like this notion that everything that happens to these people will have a pay off, whether because their lives will be free of a villain or because they would have reached happiness.

However, it is true some things are just... for instance, the romance here is sold to the reader as a friends to lovers and Liza has had feelings for Tom way longer than he did. There are explanations why, we learn about their past romantic experiences, but the way the author now writes makes the romance a little secondary and I don't think we have enough scenes with them just interacting or with enough sexual tension build up so that I can be convinced the love declarations, when they come, are truly special and logical. A lot is hinted at and I can imagine, them being good people, they are sincere but... the romance did feel a little weak.

The plot isn't the most complex nor the craziest the author has imagined (to me, the plot twists on the Daniel Vartanian books win the prize) but it follows a lot of convenient and handy situations/odds, and sometimes I feel that it has to be so, otherwise the fast pace wouldn't work, but then... how matter-of-fact can some things truly be, it's just so... set on technology and the perfect clue at the perfect moment and while I like the good guys winning, and guessing things on time, it can also be a little too fantastical. I also think we could have had some more closure on the whole cult beginning and those who were part of it.

All things considered, this is still a good story, more so for fans, but I also think there are some issues that could be better, could have made the final result a better book. I will keep reading things by the author, yes, but I can see how it can an acquired taste for some too.

Grade: 7/10

Karen Rose - Say No More

Mercy Callahan thought she'd escaped the cult decades ago, but its long fingers are reaching out for
her again in this electrifying novel in the Sacramento series by New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose.
Seventeen years ago. That was the last time Mercy Callahan saw Ephraim Burton, the leader of the twisted Eden cult where she was raised. But even though she escaped the abuse and terror, they continue to haunt her.
When her brother Gideon discovers new evidence of the cult's--and their victims'--whereabouts, Mercy goes to Sacramento to reconnect with him. There, she meets Gideon's closest friend--homicide detective Rafe Sokolov. From Rafe, she receives an offer she never knew she needed: to track down Ephraim and make him pay for everything.
But Ephraim, who had thought Mercy long dead, discovers she is in fact alive and that she is digging around for the cult's secrets. And now he'll do anything to take her back to Eden--dead or alive.

Comment: This is the 24th book in the romantic suspense series by author Karen Rose. I have been reading the books since the first one, published back in 2003, so it has been quite a commitment. I don't regret it and I should say that this does read as a standalone. Or, for better context, readers can read only the previous, which is set in Sacramento like this one. Although, the fun here is to see the expansion of the family connections and the giddy feel of recognizing a name from previous books too..

In this book, following the events of the previous installment where hero Gideon started to bring to life the end of the cult Eden, which is no more than a fake excuse for criminal acts, it's his sister Mercy, also a survivor of the cult like her brother, who takes the lead. She is still dealing with the effects of what happened to her while she lived with the cult but after seeing how devastated her brother was when she refused to continue their newfound relationship, she changed her mind and is now eager to help the police and the FBI to end the cult once and for all... The problem is that someone from the cult wants her back, to e used as a power move within the cult and he won't avoid killing innocents to grab Mercy. However, she is discovering her inner strength and with the help of her brother, his best friend who makes her think of things and many friends and family, she will try her best to see the nightmare end...

As it usually happens with this author's books, this one was a winner for me too. Perhaps not as amazing as some have been, but thankfully for me, the villain/negative scenes weren't as shocking or hard to go through as in other stories and the family cocoon presented here more than made up for the lack of a passionate and stronger romantic element.

Mercy is the heroine and she has suffered a lot. Many of this author's heroines or heroes have survived or mostly coped with traumas, bad things, attacks, etc., so Mercy's behavior was not a big surprise within this world. However, that means the relationship she develops with Rafe, her brother's friend with whom she seemed to connect in the previous book, was quite mild. I should say it's rather a trend with the author to include romance in her suspense books but that not being the focus, it can feel a little under developed. For instance, Rafe isn't as emotionally developed besides a sad situation with someone he loved and the natural empathy he shows.

I can see why this feels like being so, their connection is more on the emotional level and the physical scenes are always surrounded by consent rules and consideration, which is a wonderful message to convey, don't get me wrong, and this happens with practically all the main couples in all the books, but sometimes I wish that or the characters weren't going though so much trauma or that it would have affected them differently, so that the forever romance the main characters have with the heroes/heroines of their respective books would have a slightly stronger level of passion, of inevitability! I do like how things happen, how sweet and rational and respectful the feelings of everyone are addressed but... a little more steam/chemistry would be welcome too.

As for the plot, as always is quite detailed, we have almost hour by hour of things happening and although this might allow for a too specific sequence of events, looking carefully, everything happens in just 4 or 5 days of the timeline, so the action actually happens quickly and the wrapping up of the action is very quick too. I can assume this might sound unlikely, some procedures and conclusions regarding the case do seem to be solved rather easily but I think the need to know what happens and how the characters deduct certain information is addictive, so the pages fly by us.

