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Cross Purposes
Grieving widow Lana Mills pulls American Michelle Devereaux from the raging floodwater of the Kennetcook River, and immediately becomes entangled in Michelle’s pursuit of a lost Acadian treasure. Following the clues from one historical Acadian settlement to the next, they search for a golden cross bequeathed to an Acadian priest by France’s King Louis XV. But dangerous men are also on the hunt for the cross and for Michelle. Canadian Mountie Emily Stone has been patiently waiting for Lana to be open to the possibility of love once more, but perhaps she’s waited too long. Now she must find and help them before Lana not only loses her heart to Michelle and her obsession, but possibly her life as well.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2016
4 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Gina L. Dartt
5 books23 followersGina L. Dartt was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada. She grew up with a love of science fiction, particularly Star Trek (though that faded with the end of Voyager and the beginning of Enterprise). (from the publisher's website)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 4, 2016
3 1/2 Stars. This is my first book by Dartt, and I enjoyed it. The best way to describe it would be a romance with a little bit of a simplistic Da Vinci Code thrown in.
The story is about Lana, an author, who is having a hard time getting over her partners death. Driving home one day she rescues a women, Michelle, who's car is about to plunge into an icy river. When Michelle confesses shes there to hunt down a treasure, Lana gets wrapped up into her scheme. Lana's friend Emily, a Mountie, doesn't trust Michelle. She chases after them in hopes of protecting Lana, but will she be too late?
What I enjoyed the most about the story is how the romance worked. With two women interested in Lana, the book takes a pleasant turn, which I was happy about. I'm not always big on love triangles, but Dartt wrote this well and didn't let it become frustrating.
I thought all the characters were well written and I really liked Lana and Emily. In fact I thought the book got better, once Emily became a part of it. I had mixed feeling about Michelle, but I think Dratt purposely wrote her like that.
The treasure hunt/adventure part of this book was okay. Part of it I enjoyed, other times I thought it could have used a little more detail or excitement. I really found myself reading this to find out how the relationships would work out. There is a few unanswered questions at the end. Nothing huge to drive you nuts. But enough that Dartt could write a second book with some or all of the characters. I would be interested in reading about them again.
I would recommend this to romance fans. Especially, if you are looking for something a little different. I would absolutely read more of Dartt in the future.
An ARC was given to me by Bold Strokes Books, for a honest review.
The story is about Lana, an author, who is having a hard time getting over her partners death. Driving home one day she rescues a women, Michelle, who's car is about to plunge into an icy river. When Michelle confesses shes there to hunt down a treasure, Lana gets wrapped up into her scheme. Lana's friend Emily, a Mountie, doesn't trust Michelle. She chases after them in hopes of protecting Lana, but will she be too late?
What I enjoyed the most about the story is how the romance worked. With two women interested in Lana, the book takes a pleasant turn, which I was happy about. I'm not always big on love triangles, but Dartt wrote this well and didn't let it become frustrating.
I thought all the characters were well written and I really liked Lana and Emily. In fact I thought the book got better, once Emily became a part of it. I had mixed feeling about Michelle, but I think Dratt purposely wrote her like that.
The treasure hunt/adventure part of this book was okay. Part of it I enjoyed, other times I thought it could have used a little more detail or excitement. I really found myself reading this to find out how the relationships would work out. There is a few unanswered questions at the end. Nothing huge to drive you nuts. But enough that Dartt could write a second book with some or all of the characters. I would be interested in reading about them again.
I would recommend this to romance fans. Especially, if you are looking for something a little different. I would absolutely read more of Dartt in the future.
An ARC was given to me by Bold Strokes Books, for a honest review.
October 21, 2016
3 women in a treasure hunt. As if that isn't excitement enough, it's further complicated by a love triangle involving the three. Overflowing sexual tension and sparks? Catfights, maybe? ;) Let's see.
Main character is author Lana Mills, widowed for 3-years but still stuck in an extended depression. She lives alone and rarely interacts with the rest of the townsfolk. Vying for her attention is damsel in distress Michelle, a pretty and excitable "assistant professor", and Emily, a solid, dependable RCMP constable who's had the hots for Lana for a long time but doesn't want to make a move until she's ready.
Michelle holds the key to the missing treasure, a fabled Gold Cross once given by the King Louis XV of France to a local priest. Michelle tries to convince Lana to drop everything and go treasure hunting with her. Aside from being depressed, Lana has been unable to write since the death of her wife, and the opportunity presented by Michelle is tantalizing....not to mention the benefits it comes with. ;) Emily on the other hand, sees nothing but trouble in Michelle.
