Winter Memorial by C.C. Warrens Review

 

I'm rereading the Holly series and seeing as I never read Winter Memorial the first time around, I thought I should do so now. It was a great short story. I enjoyed another peek into the lives of Holly and her friends. 

This short story takes place in between Criss Cross and Cross Fire. I admit, one of the reasons I was determined to read it this time around is because I wanted to make sure I hadn't missed anything of importance in the storyline. I would have to say that you could read the series without reading this short story and not really miss anything. However, you can't just pick up Winter Memorial and understand the story.

Holly attends a memorial for fallen police officers with Marx and Sam and Jace. She is feeling guilty because Marx's friend and fellow officer had been killed while guarding her. She dreads meeting his family. At the same time we get to learn more about what happened to Jace's brother Scott who is currently in a coma. The importance of forgiveness plays a huge role in this short story.

Cross Fire by C.C. Warrens Review

 

Oh my goodness, I absolutely loved this second book in the Holly series!! Such a roller coaster of emotion. In tears for Holly, who is of course still struggling with her past and the impact on her, then laughing at her antics and the interactions between her and Marx, her and Jordan, and their interactions with each other. And the tension of the suspense with Collin and the new "bad guys."

I loved discovering more of Holly's background.

It wasn't quite as suspenseful as the first book was for me. Though she was not only dealing with her stalker ex-foster brother, but also being in the middle of the conflict with drug dealers. Still suspense-filled, with twists and turns I sort of saw coming. Though I wasn't quite sure about the final reveal until moments before reading it. And yes, this book ends on a huge cliffhanger, bigger than the first book. If you read this book, make sure to have book 3 waiting. 

And I loved it just as much after rereading it. I had forgotten quite a bit from this book. A lot more than I had forgotten from book one. 

Criss Cross by C.C. Warrens Review

 

I have now read Criss Cross by C.C. Warrens two times. Originally I had the book on KU for a while before I got around to reading it. When I finally had a chance to get to it, lets just say, I could hardly put it down. I had regretted not getting to it sooner. This book has wonderful suspense, but there was also humor and witty dialogue, which really helped keep the book from being too intense at times. Yes, I laughed out loud multiple times.  

Holly has been on her own, running from danger in her past, danger that seems to have caught up with her. We quickly meet Detective Marx toward the beginning of the book when she is attacked in the park. We discover her distrust in cops and learn that she trusts barely anyone and would very much prefer that they keep their distance. We do see that she has one neighbor who is a friend, though there is much Holly doesn't share with her.

I like the way the author unraveled the mystery around Holly's past. A past that she only partially remembered due to her suppression of her early life due to some sort of horror. I also loved seeing her relationships with her acquaintances evolve. 

I do wish Holly wasn't so stubborn at times. It's like, come on, there is a killer out to get you, please listen to the professionals who are trying to protect you. Sigh. 

I had a feeling the book would end on a cliffhanger, so I was prepared for that and couldn't wait to start book 2.

After my reread I have to say I am still in love with these books and these characters. I zinged through this first book a day faster than the first time. I had forgotten some details, but was surprised with how much I had remembered. I'm rereading the series in anticipation of the newest book releasing this spring.

Friday Fun - March 20, 2026

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have two books and a short story to share with you.

I am rereading the Holly series by C.C. Warrens in anticipation of reading her newest book that releases this May, Crossbones. I zinged through Criss Cross.

Then I read the short story, Winter Memorial by C.C.Warrens, which I had actually not read previously. 

I'm currently reading book two, Cross Fire.

        Book Beginnings on Friday    

 

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

 Criss Cross by C.C. Warrens:

"The ominous sound of something scraping across the cement behind me raised the hairs on the back of my neck."

Well, that got my attention. Definitely sets the tone.

Winter Memorial by C.C. Warrens:

"Life is a temporary gift - a fragile, fleeting moment in time."

Truth.

Cross Fire by C.C. Warrens:

"The aroma of sweat and coconut shampoo filled the room, bringing to mind a tropical sweat lodge."

A bit of a different first sentence than book one. I was curious why she was focusing on the scent and where exactly she was.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections:

Criss Cross by C.C. Warrens:

"'And then there's the matter of the young woman covered in blood.'

'What young woman?' Detective Marx demanded.

'She's approximately five-one, red hair, brown eyes,' the man explained.

'You've got to be kiddin' me,' Detective Marx groaned. 'Is she all right?'"

Winter Memorial by C.C. Warrens:

"'I was so scared I just ran home and hid in my room. My Grams would be so disappointed if she knew.'

A disappointed Grandmother would be the least of his problems, but Sam didn't mention that at the moment. 'Tell me about the other guys.'"

Cross Fire by C.C. Warrens:

"'Look, Holly,' he began, his voice low and gentle. 'I realize that talkin' about the man who hurt you is painful. I've also learned that when you're scared or hurt, your defenses come up. But you don't need to hide behind those defenses with me.'

I stared into my hot chocolate.

'I promise you, sweetheart, I will put that man behind bars or in the ground if it's the last thing I do, but I need to know who I'm dealin' with.'"

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday fun post. I'm still reading the one book, but here is the link to the other review:

Reign Breaker by J.J. Fischer

Reign Breaker by J.J. Fischer Review

 

I absolutely adored Reign Breaker, the second book in the Painted Wind series by J.J. Fischer. It was awesome to get to travel back to this fantasy world she created and revisit Rigan and Corcoran, plus get to know Prince Soren better and be introduced to the newest main character, Isel. Plus we got to see old friends, yay! And old enemies, boo! Not really "boo," but I definitely could have done without seeing a couple of the villains from the first book, especially with the parts they played in this story.

Reign Breaker was told from four points of view. We again got to follow Rigan and Corcoran, and we also get to follow Prince Soren and Isel, the young lady who looks so very much like Rigan. The story takes place on both parts of the Twin Kingdoms, Jardia and Calidore. 

There is adventure and danger and political intrigue and war. We get to learn more about the Shro Khan, the evil, shape-shifting monsters who play a much bigger part this time around. In fact, they seem to be a lot more powerful now and I'm really concerned about how they are going to affect our characters in the upcoming books. There is a lot in this book about how the Khan are affecting characters in different ways already. 

But we have also learned more about the Divine Will and see more characters who trust in Him and urge others to as well. I loved the introduction of the new "race" that seems to be followers of this Divine Will, and I hope we get to see more of them. I'm also wondering if we will ever get to learn more about this world besides the Twin Kingdoms.

I have to say, the relationship between Rigan and Corcoran could use a bit of help. They need to work on their trust and their communication. Hopefully they get a chance to do so. I loved the way the relationship between Prince Soren and Isel has been progressing, except for the fact that there is a bit of a love triangle that was going on, and then maybe not going on, but then might be an issue again. 

And in all this, who can we really trust what with the Shro Khan being able to control people. And then there are prophecies that may or may not be real. And unexpected twists that kept me glued to the book. 

Yes, this is a book and a series that I can definitely recommend. Be aware though, this book ends on a cliffhanger, so you may want to wait to read it closer to when book three comes out. And definitely make sure to read book one, The Heart of the King first, as this story picks up right where that one left off. 

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Friday Fun - March 13, 2026

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have two books to share with you.

I read an eARC of Reign Breaker by J.J. Fischer. This is the second book in her Painted Wind series and it releases next week, on March 16th.

I just started the eARC of Unexpected Target by Penny Zeller. This third book in her Mountain Justice series also releases next week, on March 17th.

        Book Beginnings on Friday    

 

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

 Reign Breaker by J.J. Fischer:

"You can come out now, my dear."

Okay, so it sounds like someone is hiding. Possibly. But who? And why? And who is telling said person they can now come out. 

Unexpected Target by Penny Zeller:

"Someone had been in her house."

The fact that this is a romantic suspense book immediately made me suspicious that said person was not someone who was supposed to be in her house.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections:

Reign Breaker by J.J. Fischer:

"Sometimes, the Divine Will granted visions, to see things that could not be perceived with normal human vision. Clearly, this dream was one of them. His father would want to hear of it, especially given it involved his enemy, Morlath. Soren was reluctant to share the details, for his conversation with the girl had felt private. Intimate, even. But he was the crown prince, and this was important."

Unexpected Target by Penny Zeller:

"Someone in a dark shirt stood beneath the streetlight just to the right side of her house and situated between hers and the next duplex. Someone familiar.

And he was staring in her direction.

He lit up a cigarette, but never once withdrew his attention from her house. The streetlight illuminated his man bun. 

Why was he staring in her direction? Was he truly gawking at her house? Could he see her?"

Reviews:

Last week I shared three books in my Friday fun post. Here are the links to my reviews:

The Puzzle Within by Gina Holder

Special Target  by Jerusha Agen

The Heart of the King by J.J. Fischer

Two weeks ago I had shared two books. I had already shared the link to the review of the one book. But somehow I forgot to link to my review of the second. So, here it is:

Last to Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn

Last to Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn Review

 

Last to Fall was an awesome conclusion to Lynn H. Blackburn's Gossamer Falls series. We finally get Bronwyn's story, learning more about her and what happened in her past with Mo. And why they aren't talking to each other anymore. I really wanted to see what it would take for them to start talking again. Boy was it quite a shock.

This story is told from the points of view of both Bronwyn and Mo, plus we get to alternate between present day and the past, learning more and more about the relationship between Bronwyn and Mo, starting way back when they first met in elementary school. I love the way the author wove the past and present together. At the same time we have the mystery of what is going on with the finances at The Haven and who is targeting Bronwyn. Things definitely get suspenseful, though not ultra suspenseful. 

I loved seeing the relationship she had with the Quinn family. A family she had technically been forbidden from becoming friends with, even in the present day. As a Pierce she wasn't supposed to be mingling with such a family. And yet, she had become good friends with them, and they are who she can call on when she needs help. 

I loved the twists and the suspense and the romance. I could definitely agree with Mo's relatives who were ready to see Bronwyn and Mo get over the hurts of the past and forgive and give their relationship a chance. 

This book wrapped up this story well, and the series as a whole. I will definitely miss Gossamer Falls and these characters.

I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.