Title: Sight Unseen by Susan Mac Nicol with Nicholas Downs
Author: Susan Mac Nicol
Genre: M/M Romance
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
Release Date: January 26, 2017
GoodReadsA Collaborative project with L.A. producer and Hollywood Actor Nicholas Downs & International Bestselling Author Susan Mac Nicol
Based on an idea from L.A. producer and actor, Nicholas Downs, Susan and Nicholas have developed a story straight from the heart.
In a gripping tale of lovers fighting against the odds comes a story of universal appeal about rejection and acceptance and finally finding what is real and true.
How did this book come to be?
Nicholas and Susan got to know each other when she interviewed him for Divine Magazine . They kept in touch and Susan was thrilled when she learnt he was reading her books. In February this year, Nicholas messaged Susan and asked her to read a script he’d written. It sounded like something she’d love so of course she did. Things evolved to the point where they decided to collaborate to write a full story based on the film script, and then develop a screen play together with a view to getting it to screen.
Susan’s part in this project is to write the book, get it out there, and then help write the screen play. Nicholas, with his LA and Hollywood connections is the go to guy to see if they can get this book made into film. It’s an exciting, heady venture that the pair have embarked on, and they are thrilled that you might choose to share the journey with them.
https://youtu.be/GKbPFB1veKc
How writing changed my life
There's no doubt about it. Writing has changed my life. In June 2012 I was a wannabe writer, waiting to see whether a book I'd submitted to a publisher named Boroughs Publishing Group was going to go anywhere.
Well, we all know how that turned out. Luckily, they saw the story beneath the inexperience of the first time writer and finally, in August 2012, my first book (M/F) , 'Cassandra by Starlight' was published. It was the start of a journey I was embarking on with absolutely no clue where it was going to lead.
Of course, having a published book meant I had to try and get people to read it. And honestly? I'd always been scathing about the uses and effects of social media, thinking that things like Facebook, Twitter and Google + were the scourge of the planet and only moody teenagers and perverts lurked in their depths. Boy. Did I have a lot to learn. I found myself doing crash courses on social networking, talking to kids far younger than I about how the hell it all worked. It was sobering to find out I knew absolutely nothing about the big, wide world out there and that in fact, social networking wasn't really that bad.
I learnt, I lurked, I queried, I pestered and tried to absorb what other people knew into my own brain. And this is where my first deep, dark confession comes to bear - I found I was starting to enjoy it. I liked making friends on Facebook, seeing what they were working on and hearing what they thought of the writing and publishing industry into which I'd been catapulted. I enjoyed seeing people follow me on Twitter, seeing the numbers grow and realising people liked what I was saying. I found a sense of satisfaction in writing guest posts for people's blogs, answering questions in author interviews and being show cased by people who certainly were doyens of the industry.
It made me feel a part of something that I never thought I could be part of. I'd had dreams of becoming a published author since I was a child and won a school competition with a silly story called 'The Green Menace.' When I got published my husband was over the moon for me as he knew just how much I'd dreamt of it. We've been together since we were in the final year of High School, (yes, a very long time!) so he knew of my hopes and aspirations in this regard. I developed my social networking skills to a point where I, me! was being asked for advice, and delivering courses and advice to writing circles and fellow authors. I became a 'guru', finding new ways to do things and promote myself.
It's an incredible feeling, being able to indulge in a passion like writing and getting paid for it -finally. I made the decision early in 2013 to write in a specific genre, one I'd been introduced to while doing research for another book, and this turned out to be the best decision I could have made. My first M/M Romance, 'Stripped Bare' became a best seller, garnered some great reviews and made me feel I was part of a family that is in itself diverse, quirky and downright supportive.
I've met psychologists, fellow writers, struck up online friendships with some of my reading crushes like Harper Fox, and Cody Kennedy, been interviewed by local newspapers, appeared on radio shows, stayed in a circus, visited a lighthouse, become Editor for a great magazine, trustee for a charity, attended festivals and writing workshops, and been able to indulge my passion for making men fall in love, and have sex with one another. It’s been a blast and I wouldn’t change a thing. 
