By now it’s common knowledge that Eric Arvin is going through some serious health issues at the moment. We have watched it play out on Facebook and have stalked Tj Klune’s page as we’ve waited for updates. Hundreds of us have donated to the Eric Arvin Support Fund and have sent countless prayers up for Eric, Tj and their families. We have cried along with Tj as we have read his words and watched him on video.

Eric is a friend to On Top Down Under Book Reviews. He is also one of the nicest guys that I personally have ever had the pleasure of speaking with. I have been a fan of his books since the day I read Tj’s review of Woke Up In A Strange Place way back when and knew I had to read the book. That story made him a go-to for me and this was cemented when I had the pleasure of reading the Valley books, The Mingled Destinies of Crocodiles and Men and Azrael and the Light Bringer. There were other stories in between of course as I have read more than a dozen of his but these hold a very special place for me as a reader. Eric has given me some of my proudest moments as a reviewer – both privately and publicly – and has made me feel proud on more than one occasion for what Kazza K and I do here.  There have been many emails and private messages that have gone back and forth over time and I have enthusiastically pushed him and his books as hard as I could over the past few months.

Kazza K and I are extremely lucky. A majority of authors whose books we’ve reviewed are appreciative of what we say, whether we loved their books or not. But when an author goes that extra mile and says “thank you for getting what I was trying to say”  it really means a lot to both of us. Eric has done that for me and not just once. He has been absolutely wonderful and supportive since he read my first review of one of his books.

When On Top Down Under was about to celebrate our one year anniversary in October, Kazza and I chose to celebrate our anniversary month by posting interviews and giveaways throughout with some of our favorite authors. I went back and forth debating on whether or not I should ask Eric. We were not yet friends on Facebook as CindiInBama had only recently been created to link to this blog and our YA sister site. Sure, I’d read his books and he and I had spoken a few times but I was hesitant to ask him to do an interview for us because On Top Down Under is still relatively new and I admit that I was a little nervous that he might say no. I needn’t have worried because within minutes of receiving my message, he was not only responding back but offering to do a video interview for us – and thrilled about being asked. Since then, we have spoken more times than I can count and with each message his appreciation of my love of his work – and the support of it from this blog – has shown through.

When I saw Tj’s first Facebook status about Eric being ill, I was saddened for both of them but I had assumed – and hoped – it was something minor. As the days went on and the seriousness of Eric’s condition became known, along with everyone else I felt like a member of my extended family was ill.

We have watched Eric and Tj’s relationship play out over the past year or so. We have cheered them on and smiled at their antics in their videos. We have giggled over Eric’s lack of enthusiasm over Christmas decorating and the nerve of him eating Tj’s pecan pie. We all cried like babies while watching  Tj’s beautiful proposal at GRL. We have – from long distance – watched them become part of us in a unique way. And now we are virtually there with Tj as he waits helplessly to see how everything is going to play out with the man he loves. We ache for him, on top of Eric. If there is ever a couple who deserves their happily-ever-after, it’s these two guys.

So Kazza K and I would like to send our love and support to Eric, Tj and their families. We have been giving it privately all along but now we are doing it publicly. I hope that if you are able (and if you haven’t already) that you will donate to the Eric Arvin Support Fund. Families look after their own and we consider Eric as one of our own here at On Top Down Under. I have no doubt that he’ll agree with that statement. If you pray, I hope you’ll send a lot up for both Eric and Tj and their families. There is a long road ahead of them all and we, along with all of you, are hoping and praying for that happy ending.

Much love and prayers to both Eric and Tj. I look forward to going back to being “Eric’s little stalker girl” (he’ll get that) when he’s back to being his sweet, funny, healthy self.

~Cindi