Title: Pieces For You (For You #2) Author: Genna Rulon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: December 17th 2013 by Genna Rulon (first published 2013)
ISBN: 9780615928
Goodreads URL: HERE
Plot: "The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies,
and still defying fortune's spite; revive from ashes and rise.” -Miguel de Cervantes
Samantha Whitney survived unimaginable tragedy only to discover she had been betrayed by a man who claimed to love her. Shattered, Sam spends months at a safe haven trying to piece herself back together. Ready or not, the time has come for her to return home.
As Sam struggles to resume a life that no longer feels familiar, she finds unwavering support in an unexpected, familiar face. Confronting Sam’s raw emotions and open wounds head-on, Griffin manages to take two steps forward for every step she retreats.
But when Sam is once again threatened, Griffin must decide how far he is willing to go to protect the woman he wants…knowing the cost of her safety is the risk of losing her.
Pieces For You is a captivating journey of survival, healing, and sacrifice—teeming with honesty, humor, unexpected twists, and love’s unsurpassed endurance.begin to plague Sam, it is Griffin she is forced to turn to.
• This story is appropriate for readers 18+
• Though Pieces For You is a part of the For You Series, the book can be read as a stand alone.
EXCERPT 1: 360 Degree Tour
I raised up on my tippy-toes to
peer through the peephole in the door, a recent addition courtesy of Hunter,
and saw nothing but a wall of black. I
paused for a moment, wondering if the person on the other side placed their
thumb over the glass, but dismissed the idea when I noticed the contours of the
black abyss before me. I verified that
the security chain was engaged before unlocking the deadbolt and opening the
door.
Jiminy Crickets! The black void was a shirt, specifically a
tee-shirt undergoing durability testing as it strained to contain a
scandalously muscled chest and shoulders most NFL linebackers would envy. I was confronted with a decision that no
woman should ever have to make; do I look upward to assess the face attached to
the scrumptious MMA pecks or go downward to find what other gifts God had
bestowed on this specimen. Who was I
kidding; there was only one right answer.
As my gaze headed south I was greeted by a mid-section that was clearly
well tended and hard as stone. Despite his sinfully tight shirt, I couldn’t make out his
abs, but I suspected the shirt was covering a defined six-pack. Would it be rude to ask him to remove his
shirt before inviting him in? Continuing
my exploration I discovered, distressed denim, bulging in all the right places, draped over long thick legs. Hot damn!
Hunter was finally paying off with the hot guy friends. I knew this day would come, it was
inevitable, but I was still overwhelmed with gratitude—Ev would be getting an
extra nice Christmas present this year.
I slowly raised my gaze,
verifying that the sight I beheld was not a mirage, and it
happened…finally. There was no tingle or
twinge, not a whisper of desire or hint of arousal—no, the floodgates of my
previously dormant libido opened and a tsunami of lust swept through me. My breath caught and I was forced to grip the
doorframe to prevent melting to a puddle on the floor or climbing this tree of
man-flesh like the primate I had been reduced to. I gathered the remnants of my cognitive
function—the miniscule part of my brain not dedicated to making an erotic
laundry list of the many naughty activities I wanted to enlist this man’s help
with—to prepare for the possible disappointment should the face accompanying
this god-like body be one that sent children shrieking in horror. On the other hand, guys had practiced the
“bag over her head” technique for years.
I needed to do it, rip the Band-Aid off and accept the possible
disillusionment. I reinforced myself,
inhaled deeply, and raise my eyes.
You’ve got to be kidding me!
“Griffin?” I accused more than
asked.
“Hello Sam, good to see you
too,” he returned wryly. “Shall I turn
so you can get the 360-degree show?”
EXCERPT 2:The Growling Hippo
I was waiting for Griff to exit the men’s locker room when a gym rat approached me from behind, nearly causing me to wet my pants when I discovered his body within inches of mine. He leaned against the wall next to me with his arm resting above my head. I felt caged and uneasy.
“Hey sexy, haven’t seen you here before. Need me to show you how it’s done? I know the manager—I can hook you up with a free month…in exchange for dinner?”
I was about to—I didn’t know what—run, scream, panic, tell him I wasn’t interested in his ‘free month’ if he was the last man on earth. Then I heard it—a growl. A deep menacing growl was coming from behind me, about a foot and a half above my head. I slapped my hand over my mouth to stifle my snicker.
I couldn’t see Griffin and he didn’t say a word, but whatever his body language communicated, the dumbass in front of me clearly got the message because he turned tail and left, practically running.
I spun, hoping to catch a glimpse of ‘scary Griffin,’ but his face was devoid of all emotions, his eyes tracking my visitor’s departure.
“Excuse me,” I said to capture his attention. “Did I just hear you growl at that moron, or am I hallucinating now, too?”
“I didn’t growl, it was a deep exhale.”
“Oh, an audible exhale that reverberated in your chest…like a growl,” I said before dissolving into giggles.
“I love that sound—you laughing.”
“Should I start calling you ‘Tony the Tiger’ now? Wait…how about ‘Harry the Hippo’?”
“Hippos do not growl.”
“They absolutely do! I took a zoology class for my science requirement sophomore year, and hippopotamuses, my growly friend, most definitely growl.”
“If I growled—and I admit nothing—but if I did, it was not a damn hippopotamus growl. It was a tiger growl…no, a bear…I want to be a bear.”
“Alright, Yogi it is. Come on, my furry friend, you promised me dinner.”
“Despite your torment, I do keep my promises. Let’s go.”
“Do you have the picnic baskets in the car?” I teased, enjoying watching him squirm.
“No picnic baskets, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, is Boo-Boo bringing them?”
MY REVIEW:
DISCLAIMER!!: This is Sam and Griffin's story!! Those of you who haven't read the first book please do before this book releases since Sam's story starts really from there!!
”You are everything to me. All those pieces of me amount to nothing on their own—you are my whole. I was designed to be pieces for you.”
I cannot express in words the magnitude of which I loved and appreciated Pieces For You. Genna Rulon, I’ve come to think of you as a friend, and all bias aside I think that you’ve outdone yourself with Sam and Griffin’s story!!
I mean, I cherished every freaking minute of it. I learned the significance of family, friendship, and unconditional love ; AS WELL AS, the importance to always keep the faith and fight for what you believe in.
Samantha Whitney, was a heroine to be reckoned with. She’s funny, sarcastic, and super witty;
“Oh, I’ve also been petting the kitty every night. Not much success yet, but I’m getting closer to making her purr, I can feel it…pun intended.”
But most of all, she’s one of the strongest characters I’ve ever had the chance of reading about in a long time. Her struggle to regain a “normal life” after she had been savagely beaten almost to death and raped displays her relentless perseverance and strength that many victims face on a day to day basis.
Griffin Everden, ah I heart this guy!! Griffin is just a guy totally devoted to Samantha. He lives and breathes for her. If you remember from Only For You, Griffin was often in the background as the bartender that Evelyn would confide in. He’s always held a torch for Samantha and now he has a chance he's taking it!
Don’t worry readers, he’s no stalker or some sappy lovesick guy that doesn’t have a life outside of Samantha. Besides being bartender, he is also THE OWNER of the bar he works at, AND is also in school getting his psychology license. This latter tidbit comes in handy at one point in the book (even though he later gets reprimanded for it *pouts*)!! Serves that guy right!!
Gosh, Ms. Rulon … I really applaud you on this one. Your books are honest to God becoming one of my favorite book series thus far. It has a solid plot line; loveable and desirable characters you can’t help but wish to meet in real life and befriend; and, a plausible and reasonable paced narrative.
Genna does an excellent job in portraying the after effects of the victims’ mental and emotional state in Samantha. I appreciated how she took baby steps in Samantha’s growth toward recovery and developing/rebuilding her relationships with everyone in her life.
Samantha’s rapport with each of the characters is to be envied and relished. Through thick and thin, her camaraderie with Evelyn, Hunter, and Griffin never failed. They are her family and support system.
Evelyn, man, there's no denying that she and Sam practically act and behave like real life sisters!! Their banters and trysts were so fricken hilarious at times that I almost choked on my mouthwash while brushing my teeth and was thought I was mentally insane from the amount of chuckling I did.
I mean, come on, arguing and almost coming to blows over Malibu Barbie, comparing who’s boyfriend is hotter at work, and so on!! It just made me laugh.
Barbie Fight During Breakfast:
(Evelyn)- “Are you freaking kidding me? You stole my Barbie?
(Sam)- “Sorry, but you really didn’t appreciate her. You didn’t even notice when I made the swap—what kind of mother are you?”
...a fight then almost breaks out but Hunter placates Evelyn. He then offers Sam an omelet since he is cooking but...
(Evelyn)- “You are not preparing breakfast for that…that…Barbie snatcher. Come on, Mr. FBI Man,can’t you drag her down to headquarters and charge her with something? She may have even departed the country with Barbie at some point. That’s a federal offense—do something useful with that badge of yours.”
Who Has The Hotter Boyfriend Meg?
“Oh, Hunter’s hot, too. I guess I just prefer blondes,” Meg consoled.
(Evelyn)- “Clearly you haven’t had enough time to appreciate the wonder that is Hunter. He’s supposed to stop by later. After you study him more closely you’ll see your mistake. Trust me, there is no one hotter than my man.”
(Sam)- I leaned into Meg’s side and stage whispered, “Just tell her you made a mistake and Hunter is your favorite. She won’t let it rest until you agree with her…believe me.”
