Review – Stand by A.L. Jackson

STAND is now live!

A Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel

From NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author A.L. Jackson comes the next seductive, unforgettable Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel…

Zachary Kennedy has never been known as a fighter, but he’ll never regret fighting for her…

I’m Zee Kennedy.

Quiet. Reserved. Predictable.

When my brother died, everyone thought I was just the good guy who stepped up to take his place in the band.

No one knew what I was hiding. The one thing I’ve been fighting for.

For seven years, I’ve never lost focus.

Not until one chance encounter with Alexis Kensington.

Now she’s become my greatest temptation.

I knew better than to touch her, but now that I’ve had a taste, I can’t get enough.

Her kiss becomes my air. Her body my salvation.

She needed a savior and somehow she became mine.

Taking her was a betrayal. But keeping her means risking everything.

One look at Alexis Kensington, and I know she’s worth the fight.

Will my past continue to keep me down or will I finally find the strength to pull myself up and Stand.

Don’t miss out on the stunning conclusion unforgettable series BFF K has been raving about!

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BFF K’s Review of Stand

It was a little over two years ago. I found myself sitting in a Panera restaurant (when I probably should have been working) headphones on and engrossed in the most incredible book that I just couldn’t stop listening to. That book was A Stone in the Sea read by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt. I was hooked. I was hooked on the story, the characters and the unbelievable audio performance. When it ended in a cliffhanger, I thought my world was falling apart. I feel a little bit the same way tonight as I finished Stand, the final book in the Bleeding Stars Series. I’m more than a little heartbroken over the end of this wonderful series.

Zee has been the most mysterious member of the world famous band, Sunder. He’s so straight-laced and has always taken care of everyone else. He’s never succumbed to the temptations of women, drugs and booze. But, you could never really get to the heart of why he protected his bandmates so fiercely and denied himself so much in the process. Stand blows that wide open. Zee Kennedy has good reasons to guard his life and his heart.

But, one night, Zee meets Alexis and the world shifts on its axis. Suddenly his carefully constructed walls have are crumbling before his eyes. He’s powerless to stop the way his foundation is shifting. Alexis knows that Zee is hiding something, but is unsure what or if it even matters.

A.L. Jackson’s beautiful words are dripping with emotion and angst. She clearly lays out the afflicting wreckage that Zee and Alexis must navigate and it’s one hell of a minefield. The book is so carefully crafted and emotionally charged that you’ll be unsure if you should pick your way through it slowly or charge ahead with little regard for the safety of your own heart or emotions!

The Bleeding Stars Series started strong and maintained the brilliant intensity through every book. They’re lovingly crafted, pulse-racing stories that will take hold of your heartstrings and pull you along from each fantastic story to the end. I strongly recommend this series for several heart-stopping doses of angst and gut-wrenching emotion. It’s going to take me a long time to get over the final chapter for these rockstar, bad boys, turned-good!

An advance copy of this book was received. Receipt of this copy did not impact the content or independence of this review.

“6 Devastatingly Beautiful and Brilliant Bleeding Stars but Worth the Whole Constellation.

I felt every burn…every blaze…every beautiful and brilliant word…I FELT IT ALL. ”

~Karen, Bookalicious Babes Blog

Giveaway

Grand Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card + First 5 Bleeding Stars Novels Signed

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About the Author

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, as well as the newest BLEEDING STARS novels. Watch for the next installment STAND, coming Spring 2017.

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson or text “aljackson” to 24587 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

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Excerpt – Stand by A.L. Jackson

STAND

A Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel

Coming May 22nd

“Stand is a lyrical dream of power and strength that will steal your mind, body and soul…A mind blowing 10 stars!!!” Queen Zany Book Blog

From NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author A.L. Jackson comes the next seductive, unforgettable Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel…

Zachary Kennedy has never been known as a fighter, but he’ll never regret fighting for her…

I’m Zee Kennedy.

Quiet. Reserved. Predictable.

When my brother died, everyone thought I was just the good guy who stepped up to take his place in the band.

