Stand

By: A.L. Jackson

Narrated by: Zachary Webber, Andi Arndt

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

From NYT and USA Today Best-selling 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...

©2017 A.L. Jackson (P)2017 A.L. Jackson

SIMPLY OUTSTANDING ON EVERY LEVEL

A.L.Jackson is a phenomenal author.. she gives you a gripping masterpiece that's full of intense feels, has wonderful multi-layered characters, gives you detailed descriptions for each and every scene, her writing is, at times, almost poetic and you can feel the zing of chemistry between the h/h. In this final book it's Sunder's sexy celibate drummer Zee whose turn it is to get a HEA.. but he's emotionally damaged by his actions seven years earlier and he can't forgive himself or lay to rest the demons that haunt him still. However, when he courageously and selflessly saves a damsel in distress, he will eventually be saved too.. but it won't be easy, it won't be without a lot of heartache, it won't be without a shocking twist.. and it won't be without finally forgiving himself. But it will definitely be worth it.

Alexis has a serious situation.. and it's becoming more and more dangerous too - her twin sister got lured into the seedy underworld of drugs so Alexis only sees her when she wants money.. whether it's to buy more drugs or for her greedy pimp Alexis doesn't know. But, every time she tries to talk her twin into getting help, unfortunately Alexis hits resistance.. her sister's in too deep and is constantly afraid - but Alexis still lovingly tries to save her. This backfires on Alexis big time one evening with dire consequences but thankfully a total stranger hears her screams, comes to her rescue, puts his own life on the line and saves her. Then he vows to always protect her but, despite their chemistry, he's determined not to bed her, won't share his secrets, can't love her or let her in. However, they have a lot more in common than that frightening evening but getting to know the man, getting to know his truths and getting to know the demons that are tormenting him is an impossible challenge.. but Alexis isn't going to give up.. not on him or her twin sister.

It's a tragic tale, an emotional and powerful plot.. and it's a beautiful love story all rolled into one very addictive and compelling book. The chemistry between both the h/h and the other band members/wives/kids really came across so well and they eventually became one big happy family in the end. The emotional struggles that Zee went through because he didn't feel worthy of Alexis were all in vain because, in the end, love and Alexis beautiful soul, saved the sinner from himself. Dual POV and wonderful narration means this book, like all the others from A.L. Jackson, was very addictive, entertaining, emotionally gripping, multi-layered and beautiful.

Worth a credit? Absolutely yes.. and it's with a heavy heart that I say adeu to all the members of Sunder and their wives.. each and every one of your Bleeding Star stories have touched my heart.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

For younger kids

Couldn't stand the way Alexis kept calling Z a boy. Yuck. Just to juvenile. Forced myself to finish. Will return this. To much over describing everything. Silly.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

"No Fear, Just Life"

This final book in the Bleeding Stars series was just awesome writing. I was so glad to finally see Zee get his story, which explained a lot of the missing pieces in the tapestry that the brilliant AL Jackson has created. I love that he found Alexis and that she helps bring him out of the darkness that haunted him ever since his older brother died. The love story is poignant and heartwarming. This has been one of the best audiobook series I've ever listened to, but you should listen to the books in order so that you don't lose all the pieces and get confused. The narration was perfect and the ending was too.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Lush, Languid and Captivating

Jackson pulls you in and you don't want it end. The prose conveys the feelings and mood of each scene in exquisite detail so you can see and feel what's going on.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Nice finish!

Overall - 4 stars

Performances - Andi Arndt: 4 stars & Zachary Webber: 5 stars!

Story - 4 stars

That's a wrap for the angst filled Bleeding Stars series. I enjoyed it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Ahhh Zachary

This book was a little annoying with how drawn out his secrets were. There was a time I yelled at “him” to just tell her everything lol

However that means I was passionate about the characters right?

His love for her was beautiful and tortured but once he was able to finally let go and let her in 110 percent I just couldn’t stop smiling!!

And that’s epilogue was EPIC!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Refreshing

This is the 2nd book by this author I have listened to. I thought it would be a typical romance novel but I was wrong. The first book was the story of Ash and Willow which their storyline continues in the background. I like how this author incorporates the romance, the sexual tension build up, the sex scenes, and yet has plot twists and mystery you don't see coming and to top It off the narrators are awesome! They sound the part and Zachary Webber has the best voice so much so I did a search for all his narrations. I have to say the one draw back was my first book was Stay with Willow and Ash and had the same narrators which took me aback at first since I didn't like Zee to have the same voice as his band mate Ash. It was weird at first but then I got over it since I like the voice so much. Lol

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

bleeding

the bleeding Stars series is one of the best book series I've ever read. Movie?

The Best one yet!

This was my favorite book in the series! Loved it! I hope there will be more but since there aren't any more members left of Sundrum to learn about, I am not sure where the story would go.
Great ending to a great series.🥰🥰

No Fear just Life!!

AL Jackson has such a gift. She summed up this whole series so beautifully. I could not stop once I got started. Zee is so in need of love and forgiveness mostly from himself. I loved him and Alexa. No fear just life. What an awesome motto. Zachary weber is brilliant and Andi Arndt is the queen. of romance. their talent is tremendous and they brought these characters to life. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the story. If you haven’t listened to the entire bleeding star series you’re missing out on a wonderful family.

Awesome story

Another awesome story in this wonderfully written and narrated series. Would highly recommend series and this incredible author

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fantastic book

Have enjoyed all these books. this one is probably my favourite atm. Great series highly recommend.