“An intense, intoxicating, and incredible story of epic love… You. Are. Owned. By. This. Story.” K. Mcvino, Bookalicious Book Blog
A new stand-alone novel from NYT & USA Bestselling Author A.L. Jackson…
Do you know what it feels like right before lightning strikes? How you can feel the current running through your veins? The trembles of warning that ripple through the air? It was a thrill … air? It was a thrill Tamar King chased all her life until it became the very thing she had to escape.
For the last four years, Tamar King has hidden herself in an isolated world she created. She was safe. No one could touch her. Until Lyrik West walked through her door.
He’s the lead guitarist for Sunder and everything she can never have. The dark and beautiful rock star becomes everything she craves.
Lyrik’s life has been devoted to his band and that success has cost him. Bitter, hard, and filled with regret, he refuses to lose himself again, but from the moment he sees her, he wants one night with Tamar King.
The gorgeous bartender is more than he bargained for. Their attraction is consuming. Their desire overpowering. With one touch, they ignite.
But is it worth the cost of getting burned?
She’s a gorgeous nightmare and he’s a wicked dream…
WHERE LIGHTNING STRIKES, a Bleeding Stars Stand-Alone Novel
“Crackling with emotion and sizzling with passion, the tale of Lyric and Tamar is so electric, it will leave you happily satisfied, but still begging for more.” NYT Bestselling Author M. Leighton
“I fear I do not have enough stars to offer to a magnificent story such as this one, because even my highest rating would not do this book justice.” Natasha is a Book Junkie
“This story will strike your mind and body like lightning zipping through the sky while a rain storm patters on your heart. I would give this book a huge 5 stars and highly recommend to others.” Smokin’ Hot Reads
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After a re-read and listening to the audiobook I’ve decided this gem goes into my top reads ever. It is so impactful and a beautiful story of Lyrik and Tamar. Two people who fight each off for a year. When they finally give into those feeling- wow. It’s a heartbreaking and beautiful story of caring and believing in those you love. Being brave and loving!! There are so many great lines!!
“Wild wicked red and sweet beautiful blue!! “
The audiobook was fabulous as well!!
Audio review from 2018
This book was a shade slow to start for me personally as it was two broken souls finding their way instead of he girl rescuing the guy which seems to attract me the most.
HOWEVER by about the middle of story I started to really dig these two together.
I don’t normally cry when reading/listening to books but this one had me in tears and soggy smiles for the last hour of the book.
This book is simply beautiful
This is Lyrik, a guitarist from Sunder’s story. He is drawn to Tamar, the hot and sassy pinup barmaid from Charlie’s bar in Savannah. Lyrik is relentless in his pursuit of Tamar and she finally caves and it’s beautiful, but they’re both damaged, and then it’s tragic, and then it’s even more tragic, and I literally cried twice during this book. Twice people!!! I know I’m an emotional person normally but this is literally only the second book I’ve ever cried at, and the first was also one of Amy’s (Falling into You). Yep she’s the queen at producing gut wrenching stories that will have you up to all hours.
This book tackles some really tough subject matter. Both Lyrik and Tamar have darkness in their pasts and Amy draws those emotions out of both of them and makes them work through all the tough stuff before they start to feel the joy that they find in each other. I loved how much of a warrior Tamar was and how sensitive underneath it all Lyrik was. Amy is such a lyrical writer, her descriptions are so vivid you can’t help but feel like you are in the book with these characters. You literally feel their feelings, I know I did when I was reaching for the tissues and crying like a baby. BUT of course she balances out all those big emotions with some sizzling heat, and my word, do these two pop and crack and sizzle. Phew!
Yet another amazing read. You honestly can’t go wrong with her books. I haven’t read or listened to any that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed and completely fallen in love with the characters. You become so invested in them mending their broken lives. I loved it.
Where Lightning Strikes
(Bleeding Stars #2)
Finally I’m working my way through the Bleeding Stars series.
As always A. L. Jackson gave me the angst and passion I love in her stories.
I also decided to try reading/listening to Where Lightning Strikes and it worked so well! Having the narrators reading as I followed along was the way to listen to the story of Lyrik and Tamar. It took the emotions that both characters had and brought them to life and I will admit I think it made me that more receptive to each of their stories.
With A. L. Jackson’s words and Sebastian York and Andi Arndt’s voices it felt like I was in Charlie’s with them and following their history again had me feeling like I was there beside them, hoping for them to realize that they were made for each other, to heal each other to love each other.
I can’t wait to continue my journey with the other band members of Sunder, With A. L. Jackson I am never disappointed.
I didn’t think I could like anyone better than Baz and Shea, but Lyrik and Tamar are right there with them. I loved this story of two tortured souls pulling and pushing each other away. It was a rocky road for them, but a beautiful ending when they finally slayed their demons.
