Review and Giveaway: Fear of Falling by S. L. Jennings

“Don’t worry,” he smiled, pulling me into the hard warmth of his chest. “I’ve got you. I’ll always catch you when you fall.” And just like that, Blaine had staked his claim on the untouched part of me that no living soul had ever moved. He had captured every fear, every reservation, and crushed them in the palm of his inked hand. I can’t remember the last time I felt completely safe. Security seemed more like a luxury to me, reserved for those who were fortunate enough to have picture perfect childhoods. For those who didn’t bear the ugly scars that keep me bound in constant, debilitating fear. I’ve run from that fear my entire life. But when I met him, for once, I couldn’t run anymore. He scared the hell out of me in a way that excited every fiber of my being. It wasn’t the tattoos or the piercings. It wasn’t the warmth that seemed to radiate from his frame and blanket me whenever he was near. It was just…him. The scary beautiful man that threatened to alter 23 years of routine and rituals, and make me face my crippling fear. My name is Kami and I am constantly afraid. And the thing that scares me the most is the very thing I want. ***Inspired by true events***



4.5 Star Review by Lisa Kane

Kami Duvall is a shell. A walking talking shell of a woman with so many fears and demons she has to mask her pain. No one penetrates the fortress around her heart but her best friends, Dom and Angel. Who have so much of their own pain and abuse to suffer through that they have formed their own personal support group that doesn’t accept new members.

“But you deserve it too, Angel. There’s someone out there for you. You are loved. Do you hear me? You. Are. Loved.”

Blaine has a bar called the Dive (catchy name). Rumors run rampant about him; he had some woman troubles, which led to another problem, which led to a whole lot of drama. He doesn’t want any part of drama. Love 'em, leave 'em move on. The real love of his love was his mom, and when he lost her at an early age, his uncle raised him. The Dive has been in his family for years. Kami wanders into the Dive after her latest breakup,  this one was with her boss. The moment that ugly 4 letter L word came into the conversation, it was time for Kami to shut it down and get out of dodge. Kami doesn’t do love, she is incapable of it and she certainly isn’t worthy of it. Blaine and Kami meet at the bar, have a little eyeball flirting and she does what she does best-she runs. Her best friend Angel has a band, Angel Dust and they end up trying out at the Dive. Kami gets a job bartending there. Blaine and Kami fight their attraction; well maybe Kami fights it more than Blaine. Every time they get close, she runs. Blaine’s not so cute but oh so true nickname for her-Roadrunner.

“I am not what you want, and I don’t want to be. I don’t love you, Blaine, and I never will. So let’s stop wasting our time and face the inevitable.”

Kami grew up seeing things that would scar anyone for life. Her mother and she both  suffered such torture and such agony at the hands of her father that I winced on more than one occasion. She has so many fears, all tied to the many ways her father showed her what he called his “love” for her. Some of her recollections are so severe and terrifying I couldn’t page past it fast enough. She keeps her fears in a jar, filled with 253 tiny paper stars. They remind her why she can’t love and why no one could ever love her. Blaine tries so hard to get her to move to the light, to feel safe, to know that he will catch her every time.

“The point is, son…everyone has baggage, some more than others. Some people have a tote bag. Others have an entire trunk full of drama. You, Blaine, have a carry on. And that girl of yours has a full set of luggage."

Even when it seems that maybe these two broken souls can find happiness, something happens, and the angst meter roars its ugly head.


“You can’t take away all her problems. No matter how bad you want to, you can’t carry it all and expect for that heavy burden not to crush you under its weight."


There is a twist that occurs in the story where I wanted to ball myself up in the fetal position until it was safe to come out. And if that wasn’t enough, my heart had to take several more hits as these two seek their destinies, like rubber rafts being tossed along a series of white rapids. I ached and I was exhausted. But by the end, I felt elated and my heart was happy.


“The scary part isn’t loving you Blaine. That part’s simple. It’s the fall. I fell a long time ago, and you know what? I’m not afraid anymore.”



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