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Winter's Cross: Winter Black CROSS Files
The next era of the #1 Amazon mystery bestselling Winter Black series by international multi-million bestselling author Mary Stone is finally here!
Winter Black didn’t go looking for the next fight. It came for her.
When a covert recruitment event is attacked before it officially begins, Winter is pulled into a unit that isn’t yet approved, isn’t operational.
And may not survive long enough to become either.
Formed under the Department of Justice, CROSS—Cross-Border Risk & Offender Suppression—is designed to operate where no single agency can. No red tape. No jurisdictional limits. It targets the most dangerous threats, no matter who…no matter where.
It brings together operatives from different backgrounds, different cases, different pasts. Some she knows. Some she doesn’t. All of them carefully selected for the same reason. They see the threat coming…and don’t run from it.
CROSS was meant to be the solution.
Instead, it becomes the target.
As the threat closes in and trust fractures under pressure, one thing becomes clear. Someone powerful has already decided CROSS won’t survive its first day.
Welcome to Winter’s Cross, the prequel to the next era of the famous Winter Black series by Mary Stone—where the team that will change everything is nearly destroyed before it ever gets the chance.
Winter Black didn’t go looking for the next fight. It came for her.
When a covert recruitment event is attacked before it officially begins, Winter is pulled into a unit that isn’t yet approved, isn’t operational.
And may not survive long enough to become either.
Formed under the Department of Justice, CROSS—Cross-Border Risk & Offender Suppression—is designed to operate where no single agency can. No red tape. No jurisdictional limits. It targets the most dangerous threats, no matter who…no matter where.
It brings together operatives from different backgrounds, different cases, different pasts. Some she knows. Some she doesn’t. All of them carefully selected for the same reason. They see the threat coming…and don’t run from it.
CROSS was meant to be the solution.
Instead, it becomes the target.
As the threat closes in and trust fractures under pressure, one thing becomes clear. Someone powerful has already decided CROSS won’t survive its first day.
Welcome to Winter’s Cross, the prequel to the next era of the famous Winter Black series by Mary Stone—where the team that will change everything is nearly destroyed before it ever gets the chance.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2026
About the author
Mary Stone
257 books2,227 followersTo download my FREE BOOK, click here: https://authormarystone.com/free-book...
Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.
Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.
Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.
Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 12, 2026
This is awesome!
Getting all of these friends together, and adding Halo is great! What a first meeting too! Never a dull moment and keeps you reading till the end. I've missed all of these characters so very much. They work together seamlessly, including Halo. Each has their own gifts to bring to the team. Halo is bringing a new gift to the group. How to tune in to hearing sounds is a nice addition. Also willing to show Emma how it works. Still love the home life that supports them. Makes them more than just people finding the bad guys!
Thanks for bringing them together again! Yeah!
Getting all of these friends together, and adding Halo is great! What a first meeting too! Never a dull moment and keeps you reading till the end. I've missed all of these characters so very much. They work together seamlessly, including Halo. Each has their own gifts to bring to the team. Halo is bringing a new gift to the group. How to tune in to hearing sounds is a nice addition. Also willing to show Emma how it works. Still love the home life that supports them. Makes them more than just people finding the bad guys!
Thanks for bringing them together again! Yeah!
May 13, 2026
Wow I'm so excited...
In a way that other people who have read the corresponding books that go with the people in this story will recognize. ..in the first couple pages when I saw the characters who are in this book, I immediately went to email Mary Stone. But I though about it and realized she's probably getting numerous similar emails. Anyway, this book is as good or better than I expected. And I am seriously looking forward to the coming books. Non-stop action and interesting compelling characters. Just a very full rich story with characters I love, plus some.
In a way that other people who have read the corresponding books that go with the people in this story will recognize. ..in the first couple pages when I saw the characters who are in this book, I immediately went to email Mary Stone. But I though about it and realized she's probably getting numerous similar emails. Anyway, this book is as good or better than I expected. And I am seriously looking forward to the coming books. Non-stop action and interesting compelling characters. Just a very full rich story with characters I love, plus some.
