It’s been said the longest echo ever measured lasted 75 seconds, but I can assure you, this will last much longer. The bang deafened the world around me, muting everything into nullity, allowing the reflection of its destruction to live far beyond its intended life.
It will follow me forever, destroying me—destroying you.
It’s been said the longest echo ever measured lasted 75 seconds, but I can assure you, this will last much longer. The bang deafened the world around me, muting everything into nullity, allowing the reflection of its destruction to live far beyond its intended life.
It will follow me forever, destroying me—destroying you.
You want answers?
So do I.
Reviews
Caryn’s Review
Have you ever been afraid to read a book? A book that you’ve been not so patiently waiting for its release? A book that you know will deliver the most delicious mind f***?
A book that has a bigger conspiracy theory than who killed Kennedy? A book that, once you start reading, you know you won’t put it down until the last page is turned?
For me, that book is ECHO.
There is no possible way for me to review this book and not give anything away, so I’m just going to say this…
EK Blair has woven a web so brilliantly; it’s going to rock you to your very core. I’m not sure what I did more while reading this book…cry, gasp, or hold my breath. Prepare yourself for one hell of a heart wrenching, soul burning, emotional. O. M. G. read. Echo will consume you like nothing else you’ve read. Your heart will race, your mind will twist, and with every word…you can’t help but feel.
A must read, one of the best of 2015 so far. ~ 5 ~ Loss is consuming ~ Emptiness is overwhelming ~ Sadness is everlasting ~ Stars
Kara’s Review
Echo: is not just a repeating of sound off of a surface. It is also the repetition of an idea, a feeling, or an event. With the latter definition, there are many echoes within this novel, repeats of the pain and misery Elizabeth has experienced that effect the nothingness that she sees within herself. Her trust is gone, hope erased. This novel is filled with hate, seeking of forgiveness, and punishment inflicted by self and others for previous actions. Echo hit me in a raw nature. It placed me with Elizabeth and had me questioning what’s the best of two evils. Elizabeth is longing for the comfort and safety she once had with Declan, she’s regretful for what she did to her brother, and she’s hoping to find the missing pieces regarding her parents. Twist and turns are around every corner for Elizabeth, she’s connected in a web of deceit that runs deeper than she was aware of. The questions continue and I’m hoping Elizabeth is on the slope of regaining her fight and sense of control. Give this a try and find your next book crush!! Rating: 5 stars
Karen’s Review
Echo is book 2 in the Black Lotus series and I highly recommend that you read book 1 first. Ever since author EK Blair left me with a Bang I have been impatiently waiting for book 2 in the series – Echo! Echo is a brilliant web of deceit, mystery and darkness. This book is a solid punch to the gut and a blow to the mind! This book and the writing is sick, dark and exceptional. The characters are disgusting and endearing in the same breath. The storyline is unexpected, unknown and consuming. The plot will turn on a dime and you will be left with whiplash while gasping and sobbing. In the end I found myself with a knot in the pit of my stomach, panting and desperate for the next installation. Give this a try and get a total mind F*&# of a Book Crush. Well played, Ms Blair. 5.0 Stars
It’s been said the longest echo ever measured lasted 75 seconds, but I can assure you, this will last much longer. The bang deafened the world around me, muting everything into nullity, allowing the reflection of its destruction to live far beyond its intended life.
It will follow me forever, destroying me—destroying you.
We are excited to present the cover for book #1 in E.K. Blair’s (author of the Fading Series) new Black Lotus Series, BANG! Filled with suspense, sexiness and romance, this is sure to take us on an indescribable thrill.
Bang by EK Blair
The Black Lotus Series (book #1)
Psychosexual Suspense / Romance
RELEASE DATE: May 22, 2014
Book Description
They say when you take revenge against another you lose a part of your innocence.
But I’m not innocent.
I haven’t been for a very long time.
My innocence was stolen from me. Taken was the life I was supposed to have. The soul I was born with. The ruby heart embedded in a life full of hopes and dreams.
Gone.
Vanished.
I never even had a choice.
I mourn that life. Mourn the what-ifs.
Until now.
I’m ready to take back what was always meant to be mine.