No one knew what I was hiding. The one thing I’ve been fighting for.

For seven years, I’ve never lost focus.

Not until one chance encounter with Alexis Kensington.

Now she’s become my greatest temptation.

I knew better than to touch her, but now that I’ve had a taste, I can’t get enough.

Her kiss becomes my air. Her body my salvation.

She needed a savior and somehow she became mine.

Taking her was a betrayal. But keeping her means risking everything.

One look at Alexis Kensington, and I know she’s worth the fight.

Will my past continue to keep me down or will I finally find the strength to pull myself up and Stand…

Add to Goodreads

PREORDER Stand NOW

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Excerpt from Stand

I froze, awareness shivering through the air, chills prickling across my flesh. I swore I felt my axis tilt, bending and bending and bending until my direction had been altered.

Sucking in a breath, I peeked over my shoulder. My heart trembled and shook.

Staring back at me were brilliant brown eyes that raged and stormed and promised they were getting ready to wreak a new kind of havoc on my life.

On the opposite side of the street, he pushed from the wall where he’d been watching. He didn’t hesitate. He came straight for me. His gaze only broke from mine to dart back and forth at the small street before he began to cross it in long, purposed strides.

A frenzy lit. A quiver of attraction that rocked and provoked.

I was fixed to the spot, gaze enraptured as I watched the intricate ink dance and play over the corded muscles that bunched and flexed in his thick arms. So much strength in his body and so much beauty in his being.

I swore he stole the air when he stopped two feet away. Hands fisted, he glowered over me.

I stumbled my way through the choppy words. “What…what are you doing here?”

His were hard. “Think I could ask you the same question.”

I shook myself out of the stupor. “Are you following me?”

It came off as an accusation that was somehow half-pleased and half-offended.

Standing in front of me was a man who was little more than a stranger, who had been tracking me, and I couldn’t stop the excitement that thrilled in my bones. I couldn’t stop the comfort that washed through me at his concern.

But I knew it was even more than that.

Over the last three weeks, I’d spent too much time wondering if I’d ever see this beautiful boy again.

“Maybe.” Frustration laced his tone. At him or me, I couldn’t tell.

I blinked at him, tongue-tied, my confusion and surprise tumbling out. “That’s just…weird.”

God. I was brilliant.

But what was I supposed to say? This boy caught me unaware at every turn, always at the advantage.

He almost laughed, this sound that was exasperated and filled with disbelief. “Weird?”

I bit at my lip, fighting a smile that really shouldn’t have been there. But he was here, again finding me when I felt helpless and vulnerable.

I nodded emphatically, clutching the lightness that whispered through the air. “That’s right. Weird.”

With his index finger, he scratched at the back of his head. He chuckled low, this sound that rumbled through my senses and warmed my belly. “I’m sure there are plenty of other things we could call this other than weird, don’t you think? This is just…”

I frowned when he trailed off and took a step in his direction. “What?”

Helplessly, he looked back at me. “I can’t do this, Alexis. I’ve got a sh*t show getting ready to blow up in my life, and the only thing I can think about right now is you. Can’t go to sleep at night because I’m terrified you might be sneaking off and doing something that’s going to land you in trouble again. That I might not be there to save you next time. And when I do finally nod off? I wake up in the morning panicked, praying you’re okay and having no way to make sure.”

His tongue darted out to wet his lips. My gaze followed, entranced by the thick bob of his throat as he swallowed.

“I don’t have the first clue what you’ve done to me, but I’m not sure I can handle whatever it is I’m feeling.”

Giveaway

Grand Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, as well as the newest BLEEDING STARS novels. Watch for the next installment STAND, coming Spring 2017.

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Connect with A.L.

Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson

Cover Reveal – Stand by A.L. Jackson

STAND

A Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel

Coming May 22nd

Cover: RBA Designs

Photographer: Wander Aguiar

Models: Tyler Halligan & Madelyn DeSantis

From NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author A.L. Jackson comes the next seductive, unforgettable Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel…

Zachary Kennedy has never been known as a fighter, but he’ll never regret fighting for her…

I’m Zee Kennedy.

