Cross the Line
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Publisher: Hangman Books
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1938848148
E-Book File Size: 481 KB
ASIN: B00AA49Y2Q
The Seattle Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl. For quarterback Noah Larson it is dream come true. The perfect way to end his NFL career would be with a Super Bowl win and all the glory that goes with it. Then he gets the call that stops his heart — his 6 year old son has been kidnapped. If he wants to get his son back alive all he has to do is throw the game and let the Miami Dolphins win.
Sports reporter Cal Murphy, who has covered Larson for years, knows something isn’t right. He knows how the quarterback prepares for games and he is not following his normal routine at all. This is the biggest game of his life, why would he change his prep now? He has an interview scheduled with Larson and is going to find out what is going on.
Cal quickly gets involved over his head and takes friend and photographer Kelly Mendoza with him as they try to save Larson’s son, the Super Bowl and themselves.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I did not know this was the second book in the series when I agreed to take part in this tour and my regular readers know I am a stickler for reading books in order. The book held up well as a stand alone but I missed the build up of Cal and Kelly’s history. Putting that aside it was the perfect time of year to read this book and I am a huge football fan.
The premise of the story was very interesting although you need to suspend reality a bit to think Cal and Kelly could do what they did. Jack Patterson makes this easy to do as the reader is drawn right into the drama especially in Mexico along the desolate roads and to the scary cartel compound. There is also a very surprising twist or two as the story plays out.
The book is a very fast read. Like another author with the same last name the short chapters just keep those pages turning. You still have a couple of days to pick up your copy to enjoy before the Super Bowl. It may change the way you watch the game.

About This Author
The first signs that I might like writing about sports — and be slightly competitive — appeared when my year two (or first grade) teacher, Mrs. Holland, asked my class to write and illustrate our day. Mine read like this: “The Red team beat the Blue team, 1 to nil. And I won.” The next 47 entries covered my exploits on the soccer pitch while growing up in Ipswich, England.
In South Carolina as a teenager, my dad told me that I could get paid to watch sports provided I could write about it. Sounded easy enough and by the time I was 16, I landed a job at my town’s daily newspaper and had a column on Major League Baseball players from our area. I also covered my first riot there at a sporting event — and it’s safe to say I was smitten with journalism.
After graduating from one of the best journalism schools in the country, I took a job as a sports editor in South Georgia and learned firsthand about the passion of high school sports in rural America. I thought I knew before, but I didn’t. This was another world.
I also had the opportunity to cover major sporting events like the Olympic Games, the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the Final Four. It was a thrill!
But nothing was as thrilling to me as uncovering the truth in investigative assignments. I once broke a story about a prominent southern football team’s NCAA violation — and found out the violating coach had committed suicide only a few months earlier. The story won a national writing award and stoked my desire to write about these issues. It made me realize that the sports world was just another fantastic backdrop for drama.
After writing non-fiction books with athletes, for athletes, and ghost writing for many others, I decided to enter the world of fiction writing. It had been something I wanted to do but never found the time. So, I made the time–and am now having a blast. I hope you enjoy reading my novels as much as I enjoy writing them!
Find Jack Patterson on Facebook, Twitter or on his website.
There are 3 more stops on the Special Super Bowl Edition Tour
Feb 1st – Review by Teena in Toronto
Feb 2nd — Interview by Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews
Feb 2nd — Nicole @ Bless their Hearts Mom
Then the tour returns in March:
Mar 15th — Guest Post by Jersey Girl Book Reviews
Mar 16th — Review by Gina @ Hott Books
Mar 18th — Guest Post & Review with Beth Art From The Heart
Mar 19th Review with Krystal @ Live To Read
Mar 26th — Review by Fenny @ Hotchpotch
Mar 27th — Review & Interview at Martha’s Bookshelf
Mar 29th –Review & Interview @ Kimberly’s Bookshelf
Mar 30th — Review by Wendy @ The Minding Spot
Apr 1st — Review by Mary’s Cup of Tea
Apr 2nd — Review by Suzie @ My Cozie Corner
Apr 3rd — Review at Vic’s Media Room
Apr 4th — Teview by Tina @ Smoochiefrog Reviews
Apr 5th — Guest Post @ Writers and Authors
Apr 8th — Review by Carrie @ Sweet Southern Home
Apr 15th — Review by True Media Solutions LLC
Apr 17th — Review by Yvonne @ Socrates’ Book Review Blog
Apr 18th — Review by Vicky @ Deal Sharing Aunt
May 1 — Review by Heather @ Proud Book Nerd
May 10th — Review by Ashna @ Wanted Readers
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the tour host. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Thanks! I don’t think I realized this was the second in the series either. I’m so glad you enjoyed it – I can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Very nice review and post. So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the kind review! I’m glad you enjoyed the book. Hopefully, this year’s Super Bowl will be as exciting as the one depicted in the book! 🙂
This sounds pretty intriguing. Since I live in the Seattle area, this book does intrigue me. I have added it to my TBR list.