Blurb/Synopsis:
Sometimes we don’t see love coming ♡
Tragedy brings together a reserved but brilliant sculptor and an outgoing gallery owner, friends whose love was sidetracked but was always meant to be deeper.
BLINDSIDED
SoCal natives, Nate and Cody have been friends since childhood. Both knew they were different—and the same. At seventeen, a stolen weekend in the Florida Keys drove their connection deeper and hotter than either could imagine. They were meant to be together. Then, for reasons only Nate knows, suddenly they weren’t.
They’re still friends. Best friends. But they’ve moved on and found other partners. The yearning remains, however, despite the long-ago secret that drove them apart, when tragedy strikes, both men find themselves in the dark. They must grope their way back to who and what they are…which they will find in each other’s arms. Sometimes, losing one’s sight can open one’s eyes—and heart.
Book Links
Susan Mac Nicol is going to the States in 2017, from 22nd to 30th March
Would you love to meet International Bestselling Author Susan Mac Nicol & L.A. producer and Hollywood Actor Nicholas Downs? Nows your chance!!
It’s a dream come true for Sue.
She’ll be signing Sight Unseen with Boroughs Publishing Group and actor Nicholas Downs at this conference from 24-26th March. If you’re interested in attending this signing, either as an author or a reader, here’s the link.
The 2017 conference will be at: Embassy Suites in Brea, California.
Address: 900 E Birch St, Brea, CA 92821
There will also be a very special signing event at The Abbey on the 23rd March. The Abbey is an iconic gay club in West Hollywood. Nicholas and Sue will be there to enjoy the evening, meet fans of both their genres in film and publishing and be available to sign books, chat and have some fun. If you’re in the area, please pop down and see them, they’d no doubt love to see you.
**** Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from Divine Promotions and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I will leave my Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". *****
4-4.5 Stars!!!
After tragedy strikes and Nate loses his sight, he
realizes that what, or rather who he’s needed all along is right in front of
him and always has been, ready to help him get through this very difficult time
in his life.
I loved Cody and Nate! Nate was so strong and I adored seeing his progression as he settled into his new life with the help of his
friends. It wasn’t easy for him to adapt, especially at first and he was
understandably frustrated a lot of the time, but it was undeniable that he was a
very determined man. Cody was my favorite, though, and my heart broke for how
he’d carried a torch for Nate all those years and how ready he was to drop
everything to help him get back on his feet, despite the way Nate broke things off
with him. Yes, Nate had his reasons and they were valid, especially considering
their age back when they got together the first time, but I wanted to shake him
up a bit because of how much he hurt Cody. I loved that they took things slowly
the second time around, mostly because Cody didn’t want to risk being hurt
again, and that they were just so perfect for each other, their connection and the
chemistry between them was off the charts!
I’m a bit torn on how to rate this book, because while
I loved most of it, there were a few things that didn’t quite work for me, but
didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the story:
- The whole deal with Jon, Nate’s boyfriend.
- I would have liked to see more of Cody’s parents than them just being mentioned here and there.
- Nate’s parents, especially his father, being so unnecessary evil. The last bit was a bit too much, in my opinion.
- And I didn’t quite get why Nate needed the connection with them when they’d already proved to him over and over that they didn’t care about him. It made no sense to me.
All in all, Sight Unseen was a fantastic read. It was
obvious Ms. Mac Nicol and Mr. Downs did their homework and researched Nate’s
loss of sight and his rehabilitation extensively and wrote about it in a very
sensitive and relatable manner, giving us a very emotional account of all Nate
had to go through. The book was a very well-written second chance best-friends-to-lovers
romance, with lovable characters and an engaging plot that I found difficult to
put down until I finished it. Highly recommendable!
Excerpt
One of the best things about the week had been sharing our latest medical results and both having been given the all clear. With nothing between us, the sex was even more intense, if that was at all possible.
An hour ago, I’d walked into his beach house and been manhandled at the door. Cody had thrust his tongue halfway down my throat as he walked me backward to the sofa. It took mere seconds before I was lying flat, my trousers around my ankles while Cody straddled my body. Somehow, he’d gotten naked while I still had my shirt on.
