Skin Like Dawn

When You Come to Me #2

by Jade Alyse

"Dreams are ruthlessly shattered and truths become commonplace in this follow up to 2011's When You Come to Me.

With the prospect of becoming the successful and nurturing pediatrician vehemently tossed out of the window with the announcement of her unexpected pregnancy, Natalie must face the fact that she is now a married woman, and must sacrifice her happiness for the sake of Brandon’s and the growing baby inside her. With resources scarce and time fleeting, Brandon makes the ridiculous leap across the country, to accept a loftier position in Portland, Oregon…without telling Natalie. Brandon then becomes controlling, forcefully suggesting to his new bride, that her place is in the home, where he knows she’s safe in a new city. Resentful and jaded by her husband’s alternative brand of protection, Natalie rebels in a fashion that no one could ever see coming, and a wealthy young socialite with a womanizing reputation soon occupies her well-placed tunnel vision."

443 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 14, 2013

About the author

Jade Alyse was thrust into a world of colorful literature at a very early age, pouring through her mother’s extensive book collection, absorbing and succumbing to the magic that it possessed.

Born in the sleepy, comfortable southern town of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to two young African-American professionals in the mid-eighties, Jade developed an amorous affection for family and the cultural ideals that were instilled in her at a very early age. High-spirited, pensive and observant, Jade’s fascination surrounded the engaging dynamic between two people, and the entrancing beauty of a southern atmosphere. Her writing has most frequently been described as vivid and illustrative and readers have been lulled into the picture she paints with each word.

Jade can be seen most often with a notebook and pen in her grasp, jotting down phrases and ideas and names. She takes these and pulls them into a vibrant semblance of congruency. Even when she is not working on a novel or short story, she is always writing, always vigilant.

Jade completed her first novel, When You Come to Me, in the winter of 2007 and it was most recently published this summer. It highlights the trials and tribulations of an interracial couple attempting to exist in a small, collegiate Georgian town. Jade Phillips’ first short story, Rusted Halo, was selected for presentation at the Creative Writing Workshop Weekend at California State University Fullerton in November of 2010.

Reviews

[Mosaic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this better than first book. 3 stars and a half.

I like the ending. To be honest, I always thought the relationship between them is very toxic. And Natalie deserves to find someone better. And she needs to learn to love herself first.

[Emily Goodman]

Another wonderfully gripping emotionally raw book by Jade Alyse. Let me start by saying, you have to read When You Come to Me to fully grasp Skin Like Dawn. If you are seeking a book that is happily ever afters, unicorns, rainbows, and easy love, this isn't the book for you. This book makes you emit a rollercoaster of emotions. The story picks up with Natalie and Brandon's move to Portland. Brandon's doing exactly what was asked of him by Natalie's family- he's trying his best to take care of her. Brandon's depth and growth from When You Come to Me to this book has been made with great leaps. He is no longer the clueless college kid with no goals. Natalie- on the other hand, is a mess. This book is a story of Natalie and her journey to find herself, deal with her past and finally make the decision is Brandon the right man for her. Enter Bellamy, son of a rich doctor who rescues Natalie when she's at her worst. She is able to admit things to Bellamy she has never been able to share with Brandon. Natalie's daddy issues return to plague her as well as her life choices to leave Duke Medical University. She becomes mysterious and a liar to those who have known her the longest. This book is her journey to her truth. I have a love/hate tie with this book. I loved the book. I hated how things happened. At times, I wanted to smack Natalie. She's selfish, immature, and everything she's not in the first book. The ending of this book is unsettling and left my mind working. I'm hoping Book 3 will conclude the story line and answer all the questions Skin Like Dawn leaves you with. There is no way to read this book and not ponder it for days. There is not enough great things I can say about these books. They are a refreshing change from the normal "everything is just easy, happy go lucky" love and romance books out there. I definately recommend that you read this series. Just be ready to ride the rollercoaster.

[Afsana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember the last time I read a book and was taken on such a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I love Brandon, though I wish he weren't such a doormat. I did not love Natalie. She was whiny and wish washy and I just wanted to reach into the book and shake some sense into her. Of course the pregnancy hormones were part of the blame, but she still needed to get her act together. I was tired of her blaming Brandon for everything that wasn't right in her life, although she conveniently forgot that she made decisions that took her away from the path she originally planned for herself.

The whole interest with Bellamy wasn't all that believable for me. It just happened way too quickly without any real reason behind it. I hope the author doesn't decide to really explore a relationship between the two of them. If she does, I hope it isn't permanent. As much as I dislike Natalie, I really want Brandon to have his happily ever after.

And Asha threw me for a loop. I can't quite figure out if her beef with Natalie is because she doesn't want Brandon hurt, or if deep down she was jealous of Natalie and Brandon's relationship. I guess we will find out for sure in the next installment. Thank goodness it is around the corner.

[Danelle Rambus · Rating 3 out of 5]

ch as I really want Brandy and Tallie back together for the sake of my restoration in.marriage overcoming fatalities, he deserves better. Natalie is becoming too much for me to handle. First off,how can you say Brandon was the reason you didn't finish school, ahem no one put a noose around your neck and told you to stop going to school and drop out. Also pretty sure there is doctorate programs in Oregon? And this affair - because that's what it was- with Bellamy!!????!!
Girl millions of us women would give up our favorite pair of shoes for a man like Brandon and your-excuse my language- fudging it up royally.
I loved the first book and I loved all the characters, but Skin Like Dawn made me hate Tallie little more than I intended to hate her. Poor Brandy, his wife is a nutjob!
On one side I hope they get back together and on the other I hope Brandon slaps Tallie with divorce papers!

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was worth my time to read, but unfortunately, it wasn't as great as the book before it. I was kind of upset with the ending. This does not mean, I would not suggest this book series to anyone, because I would. I am still in love with the characters, it's amazing to see how they have grown. I wish to know more about Scotty and Asha. I was rooting for Brandon and Natalie all the way. I wanted them to over come their problems in their marriage, and stick together. Prove everyone wrong, everyone who thought they wouldn't make it. The ending just broke my heart into pieces. I still hope to read more by Jade Alyse.

[LeeLee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hate to give this book only two stars because I love the romance of it but the ending though ?!? Like why. Oh and I felt that the flash backs were a bit unnecessary. I had to skim through those parts. A certain secret love interest definitely did spice things up a bit and I wish I could have seen that develop more fully.

[Brooke Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't been able to pick up a book for a few days after reading this. Well written, follow up just devastated me...it feels so real lol. I'm anticipating the last book to see how this love story plays out.

[Nancy L Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pissed

I'm soon missed at how this story ended. how windy she was and how Brandon deserved so much better after reading such a long book and have it end like that------i don't think if want to read another chapter in this series

[Nicola Mccafferty]

Is there another book coming out don't want them to finish xxx