by Kate Noble
Have you ever had a crush? Well, of course you have, we are all human. And I’m willing to bet that the crush that you remember most fondly is that first crush. The one that woke you up to the possibilities of romance and adventure. The one that had you practicing kissing on your pillow. For me, it was Indiana Jones. For Sarah Forrester, it was the Blue Raven.
The Blue Raven is the infamous, anonymous British spy – one whose exploits in the Peninsular Wars were turned into adventure stories in the newspaper. Which, thusly, turned the Blue Raven into a legend.
And Miss Sarah Forrester is madly in love with him. Or at least, she was when she was a girl. Nowadays, Sarah is the leading light of the ton. After she was cruelly dumped by her Duke ex-fiance, she reinvented herself as the Golden Lady – the sparkling, shining leader of all things fashionable. A creature very far removed from the sweet, kind girl who had played pirates with her sisters and mooned over the Blue Raven – or is she?
When Lieutenant Jackson Fletcher returns home from his time at sea, he is shocked to find that his childhood friend Sarah has turned into this cruel, cutting creature of society. It seems as if only he can see beyond the façade to the pain that created it. But just how is he supposed to go about bringing the happy, selfless Sarah Forrester back out from hiding? After all, nothing seems to pique her interest… nothing that is, except for when Jackson, at the end of his tether, pretends to be the Blue Raven.
Too bad the real Blue Raven doesn’t find the disguise all that funny.
If I Fall is a tale of friends who become enemies, lovers who don’t know they’re in love, secret identities, intrigue, mute Burmese aristocrats, mysterious paintings, murder, and finding the one who will be there to catch you when you fall. No matter what.
Not bad for a first crush, eh?
If I Fall
Every great romance comes with a risk…
After a duke’s betrayal, the resilient Sarah Forrester reinvents herself as the Golden Lady: society’s leading light, the beautiful and witty life of the party. It’s all a façade of course-one that protects her from another intimate disloyalty. When her old friend, Lieutenant Jackson Fletcher, returns to London, he is determined to rediscover the true and trusting Sarah he once knew. It’ll take more than a kiss and a promise. It might even call for an innocent and necessary deception.
Then Jackson is enlisted to help capture the lead suspect in a murder— a man who happens to be Sarah’s most ardent suitor. Jack must continue the deception, and weathering this newest and gravest betrayal will be Sarah’s ultimate test. But as Jack’s passion for her grows, he must also reveal his own secrets. And as the killer turns his attention to his pursuers, more than love and trust is put at risk.
So tell me about your first crush! Leave a comment below and we’ll chose one lucky winner to receive an autographed copy of IF I FALL!
I was in elematary school, and his name was Derek. I had the biggest crush on him. he was so cute. but, he moved and i never saw him again.
My first crush was this boy Nate, in my 8th grade Science class. He had blonde hair blue eyes, he was beautiful. He was also the crush of every other 8th grader in my school. I didn’t even have the nerve to tell him until I was 18 or so, out of High School. We were both in other relationships. He said “Why didn’t you say anything, I liked you too”! Can you believe it?! All that time we both liked each other and never said a word. Oh well, alls well that ends well. I’m married to my best friend now, who I fell head over heels for when I met him, 15 years ago, and we are living our happily ever after. 🙂
Can you believe it..my first crush was with my math teacher at elementary school…in my eyes, he’s so handsome, and maybe because he impressed me with his math skill … until now, I still thank him for teaching me such difficult matter hahahhaha…..
It was Anthony in sixth grade, for me. He was so cute, but we didn’t hang out in the same circles at all and I completely lost track of him when we entered high school.
My first crush is in High school. The first time I saw him at Orientation School, I thought he was perfect. He is white, tall, has soft eyes and a shoulder lenght hair. He was my cousin’s bestfriend. The funniest is I introduced myself without my cousin’s knowledge. Till now he still doesn’t know that I’ve crush on his bestfriend.
I always seek him whenever we have break time or after school. I remember that I run after him.
I’ve ever taken a photograph of him from my cousin’s album. What I regret is I was afraid to tell my feeling.
My first crush was when I was 12 and lucky me he is now my husband. lol We have been married for 34 years now. Thanks for the giveaway.
I can’t say I had any crushes really. There were boys I thought were nice or cute but that’s all. I met my future husband when I had just turned 16 and he was 18 and the new kid who had traveled the world (air force brat lol) while I had never left my hometown. Opposites attract.