Quiet. Reserved. Predictable.

When my brother died, everyone thought I was just the good guy who stepped up to take his place in the band.

No one knew what I was hiding. The one thing I’ve been fighting for.

For six years, I’ve never lost focus.

Not until one chance encounter with Alexis Kensington.

Now she’s become my greatest temptation.

I knew better than to touch her, but now that I’ve had a taste, I can’t get enough.

Her kiss becomes my air. Her body my salvation.

She needed a savior and somehow she became mine.

Taking her was a betrayal. But keeping her means risking everything.

One look at Alexis Kensington, and I know she’s worth the fight.

Will my past continue to keep me down or will I finally find the strength to pull myself up and Stand…

Add to Goodreads

PREORDER NOW

Get Amazon Live Alert: http://smarturl.it/liveonamzn

iBooks: http://smarturl.it/StandiBooks

Kobo: http://smarturl.it/StandKobo

Nook: http://smarturl.it/StandNook

Google Play: http://smarturl.it/StandGooglePlay

Signed Paperbacks: https://goo.gl/forms/gxY5NP28abteur1D2

Excerpt

His voice was low. The word might have been a question had it not glided across my skin like familiarity and warmth. “Alexis.”

I barely nodded, my response a whisper as my heart fluttered and sped. “Alexis.”

His gaze dipped for a moment, tracing me head to toe. As if he needed reassurance I was here. Something about it felt so intimate and private, as if maybe when he’d chipped away that piece of my soul he somehow knew he held it, too.

“I hope it’s okay I’m here,” he said, forcing my attention back to his eyes.

A lump grew heavy in my throat and I swallowed around it, nodding as I tried to find my voice. “Of course it’s okay.”

Maybe I should have been hearing warning bells. A thousand caution flags tossed in the air and raining down around me. Because there was something about this brilliant boy that screamed trouble and mayhem. Undoubtedly, this man wore his own beautiful brand of destruction.

And I was the fool who always seemed to run straight for it. Diving right into the middle of it without having the first clue what was waiting for me.

“I’m Zachary Kennedy. Friends call me Zee,” he said, shifting on his feet as if he were wondering what he was doing here.

I could feel the pull of the soft smile at the side of my mouth. “I know who you are.”

“Is that so?” he asked. Something about it rang with a tease.

I nodded.

Of course I did. He was the drummer for one of the biggest rock bands in the world.

And I realized that probably put both of us at a disadvantage. No doubt he had women throwing themselves at him any time he walked off a stage or into a room. Wanting a taste of fame or maybe a name to drop, salivating over this boy simply for who he was.

It didn’t help he had to be the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen.

But this was different. The staggering need I felt to know him more. Not the boy pinned to Pinterest boards labeling him a sexy, tattooed bad boy. Not the boy splashed across the tabloids with their speculations and judgement.

The real man.

This man made up of flesh and bone. The man who rushed into an alley in the middle of the night to defend a complete stranger. The man who’d tenderly rocked me in his arms while I’d felt the controlled rage radiating from his body.

The one who now stood in my doorway, spinning my mind with how he could both look so powerful and vulnerable.

My insides shook, and I took a step back and widened my door. “Would you like to come in?”

A smile crept to his mouth that would be my complete undoing, this tug of full, soft lips framed by his beard. He tilted his head to the side. “You’re awful brave to be inviting a complete stranger into your house.”

I lifted my chin and met his gaze. “A complete stranger who put his life on the line. A stranger who stood between me and a gun. You could have died, and I very well might have if it wasn’t for you. Trust comes in a lot of forms, and I’m pretty sure you’ve already earned mine.”

Giveaway

Grand Prize: Bleeding Stars Signed Book Bundle

(includes first 5 books in Bleeding Stars Series)

Second Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, as well as the newest BLEEDING STARS novels. Watch for the next installment STAND, coming Spring 2017.

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Connect with A.L.

Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson