We're
very excited to welcome E.K. Blair to the blog today. Her Fading series
is a big hit with our Crista and Falling, the conclusion to the series,
was another 5 star read for her. So, check out the blurb, Crista's fabulous review, the excerpt of Falling and enter to win autographed copies as well as ecopies of Falling and a $50 GC for the first winner. Good Luck!
What it's about
Sometimes
it takes someone else to show us what we are truly capable of becoming.
Suffering from years of violent abuse, Ryan Campbell has learned how to keep people from getting too close. But when you shut yourself off, people get hurt along the way. Never caring much about others, Ryan creates a world in which he doesn’t have to feel.
When Ryan meets Candace Parker, all of his walls slowly begin to crumble. Not sure of the truth of who she is, he feels his mind is playing tricks on him. Unable to force out the thoughts that consume him, Ryan is haunted by visions that torment him every time he looks at her. He finds himself swallowed by guilt and blame, but he’s unwilling to turn his back on the one person that could possibly save him.
You’ve heard Candace’s story in Fading, now hear Ryan’s.
Suffering from years of violent abuse, Ryan Campbell has learned how to keep people from getting too close. But when you shut yourself off, people get hurt along the way. Never caring much about others, Ryan creates a world in which he doesn’t have to feel.
When Ryan meets Candace Parker, all of his walls slowly begin to crumble. Not sure of the truth of who she is, he feels his mind is playing tricks on him. Unable to force out the thoughts that consume him, Ryan is haunted by visions that torment him every time he looks at her. He finds himself swallowed by guilt and blame, but he’s unwilling to turn his back on the one person that could possibly save him.
You’ve heard Candace’s story in Fading, now hear Ryan’s.
Excerpt
She sniffs and I know she’s crying. Having her like this, in my arms, is an intimacy that’s completely foreign but comfortable. I’m sure she can hear my heart pounding, but I need her to hear it. I need her to feel it as it thuds in my chest because I need her to hear me falling for her, ‘cause that’s what’s happening here—I’m falling. I never wanted to before, but with her, all I want to do is fall. Fall into her. Fall so deep inside of her heart so that I never have to be without her. That’s what this girl does to me. That’s how powerful she is even when she thinks she’s at her weakest. She’s broken. I see it clearly, but whatever it is that’s haunting her, I wanna make it fade. I wanna make it fade and make her fall too—with me.When she begins to pull away from me, I selfishly want to tighten my hold on her and keep her like this for a little longer. I worry this was just a random need for comfort from her, that I won’t get this again, that she doesn’t feel what I know I’m starting to. Fuck, this hurts.
Crista's Review
5 Stars (and I
wish I could give more!)
Sometimes a book reaches inside, grabs ahold of your heart,
and will not let go. For me, this
perfectly describes my experience with Fading,
Freeing, and now Falling. Now that we are truly coming to the end of 2013,
I will say without hesitation that this series of books gets my vote for
favorite of the year. Nothing has
touched, inspired, or impacted me more than these books and the characters that
I came to care about so very much.
To be honest, I am getting tired books that give the hero’s
point of view. It started with Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire, and
now it’s as if most New Adult fiction is jumping aboard this train. In my experience, I’m usually disappointed
after reading the companion novel because I feel that I’ve wasted my time
reading the same story (and it’s usually a poor man’s version of the
original). Readers, I am here to tell
you that Falling is an exception to this rule.
While I was reading Falling,
it was as if I was having a completely new experience, and to be honest…. I
was. This is Ryan’s story: his life, his
pain, and his process of walking the difficult road towards healing, recovery,
and acceptance. Ultimately, this book
describes and shows Ryan’s own personal awakening of hope, love and new
beginnings. I cannot describe the beautiful experience of getting to read as
Ryan’s character morphs from an emotionally scarred and stunted individual into
a man in love, and the wonder and excitement that stems from that
experience. It is amazing.
Ryan’s childhood experience growing up with an alcoholic
father is tangible as E.K. Blair again dares to shed light on a horrific
reality that so many experience. I love
that this author unapologetically blows the door open and sheds light on such
touchy and real experiences. Her skill
at being real, yet respectful, in how she handles such delicate subject matters
astounds me.
I wish I could say more.
Please, if you’d like to do something nice for yourself, take some time
to read these books. I will say that
although reading Falling was a
completely unique experience, I would not say that it is a stand-alone
book. You really need to read Fading prior to Falling. Jace’s book, Freeing, is not necessary to read in
order to appreciate Falling, but I do
recommend that book as well.
I guess this is why I love to read. Every once in awhile a book catches you by
surprise as you realize something special is happening: you’re being
transported into another place, meeting characters who make you feel, and are
engaging you emotionally. Ryan triggered
all of these buttons, and I am not the same.
His character is worth every penny and every minute you spend with him.
Meet E.K.Blair
USA
Today bestselling author and International Amazon bestselling author, E.K.
Blair takes her readers on an emotional roller coaster with her FADING series.
A former first grade teacher with an imagination that runs wild. Daydreaming
and zoning out is how she was often found in high school. Blair tends to drift
towards everything dark and moody. Give her a character and she will take
pleasure in breaking them down, digging into their core to find what lies
underneath.
Aside
from writing, E.K. Blair finds pleasure in music, drinking her Starbucks in
peace, and spending time with her friends. She's a thinker, an artist, a wife,
a mom, and everything in between.
Want to know
more about EK Blair?