And so the three embark on their quest, everyone with an eye on their respective prizes: The cross for Michelle; the adventure and the story for Lana; and for Emily, a chance at Lana's heart.
The setting is a very rural part of Nova Scotia, Canada. Insterspersed with descriptions of the rugged scenery our ladies encounter are bits and pieces of Acadian history and traces of their roots in Louisiana. Michelle being Cajun, there is also the occasional Canada vs. America tussle.
I was a little apprehensive when I realized early on there would be a love triangle in the book. I have a love-hate relationship with love triangles. It's like watching sports. I love the tension, the conflict, the emotional tug-of-war. But I hate it when the wrong team wins. :) And I hate that someone will get hurt, especially if its a character I'm invested in. The book doesn't go that route though. And this is both a positive and a negative. Positive means I won't get hurt. Negative means NO ANGST, lol. I had actually expected more tension and sparks as the three ladies are forced to work together in close quarters in their quest. But there isn't really any. :(
So setting the love triangle aside (since it is pretty much :( ), the book now concentrates on the treasure hunt and the slow burn romance that develops alongside it.
The hunt itself has some exciting moments and the addition of a couple of bad guys (too half-assed though, imho, pardon the term) add to the thrill. But it never rises up to the level of a real thriller. So don't go looking for slam-bang action here. The romance itself isn't badly done. But when one of the ladies is one of the most boring characters ever, it's hard to get excited about it. I mean, she'll make a perfect mate in real life. Gimme one any time. ;) But as a book character, how terrible is she if I kept rooting for her rival to win the love tussle...even though her rival is a bit of a selfish brat. I wished the author hadn't stacked the deck against the rival in this affair and gave her more emotional depth. She deserved more. I have a feeling there will be a sequel, since her fate is left hanging at the end.
There were occasional info dumps that were dropped on the reader throughout the book, not too much, but they still felt like info dumps nevertheless. I skipped most of the later sex scenes mainly because I just wasn't in the mood after the team I was rooting for lost out. ;)
Bottom line, it's a little better than average (the author writes really well), but the choice of an unexciting protagonist failed to make this romantic reader's heart flutter.
Rating: 3.85 stars
ARC from Netgalley and BSB
Main character is author Lana Mills, widowed for 3-years but still stuck in an extended depression. She lives alone and rarely interacts with the rest of the townsfolk. Vying for her attention is damsel in distress Michelle, a pretty and excitable "assistant professor", and Emily, a solid, dependable RCMP constable who's had the hots for Lana for a long time but doesn't want to make a move until she's ready.
Michelle holds the key to the missing treasure, a fabled Gold Cross once given by the King Louis XV of France to a local priest. Michelle tries to convince Lana to drop everything and go treasure hunting with her. Aside from being depressed, Lana has been unable to write since the death of her wife, and the opportunity presented by Michelle is tantalizing....not to mention the benefits it comes with. ;) Emily on the other hand, sees nothing but trouble in Michelle.
And so the three embark on their quest, everyone with an eye on their respective prizes: The cross for Michelle; the adventure and the story for Lana; and for Emily, a chance at Lana's heart.
The setting is a very rural part of Nova Scotia, Canada. Insterspersed with descriptions of the rugged scenery our ladies encounter are bits and pieces of Acadian history and traces of their roots in Louisiana. Michelle being Cajun, there is also the occasional Canada vs. America tussle.
I was a little apprehensive when I realized early on there would be a love triangle in the book. I have a love-hate relationship with love triangles. It's like watching sports. I love the tension, the conflict, the emotional tug-of-war. But I hate it when the wrong team wins. :) And I hate that someone will get hurt, especially if its a character I'm invested in. The book doesn't go that route though. And this is both a positive and a negative. Positive means I won't get hurt. Negative means NO ANGST, lol. I had actually expected more tension and sparks as the three ladies are forced to work together in close quarters in their quest. But there isn't really any. :(
So setting the love triangle aside (since it is pretty much :( ), the book now concentrates on the treasure hunt and the slow burn romance that develops alongside it.
The hunt itself has some exciting moments and the addition of a couple of bad guys (too half-assed though, imho, pardon the term) add to the thrill. But it never rises up to the level of a real thriller. So don't go looking for slam-bang action here. The romance itself isn't badly done. But when one of the ladies is one of the most boring characters ever, it's hard to get excited about it. I mean, she'll make a perfect mate in real life. Gimme one any time. ;) But as a book character, how terrible is she if I kept rooting for her rival to win the love tussle...even though her rival is a bit of a selfish brat. I wished the author hadn't stacked the deck against the rival in this affair and gave her more emotional depth. She deserved more. I have a feeling there will be a sequel, since her fate is left hanging at the end.