At 10, I so wanted to be taller than 4″11″ so that the 16 year old across the street would notice me. Definitely, a watch-what-you-ask-for situation.
My first major crush was on my older step-brothers’ best friend, Eddie. I was twelve and fell instantly in love. Eddie was from New York, tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed, and handsome. He was quiet, much like me. Whenever he stayed visited or stayed over, my olders sisters would whisper that he was a vampire since he slept so STILL and was fairly pale. I knew there was no such thing, but I thought it was still exciting to think he could be. Eddie moved away two hours south of us and didn’t visit much after my brothers graduated high school; they visited him instead. He never knew I had a fierce crush on him (and neither did my sisters or they would’ve tormented me).
Eddie wasn’t entirely forgotten, just pushed to the back of my mind when fifteen years later, we met again. He admitted he had no clue to my former crush. (Of course, I was just the little sister of his friends with a funny family nickname). Many things happened in that time to us both.
Not long after, we started dating. After four and a half years, we were married on November 4th, 2011. 🙂
My first crush was that first really good best friend. You know, the one who teaches you how to climb a tree, eat mud and go so fast on the merry-go-round that you feel like you are going to throw up?
He ended up being my first real date. He bought me 2dozen red roses, a box of chocolates, heart shaped earrings, a huge (4ft) Valentine’s Day card and a gold ring with a diamond (so small it was more like dust)…on that first date. He said he wanted to make it something that would be hard to top.
At 34, I can still say that no one has.
He died at the age of sixteen of childhood cancer. But while he was here…he made for the world’s best boyfriend and set the bar very high for all later men to come. 🙂
First crush was with a boy in high school we were in the band together and he lived in my neighborhood. We were great friends, hung out with all of the same people. Nothing ever more than friends. Then my senior year(he was a junior) the guy I was kind of dating I guess if you could call it that. We held hands at school never went on an actual date, neglected to tell me his mom said he couldn’t go to prom with me. So the crush who I was actually in a fight with at the time, said he would take me. So we doubled with my best friend and her date who just happened to be his best friend. I found him online several years ago and we are still friends.
My first crush was a boy named Dax (seriously). He was two grades older than me in elementary school. He didn’t know I existed. I still like older men though. 😉
I want to read this book, just thinking about it brought a big smile to my face. Thinking back to my first crush does bring back a lot of good memories.
Ahhhh yes, Skeeter Jones age 11. Tanned w light blue eyes, sandy brown hair, gapped front teeth and a mole the size of a quarter on his neck! I mooned over him until my little sister stalked up and kissed him! LOL
Thanks for the chance to win! My first crush was with a boy in middle school and followed me into high school!
Elementary school, the popular boy in my class that didn’t know I was alive.
Davy Jones from The Monkees…loved him
Mine was in 6th grade and sadly I cannot even remember his name! But I do remember he was in the other 6th grade class and that he was SO cute! And I remember giving him a valentine that year, though I don’t think I ever heard from him. Ahhh, unrequited love! =)
My older brother’s best friend named Dave was my very first crush. I was nine years old and he’s six years my senior but likes teasing me around every time he visits our house. Sadly, after graduating high school he had to move to another place to begin his college life. I never saw him again after witnessing a huge grin on his face after graduating with honors.
My first crush was in high school. Totally made the goo goo eyes, but never ever talked to him. I did the whole giggle with my friends when he walked by, but was too scared to talk to him. We even had code names for him. What a dork I was lol
Congratulations on the new release. First crushes always appear to be unrequited.
My first crush was in middle school. He was the strong, silent type. I was shy. So, naturally we never spoke to each other! 🙂
My first crush was in elementary school and he sat right next to me and shared everything with me, so of course i started crushing on him lol
My first crush was a blue eyed, blonde boy in elementary school. I though he was so gorgeous and loved to just stare at him.
First crush was in school, ages ago. I had no idea the Blue Raven figured so prominently in this book. Sounds wonderful!
Oh my goodness I get crushes all the time – even present day 😉 My first crushes were celebrities: Michael J. Fox and Kirk Cameron, Tom Cruise, etc. The people I saw in the magazines I read. As for a guy I had a chance with… That was 5th grade Matthew – we square-danced at the farewell party after a week long school trip to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. It never went anywhere but I’m still in touch with him today.
