Showing posts with label A.L. Jackson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A.L. Jackson. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Drowning to Breathe (Bleeding Stars #2) by A.L. Jackson [Giveaway]



The danger in pretending is it becoming real...
Sebastian Stone, Sunder front man and guitarist with a rap sheet about ten miles long, escaped to Savannah, Georgia, to get away from the trouble he’d caused.
Not find more of it.
    The moment he saw Shea Bentley, he saw beneath all her sweet and innocence to something that went deeper.
Darker.
Their relationship was built on secrets; their love built on lies.
Sebastian never imagined how deep her secrets went.
When the past and present collide, Sebastian and Shea find themselves fighting for a future neither believed they deserved. Their passion is consuming and their need unending.
Now, holding the truth in his hands, Sebastian is faced with sacrificing everything he’s come to love to protect Shea and his family.
Two pasts intertwined.
Two lives bound.
 

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Come to Me Recklessly (Closer to You, #3) by A.L. Jackson



His heart was turned off…

Until she turned him on…

Christopher Moore gave up on the idea of love years ago. Now, his life is an endless string of parties and an even longer string of girls. Enjoying the physical perks with none of the emotional mess, hes convinced everyone that hes satisfied—everyone but himself.

Samantha Schultz has moved on with her life. Finishing her student teaching and living with her boyfriend, shes deluded herself into believing shes content. But there is one boy she never forgot—her first love—and she keeps the memory of him locked up tight. She will never allow any man to break her the way Christopher did.

When Christopher's sister and her family move into a new neighborhood, Christopher is completely unprepared to find Samantha living at the end of the street. Memories and unspent desires send them on collision course of sex, lies, and lust. But when guilt and fear send Samantha running, Christopher will have to fight for what has always been his.
 




5 AWWWW Stars
 
Come to Me Recklessly is a standalone and is part of the Closer to You series.
 
It’s Chris and Samantha’s story! YAY!!!  I love A.L. Jackson so much!!!
 
They say time mends all things. I say they are liars.
 
You have to be in a certain frame of mind when you read a Jackson book. You have to be willing to go on a journey and it will have heartache, tears and sadness, but it will also be beautiful.
Chris is Aly’s brother and Jared’s best friend. Once upon a time, Chris and Samantha were the perfect couple and so in love.  Chris is the bad boy that couldn’t be tamed and Samantha is the goodie girl, always obeying her parents. Something happens and the two go their separate ways.
 
As much as I hate flashbacks, I really enjoyed reading the moments in high school when Chris and Sam dated. It just seems so innocent, cute and carefree. They were so young and so in love.
 
Years later, Sam runs into Aly at Target and Aly wants Sam back into her life, since they were once good friends.  Sam doesn’t know if she can be friends with Aly because of her brother Chris.  When Chris sees Sam for the first time, well, CRAZY happens and I love it.
 
Chris is not the typical Hero. He’s mean, a jerk and a ball of emotions. We love it don’t we?!
 
I’m not a toy. You don’t get to play games with me. Not ever again.
 
The tension between Chris and Sam is wonderful. I couldn’t get enough of it. Chris hates Sam so much but he can’t stop thinking about her. As you read, you get glimpses of why he hates her so much.  Sam doesn’t want anything to do with Chris either.
 
She also has a boyfriend! **GASP** I’m usually against love triangles or things that involve in that storyline, BUT this one works for me.  Also Sam’s boyfriend isn’t great, so that helps too.  Sam wants to move forward and just be friends with Chris. Of course it’s never that easy.
 
 
All I want is to be inside you, Samantha. To [be with] you until you never forget who you belong to
 
She was so close that she was filing up my breath.
 
As you read, you kind of piece together what happened.
 
I really enjoyed Come to Me Recklessly because it wasn’t easy.  Sometimes you need those tough books to make your heart melt.  I felt the chemistry between Sam and Chris and I got what I crave for in a read, a love story.
 
If you are a fan of the series, you will not be disappointed.

 




There are few things that hurt so much as a broken heart.
 

It’s physical.

Intense.

Real.

