Bluff by Lenore Skomal Blog Tour and Giveaway

To the medical world, I was a host body, surviving only to bring a new life into the world. And while I wanted to die more than anything in the world, I never wanted this. No, I never wanted to cease to exist. This was the worst death of all.”

Jude Black lives in that in-between, twilight place teetering on death but clinging to life in order to bring her baby into this world. Only she knows the circumstances surrounding her mysterious fall off the bluff that landed her in the hospital being kept alive by medical intervention. Only she knows who the father of her baby is. In this poignantly crafted literary novel, the mystery unfolds and the suspense builds as the consequences of Jude’s decisions threaten to reveal everyone’s deceptions, even her own.

BLUFF offers a sensitive look at essential questions such as the value of human life, the consciousness of those in a coma and the morality of terminating life support. At the core is the story of a tragically misunderstood woman who finds peace, acceptance, understanding and even love on her deathbed.

4 Stars, 3 Flames


I haven't read an introspective book like Bluff before. I usually read light and easy romances, but the blurb hooked me, and I decided to give Bluff a chance. I'm glad I did. Skomal weaves the lives of her characters around Jude, a middle aged woman who falls from a cliff, under mysterious circumstances, and though severely injured, survives. Unfortunately, to stay alive she must be kept under a medically induced coma, otherwise she, and the baby she carries, will die. Through back story and multiple character voices, Skomal reveals how secrets affect the dynamics of a relationship and ripples outward, touching all aspects of our lives.

Usually its confusing when an author uses more than one voice to tell the story, but it actually made for a more engaging read. Every character brought a different perspective to the table, and each had their own story to add to the whole picture. Its like a finely woven spider web, with Jude in the middle. Frances, Jude's best (and only) friend, is devastated when she hears of Jude's accident. Frances is the good girl. Outwardly her life seems perfect, loving husband, nice home, expensive car, etc. But inwardly she is jealous of her friend's pregnancy, as she and her husband are unable to have children. I liked following the twist and turns of their lives and discovering how everything ties in at the end. I also liked how the whole book wasn't just about the coma, and what would happen to Jude once the baby was born. Don't get me wrong, this is the main issue of the book, but you're so busy wondering what will be revealed about each character on the next page, that you forget what event the book is leading you to. Bluff is not a depressing book, as you might think it would be when you hear about a pregnant woman in a coma, but it really isn't. Its the kind of book that reminds you of the little things in life, and how they can bring happiness to the whole. I enjoyed reading Bluff, though the ending was not what I was expecting. I am curious to know where the story will lead in the next book in the series, and I hate that I have to wait! 

 

 Novel Publicity Blog Tour Notes

Wanna win a $50 gift card or an autographed copy of Bluff?

1. Leave a comment on my blog. One random commenter during this tour will win a
   $50 gift card. For the full list of participating blogs, visit the official Bluff tour page.
2. Enter the Rafflecopter contest! I've posted the contest form below, or you can enter
   on the tour page linked above.

About the author: Lenore Skomal wants you to eat her books. Her passionate desire is to touch your heart, inspire you, and luxuriate in the world of the written word. She is an award-winning author with the single goal of resonating with others. Winner of multiple awards for blogging, literature, biography and humor, her catalogue spans many genres. With 30 years of writing experience, 18 books published, a daily blog and weekly newspaper column, the consistent themes in her work are the big issues of the human experience and adding depth and voice to the intricacies involved in living a multi-dimensional existence. She has won many Society of Professional Journalist awards, the Whidbey Island Writer's Conference honorable mention for best fiction, Writer's Digest 73rd Annual Fiction Contest, New York Public Library's Best Books for Teens 2003, and most recently, the 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Award for humor for “Burnt Toast.,” her first anthology of her award winning humor columns. From journalism, to literary fiction, to humor and biography, her writing is consistent, if not in genre, then in message.

Connect with Lenore on her website, Facebook, GoodReads,
or Twitter.

Get Bluff on Amazon.

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