But every plan has a fatal flaw. Sometimes it’s the heart.
**Due to the dark and explicit nature of this book, it is recommended for mature audiences only as some scenes may be particularly disturbing.**
EXCERPT
In an instant, he’s crouched down before me, hands spreading me open wider before dipping his tongue inside me. I continue massaging myself as he laps me up like I’m the only one who can quench his thirst. He sickens me, and as soon as I feel the swirl of hate manifest, I turn every part of me off and simply go through the movements I know he likes. I’m a well-oiled machine at this point, flawless in my performance.
He has no idea that I’m the poison in his bones, making my home in his soul. I’ve crept under his skin, and he never suspected a thing other than everything I’ve wanted him to, but he’s made my life a hell, and payback is a wicked bitch that comes in the form of me. I’m the devil seeped within the cracks of him. What he doesn’t know, is that it’s because of him that I am what I am, and he’s fallen into the cobwebs of my lies like a fool. I guess I should love him for that, because when he least suspects it, he’s going to give me everything I’ve been seeking—vengeance.
Book Crush is thrilled to feature one of our favorite authors from 2013. EK Blair published 3 books in 2013 and blew us away with each one. We have developed a bit of a Book Crush and got a chance to sit down with the author to get a behind the books look. Be sure to enter the ebook giveaway
Book Crush Interview
BC: What were your biggest challenges in bringing this series (Fading, Freeing, and Falling) to life? EK: I felt that writing the series came very natural to me. So, in all honesty, the hardest part was getting my name out there to get people to notice my book. To me, that was the ‘bringing to life.’ Until people read the books, it only lived within me.
BC: What is the hardest thing about writing? EK: Choosing my words and phrases carefully to evoke the most emotion. I will read and re-read my book probably 20 times, the whole time I am switching words around to draw out the most I can from the writing.
BC: What does your writing process look like? EK: I’m not quite sure that I have a process. I never plotted out Fading when I sat down to write that book. I literally winged it. I allowed the characters to lead me through the story. Each day when I would sit down to write, I had no clue what the scene was going to be, I simply wrote!
BC: Do you ever get writer’s block? EK: Not generally. I will get stuck here and there but I will call my assistant and talk it out and generally within 10 minutes or so, I will be good to go!
BC: What do you do when you’re not writing? EK: I’m spending time with my girlfriends, and having fun. I am game for pretty much anything! I love lying in bed and watching movies with my husband, playing with my kids, and creating mini projects with them. I enjoy traveling and exploring new things. I’ll try almost anything once!
BC: What inspires you? EK: Music. Plain and simple. I listen to it and love the emotions it can evoke. My mind is always spinning when I listen to music.
BC: Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy? EK: Writing happy scenes are really hard for me. When people are getting along and having fun is always something I dread when I’m writing.
BC: Of all three books, what was the hardest chapter or part to write and why? EK: Oh God! There were so many that were so freakin’ hard to write. Hands down, Falling was the hardest book to write emotionally. But the hardest chapter was actually in Fading. Having to write the rape scene was awful. I was terrified to ‘go there.’ Go to the place that most books just skim over and down play. I knew I had to be honest with that scene, but it wasn’t. It was sad, frustrating, disgusting, and humiliating. I cried…a lot.
BC: If you gave one of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say? EK: Candace- “Many of you think I’m weak and pass judgment on the way I chose to handle the situation. But you’re not me. I gave you my story. My story. You might not like my choices, but it was all I knew to do at the time to hang on to the small thread of hope I had. The hope that I could move past what Jack did to me. Sometimes pretending is just easier. Sometimes you have to drown to see what’s worth living for.”
BC: If your books were made into a movie ~ which actor/actress do you see playing: EK: Candace- Lucy Hale; Kimber- Britney Snow; Jase- Trevor Wright; Ryan- Ian Somerhalder Mark- Not an actor (that I know of) but Lance Bass has always had the look and goofy personality that I see in Mark.
BC: Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad? What are your thoughts overall on reviews good or bad? EK: I do read my reviews. I read the good and bad. I need to know what people like and don’t like. I know that my books aren’t for everyone and I am going to get bad reviews, but there are times that a review will point out a flaw in my writing that I wasn’t aware of, and for that, I appreciate their honesty. And, yes, I do take the time to pick reviews to respond to! It’s fun for me to do that and to see the reactions I get!