It doesn’t matter which way you slice it, analyze it, or add it up, you’ll always come up with the exact same sum. The worst part is there is no antidote for this affliction.

They say time mends all things.

I say they are liars.

Maybe it subdues, burying it beneath all the new memories we make, tucked under the burdens and joys and new experiences that life layers on over the years.

But that broken heart?

It’s always right there, lying in wait. Ready to crush you when you’re slammed with that errant, unexpected thought.

But nothing could have prepared me for this—what it would feel like to look up and find him standing inches from me.

From the moment we met, he always had the power to bring me to my knees. I should have known his control over me would never diminish or dim.

I should have known it only would intensify. 

Maybe I should run.
 

But somewhere inside, I know he’ll never let me get far. 




 
 

 
SERIES
 
 
Come to Me Quietly #1 - REVIEW | AMAZON
Come to Me Softly #2 - REVIEW | AMAZON
Come to Me Recklessly #3 -   AMAZON


A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including If Forever Comes, Pulled and When We Collide, as well as the New Adult Romance Come To Me Quietly due out January 7, 2014. 

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves. 









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Thursday, November 13, 2014

When We Met by A.L. Jackson, Molly McAdams, Tiffany King, Christina Lee

When We MetWhen We Met by A.L. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Overall Stars

I’m not a fan of mini-reads, but I’m a fan of all of these authors, so I took a plunge. When We Met are for short stories from four different authors. Mini-reads are great when you just want to get to the heart and meat of the story. If you are in the mood for that, then this novel is perfect for you.

Behind Her Eyes by A.L. Jackson

Poor Misha, her ex videotaped her having sex with him. She is trying to move on, but the girl is messed up. I would be too. Darryn is the guy next door that just wants to get to know Misha, but Misha doesn’t want anything to do with Darryn. Misha’s story is really sad, I don’t blame her for being recluse and very cautious towards men. She has a slight stutter, which I could have done without, but it adds character. There’s always something tragic with Jackson’s reads, but it kind of works.

Saving Me by Molly McAdams

I thought this one was kind of cute. Indy gets really drunk and she never remembers what happens the night before. I’m not a fan of loose Heroines, especially when she doesn’t even remember who she sleeps with, but Kier is really sweet. Each party, he’s there to make sure Indy makes it home safely. You kind of wonder why the guy is so sweet.

It’s hard to believe a girl can’t remember the previous night, but I’ve never been black out drunk, so who am I to say anything. Indy and Kier kind of have this odd ball relationship, but it works because Indy needs someone to save her and Kier is the guy for it.

Fouling Out by Tiffany King

This was a cute one. Courtney is a waitress and Dalton is the star basketball player. Courtney doesn’t want anything to do with the arrogant Dalton, but Dalton makes it hard for her to continually push him away. I like it when the cocky jock goes after the Heroine, she makes him work for it. Of course they both have issues, but the storyline was cute.

Beneath your Layers by Christina Lee

Chloe is probably most like me, a fashionista set out to make it in the world. I didn’t really care for Blake too much, he builds sets, but it’s cute to read how Chloe and Blake interact since they have to work on a project together. It was short and sweet.

Overall, When we Met is great if you are into mini-reads. You get a little bit of story with a punch of steam.

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

When We Met by A.L. JacksonAMAZON

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Come to Me Softly by (Closer to You, #2) A.L. Jackson

Come to Me Softly (Closer to You, #2)Come to Me Softly by A.L. Jackson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 CRAZY JARED STARS

I really like this series, Come to Me Softly wasn’t the easiest book to read, and there was plenty of drama and tension. There were some high notes and some short ones as well.

Jared and Aly are trying to build a future together. Jared came back after months of going on a bender. He wants nothing more than to prove his love and worth to his girl. Aly is pregnant and is so happy Jared came back, but she knows this doesn’t fix everything in their relationship.

Come to Me Softly is their story, a story of Jared and his past issues, Aly and her pregnancy and dealing with Jared and all his crazy.

“I love you, Aly More. You know that, don’t you?”

“Of course I know that.” I knew it long before he knew it himself


Two words to describe Come to Me Softly is - > CRAZY JARED. He’s CRAZY! Yeah I had to say it again. I love the intensity of Jared and Aly’s relationship. I am a big fan of can’t-breathe-without-each-other kind of love and Jared and Aly have that.

My faultless demise. Because I’d suffer for her. Bear all her burden and her blame. Would gladly die for her

Despite all the hate I harbored inside, this girl still managed to make me love her.


When Jared comes back, he knows he messed up big time. He never really dealt with the issues that caused him to run away, but he knows he needs his Aly. In some ways Aly has become his drug and she makes him happy. Jared does everything he can to prove to Aly and Christopher (Aly’s brother) that Jared is the man for Aly.

We always know Aly accepts Jared back in warm graces. She however has her pregnancy to think about. It seems like it’s all warm and fuzzy at first, but it there’s something off about Jared and she wants him to just get better.

God, I love this man with all of my life. And I would never stop.

All I want is for you to live. To be Free


Towards the ending, things become to unravel and I felt like the pace really picked up. I think I enjoyed the ending the most, as much as I wanted to pull my hair out due to frustration. It was plenty of angsty.

I was a little disappointed with the pace and tone. I felt the read was a bit too long and a bit too descriptive. I understand there needs to be chapters of us understanding what goes on in Aly and Jared’s head, but sometimes (and most likely) I just want dialogue. I’ve never been fond of descriptive writing, so this is a personal taste.

I enjoyed the continued story of Jared and Aly and I appreciate that sometimes love can’t be enough to fix yourself. Sometimes you need to find it in yourself to get better.

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. Quotes subject to change


Series Order
Come to Me Quietly (Closer to You, #1) by A.L. Jackson REVIEW | AMAZON

Come to Me Softly (Closer to You, #2) by A.L. Jackson AMAZON

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Giveaway - Come to Me Quietly by A.L. Jackson


From the acclaimed bestselling author of Lost to You and When We Collide comes a new adult novel of one woman’s obsession: a man who’s as passionate as he is elusive—and as tempting as he is trouble…

Aleena Moore is haunted by Jared Holt. It’s been six years since she’s seen her brother’s best friend, the self-destructive bad boy she secretly loved in high school. As the years pass, she knows it’s time to move on. Time to decide between a practical nursing degree and her true dream as an artist. Time to get over Jared and give another guy a chance…

Just when she opens her heart to her friend Gabe, Aly returns home to find Jared sleeping on her couch. The teenage boy she loved has grown into a man she can’t resist. Covered in tattoos and lost in rage, he’s begging to be saved from his demons—the memories of the day he destroyed his family. As the two reconnect, their passion is hot enough to torch Aly’s judgment. But can she risk her future for a man who lives on the edge of destruction?


5 FINDING – LOVE – AGAIN STARS

Come to Me Quietly (CTMQ), is a beautiful, finding-yourself, searching-for-love kind of read.

Aleena has been in love with Jared since childhood.  Jared was best friends with Alenna’s brother Christopher. Something happened and Jared left town.  Now, Aleena is older, she’s living with her brother Christopher and is trying to move on with her life. Jared comes back into town and crashes on Christopher and Aleena’s couch until he can find a better place to stay.  Jared doesn’t know what he wants, but he knows he’s not good enough for Aleena and tries his best to stay away.

I LOVED CTMQ so much and it had a lot of elements I do not like in a read.  Such as, there are some (small) flashbacks, the “issue” wasn’t presented until towards the end of the book and the ANGST was crazy severe, so how could I love it so much? One word -------- > WRITING!  I loved the dialogue flow, I loved the character development, I EVEN loved the angst **GASP**


I’m a big fan of childhood romance kind of reads, even though a lot of them do contain flashbacks, but in CTMQ, it was so minor that the little flashes I did read, really help build the kind of relationship Aleena and Jared had growing up. I also liked seeing it from both sides.

Oh the pain you can feel from Aleena. She loved Jared so very much. I never had a brother, but if I had one with a best friend like Jared, yeah I would have a major crush on him too. How could you not? Jared didn’t treat Alenna like crap as a kid and it just made it even cuter. Jared was kind of like Aleena’s protector growing up. Because Alenna loved Jared so much, it was hard for her to move past it, meaning no guy she dated really had a chance, but she did her best to try.

