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

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

[CeeDragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Daphne Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Barb Lie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story, with Gunner being the hero. He in a short time will fall in love with Holly. The story line blends with Gunner always finding the evil people, with him always finding the bad people. In time, he will move back to Crossroads with Holly, and in the last 20% if the book was very well done. Another winner for Sharon Sala.

[Mary Chickering · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ann C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Caryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Diane Saul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Salas books but this one wasn’t my favorite. It was still worth reading but the story dragged in places and I lost interest. I will continue to read her books in the future. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

[Bonne Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dallas homicide detective Gunner Kingston is questioning whether there is a dirty cop in his division when he buys a lottery ticket and wins multi millions. On a random grocery trip he runs into childhood friend Holly Dillion.

[Merle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gunnar Kingston is a hard-boiled Dallas police detective. After his mother's betrayal of the family, he has become a loner with a rep for taking no prisoners. Driving home one evening, he stops to fuel up his Mustang, and buys a lottery ticket as an afterthought. The case he and his partner are assigned sends them to an abandoned warehouse with a dead body inside. The man is fully dressed except for shoues and socks. The identification of the body opens a pandora's box of issues. Gunnar is surprised one day to meet an old friend from Crossroads when she hugs him enthusiastically. Holly was a kid when Gunnar played ball with a local team but she's all grown up now. This is a terrific story and I hope that there are more stories coming from Crossroads.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Patsy Metz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in the series. Love the family dynamics

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Sala's most romantic books.

[Maureen Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Billie Lineberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Donna Kale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Lori Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Sharon Sala does it again. Another wonderful book! Always a pre-order author. The Crossroads books are awesome. All her books are a must read.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[KristinS · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book!

Great end to a series. Love the characters and how they meld into each book. Such good vacation read. Loved all 3.

[Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dallas Kingston is a detective for the city of Dallas and when he wins big on a lottery ticket he returns to hometown and his old flame to see how good life can be. A sweet romance from a favorite author, Sharon Sala, this is book 3 in the Crossroads series. The Kingston brothers are all great characters and the women they find help keep them focused. I enjoy all of Sala's books but I really love her hometown series the best including Blessings, Georgia.