BC: What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment? EK: Toughest- people telling me to not publish FREEING because it’s a book that depicts the life of a homosexual. In case you don’t know me well enough by now, I pave my own path. I follow in no one’s steps. Best- each and every heart-wrenching email I get from women who have had to endure the wretched act of rape. Unfortunately, I get a TON of them. I cry with them for their pain, and I cry with them when they tell me they found hope in my story. I cry because someone drew strength from my words. It’s bittersweet.
BC: What books have influenced your life most? EK: Freeing. Mark and Jase taught me so much about accepting who we are. Embrasing the life we were given and finding the strength to say, “This is me, and I’m okay with it.” Yes, I took a risk when I wrote and published that book, but I never once doubted it or questioned what I was doing. Their story hit the depths of my heart and to see MEN buying that book is amazing. I have received quite a few emails from gay men saying, “Finally, a book for me.”
BC: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor and why? EK: I speak to Aleatha Romig and Raine Miller often about advice for this crazy business we are in. Both of them have always been so gracious with advice to help guide me in the right direction. When something good happens with my books, I always seems to find a little note from them, congratulating me.
BC: Name an entity that you feel supported you outside of your family. EK: My assistant, Gina. No doubt. She gave me everything I asked out of her and then some. She’s been on this journey with me from the very beginning.
BC: Do you read much and if so, who are your favorite authors? EK: I don’t read a whole lot, but I love Leah Raeder, Ilsa Bick, Raine Miller, and Lisa Gardner
BC: What do you think makes a good story? EK: Heart. I wanna feel and connect. I don’t come across too many authors that are able to convey those emotions for me. And, for me, I love poetic and lyrical writing.
BC: When choosing a book to read, what do you look for? What grabs you? EK: I don’t generally read synopses, so I tend to judge a book by the cover and first 10 pages. You gotta grab me from the get-go and never let me go. I’m typically drawn to dark, moody, sexy reads. I love tragedy and heartbreak, but it has to be done honestly and realistically for my liking.
BC: Favorite motivational quote? EK: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. –Matthew 6:34
BC: Favorite book and why? EK: Unteachable by Leah Raeder. Goodness, where do I start with that? Her writing is exquisite. Her characters are authentic. The story was taboo but threaded with honesty and love. The story was…God, it was moving, sad, funny, beautiful, wrong, right, and everything that lies in between. For me, what Raeder did, that is what you have to produce to impress me.
BC: Favorite quote? EK: “Open your mind before you open your mouth.” ― Subroto Bagchi
BC: As a writer, what is your biggest fear? EK: I might be going against the grain here, but this is me, being honest. My fear is that I will fail. That people won’t buy my book, like my book, care about my book. Yes, I love my stories, and no one can take that away from me. I will forever have them to read, my own personal perfections. I write stories for me, so I love them to pieces; I just pray that the readers will as well.
BC: What are 4 things you never leave home without? EK: 1. Cell phone; 2. Purse; That’s it!!! I’m fairly simple! Phone and money!
BC: Laptop or desktop for writing? EK: Laptop
BC: Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? EK: Mornings and nights as I am tucked in to my over-sized, plush chair and ottoman!
BC: Who is your secret author “crush” ? EK: No secret—Raine Miller. She gave me Ethan Blackstone and I love her for that!
BC: What’s your favorite love story (movie or book)? EK: Best love story? Easy! ‘Romeo & Juliet.’ Beautiful, tragic, emotional, dramatic. That story has everything you could ever want in a romance, well, that is if you can do without the happily ever after!
BC: If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it? EK: INCESSANT
BC: What’s the one thing you can’t live without? EK: My beautiful husband and the two precious babies he gave me. I would die without them.
BC: Favorite song(s)? EK: Now that is an ever-changing thing for me. I love The xx, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey.
BC: What do you hope a reader will take away from your writing? EK: I hope when people read my books they feel like they’re making new friends that will lie within them for a moment past the last page. That they were able to form an attachment to the story and to the people within. I want to move my readers, really move them.
