*~*Come to Me Quietly by A.L. Jackson Blog Tour – Character Interview, Review & Giveaway*~*

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?

“Exquisite, beautiful, poignant…A.L. Jackson is in a league of her own.” S.C. Stephens, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Reckless

Want to see what happens when I pick Aly and Jared’s brains?  🙂

I’m so excited to meet with Aly and Jared – I’m pretty sure I could have flown to Arizona on the energy produced from my excitement.  EEEP!   I have the uncontrollable need to hug them…possibly for 5-10 minutes…which might be a little strange, so as usual, I’m trying to restrain myself.  I arrive at the diner where Aly works and I’m right on time…because guess who is arriving at the same time as me.  Two gorgeous creatures just peeling themselves off a hot looking motorcycle and looking every bit like a dreamy couple that belongs in a commercial.  I half expect Aly to take off the helmet and throw her hair back with hard rock music playing in the background.  Hmm…that actually would be pretty hot.  I snap myself out of my day dream and get out of my car to greet them (and yes…I do get my hugs, but appropriate/normal/non-lingering hugs).  We walk inside the restaurant and luckily it’s not too busy but we find a nice booth at the back where it’s quite and we have a little bit of privacy.  After I’ve caught up with them, I decide to bite the bullet and dive in.

 

Lisa:     “Thank you both again for agreeing to do this interview with me, I appreciate you taking the time.”

Aly:      “It’s not a problem at all.”

She smiles at me sweetly, putting me at ease.

Lisa:     “Well, I always go with ladies first, are you ready for me Aly?”

Aly:      “I’m ready.”

Lisa:     “Do you think you will ever show anyone your drawings?”

Aly:      “Well, someone really special to me has been trying to convince me that I should.”

Lisa:     “I totally agree with the someone special…in case you were wondering 🙂  What name do you like Jared calling you best…Aly, Aleena or Aly Cat?  (I totally have a fav 🙂 )

Aly laughs low.

Aly:      “That would depend on what we’re doing.”

A slight blush graces her cheeks – she’s just too cute for words.

Aly:      “Hearing him call me Aleena sounds pretty good right about now.”

Lisa:     “Yup…that’s totally my fav.  Summarize Jared in one sentence.”

Aly:      “My beautifully broken man.”

Lisa:     “Oh wow…I love it!  So, I know your fond of Jared’s tattoo’s…would you ever like to get one?  If so, what would you get and where?”

Aly:      “That’s funny you asked. I’m going to get one…Jared thought I was crazy when I told him, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to like it. I’ll tell you more about it in Come to Me Softly.”

Lisa:     “I can totally deal with that.  You’re working at the diner…you love to draw…you’re going to college…what is your dream?  What do you see yourself doing in the future?  Or more appropriately what would you love to be doing in the future?”

Aly glances at Jared seated to her right.

Aly:      “I never hoped to dream that I could do what I love so much. Thinking I could draw seemed silly, something I’d imagined as a girl that I needed to let go of when I became a woman. Jared showed me I don’t have to stop dreaming.”

He leans over and kisses her temple…I love how supportive he is of her.

Lisa:     “Okay Jared, it’s your turn.”

Jared: “Sounds good.”

Lisa:     “Do you have a favorite tattoo?  Least favorite tattoo?”

Jared slowly leans forward on his knees, shakes his head as he threads his fingers together.

Jared: “I hate every sin and scar I’ve etched on my body, Lisa. All except for the one Aly left right over my heart.”

Wow…clean up…aisle one!  That would be me – the puddle of swoon!  First of all…did he just say that?  Second of all…he said my name!  God it sounded sexy…EEP!  Alright…tone it down.  And third of all…the Aly/heart thing, OMG – I just fell even more in love with him!  After I stumble out of my Jared-love-stupor, I get back into interview mode.

Lisa:     “Are you still writing?  And have you shared anymore of your writing with Aly?  And…can you share any with me?” 🙂

I hope the smile wins him over.  Maybe.  Ehh…a girl can hope.  Jared chuckles and rubs at his chin.

Jared: “Been kinda busy with my girl lately…got a ton of shit going on…taking care of her…watching out for her. Besides, Aly kind of seems to like it when I whisper those words in her ear. “

Damn!  Well…with the smile Aly is giving Jared, I guess I can be a little understanding.

Lisa:     “Summarize Aly in one sentence.”

Jared: “Don’t need a sentence. Just need one word. ‘Perfection’.”

Lisa:     “Ooooh….very nice.  So, how is your relationship with Christopher going since you came back?”

Jared: “Dude wasn’t really all too happy to see me at first. He got all protective and in my face. But I get it. My girl’s special. He doesn’t want anyone hurting her, least of all me. But he’s coming around.”

Lisa:     “I have to agree with you there, she is special – but at least she’s surrounded by men who care about her very much.  What do your mom would think of you and Aly’s relationship?”

Jared: “God…I hope she can see us…hope that she’s forgiven me and wants me to be happy. It still fucks me up, you know, thinking about her? About what I did. One of these days, I’m going to have to really face it and quit hiding in the comfort I get from Aly’s touch.”

