Daybreak

Crossroads #3

by Sharon Sala

Dallas detective wins the lottery—but his heart still belongs to the girl next door.

Dallas homicide detective Gunner Kingston enjoys his job and thinks he's all set until a gifted lottery ticket turns out to be a winner. Determined to keep his winnings under wraps, he plans to escape the spotlight. But when a dangerous case pushes him to the edge, it's childhood friend Holly Dillion who becomes his anchor—and his greatest temptation.

Returning to the small town where they first fell in love, Gunner finds more than safety; he finds a future worth risking everything for. With pulse-pounding suspense, heartfelt second-chance romance, and Sharon Sala's signature emotional depth, DAYBREAK is a heartfelt leap into love, trust, and the power of coming home.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Family, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2026

About the author

Biography



Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.

Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.

Reviews

[Anita]

I much prefer the old Sharon Sala (Dianah McCall) and the mystery/suspense books she wrote under that name. Sharon Sala is a good storyteller, but I much prefer to be in the action instead of having it told to me. The romance was tepid, at best, and I really love a good childhood rekindled romance.

Gunner Kingston is a detective with the Dallas police. He is a loner and even after years in Dallas, he has no real friends and few on the force he cared to associate with. More and more he wants to go home to Crossroads, especially when he suspects that there is a leak in his department that caused the death of a homeless man he befriended. Life throws Gunner for a loop when he wins millions in the lottery and then has a chance meeting with a girl, now a beautiful woman, he knew from high school.

Holly Dillion has a great job in real estate, but no real roots in Dallas. Her heart is firmly planted in Crossroads. A chance meeting with her first wholehearted crush makes her realize how much she misses her home. When her mother dies suddenly and her return to Crossroads was so sad, she is determined to return permanently soon.

Gunner and Holly reconnect in Crossroads and the spark that started in Dallas turns into a slow burning fire that warms their hearts and is sure to last forever.
3 1/2-Stars

[CeeDragon]

Well done. Is there a 4th in the series?

[Ann C.]

The other two books in this series were much better. This book was way too long. Seventy-five to 100 pages can be dropped. The bad guys were caught many many pages before the book ended. The book could have ended with an epilogue. Gunner and Holly moved to Crossroads, built a house, got married, she ran an apartment building, and he became the chief of police. The end. Instead, the book became boring.

[Daphne Cochran]

Winner!!!

That was such a great book. Wonderful story, great characters and a sweet love story. I guess its true you can always go home. Loved it.

[Fanona]

Author gets paid for product promotion/placement? Good grief how tacky the ongoing mantras of branding!
Id prefer 1 star on some of these books.

[Linda Lindsay]

Great

Loved this series.
Perfect end to the trilogy.
Colorful characters and plot.
Past, present and families all woven in a warm setting.

[Carolynn]

I love books by Sharon Sala. This one is the third in a series. The others, Sunset, and Midnight were great, as is this one! She also has a five book series called the Jubilee Kentucky series that are wonderful! I found this author in my quest to read one “new-to-me” author each year. What a great find!!

[Angela]

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sharon Sala brings the third novel in the Crossroads series to the reader with 'Daybreak'. In this novel, we meet Asher Kingston's brother, Dallas homicide detective, Gunner Kingston. On his way home from work, he stops for for gas and buys a lottery ticket which turns out to be the winning ticket. Also, he runs into a childhood friend Holly Dillon while grocery shopping. They decide to have dinner together and then keep in touch. That night, Holly learns of her mother's death in a head on car accident and must leave to return home.

While this is happening, Gunner and his partner, Cliff are called to the scene of a homicide. When he finds a homeless man as a witness, he takes it upon himself to find him a place to stay and recover from a foot injury. This man is killed in a hit and run and Gunner believes their is a mole in the department who leaked the information. Scene as a loose end, Gunner returns to his hometown after learning about a hit put out on him. While spending time with Holly, they both feel the chemistry growing between them.

This is the premise for the storyline. Just when I thought everything was revealed, the author would give us a twist. With riveting suspense and a second chance at romance, this was quite the cozy read. This story is a novel of friendship, love and the knowledge that you can go home again. Thank you.

[Kathy Blanton]

Gunner Kingston is a Dallas Police Detective. He investigates a murder and comes across a witness who is homeless. Dan was the homeless man, who really did not see anything other than two men dumped a dead body in an abandon warehouse. He stole the dead man's shoes because he had a sore on his foot because of the hole in his shoe. Gunner takes Dan's statement then gives him a hundred dollars to buy food and clothing. He also takes him to a homeless shelter. Dan is hit by a car while crossing the street to get some new shoes. Gunner thinks their might be a dirty cop in the detective unit. He tells his boss who does not investigate. Suddenly a hit is put out on him, so he decides to the source of the problem and threatens the crook who put the hit out on him. He also leaves Dallas after running into a high school friend, Holly. She was younger than him but he is quite taken with her. She goes back home because her mother passes away. The hit is taken off of him, he decides he is going to quit the Dallas Police Department and move back home. He won the Mega Millions lottery when all of this trouble began. He goes back and finds the crooked cop and also resigns. The man who put the hit out on him was found dead, looking like a suicide. He does not think that is so and the police discovers that the chauffer did it.

[Reading Addict]

I have read every book in the Crossroads trilogy and Daybreak was the perfect story to end this wonderful series. We met Gunner Kingston in Midnight (book 2 of the series). He is a determined detective with the Dallas police but beyond the job his life is rather empty. Well fate has big plans for Gunner. A random lottery ticket gets purchased and that's just the beginning of the wonderful changes that are coming Gunner's way. A stop at the local Whole Foods leads him to bump into a girl that he grew up with in Crossroads. Holly Dillion has a busy life as a Dallas realtor but changes are coming her way as well. She's thrilled to run into Gunner. He left their small town after high school and has rarely been back. This is her opportunity to get to know the man that the boy has become. Before these two can get to their happily ever after, life is going to throw some big challenges their way. Daybreak was a great story but I highly recommend reading Midnight first because of the inter-connected characters. Perfect escapism from the chaos of real life. I needed this story!

[Dyan]

I have read the first two books in this series, "Sunset" and "Midnight." I really liked both of them, and "Daybreak" was really good, too.

If you like small town romances that capture your heart, Sharon Sala is an author you should read. There is always some kind of action and drama to go along with the romance. In this book, the MMC is a cop in Dallas, Texas.

This is Gunner's story, and it is an interesting one. The love story between Gunner and Holly is sweet, romantic, and a long time coming. She has loved him since she was the bat girl for his high school team.

I enjoyed this series, and I highly suggest it.

Thank you to Edelweiss, Sourcebooks, and Sharon Sala for my advanced digital reader's copy of this book for my honest opinion.

I apologize for being late to read and review it.

[Vee J]

Sharon Sala has such a way with character development and plot. I never tire of her characters engaging in sarcasm and humor for the reader to enjoy. The characters come to life so readily, as if we can go visit and check in on the people ourselves. This is one of Sharon's series that have equal amounts of suspense, climatic events and heartfelt relationships. A definite go-to if you want a feel good story with a mix of action.

[Mary Chickering]

Sharon Sala writes wonderful families.

I never fail to fall in love with the families and towns Sharon Sala creates. The Crossroads books do not disappoint. The love, gentleness, and humor of her books is awesome. I reread few authors, I do reread her books and I am positive I am not the only one.

[Caryl]

Another winner!

I live close to the area Mrs Sala writes about. She hits it pretty close with the people and the land.

This is a great ending to her series. I love all the the books in this series. Good people, strong men and women and loving families.

I’ll definitely be rereading these. Love the Kingston’s.

[Pat]

I really enjoyed this second chance sweet love story. I have read all three in the series, and I think Daybreak is my favorite. There’s some suspense, slow burn love story, and a catch up with previous characters.
The slow southern charm is captivating, and I love the ending and epilogue.
This is the perfect ending to the series, but would love to read more.

[Mary]

Good read! Action packed with a hometown love story on the side.

[Bonne Sharp]

Just a wonderful story!!

Though standalone, it brings the characters from the earlier books into it and makes you feel like catching up with old friends!! I really enjoyed this book and recommend reading it!!

[Cindy J]

Great story.

Sharon Sala tells a great story that keeps your interest and attention. I like that its not all sex and foul language which ruins a book for me. The stories are always believable and reallalistic. I look forward to her next book.

[Melissa Bliss]

Touching story of family!

Great story of small town life and family, complete with mystery and drama of big city life. The Kingston family story of over coming hardships & banding together as an unbreakable unit, is one to be admired.

[Pam]

Good story

This is a good love story about a Texas lawman & his love finally connecting after a lifetime of being walled behind childhood scars. I loved it.

[Denassa]

Daybreak

Sharon Sala again wrote a magnificent story and I love the way she always tie her story characters together. I had forgotten about Travis in Sunset. Love her books.

[Maureen Fink]

Book 3 of the Crossroads series. As usual Sharon grabs you on the first page. Fast paced, suspenseful and romance. What more could you ask for. Great read and I 100% recommend it.

[Barb Jesse]

Sharon Sala's books are ones that you just can't put down until you have finished it!

[Billie Lineberry]

Great as always!!

Sharon Sala never fails to write a great book. Loved it! I love the way the characters are woven throughout various storylines in her series.

[Mary]

Great story. I really enjoyed the characters.
Sharon Sala is one of mine favorite authors. I hope there is a 4th book in the series.

[Jennifer Cronk]

another winner

I love Sharon Sala’s books. She continues to write engaging books that hook her readers. I look forward to your next book

[Tea]

Wonderful Read!

This book (Crossroads Book 3) starts off fast-paced and exciting and just keeps getting better. I could not put this book down.

[Patricia G.]

A typical Sharon Sala read. The ending to the Crossroad series that brings all the characters back for an happy ever after ending.

[Cherri Gantt]

A Sharon Sala book is always a winner

I love her books. Every last one of them. She never disappoints!
Highly recommended. You won't ever get a bad book in my opinion.

[Karen]

Once again I enjoyed the book series Sharon puts out. Been a fan of hers for a long time. Enjoy the family relationships, connections.
Light enjoyable reading.