Happy Release Day, A.L. Jackson!
Come to Me Softly releases today!
I have my review as well as TWO giveaways for y'all!
This blitz was organized by Shh Moms Reading.
I have my review as well as TWO giveaways for y'all!
This blitz was organized by Shh Moms Reading.
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Come to Me Softly by A.L. Jackson
The Closer to You Series #2
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Synopsis
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Synopsis
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 used the words powerful, moving and intensely emotional to describe the first installment of Jared and Aly's story. I liked Come to Me Quietly...like, a lot! (read my review here) Come to Me Softly...it was incredible! It was even more gut-wrenching and powerful, and I didn't think that was possible. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect conclusion for Jared and Aly's story.
Come to Me Softly continues Aly and Jared's rocky yet beautiful journey. Jared has returned to Aly and they begin building their life together.
I really came to admire Aly and her quiet strength. She never gave up on Jared. She knew he would find his way back to her but she also didn't back down from demanding he make peace with is past. She made him fight for their future just as hard as she was fighting. Aly knew she couldn't fix Jared - that he had to determine a way to let go of his past, to forgive himself.
Jared broke my heart. As a mother, I can't fathom my child living with the guilt and hate Jared has lived with. I would never want that for my child and I can't imagine his mom would.
Ms. Jackson's delivery of this story was exquisite - her prose conveying every emotion palpably. I relished the way she used Jared's tattoos and even his exhalation of smoke to symbolize his feelings about his past and his perceived sins and punishment.
This story is about more than Jared fighting his demons though. It's about the importance and power of forgiveness and healing. Jared's revelations regarding this were stunning.
Be sure to join the Come to Me Softly Read Along Party! We’re kicking off the celebration on June 24th with a ton of prizes, then the read along begins. Daily prizes all the way up to grand prize on July 2nd!
Come to Me Softly Read Along Party!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Come To Me Quietly (The Closer to You Series, Book 1)
Synopsis
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?
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 When We Met: Behind Her Eyes coming soon.
**Trailer**
I used the words powerful, moving and intensely emotional to describe the first installment of Jared and Aly's story. I liked Come to Me Quietly...like, a lot! (read my review here) Come to Me Softly...it was incredible! It was even more gut-wrenching and powerful, and I didn't think that was possible. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect conclusion for Jared and Aly's story.
Come to Me Softly continues Aly and Jared's rocky yet beautiful journey. Jared has returned to Aly and they begin building their life together.
"I know things aren't always going to be easy with him. But he's worth it." -Aly, Loc 1752But Jared still hasn't faced his demons. Aly knows he needs to in order for them to survive but Jared refuses. And when things finally come to a head, Jared has to figure out a way to move beyond his past or forego his future with Aly.
I really came to admire Aly and her quiet strength. She never gave up on Jared. She knew he would find his way back to her but she also didn't back down from demanding he make peace with is past. She made him fight for their future just as hard as she was fighting. Aly knew she couldn't fix Jared - that he had to determine a way to let go of his past, to forgive himself.
Jared broke my heart. As a mother, I can't fathom my child living with the guilt and hate Jared has lived with. I would never want that for my child and I can't imagine his mom would.
"How could I ever leave it behind when it was always there? Lurking. Threatening my sanity and the world I'd worked so hard to build for Aly." -Jared, Loc 3217I was so proud of him and the steps he took towards moving forward, taking charge of what he wanted out of life, taking steps to achieve it. Aly was an integral part of Jared's healing. I think both she and Jared realized this. But Jared working his way to understanding that he had to heal - not only for Aly and their baby but for himself was amazing.
"...that's what this had always been about -- Jared finding himself beneath all the debris and pulling himself from it." -Aly, Loc 4115
Ms. Jackson's delivery of this story was exquisite - her prose conveying every emotion palpably. I relished the way she used Jared's tattoos and even his exhalation of smoke to symbolize his feelings about his past and his perceived sins and punishment.
This story is about more than Jared fighting his demons though. It's about the importance and power of forgiveness and healing. Jared's revelations regarding this were stunning.
"I thought I'd gone to my father for mercy.But he'd shown me that mercy was buried somewhere deep inside of me.And I knew, just like I was sure my mother knew.Just like Aly knew all along.It was time to forgive myself." -Jared, Loc 4090Come to Me Softly is also about soul mates and the ways in which that bond is forged. Aly and Jared were fated to be together. She knew it. He knew it. Ms. Jackson makes you believe it.
"...taking one of my hands with him. He pressed it over his hammering heart. 'Since I was just a little boy, this has beat for you. Even before I knew what it meant. Now I know it means everything.'" -Jared, Loc 4181Come to Me Softly was emotionally powerful - heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting. Aly and Jared's story impacted me in a profound way. It's a story that will be with me for a long while.
Be sure to join the Come to Me Softly Read Along Party! We’re kicking off the celebration on June 24th with a ton of prizes, then the read along begins. Daily prizes all the way up to grand prize on July 2nd!
Grand Prize: Coach Bag stuff with A.L. Jackson Goodies!
Come to Me Softly Release Celebration Giveaway!
Grand Prize: Coach Bag, Kindle Paperwhite, and A.L. Jackson Swag
Second Prize: Come to Me Quietly Custom Charm Necklace
Third Prize: A.L. Jackson Swag Pack
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Buy Book 1 in the series – Come to Me Quietly
Author: A.L. Jackson
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Genre: New Adult Romance
Synopsis
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?
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 When We Met: Behind Her Eyes coming soon.
When an author can make me believe that two characters are soul mates when I don't believe in soul mates, I am sold! Happy it was so good.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how great this book was, Jennifer. AL did a great job with these two characters. :)
DeleteI still remember how much you loved the first one! But Mankin had used up my angst tolerance for CB and I don't want to read another one like it in the next few weeks. I'm not sure if this is angsty but it sounds like it has a lot of Drama. I love but I can't handle it right now just yet. Still thanks for the recommendation, will take note of this
ReplyDeleteI understand, Braine. Believe me, I do. It just seems that I'm drawn to this kind of read. My hubby asks me all the time why I like to read books that make me cry. ;) If you ever do pick up this series, I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteI didn't realize this was a continuation of Come to Me Quietly when I took it for review, but am excited to read both. I love your reviews!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll love them both, Andrea! Thanks!
DeleteI'm so glad you loved this one. Sounds like it did a lot of things right. Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jaclyn!
DeleteWow Brandee!! It sounds like this book has stepped it up a bit! It is great to see they are moving on with their lives and that Aly wants to help Jared with his demons! Fab review girl!
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Oh Naomi, this is a couple that you'll love! :)
DeleteI loved you loved the first book, but this one was better. I shall throw them onto my TBR pile. Thanks for sharing :D
ReplyDelete