Maybe there’s only one direction to go when two people fall in love at rock bottom—up.
NOW AVAILABLE!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Gt7jsy
iBooks: http://apple.co/1PNWYKO
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1PPOmCv
Blurb
I wanted to jump.
He made me fall.
As a celebrity, I lived in the public eye, but somewhere along the way, I’d lost myself in the spotlight.
Until he found me.
Sam Rivers was a gorgeous, tattooed stranger who saved my life with nothing more than a simple conversation.
But we were both standing on that bridge for a reason the night we met. The secrets of our pasts brought us together—and then tore us apart.
Could we find a reason to hold on as life constantly pulled us down?
Or maybe there’s only one direction to go when two people fall in love at rock bottom—up.
Review
Fine
The Webster dictionary defines it as “good, acceptable, or satisfactory,” but based on its societal use, we learn to see fine as anything but – more so said as a way to avoid getting into anything too personal, but clearly indicating that life is not good at the moment and the person who said it doesn’t want to go any further than that even though it’s clear that things are not well.
For Levee Williams and Sam Rivers, those feelings of being fine lead them both to a cross roads in their life, unsure of how to rebuild, refocus, and reenergize when all they feel like doing is succumbing to the pain, the pressure, and the sadness by falling into the darkness.
Great
From an onlooker’s perspective, Levee and Sam’s lives are wonderful. She’s a pop princess with droves of fans and more money than she can spend, and he does something he loves by repurposing furniture and selling it at a high price. But beyond the façade…beyond the smoke and mirrors, are two people who are consumed with sadness and depression…two people who don’t know where to turn in order to feel something besides pain because that’s what’s wrapped around them, refusing to let go and taking them further down in the process.
Can Levee and Sam be each other’s great? Or are they destined to keep plummeting, free falling without any chance of survival?
How does one Fall Up? Well, if everyone had a Sam Rivers in their lives, they would easily understand how it’s done and why Levee never questioned giving in and climbing up. But the way it’s described is not easy, which is clearly illustrated through Levee’s internal conflict and quick reactions as well as her struggle to admit that she needs help.
Aly Martinez does a fantastic job of putting readers inside both Levee and Sam’s heads and forcing us to feel every single emotion and hear every single dark thought. Martinez gives us the insight into Levee’s mind that no one else can see because if they did, they would have stepped in long ago because she is anything but fine, and the only way that Sam can recognize Levee’s pain is because he feels the same way albeit due to different circumstances, but it’s still something that defines him as much as it defines her, and Sam’s recognition and caretaking attributes are the only things that can catch Levee, but she has to be willing to walk back down with Sam, which is a decision that Levee won’t be able to make until she’s ready to admit what’s going on and deal with it head on, and that’s the journey that Aly Martinez takes readers on, and it’s a ride we’ll never forget.
I absolutely loved the message of The Fall Up! Everyone who reads it will definitely feel a connection to what Sam and Levee go through, even if only in small ways. Aly Martinez is such an extremely talented writer because her words mean more than she probably even realizes, which is why she’s one of my favorites!
Can’t wait to see what Aly gives readers next…maybe a book for Henry???
4.5 Poison Apples
Excerpt
“Thank fuck!” Sam said, swinging the door open before Devon even had the car in park.
“Oh, this isn’t my place. We’re just dropping Devon off. I’m about twenty minutes across town?” I tossed him a sugary smile then boldly shifted my hand into his lap, purposely brushing the bulge under his denim.
Grabbing my wrist, he narrowed his eyes and called out, “Devon, I’m gonna need to borrow a bedroom.”
I burst out laughing as Devon cursed loudly.
“Fine. This is my place. No smoking inside though,” I snipped as I climbed from the SUV.
“You better have some seriously exciting extracurricular activities to keep me distracted, then.”
“I have Ping-Pong!”
“Not exactly what I was thinking.” He mischievously cocked his head. “But I guess paddles and balls are as good a start as any.” Dipping down, he hoisted me over his shoulder. “Point me to the Ping-Pong table, my lady.”
I didn’t. I laughed hysterically as he carried me inside. Then I directed him to my bedroom instead.
I heard Devon locking up the house as Sam deposited me on the bed.
“Jesus. This view.” He pushed the curtains back. “Why the hell would you ever go up to the bridge when you have this here?”
“I don’t know,” I answered, pulling my earrings off and placing them on my nightstand.
Oh, but I knew. It might not have been what had originally sent me up that bridge, but it was why my feet carried me back every night. And that very reason was currently standing in front of me with entirely too much clothing on.
“You want a beer?” I asked, sliding my shoes off.
“Nah, I’m good.” He faced me, and I could tell something was off with his demeanor. He didn’t inch any closer. Instead, his lips were tight and his eyes uncomfortably flashed around the room.
It suddenly didn’t feel like Sam standing in front of me at all.
He felt like a stranger who had just come face-to-face with Levee Williams.
Damn it.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Are you about to freak out?” I whispered, nervously moistening my lips.
He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m not really sure yet. But I’m gonna need you to stop licking your lips long enough for me to figure it out.” His mouth cracked into a wide grin, and my shoulders relaxed.
Now that was a flash of my Sam.
“Want to tell me what’s going on?” I asked.
“It’s just… I think this is the first time I’ve realized that you’re some big-time celebrity. I might be in over my head here, Designer Shoes.”
“I just make music, Sam.” I returned his smile and very slowly prowled in his direction. “Imagine how I feel though. You’re Samuel Nathan Rivers. A tough, tattooed furniture designer who makes six figures a year but is too afraid to tell his mommy he votes democratic.” I giggled as he frowned humorously. Stopping in front of him, I dragged a fingernail down his chest then teased the waistband of his jeans. “Have you considered that maybe I’m the one who’s in over her head here?” I leaned forward to nip at his lips, but he spun us around.
“Excellent point. I’m going to need you to try really hard to keep it together, Levee. You haven’t even seen my six-pack and huge cock, yet.” He smirked and attempted to return my nip, but I stepped out of his reach.
“You brought beer and chicken?” I feigned excitement.
That one corny joke was all it took to bring my Sam back completely.
With a sexy smile and a coy shrug, he seductively backed me toward the bed. “What can I say? I like to be prepared.”
“Clearly,” I breathed.
He moved in close so his lips were only a centimeter away, but for as much as I wanted him, it was agonizing. “Clearly,” he repeated, his smoky yet sweet breath breezing across my mouth.
His strong arm looped around my waist, tugging me against his chest, while I stared into his hooded eyes, eagerly waiting for him to make a move.
Any move.
Every move.
About the Author
Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.
After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. Five books later, she shows no signs of slowing. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Fairest Of All Book Reviews 