Being married to a rock star isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.Kate and Billy McDonald have defied the odds. For twenty-two years they’ve loved each other fiercely, but it hasn’t always been easy. On the road most of the time and fighting for a foothold in the music industry, Billy struggles to make a name for himself. Frustrated and angry, he relies on dangerous methods of coping, until one night, … one night, after facing the guilt of his biggest regret, he makes a mistake that could bring his entire world crashing down around him.
Amazed at how far they’ve come from their rough beginnings, Kate cherishes her life. Sure, there are things she’d change, like having Billy home more and having a better relationship with her daughter. But when a startling betrayal follows on the heels of an unbearable loss, Kate’s world spirals out of control, leaving her staggering and wondering if it’s even possible to pick up the pieces.
What happens when love implodes? Can it rise from the ashes, or will we all fall down?
We All Fall Down is the second book in the Of Love and Madness trilogy. It is not a standalone, and to fully appreciate the characters, it is recommended that you read At This Moment first. The third and final book in the series, All I Ever Wanted, will be released in the spring of 2017.
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Karen Cimms does not pull any punches. She is a writer who excels at making you feel all the heartache, anger, fear, and love her characters feel. She takes you on a journey where you’re right there inside the world she’s created. This book gave me all the feels – some that were hard to take, to be honest! But it was so authentic and compelling that I couldn’t stop reading. I had to find out how Kate would handle all that had been thrown at her. Boy, she had it rough, and the author did an excellent job at capturing her struggles. I was rooting so hard for her to pick up the pieces and find some joy. By the end, we were on our way to that better path. Can’t wait to see how things unfold in the next book!
OMG, this book!! I’m not sure where to even start. I really didn’t have any expectations going into this but if I did, it certainly would have shocked me the way this story plays out! And I loved that this book takes place 20 years into the future!
Billy and Katie have so many issues! There were times when I wanted to slap Katie for her behavior (like the people in line to slap that woman in Airplane who was freaking out, haha). I hated that she made so many assumptions about Billy! And Billy…..he just kept giving in to his addictions which only created further problems! And then this author, who I now love, did something that shocked me. No spoilers so I can’t divulge it but it broke me.
And I love that we get to know the personalities of their grown children! This book ends with another cliffhanger and I cannot wait to get started on book 3!
My dearest Katie, I’m sorry. There are no words to explain or justify what I’ve done. I just need you to know that after all these years, you still own my heart. There has never been anyone else. You are still my passion and my madness, and even if I never see your beautiful face again, I’ll love you long after I take my last breath and well beyond the end of time. Always and forever, Billy.
Books 1-3 Of Love And Madness Series
For quite some time the Of Love And Madness series has been registering on my radar, but this was the first opportunity I had to sit down and read it. This went beyond a binge read and entered into meaningful and captivating territory after the first page of book one, At This Moment. In this series Ms. Cimms gives her audience an all-encompassing love story where every hug was enveloping and every kiss was soul sealing.
The leads in this work had a presence that reached far beyond the pages they occupied and the singular draw they felt toward each other easily translated to this writer’s readers. Billy and Kate were full of imperfections, there were times that they both made choices that gave readers’ reasons to question their appeal yet despite their lows there were just as many highs and what emerged were two incredible characters that offered so much in their frailty that it ultimately became their biggest strength. Details gave readers’ a chance to form complicated opinions and showed the depth of this author’s portrayals to their advantage. This couple’s relationship was stripped down and the emotions were raw, real and lingering. Ms. Cimms showed Billy and Kate at their most vulnerable making no attempt to glamorize their bond and in doing so made them accessible to each other and reader’s alike. The clarity this author had in expressing her characters miscommunications and misguided need to protect each other was done compassionately and expertly. A standout and memorable secondary cast not only enhanced but contributed significantly to this series.
The insight, intimacy and devotion Ms. Cimms had with her portrayals was rare and touching. She guided them through the best and worst of times and stayed true to her characters, never glossing over their flaws and never deserting them in their worst moments even as she elevated them in their best. This was an emotional read with no shortage of heartbreaking moments and full on sobs. If you are looking for a series to invest your time and heart into Karen Cimms’ Of Love And Madness series is a must!
*Other than the first book in this series the works in this series are not stand alone.*
What a hot mess I am right now after that gut wrenching emotional rollercoaster! Gah! My stomach is in knots! I’m so devastated! Karen Cimms has quickly become one of my favorite authors! Of Love and Madness has become one of my favorite series! Billy and Kate have been through so much! I’m devastated by Billy’s behavior and poor Katie! Like how much more can life throw at her! I swear I want to smack Rhiannon and knock some privileged sense into that girl. She’s so selfish! And Doug needs to put his foot down! Devin is kind of a bystander here in a way. But he should’ve been more emotionally connected to his mother. So many secrets from each other has finally tipped the boiling pot and I’m in desperate need to start book 3 right now! I know this series was going to be amazing halfway through book 1 and I was so right!
You are my madness and my love…………
The beautiful words from book 1 turn into something else altogether in this heartbreaking continuation. Karen Cimms writing has to power to make you feel every emotion of the characters. The lesson is love no matter how sincere is not enough when secrets, lies and omissions are between two people. Katie & Billy are on a downward spiral that is hurting each other and their family more and more – no matter what the original intentions were. There are some moments in this story that you can feel that the love is still there and I am hoping to see that love again in book 3.
This is the 2nd book in this amazing series and Kate and Billy have loved each other for 22+ year and are married with 2 children. It is not an easy life married to a rock star who is mainly on the road travelling and Billy struggles and slips to dangerous methods to help him cope. When he makes a huge mistake, this could cost him everything. This is a well written flawless story which is an emotional roller coaster throughout, and is raw, gritty, heart-wrenching, and with drama, relationships, and loss which al lead to a powerful and all-consuming read. I cannot wait to read the next book and this talented author had done a wonderful job in penning this series.
Over twenty years have passed and Billy and Katie have struggled but it seems to get worse all the time. Katie is so strong holding the family together while Billy is trying to make a name for himself but bit by bit Katie’s strength is crumbling. Do not expect to not be effected by this story and it made it hard to concentrate on anything else till I finished it. The author made you feel just what the characters feel and sometimes I wasn’t sure which was my favorite but the story was awesome.