The Criss Cross

Rating:
Summary: A BIT DISAPPOINTED
Review: Although I did enjoy this book. And it was definitely a page turner. I still thought the first book was much, much better.
But I'd have to admit, the end was my favorite part. I love the way it ended. Since I don't want to spoil the story for the other readers out there, I won't go into detail of why I am little disappointed in the sequel.

I hear rumors that this might turn out to be a trilogy. If it is true, I definitely look forward to it.





Rating:
Summary: OH MY GOD....YOU DONE DID IT AGAIN
Review: I didn't think it could get any better than Life, Love & Loneliess, but I was WRONG!! The Criss Cross reads like an edge of your seat movie.

The author, pulls you from the prologue and keeps you until the last discussion question!!

The characters - The Ling Sisters, Noki - She was TOO MANY THINGS!! Nikki - She was a very relatable characher, altough you may not like a lot of what she did, you could understand her struggle. Kapri/Kapone - dealt a hard deck of cards, made a lot of the wrong choices. Ivanka - OFF THE CHAIN, purple lipstick anyone?? And let's not forget the characters from LLL!!

I don't want to ruin it for you by giving you blow by blow. So all I can say is stop reading this review and go get the book. I read it and still can't get the characters out of my head!!

Rating:
Summary: Very good book
Review: I had fun reading this book. I tried to make it last the week so I would have something to read while I commute, however, it didn't work out that way. It is a page turner. Ms. Winslow has done it again.

Rating:
Summary: IT CAN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN PART 2
Review: I read Ms. Winslow's first book Life, Love & Loneliness when it had its original cover (that was a while back). I just recently found out that she came out with the SEQUEL. I didn't think she could have outdone her first book, but she has. This book had so many twist and turns. I love her half japanese characters and I also loved her Jamaican character (I'm Jamaican as well) and she nailed the dialogue. Ms. Winslow is truly a genius. I love, love, love your writing!!!! She's the Quintin Tarintino of the book industry. You go girl!!! P.S, please write a sequel to your sequel. I need to know about Nikki and Joshua (I won't give the ending away).

Rating:
Summary: Too much drama?
Review: I really enjoyed Life, Love, and Loneliness, even though I thought that it had more drama than necessary; however it was still a page turner. I'm kind of disappointed about the Criss Cross. Some of the drama was way over the top, and I think ties from the previous book could have been a lot better. It wasn't a page turner book for me, but if you like street, urban, or drama books then you will probably enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: Just OK
Review: I see the other reviews for this book and I think to myself that "you can't please everbody". This book was lukewarm at best for me. There were too many characters in the book and I got confused. Nikki's heart was definitely in the right place, but Noki was something else. She lived to be a leech and had no problem leeching from her sister. I can't say it was a bad book, but I can't say it was the best either.

Rating:
Summary: She did it again!
Review: This book is just as good as the first. A definite page turner. This is a MUST read.

Rating:
Summary: what will she come up with next!!
Review: This Book is the Bomb!! i recommend it to everyone. I could not wait for this book to come out. when i finally got an advance copy from the author herself i was so excited to read it, i could not put the book down. It was well worth the wait. you won't be wasting your money buying this book.

Rating:
Summary: Criss Cross or the Double Cross?
Review: This novel to me is a cross between Dallas the television show and New Jack City the movie. It has the elements of over the top riches, drama and behavior straight from the hood. THE CRISS CROSS will have your undivided attention as you sort through murder, sex, lies, videotape, drugs and so much more. And it is the more that keeps you reading.

Nikki Ling is an exotic beauty who possesses the features of her Japanese mother and African-American father. She also has lived a difficult life and has only wanted to make sure her sister never suffers. Noki Ling is Nikki's selfish sister, who doesn't embrace her African-American heritage and walks around speaking Japanese and denying the very sister who has sacrificed for her. Kapri Henderson is a ride or die chick who will do anything for her man. So if she has to do time for him, so be it because she is not going to snitch on him. Finally, there is Ivanka Zamora who is a very rich psychopath. The author has readers guessing on how these four women's lives intertwine. Are they all part of the criss cross or the double cross?

THE CRISS CROSS is an entertaining read to say the least. It will keep you guessing. There are a myriad of characters from different racial and economic backgrounds. Readers should be prepared for the unexpected with this novel. This story is the sequel to the author's first novel, "Life, Love & Loneliness". Those who have read the previous novel will recognize some of the characters. However, this was my first foray reading anything by Crystal Lacey Winslow, which made it difficult at times to follow the story because the former storylines and plots were incorporated with little background from the first novel. If readers are not dogged by needing to know what happen previously, this novel will stand on its own. I personally found it a bit confusing. One other thing to point out is there are many characters who will easily appear and disappear so only the main characters are fleshed out. This is an enjoyable read but I would recommend readers who have not read the first novel to check that one out first. (3.5 Rating)

Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers