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Midtown Blue #2
The Crossroads
In New York City, Times Square is known as the crossroads of the world. It's where everyone comes to ring in the New Year-the good and the bad, the beautiful and the gritty . . . and the NYPD. But for Tony Cavalucci, an NYPD cop, the holiday season means long hours and little sleep. Instead of joining the countdown, Tony finds himself trapped between his feuding family and his new girlfriend, Michele. After a terrible family fight, Tony runs head on into his struggle against alcohol and wonders if taking a drink would solve all his problems. Or is there another way? Will his family come around or does continuing his relationship with Michele mean giving up on the people he loves? As edgy as life on the streets, The Crossroads, book two in the Midtown Blue series, follows the continuing struggle of one rugged cop.
- GenresFiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 31, 2017
This is the second book in the Midtown Blue series by the writing team of Frank and Pam Lione.
The Crossroads
follows The Deuce which is focused on Tony and Joe, partners with the NYPD. The events pick up right after the first book where Tony Cavalucci finds the Lord and begins to grow in his faith.
Because of the authors' experiences in New York City with the NYPD and downtown missions, this book is filled with meticulous detail on the daily life of the New York City cops. We get a good sense of what it takes to do this job from day to day. In the first book we also discover that Tony's family is dysfunctional and that his life is wrapped up in the drama they cause for him. Tony used to lean heavily on drinking to deal with this mess. But now, he is determined not to depend on drink to escape and must face his trials head on, with the help of his partner Joe Fiore, who is also a genuine believer in Christ.
The first time Tony brings his new girlfriend to a family dinner, she and her little 4-year-old son are nearly roasted in family judgmentalism and disapproval. This causes a rift between Tony and Michele and leaves Tony wondering how he is supposed to handle his family in a way that reflect his newfound belief. This is a frequent topic between Tony and Joe as they work their beat day after day. When Tony feels all is hopeless, Joe assures him that God is working in his family. Sure enough, Tony is later astonished when his alcoholic mother contacts him and wants to make amends. At first he doesn't believe she is changed, so he cautiously holds her at arm's length and watches to see what happens next.
The part of this story I like best was the detail describing how the city banded together to prepare for New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. I was never aware of how much preparation it took to host this event and make it safe for everyone. Just that part of the book was worth the read.
Another part I like about both the books in this series is the details of all the action the police officers carried out in a typical day. It reminded me of the very old police shows on TV with a little droll humor, some unremarkable events, some food for thought and a touch of strangeness. I found it fascinating. If you enjoy this type of book, then I highly recommend this for your reading.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from CKN Christian Publishing on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Because of the authors' experiences in New York City with the NYPD and downtown missions, this book is filled with meticulous detail on the daily life of the New York City cops. We get a good sense of what it takes to do this job from day to day. In the first book we also discover that Tony's family is dysfunctional and that his life is wrapped up in the drama they cause for him. Tony used to lean heavily on drinking to deal with this mess. But now, he is determined not to depend on drink to escape and must face his trials head on, with the help of his partner Joe Fiore, who is also a genuine believer in Christ.
The first time Tony brings his new girlfriend to a family dinner, she and her little 4-year-old son are nearly roasted in family judgmentalism and disapproval. This causes a rift between Tony and Michele and leaves Tony wondering how he is supposed to handle his family in a way that reflect his newfound belief. This is a frequent topic between Tony and Joe as they work their beat day after day. When Tony feels all is hopeless, Joe assures him that God is working in his family. Sure enough, Tony is later astonished when his alcoholic mother contacts him and wants to make amends. At first he doesn't believe she is changed, so he cautiously holds her at arm's length and watches to see what happens next.
The part of this story I like best was the detail describing how the city banded together to prepare for New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. I was never aware of how much preparation it took to host this event and make it safe for everyone. Just that part of the book was worth the read.
Another part I like about both the books in this series is the details of all the action the police officers carried out in a typical day. It reminded me of the very old police shows on TV with a little droll humor, some unremarkable events, some food for thought and a touch of strangeness. I found it fascinating. If you enjoy this type of book, then I highly recommend this for your reading.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from CKN Christian Publishing on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
December 19, 2020
SPOILERS:
Can I slap Tony’s father, grandma and Marie? Lol
I really like how these books read as a memoir. One of my favorite things about them is that it doesn’t wish wash the Christian message. Tony became a believer, but he’s still struggling A LOT. I love that the authors don’t skirt around his struggles with drinking, smoking, sex, anger, etc. it’s so hard to find Christian books like this.
My other favorite thing is that as someone who lived in NYC for several years I can totally “see it” through the pages. And I can feel how the authors are building up to 9/11. Seeing through the eyes of a NYPD veteran is even more difficult, I believe.
What else? I hope we get to see Tony marrying Michelle, because I’m totally rooting for these 2. And did I say I love Denise? I love Denise! hahaha
Frank and Pam have become one of my favorite authors now.
Can I slap Tony’s father, grandma and Marie? Lol
I really like how these books read as a memoir. One of my favorite things about them is that it doesn’t wish wash the Christian message. Tony became a believer, but he’s still struggling A LOT. I love that the authors don’t skirt around his struggles with drinking, smoking, sex, anger, etc. it’s so hard to find Christian books like this.
My other favorite thing is that as someone who lived in NYC for several years I can totally “see it” through the pages. And I can feel how the authors are building up to 9/11. Seeing through the eyes of a NYPD veteran is even more difficult, I believe.
What else? I hope we get to see Tony marrying Michelle, because I’m totally rooting for these 2. And did I say I love Denise? I love Denise! hahaha
Frank and Pam have become one of my favorite authors now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2019
Loved this book!