Since this is a sequel to what was put into action in the previous book, it's safe to say the overall arc isn't finished here and the next book will likely be the one where the whole cult situation is fully explained and finished. Still, we do have some closure for Mercy in this book because most of the trauma she suffered at the hands of the villain will reach an end to her, emotionally speaking. Although I do imagine that the next book will be the one where the big stuff is explained and where we can infer the characters will finally find peace with what happened to them.

Like I said, the romance between Mercy and Rafe could have been sexier, if not hotter (that might not have been suitable for the type of story) but the big cast of "good" characters makes up for a sweet read where people act like they care about one another. If only big and loving families were always that generous! Still, I like the author's style and after 24 books, I don't feel like letting these characters go.

Grade: 8/10

Karen Rose - Into the Dark

Michael Rowland is not your typical teenager. Deaf from birth, he’s always looked out for his five-year-old brother, Joshua. When his stepfather comes after Joshua, Michael takes the child and runs. He’s determined to protect his brother at all costs, even if that means making himself vulnerable to a danger he can’t hear coming. And the danger intensifies when Michael witnesses a stranger kill his stepfather.
Desperate and afraid, the boys have nowhere else to go but to Joshua’s soccer coach, journalist and ex-Army ranger Diesel Kennedy. When Diesel sees that Michael is injured, he takes them to see Dr. Dani Novak—not only because she’s fluent in American Sign Language, but because he’s drawn to her and everything she stands for. She never refuses Diesel’s requests—because she, too, feels their connection—but she resists him for reasons she doesn’t want to confess.
When Dani and Diesel learn that Michael saw the face of his stepfather’s killer, they fear for his safety. But they quickly discover that it’s even worse than they feared: They may have a serial killer on their hands—and all signs point to Michael as the next target.

Comment: This was my last book of 2019. It's the 5th installment in the romantic suspense series the author has been writing for years and this story is fitted into the sub series set in Cincinnati but the connection to older books is sometimes visible in one or two details although not in this one. 

For those who like the author's style, it's just funnier to read things in order as the stories in the same city often overlap or continue some situations in the characters' personal lives.

In this story fans finally have the romance of Diesal and Dani. These two have been secondary characters that readers have rooted for and now it was time to get them together at last.

As expected, this occurs at the same time two little boys need help after the oldest one, who happens to be deaf, witnesses a murder. From the first time the boys are taken into protection, there are signs their lives have not been smooth and especially for dr Dani Novak, partially deaf herself, it's extremely important to find a way to help them. 

The killer also killed other people and when he discovers there's a witness, he will try everything to find out where the boy is  but with the help of their large group of friends, Dani and IT guy Diesel will finally unite efforts and love to be the best support for those boys...

The best feature of reading a long series or where often the same characters play a role is that we get to know them quite well, we start to create expectations about where their paths will lead and how their personalities might fit, or not, the choices the author makes for them.

For a while now readers have been aware Diesel and Dani would be a couple and it's quite a gift the author has thought of a plot to also showcase how they would finally overcome their doubts and admit what all their friends already suspected.

Removing the killer's actions, this could be quite a romance and with a strong cast of characters in the secondary role. However, this writer pens suspense and that wouldn't be easy to ignore, particularly since a lot of the "good guys" work in authority roles which are directly linked to the boys' protection, which means it's impossible to separate the romance from the suspense and this author does the job very well. 

I'm also glad the "voice" of this killer isn't as difficult to accept or go through as some others in the past have been; if I could change something, would be the amount of pages dedicated to the killer/villains' POV in her books.

The crime investigation and all the steps taken by the characters make sense, as usual, but it does strike me as too easy how some connections between clues or situations are made. I can understand this need to follow things quickly so the clues don't get lost and the bad guys are caught but well, things do happen a little too easily.

At the same time, the romance is also developing and if we get enough clues from other books on how the characters interacted, some stories are easier to accept as likely. This is what I felt happened here because we already knew Dani and Diesel were attracted to one another.

Their relationship is a strong element of the book because they need to provide stability too for the boys while they are being protected. I liked how things seemed to develop slowly between them, mostly because of Dani's fears. Readers of other books know why she is so cautious and why she protects herself by pretending she doesn't know Diesel likes her. Despite this and their conversation on the subject at a certain point, I still feel she caved in a little too quickly within the story's timeline. If only we could have seen, while the story develops, more scenes with them being attracted and fighting it - I think there was only one or two where that was thought by them - I'd be better convinced. 

I mean, I know they are going to be a couple but when things happen, what they say is romantic and sweet but their actions feel "staged" and the physical side of things was not as emotional as I imagined, considering how long it took them to be in the same page.

Despite this, I'm very happy these two are together, I liked the interactions they had with all the other known characters who matter in their lives, I liked how the book ended...really, the domestic and personal scenes between all the good guys is certainly the best feeling to think of when finishing another installment in the series and I can't wait to see it again in more books, even if in a different city.

Grade: 8/10

Karen Rose - Say You're Sorry

There is a serial killer on the loose, preying on vulnerable women. The only identifiable mark the killer leaves are letters--sometimes one, sometimes two--all carved into the torsos of his victims. Together they spell "Sydney."
When he grabs Daisy Dawson, he believes he has found his next victim. But despite her small stature, she fights back with an expertise that quickly frees her. Before fleeing the scene, Daisy also manages to grab what proves to be crucial evidence: a necklace from around the killer's neck.
The necklace is more than a trivial item--it is a link to a cold case that Special Agent Gideon Reynolds has been tracking for seventeen years. With Daisy's help, Gideon finally has the opportunity to get closer to the truth than ever before.
But they might not get the chance, as the serial killer has a new target: Gideon and Daisy.

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the romantic suspense series by author Karen Rose, an author whose work I've been a fan of for some time.

This book follows up what happened in other books, when it comes to the character's relationships but it's also labeled the first of a new spin off series, set in Sacramento.

In this new book we get to see how is the life of Daisy, another sister to Taylor and Julie, recurrent characters from previous books, namely Monster in the Closet.

The action starts with Daisy Dawson being attacked but resisting ad how that starts of a chain reaction to not only follow the circumstances of why a serial killer keeps killing and to connect that with a cold case and the real life situation of FBI agent Gideon Reynolds. 

Daisy and Gideon and their mutual friends will team up to look for more clues about a locket Daisy got out of her fighting the killer, not knowing the killer is on to them now...

When I start a book by this author I have immediate expectations which are quite complicated to not have because of what she has used her fans to. Her books are very plot focused, the action is always on going and it's even difficult to imagine everything happens in a matter of days, always seeming that it takes longer than that for the crimes to be solved and the romantic pair to bond.

In this book, Daisy and Gideon are the main couple, and the interesting tidbit is that the friends they have in common, including a matriarchal matchmaker have been trying for them to meet before and they never said yes, until this case proves there was some reason behind their efforts.

Daisy, we've been told, was a bit troubled because of the restrictions her father, Frederick, imposed on the family thinking he was protecting them all from Taylor's biological father, who his wife Donna always said to be dangerous. Daisy was a bit of a rebel but she endured until the truth came out when Donna confessed she lied about everything. Then Daisy's life changed and she wanted the freedom that had been denied to them, and that took their sister Carrie's life too.

I liked Daisy's character and personality, something I admit I was doubtful about because in the other books she was mentioned we didn't have her side of things and she came across as unfair. It was obviously nice to see she is as caring and dedicated as all the heroines before her in regards to the hero and the family.

The hero of this book is an unknown character. Gideon was a surprising guy because he lived in a cult as a child and that has certainly shaped many of his expectations and behavior. He still lives with what happened to him, his sister and mother while living in the cult but what he wants most is hope and revenge against those who caused him so much pain. I'm just happy that, by the end of the book, we get to have a huge clue in how this sub plot will certainly have a solution and a possible new book set in Sacramento will likely feature the solving of this.

This obviously means the characters have quite a complicated past. They had to go through some very harsh situations and that affects how we must see them: people who suffered but overcame all that and are now exemplary citizens, people we must sympathize with. I'm just commenting this because it does feel like the couples in the author's books had to suffer something in order to be worthy protagonists. Of all the books I've read I can't remember one where at least one of the protagonists hadn't gone through some trauma/problem/suffering.

I'm not saying this is exactly a flaw but it does create a situation and that somewhat explains why we must engage with them so quickly: most of their personalities have been shaped by pain.

Daisy and Gideon are a good match, they understand each other, they are good friends even when they don't share with those who care for them... and they are a good investigative team as well. Along with other officers of different entities (police, FBI, crime scene people, etc.) they plan and they search and they managed to connect the dots to catch the bad guy.

I actually felt bad for this one in some points. He wasn't evil like others have been, his maliciousness came from something that happened to him and not out of his own evil self. He killed many so no excuses, but still. I keep thinking we have way too many pages from the villain's POV and this was no exception. We could still have an idea of actions without having such long scenes by him.

As a whole, this was fast paced, engrossing, the little details about several characters helped, the investigation had its moments and I do appreciate how the author has tried to focus more on some positive things (scenes we see more characters we care about and how they work together) instead of just bad stuff. This wasn't a bad book in the series and I'm obviously eager to read the next one.

Grade: 8/10

TBR Challenge: Karen Rose - Death Is Not Enough

In his work as a defense attorney in Baltimore, Thorne has always been noble to a fault—specializing in helping young people in trouble in an attempt to atone for those he couldn't save when he himself was younger. He plays the part of the bachelor well, but secretly holds a flame for his best friend and business partner, Gwyn Weaver, a woman struggling to overcome her own demons. After four years, he thinks he might finally be ready to confess his feelings, come what may.
But his plans are derailed when he wakes up in bed with a dead woman, with no recollection of how he got there. Whoever is trying to frame Thorne is about to lead him down the rabbit hole of his past, something he thought he outran long ago—which means Thorne must figure out who's been keeping track of him, how much they know, and how far they'll go to bring him down... 