I loved Alenna and even her little nick name “Aly Cat”, I’m a huge stickler for nick names, the more unique it is, the better in my opinion.  She was a strong, level headed Heroine, at times, I felt like she allowed Jared to kind of push her around, but she acted like a typical girl, so I totally got her.

As for Jared, oh man, the pain and tormented and damaged hero he was. It’s very apparent from the beginning, something happened that caused Jared to leave, something Jared blames himself for, we do not know what, but because of this, he tries to punish himself, by keeping away from Aleena. The tug of war between Aleena and Jared is yummy to read. It was hot and cold and up and down, it was a crazy mixed of rollercoaster of emotions, which made me on edge the whole time.


I loved it.

CTMQ is a beautiful story about loss of innocence and seeking punishment, two things I love to read. If you like Jackson’s writing style or never read a book by her, I suggestion Come to Me Quietly, it’s a must read.

PURCHASE


A few minutes later she returned. She’d changed out of her work clothes and into the same sleep shorts she chose to constantly taunt me with night after night. 

God, the girl had the best legs I’d ever seen. 

She was twisting her long hair up into a high ponytail as she walked barefoot into the kitchen. The mixture of her skin and the food she’d brought smelled like heaven. 

She cracked open the fridge. “Either of you want another beer?” she asked as she bent down to dig through the fridge. 

In my head I was screaming at myself to close my eyes or to look up or to look down or to just look the fuck away. 

I didn’t. 

Instead I watched.

A curl of lust twisted my stomach into the tightest knot, so tight I had to struggle to get a breath of air into my lungs.  

Christopher’s voice broke my trance. “Yeah, I’ll take one.”

I cut my attention in his direction, and eyes so much like Aly’s stared back at me. 

I dropped my gaze and mumbled, “Sure, I could use another.”  

Aly stood and knocked the door closed with her hip. She had three beers woven between her fingers, their caps pressed together. Maybe there was something inherently wrong with me, but I thought it had to be one of the sexiest moves I’d ever seen. 

She set them down on the table. “One for you.” She passed one to Christopher, grinned as she slid one across the table to me. “And one for you.” 

“Thanks,” I said.  

She twisted the cap off the third and plopped heavily into the chair as she tipped it to her mouth. 
“Long day?” Christopher asked as he arched a brow at her. 

“Oh, yeah.” She released a long breath. “It was super busy.” A little shrug lifted her shoulders. “Made good tips, but I couldn’t wait for my shift to end.” She began opening the take-out box lids. My mouth watered when I was hit with the heavy aroma of thick red meat sauce and pasta. 

I stood. “Here, let me grab some plates and forks.” 

She threw a soft smile up at me as I passed. “Thanks, Jared.”

“Yeah, no problem.” 

Even though it was only three feet away, I stumbled into the kitchen as if it were some kind of oasis in the desert. For a second, I dropped my head as I pressed my hands into the counter and filled my lungs with the deepest breath of air I could find.

Get a grip, Jared.


A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, and If Forever Comes.

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student.  She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. 

Look for Come to Me Softly, book two in the Closer To You Series, coming July 1, 2014 



Be sure to enter the COME TO ME QUIETLY Blog Tour Giveaway!!

Grand Prize:  A.L. Jackson Complete Signed Paperback Collection (all six titles) + Come To Me Quietly Poster and swag

Second Prize:  Come To Me Quietly Collection, which includes a signed copy of Come To Me Quietly, a Come To Me Quietly poster, keychain, and custom bookmark

Third Prize:  A.L. Jackson Fun Pack stuffed full of A.L. Jackson book swag

Fourth Prize:  Audiobook Gift Set from Audible.com of The Regret Series (Lost To You, Take This Regret & If Forever Comes)

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Thursday, November 14, 2013

Come To Me Softly (Closer to You, #2) by A.L. Jackson

ComeToMeSoftlyCover.Final

COME TO ME SOFTLY by A.L. Jackson has a cover and we get to share it with you today! Isn't it gorgeous! Read all about Book 2 in the Closer to You Series coming SUMMER 2014!!

