Never Tell

by Karen Young

Never Tell by Karen Young released on Jun 14, 2005 is available now for purchase.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0778321436
• ISBN13: 9780778321439
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Mira Books
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Extremely Enjoyable

This is my first book by Karen Young and I was extremely happy with it. Erica Stewart survived the tragic accident nine years ago when her husband and daughter were the victims of a hit and run accident. Hunter McCabe is trying to find out those secrets while at the same time trying to get closer to Erica. All the while, Hunter's family is responsible for the hit and run, though he is not aware of this. The book makes it no secret who was behind the hit and run, but there is other suspense in the book. I did find the book to be very well put together and though there was much detail, it was kept up at a good pace to give the reader a better feel of the characters while taking things slowly so you can actually see a romance evolve and not the usual they meet today and one week later they are in love. This book is much more realistic. I would definitely recommend.

Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005

Wow, wow, and wow! Everyone who knows me knows how much I love romantic suspense, and I'm always thrilled to add another author to my to-be-bought list. Karen Young has just earned a place towards the top with the heartwarming, heroic, suspenseful, and highly romantic tale of NEVER TELL. For artist/designer Erica Stewart, opening a shop with her friend Jason Rowland was a dream come true. The exclusive boutique in the Galleria of Houston's high-end shops, Erica's creations of handmade jackets and quilts are being noticed by everyone who is important-brand name fashion designers, readers of the Houston Chronicle, and most especially, Lillian Trask. As the wife of Morton Trask, CEO of CentrexO and a man to be reckoned with within Houston's elitist society, Lillian has made it her life's mission of the past few years to know everything there is to know about Erica Stewart. Erica wants only one thing-to see her business a success, and to put the past behind her. When her husband and child were killed nine years ago in a car accident, Erica's life forever changed. Not knowing who was behind the horrific crash, never seeing a perpetrator brought to justice, forced Erica into a state of mind that she never wants to revisit. Now, she has her shop, and her friendships. What she doesn't have, and has no desire in having, is a relationship with a man. That changes when Hunter McCabe, an architect who'd rather be a cowboy, steps into Erica's store to choose a birthday present for his mother. Immediately attracted to Erica, Hunter wants nothing more than to sweep the lady off her feet. But as Erica opens her heart to Hunter, someone in the wings isn't too happy about their budding relationship-and has no attacks of conscious making their anger known in increasingly dangerous ways. Mystery, passion, suspense, and an intriguing plot make NEVER TELL a romantic suspense delight. Karen Young has written a true winner with this highly remarkable story-one that you won't be able to put down once you've starting reading.

Brillantly Portrayed!

Karen Young once again does not disappoint her fans. With brilliantly portrayed characters and a merciless villain, you will read NEVER TELL in one sitting. This compelling plot will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end! Lillian Trask could easily spend the rest of her life in Houston but her husband, Morton, the legendary CEO of CentrixO, stuns her with the news that he may be up for an ambassadorship. That means leaving her son, Hunter, and not being on hand for their distressed daughter, Jocelyn. It also means she would stop secretly aiding the career of clothing designer Erica Stewart. A close family friend tells Hunter his mother would like an Erica Stewart original as a gift and it is here where things start to get complicated for Hunter McCabe. When Hunter meets Erica, he rapidly falls in love but can not understand why she wants nothing to do with him. He chooses a gift, gives it to his mother for her birthday and can't stop talking about the woman he just met. Lillian sees that her son is smitten with Erica yet Hunter is miffed when his mother, who is always gracious, turns ashen and acts oddly. The concerned Lillian tells Morton that Hunter is love-struck with Erica but he tells her to just deal with it. Hunter, now deeply in love, is determined to find out why his family has an attitude about Erica. Then, much to his horror, someone makes an attempt on her life when she starts recalling repressed memories of when she lost husband and baby in a hit and run accident nine years earlier. Hunter sets out to deal with her attacker and to protect her while they both struggle with the nasty secrets they discover have been lurking in the closet for many years. Set in the beautiful Texas hill country as well as Houston, Karen Young writes another terrific must read. Romance is at the core of the story with a strong-willed heroine and a determined hero. This excellent page-turner confirms to us that it is love, honesty and trust that help us to do the right thing. Please don't miss NEVER TELL - you'll be sorry if you do!

Gripping Tale of Suspense

Excellent Story! Karen delivers a compelling story of suspense that will keep you turning pages and have you staying up late to finish the book. Erica Stewart had a perfect life - a loving husband, a beautiful daughter and a thriving art career. Then a hit-and-run driver kills her family. Erica witnessed the accident, but the trauma has blocked the memory, so she is unable to provide the police with any clues that might lead to the arrest of the person who killed her family. Haunted by memories, Erica lives a monastic life. For the next nine years she focuses all of her energy on her thriving boutique. Hunter McCabe has a successful career as an architect and a ranch in the Texas hill country. Shopping for a birthday gift for his mother, he never expected to loose his heart-but that is exactly what happens when he enters Erica's boutique. Erica is the woman of his dreams, but she wants nothing to do with Hunter. Still, he is excited to introduce her to his family, and is totally unprepared for their negative reaction. Why is his mother so adamantly opposed to this woman who has stolen his heart? And his sister is just down right rude, yet all of the women swear they have never met. Hunter realizes that before Erica can move on with a new life, she must have closure to the horrible tragedy that killed her family. He is determined to find the hit and run driver and see that they are brought to justice. But someone will go to any lengths to insure those secrets stay buried in the past. Several attempts are made on Erica's life and the would be killer appears to have information shared by only a few people- Will he be able to save this woman he loves? Is his family somehow involved in this horrible web of deceit? Don't miss this excellent, gripping tale of suspense.

More like 4.5 stars...

Haunted by the memories of an August night nine years ago when a car crash robbed her of her family, artist Erica Stewart has focused her life on her thriving Houston boutique. No one is more surprised than Erica when a new man walks into her life. Texas born and bred, Hunter McCabe is a successful architect who is smitten the moment he meets Erica. He's determined to pursue her- despite her efforts to keep him at a distance. But someone is watching the dance of attraction between Hunter and Erica with growing alarm. Someone who understands the dangerous connection between Hunter's powerful, politically connected family and the accident that shattered Erica's life. Someone who understands that soon secrets will be revealed and lies will be exposed... And that murder is the only guarantee of silence. This book was a fun summer read. I always love the mystery/romance genre. The main characters were well developed and strong so I could root for them and both had enough history and complications to make their coming together interesting and difficult at the same time. There were quite a few sub-plots going on at the same time and most of those were fun to follow as well, but there were a few I skimmed over. It all fell convieniently into place at the end- and all was as it should be. The book certainly wasn't thought provoking but there were a few unexpected twists in there that made it fun. I would definitely recommend this for a "beach read."