For aerialist, Cary Stilwell, aside from performing forty feet in the air, life holds little comfort until he meets Rhys McIntyre, who punctures all of Cary’s defenses.
I enjoyed this book because it lets you see a different kind of love. Good content and good plot, although it does leave some questions unanswered.
Author
taniaogden66
3 years ago
I loved the story and loved Susan Mac Nicole the style of writing. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters. I loved the spice and interactions that Cary and Rhys had. Cary was working in the circus and Rhys decided to join the attraction for each other was instant.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author
jennjill14
3 years ago
Tough subject matter, but a happily ever after none the less
Wow, this one just starts out intense, and never lets up! Cary is a tough nut to crack (and for good reason), but I was particularly impressed with Rhys’ tenacity. There’s so seriously dark subject matter, so those with applicable triggers be warned, but all’s well because it ends well. Great heart-wrenching read!
Author
amy
3 years ago
Brilliant. So emotionally connecting. I was riveted and couldn’t put this down. I felt all the emotions run through the pages and the angst and horror Cary felt. It was heartbreaking and moving. I loved how it wasn’t a quick fix and all is perfect at the end. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author
penny
3 years ago
This book had it all. Laughing, crying, anger & love. Such a well written story. It is sad but part of everyday life what some people go through. I love that this book didn’t gloss over anything. It was real!! Loved it. Can’t wait to find more.
Author
merissa
3 years ago
Living on Air is a beautiful yet dark story. It tells of Cary, who went through something so horrific it still affects him to this day. And then we have Rhys, who has lived in war zones and seen the darker side of life for himself. When these two meet, there is an implosion that will affect both of their lives.
This was my first book by Susan Mac Nicol, and it definitely won’t be my last. The story was woven with intricate details – enough so you can feel sympathy for the characters, or live vicariously through their triumphs – but without going into too much detail that it becomes gratuitous.
I will say that Rhys deserves a medal for putting up with Cary’s moods, but I can also see why he would. The attraction is there, that pull you can’t ignore, even if you want to. Rhys and Cary do make an excellent couple, but you are kept on tenterhooks.
The story flows exceedingly well, and the scenes transition from one to the next without disruption. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the characters were all vivid enough to jump out of the pages.
I will say one thing – Cary may not be the crying type, but I certainly am. I had to re-read the last few chapters as the words kept blurring in front of me!
Absolutely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
Author
trio
3 years ago
NOTE: See author’s notes for additional content warnings.
Living On Air is my first experience with the writing of Susan Mac Nicol and I’ve got to say, I’m hooked! Looking into this fascinating author just got me more intrigued and I can’t wait to discover more. This book is a winner, with amazing characters and a captivating story which flows so perfectly that I couldn’t put it down.
There are some tough subjects and intense emotions in Living On Air, though the overall mood is hopeful. As the main story progresses it is interspersed with light and intimate moments which kept me focused on a happy outcome for these characters.
One of the most enjoyable parts of Living On Air is the unique and colorful cast of characters. I love the way the circus folk interact, and all the subplots would make a novel I’d enjoy all on its own. Susan Mac Nicol’s descriptions of circus life are so vivid I could just imagine what life with this small, close-knit group of people would be like. As the story flows along and the characters reveal more about themselves we see so deeply into their hearts, which are flawed and complex and interesting.
Twenty-three years ago ten-year-old Christopher Spencer escaped a gruesome and horrific event and thankfully found a home with the Trazellas Circus. Assuming a new name, Cary Stilwell immerses himself in the therapeutic relief that “focusing on the silks” provides. Even though life in the circus is a diversion from his traumatic memories, the most effective way he’s found of coping is through self-harming.
Despite his fear of clowns, charming and vivacious photographer Rhys McIntyre is intrigued by the opportunity to chronicle circus life as his next assignment. Rhys has ghosts of his own, between his traumatic experiences as a photojournalist in war zones and the heartbreaking death of his lover, he welcomes this chance to surround himself with good things for awhile.
The attraction is palpable every time these two men interact, and even though Cary tries to push him away with his best acerbic persona, Rhys can’t resist Cary’s beauty and vows to heal his damaged soul.
Rhys is so charming, between his adorable Scottish accent and mannerisms he gradually works his way into Cary’s life. When Cary’s desperate need for love wins out, he realizes if he wants a new life he must face his demons and make things right.
Susan Mac Nicol does a beautiful job with the alternating points-of-view in Living On Air. I love seeing each man experience the same event and how it affects them. There are some huge reveals and seeing Rhys ponder how it will affect Cary, and then seeing it all through Cary’s eyes…it’s just marvelous!
Living On Air is a beautiful and hopeful romance and well worth the emotional roller coaster this book will take you on. Rhys drawing Cary out of his shell and bringing him into the present, and Cary’s journey to face his demons just wrung me dry; and I can’t wait to let Susan Mac Nicol do it to me all over again.
Author
lorintapi
3 years ago
This book has some very intense moments that are hard to read. Not that that is a criticism far from it, it’s just part of the story and makes it that much more intense. The back story of abuse is awful, again, making the rest more passionate yet a difficult subject to tackle. As with the other works of this author the subject matter is gritty and the story is good. The characters give life to the storyline and you can’t help but feel connected with this emotional journey.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author
joscelyn
3 years ago
This was an emotional journey for Cary and Rhys, Cary has been emotionally frozen because of his horrific childhood and Rhys comes along to creep inside the walls he has put up between himself and the world. I really enjoyed their slow-burn journey to finding love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this book because it lets you see a different kind of love. Good content and good plot, although it does leave some questions unanswered.
