Β <— JUST WENT LIVE TODAY!! YAY ME!!!
I readΒ Makenzie’s first book in this series, soon after it’s release (back in December 2014) ’cause that cover had my attention. Gorgeous, serene, and it looked like it could be emotionally deep. but it was the blurb that had me. And it delivered! Here’s my review.
SO when I found out she was releasing another book – also a standalone, with an equally gorgeous book cover, and an even MORE intense synopsis that TOTALLY gave me a blurb jolt, I knew I had to read it, too!!
My heart was intact, unbroken, whole.
No man had ever claimed it.
And then I met Wally.
I willingly fell for him, giving myself with eager hands.
He was wild and stunning, the most extraordinary man I’d ever known.
It was perfect. It was beautiful.
And then he destroyed it.
Oomph!!! Boy can this lady can write a blurb, or what?! Short, sweet, to the point but with TONS of angst so readily waiting for us… So before I (or maybe WE!!!) jump in, I asked her to send over a little sneak peek at the author, and the inspiration “behind” the book.
Fun facts/inspiration …for my new bookΒ Free Falling byΒ Makenzie Smith
1.) Wallyβs love interest, Kristen, is named after my best friend. When she read Starting FiresΒ she became obsessed with him. There was no other way around it. They belonged together.
2.) Wally is a sky-dive instructor. Iβve never been skydiving because I am WAYYYYY to chicken. To do research on it, I watched dozens of YouTube videos and visited every blog I could find. Iβm still too terrified, but if I was strapped to him, I might consider it.
3.) I made up his last name. Nikolokakis. I wasnβt even sure it was a true surname, but in my head Iβd referred to him as that so often, I couldnβt call him anything else. Later, I did a google search and found two people who shared it. Heβs unique. And it was perfect.
4.) Wallyβs story was originally very different. I had started and re-started it numerous times before finding the voice it needed. Eventually, I threw out the entire outline and started over from scratch. After that, it clicked. Everything fell into place, and I completed the first draft in just over 30 days. They inspired me.
5.) Two more books are going to be released in this βseriesβ. And Iβm already about half-way finished with the third!
My inspiration for Starting FiresΒ and Free Falling has been simple: People. No tricks. No gimmicks. Just people. These stories are about you. Or me. Or the person sitting across from you. Theyβre about finding the one person in the world who sees through your bullshit and gets you. Falling in love is the greatest force on earth. It doesnβt matter who you areβman, womanβlove drives us. It makes us do stupid things. It makes us crazy. But it also gives us purpose, meaning. Capturing that, feeling that, living thatβ¦itβs the best feeling in the world. I write because itβs what my heart aches to do. Itβs what my mind thinks about when Iβm trying to sleep.
I used to make up stories in my headβoutlandish, ridiculous, fantastic stories. I thought I was crazy. Weird. Iβd spend whole hours daydreaming. Then one day, I put those stories on paper, and thereβs no going back. I feel whole when I write, so Iβll continue to. Wally is fascinating to me. He was always easy to love, but harder to keep.
Now for theΒ signed bookΒ giveaway!!
Look what the author has for us!Β Two signed copies of Free Falling, three kindle or nook copies, and a signed copy of both Starting Fires and Free Falling.
HowΒ to enter for a chance to win?Β Just leave a comment belowΒ andΒ by 10pm EST, Sunday August 23rd 2015, I will randomly select one winner for the signed set,Β twoΒ winners to each receive a signed copy of this new release, and three winners to each receive an ebook version of this new release.
The winners will be contacted and will have 48hrs to respond with a mailing address (or confirm their email address), so if you are picked, do not delay or you will lose your chance. This book will be sent to the winners directly byΒ the author.
Giveaway open to US only for the mailed signed books, however it’s open to anyone that can receive one of the ebooks if they win.
ALSO! The author says: More opportunities to win on my Instagram @makenzieherself or my facebook facebook.com/authormakenziesmith
Thank You Maryse and Makenzie.
I would love a copy! I have yet to read either one of these books but they sound amazing! Thank you!
I’d Love a signed copy. Miracle (my BFF and book addict partner) introduced me to your books. Starting Wallys story right now.
The books sound great! Thanks for a chance to win!
I can’t wait to read this one. I loved the 1st book.
interesting facts
Oh that is awesome!!!! I can’t wait to read!!!!!!!
Oooh! I’d love to win this one… next Monday is my birthday, afterall! LOL!
Thank you for the opportunity Ms Smith & always to you Maryse! xoxo
The book sounds good. Thanks for the chance.
I’m definitely reading this series! Thanks!
Sounds like a good one π
I went sky diving for my birthday six years ago. It was quite an experience! Got to cross it off my bucket list. Would love to read this series!
This book sounds amazing!!!
The cover of Starting Fires also caught my eye, but I haven’t read it. Thanks for the chance.
Can’t wait to read them.
Thanks for the chance.
I LOVED Starting Fires!! I grew up in New Orleans and absolutely loved the setting and the characters were so realistic. I’ve been hoping and waiting for a book 2 π
Thanks for the chance to win.
I purchased Starting Fires, but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I can not wait!
Loved Starting Fires. I can’t wait to read Free Falling. Great giveaway!
Thank you for the give away and I liked Starting Fires so looking forward to this one too!
Thank you for the chance to win! Free Falling looks great!
This book sounds like a great read! I loved her first books! Big Fan!!