Title: Come To Me Softly (The Closer to You Series, Book 2)
Author: A.L. Jackson
Expected Release Date: Summer 2014
Genre: New Adult Romance

From the New York Times bestselling author of Come to Me Quietly comes
a scorching new adult romance in the Closer to You series.
 
A second chance at life…
A second chance at love…

  Jared Holt never thought he deserved either—until he found both in the arms of Aly Moore. Aly has loved Jared for as long as she can remember, and she’s more than ready for the future they’re making together. But Jared can’t help remembering his own family. And he’ll never forgive himself for what happened to them. How can he allow himself the very happiness he once destroyed? To live a life worthy of Aly, Jared knows he has to stop running and finally put his past to rest. But when he decides to face his demons head on, he encounters more than he bargained for: a dangerous mix of jealousy, lies, and dishonest intentions. When those intentions threaten Aly, Jared loses all control, giving into the rage that earned him his bad boy reputation years before. And he’ll fight to protect her no matter what it costs…even if he destroys himself in the process.


I gasped when strong. arms wrapped around me from behind. Then I melted when he buried his face in my neck. Jared spun me around and pressed me up against the cool metal of my car door. His hands were on my face, in my hair, slipping down my sides before he brought them back up to force me to look at him. “Thank you.” Desperation poured from him, his hold increasing as he stared down at the shock I felt lining my face. “Thank you for fucking believing in me, Aly. For getting me.” Fear lashed across his face. Or maybe it was remorse. He swallowed hard, his voice hardened with strain. “I’m scared to think of where I’d be right now without you.” That fear that had flashed on his face coiled in my stomach. Because I didn’t know where he’d been. Had no idea where the last three months had taken him. How far. How low. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. “You’re here with me now.” I had to believe that was all that mattered. He grimaced. Gripping my face, he leaned down and kissed me, hard and demanding. There was no soft affection, none of the playfulness from upstairs. This was a seal. A branding. He jerked back. A storm raged in the blue of his eyes. “Don’t think I can’t see all those questions burning in your mind, Aly. And I may not have all the answers right now, but we are going to figure this out. Do you understand me? I promise you that.” And I saw it all there, the torment that plagued Jared, this beautiful man who had lost his way, the one desperate to find his way home.
 
Join us for the COME TO ME SOFTY Cover Reveal Party happening all day today! A.L. will be hanging out talking books, boys, and giving away a ton of special prizes from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm MST! Join the Party HERE!!

  AL Jackson2

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, and If Forever Comes. She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life. Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. Look for Come to Me Quietly and 

Come to Me Softly coming soon.






And don’t miss the COME TO ME SOFTLY Cover Reveal Giveaway. Prizes include an A.L. Jackson Ultimate Signed Paperback Collection, signed COME TO ME QUIETLY paperbacks, treats from Sweets by Steph, and prize packs from Molly McAdams, Gail McHugh, Raine Miller, Gretchen de la O, Kim Karr,
 and Madeline Sheehan!

  Come to Me Softly Giveaway picture

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Book 1 - Come to Me Quietly releasing January 7, 2014

Come to ME Quietly

Aleena Moore is content with her life. She has goals and dreams and an easy smile. She also has a secret she holds locked inside. Jared Holt believes he doesn’t deserve to love or be loved. He destroys everything he touches. Haunted by the mistake that shattered his life, he’s fled from the memory of that pain. Jared doesn’t know why he’s compelled to return, but finds himself drawn back to the place where it all began. The exact place where it ended. When he runs into his childhood best friend, Aleena’s older brother Christopher, he agrees to share Christopher and Aleena’s apartment while he looks for a place of his own. Aleena is no longer the little girl Jared remembers from his past and evokes feelings in him he never wanted to feel again. Terrified of destroying her, he fights to keep her away. But her touch is something he can’t resist—the touch that sealed his fate. Their pasts are intertwined and their futures uncertain. The only truths they know are the secrets they whisper in the night.

PURCHASE