Category Archives: Michelle Garren Flye

Review: Close Up Magic by Michelle Garren Flye

Title: Close Up Magic by Michelle Garren Flye
Release Date: June 1, 2013
Publisher: Michelle Garren Flye
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

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?

The Review:

In Michelle Garren Flye’s Close Up Magic a sexy magician and an entertainment reporter quickly find love in this fast-paced and engaging love story In the wake of an apparent betrayal, will their love prove to be nothing but an illusion?

Hoping to repair her tarnished reputation as an entertainment journalist, Stacey Matthewson is hot on the trail of a developing story surrounding up and coming magician Andre Hawke. Her meeting with Andre does not go exactly as planned and when he offers her a job as his press agent, she accepts the job despite her reservations.

Stacey and Andre are both very loyal and dedicated to their families. Stacey has been raising and financially supporting her younger sister, Bella, for several years. Until recently, Andre’s brother Tony has successfully managed Andre’s career. Andre will do anything to protect his brother from public scrutiny as Tony undergoes treatment for his alcohol and gambling addiction.

One of the underlying themes of Close Up Magic is trust. Andre is still struggling to recover from Tony’s betrayal. Due to her chaotic home life, Stacey has never trusted anyone except for Bella. Stacey and Andre’s relationship develops rapidly and Andre is quick to trust his instincts that Stacey will not betray him. Stacey is more cautious but Andre soon wins her over.

One of the other themes of Close Up Magic is betrayal. Both Andre and Stacey implicitly trust their siblings, and in Andre’s case, Tony’s addictions unintentionally betray Andre’s trust. Stacey is suspicious of a fellow reporter, but are those suspicions unfounded?

The plot of Close Up Magic is a little predictable but Michelle Garren Flye does throw in a few unexpected twists. Neither Stacey nor Andre react as anticipated to the conflict that occurs between them. Stacey and Andre have a wonderful capacity for forgiveness and the resolution of their issues is absolutely delightful. An overall compelling and magical story that fans of contemporary romances are sure to enjoy.

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Filed under Close Up Magic, Contemporary, Michelle Garren Flye, Rated B, Review, Romance

Review: Ducks in a Row by Michelle Garren Flye

Title: Ducks in a Row by Michelle Garren Flye
Publisher: Michelle Garren Flye
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 239 pages (estimated)
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

Cady Summers thinks she has all her ducks in a row: great house, beautiful family. Then her estranged twin sister Cam shows up…pregnant. Envious of her sister’s condition and lonely with a teenage daughter and a workaholic husband, Cady’s life no longer seems to have the perfect order she has always cherished.

A recovering drug addict and absentee mother of two, Cam Taylor has never had any order in her life. Afraid of his reaction to her pregnancy, Cam flees the man she loves, seeking refuge in the only home she still knows.

Can the love between the two sisters provide a healing balm for the wounds of her scarred marriage or will Cady seek solace in the arms of another man? Can the reunion with her sister give Cam the courage she needs to face the man she loves or will she let her past mistakes come between them?

The Review:

In Michelle Garren Flye’s Ducks in a Row twin sisters Cady Summers and Cam Taylor are at very different places in their lives. Stay at home mom Cady puts her marriage at risk as she becomes increasingly resentful of her husband’s grueling work schedule. Cam’s unexpected pregnancy gives her the opportunity to repair her damaged relationships with her family. Despite their differing opinions on what the other should do, Cam and Cady provide one another unwavering support as they try to figure out what direction their lives are going to take.

While Ducks in a Row is about both sisters, the story mainly focuses on Cady. She is a well-developed character but I had difficulty connecting with her and the decisions she makes. Cady is full of righteous indignation at her husband Neil’s long hours, but instead of discussing it with him, she continues to seethe over his neglect. I am not laying all of the blame at Cady’s feet; Neil is equally guilty of not talking about the stress he is currently experiencing. Neil senses Cady’s unhappiness, encourages her to make some changes in her life and Cady makes the fateful decision to work for her close friend Will Hubbard.

Underlying Will and Cady’s friendship is a strong attraction for one another. Cady is soon basking in the attention that Will showers on her and their relationship is becoming more and more intimate. Cady does not want to hurt either Neil or Will, but she is unable to walk away from what she has found with Will.

Michelle Garren Flye does not hesitate to tackle some pretty uncomfortable subjects in Ducks in a Row. This well-written and thought-provoking novel provides a realistic look into how two people who love one another can find themselves on the verge of losing everything when they stop communicating and begin taking each other for granted.

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Filed under Contemporary, Ducks in a Row, Michelle Garren Flye, Rated B, Review, Romance

Where the Heart Lies by Michelle Garren Flye

Title: Where the Heart Lies by Michelle Garren Flye
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 87,000 words
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

All widowed Alicia Galloway has left of her war-hero husband are the flag that draped his coffin and his final wishes: to move to his hometown, take over the family bookstore and enjoy a simple, quiet life with their two small children. When she arrives, her husband’s best friend makes that new life anything but simple. How can she be so drawn to Liam Addison?

Liam only intended to help Alicia get settled. But one unexpected kiss awakens his long-held forbidden feelings. Soon, the town busybodies swoop in to warn Alicia away from him. Because no matter the man he’s become, he’ll never live down his reputation as town troublemaker and wolfish womanizer.

No one wants the war hero’s sweet widow and the supposedly former bad boy together. But the more everyone tries to keep them apart, the closer he and Alicia get. And the more determined Liam is to prove he’s a changed man. Will it be enough to convince Alicia to let a new love in her life?

87,000 words

The Review:

Where the Heart Lies by Michelle Garren Flye is a beautiful and heartwarming novel that is quite compelling. Following her husband Ty’s death, Alicia Galloway’s transition to life in her husband’s hometown is hindered by the interference she encounters from concerned friends, neighbors and well meaning yet nosy people from her husband’s past. But the biggest complication for Alicia proves to be her growing feelings for the town’s resident bad boy and Ty’s best friend, Liam Addison.

Alicia Galloway is an incredibly well-grounded character that is impossible not to like. Strong in the face of all of the adversity facing her, she never feels sorry for herself. Alicia mourns the husband she has lost, feels regret for things said in the heat of anger yet she does not dwell on past mistakes. She has an amazing capacity for love and forgiveness. Her reactions to everything going on in her life are believable and I found it very easy to relate to her and everything she was experiencing.

Liam Addison is a fabulous but flawed protagonist. I like how laidback and easy going he is despite the town’s inability to let go of long ago events. Liam easily handles whatever life throws his way and never lets the negativity bring him down. He is matter of fact about his struggle with alcoholism and I thought that this part of the storyline was very realistic. Charming and affable, he is very easy to like and I was definitely in his corner throughout the book.

A couple of secondary cast members play a key role in how the storyline plays out. Penny Turner is one of both Ty and Liam’s ex-girlfriends and she is quick to befriend Alicia. She is firmly against Alicia becoming romantically involved with Liam and her motives for keeping them apart are unclear for much of Where the Heart Lies. I definitely had a love/hate relationship with her character. On the other hand, I absolutely adored Lulu Banks. Supportive and caring, she is fairly unbiased when it comes to Liam and she is a terrific friend for Alicia.

A lovely contemporary romance with a few unexpected twists and turns,Where the Heart Lies by Michelle Garren Flye is an engaging novel with charming and likable characters. I enjoyed watching Alicia and Liam give their love the chance to blossom despite the odds against them. I highly recommend this fast paced and engrossing romance.

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Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Michelle Garren Flye, Rated B, Romance, Where the Heart Lies