I had not read the 1st book in the series but like most authors Karen Rose filled me in well about what had hone on before.
Certainly not gor the faint hearted and some people may find the topics covered a little disturbing. (child rape and abduction,underage sex, brainwashing and cult membership. Very descriptive on places

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Karen Rose has this ability to draw you in to not only one book but a whole series. After reading book 1 I knew it was impossible to leave it alone until I had read all of the books. So on to book 2 I went with baited breath. I suppose in theory these books could be read as standalones but I have absolutely no idea why anybody would want to. My recommendation would be to read book 1 and go straight onto book 2 as I did.

Book 1 featured Gideon and all of the other characters one of which was his sister Mercy Callahan. Mercy is the central focus of book 2 and I was thrilled that we got to learn more about her. The basis of these stories is that both Gideon and Mercy were kept in a cult when they were younger and have spent many years both running and hiding. The Solokov family play an integral part in this series and Rafe Solokov features heavily in this second book.

The elders of the Eden Cult are chasing both Mercy and Gideon and Mercy is literally fighting life and death. Mercy knows that if she is captured she will never make it out of Eden alive again and this makes for a VERY high-octane read with lots of action and drama. You really don’t need a blow by blow account and the synopsis of these books gives you a taster to see if it fits the bill for your sort of book.

What I will say is that this is a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable book which kept me reading at every opportunity. I read this in around 4 sittings over two days and am already eagerly well into book 3. Karen Rose as an author is absolutely brilliant and somebody that I would highly recommend.

Loved this book about Mercy Callaghan, had me hooked from the start. Karen Rose never fails to deliver , would highly recommend

Excellent follow on in the series, from the perspective of Mercy and Rafe, I love Karen Rose's writing, it is always very hard hitting and gripping, she doesn't shy away from difficult and disturbing subjects and this book is no different (cults, sexual abuse, child abuse) a really good exciting read, look forward to number 3 in the series

A great novel by Karen as always. Have read the first in this series but will seek it out following this. Really like the relay each book in Karen’s series develops the characters.

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...

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.

Kaen Rose always delivers the perfect romance suspense book and she did not fail with this one. I devoured this book. Karen's books are very chunky, but this is what I love about them. They go so in-depth and leave no stone unturned.

I have now read all of her work and cannot wait to read the next instalment of the different series.

Say No More - Karen Rose

Well plotted and written. Die-hard fans will love it, as will newcomers who love a thriller.
Personally, having read all of the authors previous work, I am finding the latest series to be too similar to some of the past books.

I’d like to thank the author, publisher and netgalley for providing me with this advance digital copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Once again a fantastic book by Karen Rose, this time telling Mercy and Rafe’s story. It had thrills and gruesome scenes, as well as romance. Also love seeing more of the grown up Tom Hunter.

I haven't read anything by Karen Rose in a while, and decided to give her another go because my mum enjoys her books so much, however I did not enjoy this book. I didn't like the writing style, too repetitive for me and I just couldn't gel with it. I don't think I will go back to this author a 3rd time.

#2 in the Sacramento series continues exploring the cult from which Gideon and Mercy escaped years ago. This time it focuses on Mercy and Rafe and I loved their pairing. The Sokolov family are probably one of my favourite fictional families and I'd love to be part of it. I'm hoping the next book focuses on Tom and wraps up the Eden mystery as well.

Be aware there are a lot of trigger warnings for this: violence, sexual assault, rape, child abuse.

This was absolutely BRILLIANT!!

Once again karen rose has written a story that flows so wonderfully, following a unique story that is consistently unexpected, eery and disturbing. The easy to read style keeps you devouring page after page long into the night, and the romantic elements warm your heart.

Another glorious addition to her growing lost of stories. Romantic suspense at it’s best!

Thank you to Netgalley, Karen Rose and Headline for my arc of Say No More in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: The second book in the Sacramento series from Karen Rose. Mercy Callaghan thought she had escaped the cult where she grew up, where she was abused and terrorised. Seventeen years later she's made a life for herself away from Ephraim Burton the man who abused her. But when her brother Gideon discovers new evidence against the cult Mercy travels to Sacramento to help him. There she also reconnects with his friend Rafe who wants to help with the investigation just as much. But little do any of them know that Ephraim has just discovered that Mercy isn't dead like he truly believed but is in fact alive. And he wants her back.

I'm a big fan of Karen Rose and have been reading her romantic suspense novels for years. Each series is set in a different city or state and features different characters who often make cameo appearances into the other series. The books for those who haven't read them are a mix of crime thriller and romance that gets pretty steamy! Say No More was no different.
I did really enjoy the mystery part of this book and I'm eager to know more about what will happen next however I must say I'm not enjoying the Sacramento series as much as the others Karen Rose has written. I think part of this is because I don't like Mercy's character, I get that she is a victim of horrific crimes but her childlike and stubborn attitude makes her seem more like a young teenager that a grown woman which kind of spoils the romance element of the book and also makes her annoying in dangerous situations. I'd definitely read the next book in this series and pretty much anything KR writes to be honest! But that's the only reason this didn't get a full 5*.

Loved this book and the author a friend suggested this author to me and theres no turning back for me I love these sort of books

What can I say about Karen Rose? She’s up there with the top authors, never lets us down with her books and this one doesn’t either! Not many authors can create characters quite the way that Karen does, brilliantly written and suspenseful all the way through. Left me wanting more NOW

As usual Karen Rose delivers an excellent book. Second book in this series, and it continues to follow Eden. Characters are strong in this, with their personalities coming through and well described.
Another blockbuster book, and can't wait for the third instalment.

Another great read by this author
Never disappoints the reader
Engrossed from start to finish
Definitely a 5 star

#SayNoMoreTheSacramentoSeriesBook2 #NetGalley Just read Say No More by Karen Rose, the second book of the Sacramento series and even though I hadn't read book one first it didn't feel like I didn't know what was going on.. I think there will be a book 3 to follow. A good story line that is believable as something that could happen in real life, with some nasty characters that are easy to fear and hate and a whole set of good characters around the victims. Lots going on throughout so it keeps you turning the pages to read what happens next. Quite a lot of emotions and feelings between the characters throughout which brings some romance and sex into the story but mainly a thriller.

I hadn’t read the first book in the series but a lot of what you need to know is mentioned so it didn’t really detract from the enjoyment of the book. The story opens with Mercy and her mother trying to escape the cult known as Eden, where they’ve lived since Mercy was a toddler. She is now thirteen and was ‘married’ off to Ephraim Burton when she was twelve.

We then jump seventeen years to Mercy as an adult trying to rebuild her life and her relationship with her brother Gideon who escaped before she did. Gideon is now a police officer. His best friend is Rafe Sokolof (also a police officer who is Mercy’s love interest). In book one in the series Mercy ran away when she realised her feelings for Rafe were developing, but she was too scared to enter into a meaningful relationship.

This book does not hold back, so if you are squeamish about any of the subjects covered here then I suggest you find something easier to read. We are talking about child rape and abduction, murder (lots of it – the body count rises with almost every chapter), underage sex, brainwashing – all the usual suspects in a book about a cult. Even the consensual sex scenes are quite, shall we say, descriptive and I am not easily shocked!

But let’s get back to the story. Mercy hasn’t seen Ephraim since she escaped. In fact everyone thinks she is dead. One of the charming things the cult does when someone successfully escapes is to kill some random person, maul their body, bring them back for ‘identification’ and say they were too badly mauled by wild animals to be recognisable. No-one ever goes outside because of the ‘wild animals’. Bears and wolves I guess. No phones, no internet, no TV, so no-one can ever check the truth. Each time there is a problem with discovery by outsiders, Eden moves somewhere else – always somewhere really remote.

This is a gritty story, not for the faint-hearted, but there is also a lot of love, family bonding and true friendship. The Sokolovs are a warm, close-knit family who treat their friends with the same love. This includes Mercy and her best friend Farrah who accompanies her on this trip. Mother Irina cooks all the time and shows her love through food. When Ephraim comes after Mercy, they are all ready to protect her, especially Rafe, who is falling in love with her more every day.

This is a tale of murder, kidnapping and child abuse, but also of love and friendship in a family where nothing, not even Ephraim Burton, can tear them apart.

Many thanks to @damppebbles for inviting me to part of #damppebblesblogtours and to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As usual I loved a book by Karen Rose.. The beginning of the book had me confused a little as it was similar to part of the first book and I thought 'I've read this'. Confusion soon passed and the story unfolded wanting you to read more and more. There's obviously going to be another book and can't wait to read it.