#BlogTour Say Goodbye by Karen Rose

 It's a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour Say Goodbye by Karen Rose.

About the Author

Karen Rose was introduced to suspense and horror at the tender age of eight when she accidentally read Poe's The Pit and The Pendulum and was afraid to go to sleep for years. She now enjoys writing books that make other people afraid to go to sleep.

Karen lives in Florida with her family, their cat, Bella, and two dogs, Loki and Freya. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, and her new hobby - knitting. Follow @KarenRoseBooks on Twitter, on Goodreads, on Amazon, Visit karenrosebooks.com

About the book

The closer you get to the truth, the more dangerous it gets. - FBI Agent Tom Hunter has been chasing down leads to find the brutal cult that damaged some of his closest friends. They managed to escape to tell their stories, but Eden's location has always remained a mystery.

Liza Barkley is struggling with her feelings for Tom and wonders if their friendship can survive the secrets they've kept from one another. But they may be forced to confront the truth when a chance to help the investigation puts Liza directly in the line of fire.

When the perpetrator of an attempted sniper attack on Liza and her friends is discovered to be one of the cult's leaders, DJ Belmont, it becomes clear that he is out to get revenge on the victims who escaped Eden's clutches.

But there is one person who has always had control over DJ, and who no one outside of Eden has ever glimpsed: cult leader Pastor. When a serious injury forces Pastor to seek help outside the confines of the Eden, Tom and his team finally have a chance to bring the cult down. But DJ Belmont has his own plan, and is not going to stop until he gets what he wants...

Review

In this third book in the Sacramento series the hunt for Eden and some closure for the victims takes centre stage. Old victims and new ones unite to help bring down this dangerous cult.

Aside from the annoying juvenile-like relationship and the toing and froing of Tom and Lisa, there are other elements of the story that are a little repetitive and simplified. In comparison to the premise of Eden and the excellent way Rose is shining a light on the insidious nature of cults - there is a stark difference between the aforementioned and the latter.

The most worrying thing about any cult or organisation that recruits and preys on the vulnerable, is the fact they appear to be protected by the law. So much so that innocent children and adults become victims and are unable to seek help or receive it. Generations of innocents are used for the gratification of megalomaniacs and deviants, whilst the authorities often look on helpless to do anything in the face of antiquated laws protecting the perpetrators. 

It's no surprise that two of the characters who previously escaped from Eden are damaged to the point that it impacts the rest of their lives, especially when Eden doesn't want to let go. Everyone is invested in shutting down this hellhole of torture.

Rose delivers a captivating read, whilst delivering an eye-opening commentary on one of the most disturbing concepts that exists and is accepted by society, despite the conditions and structure that allows the damage, pain and destruction of fellow humans. It's a fast-paced gripping read.

Buy Say Goodbye at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Published in hardback by Headline pub date 8th August 2021- RRP £20.00. Also available in ebook and audiobook. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour Into The Dark by Karen Rose

Today it's my turn on the BlogTour Into The Dark by Karen Rose.

About the Author
Karen Rose was introduced to suspense and horror at the tender age of eight when she accidentally read Poe's The Pit and The Pendulum and was afraid to go to sleep for years. She now enjoys writing books that make other people afraid to go to sleep.

Karen lives in Florida with her family, their cat, Bella, and two dogs, Loki and Freya. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, and her new hobby - knitting.

Follow @KarenRoseBooks on Twitter, on Goodreads, on Amazon, Visit karenrosebooks.com, Buy Into The Dark

About the book
When Michael Rowland saves his younger brother Joshua from the clutches of his stepfather, he runs for his life with his brother in his arms. From his hiding place he sees the man who has made their lives a misery taken away in the trunk of a stranger's car, never to be seen again.

Doctor Dani Novak has been keeping soccer coach Diesel Kennedy at arm's length to protect him from her dark secrets. When they are brought together by the two young brothers who desperately need their help, it seems they might finally be able to leave their damaged pasts behind them.
But as the only witness to the man who kidnapped and murdered his stepfather, Michael is in danger.

As Diesel and Dani do all that they can to protect him, their own investigation into the murder uncovers a much darker web of secrets than they could have imagined.

As more bodies start to appear it's clear that this killer wants vengeance. And will wipe out anything that gets in his way...

Review
Michael has only one concern - keeping his brother Joshua safe. The only way to do that is making sure they stay together, and their step-father away from him. When he stumbles upon said step-father preparing to put his brother in danger certain events are set in motion that will change their lives forever.

I have to say kudos to the author for writing the story in such a careful, thoughtful and emotive way. Part of me wishes, and I can imagine other readers and perhaps even the author, that victims of abuse were always treated with such sincerity and genuine concern. The truth is that the systems that are put in place to keep children safe are often inadequate and overburdened. The vulnerable fall through the loopholes of the systems, and even when the abuse is recognised and acted upon what comes afterwards is only as good as the system that put the procedures in place.

Also the sensitivity with which Rose approaches both the abuse, the deaf child and the hearing impaired is exceptionally well done. When you take all of the above and add crime to the plot, whilst simultaneously throwing in a serial killer who leaves body parts all over the place, it creates this spectacularly emotionally raw and charged read.

Then as if crime and abuse weren't enough to keep the reader captivated the author adds romance to the picture, and where the abuse is concerned I don't mean captivated in a salacious way but rather in an emotionally involved way. Usually this often leads to a less is more or too many cooks scenario, but Rose balances every part of the story so well - it's as if it was meant to be.

It's romantic suspense, an uncompromisingly direct and honest read with a great set of characters and highly sensitive topics.

Buy Into The Dark at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Headline Publishing│Hardback │£20 pub date 14th November 2019 - eBook and audio also available. Buy at Amazon com.