Double Cross: A Novel [Paperback]

James David Jordan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Double Cross continues the story of Taylor Pasbury, a heroic young woman introduced in James David Jordan’s novel, Forsaken (“highly readable . . . Taylor is a character worth another visit” —BookPage).

Raised by a father who was a former Special Forces officer, Taylor is beautiful and brilliant and knows how to take care of herself. But she is haunted by her past and the sacrifice her father made to save her from a brutal rape when she was seventeen. After a controversial stint in the Secret Service, she has become the most prominent private security specialist in America. When she discovers the body of a former client’s top assistant, all the evidence points to embezzlement and suicide. But Taylor has no way of knowing that her mother, who ran out when Taylor was nine, is about to reappear and lead her down a twisting path of danger and deceit. It’s a road that won’t end until they reach the spot where Taylor’s father died—where Taylor learns some sacrifices can never be earned.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James David Jordan is a business attorney in Texas and was named by the Dallas Business Journal as one of the most influential leaders in that legal community. He holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri as well as a law degree and MBA from the University of Illinois and lives with his wife and two children in the Dallas suburbs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 387 pages
• Publisher: B&H Books; Original edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805447547
• ISBN-13: 978-0805447545
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,444,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I forgot this book was written by a guy!, December 28, 2009

By 

Deborah "Books, Movies and Chinese Food" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Double Cross: A Novel (Paperback)

I had a blast reading the first book featuring Taylor's character, Forsaken, and was eager to read more about her adventures. I had really liked Jordan's style of writing in the first book and how he had managed to create a female character who was both strong and vulnerable at the same time. I was not disappointed when picking up the sequel and continuing Taylor's story. Once again, Jordan is able to write convincingly as a first person female. Too many times, other male authors try to write in the same tone and fail because they cannot seem to grasp how females actually think. In this book, I actually forgot that the book had been written by a male, as Taylor is able to both kick butt yet feel like a woman at the same time.

The story tackles tough subjects normally not seen in Christian fiction such as prostitution and embezzling among other Christians. Taylor's tactics at finding out the truth about the situation were quite clever. She's very level headed and does not allow emotion to come between her line of work. Something that I found extremely refreshing was a lack of a romantic storyline. I say this because usually when a male writes in first person female, there always has to be a romantic subplot to show that even the tough as nails female secret agent has a softsensitive side and turns to jelly at the sight of a man. Jordan, thankfully, does not resort to this stereotype to make Taylor's character well rounded. The situation with her mother fulfills this need, which I felt was a much better way at making her character more dimensional. While there are hints at possible relationships, it's not a main focus of the story and therefore not a distraction.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I will admit it wasn't as fast paced as the first novel had been, but it's still an adventure story and quite suspenseful. The plot is relevant in today's age and one that could be seen on the nightly news. I really liked seeing Taylor and Kacey work together especially with that interesting bond that ties them together. I really hope we'll hear more from them in a future book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars exciting read, February 13, 2010

By 

My Only Vice - See all my reviews

This review is from: Double Cross: A Novel (Paperback)

Taylor is a former Secret Service agent. At the beginning of the book her and Kacey(prominent televangelist Simon Mason's daughter) go to Simon's top assistant to confront her about embezzling money from the ministry. When they arrive at the woman's house they discover her dead in her car with the engine running. An apparent suicide.

Taylor hasn't seen her mother in 20 years. She walked out on her and her father when she was 9. Her mother arrives on her doorstep out of the blue. Taylor is wanting a relationship with her mother, but her mother really doesn't know how to be a mom.

Amidst trying to find out who actually embezzled the money Taylor meets up with a reporter that is working on a case involving a prostitution ring that may actually hit a little bit too close to home.

Double Cross is full of action and suspense that kept me turning the pages. I'm a little confused about why it would be considered a Christian book. Was it clean? Yes, there was no foul language. There was a brief mention of sex. Was there redemption? I think that it was vaguely implied but a salvation message was not clear. James David Jordan writes a very fast-paced story that is very entertaining and one that I would recommend to other readers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Hooked Me from the Opening Sentences, January 16, 2010

By 

W. Terry Whalin "Publisher/ Editor / Writer" (Scottsdale, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Double Cross: A Novel (Paperback)

James David Morgan knows how to grab the reader and keep them for this page-turner, DOUBLE CROSS. I was impressed with the opening sentences, "The day my mother came back into my life began with a low December fog and a suicide. Mom was not responsible for the fog." Wow. I could not stop reading and turning the pages quick enough.

This second novel was well-crafted and I loved it. After reading two of Jordan's novels, I will be watching for the next one. I highly recommend this thriller.