Audio Review ~ Show Me the Way ~ A.L. Jackson #AudioChallenge #ShelfLove

Show Me the Way by A.L. Jackson
Fight for Me #1
Narrated by: Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber
Release Date: October 13, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on Audible
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #AudioChallenge, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Rex Gunner. As bitter as he is beautiful.

The owner of the largest construction company in Gingham Lakes has been burned one too many times. His wife leaving him to raise their daughter was the last blow this single dad could take. The only woman he'll let into his heart is his little girl.

Rynna Dayne. As vulnerable as she is tempting.

She ran from Gingham Lakes when she was seventeen. She swore to herself she would never return. Then her grandmother passed away and left her the deed to the diner that she once loved.

When Rex meets his new neighbor, he knows he's in trouble.

She's gorgeous and sweet and everything he can't trust.

Until she becomes the one thing he can't resist.

One kiss sends them tumbling toward ecstasy.

But in a town this size, pasts are bound to collide. Caught in a web of lies, betrayal, and disloyalty, Rex must make a choice.

Will he hide behind his walls or will he take the chance...

Oh my! It's been awhile since I spent time in a world created by A.L. Jackson and I'd forgotten how rich her stories are. I loved every second I spent in Gingham Lakes and its inhabitants and am eager to return.

Highlights:

• Rynna & Rex
  Goodness did I love these two! They've both been burned - badly - and yet are still such giving people. They're loyal to their family and friends and care so deeply about them and their hometown. Watching them fight and eventually fall was beautiful.
• Frankie Lee
  I believe I've mentioned how I feel about guys with kids. *wink* Frankie Lee and her daddy (Rex) were something to behold!
• Plot
  The circumstances behind Rynna's return were sad but I couldn't help but feel Fate - and Rynna's grandma - had a hand in all that came afterward. The ways in which Rynna and Rex were tangled up in each other - people they knew, their businesses, Rex's love of Rynna's grandma's pies - only served to solidify the fact they were meant to be. The element of suspense and the tension it wrought was very well done and again, I appreciated how ALJ had it all tied together.
• Romance
  Although there was a serious attraction, Rex fought it fiercely. That bothered me at first but I eventually understood her reasons and as I said, watching these two fall was beautiful. The fact that Frankie Lee was part of the equation only made the romance that much sweeter because the way Rynna fell for her too illustrated the kind of person she was and made me root for them all the harder.
• Narration
  Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber are a dream team! (a theme lately) I freaking loved their delivery on all counts. The pace was perfect, they conveyed every single emotion, their voices for each character - especially Webber's voice for Frankie Lee - were distinct and consistent, and overall it was an utterly entertaining listen! So much so that I'm getting every ALJ book these two narrate.

Show Me the Way was not only a well-written story but also an aural delight!

**Release Day Blitz & Review ~ Come to Me Softly ~ A.L. Jackson**

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.

***

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

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.

**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 1752

But 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 3217

I 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 4090

Come 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 4181

Come 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!

Come to Me Softly Read Along Party! 

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

Come To Me Quietly (The Closer to You Series, Book 1)

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?

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.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

**Teaser Tuesday ~ #24**

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

***

Come to Me Softly by A.L. Jackson

#2 

Release Date: June 24, 2014

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.

**Teaser**

"I always thought I'd be her ruin. But right then, I was pretty sure she'd be mine. My faultless demise. Because I'd suffer for her. Bear all her burden and her blame. Would gladly die for her.

The most terrifying part of it all was that I was willing to live for her."

**The Regret Series Cover Reveal, Box Set Release Sale & Giveaway ~ A.L. Jackson**

Check out the stunning new covers to the New York Times bestselling novels, The Regret Series by A.L. Jackson. Regina Wamba of Mae I Design has given them a fresh new look and to celebrate, the entire series is now available as a bundled set for a limited-time sale of $1.99! Grab your copies now or gift them to a friend!

Lost to You

The prequel to the bestselling romance, Take This Regret.

People come into our lives. Some stay, and many go. Some build us up, while most tear us down. They become our friends, our enemies, our lovers, our tormentors.

Christian Davison came into mine, and I knew I’d never be the same.

To Elizabeth Ayers, New York City had always been a dream. She’s worked her entire young life to make it here.

Groomed to one day take over his father’s law firm, attending Columbia University was Christian Davison’s only option.

Neither wanted anything more until they sat across from each other at a café table after being paired as study partners.

Christian wants her, but Elizabeth knows better than to give into their intense attraction. Yet there is little she can do to stay away.

Take This Regret

There are some mistakes we make that we will regret for the rest of our lives.

For Christian Davison, it was the day he betrayed Elizabeth Ayers.

For five years, Christian has regretted the day he walked away from his family and will do anything to win them back.

Can Elizabeth forgive someone who has committed the unforgiveable? Or are there some wounds that go so deep they can never heal?

If Forever Comes

If Forever Comes, the final chapter in the New York Times Bestselling novels, The Regret Series.

Christian Davison’s life is complete. With a ring on Elizabeth’s finger and his daughter at his side, he’s ready to run headlong into their future.

Elizabeth Ayers never believed she would again find this kind of joy—the joy of a family and the wholeness found in the touch of the man she’s always loved.

Their love is intense and their passion only grows as they set out to rediscover each other.

But life is never easy.

Rocked by the unforeseen, Christian and Elizabeth will find themselves fighting for the one thing they hold most important—family.

Reading Order and Purchase Links

Lost to You: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

Take This Regret: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

If Forever Comes: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

NEW Bundled Set ($1.99): Amazon

About A.L. Jackson

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 Come to Me Quietly.

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.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

And Don’t miss The Regret Series Box Set Release and Cover Reveal Giveaway!

Grand Prize ~ A.L. Jackson Prize Pack

Second ~ $50.00 Amazon Gift Card

Third ~ $25.00 Amazon Gift Card

Giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e42d6b28/