Fear of Falling

up at me with that same peculiar gleam in her eyes, causing warmth to spread to every limb, and my heart to swell twice its size.
    The look of love.
    “I’d like that,” she whispers before leaning up and placing those pouty lips on mine, kindling the warmth into scorching white-hot heat. “Because you’re already mine.”

Dear reader,
    If you’re reading this, I want to say thank you. Creating Fear of Falling was an extremely emotional journey and sharing it with the world has been just as nerve-wracking. But I did it. And by choosing to purchase and read it, you have helped to expose something that occurs all too often.
    Though Fear of Falling is partly fictional, the issue of domestic violence is very real. There are far too many Kamis in the world, and most of them never meet their Blaine. And as the story reflects, it affects everyone. Friends, lovers, and especially, children.
    One out of four women experience some type of domestic violence in their lifetime. 50% of men who consistently abuse their wives also abuse their children.
    I urge you, please, if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, get help. You don’t have to live in fear. Ending the cycle of abuse is in your hands.
    The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.SAFE
    www.thehotline.org
    Do it for you. Do it for your children. Do it because everyone deserves a happily-ever-after.

The Story – Thirty Seconds To Mars
    Chin Up – Copeland
    Save Me – Muse
    Nobody Knows – Pink
    Beneath Your Beautiful – Labrinth
    Stay Awake – Lydia
    Counting Stars – OneRepublic
    Kiss Me – Ed Sheeran
    Daughters – John Mayer
    Demons – Imagine Dragons
    Edge of Desire – John Mayer
    The Only Exception – Paramore
    Fix You – Coldplay
    Love Affair – Copeland
    Hospital – Lydia
    Fix A Heart – Demi Lovato
    All I See – Lydia
    This – Ed Sheeran
    Your Guardian Angel – The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
    Let Me Love You – Glee Cast version, originally by NeYo
    A Modern Myth – Thirty Seconds To Mars
    Sparks – Coldplay
    I’m Ok – Christina Aguilera
    For The Love of a Daughter – Demi Lovato
    Hurt – Christina Aguilera
    Get It Over With – Rihanna
    Heart of Stone – Iko
    Alibi – Thirty Seconds to Mars
    Poison & Wine – The Civil Wars
    All I Wanted – Paramore
    Un-thinkable (I’m Ready) – Alicia Keys
    Just Give Me A Reason – Pink, Nate Ruess

I recently told a fellow author that creating a book was like raising a child- it takes a village. We’d all like to believe that we are brilliant enough to hatch these stories on our own, but the reality is, we draw inspiration and ideas from the people around us. And there are quite a few key people that have influenced me in the creation of Fear of Falling , through kind words of encouragement, critiques, suggestions, support and, most importantly, friendship.
    First and foremost, I have to thank my family. My husband and children have had to endure their fair share of frozen pizza and takeout (even a few Fend for Yourself nights) in order for me to find time to write. Thank you for picking up the slack so I could throw myself into this story. Without your love and patience, I would have never found the strength and courage to pen FOF. This book is just as much yours as it is mine. I love you all so much.
    I must thank my amazing betas that put up with my anxiety-filled messages for the past 2 months. Ashley Tkachyk, L.B. Simmons, Kari Acebo, and Calia Read, I honestly could not have done this without you ladies & I am so incredibly grateful for all the chats, rants, vents & tears we’ve shared.
    To my literary partners in crime: Emmy Montes, Claribel Contreras, Gail McHugh, Madeline Sheehan, Karina Halle, Trevlyn Tuitt, Mimi Abraham and Cindy Brown, thank you for all the pep talks and advice. You all are rock stars and it is such an honor to know you. Love you all.
    Thank you to the amazing girls of SLJ Books that blow me away daily with their enthusiasm and support. You all are crazy awesome & I am so grateful for all that you do!
    Thank you to girls at THESUBCLUB books for arranging a kickass blog tour & being so amazingly supportive.
    I have to thank the design genius known as Regina Wamba of Mae I Design for the amazing cover for FOF. Working with you has been a dream and I hope we can create many more beautiful covers in the future.
    To my editor, Tracey Buckalew, thank you for reaching out & taking a chance on me. It was down to the wire, but we did it! Thank