DON'T TELL
Warner Forever Books | July 2003 | ISBN: 0-446-61280-4

 

The Best Reviews, Harriet Klausner

Book Loons, Rashmi Srinivas

Publishers Weekly

RT Book Club, Jill M. Smith

Reader to Reader Reviews, Suzanne Coleburn

The Road to Romance, Marilyn Heyman

Romance Designs, Tara Green

Romance Junkies, Jennifer Wardrip

The Romance Reader Connection, Angela Etheridge

Romance Reviews Today, Angela Camp

The Word on Romance, Wayne Jordan

Romance Designs

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

"Since escaping her abusive cop husband and moving to Chicago seven years earlier, Mary Grace Winters has reinvented herself. With the help of a safe house for battered women, she changed her name to Caroline Stewart and her son's to Tom and secured a secretarial position at Carrington College. But unbeknownst to Caroline, her husband is on her trail, determined to reclaim his son and kill anyone who stands in his way. Meanwhile, Caroline struggles to live a normal life and open her heart to the love of a good man, Max Hunter.

"A handsome history professor and former NBA star, Max still bears physical and emotional scars from a long-ago car crash. But as their whirlwind romance progresses, enhanced by generous doses of steamy sex, Max realizes that Caroline's reluctance to commit stems from her past fears, not repulsion over his injury . . . First-time author Rose handles her subject matter well. She informs without preaching and allows her characters to sort through their emotions in a mature manner. As gripping as a cold hand on the back of one's neck, but tempered by lovable characters and a moving romance, this assured debut bodes well for Rose's future books."

ROMANCE DESIGNS

"DON'T TELL moves at a barrel neck pace and is a riveting story spun by new romantic suspense author Karen Rose.

Ratings
Overall: 10
Sensuality: 7
Suspense: 8

"Prepare yourself for a story that pulls you in and does not let go until the last page is turned."

—Tara Green

ROMANCE JUNKIES

SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR

"DON'T TELL is romantic suspense at its ultimate best. Ms. Rose is a wonderful storyteller, able to breathe life into her pages until you feel as if you're part of the story. I laughed, I cried, I yelled . . . and all from the words printed on these pages. If you've ever wondered if good can conquer evil, if you're not sure that the good guys sometimes do win, then this book is for you. Karen Rose goes down as a master of suspense in my book, and I can't wait to devour everthing else she's ever written...and hopefully will keep writing long into the future."

—Jennifer Wardrip

ROMANCE READERS CONNECTION

AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

"DON’T TELL is a gripping and realistic tale of one woman’s struggle to overcome the misery of spousal abuse. The brutality revealed in this novel is frighteningly realistic, and you will find yourself cheering for Mary Grace throughout her recovery. Ms. Rose does an excellent job of mixing in romance as a healing agent; her characters are deep and thoughtful. DON’T TELL is a tale of courage and is one book that all women should read."

—Angela Etheridge

THE WORD ON ROMANCE

ROSE AWARD NOMINEE

"DON'T TELL combines the elements of romance and suspense to create a story that satisfies on every level. Not only has Ms. Rose penned a story that develops a well-planned and executed plot, but she creates characters that are vivid and memorable.

"(Villain) Rob Winters can only be described as one of the most evil persons I've ever met in a romantic suspense. But his creation only speaks of Ms. Rose's ability to create realistic, diverse characters. Long before the end of the book, I could have easily taken care of Rob myself. Add secondary characters like Special Agent Steven Thatcher, Caroline's best friend, Dana Dupinsky, and her son, Tom, and you have several of the personalities that are significant to the message of Ms. Rose's story.

". . . Karen Rose debuts a story that is sure to please lovers of the romantic suspense. Though the story focuses on horror of domestic abuse, Ms. Rose does not fail to let the readers see the importance of family, friendship, commitment and love. I was hooked from beginning to end, and for a book of over 500 pages, I consumed it in the time it would take me to read a 250-page book. I'm watching Ms. Rose carefully, and have already placed her on my list of VSEA—Very Special Emerging Stars!!!"

—Wayne Jordan

BOOK LOONS

"Karen Rose has done a fantastic job of telling a tale of . . . courage, patience, determination and ultimate triumph . . . touchingly narrated. Like many other women, Caroline is stuck in a viciously abusive relationship, but she has the guts to do what very few manage—get rid of the fear and gain control of her own life and destiny. She is an inspiration to women everywhere and the author is to be lauded for her courageous portrayal. The powerful message of DON'T TELL distinguishes it and, along with well developed and realistic characters, makes it a worthwhile and stimulating read."

—Rashmi Srinivas

THE ROAD TO ROMANCE

"Ms Rose does a masterful job of telling the story and moving it along at a good clip. All the secondary characters played their parts very well . . . DON’T TELL is an excellent romantic suspense—it has an equal sharing of both romance and suspense keeping the reader mesmerized by the tale. It will keep you on the edge of your seat with fear and rooting for the hero and heroine to find the light at the end of the tunnel. Excellent writing and storytelling by Karen Rose."

—Marilyn Heyman

ROMANCE REVIEWS TODAY

"DON'T TELL is . . . a well-written (psychological) thriller—a definite page-turner that never lets up until the last page . . . For a chiller that will keep you riveted until the last page, check out DON'T TELL."

—Angela Camp

READER TO READER REVEWS

"DON’T TELL is one of the best romantic suspense novels I’ve read this summer. Put it on your list to buy, as it is a gripping, can’t put down novel that will have you scared, mad as hell, and falling in love at the same time. This book is a knockout for debut author Karen Rose. This is one hot author you don’t want to miss. I can’t wait to read her second book HAVE YOU SEEN HER? coming soon from Warner Books.

"Mary Grace Winters is the abused wife of a police officer in North Carolina. Desperate, she takes her son, stages their death, and takes up another identity in another place. Now as Caroline Stewart, she and her son Tom have a new life. She’s even falling for her new boss, Max Hunter, the new history professor at the university where she works as his secretary. Caroline has overcome much. She is now strong and independent, but still watchful. Her courage and strength of will is remarkable as you see the changes she goes through over the nine years of separation from the abuse she had to deal with during her marriage.

"However, a chance accident has police dredging for a body and they recover Mary Grace’s car and no bodies. Wow, get ready for some edge of your seat suspense as Mary’s husband realizes she has outsmarted him. This guy is evil, scary, and you just hope somebody stops him from finding Mary Grace and his son. When Special Agent Thatcher gets on the case after the case is reopened and things start progressing in all sorts of investigative directions. Ms. Rose does a marvelous job of taking this novel day by day to the different places and people involved, keeping it a fast paced novel that is impossible to put down. This would make a great movie, of course, everyone would be gasping and clutching their honey’s arm for protection if they do.

"Max Hunter is a terrific character, and the first male to attract Grace/Caroline, who has been keeping her nose to the grindstone getting an education in law. Max has a lot of scars to heal, and wonders how Caroline will feel about him when she knows the true story? Caroline grabs his attention the moment he meets her and sparks are flying burning their control to shreds with every meeting. You love these characters and want a happy ending for them, but will it be possible? Hey, I’m not saying a word, except hurry up and buy this book and start reading!!!

"The secondary cast of characters is wonderful, and they all work together to make this book read like a charm. What also caught my attention is the way Ms. Rose brought in how abused women can get help for themselves and their children. All in all, this book is an eye-opener, and at times chilling in its description of the crimes committed by the abusing husband. Once you read DON’T TELL, I know you are going to put this fine author on your 'must read' list. Excellent!"

—Suzanne Coleburn

RT BOOK CLUB

"FOUR STARS!

"Nine years ago Mary Grace Winters knew the only way she and her young son could escape her abusive cop husband was by faking their own deaths. Now, the rechristened Caroline Stewart and her teenage son, Tom, have been living a peaceful life in Chicago. But two events threaten to change all this: One for the better, the arrival of Dr. Max Hunter, Caroline's new boss at Carrington College; the other for the worse, the discovery of Caroline's long ago hidden car in Douglas Lake.

"Max Hunter is haunted by demons, but he's highly attracted to Caroline. Unfortunately, the discovery of her old car convinces Rob Winters that his wife and son might still be alive.

"Overcoming the paralyzing effect of fear plays a big role in this psychological thriller. Caroline and Max each have scars, but do they have the courage to put their hearts on the line once again? DON'T TELL is chilling and gripping storytelling that grabs you and doesn't let go."

—Jill M. Smith

THE BEST REVIEWS

"Though action packed, the story line is character driven. Macho Rob (the villain) is a sociopath-predator who hides his abuse behind a thin caring veneer. Caroline is not the person he used to batter, having improved herself once she got out from under his oppression. Readers will admire her courage, but feel anguish and dismay at a support system that failed her while hoping that true justice prevails."

—Harriet Klausner

Romance Designs

"Ms. Rose has penned a story that I don't mind saying scared me more than once. This is truly edge of your seat reading at it's finest! "
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