It’s real, so thankful for this writing team .
It made me cling more to my Faith, I think this was a remarkable way to help Christians align real life with our life struggles
It’s real, so thankful for this writing team .
It made me cling more to my Faith, I think this was a remarkable way to help Christians align real life with our life struggles
August 12, 2019
Not as good as the first one.
February 4, 2015
Tony Cavalucci has just helped arrest Santa Claus and The Grinch, and it only goes downhill from there on his busy midnight tour. Soon he's facing a machette-wielding bandit, just praying he won't have to shoot the guy. It's all in a night's work for this ten-year NYPD veteran whose story began in F.P. Lione's previous book, The Deuce.
The days before New Year's are busy ones in New York, where "The Crossroads of the World become the Center of the Universe as the eyes of the planet look to Times Square." It's also a chance for Tony to earn some overtime and he welcomes the diversion from his Italian family's disapproval of his girlfriend and her young son. When Christmas Eve dinner at his grandmother's becomes a near brawl as passionate family members verbally (and even physically) duke it out, Tony realizes he has to choose his loyalties fast--before he loses the only woman he's ever wanted to marry.
With his overtime detail of checking cars for bombs in the parking garages with his partner, Joe Fiore, there isn't much time for pondering his family troubles. It's fast and furious during the holidays in The City That Never Sleeps, and Tony wrestles more than once with hitting the bottle again. He's been sober for five months and he's proud of it, but the stresses are enough to stretch any guy to his breaking point. Will he have the strength to do what he knows is right or will he relapse into his old hard-living ways?
A brand new Christian, Tony refreshingly doesn't have it all together. He still smokes. He's still tempted to drink and look at women. But there is a difference in his life. He gets his job done, but with more compassion now. He helps a rookie cop the old-timers would've ostracized. He doesn't hate the perps like he used to. He's a work-in-progress, and he knows it, but he's truly making an effort to live out what he now believes. If The Deuce was all about Tony's journey toward God, The Crossroads is all about his struggle to live out his faith when life, and the people around him, go crazy.
As in The Deuce, you'll be treated to more cop lingo, like a "bus" for an ambulance, and "RMP" for Radio Motor Patrol vehicle, but I appreciated how the authors took even more care to explain unfamiliar terms, often including a definition in parentheses. And although Tony's often tedious directions of where he and Fiore travel on patrol (we drove down this street, then turned down that, then headed east on this) will probably be appreciated best by those familiar with New York City, it does give you the feel for their intimate knowledge of the streets.
Frank & Pam Lione aren't afraid to get down and dirty in their stark portrayal of a cop's life, but they never resort to anything gratuitous. The encounters Tony and Joe experience run the gamut: from the humorous (the bar-fight encounter of the men dressed as Santa and the Grinch), and the gruesome (pulling the personal effects off a dead man in a multiple car accident) to the downright bizarre (an eerie man who sleeps in a coffin). Here's a novel that reveals the true 411 of policework--it's not all chase scenes and gun battles.
Highly worth your time, The Crossroads is a story of reconciliation, consecration, and unforgettable extremes.
The days before New Year's are busy ones in New York, where "The Crossroads of the World become the Center of the Universe as the eyes of the planet look to Times Square." It's also a chance for Tony to earn some overtime and he welcomes the diversion from his Italian family's disapproval of his girlfriend and her young son. When Christmas Eve dinner at his grandmother's becomes a near brawl as passionate family members verbally (and even physically) duke it out, Tony realizes he has to choose his loyalties fast--before he loses the only woman he's ever wanted to marry.
With his overtime detail of checking cars for bombs in the parking garages with his partner, Joe Fiore, there isn't much time for pondering his family troubles. It's fast and furious during the holidays in The City That Never Sleeps, and Tony wrestles more than once with hitting the bottle again. He's been sober for five months and he's proud of it, but the stresses are enough to stretch any guy to his breaking point. Will he have the strength to do what he knows is right or will he relapse into his old hard-living ways?
A brand new Christian, Tony refreshingly doesn't have it all together. He still smokes. He's still tempted to drink and look at women. But there is a difference in his life. He gets his job done, but with more compassion now. He helps a rookie cop the old-timers would've ostracized. He doesn't hate the perps like he used to. He's a work-in-progress, and he knows it, but he's truly making an effort to live out what he now believes. If The Deuce was all about Tony's journey toward God, The Crossroads is all about his struggle to live out his faith when life, and the people around him, go crazy.
As in The Deuce, you'll be treated to more cop lingo, like a "bus" for an ambulance, and "RMP" for Radio Motor Patrol vehicle, but I appreciated how the authors took even more care to explain unfamiliar terms, often including a definition in parentheses. And although Tony's often tedious directions of where he and Fiore travel on patrol (we drove down this street, then turned down that, then headed east on this) will probably be appreciated best by those familiar with New York City, it does give you the feel for their intimate knowledge of the streets.
Frank & Pam Lione aren't afraid to get down and dirty in their stark portrayal of a cop's life, but they never resort to anything gratuitous. The encounters Tony and Joe experience run the gamut: from the humorous (the bar-fight encounter of the men dressed as Santa and the Grinch), and the gruesome (pulling the personal effects off a dead man in a multiple car accident) to the downright bizarre (an eerie man who sleeps in a coffin). Here's a novel that reveals the true 411 of policework--it's not all chase scenes and gun battles.
Highly worth your time, The Crossroads is a story of reconciliation, consecration, and unforgettable extremes.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews