Double Crossing [Kindle Edition]

Meg Mims (Author)

Book Description

2012 Spur Award for BEST FIRST NOVEL by Western Writers of America AND a 2012 FINALIST for the USA BOOK NEWS Awards - for Fiction: Western

A murder arranged as a suicide ... a missing deed ... and a bereft daughter whose sheltered world is shattered.

August, 1869: Lily Granville is stunned by her father's murder. Only one other person knows about a valuable California gold mine deed -- both are now missing. Lily heads west on the newly opened transcontinental railroad, determined to track the killer. She soon realizes she is no longer the hunter but the prey.

As things progress from bad to worse, Lily is uncertain who to trust--the China-bound missionary who wants to marry her, or the wandering Texan who offers to protect her ... for a price. Will Lily survive the journey and unexpected betrayal?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A rollicking ride on the rails packed with lively mystery, dashing adventure, and charming romance ... Double Crossing is a spirited story you'll want to devour in one sitting!"-Ann Charles, Award-Winning Author of the Deadwood Mystery Series

"Double Crossing is a fast-paced, outstanding debut novel...If you're looking for a gutsy heroine in an American historical, Lily Granville is perfect."
-Sharon Mignerey, Award-Winning Romantic Suspense and Inspirational Author

"What begins as a trail of revenge becomes a journey of the heart and an adventure of faith."
-Pamela Morsi, USAToday Bestselling Author

"Lively, witty, and edge-of-your-seat suspenseful, Double Crossing is a wonderful read."strong>
-Jacquie Rogers, Award-Winning Author of Much Ado About Marshals

"Meg Mims has a flair for storytelling. With lively characters who evoke emotion and a setting that comes to life, Double Crossing will keep readers turning pages."
-Cheryl St. John, Award-Winning Author of Her Wyoming Man andThe Wedding Journey

"A thrilling adventure on the brand new transcontinental railroad as Lily Granville tries to outwit her father's murderer."
-Victoria Thompson, Bestselling Author of the Gaslight Mystery series

From the Author

I hope you enjoy my own twist of "True Grit" on the Iron Horse!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 459 KB
• Print Length: 309 pages
• Publisher: Astraea Press (August 9, 2011)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005GWEMCO
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #427,221 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of the ballpark! September 21, 2011

By Romancing the Book

Format:Kindle Edition

Reviewed by April
Review copy provided by author

Vivid historical fiction mixed with murder, suspense and a lovely dash of romance makes Double Crossing by Meg Mims an out of the ballpark hit.

I have to admit that for me, Double Crossing is a bit different than the books that I normally read. However, I was curious to give it a try and can honestly say that I would have missed out on an amazing book if I had not! Author Meg Mims delivers a story that is not only amazingly vivid, clear and engrossing, but she takes readers into a another time and place with her details.

It truly never ceases to amaze me to read what life was like centuries ago for women. They were to be "looked after" by a man (or a chaperone) and to become learned was out of the ordinary. In short, women were to be obedient and more or less a puppet of sorts. The main character in Double Crossing, however, is nothing like this. Lily Granville is an incredibly intelligent and strong willed woman, whose courage and perseverance is highly admirable.

When Lily's father is murdered, she happens to catch a glimpse of his murderers as they flee from the house. It is her desire and heartfelt duty to find and confront the killer. This, however, is anything but simple and Lily quickly learns that she can trust very few people.

As I mentioned before, Meg Mims does an outstanding job in her descriptions. As I crossed the countryside with Lily and her friends (and unknown foes), I was thrilled to learn and read what the land once looked like. The fact that peppermints and fruits were such an amazing treat made me stop and think how different things were in that time compared to now. The way the lifestyle of that era was brought to life sucked me into the book deeply.

The majority of the story takes place on train and during its stops. This was another aspect that I found interesting and fascinating. The suspense was drawn out throughout Double Crossing perfectly and the blossoming romance between the "bad boy", Ace (who Lily hired to help her get to her destination and keep her safe), was enthralling. I truly cannot think of a single aspect of this story that I would change. It is perfect and wonderful. The ending was also written in an excellent manner that leads the reader to believe that a sequel is on its way (fingers crossed very tightly!). I highly recommend Double Crossing by Meg Mims to anyone looking for a superb story - whether a lover of historical fiction or not!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathless American historical suspense! October 5, 2011

By Heather Hiestand

Format:Kindle Edition

Double Crossing is a fantastic read. I've rarely seen an author craft chapter endings with such gripping suspenseful moments that force you to turn the page, breathless to know what is going to happen. The characters are layered and intriguing. I hope there is a sequel because I want to know more about sexy, fascinating Ace Diamond, the honorable Texan gunslinger.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Historical Romance And Suspense That Will Leave You Wanting More October 16, 2011

By Fiction Books

Format:Kindle Edition

A Western historical fiction and romance, mixed with plenty of suspense, murder and adventure, which had me hooked from the first page to the last.

Lily is a girl ahead of her time. Unlike many of her contemporaries she is educated in the ways of the world, intelligent, strong willed and self-sufficient. Qualities which have been instilled in her by a father she loves and whose good name she is determined to see restored after his sudden and violent death. Traits which defy the traditions of the period, for a young lady with class and breeding should be obedient, ornamental, educated only in the finer arts and subservient to men in all things.

Lily's character is vivid in detail and well defined, even to the point where she is forced to admit that she is not quite as `au fait' in the ways of the world as she has assumed herself to be and that she needs to seek help and advice when it is required. She quickly learns that she needs to be discerning about who she can and cannot trust, but that trust and help needs to be given on her own terms. Her judgement about Ace, her chosen and well paid protector, is called into question on more than one occasion, however her intuitive decision that she can depend on him no matter what, turns out to be well founded and stands her in good stead against both family and friends, who would betray her. Our independent heroine is certainly living outside of her time and must use all her wiles and skills to determine her ever-growing feelings for her new protector and just how to deal with them.

All of the characters, including those who only appear briefly, have been developed and portrayed in this same detailed way, affording them all the ability to draw the reader into the story, each with their own self-centred and selfish motives, meaness of spirit and family values, greed and duplicity.

Perhaps the surprise amongst the protagonists is Ace Diamond, the one person who would be assumed to be along for the ride, only for what gains he can amass for himself at Lily's expense. Instead we see a man, yes a little rough around the edges, maybe short on temper, a little too quick with his fists and who definitely doesn't suffer fools gladly. We also get more than a glimpse of his inner control, sense of fairness, perceptiveness in his character analysis of those who would hurt or betray Lily, and his genuine growing affection for Lily, which appears to be a surprise even to himself and tests his control to its utmost limits.

The plotline, whilst to some degree predictable, is well crafted, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. There is a good balance struck between romance and suspense, with the underlying romantic and sexual feelings which are growing between Lily and Ace, forming an integral, yet not overwhelming part of the story. The emphasis manages to remain firmly centred around Lily's quest to find the one person she thinks may be able to help her track down the people who meted out such a cruel retribution on her father.

The vastness, primeval beauty, changing scenery and vistas of a new and fledgling country are brought to life in clear and vivid detail, as we journey across the breadth of the country by train, from Lily's home in the more prosperous and sophisticated Chicago of the Eastern Seabord; to the wild, untamed territory of the Western Californian lands.

"The prairie possessed a luminous glory all its own, mesmerizing and free, unashamed of its naked grassland."

Whilst this episode of Lily's quest reaches a natural, if slightly unexpected conclusion, with the storyline drawing to an unhurried climax, we are still left to wonder what is to become of Lily's personal and romantic future and thus Meg has gently paved the way for a sequel, no doubt rich with the promise of what is to come with Lily's impending maturity, and which, I understand, is well underway as I write this post.

More About the Author

Award-winning author and artist Meg Mims lives in Southeastern Michigan with her husband, a drooling black cat, a 'Make My Day' Malti-poo dog and a sweet Lhasa Apso-mix rescue dog -- the "hero" of Santa Paws. She's loved reading mystery, western, historical, romance and other genre fiction since first grade's adventures of Spot, Dick and Jane. She's a staff writer at Lake Effect Living, an on-line magazine and has published hundreds of freelance articles. Meg enjoys gardening, crafts, watercolor painting - anything but housework.