I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Cross & Crown
by
Abigail Roux
It is part of the Cut & Run #8.5, Sidewinder #2 series and is a erotic romance, romantic suspense in eBook edition that was published by Riptide Publishing on June 9, 2014 and has 225 pages.
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Other books in this series include [books_series]
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Cut & Run, Sticks & Stones, Fish & Chips, Divide & Conquer, Armed & Dangerous, Stars & Stripes, Touch & Geaux, Ball & Chain, Shock & Awe, "Bait & Switch", Crash & Burn, Part & Parcel, "Brick & Mortar Books", "Dine & Dash", "High & Tight", "Shake and Bake", Past & Presents
Second in the Sidewinder gay romantic suspense series, a spin-off from Cut & Run, and revolving around Detective Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbot. Do note that this is a male/male romance.
Chronologically, Nick recently donated a piece of his liver to his dying father, a scenario that was set up in Ball & Chain, 8, which leads me to place Cross & Crown as 8.5 in the overall series.
My Take
It’s a different dynamic between Nick and Kelly as opposed to that of Ty and Zane. And both couples are sweethearts in law enforcement. The humor is there, but more low key. I suspect it’s because no one can come close to Ty’s personality, lol.
I love how accepting Nick’s police department is of his sexual preference. An acceptance does make it a less believable story, unhappily. Imagine how much better our world could be if we all accepted people’s choices whether it’s in religious, cultural, or sexual preference…sigh… Note that I’m not saying a dang thing about corporations or politics!
It’s fun as JD remembers bits and pieces, just enough to keep Nick suspicious. Roux has portrayed JD with a lot of empathy, a man who’s terrified to find out he’s a bad guy. He’s trying so hard to remember, and he’s intelligent enough to understand he’s a suspect, which only makes this more fun…and more suspenseful as we wonder if he’s playing us as well.
Then there’s Kelly who is enjoying the “perks” of being with a cop. I imagine I’d enjoy racing about with the sirens and lights flashing too, lol. I like Kelly’s sense of humor as well, yep intergalactic historians works for me, *more laughter*
“‘We find lost works of art and liberate them from their prisons.’
‘…fanciest “I steal things” I’ve ever heard.'”
Hmmm, Roux lets slip some back history on why Nick joined the Marines. Some of it is a bit scary where it touches on Kelly.
Arghh, Roux has a whole new life in mind for Nick and Kelly, and yet from the excerpt, it doesn’t seem as if Part & Parcel will put me out of that misery!
The Story
It’s a dilemma. Is their witness an innocent bystander or one of the suspects?
Trying to determine whether JD is friend or foe as they investigate the crime puts them on the trail of a much older mystery. When multiple attempts are made on their lives, Nick is forced to turn to old enemies and new allies to solve a centuries-old crime…before he and Kelly get added to the history books.
The Characters
Detective Nick O’Flaherty, a sometimes-Recon Marine staff sergeant, is with the Boston PD and lives on his boat, the Fiddler’s Green. Kelly “Doc” Abbott is part of Sidewinder, their navy medic, and he and Nick are a couple, feeling their way through their relationship. Kelly lives in a cabin in Colorado and works with a youth camp; the boys take turns visiting.
We first met Julian Cross, a CIA operative, in Armed & Dangerous, 5, when he was on the run with his then-boyfriend, Cameron Jacobs.
Boston PD
Detective Alan Hagan is Nick’s partner with a coffee addiction. Captain Branson is Nick’s boss. Tommy is an officer at the initial crime scene.
JD, short for John Doe, was shot in the head and has amnesia.
“You should read my books. I know I’m going to have to.”
Professor Kris Singleton teaches a course on pop culture at Boston College. Casey Hunt is an archeologist, à la Indiana Jones, who works as a wandering acquisitions specialist for a museum. Alex Kincade is an archeologist and a colleague of Casey’s; she’s been hired by Alco Pharmaceuticals. Colin is Alex’s current colleague. Sanco Pharmaceuticals is also in the race.
The Boston mob is headed up by…
…Paddy, a man who saw Nick as his own son. Mikey is a childhood friend of Nick’s and a bodyguard for Paddy.
Jason Russell got his family to safety.
Ty Grady is a part of the Sidewinder special ops team; Zane Garrett was his FBI partner and is still his life partner from the Cut & Run romantic suspense series. Emma Grady is Ty’s cousin, and she has a team of “adventuring, treasure-hunting, monster-seeking, myth-believing…crazy people”.
The Cover and Title
It’s a pretty cover with its bright blue textured background and the silver Irish Cross with its circular band and the Celtic knots. There’s a bit of whimsy with the black silhouette of a crown perched on the “C” of “Cross”.
The title is basic, referring to Julian Cross & Crown of the Irish crown jewels.