Comment: It's October already (why does it seem time is moving faster as we get older?) and this month, Wendy has nominated the Paranormal or Romantic Suspense theme. 

This is vague enough that anyone can have plenty of books to choose from but for me it can be quite complicated. 

I have lots of paranormal but most of them romance, not suspense. And I have some suspense novels but not that romantic. 

After debating on some titles which could be good or not so good, I just gave up and picked the latest book by Karen Rose, one of the masters of romantic suspense, that had arrived very recently in the mail.

In this recent novel, we finally have the tale of Thomas Thorne, a secondary character, slightly mysterious, who we have known since a few books ago and who sometimes offers some type of help.

Thorne has been set up and was caught in bed with a woman who has recently been murdered but, thankfully, his friend Gwyn is the one to find him and she has the presence of mind to take pictures before calling the police and 911, so that the battalion of friends who will be involved in helping Thorne prove his innocence have reason to do so.

Things still look bad, though, and the case is linked to Thorne's past and others he knew back then. Ad the attempts on Thorne's business and friend's lives escalate, can Thorne both find the strength to rely on all his friends and finally admit to Gwyn how he really feels about her?

I've read some reviews on this book and for lifelong fans, this is another good installment in the series with connected characters. For others, things take too long to happen and it's too confusing to keep track of the cast.

I must say the books by Karen Rose are read as stand alone but they cannot be fully appreciated if not read in order. There are too many details, related situations, things we should be aware of previously, that better give the reader a grasp on why certain situations happen in each new book.

This said, I do agree with the fact the story is quite lengthy. But for me, the problem is definitely not on the immense secondary cast because I really love this aspect of mrs Rose's novels. To see almost all the characters in the core work together, help one another, to have glimpses of their domestic lives, of things they think about... for me this is amazing.

The villain's POV, however, I keep saying this in relation to all books by this author, is so unnecessary! Some of the things we know from the bad guy's POV can easily be discovered another way or by him, that's not the issue. But why spend to many pages in his head, realizing he can have good or bad reasons for his actions or, even worse, seeing how disturbed he is. I'd cut off the villain's parts or reduce them to a bare minimum.

The mystery and the investigation to prove Thorne's innocence is very interesting, the author does hit on several points I think everyone would consider if they were in the same situation but I must say almost all friends in this core of characters work in or for or in relation to police situations/scenarios. Of course some procedures would feel a little easier for these characters to solve or think about. Still, when the reasons behind all the trouble are discovered, some things didn't seem to be as important but maybe that's just my impression.

As for the romantic part in this romantic suspense novel... that was certainly a let down.

Gwyn and Thorne are a classic friends to lovers trope happening but I can't just accept they have had romantic thoughts about one another and never let it be known... if in previous books where they would show up this had been very obvious... the way things happened, if felt sudden and unrealistic. Besides, both of them have baggage, Gwyn especially... in such a stressful situation, for them to also deal with those emotional scars, it felt too convenient. 

I am glad they are happy and more so because their group of friends and family is solid, but the couple alone...not really buying it.

All in all, this was a good installment. Apart from the bad guys, it feels like spending time with friends and I do love this aspect. I could read Karen Rose's books for this aspect alone.

The next book is set in a different town but the main female character is linked to all these so... I anticipate only good things!

Grade: 7/10

Karen Rose - Edge of Darkness

Homicide detective Adam Kimble is no stranger to battling demons. But Meredith Fallon is a different kind of weakness: one that could actually be good for him, if only he would let himself depend on her. Meredith has loved Adam for a year, and seeing how hard he's worked to deal with his PTSD makes her feelings only stronger, but she respects his needs. Her work keeps her busy anyway: she counsels sexually abused women like Mallory Martin to help them reintegrate into the world.
But someone doesn't want Meredith helping women like Mallory, and Meredith finds herself in the crosshairs of a very determined killer. Adam would risk anything for her, but they'll soon find out she isn't the only target...

Comment:This is the 20th story in the romantic suspense world by Karen Rose. Some of these 20 books have some closer connection between them but all fall the same usual line and there's always some little link between everything like this book has put in evidence. I liked it.

In this story fans can finally have the focus on Meredith and Adam, two characters who we have known had a relationship of sorts from a few books ago. This time they finally manage to get together but only after going over several situations, some from their own decision and others related to the main plot.

However, apart from their personal lives both Meredith and Adam belong to a circle of professionals who try their best to solve crimes and protect those in need, whether by being pat of the police force or by working in fields that are somehow related to crimes scenarios. This time, a killer seems to try his best to kill Meredith but will the team of the good guys discover the truth behind it?

I'm surprised by how I appreciated this book, especially when comparing to some of her more recent ones (like #17 and #18) mostly because this book doesn't deal with such harsh subjects as the others, namely the child exploitation and sexual abuse.

This book also presented secondary characters that we've come to care about and that certainly makes it more pleasant to turn the pages.

