Criss Cross: A Holly Novel

It’s really difficult for me to give a review with any level of negativity, and I’m tempted to just skip this review altogether. That said, I set out to always provide honest reviews, so that’s what I’ll do. I am giving Criss Cross 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.First the good: I loved the autumn and Halloween vibe woven throughout the story. This was an excellent mood read for spooky season. It was action-packed, suspenseful and spine-tingling. I appreciated that the main character relied heavily on her faith to cope with the trauma she had endured in her life – which was severe.Now the not so good: Finishing this novel became something of a task because the plot and characterization became quite far-fetched and the writing often heavy-handed. There were also plot holes that I found difficult to overcome. After a time, I found it challenging to sympathize with Holly, the main character, as she was uncooperative, stubborn, reckless and sometimes downright selfish. Finally, I found the forced dialect of the southern detective to be an insurmountable distraction.All that being said, the reviews for this book on Goodreads and Amazon were predominantly four and five stars with several reviewers saying it was the best book they’d ever read. I also want to add that this book was October’s selection for my book club, and the author was very generous in communicating with us and sending discussion questions via e-mail. I genuinely regret that I could not offer a less critical review.

Criss Cross (A Holly Novel #1) by C. C. WarrensC. C. Warrens is a new Christian Fiction author and if she continues to write novels like her first, Criss Cross, I will continue reading them. The book is full of edge-of-your-seat, hold-your-breath suspense. And you don’t know the whole story until much later in the novel, which I love! That’s true suspense. If you are worried about bad language or sexual scenes, don’t. It’s a very clean novel, yet deals with tough situations and yet the author writes in such a way that you don’t miss the bad language that most secular novelist think they must include to captivate the reader. The main character is a Christian, but the book is not overtly Christian, so I feel anyone could read this and love it.Holly, the main character, is a photographer that lives completly off the grid. She has many quirks and a past that will not let go of her. Her quick, witty banter with her best friend, Jace, and later with Detective Marx is totally wonderful. A very tense situation can turn funny with the wit of Holly.Holly’s past has caught up with her and she needs help, yet due to her past, she is reluctant to accept it. She isolates herself and likes, no demands, her personal space. And getting her to trust is very hard, but totally worth it.You will find yourself holding your breath because you are so scared for her and you will be sitting on the edge of your favorite reading chair wondering what’s going to happen and how will it turn out. But you will also smile and a few times laugh and the funny things that happen during tense moments of suspense.And the ending? Oh my goodness!!! I can’t wait until Book 2, Cross Fire, comes out in November 2017. And I believe there will be a Book 3 also. Yeah!!!! Love this new author and her novel. Looking forward to reading many more books to come.

My review today is on the thriller, Criss Cross. This is the first book in the Holly Novel Series. This books was sent to me as a complimentary book because I enjoyed the second book in the series so much. I really enjoyed this book; well I'm not sure if enjoy is what you call a thriller about a serial killer. But the book is truly awesome. C.C. handles the situation in a very capable way. The book is well written, action packed, and full of terror due to the serial killer. I have been abused and I know that C.C. is right on in this character. Faith is also woven throughout all the book like a fine tapestry. I know you are going to love this one.Holly Smith is a photographer in New York City. She is now leading a very quiet protected life. She is unable to remember the first ten years of her life. At the age of ten she remembers living with a family she thought was hers only to find that they were never her family and they were both taken to prison. Holly was then taken to one foster home after another. She had been abused and lived through thing she had never been able to share with anyone. She doesn't even know who she is. She only has one friend, can't bare to be touched, and lives in an apartment that is more like a bunker. Holly is taking pictures in the park when she notices a man standing by a tree in her photos watching the shoot. She is attacked by two men. A dog rescues her and the police shows up. One of the men that attacked her was found dead with his throat cut. Is Holly in trouble? Does she know the man that killed one of her attacker? Is this killer a man from her past?The killer leaves a note on her door saying 'Holly come home.' Where is home?Detective Richard Marx is called to the scene of a murder to find a young beautiful girl. Though she is a victim she refuses to consider her self that way. She keeps him at a distance and it soon becomes apparent that this girl is in trouble. A serial killer is on her tail and he is determined to have his way with this girl. Can Marx and his men keep Holly safe? What is she hiding?A journey that takes them to Maine and then to Kansas trying to find out who Holly really is. This girl has become more like the daughter Marx always wanted. They must find out who Holly really is and what this animal plans to do to her. Holly must learn to trust again and know that God has a plan for them, a good plan and not for evil. God has a plan for you too; a plan for a hope and a future. Make Him Lord of your life and watch Him take control of your mess. Thank God most of us will never have to deal with serial killers but we can trust that if we do He will make a way.

ulous book!!! I can’t wait to read the short story, the second book, and the third when it comes out next month! This book is action-packed and yet involves you emotionally. It’s not predictable and the characters are very well-developed. Warrens even has some humour spread throughout the book, which I appreciated amidst all of the intensity.There were so many layers to this book. It’s awful to think that there are people that suffer any such atrocities in this world as this main character does, let alone several. As strange as it may sound, I’m glad this story wasn’t wrapped up all neatly in the last chapter. There are too many things happening. There is more to tell. Holly is a woman who holds onto Jesus, even through horrific events of the past have entered back into her life.Fantastic author! Can’t wait to read more!

Best book I have read in a long time, and I read a lot of books!Fast paced, action filled and well thought out. Very well written and I can't wait to start on the next in the series.

I really enjoyed this book! It took me a little while to get into it but the banter and tension kept me hooked the rest of the way. Can't wait to read the next one!

This is a tension filled Christian suspense series. The author has done a great job of making the characters come to life and has done an excellent job of weaving humour, suspense and relationships after (and amidst) abuse. It is a well written and interesting book.

Fast-paced, well-written, and hard to put down. Great story!