May 8, 2026
Oh wow! I’ll be the first of many, to admit that I was missing the original group - Winter, Noah, Autumn, Emma, but this new series has taken my breath away. What a bold, fast moving start. The gathering of the four, plus Aiden & Jacinta, and introducing Halo is going to be the best one ever. From their initial meeting, the way they interact to the danger like a well oiled machine will only lead to one of the best teams ever.
May 31, 2026
WINTER’S CROSS is the Prequel/Introduction to Mary Stone's WINTER BLACK CROSS FILES series. This is a new era in the Winter Black Series and officially book 28.
SAC Hollingsworth and SSA Parrish are creating a new covert unit called "CROSS". A specialized unit to operate where no single agency can go and track the most dangerous threats, no matter who or where. The proposed team is Winter, Autumn and Emma along Dalton and four new members.
As usual the author started by capturing your attention with an opening as tense and deadly as her other Winter Black stories. Then it settles down with a recruitment interview briefing with the proposed members. That's when things explode and they don't stop until the end. There will bodies and mourning. Not everyone will survive to see tomorrow.
So get ready, it's a ride you won't want to miss.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, and the above is my voluntary and honest review.
SAC Hollingsworth and SSA Parrish are creating a new covert unit called "CROSS". A specialized unit to operate where no single agency can go and track the most dangerous threats, no matter who or where. The proposed team is Winter, Autumn and Emma along Dalton and four new members.
As usual the author started by capturing your attention with an opening as tense and deadly as her other Winter Black stories. Then it settles down with a recruitment interview briefing with the proposed members. That's when things explode and they don't stop until the end. There will bodies and mourning. Not everyone will survive to see tomorrow.
So get ready, it's a ride you won't want to miss.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, and the above is my voluntary and honest review.
May 17, 2026
As many have written, I too love Mary Stone and have read all of her series with Winter Black always being my favorite. Through that series I was introduced to other characters who then had their own great series, i.e., Autumn, Aiden, Emma, & Jacinda. This new series, CROSS, brings them together to accomplish goals/missions that are under the radar, and before the team can truly start they are targeted. Someone in the higher government levels does not want CROSS to happen and tried to destroy this team during their very first meeting. This book was fast paced and a thriller until the end. The fact that the team, including new characters, some who will not be in the future series, worked as one and never faltered was reflected in Aiden and Jacinda's emotions at the end. Can't wait for future CROSS books. I received this book as an ARC and truly recommend it to everyone!
May 17, 2026
I love Winter and her creator Mary Stone has kept her alive with one more book, Winters Cross.
Winter Black-Daltin and her husband Noah Dalton are asked to come for a meeting at a location that does not look like a Federal Office. They meet with SSA Aiden Parrish, the man who had been their supervisory agent when they were with FBI. SA in Charge Jacinda Hollingsworth. They were being asked to join them in a specially formed team that worked alone, without rules or boundaries.
More Agents were being brought in to meet with Aiden and Jacinda, none of them knew the others had been asked to join.
Without anyone knowing a team were being set up to destroy what had been planned. Would they succeed?
Winter Black-Daltin and her husband Noah Dalton are asked to come for a meeting at a location that does not look like a Federal Office. They meet with SSA Aiden Parrish, the man who had been their supervisory agent when they were with FBI. SA in Charge Jacinda Hollingsworth. They were being asked to join them in a specially formed team that worked alone, without rules or boundaries.
More Agents were being brought in to meet with Aiden and Jacinda, none of them knew the others had been asked to join.
Without anyone knowing a team were being set up to destroy what had been planned. Would they succeed?
May 20, 2026
Holy Setup Novel, Batman!!
I stayed up half the night, caught 3 hours of sleep, woke early just to finish it. I don’t normally do that, even though I’m reading constantly. It’s just that pulse pounding good.
I hope (with all sincerity) that the books in this series come out fast and furious. There is really no other way to satisfy a true Mary Stone fan who has ready every single world of every single series.