My first crush would have been at the age of thirteen, was in love with a boy two years older. Problem was he was really cute and everyone had a crush on him and I wasn’t his first choice.
My first crush was in kindergarten and all the girls loved him since he was the nicest boy.
It was a fellow classmate and everyone liked him.
It was a little boy in kindergarden. But we ended up moving away and I never saw him again.
I don’t think I paid attention to boys until the 7th grade. I had a crush on boy in my class named Jack. He was in sports, taller than the other boys, and really funny. He was so different from the other boys. I sure thought he was cool.
I am anxious to read Kate’s book. Love the cover
Ah first crush, he kissed me as he ran into the school when we were in elementary. I’ll never forget!!!!
Sounds intriguing! Thanks for giving us an opportunity to win a copy.
My first crush was in pre-school and kindergarten. His name was Tommy Crace and I thought my little five year old self was in love. I remember we would chase each other all over the play ground.
I am really looking forward to reading this book. I’ve had it on my wish list for sometime and I definitely love the premise.
I’m going to be honest here, and tell you that my first crush was on Shaggy from Scooby Doo! Haha, no lie! I thought he was so sweet and cool, and wanted a boyfriend just like him 😉
My first crush was my social studies teacher. He was very good looking
My first crush was on a boy named Michael who lived down the street from me. Our parents were friends long before I was born. One day Michael kissed me, and the next week we had a “wedding ceremony” on our neighbor’s front lawn. Our families are still friends.
I was in the 8th grade and Richard use to ride his bike over to my house. We use to build a tent around the living room furniture and we’d hold hands. It was so very chaste and sweet.
I was about 8 years old and he lived across the street from me. He has the bluest eyes and dark hair…. so cute. His name was Mike.
I remember my first crush — and he still remembers me (though I don’t know if he remembers that I had a crush on him). We live in a small town where everyone knows everyone —
This was a great review — I’ve never read Kate Noble but I’m definitely curious about this novel. ^_^
His name was Roderick. (I suppose it still is.) He was tall, dark & kind of handsome. I have not thought of him in years.
I do love Kate Noble.
Hmmmm….can’t remember back that far! LOL Yes, I’m older than dirt so it is difficult to remember the details of my first crush. All I can say is, I really want to read Kate’s new book! Thanks for the giveaway
Congrats on the new release. My first crush was my best friend in grammar school. He didn’t know I existed beyond being his friend.
Thanks for the giveaway.
First crush lasted all the way through elementary school. Haven’t seen in over twenty years.
My first crush was the boy next door. He was 4 years older than me. We played together as children and then grew up together. I was smitten and got to look at him like a lost puppy for years. I always had a crush on him and then he went off to college. After a couple years in college he committed sucide. I was heartbroken. I still talk to his older sister and my parents still hear from his mom every once in awhile.
My first crush was in 6th grade. His name was Craig and we were never even friends. I loved him from afar, but my dear friends just had to tell him I had a crush on him. He and I was embarassed that my friends were so loud about it, and it never amounted to anything other than embarassment.
I remember having a crush on a young Clint Eastwood, watching him as Rowdy Yates on Rawhide.
When I was a HS Freshman I had a crush on a Junior. We eventually dated. He turned out to be a jerk. He dumped me for another Freshman without telling me to my face. Be careful what you wish for!
Aren’t first crushes embarassing? Mine was on an older guy in school, never knew I existed which was totally fine because I might have fainted on the spot if he had!
My first crush was it first grade. I was five and he was six. We climbed trees together. It was fun. 🙂
My first crush was on a boy named Joseph, and I denied it.
My first crush was quite the doozie! He was a swimmer on the swimming team….I think you can see the appeal. No football players for me, no sireee, just chisled chests in teeny bathing suits that left little to a teenage girl’s limited imagination, LOL. He was the brother of one of my sister’s friends and I worshiped the ground he walked on…but from like a mile away 🙂 I was a freshman and he was a junior so he was so waaaay out of my league we weren’t even in the same time zone. Ah, fond memories 🙂
My gosh, it sounds so good!! If only all my dream loves came true….
My first crushes were TV cowboy heroes. Those are the best kind. There is little chance you will ever meet them and they will remain the perfect hero forever. I did have minor crushes on two volunteers I worked with, but nothing that was crushingly serious. This sounds like it will be good.
Thanks for the synopsis of the story.