BC: Do you have anything specific you’d like to say to your readers? EK: I love you guys! I swear I have the best fans out there. You all keep a smile on my face. I read each and every PM, Tweet, and Email that you send me. Thank you for opening your hearts and minds to my books. I hope I can continue to create stories that you find passion in. I can’t even begin to tell you how much you have changed my life and what you have given me! It’s because of you that you made a dream of mine come true. You give me light and motivate me with your kind words. I’m excited to continue this adventure with you all by my side!
BC: Do you have anything specific you’d like to say to the bloggers? EK: **Looking out to all the bloggers that have supported me and my books** “I can’t say enough to you. No words could truly express my gratitude for what you have done for me and for my stories. Without you, how would the reader find me? Without you, who would promote me? Without you, I would struggle. From the very beginning when nobody knew me, when you didn’t even know me, you picked up my first book and said, “Yeah, I’ll read this, review it, and promote it.’ I had nothing backing my name. I had no validation. All I had was a book and a blogger willing to take a chance on me. THANK YOU for taking that chance. THANK YOU for believing in me and sticking by my side with every book I put out there. THANK YOU for helping me find my own personal success. THANK YOU for helping me reach a dream. Your passion for books and your commitment of your time is not something that I overlook. The time to give to read, write reviews, create blog postings, and everything in between is something that there aren’t enough ‘thank you’s’ for, but it’s all I got, so THANK YOU!”
EK Blair by Aleatha Romig
Super shout out to USA Today bestselling author EK Blair! I remember meeting her for the first time at Book Bash in Orlando. She came up to my table and introduced herself. We had blog tours running at the same time, and everywhere I looked I saw Fading. Well, I had to take a look. I love her writing, so real and raw. As a matter of fact, it was a little too real for the mother in me. I despised the way the parents treated the main characters. It bothered me to the point of losing sleep. When writing can make you think about it, when you’re trying not to think about it, that’s 5 Star! Since that first meeting, EK and I have become friends. I’m so excited to be able to share some of my experiences with her, as she has with me. I believe that Fading, Freeing, and Falling are only the beginning of her VERY successful career. All I know is that whatever my friend writes next, I will be reading!
EK Blair by Raine Miller
I met EK Blair for the first time at a fan breakfast in Las Vegas this past summer. She waited on the side for me to have a moment before coming up to meet me. She was so sweet and genuine about her interest in writing and my experiences. She had just written Fading and was eager to understand this crazy business of being an author. One of the first things she said to me was, “I am not a writer. I just had a story in my head that I started writing and had to finish.” I patted her on the shoulder and said, “That’s a writer, my darling, get used to it because it’s your new job.” She now has an agent and two more successful books under her belt in under a year. I’d say that my prediction has more than been validated. And I couldn’t be happier to see her success. She deserves every bit of it. I wish her many sales and great fulfillment on her writing journey.
The Books
Fading
Book Description
Can a guilty conscience keep wounds from healing?
Fine arts major, Candace Parker, grew up with a mother who thinks image is everything, and her daughter’s perfection will never be good enough. About to graduate college and pursue her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina, Candace decides it’s time to let go and have a little fun. But fun is short-lived when a brutal attack leaves her completely shattered.
The memories that consume and torment Candace are starting to destroy her when she meets Ryan Campbell, a successful bar owner. He feels instantly connected and tries to show her that hope is worth fighting for. But is Ryan harboring his own demons? As walls slowly begin to chip away, the secrets that are held within start to become painful burdens.
At what point do secrets become lies?
(17+) This book contains mature subject matter that is not suitable for those under the age of 17.
FREEING: a companion novel to the USA Today bestseller, Fading.
Knowing who you are and accepting who you are come at different prices.
Jase Kinrick grew up in your typical, all-American household. But after the death of his sister, his parents shut down, forcing him to deal with everything life throws his way alone. Terrified of the person he’s discovering himself to be, Jase has his way with every willing girl to try and rid himself of what he fears he is—gay.