I hated how this story made me FEEL, my heart torn from my chest only to be put back together but I feel I will never be the same again.
So powerful with my emotions ping ponged back and forth over and over I didn’t know what to feel. My emotional confusion seemed to match Tamar’s most the time.
Tamar and Lyrik are both opposite broken pieces, together they make a whole. Keeping them together is the challenge.
Such an emotionally deep story, Tamar has been tortured from pain of the past. A past that isn’t left behind as she thought.
Gradually you start to learn piece by piece her story and my heart hurt for her so much.
Lyrik has his own storm brewing inside and to help him cope he drowns himself in women and being a jerk.
I had such mixed feelings about Lyrik. One moment I want to throat punch him and the next I’m falling for the man he hides from everyone.
Hint of sweetness and a dab of humor, quite a bit of angst and suspense made this a very strong story.
A tad longer than I preferred as it felt a little drawn out but I didn’t want to put it down.
I LOVED this enemies to lovers romance. So much angst and heartbreak. I know I keep saying it, but this book had me turning page after page, unable to put it down. That’s just how A.L. Jackson does it! She knows how to hook a girl in!
I think I felt every emotion in this book. There was so much pain in this book it broke my heart. Reading about their pain and everything they both went through just about broke me. But in the end they were perfect for each other and brought out the best in them. Lyrik finally realized he could have it all and stop destroying himself. And Tamar stood up to her past and met it head on. She was truly strong and Lyrik helped her see it. I loved this book and look forward to reading the other books in the series.
AL Jackson has a poetic style to her writing. The words flow so beautifully.
Just when I thought this series couldn’t get any better! Dear lord this book slayed me! Such a great story! So well written! Totally ripped my heart out and that HEA put it all back together! Loved it!!
I loved the whole series. It’s one of those that I wish I could erase from my mind and reread it new again.
I’ve been hit by lightning and I don’t care!
Lightning sure struck me here, right in the heart! Every one of the books in this Bleeding Stars series makes me think- this one is my favorite so far, but now…hmmmm..killer emotions are floating in the background and then BAM…! Trying to guess is futile, the actuality is surprising and heart clenching.
I had a feeling that Lyrik (love the name and that man!) was going to get me right HERE, and both he and the brash, tough talking bartender, Tamar, were going to take me down. They did, with tears in my eyes.
Time is passing by as the Sunder crew moves on with their lives which are becoming just as entrenched in Savannah as it is with their commitment to LA. Roots are forming and bonds are tightening. I love seeing the ‘other side’ of Sunder’s fame and the peeks of their backstories that are told or teased as time rolls on by.
Lyrik and Tamar’s stories have been hidden under their high walls, wrapped up tight and for good reason. They have both had heartbreak that no one could imagine and it haunts them, makes the run, trying to stay sane in their chosen places in life.
The last chapters were just..well, no words can suffice. I was wowed by the ending, the epilogue was everything I wanted it to be and more. I wasn’t sure how these troubled souls would find their peace, but peace is exactly what it was.
A.L. Jackson sure knows how to write a romance with suspense, angst and heartbreak mixed in to give these amazing imaginary characters and their worlds such reality that you can see it all unfolding as if you are standing there watching..I am LOVING these characters and their stories! Couldn’t recommend more. Looking on to the next books with excitement!
Warning if you suffer from a heart condition. Be forewarned that you may have heart palpitations! Due to the excessive heart-clenching ride that you are about to experience!
Also, you should at times carry a box of tissues with you! Due to excessive crying that will accrue during this book!
“Where Lightning Strikes” is a storm that engulfs you in every, a ripple of its being!
With so many variables, such as hurt, pain, brokenness, and sheer willpower. Then Storm was epic!! With its gust that engulfed you with every syllable, every sorrowful word, every breath! I seemed to melt into the story. Then was brought back with that poetic nature, that spell! Which can only be described as A.L. Jackson!
I’ve often described A.L. Jackson as perfection, brilliant, and one of the greatest writers of our times.
But somehow she does! She now gives us “Where Lightning Strikes” which is her new masterpiece in itself. Just a phenomenal book! She brought us Awww “Lyrik” he’s a torn broken man. With the soul of an angle.
But fuck he drove me insane!!! Half the time I want to jump him. The other you want to beat the crap out of him.
Then there is “Tamar” AKA “RED” You spitfire bombshell! That has a hell of a past. But when she and “Lyrik” become fire and ice! Just like the perfect storm.
Emotions I felt While reading “Where Lightning Strikes”
Tears more Tears! Sex machine and oh now you’re making me laugh! Can you just pull my heart out of my chest? Then oh fuck NO NO!!!!
For the love of ever-loving, GOD Thank you for that spectacular ending. Even If I thought I was about to die A.L. Jackson!!
The perfect companion to the Bleeding Star series.
Please tell me that Ashes book is coming soon!