Lisa:     “At least you’ve finally found something that gives you comfort, I’m sure your mom would have wanted that.  Okay…time for some together questions.  What are your favorite five things about each other? (physical, non-physical, whatever!)”

Aly:      “I love it all, Lisa, it’s hard to pin it down. But I’d have to say I love how passionate he is, how protective, that he has the kindest heart. I love the story he has painted on his skin. And God, I love his eyes.”

Yeah…he does have some pretty spectacular eyes.

Jared:             “Easy…have you seen her legs? And that mouth? I love her expression when she draws. I love that she’s kind and still strong. Really I just love that this girl has a good enough heart that she can love me. Still don’t get it.”

Lisa:     “You don’t have to get it…you just get to be thankful for it. 😉  Deepest regret?”

Aly:      “Waiting so long to tell Jared how I really felt.”

Jared:             “Walking out her door.”

Lisa:     “Mmmm…good ones.  Favorite memory of you two growing up together?”

Aly:      “Jared holding me in the storm.”

Jared: “Aly sitting by me, watching the fireworks. I’ll never forget it.”

Lisa:     “Gosh ya’ll are good at this!  What do you consider your worst flaw?”

Aly:      “I love too deeply.”

I scoff at her.

Lisa:     “That’s not a flaw!”

She grins at me playfully.

Jared:             “My temper.”

Lisa:     “Most annoying pet peeve?”

Aly:      “Jared’s always using up all my coconut body scrub. You’d think he had some kind of weird obsession with it, or something.”

Jared smirks.

Jared: “Christopher.”

I can’t stop my giggle at Jared’s answer.

Lisa:     “What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned?”

Aly:      “That Jared will always be difficult. He’s not perfect. There’s always that chance that he could hurt me again.”

Jared:             “That I have to finally forgive myself if I’m ever really going to live.”

Lisa:     “Good lessons!  Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

Jared: “Together. There’s no other place for us to be.”

Awwww…

Lisa:     “I approve of that answer.  Time for a little game of either/or – Chocolate or Vanilla?”

Jared: “Vanilla.”

Lisa:     “Hard or Soft?”

Aly:      “Soft.”

Lisa:     “Books or Movies?”

Aly:      “Books.”

I knew I loved her…  🙂

Lisa:     “Fast or Slow?”

Jared: “Slow.”

Lisa:     “Soda or Tea?”

Aly:      “Tea.”

Lisa:     “Loud or Quite?”

Jared: “Quiet, definitely.”

Well…that should have been obvious Lisa!   😛

Lisa:     “Alright…last part and I’ll stop bugging you…rapid fire!  Just tell me the first thing that comes to mind…Aly cat?”

Jared: “Little girl.”

Lisa:     “Tattoo’s?”

Aly:      “Rose at the center of Jared’s chest.”

Lisa:     “Christopher?”

Jared: “Boy’s got some issues.”

Lisa:     “Forgiveness?”

Aly:      “It’s about time Jared forgave himself.”

Lisa:     “Couldn’t agree more.  Family?”

Jared: “We’re always gonna be.”

Lisa:     “Alright, this one is specifically for Jared…Aly?”

Jared: “My life.”

Lisa:     “Love?”

Aly:      “Us.”

Lisa:     “Wow…you guys, this was great.  Thank you again.”

Jared: “Sure thing.”

We stay a little longer at the diner, grabbing a bite to eat now that we can relax since the ‘work’ is over.  We have a completely enjoyable afternoon and I’m sorry to see that it’s over.  We walk outside to say our goodbyes and I can’t lie…I linger on my hugs this time.  😛

 

Come to Me Quietly by A.L. Jackson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

4 “Aly Cat” ‘Motherfucking trigger.’ ‘I don’t get to have this.’ “Stay.” Kisses

Wow…so heads up – this book is angsty to the max! Like…I didn’t expect a cake walk or anything but I feel like my emotions just got put through the ringer. Aly and Jared consumed my brain and I feel like I just went on the insanely impactful journey with them…and I was not prepared.

Aleena Moore…oh my dear little Aly Cat. Aly is a good, sweet, sad girl…she’s kind and gentle…she’s talented…I love that she draws, and for some reason I find it cute that she won’t show anyone else her drawings. I loved her relationship with her family…especially her mom. I also loved her bestie and their friendship. So…I already said she was sad…but there was just something about Aly that really tugged at my soul…she was so sad she almost broke my heart. Like…if it was possible, I would have reached through my kindle just to hug her…cause good Lord knows she needed the comfort. But she’s sad for a good reason (which I know sounds weird…but go with me on this)…a reason I thought I understood but really didn’t get until the very end of the book. I think when you love someone as much and as wholly as Aly loved Jared, it changes you…whether you intend it to or not. And without Jared in her life for the past few years, Aly really hasn’t been living. I dunno if that makes any sense but I just kept getting this feeling with Aly that she was missing something…something that made her happier, more complete, more fulfilled. Turns out that thing was Jared.