Escaping California and moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, Jase frees himself to the reality that he likes men. Never staying with any guy long enough to get to know them, he doesn’t realize that he’s still hiding from who he is until he meets Mark. Scared of having real feelings for another guy stirs up the questions and fears he’s fought hard to bury.
To strip away the barriers to the heart of what is real, and to be okay with what lies underneath, will be Jase’s moment of truth. But he’ll need Mark to lead him there.
**THIS IS A FULL-LENGTH COMPANION NOVEL TO FADING**
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.
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.
2013 has been another great year for reading some amazing books. As the year comes to an end, Karen, Kara, and Caryn would like to share some of the books we read this year and, as hard as it was, list our Top Ten reads for 2013 with the hope you may find your next Book Crush.
In no particular order ……
Caryn’s 2013 Top 10 picks
Fading by E.K. Blair
A Brutal Tenderness by Marata Eros
Beautiful Broken Rules by Kimberly Lauren
The Thrill of It by Lauren Blakely
So Much It Hurts by Melanie Dawn
A Love Like This by Kahlen Aymes
Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker
Going Under by Georgia Cates
Fueled by K. Bromberg
Every Breath by Tasha Ivey
Kara’s 2013 Top 10 Picks
Ethan by Nicole Edwards
Thief by Tarryn Fisher
Burning Up by Marie Coulson
Forever, Jack (Eversea series) by Natasha Boyd
His Ever After (Love Square series) by Jessica Ingro
Panic (Rook & Ronin) by JA Huss
Arsen by Mia Asher
Out of Breath by Rebecca Donovan
Hopeless series by Colleen Hoover
The Last Hour by Charles Sheehan-Miles
Karen’s 2013 Top 10 Picks
the Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
Left Drowning by Jessica Park
Ruining Me and Ruining You by Nicole Reed
Breaking the Wrong by Calia Read
Ten Tiny Breaths by KA Tucker
Good by S Walden
Reckless Longing by Gina Robinson
Connected by Kim Karr
Arsen by Mia Asher
Feel the Rush by Kelsie Leverich
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.
After reading Fading, I wasn’t sure a story could be any more hauntingly beautiful. I was wrong. Falling is not only equally as hauntingly beautiful, it’s soul crushing, heart wrenching and pure raw emotion. I loved every beautifully written word, E.K. Blair ~ I am in awe of you and your writing! Elegant, graceful, beautiful, powerful ~ an amazing journey about a love so real, so raw, so fierce that it penetrates the very depths of your soul.
~ Ryan ~ “She was so good at everything she was willing to give. I took it all, and no amount of pain could make me believe that it wasn’t worth the fall because falling in love with her was the best thing I ever did.”
Falling is Ryan’s story. An ugly, painful past of memories and fears of fighting to not become the man his father was. A life of drugs, alcohol, and meaningless sex to get through life….until he meets Candace. “I never thought I needed anything in this life until I met you.”
Ryan’s story/journey in Falling is just as epically beautiful as Candace’s story/journey in Fading, and more, to the point where you feel like your heart is being ripped out and your soul shattered as you watch his life fall apart only to have it slowly pieced back together in such a beautiful way it will leave you breathless.
~ Ryan ~ “As I keep her folded up in my arms, she cries, releasing the pain we’ve been through to get here. I let her get it out, and she eventually grows tired, falling asleep in my arms, the only arms I ever want her to have around her because it’s within these arms that she will always have a safe place to fall.”
A series so flawlessly written, so filled with raw emotion, intertwined to perfection that you will read again, and again, and again! ~ 5 ~ Fiercely Falling ~ Stars
Kara’s view…
I’m speechless as I have tears streaking down my face and can’t possibly put my emotions into words. Falling depicts Ryan’s journey through the terror of his childhood, the guilt he holds as not being a protector, his acceptance of always being alone, and then the opening of his heart to connections with others that he thrives on. EK’s words blow me away, her descriptions and positioning of scenes, the environment, the characters’ demeanor rips my heart open and allows all of the emotions to flow through me. Ryan and Candace are beautiful & balanced. The give and take, they learn from each other, they grow with one another, their acceptance, determination, banter it’s all so strong, powerful, and perfect. When Ryan speaks of Candace’s laugh, smile, and dimple and how seeing and hearing these features warms his heart–I felt all of that, I was grinning like a kid at a candy store during those parts. That’s how deep and heart-warming EK’s words touch me. I love that we get to see their future towards the end…just amazing!! What I love about this series is it makes you think, it makes you step back and realize that it’s not what happens to us in life that defines us, it’s how we cope with it and make change from that experience. With EK’s words, I’ve felt faded, free, I’ve connected and I’ve fallen . . . in love with these characters, this series, and with EK!! Give this a try!! Rating: 5 stars
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.
“Babe, what the fuck happened in there?” I ask, when we get to my car, her whole body shaking. “Who the fuck did you see?”
She falls with her back against the side of the car and grabs on to my shirt as she’s crying, gasping for a decent intake of air.
“Jack is in there. We have to leave.”
“Who’s Jack?”
“Him! Jack is . . .” Her cries are strained when I see Jase approach, asking in shock, “Candace, what happened?”
“Jack’s inside.”
“Oh, shit!”
“Who the fuck is Jack?!” I scream, confused as fuck with what’s playing out in front of me.
“The guy that attacked her,” Jase tells me.
Everything stops.
Grabbing on to Candace’s shoulders, I demand, “Get in the car. Now.” I pull my keys out of my pocket and hand them to Jase, yelling at him, “Get her in the fucking car!”
Everything tunnels as I turn from everything good in my life and walk away.
One second. That’s all it took.
Suspended in a false reality where actions and consequences no longer exist. Where rage boils so deep inside your veins that you’d do almost anything to drain them. I’d bleed it all out for her.
Chaos. I’m in it when I slam through the doors and bark out, demanding only the way a feral animal would, “Where’s Jack?!”
When the guy to my left points him out, I come unleashed.
FREEING: a companion novel to the USA Today bestseller, Fading.
Knowing who you are and accepting who you are come at different prices.
Jase Kinrick grew up in your typical, all-American household. But after the death of his sister, his parents shut down, forcing him to deal with everything life throws his way alone. Terrified of the person he’s discovering himself to be, Jase has his way with every willing girl to try and rid himself of what he fears he is—gay.
Escaping California and moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, Jase frees himself to the reality that he likes men. Never staying with any guy long enough to get to know them, he doesn’t realize that he’s still hiding from who he is until he meets Mark. Scared of having real feelings for another guy stirs up the questions and fears he’s fought hard to bury.
To strip away the barriers to the heart of what is real, and to be okay with what lies underneath, will be Jase’s moment of truth. But he’ll need Mark to lead him there.
BOOK GENRES:
Coming of Age
New Adult
**THIS IS A FULL-LENGTH COMPANION NOVEL TO FADING**
I absolutely loved getting Jase’s story. The detail used to showcase his fear and denial is heart-wrenching. His worry of what others think of him holds him back and when he finds his comfort it’s beautiful. Jase and Mark complete one another and they test each other in a completely healthy way. Seeing Jase’s POV of Candace’s traumatic experience ripped me up inside all over again. The pain and anger I experienced as a result of Jase’s parents’ was real and had me wanting to yell at them. When he meets Mark’s parents and siblings the nerves he was experiencing I felt right along with him. The beauty of acceptance does healthy things for our soul and Jase deserves this acceptance. As in Candace’s story, Jase is also learning to let go of his fear, shame, and move towards accepting himself. EK used her words to share Jase’s struggles and his journey with us in an inspiring manner. Give this a try!! Rating: 4.5 stars
Fine arts major, Candace Parker, grew up with a mother who thinks image is everything, and her daughter’s perfection will never be good enough. About to graduate college and pursue her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina, Candace decides it’s time to let go and have a little fun. But fun is short-lived when a brutal attack leaves her completely shattered.
The memories that consume and torment Candace are starting to destroy her when she meets Ryan Campbell, a successful bar owner. He feels instantly connected and tries to show her that hope is worth fighting for. But is Ryan harboring his own demons? As walls slowly begin to chip away, the secrets that are held within start to become painful burdens.
At what point do secrets become lies?
(17+) This book contains mature subject matter that is not suitable for those under the age of 17.