Adam is the hero of this book and I liked him here a lot more than in the books where he had appeared previously. In this story he shares a lot about himself and it's quite understandable why he seemed to be a moody character in the past. I don't think he is my favorite hero written by this author (Steven from book #2 and Clay from book #15 still hold the prize) but I was very happy about the way he talked to Meredith about his past and troubles. The reason why it took him so long to share why with Meredith felt a bit unlikely because of how long it was but at the same time I've been never been in his shoes and I can't say how believable it can be.

Meredith is one of several strong heroines. She isn't such a complicated or tortured heroine as some in the past but she deals with pain and issues by being a therapist. I liked her personality but I confess I preferred when the situations would involve more people than herself. As for the romance between her and Adam, because we've come to see it through several books a scene here and there, this wasn't too developed, more like validated at last.

I should mention this is an aspect of the authors' books... she spends so long in the plots and "wastes" so many pages with the villain's POV in my opinion that the romance side of things is rather lost. I still remember this duality between plot and romance being the main reason why I liked her first books and why I kept reading. Nowadays she still manages to create engaging characters and suspense plots but the balance isn't there anymore. But since I read this like episodes in the lives of favorite people, I still like them overall.

As for the plot, as usual is very detailed, filled with stuff I wouldn't ever imagine and a villain that defies reality by being such an actor. How this author can create villains that can hide their true self so well always makes me wonder and it's really sad to think there are sociopaths like them out there in real life, even if not as obviously. However, I also think we get to see too much of the villain's motivations. I'd be happy to just have one dimensional bad guys who could be a notion in the story instead of so much detail about their deeds and evilness.

All in all, this was another interesting installment, I liked the previous book, #19 a lot better but this author hasn't disappointed me so far even when the books are more difficult to go through. I have hopes for anything she keeps on publishing.

Grade: 8/10

Karen Rose - Monster in the Closet

A mother is dead, and now her killer hunts the child that witnessed the brutal crime...
Private Investigator Clay Maynard locates missing children for clients, but has nearly given up hope of finding his own daughter, cruelly stolen from him by his ex-wife twenty-three years ago.
Equine therapist Taylor Dawson has chosen to intern at Daphne Montgomery-Carter's stables so that she can observe the program's security director - her father, Clay Maynard. Trying to reconcile the wonderful man she's getting to know with the monster her mother always described, Taylor never expects to become the target of a real monster, the man who murdered the mother of the little girls she works with at the stable. Neither does she expect to fall for Ford Elkhart, Daphne's handsome son, who is dealing with his own demons. As family and friends gather for a wedding, Taylor starts to imagine a permanent life in Baltimore.
But not if the real monster gets to her first...

Comment: I was quite surprised when I realized this book would be released when it was. I guess I got so used to the release dates the author often has that I was not expecting this book to be released at this moment and not only later. This means I was positively surprised and very glad this would be in my hands soon.

In this book we have a story once again set mostly in the Baltimore area, which means we would reconnect again with characters from the books set there. The main character is Taylor Dawson, a young woman who is working as a therapist at Daphne Montgomery-Carter's farm. Taylor has applied to the farm to work but she also has a secret agenda, she wants to know more about Clay Maynard, the security director. Taylor also wants to get to know Clay because she is the daughter he never acknowledged, a lie her mother told her all life and only while dying did she say the truth. Now Taylor wants to see if she can have any sort of relationship with Clay but she turns out to be an important piece in a murder investigation too. Can she be safe enough to make it possible for her to finally understand what happened in the past?

Faithful fans of Karen Rose's books certainly remember how much Clay looked for and needed to find his missing daughter Sienna after a bad experience trying to meet her when she was a child. He lost contact and now desperately looks for her still, even after getting his own story and HEA with Stevie Mazetti.

I was so happy when I saw this would be a book featuring the reunion between father and daughter. I expected some emotional scenes and was not disappointed.

The book is structured pretty much as any other book by the author is. There's a crime, there's the investigation and the details about everyone and everything piling up until the end. But this book is different because the romance, in this book centered around Taylor and Ford (Daphne's son) is just the beginning of the relationship and not its complete stages. Let's say the end is more a HFN which is acceptable since they are young and haven't known each other for long like most couples in previous books did.

I also think this suits the timeline too. Some readers say the story is not fast paced but I liked we had time to see important discussions. I also like how believable the relationship is after only 2 days; the author didn't make them swear eternal love after such a short amount of time although, for us, romantic readers, the clues, the timing and the fit are all there.

This book is also a bit outside the norm because we know who the villain is from the beginning. I can understand how most readers love the suspense but I actually don't mind, the mystery might not be there but the other characters obviously don't know it, so we can actually feel we are ahead, I like this actually. It was also nice to have a villain that was not a complete psychopath, all the actions and decisions were based on simple things like addiction and greed and a lack of care, not a complex plot while on the outside presenting the perfect persona. But I suppose this is just a matter of personal preference and other readers thought it was too easy.

