The Crossing by Serita Jakes
MY REVIEW:
The Crossing is not a pretty story with a fairytale ending where everyone lives happily ever after. Actually it is a gritty, down-to-earth, real life narrative centered around a ten-year-old unsolved school bus murder and the lasting effects it has had on several witnesses and the people in their lives.
Two of the students on board the bus on that fateful night experience symptoms of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Claudia Campbell experiences increasing bouts of anxiety attacks and her spending habits have gotten out of control. Police officer Casio Hightower struggles with out-of-control bursts of rage that physically harm the people he loves most. When Claudia’s husband Victor, an assistant DA reopens the case in hopes of helping his wife, Casio determines to help him solve the case. As new clues come to light, secrets of the past are revealed that change everything they believed to be true.
The Crossing was a new reading experience for me. Just when I thought I knew how everything would turn out, something totally unexpected and/or shocking would occur. Interspersed between present day narrative were the last thoughts of the murder victim as she lay dying. Although this did not contribute to the solving of the case, it did add extra insight to the story. The book is well written with evident thought given to the characters and their unique reactions to their shared experience with an emphasis on how faith made a difference in their circumstances.
Although The Crossing is very different than the books I usually choose, I would highly recommend it for its honest and insightful look at how one event can change a life forever.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group Blogging for Books program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Imprisoned by memories, Claudia Campbell lives each day in the shadow of a ten-year-old murder. Who can set her free?
On the way home from a football game, a decade earlier, a masked gunman opened fire on a Texas school bus. Cheerleading coach B.J. Remington was killed, but her murderer was never found. Claudia, who had a close friendship with the young, spirited teacher, constantly relives the anguish of that day, caught in one moment in time. When her husband, the assistant district attorney, becomes determined to uncover the mystery of that tragedy, the secrets buried over the years threaten to tear their family apart.
Officer Casio Hightower will never forget the day his dreams were destroyed. A star quarterback with a promising future, Casio was on top of the world—until one bullet changed everything. He is eager to help Victor Campbell find B.J.’s killer, the man who shot him. Maybe solving the case will help silence the demons driving Casio to hurt the woman he loves.
As the Campbells and Casio teeter on the brink of losing everything, will they be able to discover that what begins at the crossing ends at the cross?
“Serita Jakes has created a rich story about confronting the debilitating wounds of one’s past and standing at a crossroads of hope and healing—or ongoing suffering. Her characters take meaningful and relatable journeys, and they will serve as an inspiration for many to find the path toward wholeness.”
—Dr. Frank Lawlis, bestselling author, consultant to the Dr. Phil show, and the author of revolutionary program PTSD Breakthrough“An amazing story of hope, loss, and the unconditional love that brings us back to God, Serita Jakes has created a meaningful novel that tears at your heart while mending your brokenness at the same time. The Crossing is powerful storytelling.”
—Pat Smith, founder and CEO of “Treasure You”, President of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities“The Crossing is captivating from page one. Serita chronicles a remarkable tale of betrayal, pain and spiritual anguish. Her writing uncovers an important core message: how to find freedom from past hurts and wounds, and move toward a life of forgiveness, healing and Divine wholeness.”
—Dr. Tim Clinton, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors“Serita Jakes’ The Crossing is so much more than you expect. She’s a brilliant woman of God and this stirring novel will reach so many hearts and lives with its message of grace and healing.”
—Lisa Osteen Comes, associate pastor Lakewood Church in Houston Texas, and author of You Are Made For More“First Lady Serita Jakes is a unique lady with a big heart. She has experienced hurt in her life, therefore The Crossing is a perfect novel for her to write. She is a woman who loves much and wants to help others. This book will impact, and may even, save your life. I salute Serita and consider her one of my children.”
—Dodie Osteen, co-founder Lakewood Church and author of Choosing Life.I hope whoever reads this book never has had to go through loss and suffering. But should you be faced with one or the other or both, Mrs. Jakes’ powerful words will help you through it because it demonstrates God’s forgiveness, powerful healing and unconditional love for us all.
—Jamie Foster Brown, publisher, Sister 2 Sister Magazine“Serita Jakes has captured the true meaning of what it means to “wear the mask”. And the phrase ‘cover your sins and keep up appearances’ penned in The Crossing—says it all. The depiction of the novel’s main character Claudia reveals the devastating and irreversible effects of untreated trauma and the dire consequences if left undiagnosed and untreated—as it does all too often. The Crossing hits home on these important issues in a down-to-earth and entertaining way. The Crossing is an important novel and I highly recommended.”
—Terrie M. Williams, author of Black Pain“A meaningful novel about loss, forgiveness, suffering, and God’s healing, unconditional love. A perfect read for women who have seen hard times. I highly recommend it.”
—Paula White, Paula White Ministries/Senior Pastor, Without Walls International Church
Read An Excerpt From The Crossing:
The Crossing by Serita Ann Jakes (ch. 1 excerpt)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
SERITA ANN JAKES has been involved in Christian ministry all of her adult life and has served alongside her husband, Bishop T. D. Jakes, throughout their entire marriage of nearly 30 years. In addition to raising three sons and two daughters, Mrs. Jakes is Executive Director of the WoMan To Woman Ministries of The Potter’s House of Dallas where her husband is Senior Pastor.
