Syrie James just revised, retitled, and rebranded two of her most popular romance novels as the Struck By Love series: FLOATING ON AIR and TWO WEEK DEAL. The books are set in the awesome 80s and are inspired by the early days of Syrie’s whirlwind romance with her late husband. More on that in Syrie’s new blog “7 Ways My Real-Life Romance Inspired FLOATING ON AIR.”
- Title: Floating on Air
- Author: Syrie James
- Publisher: CLA on October 21, 2021
- Genre: Romance
- Pages: 239
- Available Formats: Paperback & Digital
- Rating: 5/5
Trigger Warnings: Gender Discrimination
Many thanks to Syrie James for providing me with a digital copy of Floating on Air with a request for an honest review. Also thanks for providing the materials to build this post.
About Floating on Air
A siren called.
He answered.
A successful radio deejay embarks on a thrilling, long-distance love affair with a charismatic entrepreneur, a relationship that plays havoc with her carefully controlled life—and heart.
On a hot summer’s day in 1986, Southern California radio deejay Desiree Germain is hosting a contest on the air when she’s entranced by the deeply masculine voice of caller number twelve.
Voices never matched faces. Desiree knows that better than anyone. As KICK’s hottest radio host, she has a sultry voice that leads people to expect a tall, voluptuous bombshell. Petite in every sense of the word, she hardly lives up to that image.
To Desiree’s surprise, caller number twelve turns out to be Kyle Harrison, a handsome, wealthy businessman from Seattle. Kyle has come to claim his prize—and her heart.
They are soon involved in a whirlwind love affair that makes Desiree’s heart sing. Is it worth the risk? All the rules say that long-distance romance and radio don’t mix.
But a man who is answering a siren’s call doesn’t care about rules!
A Struck By Love Novel, Book One
Read as a stand-alone or enjoy the series!Previously published as Songbird.
Blurb Provided by Syrie James
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Order Floating on Air Now: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble
My Review of Floating on Air
Syrie James brings readers eighties nostalgia mixed with romance in Floating on Air. The angst rivals any teenage romance but with the flair and panache of the adult world.
Characters
I felt an instant kinship to Desiree. Her golden eyes remind me of my daughter. Her eyes are the exact shade of gold that James describes for Desiree. Desiree’s hate of her body made me sad, though. A petite brunette with golden eyes sounds like my ideal woman, and I am sure I’m not the only one. I’m not sure why a deep sultry voice needs to represent a tall blonde bombshell. When I hear a voice like that, blonde is never what comes to mind. But, when a bullied child grows up believing the ugly taunts, I understand the connection.
My first impression of Kyle was that he was a bit of a jerk. I never really took to Kyle because he was too overbearing. But, I have to give him kudos on his persistence in breaking through Desiree’s walls. Even though I didn’t care for Kyle’s character, his family won me over immediately. I adored his parents and siblings.
Setting
The Los Angeles setting made me warm all the way through while reading. I could feel the sun on my skin and smell the salty air. When Desiree and Kyle ate ice cream, I tasted every bite. The descriptions of Seattle brought on a cozy feeling. Kyle’s apartment is the epitome of eighties luxury. I didn’t feel at home there, but Desiree’s house full of antique furniture made me feel right at home. I also loved that Desiree was a slob. It made her even more endearing.
Further Thoughts
The eighties hold a bright spot in my life. Coming to age in the eighties led to memories that flooded my mind as I read along. Since Desiree is a radio DJ, music plays a big part in this novel. Music is my love language, so all the songs were a welcome addition. This novel also played homage to the different designs and vibes of the time.
Wrapping Up
I award Floating on Air a full 5 out of 5 stars. The romance leaves you wanting more, so I am excited that this is the first volume in a series. I’m looking forward to reading Two Week Deal next. If you enjoy strong romance and nostalgia, this novel is for you.
About the Author – Syrie James
“The queen of nineteenth century re-imaginings.”
Los Angeles Magazine
Syrie: pronounced like the App, but spelled better.
SYRIE JAMES is the author of thirteen critically acclaimed novels of historical fiction, romance, and young adult fiction that have been international, USA Today, and Amazon bestsellers and won numerous awards. Her books are published in more than twenty languages. A research and story structure maven, Syrie is committed to taking her characters on challenging journeys of growth and discovery.
Syrie’s novel The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen sold at auction to HarperCollins in a bidding war between three major publishing houses, became an instant bestseller, and was a Library Journal Editor’s Pick of the Year (starred review). Syrie explores Jane Austen’s real-life romance as a teenager in Jane Austen’s First Love, also a Library Journal Editor’s Pick. The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen (starred review, Kirkus) offers the ultimate Janeite fantasy: the discovery of a long-lost Jane Austen novel.
The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë won the Audiobook Audie Award and was named a Women’s National Book Association Great Group Read. Nocturne was an Amazon bestseller, Barnes and Noble’s Romantic Read of the Week, Best Novel of the Year by Suspense Magazine and Romance Reviews, and Bookbub’s Best Snowbound Romance.
Syrie’s contemporary romances Floating on Air and Two Week Deal, which she recently re-branded as the Struck By Love series, are set in the awesome 80s and are dear to her heart because they’re inspired by her real-life romance with her late husband.
Syrie’s interest in the paranormal inspired her romantic thriller Dracula, My Love and the young adult series Forbidden which she co-wrote with her son Ryan James. Syrie’s love of all things English led to a Victorian historical romance trilogy including the #1 Amazon bestsellers Duke Darcy’s Castle and Runaway Heiress.
A Writer’s Guild of America member, Syrie has sold scripts to film and television and adapted bestselling books to screen. Syrie’s work as a playwright has been produced off-Broadway in New York City as well as in California and Canada. A member of the Historical Novel Society of North America and the Jane Austen Society of North America, Syrie has addressed dozens of organizations, universities, and literary conferences across North America and in England.
Syrie lives in Los Angeles, where she is currently writing her next book.
Author’s Contact Links: Website | Facebook | Facebook 2 | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | BookBub
A Note From The Author
I hope you enjoy my Struck By Love novels as much as I enjoyed writing them! To keep up with my book news and blog posts, please visit my website, sign up for my newsletter, and follow my blog! I blog about the inspiration for my books, all kinds of historical topics of interest, and I post reviews of my favorite books. For a fun blast from the past, check out my blog “8 Things I Love About the 80s!”
