Pieces of Black by Ava Bellamy: Review & Questions
I met Ava through social networking recently and among her quirky blog posts and glorious man candy, I noticed she's released her debut collection, Pieces of Black, so I invited her over to the blog. Read my review and see what answers she gave to my ten questions below.
I dived straight into Pieces of Black, reading it in two days. I have to admit, it didn't have me hooked straight away; I persevered because there was something about it that did call to me. I really liked the idea of the story, and I think that's why I wouldn't give up on it and put it down. I'm glad I didn't.
Serena and Jason have been online friends for a year; she has always refused to meet him, but her best friend, Sarah eventually persuades her to go to Edinburgh. Jason is an erotic writer (and a shoe 'salesman'), Serena writes clean romance and wants to learn how to write sex scenes while observing Jason on one of the 'play dates' he blogs about. The story was original - it is separated into five parts, each one with a different steamy scene. The story was not far-fetched. People meet online friends face-to-face every day and it is the fact that the two main characters are smoking hot, with their own money and steaming sexual chemistry that makes this story sparkle. Jason is an athlete in the bedroom and Serena discovers she is a closet voyeur.
I struggled with how Serena was a prude one moment and insatiable the next, but when I reflected back, I realised it ties in well with the sub plot. Serena's husband. It was a twist I didn't see coming. Again, I wondered why their story as a married couple wasn't developed and why Serena called him 'my husband, never giving him a name, but it is explained later on and is unexpected!
Overall, it earns four stars because while I found some parts choppy and felt some aspects could have been developed further and in more detail, I enjoyed the concept, the sex, the interweaving plots and I wanted to know if Jason and Serena got their happy ending.
That is yet to be discovered in Scattered Stones, the next instalment; the story of Parker, Jason's brother.
In the meantime, Pieces of Black is well worth the read and highly recommended.
Pieces of Black for Kindle
Pieces of Black Paperback
Let's get personal...
1. Describe yourself in 3 words.
Happy, driven and passionate
2. What would the title of your autobiography be?
The Girl Who Always Said Yes...In a non-slutty way of course
3. Name one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
That is a tough one but I will go with a frivolous one to ease you into my world.
I can't skip. I know it's ridiculous but my brain can't work my feet when I try. I just stand there dumbfounded when someone gets me to prove it. I am sure I could do it as a child but, now I can't. I'd love to be able to skip through the autumn leaves.
4. It's the weekend and you're celebrating with friends/family. What song do you put on to get the party started?
P!nk probable, depends on what's careering around my head. At the moment I can't get Pharell Williams' Happy out of my head and every time I hear it, I am dancing around to it. The guys at work just roll their eyes as I charm whoever is on the phone while wiggling my ass to the song on the radio.
5. What is the one material possession you couldn't live without?
iPhone, no contest.
I was posed a question the other day "what would you grab if you woke up and the house was on fire?" iPhone I say. Apparently the answer should have been the other half's hand. Hmmm, oops!
6. True or false? All's fair in love and war?
False. Stand by your morals no matter what. When at war or in love, those morals should stay in place. Always.
However, if we are at war over a bag of Maltesers I might slip those morals in my pocket for a second or two and use the art of deflection to get them.
7. You're stranded on a desert island. What three things do you need to stay sane?
Practical head, box of matches...iPhone.
8. Is the glass half empty or half full?
Half full. I've always been Little Miss Optimistic, much to others' annoyance.
9. What is in it?
Ha! Love this question. Daytime it will be coffee, evening peppermint tea and dancing will be vodka. Neat with ice and a squeeze of lime. Unless I'm at a Rugby match, then it will be pints of cider. Very unladylike. But when you are screaming and hollering from the stands, ladylike goes out the window.
10. True or false? Man is an island.
True. Yes he is, in my opinion. I think once you work that out, life with a man becomes that much easier!
Stalk Ava
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I dived straight into Pieces of Black, reading it in two days. I have to admit, it didn't have me hooked straight away; I persevered because there was something about it that did call to me. I really liked the idea of the story, and I think that's why I wouldn't give up on it and put it down. I'm glad I didn't.
Serena and Jason have been online friends for a year; she has always refused to meet him, but her best friend, Sarah eventually persuades her to go to Edinburgh. Jason is an erotic writer (and a shoe 'salesman'), Serena writes clean romance and wants to learn how to write sex scenes while observing Jason on one of the 'play dates' he blogs about. The story was original - it is separated into five parts, each one with a different steamy scene. The story was not far-fetched. People meet online friends face-to-face every day and it is the fact that the two main characters are smoking hot, with their own money and steaming sexual chemistry that makes this story sparkle. Jason is an athlete in the bedroom and Serena discovers she is a closet voyeur.
I struggled with how Serena was a prude one moment and insatiable the next, but when I reflected back, I realised it ties in well with the sub plot. Serena's husband. It was a twist I didn't see coming. Again, I wondered why their story as a married couple wasn't developed and why Serena called him 'my husband, never giving him a name, but it is explained later on and is unexpected!
Overall, it earns four stars because while I found some parts choppy and felt some aspects could have been developed further and in more detail, I enjoyed the concept, the sex, the interweaving plots and I wanted to know if Jason and Serena got their happy ending.
That is yet to be discovered in Scattered Stones, the next instalment; the story of Parker, Jason's brother.
In the meantime, Pieces of Black is well worth the read and highly recommended.
Pieces of Black for Kindle
Pieces of Black Paperback
Let's get personal...
1. Describe yourself in 3 words.
Happy, driven and passionate
2. What would the title of your autobiography be?
The Girl Who Always Said Yes...In a non-slutty way of course
3. Name one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
That is a tough one but I will go with a frivolous one to ease you into my world.
I can't skip. I know it's ridiculous but my brain can't work my feet when I try. I just stand there dumbfounded when someone gets me to prove it. I am sure I could do it as a child but, now I can't. I'd love to be able to skip through the autumn leaves.
4. It's the weekend and you're celebrating with friends/family. What song do you put on to get the party started?
P!nk probable, depends on what's careering around my head. At the moment I can't get Pharell Williams' Happy out of my head and every time I hear it, I am dancing around to it. The guys at work just roll their eyes as I charm whoever is on the phone while wiggling my ass to the song on the radio.
5. What is the one material possession you couldn't live without?
iPhone, no contest.
I was posed a question the other day "what would you grab if you woke up and the house was on fire?" iPhone I say. Apparently the answer should have been the other half's hand. Hmmm, oops!
6. True or false? All's fair in love and war?
False. Stand by your morals no matter what. When at war or in love, those morals should stay in place. Always.
However, if we are at war over a bag of Maltesers I might slip those morals in my pocket for a second or two and use the art of deflection to get them.
7. You're stranded on a desert island. What three things do you need to stay sane?
Practical head, box of matches...iPhone.
8. Is the glass half empty or half full?
Half full. I've always been Little Miss Optimistic, much to others' annoyance.
9. What is in it?
Ha! Love this question. Daytime it will be coffee, evening peppermint tea and dancing will be vodka. Neat with ice and a squeeze of lime. Unless I'm at a Rugby match, then it will be pints of cider. Very unladylike. But when you are screaming and hollering from the stands, ladylike goes out the window.
10. True or false? Man is an island.
True. Yes he is, in my opinion. I think once you work that out, life with a man becomes that much easier!
Stalk Ava
Goodreads
Blog
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