NO ESCAPE - Shannon K. Butcher
Forever
ISBN: 0-446-51028-9
October 2008
Romantic Suspense

Springfield, Missouri, Present Day

Isabelle Carson grew up in the foster care system, moving from one foster home to another. At fourteen she was placed in the Levine foster home. She sensed something was wrong; all the children seemed to be locked in fear. The first night she was attacked and almost raped, but was rescued by her foster brother, Grant Kent, who became her hero. Now, fourteen years later, she is a teacher and has a foster child, Dale. Isabelle has kept in contact with the other children from the Levine home. Something strange is happening, and Isabelle is panicked and grief-stricken. So far, three of her friends, Linda, Sam, and Beverly, have died. All three have been ruled as suicides, but Isabelle knows this is not true. She also knows they are dying in the order of when they arrived at the Levine home. Isabelle fears she has NO ESCAPE, because it's only a matter of time before the killer comes after her. There is only one person Isabelle can turn to, but she hasn't spoken to or seen Grant Kent in fourteen years.

Grant Kent just got out of the military and is on his way to a job in Denver. He has never forgotten Isabelle or the man he saved her from. Her Christmas cards have always been a bright spot in his life. Grant abruptly changes his plans when he receives a strange message from her saying watch your back. Upon his arrival at Isabelle's home, Grant sees how terrified she is. When she tells him what is happening, Grant makes the decision to stay and help her, putting his new job on hold. Both are adults now, and even with the present danger, the sparks ignite into a hot, passionate affair.

Working together to solve the mystery and save her friends, Isabelle and Grant are confronted with another ugly problem. Dale's father is released from prison and he kidnaps his own son. Can things get any worse?

NO ESCAPE is the third book in Shannon K. Butcher's romantic suspense trilogy. She has whipped up a story that is edgy and intense and has added a sizzling romance. Grant and Isabelle are terrific characters who are well defined, both are likeable, yet they have trust issues. The subplot of the foster home, ripped from headline news, serves as a social commentary. The story builds with immense tension and action as the killer targets both Isabelle and Grant. Can they survive, and whom do they trust? Make yourself comfortable, and turn on the light -- once you start reading NO ESCAPE, you'll not want to put it down until the very last past page. Enjoy.

Deborah C. Jackson