Evelyn, may not be blood to Sam and they may even bicker and fight like cats and dogs but at the end of the day she is always “ready to head into battle” for Sam. Anytime, anyplace. That’s a TRUE FRIENDSHIP right there.
As for Hunter, well Hunter is just Hunter. He’s Evelyn’s other half (whom Sam has dubbed “Huntleigh”) and our FBI agent dude who deeply cares for Samantha and would do anything for Evelyn which is to keep Samantha safe.
And lastly, Griffin.
(Griffin)- “Did you just…lick me?” he asked, sounding both shocked and amused.
(Sam)- “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You licked me. I felt it,” he accused, but I noticed he wasn’t complaining. –(Griffin)
(Sam)- “Your imagination is running wild because of all the workout endorphins.”
(Griffin)- “It wasn’t a complaint. In fact, you’re welcome to have another taste.”
“Fine…I licked. –(Sam)
AGAIN , I must gush about you!! Griffin, and his relentless quest to win over the girl of his dreams!! *gushes*
Thank god though, the courtship wasn’t as difficult as I would have thought I could be as right after Sam comes back from the treatment facility, she already begins to notice Griffin in a completely different light! *breaks into happy dance!*
HOWEVER... As nice as it was to see Samantha start coming around and starting to acknowledge her feelings for Griffin, I really appreciated how Griffin rebuffed her advances.
Reason being: He was being considerate of her weakened and fragile-like state. He wanted to build a solid relationship with Sam and for her to be sure of him before they jumped into anything more. How commendable is that?!
Of course though, Griffin does have his flaws. He can't be all that perfect. He tends to have serious overbearing tendencies that can range from being: overprotective, jealous, and full on guns a blazing when it comes to all that is Samantha!! I get that his intentions are noble but when all is said and done it can also get him into a heap of trouble if he's not careful.
As for Samantha, I didn't see any actual flaws from her character. I only saw the good. She possesses a very uncanny sense of humor of which often either intrigues or embarrasses Griffin since she tends to prod and examine him in her mind (while unconsciously speaking out loud without even realizing it till after) like some sort of interesting lab specimen! lol.
“My breath caught and I was forced to grip the doorframe to prevent melting to a puddle on the floor or climbing this tree of man-flesh like the primate I had been reduced to.”
”I rubbed my head against his chest like a cat soliciting attention and marking her territory. I couldn’t get close enough. I wished humans had a pouch like kangaroos…I would happily climb in and happily let Griff tote me around everywhere.”
I could go on and on about how much I LOVED this story but I feel that you guys should read it for yourselves.
Pieces For You is about picking up the pieces and reclaiming yourself. Samantha may have been broken when we first see her in the beginning BUT it is how she is able to seek justice and find redemption for herself and others to turn over a new leaf and make a new life themselves.
In a way, you can look at Sam as the phoenix on the bottom right of the cover:
"The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies, and still defying fortune's spite; revive from ashes and rise." – Cervantes, Miguel De
Which infers that all hope is never lost. For Samantha's case, she will rise up...she will persevere.
A TRULY OUTSTANDING BOOK! I was shocked (especially at one part of the book!! OMIGAH!!), I was awed, and I was literally jamming the sensor on my e-reader to jump onto the next page of the story! lol
I’m hoping that the next book will be on Sam and Ev’s barista friend and co-worker, Meg. She’s a big mystery to me and is implied to me to have a dark past. Hmm.
Anyway, Meg deserves a bite from the love bug as well so please!! Pretty please write a book about her next if can!! *begs*
“It’s not just a piece of me that fits you. We are both pieces, neither complete without the other. And I’m not the glue …we are like epoxy—both components necessary for adhesion. Together our bond is strong, flexible, waterproof, and resistant to heat, cold, and external exposure.”
My Rating:
-Overall : 10
-Plot : 9.5
-Writing : 9.5-10
-Characters : 9.5-10
-Cover : 8.5
Where to get your copy!
Amazon
Author Bio:
Genna Rulon is an up-and-coming contemporary romance author who loves nothing more than a good love story.
During her 15 years in the corporate world, Genna, inspired by her love of reading, fantasized about penning her own stories. Encouraged by her favorite authors, many of whom are indie writers and self-published, she committed to pursue her aspirations of writing her own novels.
Genna was raised on Long Island in New York, where she still resides, surrounded by the most amazing family and friends. Married to a wonderful man who patiently tolerates her ramblings about whichever book she is currently working on, even feigning interest relatively convincingly! Genna is blessed with two little boys who do their best to thwart mommy's writing time with their hilarious antics and charming extrapolations.
All of Genna’s reviews are brought to you courtesy of copious amounts of coffee and Disney Junior (something has to entertain the boys when mommy is writing).
You can find Genna online at: www.gennarulon.com
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