My heated skin was all about the naked man on top of me whose hands were running down my flanks while his ass ghosted against my cock. My arms were pinioned to my sides by his strong legs, curtailing my mobility. The heady scent of his cock, frustratingly not close enough to touch with my lips, caused my mouth to water with the anticipation of getting it near enough to swallow down.
“Come on,” I wheedled. “No fair. For God’s sake, bring that cock here so I can taste you.”
He shuffled closer, and I opened my mouth. Instead of the velvety smooth skin of his erection, I found something sweet and wet being pushed into my mouth. Strawberries. I knew I’d smelled fruit. I closed my mouth around the juiciness of one large piece, chewing down on it, moaning a few seconds later when his mouth found mine.
The remains of the strawberry mixed with the taste of Cody was intoxicating. He placed another piece between my teeth, except this time it was his to swallow. I couldn’t say how many times we devoured the sweet fruit, or each other. The sensation that stayed with me was Cody’s sweating, lithe body, slick and smooth, hands rough when they touched me in places I ached to have him fill even more.
My brain short-circuited, and when he finally whispered to me that he was ready, I could only mumble in dazed obedience. When he lifted himself up, his hands on my shoulders, and lowered himself onto my hardened and aching cock, I wondered dimly whether this was what heaven would one day be for me.
To have the man I loved riding my cock with such passion and fervor, his pants and sighs a symphony to my senses. My own moans and entreaties tantamount to the clash of heavenly cymbals that made a love serenade, an orchestral movement in the sunshine; two men joined in that most intimate of acts, the soft whispers and touches against heated flesh that made the world dazzling and stupendous.
Being inside Cody was a climactic event that made me shudder. I wanted nothing more from this life. Not even my sight. And when I exploded inside him with a surge of lust and desire, knowing my come was flooding his most secret places, I made him mine in a way no one could ever question. I knew I’d found my heaven on earth.
I smelled and felt Cody’s orgasm as he jetted over me, coating me with his come and mashing his mouth against mine in a heady cocktail of strawberries and hope.
“Happy birthday, baby,” he whispered and I smiled.
Top 5 snacks
1. Biltong (a South African sort of jerky)
2. Droewors (a South African dried sausage)
3. Any type of crisps but my favourite is cheese and onion
4. A hot sausage roll
5. A bacon sandwich
2. Droewors (a South African dried sausage)
3. Any type of crisps but my favourite is cheese and onion
4. A hot sausage roll
5. A bacon sandwich
Giveaway
Grand Prize: E-book copy of Sight Unseen plus a $10 Amazon voucher . Opportunity for your name to be a character in Susan's next Men of London book, 'Survival Game' Second Prize: A $5.00 Amazon gift voucher/card
We're closing Susan's Blog Tour in style with a Facebook Party March 18
Connect with Susan & Nicholas
Susan Mac Nicol
Susan Mac Nicol is a self-confessed bookaholic, an avid watcher of videos of sexy pole dancing men, self-confessed geek and nerd and in love with her Smartphone. This little treasure is called ‘the boyfriend’ by her long suffering husband, who says if it vibrated, there’d be no need for him. Susan hasn’t had the heart to tell him there’s an app for that…
She is never happier than when sitting in the confines of her living room/study/on a cold station platform scribbling down words and making two men fall in love. She is a romantic at heart and believes that everything happens (for the most part) for a reason. She likes to think of herself as a ‘half full’ kinda gal, although sometimes that philosophy is sorely tested.
In an ideal world, Susan Mac Nicol would be Queen of England and banish all the bad people to the Never-Never Lands of Wherever -Who Cares. As that’s never going to happen, she contents herself with writing her HEA stories and pretending, that just for a little while, good things happen to good people.
Sue is also a PAN member of the Romance Writers of America and a member of their Rainbow chapter as well as a member of the Romantic Novelists Association in the UK.
Nicholas Downs
Nicholas Downs is a successful film, television and stage actor, who has also appeared in many national television ads. Originally from a small town in Iowa, Nicholas is one of ten children. He fell in love with acting the moment he first discovered a stage and has been working on his craft ever since.