” He stood out like a fiery bolt of electricity. A streak of light and a blanket of darkness. So destructive and compelling it was impossible to look away, the boy poised to strike and set you aflame. “
Where Lightning Strikes was a good standalone read but I was a little surprised that this wasn’t a five star read for me. There was no denying the attraction and chemistry between Tamar and Lyrik. I enjoyed them together but there were things I liked and disliked about their story. I was dying to know what happened in Lyric’s past from the very first mention of it so I could understand the decisions/choices he made. However, his past mistakes wasn’t revealed until nearly the end of the story. It eventually made for a sweet ending but I was upset that it took so long for his secret to be revealed. There were parts of the story that I really enjoyed. The back and forth banter between the guys, especially Ash made me smile a lot. This wasn’t my favorite standalone book in this series but it did leave me wanting more of these characters so I will be reading the next book.
Did not like how they hurt each other without really knowing each other.
“Do you know what it feels like right before lightning strikes?”
We met Tamar and Lyrik in A Stone in the Sea. This book is their story. The moment Tamar met Lyrik she started acting differently. In the previous books we got to see Tamar as a tough girl who didn’t need anything or anyone, especially from guys. Lyrik had been trying to get with her for about a year but was unsuccessful. In the last couple of years Tamar has build a wall around her and nobody has been able to break down those walls.
“He stood out like a fiery bold of electricity. A streak of light and a blanket of dark. So destructive and compelling it was impossible to look away, the boy posed to strike and set you aflame.”
However Tamar is intrigued by Lyrik but knows he his bad news. But like many girls there is a time where you can’t continue to resist the bad boy. The first quarter of the book there was a lot of hostility between the two. Tamar kept pushing him but at the same time she is jealous and can’t stop thinking about him. The moment the two come together is both heartbreaking and beautiful. Both are haunted by their pasts and are struggling to move on from it.
“Loving someone was like volunteering for heartache and sorrow and a lifetime of bullshit.”
Lyrik broke my heart a couple of times in this book. He said and did things that were difficult to read. My heart went out to Tamar during these scenes. It was obvious something happened to him, he was still stuck in the past and couldn’t move on. He mentioned a couple of times that his heart wasn’t his to give. I was really curious what happened to him. We get a couple of small peeks when he is talking to Zee, Ash and Baz, but nothing major. We finally see what happened in one flashback. I did not see it coming. I really felt bad for him and finally understood his behavior. There were also a couple of times he was the perfect guy who was able to bring Tamar out of lonely world she was stuck in. They still have to face their pasts if they want to move on…
“You are everything I never expected. Never anticipated. Everything I never knew I’d need.”
I adored the epilogue!! I also loved being reunited with the gang. I really missed Baz, Shea and Kallie. The same goes for Zee and Ash. Ash had me cracking up so many times in this book. He is such an outgoing guy. Zee is the more responsible one. I can’t wait to read their stories. Super excited that we get Austin’s story first though. I wonder what he has been up to since the last time we saw him.
“That girl was a bundle of fireworks, and I was certain we’d go boom.”
AL Jackson did an amazing job with this book. It is very poetic and I adore her writing. She is one of the few authors whose books I automatically one-click. I have read all her books and will continue to do so in the future.
Oh how I love Tamar and Lyrik.
Of course I was dying to see how these two would hook up after all the sexual tension between these two in ASITS and DTB. Tamar and Lyrik are two tortured souls with troubled pasts that have a chain around their hearts. They are broken and bruised, the guilt and suffering are so thick, that it keeps them from living. From being the people they truly are.
When they give in to the need for one another its both explosive and incredibly painful. Its soul deep. Lyrik makes himself suffer for a mistake in his past and believes he will ruin anything good in his life, so he doesn’t get people get attached. But all that goes out the window once he gets a taste of Tamar. Tamar is running, hiding, from a torturous past. Her story slowly unfolds as she opens up to Lyrik because he makes her feel safe and protected. I found that I loved her so much because behind her bad ass exterior is a young beautiful woman. I loved peeling back the layers to see the real Tamar. Lyrik is a badass that I can’t but to love. As much as he is tortured, he is loyal to the band and I felt his pain. I just couldn’t get enough of these two together.
As always, this story was epic. She creates characters that I want in my life. Every book stays stuck in my head and heart!
I love this series and this book with the intense, gripping emotions it portrays. Lyrik and Tamar’s story is one of those epic loves, a once in a lifetime kind of love. You will be intoxicated and intrigued by their story you won’t want it to end. I couldn’t put this book down and I devoured these pages like my life depended on it! Can’t wait for the next book!
Words can not express how deeply this story moved me. 2 broken people healing each other. What a tortuous road, the push and pull, red and blue, when they finally collide… Where Lightning Strikes, hands down my new favorite book by AL Jackson. A must read.