Crossfire (The Crossfire Trilogy Book 1)

This story is excellent. It takes us on the tasteful romantic journey of two troubled imperfect people. There is a perfect balance between romance and action. I loved being engrossed in European culture. My wife and I enjoyed reading this together.

The book started out well. I enjoyed reading the back story for the main characters. Toward the middle of the book I expected it to take the turn towards an action romance but it never did. I especially disliked the end of the book with the rape scene.

The heroine was rather imprudent in my opinion, but it did make for an interesting plot. I liked it but, it had a cliffhanger so you need to read the next book in the series to find out what happens, and I do not like cliffhangers. But I will probably buy the next one because I really liked the story and I really want to find out what is going on and what happens.

I got this book because of the price and explanation of the book itself. I liked the story, although one story is pushed to the very end (which is odd because of how it began), leaving a cliff hanger for the next book (I didn't know it was a trilogy). I'm not sure how book two is going to pan out, because of what has happened to the main character, but I will purchase it to find out (fingers crossed).

The first book in a three part series, Crossfire has an action packed opening sequence that is riveting.

We are immediately introduced to Marcelle Deschamp and Stefan Ziegler. Marcelle stumbles upon Stefan, who has been shot and lies in a pool of blood. Immediately confronted with the assailant, Marcelle defends herself and Stefan. While nursing Stefan back to health, she see's the scars that crisscross his body, leaving her fearful and curious. Through a pain induced haze, Stefan observes Marcelle and cannot help but wonder how a peaceful and seemingly naïve woman could pick up a gun and shoot someone dead.

As the novel continues and their trust grows Stefan and Marcelle reveal their convoluted lives to each other. Many questions are answered, but trust is not necessarily built.

Ms. Savage, born and raised in South Africa, weaves Marcelle's background from this culture, which adds a subtle flare to the story. The plotline itself is quite compelling. Ms. Savage's descriptive narrative is detailed and colorful. The dialog between the characters is the same, which leaves the emotional arc of the book a little flat.

Some reviews of the book remark on the brutal scene at the end of the book. While I would agree that the violent scene was hard to take, I assume that this is the premise for the second book in the series. It is challenging to write a series, especially when it focuses on the same principal characters. Given the end sequence, I'm not sure how the book could have concluded less abruptly though.

Niki Savage’s novel Crossfire starts off quite literally in a hail of bullets and the action grabs the reader’s attention from the very beginning. Savage’s writing is assured, and the pace doesn’t really let up, as she takes us on an exciting journey with her two main characters, Marcelle and Stefan.

In Marcelle, Savage has created an awe-inspiring but believable character. Having lived independently from a young age, she is resourceful, tough and well able to take care of herself. A talented cyclist, Marcelle has worked hard to become a world champion and is at the height of her physical prowess. She is also not averse to throwing punches when the occasion calls for it.

The novel is set in Paris but has an international feel as Marcelle is originally from South Africa and Stefan is German. Stefan is seriously injured in a gun battle and Marcelle takes him in and nurses him back to health. As their feelings for each other develop, Marcelle had to deal with her grief and guilt, as she lost her beloved husband just a couple of years earlier.

I really liked the way Savage depicts the emotional turmoil that Marcelle endures. I liked Marcelle and felt as if I were on the journey with her. The novel is pure escapism and once you pick it up, it’s hard to put it down. My only issue with it is that the ending is very shocking and, for me personally, I don’t see how there is any way back for Stefan. There are two more stories in the series, however, so maybe I will be proved wrong.