His feature film roles include both Hollywood blockbusters Pearl Harbor, The Girl Next Door, Constantine, The Holiday as well as award-winning indie features 16 to Life, The Awakening of Spring and Anderson’s Cross. Nicholas can be seen on hit television shows including NCIS: Los Angeles, Castle, Cold Case, Boston Public, The Young and the Restless, The Guardian, Make it or Break it and the recent Lifetime Movie, Beautiful and Twisted.
This has been a busy few years for Nicholas, who was cast in leading roles in the feature films, Is It Just Me? (winner of numerous festival awards) - and The Apocalypse… According to Doris. He has traveled internationally to promote Is It Just Me? and 16 to Life at several film festivals (Palm Springs International Film Festival, Polar Lights International Film Festival, Asheville Film Festival). In Detroit, Is It Just Me? won Best Feature at the DIFF and in Hawaii it won the prestigious Rainbow Award.
Nicholas website: http://www.nicholasdowns.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicholasDowns
Follow the Tour
| March 13 | Louise Lyons - A day in the life of Susan Mac Nicol | http://www.louiselyonsauthor.com |
| March 13 | RAM PA Group - 5 Things you didn't know about Sight Unseen | http://rampagroup.com/ |
| March 13 | Turningpagesatmidnight - Exclusive Excerpt | https://www.facebook.com/turningpagesatmidnight/ |
| March 14 | Yah gotta read this - 5 Top Ways to spend a weekend | http://yahgottareadthis.blogspot.ca/ |
| March 14 | Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents - Exclusive Excerpt | http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.blogspot.com |
| March 14 | MM Good Book Reviews - Work Life Balance | https://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/ |
| March 15 | Bookslaidbareboys - Exclusive Excerpt | http://www.Books-Laid-Bare-Boys.com |
| March 15 | Bonkers about books - Top 5 Must Read Books | http://felinewyvern.blogspot.co.uk |
| March 15 | My Fiction Nook - Exclusive Excerpt | http://myfictionnook.com |
| March 15 | Book Lovers 4Ever - Top 5 Music Artists | http://bl4ebookblog.blogspot.com/ |
| March 15 | Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books! - Bucket List | https://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.de/ |
| March 16 | Making it Happen - Exclusive Excerpt | http://moonangel23.blogspot.com |
| March 16 | velvetpanic - Top 5 Films | https://velvetpanic2.wordpress.com/blog/ |
| March 16 | Stories That Make You Smile - Exclusive Excerpt | http://authoraddisonalbright.com |
| March 16 | Happily Ever Chapter - Book Promo | https://www.facebook.com/happilyeverchapter |
| March 16 | EyesOnBooks' Next Favorite Reads - Exclusive Excerpt | http://eyesonbooks.com |
| March 16 | two chicks obsessed - Top 5 Favourite Authors | http://twochicksobsessed.com/ |
| March 16 | Evermore Books - 5 Things you should know about becoming a published Author | http://evermorebooks.weebly.com/blog |
| March 16 | Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews - Exclusive Excerpt | http://wickedfaeriesreviews.blogspot.com |
| March 17 | Whatever Floats Your Boat - Book Promo | https://www.facebook.com/Whatfloatsyourboat/ |
| March 17 | Bayou Book Junkie - How Writing Changed My Life | http://bayoubookjunkie.blogspot.com |
| March 17 | Love Bytes Reviews - Exclusive Excerpt | http://www.lovebytesreviews.com |
| March 17 | We Three Queens - 5 Things you didnt know about Susan Mac Nicol | https://man2mantastic.blogspot.com |
| March 17 | MJ's Book Blog and Reviews - Book Promo | https://www.facebook.com/MJsBookBlogandReviews/ |
| March 17 | Jessie G Books - Exclusive Excerpt | http://www.jessiegbooks.com/scatterbrain |
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Thank you so much for participating in the Sight Unseen Blog Tour ❤️
ReplyDeletehi susan and congrats...cant wait to read this story
ReplyDeleteThanks Jodi, I hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review and for your support as always ♥♥
ReplyDelete