Blog Tour: Pieces by Michelle Davidson Argyle Review and Author Interview

Happy Friday Everyone!

Pieces by Michelle Davidson Argyle 
Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing 
Publication Date: February 14th, 2013
Rating: 3/5 STARS

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Synopsis:

 

Two years after watching her kidnappers go to prison, Naomi Jensen is still in love with one of them. Jesse will be released in a few years, and Naomi knows college is the perfect distraction while she waits. But when her new friend Finn makes her question what is right and what is wrong, she begins to wonder if Jesse is the one for her … until she discovers he's out on parole. Naomi must sort through her confusion to figure out where love and freedom truly lie—in Finn, who has no connections to her past, or Jesse, who has just asked her to run away with him.

 

My mini-review!
 

I started this book knowing it was a sequel to another book, The Breakaway, I did not read. I not sure if my reading expereince would be any different if I did read the previous book. I might have cared more for Jesse, Naomi's kidnapper and boyfriend, if I read the first book, but I will never know untill I read the first book. I liked this book but not passionately so I am not sure of my desire to read the first book, especially since I already know most of what occured in that book. 

I did care more for the other male character, Finn, then for Jesse. I enjoyed the easy and relaxed banter between Finn and Naomi and how he was understanding about Naomi's predictament of being in love with her kidnapper. Finn was a nice, normal guy and I laughed a few times during his scenes.

I enjoyed seeing parallels to Naomi's kidnapping when she makes an important decision later on in the book. I enjoyed the Itally part, despite its predictability, since it shares the gray essense of Jesse that is neither good or bad, just damaged.

Naomi was a terrific protagonist. I grew to care for her throughout the book and she was easy to relate too. I love meeting a character that also likes to cook and strives for independence.

The story lagged at some points, yet the writing was constantly wonderful. The geniuness of the inner strife Naomi expereinces made me care about the lesson of the story. The lesson of people taking control of their own life resonated with me.

Overall, Pieces is a fun, trueful tale with an amazing protagonist.

Now, come on and meet Michelle!

1. What are five random facts about yourself?

I adore sushi and Greek food (I look food in general, and I love to cook!). I didn’t love country music until right now, as I’m working on my new novel I’m currently calling “the country music book.” The first time I ever tasted real gelato was in Italy when I was sixteen. I played the clarinet for ten years, but don’t play it anymore. One of my favorite foods is peanut butter and tomato sandwiches (don’t knock it until you try it!) 

2. What inspired you to write Pieces?
I was inspired to write Pieces when The Breakaway came out in May of 2012 and I was flooded with requests and inquiries about a sequel. I had no idea that many people were interested in hearing the rest of Naomi’s story! I’d always known what happens, but I didn’t think many people would want to know since the “exciting kidnapping story” is done and over with at the end of The Breakaway. A huge thank you to the fans of The Breakaway for inspiring me to finish Naomi’s story!

3. How are you like Naomi?

I’m a lot like Naomi (more than I used to care to admit). She’s what many readers have called “weak and spineless”, but since I’m a lot like her, I think they’re not digging deep enough when they are so quick to judge her. She’s weak on the surface, yes. I’m like that too. I’m naturally a people-pleaser, quiet and reserved, and I’ll pretty much do anything to avoid pain. But deep down, Naomi is a rod of steel. Throw her into a bad situation and she stands back to assess the situation instead of carelessly rushing for the easiest way out—or what looks like the easiest way out. There are a lot of ways I’m not like Naomi, but I like to think underneath many of my faults, I’m stronger than I appear.

4. Do you consider Pieces as a New Adult novel? What do you think about this developing genre?
My publisher has categorized Pieces as new adult, yes. I personally like the genre. I think it opens up new doors for writers, since it places the “in-between” fiction into a nice spot. Characters heading into college-age territory, not yet married, struggling to find their way into the adult world—there’s a need for fiction like that. I happen to adore writing fiction right smack dab in the middle of new adult. New adult looks like it might find a permanent home in publishing, and that makes me very happy!

5. If you could control any element, air, earth, water or fire, what would it be and why?

My last novel, Bonded, has a novella in it titled Scales. It’s about a fairy who controls water. Her sister (a bit of a rebel) controls air, but also plays with fire. Since writing that story, I had a lot of fun discovering the different elements and what it might be like to be able to control them. I think if I had to choose one, I’d choose air. If I was good enough with air, I could possibly fly (right?). Or at least I could go sailing and have complete control of how fast and far I could go!

Thanks for reading!