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Crush
It was love at first sight when Maria met Jack on a beach all those years ago. But when Jack suddenly disappears, Maria is thrust closer to Hunter, their long-time friend, taking them on a journey that changes all three of their lives forever.Maria is a lonely young woman who finds love and acceptance with Jack, a free-spirited musician. In Maria, Jack finally has the girl of his dreams by his side. When Jack introduces Maria to his best friend, Hunter, he feels an instant connection to Maria, but he buries his feelings—along with his secret that he's a vampire—for the love of his friend.Set in Saint-Tropez, Crush is a vampire tale with a twist. Spanning decades and delving into the past of each character in this thorny love triangle, it is about a woman who must choose between the man she's in love with and the man who is her soul mate. Adventure, love, romance, and vampires all collide in this unique novel filled with powerful emotion, heartbreak, and the question of undying love.
- GenresParanormal
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2015
2 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Christina Strigas
16 books189 followersChristina Strigas is an author and poet, raised by Greek immigrants, who has written seven poetry books. Her poetry book LOVE & VODKA was featured by CBC Books in, “Your Ultimate Canadian Poetry List: 68 Poetry Collections Recommended by you.” Her poetry book, LOVE & METAXA has garnered positive reviews, including Pank Magazine. Her poem, “Dead Wife” was nominated for best of the net 2020, as was her flash fiction "Grass" in 2023. Her latest poetry book is LOVE & GAIA. Her poetry book, FOR ALL THE LONELY HEARTS BEING PULLED OUT OF THE GROUND published by Free Lines Press, a French indie press that publishes experimental poetry. can be found on their website. Strigas has also published two novels with The Wild Rose Press.
Strigas’s poems have appeared in Montreal Writes, Feminine Collective, Neon Mariposa Magazine, Pink Plastic House Journal, BlazeVOX, Thimble Lit Magazine, The Temz Review, Coffin Bell Journal, and others.
She is a full-time public school teacher and a part-time course lecturer for McGill University.
In her spare time, Christina enjoys foreign cinema, reading the classics, and cooking traditional Greek recipes that have been handed down from her grandmother.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 25, 2015
Crush Me!
What a refreshing and unique plot in a genre that I thought had played out every scenario imaginable by both humankind and the undead! It's always exciting and pleasing to find a new take on an old theme.
So let's talk vampires ... they're evil, disgusting creatures that are ruled by their blood lust and desires, i.e., Bram Stoker's classic "Dracula" written by a failing writer and even worse theatre owner, floundering in the arts field, who unexpectedly pens a winner based on the infamous Vlad the Impaler (an historical eastern European warrior known for his severe and inhuman treatment of friends or foes alike), folk lore, and other verifiable "facts" (?) on the undead. Or the vampire who invokes our sympathetic feelings, who just wants humans and vampires alike to love him, support his desires without killing anyone, and falls in love with someone who just happens to be human.
Now Christina Strigas, known for her poetry, comes along in her debut novel with a creature and a story that ups-the-game by giving us a new set of vampiric rules, based on the Greek concept of the undead that allows some time in the sun, drinks blood only from animals, and lives comfortably among us. Ideal right? Well, only if his one true soul mate (bathed in a telling aura of light to show him, "Yes, that's her!") feels the same about him. But she's head-over-heels in love with his best friend, who is mortal. Dilemma, yes, and great storytelling takes center stage as Strigas weaves her plot into uncharted waters that will keep the reader guessing to the very end. Strigas masterfully incorporates humor, human emotion, the undead, and richly developed characters into something never before imagined. The sins and stories of the past is blended into the well-paced future for three close friends who are "real"--demonstrating their noble intents clouded by their own desires, but it takes a meddling influence to spark the turmoil that seems impossible to overcome. And maybe it is? I'll never tell.
For lovers of romance, the paranormal, fantasy and even disbelieving, non-followers of these genres, there is substance, values, and dreams to be explored in beautifully written, descriptive, action-packed storytelling that will capture the reader's attention, and provide entertainment and surprise until the very end in wonderfully artistic prose that will remain in your heart long after the final page has been turned.
Highly recommended as the novel that should be at the very top of your reading list. You won't be sorry. A new voice in literature is being heard and commands attention. Well done, Christina. I personally can't wait to see her next book!
What a refreshing and unique plot in a genre that I thought had played out every scenario imaginable by both humankind and the undead! It's always exciting and pleasing to find a new take on an old theme.
So let's talk vampires ... they're evil, disgusting creatures that are ruled by their blood lust and desires, i.e., Bram Stoker's classic "Dracula" written by a failing writer and even worse theatre owner, floundering in the arts field, who unexpectedly pens a winner based on the infamous Vlad the Impaler (an historical eastern European warrior known for his severe and inhuman treatment of friends or foes alike), folk lore, and other verifiable "facts" (?) on the undead. Or the vampire who invokes our sympathetic feelings, who just wants humans and vampires alike to love him, support his desires without killing anyone, and falls in love with someone who just happens to be human.
Now Christina Strigas, known for her poetry, comes along in her debut novel with a creature and a story that ups-the-game by giving us a new set of vampiric rules, based on the Greek concept of the undead that allows some time in the sun, drinks blood only from animals, and lives comfortably among us. Ideal right? Well, only if his one true soul mate (bathed in a telling aura of light to show him, "Yes, that's her!") feels the same about him. But she's head-over-heels in love with his best friend, who is mortal. Dilemma, yes, and great storytelling takes center stage as Strigas weaves her plot into uncharted waters that will keep the reader guessing to the very end. Strigas masterfully incorporates humor, human emotion, the undead, and richly developed characters into something never before imagined. The sins and stories of the past is blended into the well-paced future for three close friends who are "real"--demonstrating their noble intents clouded by their own desires, but it takes a meddling influence to spark the turmoil that seems impossible to overcome. And maybe it is? I'll never tell.
For lovers of romance, the paranormal, fantasy and even disbelieving, non-followers of these genres, there is substance, values, and dreams to be explored in beautifully written, descriptive, action-packed storytelling that will capture the reader's attention, and provide entertainment and surprise until the very end in wonderfully artistic prose that will remain in your heart long after the final page has been turned.
Highly recommended as the novel that should be at the very top of your reading list. You won't be sorry. A new voice in literature is being heard and commands attention. Well done, Christina. I personally can't wait to see her next book!
September 8, 2015
I really liked the way the timeline was mixed up. I would find myself immersed into one time period only to find myself in another. It kept the pace going, because it left me wanting to know more. Very nice! I look forward to reading more.
February 15, 2022
Torn between love for a mortal and love for a vampire, Maria must choose or be crushed by the consequences. Maria aches with loneliness, so much so, she plunges headlong into love at first sight when she meets handsome Jack. He fulfills her every desire and she’s happy. When Jack introduces Maria to his best friend, Hunter, everything changes. She’s drawn to Hunter and she can’t figure out what it is about him that she’s attracted to. They’re inseparable, the three of them, as they live in the French Riveria until Jack disappears. Bereft and alone, Maria clings to Hunter. He’s hiding a dark secret, one that could destroy them all. As the years go by, Maria must choose who she’ll vow her undying love to, and her choice will either free or crush her.
Crush is a paranormal romance with a gothic vibe. I’ve read a lot of paranormal romance over the years, and I can honestly say I’ve never read anything like this before. The love triangle is not what you expect. I found myself lured into the romance by the poetic prose and lyrical descriptive narration. The three main characters are complete opposites yet together, they’re the perfect match. The plot moves at an erratic pace with some jumpiness in parts. I found the pacing very jarring at times. The romance itself is dark, disturbing, and quite original. The vampire lore is completely new to me which I give huge credit to the author for incorporating it into a very crammed genre. If you’re looking for a twisted paranormal romance unlike anything you’ve read before, pick up Crush. You won’t forget this one after reading it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it. My thoughts are completely my own.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Crush is a paranormal romance with a gothic vibe. I’ve read a lot of paranormal romance over the years, and I can honestly say I’ve never read anything like this before. The love triangle is not what you expect. I found myself lured into the romance by the poetic prose and lyrical descriptive narration. The three main characters are complete opposites yet together, they’re the perfect match. The plot moves at an erratic pace with some jumpiness in parts. I found the pacing very jarring at times. The romance itself is dark, disturbing, and quite original. The vampire lore is completely new to me which I give huge credit to the author for incorporating it into a very crammed genre. If you’re looking for a twisted paranormal romance unlike anything you’ve read before, pick up Crush. You won’t forget this one after reading it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it. My thoughts are completely my own.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
October 25, 2021
Crush, a contemporary romance written by Christina Strigas, recently released by The Wild Rose Press from their Fast Track line.
It was love at first sight when Maria met Jack on a beach all those years ago. But when Jack suddenly disappears, Maria is thrust closer to Hunter, their long-time friend, taking them on a journey that changes all three of their lives forever.
Maria is a lonely young woman who finds love and acceptance with Jack, a free-spirited musician. In Maria, Jack finally has the girl of his dreams by his side. When Jack introduces Maria to his best friend, Hunter, he feels an instant connection to Maria, but he buries his feelings—along with his secret that he's a vampire—for the love of his friend.
Set in Saint-Tropez, Crush is a vampire tale with a twist. Spanning decades and delving into the past of each character in this thorny love triangle, it is about a woman who must choose between the man she's in love with and the man who is her soul mate. Adventure, love, romance, and vampires all collide in this unique novel filled with powerful emotion, heartbreak, and the question of undying love.
Our Review: A story of love shared by three best friends, Crush is written in flowery, artistic prose and reflects the author’s talent for creative, stream of consciousness poetry. The pace is fast—often too fast—as it jumps abruptly from past to present, leaving the reader shaking their heads as to where they are in the timeline. Lovers of vampire lore will like this one.
On a scale of 1-5, Crush earns a 3.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
It was love at first sight when Maria met Jack on a beach all those years ago. But when Jack suddenly disappears, Maria is thrust closer to Hunter, their long-time friend, taking them on a journey that changes all three of their lives forever.
Maria is a lonely young woman who finds love and acceptance with Jack, a free-spirited musician. In Maria, Jack finally has the girl of his dreams by his side. When Jack introduces Maria to his best friend, Hunter, he feels an instant connection to Maria, but he buries his feelings—along with his secret that he's a vampire—for the love of his friend.
Set in Saint-Tropez, Crush is a vampire tale with a twist. Spanning decades and delving into the past of each character in this thorny love triangle, it is about a woman who must choose between the man she's in love with and the man who is her soul mate. Adventure, love, romance, and vampires all collide in this unique novel filled with powerful emotion, heartbreak, and the question of undying love.
Our Review: A story of love shared by three best friends, Crush is written in flowery, artistic prose and reflects the author’s talent for creative, stream of consciousness poetry. The pace is fast—often too fast—as it jumps abruptly from past to present, leaving the reader shaking their heads as to where they are in the timeline. Lovers of vampire lore will like this one.
On a scale of 1-5, Crush earns a 3.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
November 12, 2021
Fast-paced and absorbing
Visceral details and the note of pained longing in the narrator’s voice bring this story to life as something more compelling than just another vampire tale. Readers feel the connection, the pull, between Maria and Jack, and yet we are relieved and gratified to find Maria taking charge of her own future in the end. Strigas skillfully deploys tension to keep the reader guessing, rooting for Maria, and turning the pages to find out what’s going to happen.
Crush defies easy genre categories. It’s part fantasy, part romance, and part women’s fiction, all wrapped in a fast-moving, action-packed plot with a last-minute resolution. Readers looking for a good book to curl up with on a winter’s night won’t be disappointed. Crush will transport you to an imaginary realm alongside characters who nonetheless ring true.
Visceral details and the note of pained longing in the narrator’s voice bring this story to life as something more compelling than just another vampire tale. Readers feel the connection, the pull, between Maria and Jack, and yet we are relieved and gratified to find Maria taking charge of her own future in the end. Strigas skillfully deploys tension to keep the reader guessing, rooting for Maria, and turning the pages to find out what’s going to happen.
Crush defies easy genre categories. It’s part fantasy, part romance, and part women’s fiction, all wrapped in a fast-moving, action-packed plot with a last-minute resolution. Readers looking for a good book to curl up with on a winter’s night won’t be disappointed. Crush will transport you to an imaginary realm alongside characters who nonetheless ring true.
January 3, 2022
Maria works as a free-lance photographer. On a beach in France she hears beautiful music, guitar strumming, by a young man named Jack. She and Jack are instantly drawn together. He introduces her to his friend Hunter, an older man with haunted eyes. Soon we learn Hunter is a Vrykolakas, a subset of a vampire. Hunter is also drawn to Maria, but would never hurt his good friend Jack. Maria will be torn between two very different men. The author writes with poetic verve when describing the traditions and maneuvers of the Vrykolakas. Their limits and strengths. Maria's time with Jack lasts too long, and I wanted her to seek out Hunter for longer intervals. Vampire lovers will enjoy this story. And you will never think of the word Crush in the same way again.
January 21, 2022
Christina Strigas weaves a tale of paranormal mystery in CRUSH, a book from The Wild Rose Press. Part rollicking tale of love at first sight, and a view into the lifestyle of the rock and rollers drifting around the French Riviera, and part dark, chilling initiation into the world of the undead, Strigas twists the tale she tells through the viewpoints of lovers Jack and Maria, and Jack’s friend Hunter, who carries a terrible secret. Once Maria has stepped into the trap laid for her, there is no escaping her fate to becoming the thirteenth vrykolaka. A tale you will want to read with the lights on.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a true and honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a true and honest review.
July 12, 2016
This book grabbed me from the start! It's chock full of vivid detail and emotional oomph, putting the reader smack dab in the thick of the story as it unfolds. The paranormal elements have enormous appeal and are highly authentic, veering far from the cliché - while the romantic, heart-clenching plot developments will keep you guessing, causing you to question and possibly rethink your stance on the notion of "one true love." I'll leave it at that so as not to spoil the twist at the end. In a nutshell, Christina Strigas has penned an utterly compelling, heartstring-tugging, page-turning read.
Want to read
June 23, 2016I don't usually go for vampire stories, as most are predictable and the subgenre itself is very cliche, but Nadia's review convinced me that Chrissy's debut novel is much more than that. Check it out:
https://nadiaworldsite.wordpress.com/...
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews