Closer Than You Think by Karen Rose

Closer Than You Think by Karen Rose is a fast paced romance suspense/thriller with almost non-stop action and a classic psychopath serial killer -- ruthless, cold, unbalanced -- at the center of the suspense plot. By using the killer's point of view during key segments of the story, Rose allows the reader to experience his focus on Dr. Faith Fry, the main character of the novel, as well as the horrible physical and psychological violence his victims suffer. This twisted, violent point of view, although extreme at times, built up tension and kept me on edge until the end.

The romance is secondary to the suspense. Rose, however, weaves it in along with all the non-stop action and violence that takes place. The love that grows between the intended victim, intelligent and gutsy Dr. Faith Fry, and FBI agent Deacon Novak develops at the same breakneck speed as the action and short timeline that Rose utilizes to hunt the killer.

Deacon is physically different. Going by Rose's descriptions of him, Deacon could have become a caricature. Instead,intelligent and with vulnerabilities, a family and a need to love and be loved, Deacon is much more. Both he and Faith are lonely at heart and click almost instantly. Although the timeline for this romance is short, Rose takes the time to integrate family histories and backstories for both main characters. Danger and adrenaline helps this couple bond quickly, turning deep attraction into more.

Many viable suspects are introduced and kept me going back and forth trying to guess the identity of the villain. However, there is lack of good follow-up throughout the investigation that I found slightly frustrating, and much running around going on. The thriller sections could have been tighter, however I found Closer Than You Think a great read. The story is violent, mildly sexual, with more sexual tension than graphic scenes, it shows loving as well as dysfunctional family ties, and some intriguing secondary characters that I want to know better. Grade: B+

BOOK SUMMARY:

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.

NOTE: A big thanks to Leslie, from Leslie's Psyche, for recommending this book.

Mini-Impressions: Have You Seen Her? by Karen Rose

One by one, the girls disappear from their beds at night. Each one is pretty, with long dark hair. And each one is found brutally murdered. 

Special Agent Steven Thatcher has sworn to find the serial killer preying on this small town. As the investigation pulls him one way, his family pulls him in another. A widower haunted by loss, he now worries about his son Brad slipping away. But there's a bright light in his life: his son's teacher, Jenna Marshall, has reached out to help. She's beautiful, kind, and considerate--and slowly, tentatively, she and Steven are starting to fall in love. But both have been hurt before--badly. And as the two try to find the courage to bare their souls, a murderer who has slain many looks for the real treasure he craves. He sets his traps. And waits. For Jenna...

I highly enjoyed Have You Seen Her? by Karen Rose. I'm finding that Rose integrates the suspense and romance tightly into her stories and that's something I always look for in this genre.

Steven and Jenna are a great couple. There is a lot of hot sexual tension going on between the two in the middle of all the other threads that Rose works into the story. And there's a lot going on: girls kidnapped and murdered by a serial killer, Steven's problems at home with his three boys (I loved his boys), Jenna's problems at school (she's a teacher), and of course Steve and Jenna's romantic conflicts.

I really like that although Steve and Jenna are deeply attracted to each other quickly -- and looking at the timeline they act pretty quickly on that attraction -- they take the time to step back and let the relationship grow before making a commitment.

Rose writes graphic and violent scenes and her villain in this book is a sadistic one. As in Don't Tell, I was a bit disappointed with some of the over the top drama and action at the end, but overall Have You Seen Her? is a solid romance with likable characters and great, well researched suspense.

Genre: Romance Suspense
Series: None
Release Date: September 2007
Grade: Solid B

Visit Karen Rose here

Mini-Impressions: Don't Tell by Karen Rose

It was a desperate plan. But Mary Grace Winters knew the only way to save herself and her child from her abusive cop husband was to stage their own death. Now all that remains of their former life is at the bottom of a lake. Armed with a new identity in a new town, she and her son have found refuge hundreds of miles away. As Caroline Stewart, she has almost forgotten the nightmare she left behind nine years ago. She is even taking a chance on love with Max Hunter, a man with wounds of his own. But her past is about to collide with the present when her husband uncovers her trail and threatens her hard-won peace. Step by step, he's closing in on her- and everything and everyone she loves.

Don't Tell by Karen Rose was definitely a solid read for me. It was pretty heavy though -- the villain of the piece is a cop and a wife beater. Rose is very descriptive when writing the violent scenes in the book, specifically the scenes where Mary Grace/Caroline is abused. Rose certainly doesn't pull her punches when it comes to describing the damage done by this man to his wife and child. She addresses both the physical and psychological damage done to families by abusive husbands, as well as the "blue wall of silence" that is often found when it comes to cops who beat their wives. She doesn't paint a pretty picture nor does she gloss over the consequences.

I'm not going to beat around the bush, at times this was a tough book to read for me personally. However, I was quite impressed with how well Ms. Rose researched battered wives and the long-term psychological impact abuse has on their lives, as well the lives of children who witness the abuse.

The romance was very well done in this book also. Yes, there is a romance that takes place after all the violence takes place and in the midst of the suspense, and it fits... it really does. As the hero, Ms. Rose chooses Max, a man who needs Caroline as much as she needs him. In each other, they find love, healing and a much-needed family.

Personally, I wish the climax with the villain had been less melodramatic. I was hoping Caroline would find closure in a different way -- that part of the book was a personal disappointment. After a while, I'm afraid the villain-husband-cop became a bit too much of a monster and diminished some of the initial, real impact he had on me. On the other hand, there are some great secondary characters in this book I hope to see in future books.

I'll definitely be reading more by Karen Rose in the future. I've already chosen Have You Seen Her? as my next read. Grade: Solid B

See Nath's review of Don't Tell at Books, Books and more Books. Nath's relentless love for Rose's books made me look at her work twice. Tabitha's (Tabz Book Blog) reviews of other books by Rose finished the job. Thank you both for the recommendations. :)