C.C. Warrens

It was so good to be back in Cherry Creek with Nichole, Derek and the rest of the gang. I didn’t realize how much I missed this characters until I got into this book. I do recommend reading the first book, Firefly Diaries, first though.

The story kept me interested and guessing until the end and I loved all the twists and turns. Murder, arsonists, stalkers…oh my! All this mayhem with a wonderful touch of wit and humor and light romance.

This book is Christian fiction that’s not preachy, just perfect. A strong 4.5 star book!… (more)

When I finished Crossroads I was speechless. If you know me you’d know that is saying a lot. I hate jumping into a series at the end, but I also feel like this can prove an author’s talent. If you can grab me without me knowing what’s going on in this world then you’ve got my attention. Well, Ms. C.C. Warrens...you got my attention.

Holly has escaped unimaginable abuse and is finally free of the monsters grasp for good but this freedom is bittersweet. All she can think of is finding the stepsister that she helped escape their foster house of horrors fifteen years ago. She promised that one day she would find her, and that time is now. What she doesn’t expect is the harrowing journey she embarks on to find her, and honestly neither did I.

There is a warning at the beginning of this novel and it’s obvious from the start as to why. This story starts out very dark and sad, and that sense of foreboding builds and builds the further you read. The narrative took a twisted turn, one that I wasn’t expecting whatsoever. It is a dark subject that always makes my skin crawl and my blood boil, and after everything Holly has been through it was tough to read yet I couldn’t stop myself.

The fact that Holly has been through the nightmares that she’s lived through and is refusing to live in fear is a testament to her strength. I know many women who can attest to the same and it never ceases to amaze and inspire me. Holly has a lot of people that love and protect her, which is also something I love seeing.

Without being overtly graphic, you witness violence and multiple forms of abuse that are either alluded to or observed. I appreciate that the author did not shy away from these topics, yet she still wasn’t meticulous in her depiction. Despite being a survivor of abuse myself I never once felt triggered with the subject matter. As I think back as to why the only conclusion I can come up with is that I was so engrossed in the narrative that I lost myself in that world, forgetting all about my own.

Trouble seems to follow Holly everywhere she goes. Despite her good intentions she seems to end up in the darkness, going from one bad situation to the next. I am starting this series at the end, but the author does a masterful job of tying in other obvious plot points from other novels in the series, making reading this novel as seamless as a standalone.

The faith of Holly herself is so inspirational. Even when the future seemed bleak, and there were some truly hopeless moments, she held onto her belief, not willing to give up her faith, or the search for her foster sister, no matter what the cost. A very, very powerful message resonates within her story.

Crossroads is a novel that will stick with me long after I put it down, and I am kicking myself for not reading this series sooner. With a powerful message and a heroine that you can’t help but love, Crossroads is hands down a must read.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.… (more)

Crossroads by C. C. Warrens is book five in A Holly Novel series. Having not read the rest of the series, I found it somewhat difficult to follow at times. The author does a wonderful job of giving background information so I could get the whole story. This story is fast paced with lots of action and suspense. Holly is on the search for her adoptive sister. After finding out her last location, Jordan takes her to find her. But all is not what they expect. The find themselves in community that is filled with danger and almost impossible to leave.

I enjoyed Holly’s character and the strength she has to deal with what she has had to live with. I enjoy how caring Marx and Jordan are to her and appreciate the insight the therapist gives her regarding her feelings towards Cassie. This is a fast paced story that is filled with action. It’s easy to see that Holly and Jordan are in a situation they don’t know who they can trust or believe. I did find the situation in the mountain community hard to read at times. This story has several topics that make it not appropriate for a younger reader.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story , this is my honest review.… (more)

Fabulous story of Holly and her friends. Holly and Jordan go looking for Cassie whom Holly hasn’t seen in many years. But they find themselves in a situation that is dangerous and impossible to escape.
Ms.Warrens writes superbly, with unforgettable characters and a plot that is so intriguing you cannot stop turning pages. I do not know how she does it but humor creeps in even when circumstances are dire. The relationships between Holly, Marx, and Jordan are well developed and believable. There were some very tense moments when I wondered how Jordan and Holly were going to get out of their predicament. Warning: some trigger situations about abused women but Ms. Warrens brings hope through it all and shows the great faith of the main characters as opposed to a cult and false teaching.
This story resonates truth and sill stay with you a long time.
*I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*… (more)