GiGi

Was Deanna with Gideon just once as mention in previous books? He tells Eva in this book she was collateral damage dealing with Anne and would have been a one night stand. I thought she was? It seems there is more to their story. She is a predator that may still be trouble for Gideon.

Also was confused when Gideon met Corrine at Arnoldo's that he admitted her voice was a soft lithe. To me he would have been too livid to remember her voice soothed him. I too am surprised he is falling into her trap and continually meeting with her. How can Corrine even be out of hospital? It has only been approximately a week and 2days since she tried to commit suicide and lost her baby. She would be under observation still. How is she stable to deal with publishers so soon?

Gideon being upset over penthouse changes confused me. I thought that is what he wanted and would bring them home to same place nightly. I loved getting his POV....dont get me started on Eva.. She was wishy washy loving him to the point of panic in San Diego and telling him she'll never leave to doing just that. I'm surprised that her reason for leaving was her job. After all he has done for her.. They could have talked it out. She annoyed me.

Hi Shan12,

Welcome to the forum.

 

I read your comments and it is my understanding that if a person has tried to commit suicide, they may be held on a 72 hour referral.  At that time, a person would be assessed as to whether he or she would pose an immediate risk to his/herself or the public.  If Corinne played her cards well, didn't act up or out, if there was some concern as to whether she had an adverse reaction to the medication that she was prescribed (i.e. the medication made her suicidal, etc.) and she agreed to an out-patient type of therapy, I think it would be very difficult for a hospital to force Corinne to remain there.

 

A family member, hospital staff/legal department would have to apply to the court to have her admitted against her will.  All parties would have to justify the reasons and the immediate danger that Corinne would place on herself and the public.  Given the circumstances at hand, I can't see that happening.  Forcing a person into treatment/hospital setting against their will in Canada is extremely difficult at best.  I don't think that the US would be much different. 

There is something that has been bugging me about the book that I hope you guys could help me figure out. When Eva is going to San Diego and the whole Brett thing comes up, Gideon tells her that she needs to tell Brett that they're married. And then later, when he confronts Brett, he shows him the picture of their private wedding. Here's my thought, if that is the tactic that Gideon is using to get Brett to back off, why not use the same thing to get Corinne to back off? Corinne is pulling out all the stops as a last ditch effort, couldn't Gideon tell her that they eloped and that she should stop trying as it's too late? Why tell Brett but not Corinne? I know a big part of her story is that she's acting out of character and as you guys have astutely predicted, she may be Anne Lucas' patient which would explain a lot. But still, if they told her that they were married maybe she would pack her stuff and go back to her husband and just quit trying to eff everything up.

Welcome to the forum.

Happy Thanksgiving. Turkey in oven so I thought I'd stop in.

First-- there is a big difference between being a trophy wife and what I think Eva can be. You don't have to be Monica but Eva can run a foundation, work with Gideon, and be a wife to a mogul. What she cannot do is forget that she is Eva Cross. She is never going to be treated like everyone else. She isn't LIKE everyone else. Already the ad firm was offered that contract because of who she is, not Mark. People's motives will be questioned. I think of Ivana Trump back in the day. She ran businesses. She was respected for her skills. Could she have worked for someone else? Maybe. But being in competition with your spouse is not a good thing. Another not needed stressor. G has a reputation as a stellar businessman and he wouldn't want Eva to work with him cause he loves her. He knows she's talented. What's so terrible about using that talent with your spouse? Other business people would see right through it, lose respect for G if she wasn't good. G is no fool. He'd never want that.

Anne is scary. Was so sure Deanna was also until I read Afterburn/Aftershock. Not sure now. Not sure about Graves either. We need book 5.

Hi GLH,

I read your comments and you are correct.  What I wonder is how long it will take Eva to come to terms with those ideas though.  Eva also has to realize and accept is that due to the fact that she is Mrs. Eva/Gideon Cross she will receive privileges and opportunities that she may not have otherwise received (for many years in some cases) due to the fact that she is married to one of the most powerful men in New York.

 

I think that the difference between Eva and Ivanna is; Eva struggles and rebels against the very notion of using Gideon's connections and being honest about how she has received many opportunities as a result of being linked/married to Gideon Cross. Ivanna proudly used her husband's name and his initial connections to get her foot in the door and made a huge success of herself. Therein lies the difference.

 

I agree with you about Detective Graves.  I don't like her.  At the end of the day, she is a detective and I wouldn't put it past her to try and arrest either Eva or Gideon in order to "solve" Nathan's murder and advance her professional career.  If the case of Nathan's murder had been settled, why would Detective Graves feel it necessary to personally visit Eva and have a conversation with her?  Could it be that Nathan's murder hasn't quite been settled so nicely?  Could Detective Graves be one of those potential threats lurking in the shadows?  What do you think?  What does everyone think?