‘Jared Holt was here.
A whisper of a smile curved my lips. He was real, no longer a veiled mystery that I’d hidden away in my heart. He lived. He breathed.
And God, it he wasn’t the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.’

 

Jared Zachary Holt…picture the ultimate bad boy. Motorcycle…bad reputation…tons of tattoo’s and an attitude that’s bigger than he is. Then put all that on a man who looks like an angel…blonde hair…blue eyes…tall and muscular…gorgeous All American boy. Then…give him one of the most heartbreakingly painful experiences I think I have ever read. And there you have Jared…in a nutshell. I love my broken boys…I break with them, I break for them and I want to watch them get put back together. Jared might be the first one that I was really wondering if it was going to happen. His guilt is bigger than this world and he lets it eat him up all the way to his core. He is no longer Jared…he is the sum of all his mistakes, his penance for his actions and he refuses to forgive himself. It’s so insanely painful to watch…and if I could have reached thru and hugged Aly then I would have simultaneously reached thru and shook the stuffing out of Jared because his refusal to forgive himself is not only punishing him…it’s punishing the people around him. Everyone is suffering and it’s so sad.

‘I didn’t think I’d ever felt intrigued by a girl before the way I was now, had never wanted to crawl inside someone’s mind to dig through her thoughts, to find out who she was. Why she was. Aly’s green eyes were both fierce and soft, her touch both intent and gentle. She was kind, yet she didn’t hesitate to call me out on my shit. She made me itch and squirm, made me want to run and want to stay.’

I am an emotional reader…whatever the characters are feeling, I feel…that’s just how my crazy brain translates it. CTMQ is an angsty…sad…emotional book…which translates to me reading slower than I normally do because I don’t like it when my characters are in pain, because then I am in pain with them. And Aly and Jared have a lot of painful stuff to go through. It is really hard stuff and even when I thought I knew it all…I sooooo totally didn’t. I love it when books throw a curveball at me and when I was in tears because of CTMQ’s curveball…I knew this book got me. The reality of what Jared and Aly had hit me full force. I truly felt Aly’s love so strongly throughout the book…second to their separate pain, the other emotion that I felt like I could reach out and touch it was so real, was Aly’s love for Jared. I couldn’t get enough of it but at the same time, it was hurting me so much that she couldn’t really express it and enjoy it with Jared. Their restraint pained me. When I say Jared and Aly don’t have it easy that might be the understatement of the century. The fact that Jared is Christopher’s best friend complicates things even more than they already are…but Aly and Jared have always had a special relationship. I am such a sucker for a couple having history and Aly and Jared’s history is amazing…the little glimpses of their past warmed my heart so much and seeing that uncomplicated side of Jared just made me swoon for him that much more.

‘I groaned. “I’ve wanted to kiss you every single second of every single day since the moment I opened my eyes to find you standing over me, Aly. But you know we can’t do this.” My voice cracked. “I don’t get to have this. I already told you…you deserve someone who can love you, someone who will be good for you, and you know that’s not me.”’

Okay…deep dark confession time – this is my first A.L. Jackson book. *gasp* I know…I know – but better late than never and boy! Did I ever pick a fantastic book to be my first A.L. Jackson read because I learned one solid fact. A.L. Jackson could write about what the inside of a paper bag looks like and I would probably love every second of it. Why? Because holy banana’s she’s a phenomenal writer! Her level of description and clarity was enrapturing. Her pace and flow was amazing…I didn’t feel like I was reading, I felt like I was experiencing. Most of all…the depth of the emotion in all her characters, not just Aly and Jared, was spot on IMO. I really loved being in both Aly and Jared’s POV’s…and normally, I prefer the girl over the guy POV…I just usually connect better (maybe it’s because I’m swooning over the male too much lol) – but for whatever reason, I felt Jared’s was stronger in CTMQ. Maybe it’s because of his personality and that is just how Jared is…and not to say that I didn’t enjoy Aly’s as well, but being in Jared Holt’s head is just…wow…and I tip my hat to A.L. for pulling that one off. It’s not easy to get into the brain of a man, let alone a man who’s got as many issues as poor Jared does.

‘Loving someone is one of the biggest chances we ever take. Maybe the most unfair part of it is that it’s rarely a conscious decision we’ve made. It’s something that blossoms slow to hits us hard, something that stirs and builds gradually, or something that shocks us with its sudden intensity. And sometimes it’s something that’s been a part of us our entire lives.
But almost always, it’s inevitable.’

I could not have loved the ending more if I tried. There is still so much that Aly and Jared need to overcome and work on…so many hopes that I have for both of them…so many things that Jared needs to deal with. But that’s why we have Come to Me Softly! EEEEP! Yay for series! I need Aly and Jared to have their complete and final HEA because both of them have suffered too long…they deserve to be happy! And I can’t lie…I really hope Christopher gets his own book, he’s a little bit of a man whore and I have weakness for man whores. Also, there were two characters that we get a taste of and it was enough of a taste to make me want more…Megan, Aly’s bestie….and Augustyn, Aly’s little brother…so I might be crossing my fingers that they get books too. 🙂

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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.