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Don't Cross the X
Librarian Note: There is an updated cover for this edition with ASIN B0733FT4PM
Haunted by a single mistake, a young woman’s life begins to fall apart around her.
In 1919, twenty-two-year-old Pearl Hayes leads a blessed life with her husband and two sons in rural South Carolina. But when she crosses a large X gouged into the earth near a local blackberry field, she comes to find that she has entered into the realm of a force of evil she has no hope of stopping. Slowly, her life deteriorates, and through her misery she knows who is to blame: Hazel Sullivan—who is known, to the town of Walterboro, as a witch.
Eighty-two years later, in 2001, Pearl Hayes can no longer remember her past—all that she knows is the grief and longing she feels deep in her wounded heart. Then, when her estranged great-granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter come to visit her at her nursing home, the memories of her prior life come rushing back to her. At the end of her harrowing life, Pearl is desperate to tell her story to what is left of her family, and to deliver a warning: that the evil that took her life from her will come to take theirs, too.
Evocative, poignant, and heartbreaking, Don’t Cross the X illustrates the indomitable strength of the human spirit in the face of despair.
Haunted by a single mistake, a young woman’s life begins to fall apart around her.
In 1919, twenty-two-year-old Pearl Hayes leads a blessed life with her husband and two sons in rural South Carolina. But when she crosses a large X gouged into the earth near a local blackberry field, she comes to find that she has entered into the realm of a force of evil she has no hope of stopping. Slowly, her life deteriorates, and through her misery she knows who is to blame: Hazel Sullivan—who is known, to the town of Walterboro, as a witch.
Eighty-two years later, in 2001, Pearl Hayes can no longer remember her past—all that she knows is the grief and longing she feels deep in her wounded heart. Then, when her estranged great-granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter come to visit her at her nursing home, the memories of her prior life come rushing back to her. At the end of her harrowing life, Pearl is desperate to tell her story to what is left of her family, and to deliver a warning: that the evil that took her life from her will come to take theirs, too.
Evocative, poignant, and heartbreaking, Don’t Cross the X illustrates the indomitable strength of the human spirit in the face of despair.
335 pages, ebook
Published June 21, 2017
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14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 12, 2017
Phenomenally bewitching and heart-wrenching.
I may well have crossed the X myself upon turning the first page. I was captivated by the world LePere created. From the first flashback, I was catapulted back in time to 1919 when this all began. The language, themes, and culture felt as if LePere had the first-hand experience which made this feel all too real. Even Pearl's modern story, speaking with a distanced great-granddaughter in Merridith felt like a relationship many elderly have to deal with while dealing with estranged family. Pearl's story is heart-wrenching- I tend to have a strong grasp on my emotions and I spent the majority of this novel palm to chest both eagerly and fearfully awaiting the next page with the hope that Pearl would finally find her peace- but forever finding more pain. I find Pearl's resilience inspirational, though I am curious about what may have happened if she had simply agreed to Hazel's original demand.
I especially enjoyed the foreshadowed dreams Hazel would force Pearl to endure before each tragedy.
I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to be thrust into the past with a story that reads like an autobiography with hints of the fantasy/magic/metaphysics and where revenge transcends death itself.
I may well have crossed the X myself upon turning the first page. I was captivated by the world LePere created. From the first flashback, I was catapulted back in time to 1919 when this all began. The language, themes, and culture felt as if LePere had the first-hand experience which made this feel all too real. Even Pearl's modern story, speaking with a distanced great-granddaughter in Merridith felt like a relationship many elderly have to deal with while dealing with estranged family. Pearl's story is heart-wrenching- I tend to have a strong grasp on my emotions and I spent the majority of this novel palm to chest both eagerly and fearfully awaiting the next page with the hope that Pearl would finally find her peace- but forever finding more pain. I find Pearl's resilience inspirational, though I am curious about what may have happened if she had simply agreed to Hazel's original demand.
I especially enjoyed the foreshadowed dreams Hazel would force Pearl to endure before each tragedy.
I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to be thrust into the past with a story that reads like an autobiography with hints of the fantasy/magic/metaphysics and where revenge transcends death itself.
June 28, 2019
Wow what a story!
I read this I'm one sitting! I wasn't planning on it but couldn't going back to read just a little more of Pearls life story. Does that make me weird...maybe. The story is heartbreaking and I'm not into heartbreaking stories as my life has had enough real heartbreak, but this lady is really something else! I'm a avid reader and finding a good story that's well written and keeps you comming back for more isn't as easy as it would seem. Without giving away to much it never ceases to amaze me the crulity humans can inflict on each other justified in the name of freedom of whatever stupid shield evil can hide behind.
I read this I'm one sitting! I wasn't planning on it but couldn't going back to read just a little more of Pearls life story. Does that make me weird...maybe. The story is heartbreaking and I'm not into heartbreaking stories as my life has had enough real heartbreak, but this lady is really something else! I'm a avid reader and finding a good story that's well written and keeps you comming back for more isn't as easy as it would seem. Without giving away to much it never ceases to amaze me the crulity humans can inflict on each other justified in the name of freedom of whatever stupid shield evil can hide behind.
July 28, 2017
I was warned that this story was heartbreaking, and it was certainly that, but it was incredibly frightening too. I enjoy reading before bed, but this story had me freaked right out--I kept thinking Hazel was going to pop up in my dreams. Don't Cross the X is well-written, tragic and absolutely haunting. It's one of those stories that lingers, and I'm certain I'll be wary of every X I come across from now on. Great read!
June 24, 2019
Wow, this is one amazing debut from this new author. Tina LaPere is one to keep an eye on. To know that this is based on true events is actually chilling. The author keeps you spellbound and breathless as you continue to read. This book is haunting and heartbreaking.
Well done, Tina LaPere! I will be looking forward to reading more of your creations.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Well done, Tina LaPere! I will be looking forward to reading more of your creations.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 25, 2019
It's been a long time since I've been surprised by a book I picked up for free, but Tina LePere's novel "Don't Cross the X" knocked my socks off! I would categorize it as a historical fiction novel with a supernatural bent. The writing is simple yet eloquent, and the characters seem very real and well-fleshed out. I am not normally a fan of the first person present writing style, but LePere did this so well that I wasn't bothered at all. Read it....really!
July 31, 2017
Wow, what a tragically gripping book. LePere writes with confidence and clarity, weaving you into her story of love, passion and untimely loss. You want so much for Pearl to find happiness, and she does at times, but you always know it can not last forever.
Once started, this is a book you won't want to put down until the end.
Once started, this is a book you won't want to put down until the end.
June 24, 2019
That this is based on a true story is chilling. This heartbreaking story will leave you believing that evil is real in the world and that it can be so damaging to a person's life. I highly recommend this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 24, 2017
This book is really heartbreaking but really good. I love reading this book. Highly recommend this book. I hope everyone enjoys reading this book as much as me. I read this book without putting it down once. Great job on the book : )
August 23, 2019
So So Good!!!
I loved this story. It's about a woman that suffers about all the pain that life can throw at her. All because of a curse from a witch. It says a lot when i finish a book as fast as i did this one. I'll be looking for more from this author. Great job!!
I loved this story. It's about a woman that suffers about all the pain that life can throw at her. All because of a curse from a witch. It says a lot when i finish a book as fast as i did this one. I'll be looking for more from this author. Great job!!
February 13, 2019
great story loved it
February 17, 2019
Unexpected reasoning in the end, I was engrossed in book from start to finish. It was one I could not put down. I couldn't wait to see what happens next.
January 3, 2020
Kept me up many nights trying to find out what happened next.
August 28, 2022
Love love love, they definitely should make it into a movie !!!
June 3, 2019
5 STARS STRAIGHT !! What a proper story !
I'm tired of these fancy, unrealistic, fantasy witch stories trending nowadays. But this novel indeed painted some realistic picture of the witches in the olden times.
The writing was so good that I felt really comfortable reading it. Also the details were long but least boring, I did not dare skip even a single word.
After 'Harry Potter' by J.K.Rowling and 'Spook's Apprentice' by Joseph Delaney, this is the only novel which really impressed me and the writer has a great potential to write a series since there was nothing half cooked in this novel. All the details were well thought of.
I usually don't recommend books but this is a must read and I definitely recommend it to all.
I'm tired of these fancy, unrealistic, fantasy witch stories trending nowadays. But this novel indeed painted some realistic picture of the witches in the olden times.
The writing was so good that I felt really comfortable reading it. Also the details were long but least boring, I did not dare skip even a single word.
After 'Harry Potter' by J.K.Rowling and 'Spook's Apprentice' by Joseph Delaney, this is the only novel which really impressed me and the writer has a great potential to write a series since there was nothing half cooked in this novel. All the details were well thought of.
I usually don't recommend books but this is a must read and I definitely recommend it to all.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews