Crossroads: Volume One

by N.L. McLaughlin

What starts as a pleasant family road trip soon turns into a nightmarish journey haunted by demonic, black-eyed children and dark family secrets.


Before striking a deal with the devil, be sure that you won’t regret the consequences later on.

112 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2024

About the author

Nancy was born and raised in Massachusetts. After serving in the USMC, she returned home and went to college. Not long after, she moved to California and married. Six kids and multiple moves around the US later, she and her family call Texas home.

Reviews

[Vonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a creepy read—I’m not even kidding, I had to take frequent breaks. Those children seriously creeped me out! I could practically hear their unsettling little laughs. The short chapters made it a total page-turner, and I was completely engaged the whole time. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to read volume 2 like my life depends on it.

[Jeffrey Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and was initially skeptical at how short it was. I was worried it’d seem rushed but I was so wrong. What a creepy little book that kept me intrigued all the way through! Will definitely be reading volume two.

[Amber K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need more!!
This was intriguing and creepy as hell, I loved it!!

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

What starts as a fun family car trip, soon turns into a sinister nightmare!
A car crash in a ghost town with creepy kids leads to a malevolent pact sealed with blood!
I was thoroughly entertained with how Haley’s story began and the brutality of the outcome!
This is book one to what I feel will be a phenomenal series! I absolutely can’t wait to see how this all plays out!

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to ARC this amazing book!

[Kswag · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many reader outburst opportunity in this read as we have a family separated in a town where they keep hearing weird shit. The suspense of what the hell might be going on is extremely heighten in this story. AND then the author ties it all together and WHAM a whole lot unfolds and you’re like WHAAAATTT?!!!

I was intrigued and confused a little while not knowing where this was leading and the author gave the reader exactly what was needed to fill in blanks.

[Cat Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book, and it has (hopefully) gotten me out of my reading slump. It's very reminiscent of the creepypasta glory days - it's a tad campy, the dialogue is hokey at times. But there were genuine moments where I was creeped out enough to regret reading it in bed with the lights off.
It's also a super creative angle to the black eyed children urban legend (arguably one of the ones that creeps me out the most).
For me, I'm not sure if the POVs switching as often as they did quite did it for me - I ended up mixing up some of the characters in my head. That definitely won't stop me from reading the next one though - super fun, creepy, quick read.

[Charlie FRANCIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in its entirety in a little over an hour. Its a novella and and I couldn't put it down. This novella is centered in a creepy Texas town and that's exactly where I'm located! So I found this to be a bonus. Its very atmospheric , creepy and dark and it went in a direction I didn't see coming. Took me by surprise and left me with my mouth hanging open at the end. I look forward to see where this is going. I know I'm in for a ride and im so ready. I will eagerly continue reading the volumes that come out. For it being a novella it does exactly what you want a horror book to give you. I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE.

[Book Bites · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up enjoying this more than I expected. The first chapter was chefs kiss then it went into, what seemed to be, an unrelated story, then jumped backwards for character history, but the end it wrapped up neatly with a gruesome little bow.

The language was a bit stilted at times, but overall I found the flow to be decent and was able to overlook the small, nitpicky personal preferences. Now, I’m very excited to read the next books because the ending left me with questions I hope to see answered.

[Raymond Casillas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare yourself to get immersed in this horror tale, because this one plays with your mind.

I love the way the storytelling catches glimpses here and there of some sequences you can relate to when the narrative is light-themed, but once it steers heavy and dark, it's a dreary experience that will capture your attention.

If you like the supernatural dowsed with gushes horror then you owe yourself this book because you will definitely find it here.
Dare to look in it!

[iesha Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
and only cuz its the first part of the installment and i need more now!!!
this book was a trip. i mean the SECRETTT!!!!! one decision destroyed everything. the way this author has the ability to keep the mystery and my interest throughout the entire book is amazing. i did not see that coming at all. i highly recommend it and i am impatiently waiting for the next installment 10/10 recommend

[Melissa Melmch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this story it was creepy, interesting and had my undivided attention from start to finish the characters were great lovable and the twist the twist was totally unexpected and left me needing more I cannot wait for the second story to come out check it out you won’t be disappointed

[Shannon Shumway · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ending I didn’t see coming.
The characters where relatable, had multiple layers to them and the story didn’t harp on any subject for too long.
Through the whole story I couldn’t imagine how it was going to end. I’m a slow reader and read on my off days, but I really couldn’t put the book down once I had time.
For an introduction to a new series I really did enjoy this one.

[John Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossroads is a book that's creepy and beautifully written throughout, but I really started eating it up about two-thirds of the way through when story takes a great twist.

If you like books about creepy, black-eyed children stalking in the shadows, you'll love this one! It's both heartfelt and brutal at the same time and another excellent outing from an author who deserves more attention.

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I haven't had a book really creep me out in a while. This book was creepy and emotional. The storytelling was something that I definitely look forward to in the next books from this series!

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to read this book through your GA.

[Ella Graff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well hell! Literally

Just released today this book takes you through the life of Haley! Her mother is a problem and sends her to live with her grandparents and things are great or so she thinks. You have to read it to find out, but you’ll definitely be surprised.

[Gina Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book,it was creepy and sinister. The ghost town and the child giggles made it so good.
The twist was also so unexpected. This is just book number 1, and I can't wait for the rest of them.

[Lilly Wisely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED this book!! Only giving a 4.5/5 due to the minor slow beginning. Other than that, kept me turning page after page and… WHAT THE????? The twist! OMG! What a hellish nightmare that will forever haunt me! I need the next book NOW!! Definitely a book to read.

[Kelly Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun ride

Wade, Haley, Riley & Mason head out to Texas to drop the kids off at their respective colleges following a family wedding
What starts out as a family fun road trip turns into chaos, fear and betrayal
Would you sell your soul for what you wanted

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read this in one sitting an absolutely loved it, it's like creepy but in a good way, Ive come to the overwhelming realization I might have a thing for demons because even given the circumstances somehow I was drawn to Les

[Queenie2023 aka Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh my !! This is a very awesome creepy read !! Can’t wait for more !

[Tori B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! It was a quick, short read, and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. It was creepy, and kept me on the edge until the very end. I am absolutely gonna have to read the entire series now!!

[Jen Self · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick read is super creepy! What starts as a family road trip quickly dissolves into a nightmare. The unexpected ending has me ready to dive into Volume 2 asap!

[Dragon_Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storytelling is an artful balance between the familiar and the unknown. It starts with glimpses of everyday life, scenes that resonate with the reader and establish a sense of comfort and familiarity. These bright moments serve as the perfect counterpoint to the darker sequences that follow, making the descent into more ominous territories all the more impactful.