Liz Borino’s Secrets In The Air Cover Reveal

I am super excited to be doing a cover reveal for Liz Borino. I’m a big fan of her work and have read all of her books so far. I also had the pleasure of meeting her for lunch last summer so I know how awesome she is in person. But this cover. I just know you’re going to love it as much as I do! Below the cover you can read all about the book and an amazing excerpt. Without further ado, I give you Secrets In The Air by Liz Borino.

Blurb:
Wealthy family…
Childhood tragedy…
A love defying all odds…
Secrets in the Air
Flying is in Rhett O’Neil’s blood. And nothing makes this pilot fly higher than wrapping himself in his husband Kaden’s arms. He’s thrilled when his grandfather entrusts him with O’Neil Airways, the family’s charter airplane business. With a mix of humanitarian and corporate clients, Rhett plans a bright future where his success improves the world.
Elise, Rhett’s mother, begins offering advice to “help” her son through the transition into increased responsibility. Kaden is the first to become suspicious of her intentions As evidence surfaces that her words are escalating into devastating actions, the truth comes out about the death of Rhett’s sister, Annabelle. Kaden has to race to protect his husband and himself from the consequences of the Secrets in the Air before it’s too late.

Excerpt:
Rhett dashed to the study, knocked once and opened the slightly ajar door. “Are you going insane, Pop?”

Donald O’Neil sat up, raised his eyebrow and grinned. “Unfortunately, not yet.” He gestured Rhett in the study, which was covered by model planes and pictures of his grandfather posing with the greats of aviation. Rhett was included in quite a few of those, as well. Yet in every one, he stared admiringly at his grandfather, as opposed to the celebrity sharing the shot.

“Unfortunately?” Rhett asked.

“Yes, Everett, sanity can be so taxing in one’s old age. I believe dementia is a self-defense mechanism so we aren’t forced to watch history repeat itself yet again, while no one heeds our warning,”  his grandfather said. “How’d the flight go?”

Rhett shrugged. “No real problems. I’m sure you checked the stats before asking, so you’re well-aware.”

Don’s laugh turned to a cough, which he calmed with a few sips of water. “Don’t smoke.”

“You can stop, you know.”

“And you can get rid of the bike, but we all have our vices. I’m old. I deserve to keep mine until it kills me.” Don removed his reading glasses and sat back in his chair. “Which is sort of what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Smoking?”

“No. Dying.”

Rhett’s jaw dropped and his forehead moistened. “You’re… What’s wrong?”

Don waved him off. “Nothing’s wrong. Not that I know of, anyway. I am seventy-seven, and don’t intend to live forever. Actually, I would love to die before asshole politicians run this country further into the ground. But not yet.”

“Pop,” Rhett started, raising his hand, “can you please get to the point?” He loved his grandfather, but he could not handle a rant about the government today.

“When did you get so impatient?” his grandfather demanded.

“When I have dinner and a husband at home waiting for me,” he answered.

“Your marriage is good then? You take care of each other?”

Rhett blinked, trying to follow the train of thought. His grandfather, while always supportive, never pried into his love life. “Yes.”

Don nodded. “I knew you would since you first brought him home.” The man’s voice had faded out again. After releasing a breath, he met Rhett’s eyes. “Your family, even if that’s only you and your spouse, is the most important part of a happy life. I’m ensuring you have that before we continue this conversation. So, one more time, do you and Kaden have a strong relationship?”

“Yes.” Rhett always felt bad that he would never give his grandfather heirs, but regardless of how many times he and Kaden discussed it, children weren’t for them.

“That’s what I thought.” Don slid a paper across the desk to Rhett. “What I’m discussing will not make your mother happy. You need to be prepared for that.”

“Yeah, well, she made her choices.” Like to move to California with my father after they released the asshole from prison. Rhett, at fifteen, had refused to move with them, and Pop adopted him. One of the best days of Rhett’s life was when he took his grandfather’s last name, shedding the otherwise permanent tie to the man who donated his sperm to fertilize his mother’s egg.

Don sighed again. “I wish you’d make peace with her.”

“I have. Mom and I are fine as long as she doesn’t make reference to the donor. If I don’t have to hear about him, I can pretend she divorced him like she should have. Now, Pop, what isn’t going to make her happy?” Rhett tried to keep his exasperation at bay as he picked at the hummus and pita bread.

“I will get there.”

Thought you wanted to die before the politicians ruined the country? Rhett nodded instead of voicing his thoughts. He’d have to find a way to make the delay up to Kaden later.

“You’re doing a fantastic job with taking on a leadership role in the company. I can tell you love it.”

The corners of Rhett’s mouth lifted. “You knew I would. I’ve worked for you since I was twelve.”

“I knew you loved flying, but that isn’t the same as leading. You’ve gained respect by taking responsibility of all parts of the business,” Don continued.

“That’s how you make sure it’s done right,” Rhett repeated the words his grandfather had told him throughout his childhood.

Don nodded again, wearing a smile of his own. “Everett, there’s something that I haven’t shared with you yet. The company doesn’t just provide flights to wealthy people. We also work with the FBI.”

Rhett snapped his gaze back to his grandfather’s. “You do what? Aren’t they the same people ruining your beloved country?”

“No, I refuse to do business with stupid people. The company assists the rescue division of the FBI, particularly human trafficking cases,” Don explained.

“Are you qualified to help with that?” Rhett asked.

“I’m qualified to fly a plane and keep my mouth shut. The FBI has grown to rely on me, but, the truth is, I’m not as young as I used to be. Is this something you would be willing to do occasionally?”

Though not sure exactly what he was agreeing to, Rhett nodded.

“Perfect. Now for the part that’ll make your mother unhappy. I’m retiring, and I would like to give you part of your inheritance early, which means in the next few weeks, I’ll draw up the paperwork so you and  I will share all the assets of the company, in addition to about twenty-five percent of the money I have set aside for you.”

“Thank you, but… why?” Rhett’s head spun at the thought. His grandfather had already provided him with a trust fund that he used to put himself through school and buy Betsy. He finally glanced down at the paper. Twenty-five percent of his inheritance amounted to forty-five million dollars.

“Because you’re responsible. I trust you and I’d like to keep the wealth, especially the business, in the family.” His grandfather handed him a signed a check.

About Liz:
Liz Borino transcribes the world inside her head onto the page, and shares it with the people who are stuck in the “real world” to makes their lives a little more interesting. Because in her world, heroes fall and stand up again with the help of their partners and friends. Liz’s world is littered with formidable obstacles, which her heroes overcome with a fire of courage and passion. The beauty of love between two men is celebrated. Who wouldn’t want to live there?

When not with her heroes, Liz enjoys exploring cities, working toward social justice, and editing for other authors. Liz is less than three months from obtaining her Masters’ degree in English and published nine books since 2010.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liz.borino.1