There were occasional info dumps that were dropped on the reader throughout the book, not too much, but they still felt like info dumps nevertheless. I skipped most of the later sex scenes mainly because I just wasn't in the mood after the team I was rooting for lost out. ;)
Bottom line, it's a little better than average (the author writes really well), but the choice of an unexciting protagonist failed to make this romantic reader's heart flutter.
Rating: 3.85 stars
ARC from Netgalley and BSB
October 8, 2016
When I read the blurb for this novel I was intrigued by the idea of a search for lost Acadian treasure. The hint at a love triangle involving a grieving widow, a treasure hunter and a Mountie and it became a must read.
Lana is the star of the show and benefits by having the most detailed personality profile in the story. Her life has come to a standstill following the death of her beloved wife. Rescuing Michelle and rediscovering her mojo brings Lana out of a years long depression. Michelle is a treasure hunter, con artist and skilled manipulator. Her unpredictability adds to what could have been a dull and plodding trek through the snow clogged roads of Nova Scotia. The weakest link character study wise is Emily the Mountie. She is earnest and meek in her efforts to attract Lana. She fits the stereotypical “nice” Canadian. This is in direct contrast to her courage as an RCMP officer. Some of those talents are showcased later on in the novel but the relationship between Lana and Emily when it finally gets going loses believability thanks to her polite early efforts to attract and interest Lana. Lana's responses towards Emily were surprising but sweet. Not so much insta-love as waking up from a bad dream and noticing someone has been waiting patiently for you to notice her.
As for the plot itself, the history of the Acadians in Nova Scotia was interesting for those not aware of Cajun origins. The treasure hunt added a nice bit of humour along with the risks taken as the women juggled their roles/allegiances. Too bad the dangers facing the women by forces unknown built small amounts of tension but not enough to elevate the book from Intrique to Thriller. There were bad guys but their involvement came so late in the story that the reader never fears for the safety of the three heroines.
The story was entertaining but did not quite live up to the hype promised in the description.
3.5 stars
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review.
Lana is the star of the show and benefits by having the most detailed personality profile in the story. Her life has come to a standstill following the death of her beloved wife. Rescuing Michelle and rediscovering her mojo brings Lana out of a years long depression. Michelle is a treasure hunter, con artist and skilled manipulator. Her unpredictability adds to what could have been a dull and plodding trek through the snow clogged roads of Nova Scotia. The weakest link character study wise is Emily the Mountie. She is earnest and meek in her efforts to attract Lana. She fits the stereotypical “nice” Canadian. This is in direct contrast to her courage as an RCMP officer. Some of those talents are showcased later on in the novel but the relationship between Lana and Emily when it finally gets going loses believability thanks to her polite early efforts to attract and interest Lana. Lana's responses towards Emily were surprising but sweet. Not so much insta-love as waking up from a bad dream and noticing someone has been waiting patiently for you to notice her.
As for the plot itself, the history of the Acadians in Nova Scotia was interesting for those not aware of Cajun origins. The treasure hunt added a nice bit of humour along with the risks taken as the women juggled their roles/allegiances. Too bad the dangers facing the women by forces unknown built small amounts of tension but not enough to elevate the book from Intrique to Thriller. There were bad guys but their involvement came so late in the story that the reader never fears for the safety of the three heroines.
The story was entertaining but did not quite live up to the hype promised in the description.
3.5 stars
ARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2016
I really looked forward to reading this book. It sounded right up my alley. It sounded kind of like a search for the Holy Grail. I think it could have been...unfortunately, it fell a little short. There wasn't enough explanation about the Acadians and the history. It was hard to follow and didn't make much sense honestly.
The main characters were interesting and the play between them was well written. A little love triangle thing going on. There weren't many ancillary characters in the book which may be one of the reasons it fell flat for me.
It was an okay read....three stars.
ARC received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The main characters were interesting and the play between them was well written. A little love triangle thing going on. There weren't many ancillary characters in the book which may be one of the reasons it fell flat for me.
It was an okay read....three stars.
ARC received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2016
3.5 stars
Michelle Devereaux is on the hunt for Arcadian treasure. Originally from New Orleans, she is working to decipher antique manuscripts to find a cross that was originally given to an Arcadian priest by King Louis XV. Trying to avoid the two thugs who have followed her to Canada from home, she crashes into floodwaters.
Lana Mills was a prolific author of lesbian fantasy novels, until her muse died along with her wife. Still beset by grief, Lana is stumbling through her life until she comes across a woman struggling to survive floodwaters following a crash.