Of course the emotional element was key in this book. I liked all the conversations, all the scenes involving the characters, their lives and connections. It was like meeting old friends again, knowing something new about their lives now...and I can say I smiled and "awwed" a lot through he story. The scene when Clay sees Taylor for the first time was strong and it was very emotional. Until the end there were other situations (family and professional ones) to consider and I feel very glad they worked out well and in a way we can accept and that will still make sense in future books, if they exist.

All in all, this was a great story for me, I loved spending time with the characters and I confess I wouldn't mind more books like this one but I suppose the author will go back to her usual in the next one.

Grade: 9/10

Karen Rose - Every Dark Corner

When FBI Special Agent Griffin "Decker" Davenport wakes from his coma, he is desperate to find the missing children he knows are in danger. At the end of his last investigation, when he thought it was all over and justice had been served, he discovered that not everyone had been rescued, but he was shot before he was able to tell anyone.
Special Agent Kate Coppola has recently moved to Cincinnati. She says she's chasing a promotion but she's actually running away from heartache. She's found the recordings from Decker's time undercover and has been at his side in the hospital while she tries to put together the pieces of the crime he was investigating—and what connection it has to his own mysterious past.
When someone tries to kill Decker in his hospital bed, he and Kate realise that the children are not the only ones whose lives are threatened, and that they must stop at nothing to hunt down the perpetrators. And danger is waiting in every dark corner.

Comment: Another Karen Rose book. Since I read the first book by her, years ago, I have tried to keep up with her releases because I know her books are always gripping.

However, the latest books have also started to focus more on what I dislike the most in her books, so... feeling a bit confused about what to feel.

This book starts right after the end of the previous one and the main couple is Kate and Decker, characters we got to see right at the end of that book.

Kate has come to Cincinnati mainly because her former partner Deacon is here now and she wants to be around friends after what happened with her brother-in-law, who committed suicide.

Decker is an FBI agent who has been undercover and when the last book ended, his cover was unmasked and he was hurt and has been in a coma.

This book, as all the others before, is centered in a villain and how the police and FBI agents team up to discover who the villain is and how to get him before more people die or he hides away.

And my last sentence says it all when it comes to why I feel this author is no longer as amazing as I have thought after reading the first 11 or 12 books... the focus has turned too much to the villains and their horrible acts and not as much to the main couple or the positive side of an investigation.

I can understand why, after all, it's the gory details that often make people follow crime news and suspense stories but for me, the author has under looked the good things a bit too much. 

There's so much detail in every step, so much attention to every little thing in the plot that I feel I lose too much time keeping in check every character's attention on something instead of simply enjoying the book.

The plot of this book follows the disgusting actions of "the Professor", a man who sells drugs and people. This villain was one of the ones who wasn't caught in the previous book when a team of drug buyers and dealers was discovered and exposed, including a pedophile as well, someone who had a connection to this "Professor". The police and the good guys need to stay one step ahead to catch him but sadly, it feels like that never happens except at the very end and only because of an apparent random mistake.

It always surprises me how the author can hold on writing about such depraved and disgusting villains, who do and think such horrible things. And then I feel so annoyed because we have way too many scenes from the villain's POV. Knowing he or she do these things is already bad enough but to have to spend pages and pages reading through their POVs makes me so irritated! I understand this is the way for us to feel empathy towards the victims and more so, for us to know why certain things happen and why the good guys sometimes can't but... truly annoying and I wish more time would be spent on developing the romance or the good side of things... real life is already too awful.

Of course, eventually the end makes it all right but... so much despair and abuse in the past of the characters...it gets a bit too depressing even knowing it can all be true. I also think the romance wasn't the strongest, it happened too fast, both Kate and Decker had issues and it didn't feel like their romance had enough time to properly develop or at least for it to be realistic.

But these books have a way of making it difficult to let them go, so... I keep reading even when I get annoyed.

The next book sounds amazing. I always think this but the next one truly does. I really hope it goes back to the type of book I felt in love with while reading this author's work.

Grade: 7/10

Karen Rose - Alone in the Dark

Homicide Detective Scarlett Bishop has seen enough bad guys slip through the cracks and too many innocent victims go unavenged to know good doesn't always prevail. So far she’s been able to lock away her rage and her vigilante fantasies. That lock is about to break.
Former Army Ranger Marcus O'Bannion is a fierce champion of victims’ rights. His secret past gives him good reason. He believes he’s seen the depths of human depravity, but then his investigation into the murder of a young girl who once asked for his help lures him and Scarlett down a dark, dark road—and straight into the crosshairs of a dangerous, powerful underground ring that deals in human trade. To stop them, Scarlett and Marcus have to be just as cunning and just as ruthless. But first they have to make it out alive.

Comment: This is most recent book by author Karen Rose. She writes romantic suspense and this is a book that can fit into two series...there's a lengthy series only titled romantic suspense series, in which this book #17, but in a smaller scale it's book #2 on her Cincinnati set stories. 

All the books follow one another sequentially and often characters from previous books are mentioned or show up, so it's positive to have read them all, although the amount of time between readings can make us forget many details...

The books go from one city to another and this is the second one set in Cincinnati, but the action has been in Baltimore, Chicago and other places.

In this story we follow special agent Scarlett Bishop, one of the characters familiar to us, and Marcus O'Bannion, someone with an important role in the previous story. It's not necessary to have read that other book to understand this one but many references and names will make more sense if the readers have read the other first.

The villains in this novel have, as we all can guess, secrets to keep and they will do anything to avoid authorities to uncover them. But they didn't expect O'Bannion to be such a key character, especially after all the trouble he caused them in the past because of his work as a journalist.

But Marcus and Scarlett are concerned about the victims, in particular the young woman assassinated that also had an ankle tracer on her, suggesting a dire situation and that could be the tip of a bigger iceberg. But nothing is easy, clues aren't always obvious and people are in danger. Can the police and our heroes do something before it's too late? And what could be at the bottom of all this?

Well, this story is a lengthy development of a situation that happens in only a two day span. It's incredible the amount of detail the author presents and all the little things we see happen.

But my biggest issue with this novel (and with some of the more recent books by her as well) is how long it takes for something to happen and the ridiculous amount of pages spent showing us all the plans, all the actions, all the ideas the villains have.

I understand it gives us a very good idea about their mindset, their motives, the rotten side of their human lives, but it gets too distracting and repetitive: the amount of pages we read from the villain's POV is not being used as protagonists' development and often it's the same sort of information. Sure, we are always up to what they're doing and we can have an idea about how far ahead or not they are compared to the heroes, but I thing it's unnecessary to have so much air time focused on them.

Sure, knowing what they're up to is one thing, but every little detail, along with all details from the good guys as well... no wonder this has 700 pages.

I'm not complaining about the page count, but one third of it spent on bad guys, their bad actions and deeds...it's annoying to me, to be honest.

Of course this means the romance development lacks in some believability... sure we know they knew each other before, she visited him at the hospital (he was hurt in the previous book), they are very attracted to one another, but it takes them virtually 2 days to go from sexually attracted but just wondering to being in love. Stressful situations can give a more adrenaline-infused momentum to these things, but it's not that realistic, I think! Maybe if the action took longer than 2 days and more of the 700 pages had been focused on their relationship...

As for the plot, what can I say, it makes sense, it's explained, in fact ALL steps are detailed to us, some more obvious than others, but in the end everything makes sense and the only loose ends that can exist are there on purpose, probably to set up the next book (for instance, we already know who the next protagonist couple will be).

The author clearly does a lot of research, knows a lot about the police procedures and so on and inserts enough information about the themes presented, like human trafficking and immigration in this book. It's not a thesis on these things but enough to give a good structure to the book.

I've been a fan of the author since the first book I've read by her. I've noticed the books are getting longer, the themes more complex, romances less developed and villains are getting more and more air time. I feel rather sad over this, because I preferred how things were years ago. I understand, but it's hard not to think about it.

Still, this is a good enough novel, there's a HEA and justice is done. Well, sort of, because in my opinion too many people die instead of having a day in court and being sentenced...

Grade: 7/10

Karen Rose - Closer Than You Think

Psychologist Faith Corcoran is desperate to escape the stalker who’s made her life a nightmare for the past year—desperate enough to run to the one place that has been her nightmare far longer. Both boon and bane, her recent inheritance of her grandmother’s old house in Cincinnati offers sanctuary in which she can start her life anew, but requires that she face the dark memories that still resonate to this day.
But she has no idea how close to home her fears still are.
Two college girls have gone missing in the area, and FBI Special Agent Deacon Novak is called to work on the case. When his inquiry unexpectedly leads him to Faith, he finds a beautiful and brave woman he can’t help but fall for. Soon they’ll discover that this seemingly simple investigation is anything but. Reaching back decades into Faith’s own past, it will shatter everything she believes to be true and will give terrifying new meaning to flesh and blood.

Comment: This book is this the latest by author Karen Rose. The book was released by the end of last year but this edition is the paperback published already in 2015.

I've been a fan since I've read her first book several years ago. Interestingly, as time time goes by, so does the page count on her books...

This is the story of Faith Corcoran and how she escapes Miami because someone has been trying to kill her to go work in Cincinatti in a bank, but the road of troubles follows her and by inheriting her grandmother's house, she will be in the middle of countless problems and crimes.

Deacon Novak is an FBI agent trying to do the best for his siblings so he returns to a place he doesn't like that much. As soon as he sees Faith, something about her strikes something in him and by taking care of her while solving the crimes will make it very difficult to not mix business and wishful thinking...

As usual I liked this story. It has all the elements we normally see in any Karen Rose's novel. The lengthy plot development, always marked with time and places in the beginning of each change of scene to help situate the reader on every step of the way. The book is long and many things happen at the same time, the bold time line does help to keep up with what's happening.

The plot, once again, is quite imaginative and is full of details we se in pretty much any crime scene tv show or book. The crime details, motivations, workings and hows are very particular and objective. The author thinks about these things and I don't know how she can write the worst parts. If there's one thing we can say about the forensic details explained and present in the book is, they seem quite realistic and I'm sue the author does a great research work. But things do happen quite fast, I understand why, but the plot develops through a week, sort of, and I wonder if it's only the plot's purposes driving that need...

The bad guy. Oh the bad guy. Again, a crazy, out of hid mind smart killer. I do have to appreciate the author by creating these types of characters with such normal lives but always with weird thought processes that make them crazy killers. Once more, the motivations this killer had were selfish and twisted. His acts worse. But I do have to say it. I HATE IT that we SEE so many scenes from his POV. Hate it! Why, we can still know what he's doing without knowing his thoughts. I get it, it's a writing strategy but I find myself annoyed so many times, I usually skip the bad guys parts. I do get it that it's a way to play with reader's emotions, but I hate those parts!

Another usual element in ms Rose's books is the romance. There's a couple falling in love in the stories all the time. Again, back to the plot's timing, which occurs for a week. Is it a week enough time to fall in love and establish feelings powerful enough to last a lifetime? Plus, to be believable it will be something lasting? The author does it all the time, some times it works better than others. In this case, I think we didn't see them dealing with that part of the book that well. I wish the author would do better epilogues, maybe romantic ones to balance the horror of the plots and to allow the reader to dream about happy rewards a bit more...

So, the bad guy is a real case, the romance wasn't as hot as some of the previous ones, but I do have to admit I was eager to keep reading and wished the good guys didn't suffer. I felt the adrenaline in some scenes so that has to count. But the things I hate aren't easily forgettable, so...

Grade: 7/10

Karen Rose - Watch Your Back

Baltimore Homicide Detective Stevie Mazzetti has suffered losses no woman should have to endure. And, despite it all, she’s still a fighter. When she learns that her ex-partner might have miscarried justice, she’s determined to put the past to rights, even when she becomes a target.
It’s former Marine Clay Maynard’s job to see the risk in every situation, but he doesn’t have to look hard to find the danger surrounding Stevie. Since the minute he first saw her, Clay has wanted to protect the wounded officer, and he started loving her not long after that. So when Stevie attracts the attention of a vicious psychopath, Clay will do whatever it takes to keep her alive. That is, if he can stay ahead of a killer with everything to lose—and something terrifying to hide...

Comment: This is the most recent book by this author. I've been a fan since book #1 years ago...I loved and still do love her writing style and combination of thriller and romance. I thin she manages to keep a good balance of both in every story.

This new book is Clay and Stevie's story. We've known them from several books ago and have slowly seen the development of the relationship between them. It has been a journey full of chemistry and caution but after a amazing end in the previous book, we finally have the chance to see them get their HEA in a story that puts Stevie in the front seat of a race against something from her professional past. But Stevie has friends and Clay, and it's their turn to find happiness...

Once more, I really loved a story by this author. Ms Rose got her readers used to wonderful stories and characters whose lives we still follow and wish the best for. One of the best things in her books is how special the romance feels after so many obstacles in the main character's paths.

This book loosely follows the action from the previous stories, and it tides up many subjects. It's easily read by any unsuspecting new reader, but for those loyal ones we see many subjects getting solved. In fact, it's clear the author is ready to tidy things, considering she already said whose story is next and how after that, she will change location again. Let's see what is on the move...

As for this story in particular, I have no beautiful words, just my sincere appreciation for a good romance. I loved Clay and Stevie's relationship. I thought at some moments she was a bit annoying but if I did the exercise of putting myself in her shoes, who knows what I'd do to protect my child, to keep my sometimes wrong pride and my fear to take a chance on love, just like she did? I don't think she acted wisely but she didn't do anything out of there either.
I think her and Clay's romance was slow to reach happiness but I liked how it happened. I was surprised at Clay, he is such a wonderful character...I don't remember details but I do recall when he first showed up and I thought he would be one of those alpha nonsense men, and after all he has a warm, loving side so amazing...it was really special to see him through that perspective.
It was wonderful to watch them together too and I loved seeing them finally compromise on an HEA after some misunderstandings and stubbornness actions.

The crime part was as mysterious as ever despite us knowing who the bad guy is. I keep saying my least favorite parts in her novels are when the bad guys do and think things. I get it's a good way to see things happen instead of knowing about them, but personally, I could do without the drama and the annoyance of bearing those mind processes, so unfair to good people!
Anyway, the mystery parts had their interest and some things did surprise me, but I confess it's not what makes me most eager to read.

I liked seeing beloved characters and others that have grown up during the series...like a family and I do like series with this.
There are clues about a secondary romance in this book which I also loved...it was a good way to solve two people's fates without much air time but in an important way, so..good work.

In the end, a great book and romance and once again, this author doesn't disappoint me. I keep being eager to read more and her biggest fault is the whole year it takes to get a new book out...with all those pages it's understandable but still not easy to bear in mind...a faster process would help!
Grade: 9/10