Lynette Eason has made a name for herself in the romantic suspense genre with series like Women of Justice and Deadly Reunions. NOWHERE TO TURN is the second book in her latest series, Hidden Identities, and, as the name suggests, focuses on characters who need to assume new identities due to traumatic and/or extenuating circumstances in their lives.

Dani Harding has lived long enough with her abusive husband, Kurt. She has been planning for months for the day when she can flee and make a new life for herself and her 12-year-old deaf son, Simon. She knows it won’t be easy, especially because her husband is an FBI agent, but is determined to do whatever it takes to protect her son --- and herself.

Kurt leaves on a business trip, and it’s the perfect opportunity to depart. Dani packs her bags and empties the safe, which contains thousands of dollars. But things don’t go exactly according to plan. Her brother-in-law, Stuart --- also an FBI agent --- shows up as she’s about to walk out the door, saying he needs to get something out of the safe for Kurt. Panic sets in, and she dreads what will happen when he finds the safe empty. The moment he heads up the stairs, she bolts, and speeds to the school to pick up Simon. Stuart almost catches up to her in the parking lot, but she manages to get away. Relief sets in as she and her son head towards the safe life she’s envisioned for so long.

"NOWHERE TO TURN is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that grabs you from the first chapter and doesn’t let up until the end. As expected from a Lynette Eason novel, this book includes top-notch action, as well as a hefty dose of romantic suspense."

But a little while later, she learns that there is no reason to run. Her husband is dead.

A few months pass, and Dani is trying to put the past behind her and move on with her life as a single mother. Except for creepy Stuart, who constantly shows up and even wants to start a relationship, life is good. She and her son are finally safe. Or so she thinks, until one day when the past comes back to haunt her. Somebody is after an item of Kurt’s they believe she has. And they want it back at any cost.

Once again, Dani and her son are on the run, this time with a little help from Operation Refuge, an organization run by David and Summer  (the main characters in NO ONE TO TRUST, the first installment in the Hidden Identities series) that helps abused women and children assume new identities and start fresh. Adam Buchanan, a former U.S. Marshall, is in charge of Dani’s case. Because of Dani’s past, it is hard to trust him at first, but soon she finds herself becoming attracted to this man who is so very different from her late husband. But there is one problem. Whoever is after Dani seems to find them at every “safe house.” Whatever this person is after, it’s clear they won’t stop until they get it. Even if it means killing Dani and her son in the process.

NOWHERE TO TURN is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that grabs you from the first chapter and doesn’t let up until the end. As expected from a Lynette Eason novel, this book includes top-notch action, as well as a hefty dose of romantic suspense. Dani and Adam have great chemistry from the start, and their relationship develops nicely throughout.

A unique touch is the deafness of Dani’s son. Simon is a great kid, and Eason portrays his challenges as anything but weak. He is a strong character who plays a large part in the story and how it plays out.

As for the plot itself, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The ending includes a shocker I certainly didn’t see coming, which is always a big plus in any suspense novel.

Overall, if you are a fan of romantic suspense, then NOWHERE TO TURN will satisfy and most likely keep Lynette Eason at the top of your suspense author list. Look for the third and final book in the Hidden Identities series in early 2015.