Candace and Ryan both know what it means to experience an unspeakable pain. EK’s writing had me experiencing the pain, terror, rage, guilt, and anxiety throughout the duration of this novel. Her words are extremely powerful and added to that the descriptions of the artistry in Candace’s ballet and Ryan’s photography was absolutely breathtaking. “Whatever is making you shut down, allow it to come to life inside of you.” Those words can be related to anyone and everyone and never lose their empowering message. My heart hurt and I leaked so many tears during this read. Trust and communication are key for Candace in this novel. Watching her grow and gain strength is empowering. Her struggles become your struggles but her strong support system of: Jase, Mark, Donna, and Ryan providing her safety, comfort, love, and family give you a feeling of relief and contentment for Candace. I couldn’t take my eyes away from this novel, it was moving and although it’s dark, horrific, real situations that people don’t like to speak of are spoken of: EK leaves us with feelings of hope. My faith in Candace’s strength, and courage never fades as she’s fierce albeit little and her drive to feel and let go make her tall and strong. I could connect with these characters and the storyline was complex, making me work for the answers. Not only that but EK’s writing art here, and her descriptions had me gasping as if I was watching/witnessing it all myself. Give this a try!! Rating: 5 fierce, never-fading stars
FREEING: a companion novel to the USA Today bestseller, Fading.
Knowing who you are and accepting who you are come at different prices.
Jase Kinrick grew up in your typical, all-American household. But after the death of his sister, his parents shut down, forcing him to deal with everything life throws his way alone. Terrified of the person he’s discovering himself to be, Jase has his way with every willing girl to try and rid himself of what he fears he is—gay.
Escaping California and moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, Jase frees himself to the reality that he likes men. Never staying with any guy long enough to get to know them, he doesn’t realize that he’s still hiding from who he is until he meets Mark. Scared of having real feelings for another guy stirs up the questions and fears he’s fought hard to bury.
To strip away the barriers to the heart of what is real, and to be okay with what lies underneath, will be Jase’s moment of truth. But he’ll need Mark to lead him there.
BOOK GENRES:
Coming of Age
New Adult
**THIS IS A FULL-LENGTH COMPANION NOVEL TO FADING**
Freeing is another amazingly beautiful, heart wrenching, yet heartwarming story of forgiveness, acceptance, and love. Like Fading, Freeing is brilliantly written and once again, it is so easy to get lost in the pages of this story. Freeing is Jase’s story, but is intertwined so perfectly with Fading, that I found myself holding my breath, crying (even though I knew what was coming), hurt, sad, upset, knots in my stomach, yet felt Jase’s remorse, self loathing, his love, wants and desires.
Jase is his own worst enemy, his own worst affliction. It isn’t until he meets Mark that he slowly starts to see, realize, understand, and accept. Being with Mark, Jase begins to understand that nothing needs to be bigger than what it really is. In my life, I have a few gay friends that I’m close with so I can more than appreciate and understand Jase’s struggles with who he is, what he is. I can feel him. “It isn’t about deserving. It’s about accepting. None of us deserve anything. Everything we have is a gift, and you have to learn to simply accept what God gives you.”
Take this beautifully emotional journey with Jase as he learns to love and accept himself for whom and what he truly is. Give it a try!! 5 ~ Brilliantly Freeing ~ stars Reviewed by Caryn
Grabbing my things, I lock up and we head down to Mark’s car. I’m nervous, and this drive to the airport is becoming unsettling. A thousand different scenarios are running through my head, and none of them are good. As he reaches over to hold my hand, I continue to stare out the side window.
When Mark turns into the parking garage and parks, I turn to look at him as he shuts off the car. He’s staring at me, still holding my hand.
“Tell me what you’re so scared of,” he demands softly.
“What do you mean?”
Shaking his head, he sounds irritated when he says, “You don’t think I know you well enough by now to read you? Just be honest. What are you scared of?”
I lean my head back on the seat and exhale before admitting, “Everything. Everything but you.”
“Then trust me enough to know that I would never put you in a situation with my family if it weren’t anything but safe. So whatever has been consuming you since you got into this car, let it go.”
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