I loved the story and loved Susan Mac Nicole the style of writing. I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters. I loved the spice and interactions that Cary and Rhys had. Cary was working in the circus and Rhys decided to join the attraction for each other was instant.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Tough subject matter, but a happily ever after none the less
Wow, this one just starts out intense, and never lets up! Cary is a tough nut to crack (and for good reason), but I was particularly impressed with Rhys’ tenacity. There’s so seriously dark subject matter, so those with applicable triggers be warned, but all’s well because it ends well. Great heart-wrenching read!
Brilliant. So emotionally connecting. I was riveted and couldn’t put this down. I felt all the emotions run through the pages and the angst and horror Cary felt. It was heartbreaking and moving. I loved how it wasn’t a quick fix and all is perfect at the end. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book had it all. Laughing, crying, anger & love. Such a well written story. It is sad but part of everyday life what some people go through. I love that this book didn’t gloss over anything. It was real!! Loved it. Can’t wait to find more.
Living on Air is a beautiful yet dark story. It tells of Cary, who went through something so horrific it still affects him to this day. And then we have Rhys, who has lived in war zones and seen the darker side of life for himself. When these two meet, there is an implosion that will affect both of their lives.
This was my first book by Susan Mac Nicol, and it definitely won’t be my last. The story was woven with intricate details – enough so you can feel sympathy for the characters, or live vicariously through their triumphs – but without going into too much detail that it becomes gratuitous.
I will say that Rhys deserves a medal for putting up with Cary’s moods, but I can also see why he would. The attraction is there, that pull you can’t ignore, even if you want to. Rhys and Cary do make an excellent couple, but you are kept on tenterhooks.
The story flows exceedingly well, and the scenes transition from one to the next without disruption. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the characters were all vivid enough to jump out of the pages.
I will say one thing – Cary may not be the crying type, but I certainly am. I had to re-read the last few chapters as the words kept blurring in front of me!
Absolutely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
NOTE: See author’s notes for additional content warnings.
Living On Air is my first experience with the writing of Susan Mac Nicol and I’ve got to say, I’m hooked! Looking into this fascinating author just got me more intrigued and I can’t wait to discover more. This book is a winner, with amazing characters and a captivating story which flows so perfectly that I couldn’t put it down.
There are some tough subjects and intense emotions in Living On Air, though the overall mood is hopeful. As the main story progresses it is interspersed with light and intimate moments which kept me focused on a happy outcome for these characters.
One of the most enjoyable parts of Living On Air is the unique and colorful cast of characters. I love the way the circus folk interact, and all the subplots would make a novel I’d enjoy all on its own. Susan Mac Nicol’s descriptions of circus life are so vivid I could just imagine what life with this small, close-knit group of people would be like. As the story flows along and the characters reveal more about themselves we see so deeply into their hearts, which are flawed and complex and interesting.
Twenty-three years ago ten-year-old Christopher Spencer escaped a gruesome and horrific event and thankfully found a home with the Trazellas Circus. Assuming a new name, Cary Stilwell immerses himself in the therapeutic relief that “focusing on the silks” provides. Even though life in the circus is a diversion from his traumatic memories, the most effective way he’s found of coping is through self-harming.
Despite his fear of clowns, charming and vivacious photographer Rhys McIntyre is intrigued by the opportunity to chronicle circus life as his next assignment. Rhys has ghosts of his own, between his traumatic experiences as a photojournalist in war zones and the heartbreaking death of his lover, he welcomes this chance to surround himself with good things for awhile.
The attraction is palpable every time these two men interact, and even though Cary tries to push him away with his best acerbic persona, Rhys can’t resist Cary’s beauty and vows to heal his damaged soul.
Rhys is so charming, between his adorable Scottish accent and mannerisms he gradually works his way into Cary’s life. When Cary’s desperate need for love wins out, he realizes if he wants a new life he must face his demons and make things right.
Susan Mac Nicol does a beautiful job with the alternating points-of-view in Living On Air. I love seeing each man experience the same event and how it affects them. There are some huge reveals and seeing Rhys ponder how it will affect Cary, and then seeing it all through Cary’s eyes…it’s just marvelous!
Living On Air is a beautiful and hopeful romance and well worth the emotional roller coaster this book will take you on. Rhys drawing Cary out of his shell and bringing him into the present, and Cary’s journey to face his demons just wrung me dry; and I can’t wait to let Susan Mac Nicol do it to me all over again.
This book has some very intense moments that are hard to read. Not that that is a criticism far from it, it’s just part of the story and makes it that much more intense. The back story of abuse is awful, again, making the rest more passionate yet a difficult subject to tackle. As with the other works of this author the subject matter is gritty and the story is good. The characters give life to the storyline and you can’t help but feel connected with this emotional journey.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an emotional journey for Cary and Rhys, Cary has been emotionally frozen because of his horrific childhood and Rhys comes along to creep inside the walls he has put up between himself and the world. I really enjoyed their slow-burn journey to finding love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.