Emily Stone is a local Mountie who has the hots for Lana, but is keeping her distance while Lana grieves. Realising something is dodgy about Michelle, and concerned for Lana, Emily takes off after them.
The start of the book seemed a bit odd, as Michelle was clearly dodgy and it was not entirely apparent as to why Lana would be attracted to her. It seemed a bit sudden, and more like a plot device than something that would have happened from the characters as described. Things became clearer once Emily Stone came on the scene, and the book changed to a three-hander, with deceptions, lust and the possibility of love tangling with the characters and the action.
The action by the characters made a lot more sense after that, and the book was a lot more fun for it. It was an interesting plot device to have three main characters, and once I was through the first part of the novel, it worked quite well. There was some heat between Lana and the other two main characters, and that was well described by Darrt.
The twist in the tale also works well. Dartt managed to keep me guessing about Michelle’s true intentions, and the potential thuggery added tension without a huge amount of violence, which worked for the tone of the story. This isn’t a dark Scandi-noir thriller, but a romance with some adventure to add some spice.
I did enjoy the book, and would read another by the same author.
Advanced reading copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
Michelle Devereaux is on the hunt for Arcadian treasure. Originally from New Orleans, she is working to decipher antique manuscripts to find a cross that was originally given to an Arcadian priest by King Louis XV. Trying to avoid the two thugs who have followed her to Canada from home, she crashes into floodwaters.
Lana Mills was a prolific author of lesbian fantasy novels, until her muse died along with her wife. Still beset by grief, Lana is stumbling through her life until she comes across a woman struggling to survive floodwaters following a crash.
Emily Stone is a local Mountie who has the hots for Lana, but is keeping her distance while Lana grieves. Realising something is dodgy about Michelle, and concerned for Lana, Emily takes off after them.
The start of the book seemed a bit odd, as Michelle was clearly dodgy and it was not entirely apparent as to why Lana would be attracted to her. It seemed a bit sudden, and more like a plot device than something that would have happened from the characters as described. Things became clearer once Emily Stone came on the scene, and the book changed to a three-hander, with deceptions, lust and the possibility of love tangling with the characters and the action.
The action by the characters made a lot more sense after that, and the book was a lot more fun for it. It was an interesting plot device to have three main characters, and once I was through the first part of the novel, it worked quite well. There was some heat between Lana and the other two main characters, and that was well described by Darrt.
The twist in the tale also works well. Dartt managed to keep me guessing about Michelle’s true intentions, and the potential thuggery added tension without a huge amount of violence, which worked for the tone of the story. This isn’t a dark Scandi-noir thriller, but a romance with some adventure to add some spice.
I did enjoy the book, and would read another by the same author.
Advanced reading copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
August 13, 2017
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I was surprised at how much I liked this book; I was avoiding it not falling in love with the description. The characters and the plot pulled you right in; I found myself not being able to put it down. An adventure of a lifetime as the search of a missing historical artifact and the romance that buds during it. I will be looking out for Dartt in the future.
January 18, 2017
I recently discovered Gina Dartt's JUST BETWEEN SERIES and fell in love with this author's writing style. While I liked Lana and Constable Stone, Michelle Devereaux was my favorite character. I would call her a lovable rogue and wouldn't mind reading a story where she finds what she is really searching for. I have her other two novels by Bold Strokes lined up to read, and many more chapters of her Just Between Series.
May 25, 2018
Lana, still grieving after the loss of her partner years before, becomes involved in a quest for a lost treasure after rescuing American stranger, Michelle from a car crash. Add in local cop, Emily, who has had a long standing crush on Lana and you get the gist of the storyline. Credible enough plot, though Lana's flipping and flopping between both women and being ready for a relationship then not ready then ready again did contribute to me losing some interest along the way.
June 16, 2024
Quite the Adventure!
Michelle comes into Lana's life at just the right time. Lana gets a real life adventure, rather than the imaginary adventures she shares with the world. Emily rounds out our main cast of characters, with the calm and caring personality needed on this quest. This is rather a fun story.
Michelle comes into Lana's life at just the right time. Lana gets a real life adventure, rather than the imaginary adventures she shares with the world. Emily rounds out our main cast of characters, with the calm and caring personality needed on this quest. This is rather a fun story.
October 19, 2016
Another wonderful offering from Gina L Dartt! This writer has never disappointed. Romance and intrigue skilfully woven together.
October 27, 2016
Cross Purposes is an enjoyable well written story with intrigue, flirtation and romance. The tale is of searching for an Acadian artifact, tracing it through the Acadian expulsion from Canada to the present day Cajun country in Louisiana. While searching for the artifact, three women also search to find what is in their hearts.
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