Thank you, Mary, for bringing back my love of reading in such a truly reverent way. Hats off to you.
I stayed up half the night, caught 3 hours of sleep, woke early just to finish it. I don’t normally do that, even though I’m reading constantly. It’s just that pulse pounding good.
I hope (with all sincerity) that the books in this series come out fast and furious. There is really no other way to satisfy a true Mary Stone fan who has ready every single world of every single series.
Thank you, Mary, for bringing back my love of reading in such a truly reverent way. Hats off to you.
May 31, 2026
I read this book as part of an ARC team. Ive always been a fan of Winter Black. She is tough and has ridden through some pretty tough times and still managed to keep; her sanity. But this is crazy! Winter, along with some old friends, has been invited for an interview for an exclusive team being formed. A team that doesn't really follow all the rules. The team wants results not rules, regulations, and laws. However, someone has heard about this team and they want it stopped...immediately! What follows is quite the ride. You'll like the new players and Winter is at her best.
June 16, 2026
Loved, loved, loved it!!!! The gang is back together and starting out with a bang, literally. A new FBI unit, CROSS, is a unit unlike any other. The mix of talent, abilities and guts is high. The adventure starts with the individual group members answering a call to come and connect about this special unit. All have to surrender all weapons, forms of communication and tools. What happens next is quite unexpected. Let's just say it's worth the read to find out.
May 14, 2026
Looking forward to this new series.
Great new series with most of my favorite characters from her other series. Only one new character that I'm not at all familiar with but I like her already. I'm hoping a few of my other favorites will be included soon.
Can't wait for the next one!
Great new series with most of my favorite characters from her other series. Only one new character that I'm not at all familiar with but I like her already. I'm hoping a few of my other favorites will be included soon.
Can't wait for the next one!
May 21, 2026
Wow! the perfect dream team!
I wasn’t sure what to think when I read the teaser for this book.
What a great cast of characters to put together for a bad ass team.
Or, was it weirdos that Autumn or Winter called them?
A couple great characters we got to know and are happy to see again. And, some new stuff too.
Let the stories begin!
I wasn’t sure what to think when I read the teaser for this book.
What a great cast of characters to put together for a bad ass team.
Or, was it weirdos that Autumn or Winter called them?
A couple great characters we got to know and are happy to see again. And, some new stuff too.
Let the stories begin!
May 23, 2026
Wow, I had no idea what this book was all about....how perfect to have all these characters come together for something new! I found the plot to be riveting and not at all what I expected. And the new character is perfect as well! If you are a fan, as I am, of Winter, Autumn, Emma and more, then I think you'll love this as well.
May 25, 2026
We want more
Edge of your seat read, as always, but it was so nice to have them all together in the same book. Hated for the book to end. I love each and everyone one of these characters and need them in my life. Read all the separate series, and now ready for this to continue. Hurry.
Edge of your seat read, as always, but it was so nice to have them all together in the same book. Hated for the book to end. I love each and everyone one of these characters and need them in my life. Read all the separate series, and now ready for this to continue. Hurry.
May 10, 2026
Want more
Loved this new story line. I could not put the book down. Kept me interested from page one. Its a must read. I can't wait for the next one. Awesome writing. Great to see all my favorite characters together
Loved this new story line. I could not put the book down. Kept me interested from page one. Its a must read. I can't wait for the next one. Awesome writing. Great to see all my favorite characters together
May 11, 2026
Page Turning Greatness
This book is amazing! Bringing them all together for the "Weirdo" Club is what I have hoped to see for so long! I am so hopeful that the others follow soon! I cannot wait!
This book is amazing! Bringing them all together for the "Weirdo" Club is what I have hoped to see for so long! I am so hopeful that the others follow soon! I cannot wait!
May 15, 2026
Awesome!
It is awesome! Totally riveting and engrossing. Can't wait for more! Publish more soon please! I love the group working so smoothly and previous interactions helped cement them and save them.
It is awesome! Totally riveting and engrossing. Can't wait for more! Publish more soon please! I love the group working so smoothly and previous interactions helped cement them and save them.
May 15, 2026
Winters Cross
I wanted to read Winter's Cross in one night, but couldn't. I really enjoyed the plot of the book. Who knew that the group would meld or not. I especially enjoy the characters as they came together and worked together. I'm looking forward to reading more.
I wanted to read Winter's Cross in one night, but couldn't. I really enjoyed the plot of the book. Who knew that the group would meld or not. I especially enjoy the characters as they came together and worked together. I'm looking forward to reading more.
May 16, 2026
Mary Stone never disappoints
This is like the avengers got together to created CROSS for the FBI. What a fantastic way to get them all together for another series. I’m excited to read the next book!
This is like the avengers got together to created CROSS for the FBI. What a fantastic way to get them all together for another series. I’m excited to read the next book!
May 17, 2026
This is the twenty eighth book in the Winter Black series. The plot was so well written and engaging. I enjoyed some of my favorite characters working together. A great read. I received an early copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
May 22, 2026
I loved this book!
I have read all of Autumn Trent’s and all of Winter Black’s book. They were all outstanding. I loved how this book they all came together and achieved and achieved amazing work
You must read, I could not put the book down. Most of them are like that anyway. !!
I have read all of Autumn Trent’s and all of Winter Black’s book. They were all outstanding. I loved how this book they all came together and achieved and achieved amazing work
You must read, I could not put the book down. Most of them are like that anyway. !!
May 23, 2026
Sooo pleased
I am absolutely delighted that Winter Black is back. What a great way to start a new series with other agents from different series. I am really looking forward to this new chapter.
I am absolutely delighted that Winter Black is back. What a great way to start a new series with other agents from different series. I am really looking forward to this new chapter.
May 25, 2026
Amazing read!
Winter Black is 1 of my favorite characters in Mary Stone's books. I'm beyond excited to see where the author takes Winter this time around. I will be anxiously waiting for the new series to come out!
Winter Black is 1 of my favorite characters in Mary Stone's books. I'm beyond excited to see where the author takes Winter this time around. I will be anxiously waiting for the new series to come out!
May 26, 2026
my review
This book was so confusing till about the second half.
But I’m looking forward to the next one. About halfway through I started connecting things. From there on it was gooooood
This book was so confusing till about the second half.
But I’m looking forward to the next one. About halfway through I started connecting things. From there on it was gooooood
May 27, 2026
Finally
Thank you Mary for bringing back my favorite characters Winter, Noah, Autumn and Aiden. The first book was really good. I can't wait to see what's in store for them next. Looking forward to it!
Thank you Mary for bringing back my favorite characters Winter, Noah, Autumn and Aiden. The first book was really good. I can't wait to see what's in store for them next. Looking forward to it!
June 11, 2026
What a great Book. It was really exciting to see all these friend plus Halo get together to form a team that is going to investigate covert operations. First, they have to get themselves away from someone who wants to kill them all.
I am really looking forward to reading this series.
I am really looking forward to reading this series.
June 21, 2026
great journey
Loved that you put all the great heroes together, it was thrilling and inspiring, they all belong together to make a difference, mowing down all the dead wood in the world. This needs to become a movie.
Loved that you put all the great heroes together, it was thrilling and inspiring, they all belong together to make a difference, mowing down all the dead wood in the world. This needs to become a movie.
May 10, 2026
so excited!
Can not wait for this new series to unfold!! So many favorite characters thrown back together with some new ones!!
Can not wait for this new series to unfold!! So many favorite characters thrown back together with some new ones!!
May 13, 2026
Absolutely loved this book, can't wait until the next in the series.
May 13, 2026
she’s back!
So glad to get the notice that this book was released - now ready for the next and the next and the next
So glad to get the notice that this book was released - now ready for the next and the next and the next
May 13, 2026
Welcome back
I have enjoyed Winters stories and I'm looking forward to more adventures!
Thanks for coming back I'm sure it will be exciting
I have enjoyed Winters stories and I'm looking forward to more adventures!
Thanks for coming back I'm sure it will be exciting
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews