Criss Cross (PsyCop, #2) in Read with Pride Northwest

Sep 29, 2009 Jordan Price marked it as wrote · (Review from the author)

Writing tidbit: a whole lot happened in this novella! Sometimes when I'm working on the series and I wonder when something happened, it's usually Criss Cross. I have no idea how I packed all that story into that word count. ...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it really liked it

Shelves: what-modern-fantasy, what-mm-read, what-mm, what-male-protagonist, what-uniforms-and-investigations, where-grr-mine, what-lgbtqia, what-ghosts, why-favorite-author, why-favorite-series

I eat these books up like candy. When I am done with one I am eager to read the next one right away. I try to hold myself back because there are only six books, most of them novellas, and a couple of shorts. Not enough!! (You can only buy the bundle from Price's own website.) it's a struggle though, like eating only one potato chip, to mix my metaphor.

This one was no exception. The protagonist, Vic, has low-self esteem even though he's very powerful which is actually partially why. The quantity I eat these books up like candy. When I am done with one I am eager to read the next one right away. I try to hold myself back because there are only six books, most of them novellas, and a couple of shorts. Not enough!! (You can only buy the bundle from Price's own website.) it's a struggle though, like eating only one potato chip, to mix my metaphor.

This one was no exception. The protagonist, Vic, has low-self esteem even though he's very powerful which is actually partially why. The quantity and physicality of the ghosts he sees as one of the most powerful mediums around drive him almost crazy so he has to take a cocktail of drugs just to stay sane.

The problem here is that he now has to quit these drugs cold turkey and the ghosts are getting worse than ever before. His fear and disgust feel very real as Price relates the action. I could feel Vic breaking apart under the onslaught.

Which made for a good level of drama and a little action to add to the best part of these books: Vic's humor. He isn't necessarily trying to be funny, well sometimes, but his bleak vision of his immediate future and how he's going to mess up and his dry humor, mixed with the times he really does fail and in a spectacular way, is truly laugh out loud funny to me. I think the character is adorable and I want to hang out with him or at times knock some sense into him then take him in my arms and remind him what a great person he is.

He wouldn't be interested though, and for good reason, not just because he's gay. (His neuroses about acting too gay or trying too hard not to act too gay and failing are hilarious.) He has a perfect, amazing boyfriend who finds Vic's insecurities adorable, too. Jacob's the perfect amount of protective mixed with the perfect amount of standing back and letting Vic take care of himself.

Although Vic does't understand what Jacob sees in him, their love is beautiful. It's gentle and caring and supportive and they have amazing sex. The latter isn't the most original that I've seen but it shouldn't be, it wouldn't fit the story. The scenes are different enough to make them each hot and enjoyable, which is really what matters, at least to me. :)

The only problem I have with these books is the resolution of the plot. The final action just isn't long enough. The problem is solved too soon and too easily. I want the drama to last long enough so that I am actually worried, that there is suspense. As it is, the conflict is being resolved just as we're finding out about it. In this case, there could easily have been a long chase that would have fit with the plot, the characters, and the series that would have fit in right where the final "battle" was. As it was, the danger was so short it didn't even really register as danger. I think if those kinds of scenes lasted longer, this could easily have been a novel rather than a novella. I need my heroes to be in peril for a little longer.

This book also introduces a new character, Crash, who is apparently a regular in the series. (Well there is a very brief mention of him in the short that is .5 in the series but that really doesn't count.) I don't really like him and I hate that he's always coming on to Vic, so I hope he improves as the series progresses and knocks that behavior off.

Despite the weak ending, I still loved this book and had to read a short right after to get another fix. I highly recommend this and the whole series.

If you are interested in reading this series with the silly name, read the free short Thaw available from Smashwords. It's not very funny, not like the series, but it's very sweet.
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Dec 11, 2016 Anna added it

I'm really digging these books. They're gritty and lovely and I thoroughly enjoy Vic's voice.

Did not see the twist in the story.

I'm also enjoying how much Jacob cares about Vic (but Vic is somewhat oblivious to that). ...more

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Mar 02, 2014 Shelby rated it really liked it

Shelves: alternate-universe, m-m, dark, mystery, bad-boys-to-steal-your-heart, paranormal, deserve-additional-reads, eminently-rereadable, law-enforcement-bodyguard-pi, suspense

So I absolutely fall into the adoring Vic and Jacob category! This is a great continuation of book one and I can’t wait to read more of this series. I love the alternate reality Ms. Price has created here, it’s one of the more interesting takes on psychic abilities or seeing ghosts I’ve ever read.

Vic’s life is continuing on track despite the upheaval of his last case. He’s got a new partner who seems rather bland all things considered. Things with Jacob are going well even if they hadn’t really So I absolutely fall into the adoring Vic and Jacob category! This is a great continuation of book one and I can’t wait to read more of this series. I love the alternate reality Ms. Price has created here, it’s one of the more interesting takes on psychic abilities or seeing ghosts I’ve ever read.

Vic’s life is continuing on track despite the upheaval of his last case. He’s got a new partner who seems rather bland all things considered. Things with Jacob are going well even if they hadn’t really talked about much “relationship” realities. Vic’s perfectly happy to have his man crashing with him while he looks for a new place. (Almost being killed by a vengeful spirit in your own home tends to indicate a change is necessary.) Up until all the ghosts surrounding him start lighting up like Christmas trees and tracking Vic around town his biggest bummer is missing Lisa as she’s stuck off in psycop training camp and not allowed to talk to anyone. But when things start going wonky and his meds aren’t working the way they’re supposed to, Vic’s life goes a little more crazy than normal for awhile.

First of all *hugs cuddles and all around loving* on the dynamic Victor and Jacob duo. I just love these two together. Vic is so completely off balance and slightly eschew, but in a way that just sneaks into your heart. Of course Jacob is the stalwart wall of defense and protection Vic needs to have a safe harbor from the storm his life constantly is. If I had one complaint about this book it’s that I wanted more Vic and Jacob figuring things out together. Granted Jacob shows up and comes through when Vic needed him too. And that shower scene…yummy!

I missed Lisa in this story. I know we got her in small doses here as she’s off getting her head shrunk into departmentally acceptable patterns, but she’s exactly what Vic needs to keep himself out of La-la Crazy land and trouble. Besides her psy powers are just so cool! I can’t wait to see how Ms. Price is going to figure all this out since by departmental policy Vic and Lisa could never be partners. Stupid silly rules!

Having a few new characters introduced in this one was fun as well. I’m curious to see what kind of part Crash and his “partner” in his little empathic healing shop are going to have on Vic’s life in the future. Of course Crash’s attempts to get into Vic’s pants aren’t going to go over well with Jacob in the long run I’m sure.

There were a few plot things here that were a little distracting just because they only minorly tied into the main storyline. (view spoiler) Still when all the pieces were revealed I liked what was happening and why.

This series always has me thinking and questioning trying to draw together pieces to discover what’s going to happen in the end. There are all these missing pieces still, but a lot of them are pieces that are missing for Vic as well. There is a lot he doesn’t understand about his abilities. Each new challenge he comes across reveals more about what he can do.

Best moment of this story…absolute adorableness the first time Vic states that Jacob is his boyfriend. Calling him his home partner and being so blushing uncomfortable about it all. I love that this story is told from Vic’s POV. Being inside his head is a treat and there’s always so much going on in there. He’s a fascinating character and the way his brain works is quirky and fun.

Can’t wait to read more and find out what Vic and Jacob will get up to next!
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