Nothing to Fear    by Karen Rose Order:  USA  Can Warner, 2005 (2005) Paperback Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Martina Bexte Ethan Buchanan and Dana Dupinsky's two very different worlds collide when a ruthless kidnapper steals Ethan's godson Alex. His devastated parents implore Ethan not to involve the police. Ethan reluctantly agrees but insists he call in Clay Maynard, his partner in a private security firm. They manage to track Alex and his kidnapper to Chicago, and then the trail goes cold - it's as if Alex and the woman who took him had fallen of the face of the planet. Dana Dupinsky has dedicated her life to aiding women who are victims of domestic violence. She and a handful of volunteers run Hanover House. Neither Dana nor her staff has any idea that they are sheltering a monster when Sue and her quiet ten-year-old son arrive. As far as Dana's concerned, they will receive the same help as the other women who've sought shelter and started new lives thanks to Hanover House. By the time Dana discovers the truth about Sue it's too late. The woman is single-minded in her plans for payback against those who've ruined her life. Now it's not only Alex's life that hangs in the balance, but also Dana's and Ethan's - as well as anyone else who dares to try and derail Sue's maniacal and convoluted scheme for revenge. Rose's star continues to rise with this multi-layered, slickly plotted, thoroughly gripping story. Her cast of characters, which includes recurring ones from previous books, is at times top heavy but Rose keeps things nicely sorted out, while at the same time developing a strong and believable romance between Dana and Ethan. She gets high marks for creating an absolutely chilling villain - that she's a woman only make her actions more unsettling. After only four novels Karen Rose has made quite an impact in the romantic suspense genre. She recently won the coveted Rita Award for last year's I'm Watching You, the first of what I am sure will be many awards for a very talented and insightful storyteller. Nothing to Fear is a must read that you'll devour in a single sitting. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews