39944084He’s a killer able to reach even the most untouchable marks and she’s his new obsession.

Watching her from his balcony, Hunter can’t fight the force pulling him toward the girl who just moved in across the street. But, when the police take her away, he has no choice but to follow.

All Addy wanted was a new beginning and a chance at a normal life after leaving her cheating ex. But, after she witnesses a brutal crime, she’s forced to relocate while the police investigate. It’s not exactly the start she was hoping for. When she finally meets Hunter, her world is turned upside down. Addy begins to question what normal even means while realizing her happy-ever-after may not be what she envisioned.

Crossing the Line is a standalone Romantic Suspense/Mystery novel with a guaranteed HEA and no cliffhangers. Contains violent scenes and sexual situations. Mature readers only. 18+

Source Format Pages Publisher Genre Publication Date
Blog Tour Organizer ebook 279 indie Romantic Suspense July 17th, 2018

*takes off fantasy and thriller hats, puts on something a little more romantic, lights some candles, maybe an incense stick?* 

Yes! We’re getting a bit romantic today but not without a good dose of suspense… and death… and kidnapping… Thanks to Claire @ Brizzle Lass and Nikki Rose for inviting me to take part in this blog tour and gratitude also for the review copy of the book. It was a suspenseful afternoon spent, indeed 🙂

knife in the rain teaser

In fiction, romance is so much better when it is laced with murder and mayhem! I can take ‘sap’ but I do enjoy when it’s balanced out with something different.

In Crossing the Line, Addy, our female main character, has recently moved into a new city after her engagement broke off (and good riddance, the guy is a douche!) and she quickly makes new friends. After a night out with her new acquaintances, she witnesses a horrific crime in a dark alley. Just like that, boom, she’s whisked into a cop car and deposited into witness protection.

But it’s not really that simple… because, across the road from Addy’s apartment, Hunter has been watching her. And wanting her…

In witness protection, as Addy tries to make the most of her new identity and life, she meets a charming fella- hot as hell, complete with manners and all! But, again, it’s not really that simple… because Addy’s secret of being in witness protection is not the only big baggage thrown into the mix here. This is not a – move twice and settle down in a small town kind of story where the only problem is gossip and trying to be accepted by the natives.

When all of the hidden secrets burst out into daylight, Addy finds the reality is that much harder to wrap her head around. She questions everything and everyone she knows in the dire situation she is in and truly,  all of the choices become rather questionable. Her budding relationship takes a twisted turn and the danger she’s in might be nothing compared to the danger she will be subjected to from a way larger scheme. So, you see, there’s action and intrigue to go around plenty! I can’t give away too much detail to the story line that evolves because there is a good amount of surprise element added to the mix which I wouldn’t want to know before reading the book.

First, I would like to address a couple of areas that have nothing to do with this specific book but with the genre itself and always tend to not surprise me at all. The usual- ‘he sees her from afar and is instantly drawn and just NEEDS to know more’; the ‘I don’t know her but I want to be with her’ …  It’s a regular thing in romance and I can understand it as a tool but the immediate borderline obsession never was my kind of thing. From another point of view, it can be romantic, right? Whatever rocks your boat. And that has always been, was in this case and always will be my personal, favourite pet peeve with romance genre 🙂

Crossing the Line is presented in 2 POVs. Addy’s and Hunter’s. When I first started reading the book, I consciously wanted to pay more attention to the respective female/male POV ‘voices’. I always find the POV’s more distinct when reading romance, for some reason. All I can say, and this is generally a good sign, that before I knew it, I had zoomed through the book and that I had received a seamless, zero plothole, realistic account from both the female and the male side. Sometimes, we get stuck on the nitty-grittys in books, even though the reading experience was smooth sailing. I think the smooth sailing bit has a lot more weight than I personally give stories (and authors!) credit for. I can honestly say, it was thoroughly enjoyable and the suspense element kept me fully gripped.

Addy is, thank the heavens, a woman who can stand on her own two feet. She’s not one of those whiney female exemplars who put me off romance in the first place. She’s down to earth and nice. I mostly didn’t judge her for the decisions she made, I tried to place myself into her head and understand why she would stop fighting and stop demanding answers at times , but again.. I’ve done some really stupid shit in my life, so not judging! I like how the title of the book ties into the transformation that Addy goes through.

The truths she learns and the different side of the story, Hunter’s, that she comes to know can be quite a lot to adapt to, but I am glad she was willing to keep her mind open and absorb the fact that life is not just that black and white…

*highlight for* <spoiler>There is an element of cheating in this book.. well, let’s be politically correct, the lovebirds weren’t officially together at the time and he just couldn’t keep it in his pants. I get why some readers would be miffed- you are sucked into the story, you’re rooting for the couple and then a spanner is thrown into the mix. Because if he loves her- why, oh why does he need to shag another woman? So, here’s me personal humble opinion of it all… Because in that particular timeline and situation, it actually made sense! I mean, looking at it from a different perspective, and if you didn’t know this was a HEA book, when a character knows at a certain point in the timeline that they have no chance of being with someone they love, what, does that mean they should strap a chastity belt around their loins? I don’t bloody well think so… I think that particular third person added that extra bit of intrigue and drama into the whole mix! </spoiler>

Hunter is our main male character! Easy enough to like, even though his role is the most complex one. He is ultimately the guy who has the most personality to carry in this book. The good side and the other side, and they create such a great contrast as well as that needed internal conflict. Stubborn and slightly hot headed when it comes to certain actions but definitely not evil. Hunter’s side of the story was also enhanced by the addition of his friend Chris- the two lads demonstrated some real manly understanding in between each other!

Finally, the sex! I feel like I don’t want to mention it at all?! Because it feels like it was just right- amount wise and detail wise. I usually tend to complain or make giddy comments in reviews when the book I’ve read was a complete pointless bang-fest, but again, in Crossing the Line any intimacy happened when and where appropriate. So, happy camper right here! *points at self*

Overall, a very enjoyable, fast paced and brilliant reading experience! I enjoyed spending my time with this romantic suspense very much!

You can see all of the tour stops HERE for more reviews and content! 🙂 

Crossing the Line on Goodreads | Amazon UK | USA 

About the Author:

17987199For as long as she can remember, Nikki Rose has enjoyed writing stories. For years, writing was just a hobby for this South Carolina native. It was a way to let out all the stories floating around in her head. After one of those stories took on a mind of its own, outgrowing even the parameters of a single book, Rose knew she had to pursue her dream.

Married to her high school sweetheart and best friend, Rose feels she is truly living out a romance story of her very own. As a stay at home mom of two, she is blessed with the time needed to work on her writing career full-time while her kids are at school or in the wee hours while normal people sleep. She considers herself a music obsessed chocoholic and hopeless romantic who enjoys weaving romance stories with a healthy dose of mystery and suspense.

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