 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I got the impression he too was sickened by what he did, but guess he couldn't help himself due to the resemblance to Hugh. But did Anne initiate what happened, were those kinky ideas already in Gideon's head or was it just the Hugh factor that made him treat Anne like that (bearing in mind she came back for more I suspect she may have set things off initially - possibly as therapy for the hidden anger she sensed in Gideon? And he obviously did manage to sustain the erecti*n if her comment to him is to be believed he pounded her for hours.

And back to Deanna, she seems to have the same tastes as Anne, is she one of the two women Anne (at that time the unknown redhead) mentioned in Entwined "I know of two women who've experienced severe depression over him" - Is Anne not only Corinne's therapist, but also Deanna's?

Hi D500,

I read your comments and you raised many good questions.  It will be interesting to see how those questions will be dealt with in the final book.

 

When I read Gideon recount his experiences with Anne, what I was left with was just how desperate Anne was when she was actively engaged in the s*x act.  I am sorry I couldn't find the passage in the book where Gideon discussed this, somewhere during that passage he had mentioned that it was difficult for him to have s*x with Anne because she resembled her brother. If someone in the forum knows which passage I am referring to and can post it with the page numbers it would be so greatly appreciated. 

 

It will be intersting to see how Sylvia deals with Anne (if she deals with her in the final book) or if the storyline is wrapped up by the end of the series.  I have to wonder how truthful Anne's recollections were.  She was so filled with hatred and venom during her interaction with Gideon that I have to doubt that her recollections were as she recalled them. What do you think?  What does everyone think? 

Dr. Travis is obviously a very good therapist because he nailed the fact that Eva doesn't want to be like her mom early on in the book. And I do think this is the motivation behind a lot of the things that Eva does...She doesnt want to be dependent on Gideon like her mother is on all her husbands. But I can understand Eva wanting to build a reputation for herself in the business world. She worked hard for her degree and she wants to show the world what she can do. It is true that in the end she has to choose herself or her love for Gideon just like she told Trey...

Hi Sscrph,

I read your comments and I agree on many points.  I can completely understand Eva wanting to make a name for herself in business but surely she couldn't be that naiive that she is getting one high profile account after another?  I would find it incredibly difficult to believe she she wouldn't have even the realization that she is getting these high profile accounts because of Gideon (in one way or another).

 

She landed the Kingman Vodka account (i.e. was allowed to participate in the preparation of the presentation) because Gideon was actively pursuing her.  The LanCorp Account came to her Advertising firm as a result of her (LanCorp execs stated that this account would stay at the firm if Eva was on the project).  I can understand Eva not initially knowing about the feud between Landon and Gideon, but once she connected the dots what would her explanation be to herself.

 

Eva was a new grad with no previous advertising experience.  She was nothing more than an entry level employee at best, but has been given access to senior level accounts.  Could it be that Eva was justifying using Gideon's connections (or in some way exploiting Gideon's enemies) in order to bolster her career?  Eva has no problem using her career as an excuse when she and Gideon are fighting or when she is feeling overwhelmed. 

 

She states that she doesn't want to lose herself in her relationship with Gideon.  If she stops and takes a really hard look at herself, isn't she already lost if she isn't honest with herself?  Gideon has subtlety pulled the strings all along, hasn't he? How happy would Eva really be posting mail and fetching coffee for everyone(that's what entry level position employees do)?  At the end of the day, could it be that Eva enjoys the perks and privileges of being with someone like Gideon but doesn't not want to admit it?  What do you think?  What does everyone think?

Yes Gigi I'm not sure I trust Deanna even at this point. She's not a danger to Eva physically like I think Anne Lucas is but she is more of an emotional threat . A leopard can't change it's spots overnight and I dont think Deanna did either.

Hi Sscrph,

I read your comments and I just wanted to clarify that when I said that Deanna was/is dangerous, I think about how Sylvia described Deanna's actions.  She would find rich/powerful men, seduce them, take them to bed, engage in kinky s*x acts, all while video taping/photographing them and get them to expose their most vulnerable secrets (I don't know how often she would employ these tactics, but she has done this in the past).  She would then use the other person's vulnerability against them and at times blackmail them for information. 

 

In my mind, someone that can do something like that, may not have a problem becoming violent.  What kind of person could do something like that?  I also think about how she interacted with Gideon on page 270 of the book. Deanna is aware of Gideon's engagement, Eva has spoken to Deanna in the previous book and yet she somehow doesn't seem to realize that no one gives a hoot about her "hook up" with Gideon many years ago. 

