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by Christina K Gross

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First published January 12, 2026

About the author

Christina K. Gross is the debut author of the psychological suspense thriller, RESCUE THE INNOCENT.

A veteran of the publishing industry, she is an investigative journalist and a student of marine security and navigation. She is also a private pilot, photographer, artist, and graphic designer.

When not engaged with people facing impossible odds, she likes to keep current with other writers of psychological thrillers and suspense.

Christina graduated from California State University, East Bay with a major in psychology.

She lives with her husband near Seattle.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

There's something weird going onboard the cruise ship, starting with a couple being kidnapped. The newly minted captain has to deal with all of that, a storm, and resentful crew, while trying to be romantic with the doctor passenger.

A bit overwrought.

[Carla Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this Title in a Goodreads Giveaway.

The book was ok. A light of typos, the character Anna goes from wearing one color of dress to a different one. One sentence, then the next. You can't remember what your characters are wearing from the sentence before? The plot ok, the writing not so much. An unnecessary thing the author did. Was revist in the first paragraph of almost every chapter, what was said in the last few paragraphs of the previous chapter. Totally not necessary. Plus the egotistical and racist profiles within in the book almost made me not finish it. A remarkable new cruise ship with a freshly minted Captain embarks on a journey across the Atlantic, on her ocean journey she encounters radical terrorists. For a Captain that was presumably smart, she made some of the dumbest decisions I ever heard of in that kind of situation. The characters are flat with no astounding charisma or personality. I also figured out the alter ego situation within the first few chapters of reading. The author dropped to many hints to soon in the story. Give it a read and make your own opinions. Mine weren't favorable.

[Ana Ovt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.

It’s not good. The characters are very stereotyped and surface level. The depiction of the Afghani terrorist is kinda racist.

The author clearly didn’t do a lot of research for the technical parts. As an example, they set off on a course of 189, and call it southeast… 189 is southwest.

Also it badly needs an editor, there are so many typos.

DNF at 25%.

[Conny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a First Read Winner of this book and I really wanted to like it, since it sounded like a read I would enjoy. But I found myself a bit bored and I never really connected with the characters and it was a bit predictable. I hate when this happens since I am pretty selective of what I want to read the older I get.

[William Crosman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather bazaar. Too many plot twists and turns. Should be simpler.

[DAVID ALSPECTOR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing tale

I found this to be a fantastic story that definitely makes the reader have to think more along the way

[ROBERT SCHMELTZER · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just screaming to be read.

I have become so attached to the characters I feel a personal connection with them. I will miss them - I want more.

Indeed, they are exceptionally lovable except for Fez, a talented terrorist who suffers an extreme need for vengeance having been savagely brutalized earlier in his life.

But he becomes conflicted with self-doubt to a degree that makes you wonder if his soul is redeemable. But his threat is real and deadly.

The passengers and crew present a heartwarming experience as they battle for their survival on the high seas.

Rescue The Innocent is a thoughtful expose of the risks of passenger travel by luxury cruise ship on dangerous oceans, undefended and completely vulnerable. It is a thoughtfully written novel by the first class story teller, Christina Gross.

Bravo!