Sleight of Hand Series by Reese Galloway Blog Tour

Private Performance

Ellaine Greene has simple desires. She just wants to do her best as the event coordinator for the local aquarium, to support environmental conservation efforts, and to keep immature man-children out of her life.

So when a major donor to the aquarium demands Ellaine find a magician for her granddaughter's birthday party, all she can imagine is a long line of card chuckers and coin flippers wearing cheesy sequined vests.

Instead, she gets Xander Hollatz, a sophisticated, powerful man in a crisp suit, with nimble fingers and a warm smile.

He's the man for the job, no doubt. And, to her surprise, she realizes he might be the man for her, too. Will she let her doubts get in the way of their feelings for each other?

And when everything goes wrong at the birthday party, will he be able to perform a miracle to save the day?

Sleight of Hand #1: Private Performance is a 17,000-word novella, introducing readers to Ellaine and Xander's passionate and tender romance, to the fascinating wildlife inhabiting the aquarium, and to the mysterious world of professional magicians.

Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
A short, fun read. Ellaine works at the local aquarium, in charge of hosting events and keeping the patrons happy. When Mrs. Armstrong requests a magician for her granddaughter's birthday party, Ellaine has no choice but to put aside her biases against magicians and find a new employee for the aquarium.

Enter Xander Hollatz. Xander used to perform worldwide and Ellaine can't fathom why he's interested in this birthday or herself. Or is he?

Ellaine can't get Xander off her mind or out of her dreams.

I'm anxious to read the second installment in this series.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a short story that prepares you for the second book in the series. I thought it was a fun fast read that gave me a different outlook on magic. I love that Ellaine works at an aquarium as aquariums are near and dear to my heart. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

Characters: The characters were well written and believable.
Sex: Yes
Religious: Religion is a big part of one of the character’s past
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Yes
Genre: Romance
Would I read more by this author: Yes


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a cute novella which introduces us to two damaged souls, who meet at the Oklahoma Aquarium. She is the events organiser, and he is a one time famous magician. Thus starts a fascinating mix of two very different interests - magic and protection of the environment. Yet it works as seamlessly as their chemistry draws them together. Ellaine has been brought up in a strict Christian family, and still struggles to free herself from her mind's judgments. Xander, who has to be very high on the perfect man scale, is amazingly patient and caring.

Moved straight onto book 2 - Repeat Performance

Repeat Performance

Ellaine Greene has a new man in her life, the famous magician Xander Hollatz. He's ripped, kind, and mysterious -- nothing like her ex-husband. He has even volunteered to perform at her aquarium's annual fundraising gala. But she's still having trouble leaving the past behind, especially when her ex shows up to beg for money.

Before the new couple knows it, someone's trying to break into Xander's mansion to steal the secrets of his many famous illusions. Ellaine's ex becomes their prime suspect. But maybe it's actually the up-and-coming street magician they've befriended. Or maybe it's even someone from Xander's mysterious past.

Whoever the thief is, if he uncovers and reveals the secret of Xander's newest illusion for the fundraiser, the event will be a disaster. Ellaine may lose her job.

And there's a still greater question: Is this feeling they share together just lust -- or is it something more?

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
There is so much going on in this book. Ellaine is having second thoughts about having a relationship with Xander because she was taught "good girls" didn't have sex outside of marriage. Remnants of her fundamentalist upbringing weigh heavy on her heart and mind after their encounter in the aquarium. Vowing to nip this in the bud, she meets with Xander and after a romantic encounter in her office, she tells him that she can't be with him.

Feelings that run this hot and fast can't be ignored and Ellaine and Xander begin dating. All sorts of odd things begin to happen: Ellaine's ex shows up unexpectedly, someone tries to break into Xander's house and an old rival of Xander's makes his presence known.

I wish the ending would have been a little more fleshed out but all in all, I enjoyed the book.


Angie – ☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series and the first needs to be read in order to get the full effect. I really enjoyed the first book and had high hopes coming into the second book but somewhere along the line I just lost the good vibe. I felt like the connection the characters had in the first book was lost and then so much happened in this book it just seemed like the author had so many ideas and just threw them all in at once. Ellaine and her back and forth feelings were starting to get on my nerves too. I think the ending could have been a little better, Xander expressed something big and important and then two sentences later the epilogue was over. It was an okay book that had the potential to be so much better.

Characters: The characters were well written and believable.
Sex: Yes
Religious: religion is a big part of one of the character’s past
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Yes
Genre: Romance
Would I read more by this author: Yes


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This follows on directly from Private Performance, which you should read first.

I really enjoyed how the story developed. It is always good when the background spills out naturally, and that is definitely how it felt here. The relationship between Xander and Ellaine develops in a very satisfying way. I loved that Ellaine was worried about him seeing her messy flat. I liked that we got some new characters to support Xander, so that we could see how seriously he took his magic. As the story unfolds, it gives layers of plot and interest: the problems that Kaylee experiences with her mother; Brissa's frustration at Xander, Josiah's acceptance of Ellaine's explanation.

Lovely read that left me warm and contented.

Reese Galloway loves great magic tricks, animals and bars of fancy soaps. Actually, his soap obsession is getting a little out of control.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Private Performance (Sleight of Hand #1) and Repeat Performance (Sleight of Hand #2) by Reese Galloway to read and review for this tour.