 

She feigns concern for Eva by stating something to the effect that she will make her visit a quick one, so that Eva won't catch the two of them in the same room (I am paraphrasing here).  If she had an ounce of decency/concern, she wouldn't have shown up at Gideon's office.  She could have called and arranged a telephone appointment and spoken to Gideon.

 

I could be wrong, but something about this woman just rubs me the wrong way. 

Hi GLH,

I agree with you about Anne.  I thought about how Gideon described his sexual interactions with Anne and I was sickened by his descriptions.  It painted a picture of a woman who was so pathetically desperate and single-mindedly driven to have the sexual experience. 

 

I would think that most women would give a man a pass if he was not able to sustain an erecti*n.  Kind words might be exchanged (between the two parties) and the encounter would end, but that's not what was decribed.  The entire scenario was just Sick.

Just to touch upon Cary. I don't hold it against Cary that he tried to get rid of Gideon. He's Eva's friend. Walking into her room and seeing her being attacked by her boyfriend, dreaming or not would certainly take a toll on someone. His only concern is Eva, and I don't blame him for that. Just like I don't blame Arnoldo for not liking Eva after the Brett kissing incident.

Hi Kirsten,

I agree with your comments wholeheartedly.  I can see Cary's concerns as being valid and I can also see why Arnoldo may dislike Eva.  I actually think that he dealt with his concerns by going to Gideon directly, as appropriate.  I don't think that it would be appropriate for a man to go up against a woman to tell her how much he dislikes her etc.  It never winds up being a good situation.

 

My only concern as far as Arnoldo was concerned was the fact that he wanted someone simple/or easy/or uncomplicated (I am paraphrasing here).  I would have thought that having seen how Gideon acted with all of his previous girlfriends, Arnoldo would have wanted someone for his friend that he loved and was loved unconditionally.

Thanks ladies, spotted this in my re-read, shows that with a series of books as complex as this we need to read more than once. My first read was rather fast, I took a lot in but not all of it.

My only thought is even though the heard that conversation, with so much going on afterwards (Gideon continued with the s*x and then off to San Diego and a busy weekend there) this may have slipped her mind - we heard that scene from Gideon rather than Eva. I'm trying my best not to dislike Eva over how she treats Gideon in chapter 19 and how long it takes her to respond to him in chapter 20 - let's hope when OWY opens they are pretty much together and spend the rest of the book as a team fighting Brett and the mass of Gideon's enemies.

Apart from the Jax and Gia books I've not read any series by Sylvia, does she usually write an Epilogue so we learn about the future?

Hi D500,

Thank you for mentioning the Jax and Gia story.  In  a strange way, I found those two books incredibly helpful in that it gave me some much needed information about Deanna's character.  Of all the characters in the Crossfire series, I find her to be among one of the most dangerous women.  She may not be up at the top; Anne Lucas takes those honours, but she is up there from my perspective.

I noticed yesterday (after listening to CBY) Eva was under Gideon's desk giving him a BJ when he was meeting with his technical team.  Gideon was angry because Lancorp stole his top tech.  Eva heard the whole conversation and said "Uh oh" when Gideon reprimanded the group.  How is it she didn't say anything to Gideon later when her boss was "requested" to head the LanCorp project.  Up to this point we hear that Eva is a good researcher for Mark.  How is it she didn't put together how big a competitor LanCorp is to Crossfire?  I get that the fight was the trigger that moved Gideon forward with his therapy but this is the first time Eva really p1sses me off. 

Good point Sharon. 

I'm coming to the same conclusion, highlighted a sentence during my re-read from the Monday morning after they had taken Ireland back to the Vidal place and before Eva told Mark they were to meet with LanCorp. She mentions how much they had on their plate that weekend, Gideon hadn't slept Saturday night* and how he did not see in himself what she saw. She goes on "He'd saved me, in so many ways. I was going to do whatever needed to be done to save him, too."

*And how does Gideon do it, he functions on very little sleep, when he is in bed not sleeping he is mostly extremely active, he's running a massive company. Most guys who didn't sleep would probably keep 'it' up for 5 minutes and then collapse exhausted and certainly not be able to think clearly enough to run a company.

I'm also not convinced we have seen the last of Brett - when Chris snr speaks to Gideon in the penthouse about the re-make of the video Gideon thinks to himself "Apparently, Brett Kline had some serious feelings for Eve after all, I wasn't okay with that. Not even close" Does this signify the possibility of more action with Kline in OWY?

 

 

Absolutely D500 Brett is not gone from the book . Eva seems to have gotten over him big time especially after their meeting in the park so I wonder how desperate he will become. I think he will write another song about her just to tick Gideon off. In any event, he may also be a recipient of Eva's Krav Maga if he loses the plot and comes on to her. He's in denial too. LOL

Hi D500 & Sscrph,

I read your comments and the thought that came to mind is; how self-destructive will Brett be?  This isn't simply an issue of a man wanting another man's woman.  Brett's band is signed with Vidal Records (as we all know).  So how far will Brett go to push the issue before his record deal gets tanked? 

 

Sincerely, I think Brett's time is up and if he's got half a brain, he will tuck his tail between his legs, turn around and go (quietly into the night).  Or I hope that his band mates knock some sense into him.  Either way, his time is up...

I disagree with you completely.  You are right Cary and Eva support each other.  Their relationship is like a sibling relationship.  Eva can talk to Cary about things she can't talk to anyone else.  Eva's family accept Cary into their family like a member of the family.  That is the relationship they have.  Cary has told Eva on a couple occasions that he wants her and Gideon to work out. 

                                                         

Is Cary having a hard time right now?  Yes!  He sees himself making one mistake after another.  He loves Trey but he is forever bound to Tat via a baby.  Eva takes care of Cary and so does her mother and Stanton. 

 

Regarding Cary's reaction to Eva telling him they eloped.  Cary witnessed Gideon's nightmares.  They are violent.  He is afraid for Eva physically.  Eva said that Cary had violent nightmares that's why she approached Gideon carefully.  Cary wants Gideon to work on his problems because he doesn't want Gideon to get caught in a nightmare and punch or rape Eva.  That is a valid concern. 

 

Someone else mentioned Cary not letting Eva know that Brett's band was Six Ninths.  That was a practical joke.   He didn’t know she was going backstage.  He didn't know he was setting up a fight between Gideon and Brett.  If they had just gone to the concert Cary would have teased Eva about the shock. 

 

I believe that Cary is so depressed right now that he is feeling sorry for himself.  Eva always telling Cary off and snapping him out of his funk.  I'm sure she will do that again.  As far as Cary being the only one still F'd up that is not true.  Eva ran again and she knows IMO that she should sit down and talk the situation over with Gideon.  He is a very wealthy man.  He has enemies that he made in business and he has enemies left over from his father.  Eva has to know she can't work for a company that will support his competitors.

Hi Sharon,

I read your comments and I agree with your assessment with Cary.  I also just wanted to add that the time that Cary had found out about Tatiana being pregnant and such has been only a short time.  So his freak out is understandable from my view point.  I think about all of my friends and colleagues who have had children and how; from the moment they found out up until the birth and even post birth; that is all they thought about or talked about. 

 

Tatiana's pregnancy may also be forcing Cary to face many childhood issues and traumas that they he may have thought were dealt with enough.  Now Cary has to actively face and deal with what his "mother" did to him and how she never protected him, used him and wh*red him out.  Those are some horrific traumas to deal with.  Although I don't agree with how Cary is behaving(self-harming etc.), I understand his actions.

 

The issues that Cary is facing in his life right now (and for a long time to come) aren't going to be dealt with, with a one trip to visit to see Dr. Travis. Cary needs life coping skills and parenting skills (if the child is his with Tatiana).  My only hope is that someone will have his back when it comes to sorting out the mess of whether the child is his or not.  It is obvious that he is not in a place in his life where he is able to care for another person, let alone himself.  Right now he acting out from an emotional space and cannot see the "forrest from the trees". 

 

With regards to Gideon, I had a quick question; does Cary know that Gideon was abused as a child?  Or does he only know that Gideon has violent nightmares of an unknown origin?  I don't remember Eva having a conversation with Cary about that. 

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to add a quick note to say that I was just a little bit proud of Clancy for laying down the law to Gideon.  It was a pleasant surprise for me.  Way to go Clancy.

I also felt that way about Eva ladies. I don't understand some of her actions here and I get that her walking out on Gideon in the end was justified, but it shocked me to see that she really was so naïve about what her life as Mrs. Cross would entail. That she would have to make some concessions. I feel like Gideon's time has been monopolized by Eva clean-up and she seemed almost ungrateful.

Hi Kirsten,

I have to agree with you.  I too, find it very difficult to believe that Eva had no concept of what it would be like to be Mrs. Gideon Cross.  Was the courtship not enough of an "eye-opener"?

I loved in Chapter 7 when Corinne ran to Gideon saying "what do I have to live for if I don't have you" to which he replied ; I'm not responsible for your happiness Corinne, I'm not responsible for you...Go home to your husband."She just doesn't get it . I was so proud of Gideon in that scene ; he doesnt owe her a GD thing!!

Hi Sscrph,

I was so glad for Gideon!  Yea!  Finally a breakthrough!!  My only question is whether Gideon actually sat down with Corinne and explained to her what was going on? 

She really is a freaking loon, and I've also wondered how the heck we are going to get rid of her. Brett is a simple fix... he's going on tour and can spend his time with the Eva look alike. Corrine... she's tougher to get rid of. Do we believe she really didn't know about the baby? Maybe she will have a total psychotic break and spend the rest of her days heavily medicated in an institution.

Hi Kirsten,

I read your comments about Brett and I have to agree. I am glad that he will be going on tour.  My only hope is that everytime he spends time with the "look alike" is that he remembers what he lost and that he learns from his boneheaded mistakes.

Eva did not tell Gideon about Landon placing a job at their agency but she weighted  her loyalty to Gideon  which was a good sign. I think she has to leave  because she was really mad and we need reason to kick Gideon Arse hard. Him fearing to death that Eva would not come back and forgive him forced him to open up to Dr. Petersen. What I dont like was Eva feeling like she cant forgive Gideon over that. She said Gideon took away that freedom .. errm did she forget Gideon gave her freedom back  when he killed Nathan . There was a part of me that I understand about Gideon , Him controlling everything means controlling the outcome. Time was an essence and things were moving fats one after the other. However , I think it was Evas' fault too. Her telling him she wasn't pushing  and we'll wait for him to be ready but deep down she was resenting him already so at the end of the day Eva was a ticking time bomb too. So I guess when she said about being honest, she should push Gideon even if they fight  because its the only way she can help him . Gideon would do everything for her  , hasn't she know it by now so she might as well used it . 

Hi Gcrossfire,

I read your comments about Eva and her conflict between work and her marriage and I saw it differently.  Once Eva decided to get married her alliance should be with her husband.  I am not saying that a woman/man should automatically sacrifice him/herself for the sake of their marriage, but when two people get married, it is no longer a situation of me/he/she, it automatically becomes we.

 

I have to wonder whether Eva's lack of a decision about the Landon Corp deal, was in response to the fact that she got married too soon.  Gideon chased Eva hard, exposed and overwhelmed her (as well as loved her deeply and unconditionally to the best of his ability) all the way to the alter.  Could it be that on some level Eva was rebelling to the fact that she chose a life and a partner that she will largely have no control over?

 

What do you think?  What does everyone think?

Gigi, Lifehouse is the band, and the song is called "Hanging by a Moment". The music video is posted on page 13 of this thread.

Hi Biarpcalb,

I saw that there was a video posted.  Unfortunately, my internet connection does not allow me to download and view high-speed videos or chats.  Thank you for the informaiton.  I can now look up the lyrics. It is appreciated. 

I think we started the re-read 1 to 2 weeks after the release to give everyone a chance to read it more than once lol

Hi Sscrph,

It sounds like a good idea.  I know that last time, several of the forum members had to wait a very long time for their books, so it only seems fair to allow members the opportunity to read the book first and join in (or as they wish).  I am sure that members will express their views on the matter in a short time.   

The Lifehouae song. That's all I'm saying. I just died.

Hi Michele,

Is Lifehouse the group or the song?  If so, who wrote the song (the group).  I am sorry I have never heard the song and you ladies make it sound so wonderful.  Any information you or any of the other ladies could provide would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

Hi Ladies,

I just tried to post my comments just a minute ago and nada...let's try this again.

Hi Ladies,

Hats off to all of the ladies who managed to read the entire book in less than a day.  I am only on Chapter 6...I read like a turtle. Sigh!   I am looking forward to joining the discussion soon. 

Hi Ladies,

I had a look at the photo and I was wondering if anyone can tell me what is in the upper right hand corner of the photo?  I am not sure if I am seeing something that is not there or whether there is something?  Any guesses?  Thanks in advance. 

I don't think page six has anything to do with Stanton and Monica. The Crossfire series has mostly been a day to day accounting of the life of Eva and Gideon....that said, Stanton and Monica were together at the dinner/benefit where the news of Gideon and Eva's engagment got out.....the rings and all. Don't know when Eva told Monica....remember Monica said when they were getting "dolled" up...He has to ask you first

So we don't know whose "love" is on the rocks; maybe Corine and Giroux ?? I am still going with the theory of after sex and before San Diego shower and Valentine's Day treat of the engagment confirmation.

I wonder if we will be getting two teasers or photos a week like we did with EWY depicting chapters. Just 61 days to go!!!!

Hi Jmhope,

Your theory is as plausible as anyone else's.  I can hardly wait for the next book to come out.