Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Two lost boys. Two long years. One path back to each other.

Elian has lost two major anchors in his life, and he can’t figure out how to get back on track, so he takes to the rails, trying to outrun his struggles. The farther he runs, the deeper he sinks, losing himself more and more until a random phone call reminds him, he isn’t as alone as he thought. There is someone out there who still cares—Tyler.

Two years ago, Tyler lost more than his best friend. He lost the other half of his heart. He knows Elian’s struggles, and he now knows Elian is alive. When his rider friends offer to help, he’s hesitant. They don’t know as much about Elian as they should, and it’s Tyler’s fault for shutting them out. Too many people might scare Elian off.

Besides, how can he explain to his friends his desperation to find Elian when his feelings are so new and unexplored?

Tyler is convinced he only needs one person to mend his wounded heart—Elian.

Book Review

“Some of us ran so far away, during a period of survival, that we forgot to come back home to ourselves…” ~ Lalah Delia (Vibrate Higher Daily: Live Your Power)

 

Tyler, of ‘Lost at the Crossing’ by Nicky James, has been looking for his friend Elian since he disappeared. It frustrates and distresses his friends that Tyler is obsessed with finding Elian, who is either dead or doesn’t want anyone to know where he is, but Tyler refuses to give up on his search.

 

It’s dangerous to ride the rails in the winter, but Tyler travels up and down them, leaving notes for Elian and missing-person posters, hoping someone will see them, recognize Elian, and call him. Finally, Tyler receives the message he’s been waiting for, that someone knows where Elian is. He’s in Saskatchewan, staying at a homeless shelter. When Tyler confides in his friends, they all decide to meet him there. Tyler questions the wisdom of having everyone there when he confronts Elian, but they are relentless. They tell Tyler that they are his family and want to be there for support.

 

Reluctantly, Tyler agrees.

 

Not a day has gone by that Elian hasn’t missed Tyler. Yet, he is afraid to see him. Elian suffers from severe social anxiety, which causes him to be selectively mute. Sometimes it’s difficult for him to speak at all. It makes him seem aloof and unfriendly. In the past, Taylor’s friends have tolerated Elian because he and Tyler were close, but they didn’t know about his problems, so they misinterpreted his behavior. Elian has finally found an ally in the homeless shelter, Sam, who takes the time to understand that he has issues and help him. When Tyler calls Elian, it’s difficult for him to talk. Sam assists him by talking to Tyler and interpreting Elian’s nonverbal answers. Both Tyler and Elian are incredibly grateful. Finally, Tyler tells Elian that he is headed his way and begs him to wait there until he arrives. The question is, can Elian do that.

 

‘Lost at the Crossing’ is a great addition to the ‘Rail Riders’ series. Tyler and Elian are complex, flawed men who have closed themselves off from the world instead of interacting and working through their issues. Yet, Tyler and Elian open up and become a lifeline to each other. When separated, neither functioned well. Fortunately, through persistence and dedication, they were able to come back together. It was good to visit with the other characters in the series to see how they are doing. It’s interesting to see how this social outcast group into a close-knit family of their design. Thanks, Nicky, for more insight to who and why the rail riders ride the rails. I look forward to the next story.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book was purchased by the reviewer.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 349 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	29-November-2021
Price	$5.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Crossing-Rail-Riders-Book-ebook/dp/B09GVX2NBD