Crossing Borders by Z.A. Maxfield

Two dudes walk into a bookstore…

Tristan knows he’s got issues. His latest ex-girlfriend knows it too. He can’t blame her for dumping him—even though she gets her brother to do it for her. Since he can’t stop staring at said brother’s package, he figures it’s about time to put a label on those issues. He likes guys.

He heads to a local bookstore with what he’s sure is a foolproof plan to find someone to show him what he’s been missing. But who should crash his little adventure? Officer Michael Truax, who gave him a really expensive ticket back in high school for skateboarding without a helmet.

Michael has been trying to catch Tristan for years...to give him a second ticket. Suddenly faced with “Sparky”, all grown up and looking to get laid, Michael’s protective instinct kicks in—and presents him with an opportunity that’s hard to resist. After all, the kid must know what he’s getting into, so why not?

But when a man with a plan connects with a man with a hunger, the result is nothing short of explosive.

This book has been previously published.

Warning: Contains high-octane hair, a clawfoot bathtub, and a story that will make you believe in love at first sight. Okay, second sight, but who’s counting?

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Samhain Publishing

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆☆
OMG, this book just hit all my buttons, I needed something sweet and uplifting and just an all-around feel good book and this one did it! Tristan has always known he was a little different but he went on with his life and dated girl after girl. It wasn’t until his last girlfriend broke up with him via her brother that he finally knew what it was that made him different. As we learn in the book once Tristan has an idea or plan he goes through with it. Michael gave Tristan his first ticket and hasn’t forgotten him since. These two meet again at Borders when Tristan is trying to put his newest plan into action. This was more like instant-like fast forward to instant-love all within a few days. It is a book people, a story that is supposed to take you away from reality for the time you read it. I loved it. It was mushy, sweet, silly and sometimes just off the wall. I loved Tristan and his positive energy and always moving and thinking and wanting to try new stuff. Michael was so in awe of Tristan it was sickening sweet but as I said, I loved it. There was a little drama and some angst but not too much. I loved his book and recommend it for anyone who wants a sweet sappy love story.

Characters: Well written and easy to relate to
Sex: Oh yeah!
Religious: No
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Not sure
Genre: M/M/Romance
Would I read more by this author: Yes


Erica – ☆☆☆
Re-released edition. New Cover (I believe the new cover is more befitting, as the original makes the age difference look more than 20+ years. While the new cover features a late teen with ginger hair.) For those who see the old cover, thinking it's a huge age difference and Tristan's a boy, that's not the case. Tristan is 19 & Michael is 27, and they've known each other for a hilarious reason for over 2 years.

Crossing Borders started out hilarious. It was a trip to be inside Tristan's head during the plan. Then arrives Officer Helmet, and I couldn't wipe the huge grin off my face. The setup of the novel and the first few chapters were amusing yet warming, then the book turned HOT! The book was funny, but it didn't jerk any other 'feels' out of me.

It's instant attraction between the officer and his Sparky. Followed by a lot, and I mean A LOT of sex. (I was a bit shocked and confused, as I didn't realize this was in the erotica category, thinking it LGBT contemporary romance about coming out on the cusp between YA & NA. Not that I mind sex, but I want it as dessert to a savory main dish of storyline.) Tristan & Michael made like bunnies on the pages of Crossing Borders, for pages upon pages on end, pushing the storyline beneath the bed. What was instant attraction and lust, turns to instant infatuation within a night, and within a date or two turns to instant love and devotion. For those who need a bit of a buildup, to be seduced by the author when it comes to sex and love, they might not like how quickly this portion of the story progresses.

Michael is a good son/foodie/hero, & Tristan is a good son/good big brother/college student. To me, they seemed to be the older and younger version of the same man in some respects. I enjoyed the characters immensely, as well as the zany side characters (mothers/brothers and sister/Edward, Michael's business acquaintance's son).

The reason I couldn't 4 or 5 star Crossing Borders is because I am one of those readers who needs to be seduced and gets turned off by all things instant. But the issue was more on the excess of redundant sex scenes. If I feel the need to skim, all those words the author wrote go unread & then I feel guilty, and that is just sad.

Do I recommend this title: Absolutely. It's a hot yet funny read. If you're a reader who needs instant gratification, you'll eat this story right up.
Would I read more by this author: I'm definitely up to giving ZA Maxfield another go!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a really good read. It has depth and a good range of characters – some who provide humour, others gravitas. I loved some of the dialogue between the two leads and I enjoyed how they played together (in every way!). The family dynamics were beautifully written. Tristan's inner dialogue was just right – not too much, but enough to see that he wasn't just sucked into the whole thing, but that he did think like a 19 year old and have some of the usual teenage angsts and issues. The drama was sufficient to bring out the issues which might otherwise have festered too long, and Ron's interventions, served a purpose in advancing the plot – even if I really, really didn't like him!

A highly enjoyable read – with plenty of chemistry sparking between the guys, and lessons in life from the whole cast.

Z. A. Maxfield is a fifth-generation native of Los Angeles, although she now lives in the O.C. She started writing in 2007 on a dare from her children and never looked back. Pathologically disorganized and perennially optimistic, she writes as much as she can, reads as much as she dares, and enjoys her time with family and friends. If anyone asks her how a wife and mother of four manages to find time for a writing career, she’ll answer, “It’s amazing what you can do if you completely give up housework.”

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Crossing Borders (Crossing Borders #1) by Z.A. Maxfield to read and review.