I love when authors contact me to read their book…..I never know who is going to find me and what interesting reads are in store.  This request came from author Misa Rush who has written her first novel called Family Pieces.

About Misa:

When the inspiration first struck to begin writing a novel, Misa had no idea where she’d find the time. Most of FAMILY PIECES was written between 1:00-2:00 A.M. Add two pregnancies, a three-year-old, a husband, a household, then throw in an economic downturn for her insurance agency just to complicate the task a wee bit more…and it’s sheer determination that completed the task.

Determination has never been lacking in her persona. Growing up, she competed in gymnastics for 18 years including four on a full-ride scholarship to Eastern Michigan University. She’s also ran two and a half marathons, the half of which holds a story all its own.

Misa graduated from Arizona State University with a Masters of Business Administration. She currently resides in Arizona with her husband and two children.

Interview with Misa:

Do you feel connected/can you relate to any of your characters in the story?

Although the storyline is completely fiction, there are personality characteristics from me in both Karsen and Addison. However, I feel most connected to Adelaide. Many of her sayings and actions were what my daughter was doing as a two-year old including trying to put Mommy in time-out.

If your book were made into a movie, what do you think the theme song would be?

I think “The Script” by Breakeven, even though the meaning of the song is not along the lines of the story. The chorus ‘I’m falling to pieces’ always brings me back to the book. I could see Karsen singing it in her head.

Are you working on another book?

Yes, I’m not quite done with my second book. It was easier when I only had one child, but I’m trying to carve out more time now to finish.

What authors inspire you?

I love books by Emily Giffin, Sophie Kinsella, Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Picoult. I’m always inspired by indie authors though. They have to work so hard to write, edit, and market their books and the tenacity it takes to withstand the naysayers is truly inspirational. Authors to look into include Samantha March, Kathleen Kole, Melissa Foster and Dina Silver. There are many more I could mention, but I don’t want to take up too much space!

What books do you have on your nightstand?  (What are you currently reading)

I just finished Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult (Unfortunately, it wasn’t my favorite of hers.) I just started Kat Fight by Dina Silver. The Kindle is on the nightstand more than books, though.  LOL.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

The first advice I always give is simply just to write. I’ve ran into so many people who say they want to write a book, but then they have five hundred more excuses why they can’t. It doesn’t matter how bad the rough draft is. No one but you/the writer has to read it. Get the story down, then edit, edit, edit.

Synopsis:

What do you do when your once charmed life falls to pieces?

Karsen Woods’ life seems charmed from her hunkalicious boyfriend to her picture-perfect midwestern roots. Away at college, even the necklace she wears serves as a constant connection home – a family tradition created when her grandfather handmade each immediate relative an interlinking charm. Each piece crafted in the shape of a puzzle piece, each one interlinking perfectly together. But when the unexpected death of her mother turns her world upside down, she discovers there is a missing piece of her treasured family tradition and her life as she once knew it may never be the same.

Addison Reynolds resides in her posh Manhattan condominium and wraps her personal identity around running Urbane, the magazine empire built by her father. In a moment of haste, Addison divulges her deepest secret to her closest friend Emily – a secret she never intended to disclose.

Could one choice, one secret, bond two unlikely women forever?

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed this novel, there was a wide range of emotions that were brought out in the story, from sadness to happiness, from selfishness to selflessness.  The characters were multidimensional and how their lives intertwined helped each character grow in who they were as a person.

Some of the storyline was predictable (and I’m not going to tell you what, you’ll have to read it for yourself and figure that out!) but it did not detract from the story and while you can figure out part of the storyline what results is definitely NOT predictable!

All in all Gracie & April give the story 4 paws up and suggest you head over to Amazon and buy the Kindle format for yourself.  At $0.99 it is a bargain for sure!