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Close Up Magic by Michelle Garren Flye – Review/Giveaway/Excerpt

 

PLEASE MENTION THE PRIZE THAT THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY:

 

Michelle will award a Magic Gift Basket, including a copy of “Magic for Dummies” by David Pogue to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US only), and one commenter at every stop will win a $5 Amazon GC. Make sure you leave a comment and your email addy.  Good Luck!  

 

CLOSE UP MAGIC

by Michelle Garren Flye

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BLURB:

 

Do you believe in magic?

Reporter Stacey Matthewson has made a living writing sensational stories that knock celebrities off their pedestals. Now she’s got a hot lead on an even hotter magician who’s mystifying Las Vegas with his new show–the problem is, she’s had a crush on him for years. How can she write a story that might ruin him, especially when he proves himself to be so much more than she’d ever dreamed?

Magician Andre Hawke has a knack for making things disappear, but when it comes to his brother’s drinking and gambling, he’s got a problem. Hiring the sexy reporter who threatens to blow away his carefully wrought illusion might be the answer to his problems…or she might bring on a whole new set of them.

Stacey’s never believed in magic, and Andre doesn’t know who to trust anymore. Can passion overcome their inhibitions, or will betrayal stem the tide of love?

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Excerpt 1:

 

Stacey’s heart gave an odd thump, but she was prepared for that, too. She’d watched countless videos of his stage performances on Youtube, and she knew his reputation for womanizing. The Great Andre–on stage and in the sack, evidently. She summoned her best flirtatious smile, but his next words caught her off guard enough so she faltered. “Who exactly are you and how the hell did you get back here?”

 

She’d paid off a security guard but he didn’t have to know that. “I snuck in. I wanted to catch you before the show.” She fluttered her eyelashes and lowered her gaze, on cue as usual.

 

“Are you here to see the show, then?” He didn’t release her hand, his eyes intense on hers when she looked back.

 

“Of course I am.” She shot him a smile. “I can’t wait, actually. I’ve been a fan ever since I saw you at the Clemson Theater in New York a few years ago.”

 

“I remember that show.” His smile widened, revealing perfect teeth for a moment before softening again into a sensual curve, and his gaze flickered to her mouth.

 

“It’s obviously taken you to bigger and better things.” Her chest felt tight and she found it hard to breathe. Was he going to kiss her? Dear God, she felt paralyzed. Was this really just desire or did he actually know enough magic to hold her immobile while he considered whether or not to kiss her? Or did she want his kiss so bad she was willing to sacrifice what was left of her career to get it?

 

Review:

Why oh why when I was reading this book did I picture David Copperfield in my head?  I still love watching him even though most of his stuff I’ve figured out.  Plus, I really got caught up in the Vegas atmosphere. 

Ms. Flye is a new author to me and I can’t get over how well written Close Up Magic was for me.  The characters had depth to them, the setting was perfect and even the secondary characters were fleshed out.  Also, even though I was “reading” the magic tricks, I could picture them in my mind.  Great job.

This book deals the ultimate from of betrayal and that it came from family for both Stacey and Andre.  That’s the cruelest kind of betrayal and for Stacey she doesn’t trust or love anyone except for her sister, Bella.  Stacey is afraid to open her heart to Andre even though she’s had a crush on him for years.  Andre has been betrayed by his brother with his addiction and gambling debts.  Trying to keep it quiet is going to be hard since Stacey is there as a gossip reporter to write the story.

Again, I was blown away by the characterizations of Andre and Stacey.  They were closed off when it came to love relationships and I could totally understand.  There was no instalove but a slow build to their relationship and in the end they had to fight for it.  *sigh*  Ms. Flye doesn’t take the easy way out when it came to the final conflict either.  There were enough twists in the story to make unpredictable for me.

If you are looking for a story about two people that learn to trust after being betrayed by the people that supposedly loved them, sprinkled with a bit magic then Close Up Magic is definitely up your alley.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Michelle Garren Flye is the award-winning romance author of five novels. Her most recent novel, Where the Heart Lies, has been described as an “engaging novel with charming and likable characters” and a story that “will make you believe in love and second chances.”

Michelle placed third in the Hyperink Romance Writing Contest for her short story “Life After”. Her short stories have been published by the romance anthology Foreign Affairs, Opium.com, SmokelongQuarterly.com and Flashquake.com. She has served on the editorial staffs of Horror Library Volume 1, Horror Library Volume 3, Butcher Shop Quartet, Butcher Shop Quartet II and Tattered Souls.

Michelle has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is the mother of three and lives in North Carolina with her husband and their rapidly growing collection of pets.

 

Connect with Michelle Garren Flye online:

Website: http://michellegflye.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Garren-Flye/132688623422175

Twitter: https://twitter.com/michellegflye

Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Garren-Flye/e/B006QG88WY/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

 

 

21 thoughts on “Close Up Magic by Michelle Garren Flye – Review/Giveaway/Excerpt

  1. I love books that include magic– of any kind. Magician’s in particular are so talented.
    Also, it’s funny– every time I read about this novel, it makes me want to go see Now You See Me 😉

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    1. Can you believe I haven’t seen that yet? I did love The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, though. And I highly recommend it, even if it didn’t get good reviews.

  2. I love the sound of this book – thanks for the spotlight and giveaway – I love books that have some form of magic in them

    junegirl63 at gmail dot com

  3. Well now, Harlie. When I read this, I’m going to picture David Copperfield! LOL.
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

  4. Hey Harlie! Thanks for having me here and for the wonderful review. David Copperfield was a part of my inspiration, along with Lance Burton, Ricky Jay and a multitude of other magicians I’ve seen perform over the years (including the magician who performed at my kid’s birthday party a few years ago). I just can’t turn down a good magic show! But yeah, I’ve had a crush on David Copperfield for years (since I was about eight), and I was lucky enough to see him on stage last year. He’s still got it. 🙂

  5. I like the fact that it seems as if, when reading, I will be able to fully visualise the magic tricks. Very cool!!

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    1. I did work hard on those magic trick descriptions. I didn’t want to use any tricks I’d seen before, although some were inspired by tricks and magicians I’d seen. So I made stuff up and I have no idea if an actual magician could pull them off or not. Maybe I’ll see if I can get a magician to read the book and try ’em out. 😉

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