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The Stables #1
All These Pieces of Me
Emma sees the world inside out and looks right past the physical scars that Brandon had begun to think would be the only thing the world would ever see. Set in Dallas, Texas, this is a mature adult Contemporary Romance series with BDSM elements and atypical themes, including physical disfigurement, Autism, and OCD. Each book will be a complete story, no cliffhangers. Brandon To say that I’m ugly is like saying a cemetery is quiet. Okay, maybe parts of me are attractive, sure. I’d gotten more than my share of second, hungry glances from women at clubs. Then I’d turn to the other side and they’d get a nice big glimpse of Quasimodo. Only the desperately drunk or the ‘I can fix you’ chicks took a third look. Not Emma, though. She looked right at my scars and didn’t miss a beat. The typical stares from folks noticing my face just blend into the background noise as I try to comprehend this odd little woman. She’s still and quiet, clutching her teddy bear like it’s nobody’s business. And maybe it’s not. Maybe least of all mine. There’s more there, I’m sure. Way more. And for the first time, I think I’m going to actually put in the effort to find out what, because I think it may just completely blow my sorry world apart. Emma The guy walking in front of me is seriously massive. I’d heard that everything is bigger in Texas, but this is absolutely ridiculous. There’s also the matter of his face. He has me both ready to swoon and run screaming in the same crazy second. I’m still not sure which of those options my body has decided on. I think the jury is still out on a lot of things to do with my current state of affairs. I wish I could talk the way that I think instead of stammering through life like a little girl who holds onto a damn teddy bear and continues to obsess over the color pink. I can't, though. My brain just doesn't work that way. His gentle brown eyes put me at ease for some reason I haven’t quite worked out yet, and I really want to know his story. Scars are just part of life and we all have them. Most of us are lucky, though, and have scars we can hide deep down inside. Most of us aren't forced to wear them on our face. *This book is intended for mature readers and contains romantic scenes of intimacy. This book does include BDSM themes.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2014
472 people are currently reading
1001 people want to read
About the author
C.E. Kilgore
51 books187 followersC.E. Kilgore (1981 - ) is an author without genre, who likes to dabble in several genres from romance to science fiction. She also enjoys pushing the boundaries of those genres, trying new things, venturing outside formulas and turning tropes on their heads. Admittedly a control freak, she is currently a self-published author under the name Tracing The Stars, and hasn't quite found the publisher who fits all her quirks. Be sure to check out her website, cekilgore.com
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December 11, 2014
Sometimes, you can’t fix what’s broken and that’s okay. When you stop trying so hard to mend what can’t be mended, you can discover new things to fill in the spaces the broken ones leave behind. Other times, things have to be lost before you know what’s really gone. And sometimes, when something is gone, you have to learn to let it go so you can remember why you miss it so much.
I’ve struggled with writing this review because I still don’t know exactly how I feel about this book. I’ve thought about it for several days and alot of different words come to mind but the one that lingers is...disappointed.
I absolutely loved the first half of the book. As soon as I started reading All These Pieces of Me, I was charmed. By the time I finished the first couple of chapters, I was in love. LOVE. I wanted to sound the alerts and tell all my book loving friends that this was a book that had to be read. I was thinking All These Pieces of Me could definitely end up on my top ten books for 2014. Yep, 15 days into the year and that is how much I loved this book. Unfortunately, when I was feeling all those lovely feelings, I hadn't read the second half of the book yet. Once I did, my love affair was over. I was left feeling let down, confused, and a bit miffed with the author.
I guess I'll start with the good!
All These Pieces of Me is the story of Brandon and Emma. After meeting on the streets of Dallas, there is an immediate connection that I loved being witness to. Sure the meeting is kind of fanciful but instead of coming across as silly or stupid, I was charmed. I knew from the very beginning this wasn't going to be the typical romance I normally read and I was happy with that.
Brandon is badly disfigured and has been unable to find a woman who can truly look beyond his scarred face and body to see the man beneath until he meets Emma. He is immediately captivated by her whimsical personality and her ability to see him, not his scars.
Scars are just part of life and we all have them. Most of us are lucky, though, and have scars we can hide deep down inside. Most of us aren't forced to wear them on our face.
Emma is one of my favorite heroines ever and I adored her from the very beginning. She’s awkward and quirky and a total delight. Her emotions have a honesty that are so refreshing to read. It’s obvious almost immediately that Emma has a uniqueness that is not easily explained. She struggles at times to express herself and her self-awareness of her struggle only made me love her more.
I swear, the things that come out of my mouth and have me sounding like a five-year-old really piss me off sometimes. I wish I could talk the way that I think instead of stammering through life like a little girl who holds onto a damn teddy bear and continues to obsess over the color pink. I can't, though. My brain just doesn't work that way and I'm starting to think that it never will.
It’s evident that she hasn’t always struggled as much.
It goes back to the time before I was quiet. Back when I used to fill spaces… Back when my brain and mouth still communicated with one another on a more regular basis.
She also eerily alludes to a time before throughout the book but does not give details of any past events that have affected her. Even without the details, I understood immediately that Emma had been hurt in some significant way and still struggled with that hurt. I couldn’t help but think of Emma as being beautifully damaged.
We fit. We’re both in pieces, and those pieces fit.
I loved both characters individually, but I loved them together even more. While initially they appear to have little in common it doesn’t take long to realize that Emma and Brandon work perfectly together, they balance each other out.
Brandon Peters has way more going on underneath and it calls to me like it all matters. Like, if we were to put all our weird pieces together, we may be able to make something. Something almost complete. Something beautiful.
The book is steamy but nothing over the top. Brandon and Emma have a certain chemistry I found very sexy
His golden eyes are watching everything, seeing me. Every part. Every piece. I want him to see it. “I want you to kiss me again.”
His eyes go wide, his thumb stops and I watch his throat tighten as he swallows. “Em,”
It’s a rough whisper dripping with uncertainty, but I hear the want in it, too. “Please,” I add and hope my sincerity is enough, because if he doesn’t kiss me soon, I may never come back from the dark edges creeping in.
His grip tightens almost to the point of pain before he pulls me up against his chest. A whimper escapes me, but he captures it with his mouth against mine. We share warmth. We share one breath and then another. He moans, I lose my myself and he gives it all back to me.
My fingers crawl up the tight space between our bodies until one hand can go no further and palms his chest. His heartbeat is strong and fills in all the cracks. My other hand breaks free and meets the line of his jaw as it moves in sequence with the devouring nature of his kiss. It isn’t just a kiss. It’s an embrace that holds me just as close to him as his arms now wrapped around my back. I hope he can feel what I’m trying to say, even if I’m not really sure what that is.
I loved C.E Gilgore's writing right from the start. Some author's have the ability to string together words in a way that makes me feel like I'm reading poetry. I think the last author I came across that made me feel the same way was Mary Ann Rivers in her book The Story Guy. All the Pieces of Me is a totally different story then The Story Guy, but I found the same type of beauty in each author's writing.
So I loved the characters, the writing, the romance was sexy...I was in love...right up until I wasn't.The blurb references that the book contains light BDSM elements and I certainly didn’t have any issues with that. Learning that Brandon had dominating tendencies was more than okay with me. How the author chose to write this portion of the story however, left me scratching my head. . It felt like the author took a segment from another book and stuck it in the middle of this one. The entire portion of the BDSM story line felt very out of place in this book and was completely unnecessary. I'm not sure if the author included the BDSM plot because she wanted to tie together this book with other books she planned in the series or because she was trying to check off BDSM on some imaginary check list she had. The whole thing felt gimmicky and I can't emphasize enough how much it didn't work. It was a major detraction from the rest of the story, which up until this point, had been so beautifully told.
Besides my disappointment over the inclusion of the BDSM plot, the last part of the book felt very rushed to me. There was a very important part of the story concerning Emma and her past that I don't think was given the importance it needed to be given. It was included but in a very wham-bam type of way. I definitely think more time should have been spent detailing what happened to Emma and how it affected her. I was left wanting more...
Overall, I'm going to rate this as a 3.25.The first half of the book was a Five Star read for me and I'm disappointed the author chose to take the story in the direction she did. I have added the second book in the series to my TBR list. I'm getting burned out on the entire BDSM story line especially when it's not well done but I'm curious to see if I enjoy the author's writing as much in another book or if I just liked the voice she gave these two interesting charcters.
January 18, 2014
Reading this blurb, I thought this book was going to be considered dark.
No it wasn't. It was rather... normal. Ok not normal that it's boring, but just more neutral than I thought it'd be.
Emma is considered kind of.. odd. It's obvious that she's not normal. She's been labeled autistic by the fed brain doctors, but that's only because they really don't know what's causing her to act the way she acts.
There's nothing wrong with her, when you get inside her head you know that she thinks like a regular person. She's just shy around people, could be kind of blunt, but overall she is very kind.
Brandon is physically scarred on his face. Due to an event that happened in the past, half of his face looks like it was burned off. He has a lot of trouble looking past it sometimes. But Emma didn't care, she looked past his physical appearance and looked for the person inside.
This was a fairly short read, I did enjoy Brandon and Emma's experience together. And I do look forward to reading the future books.
No it wasn't. It was rather... normal. Ok not normal that it's boring, but just more neutral than I thought it'd be.
Emma is considered kind of.. odd. It's obvious that she's not normal. She's been labeled autistic by the fed brain doctors, but that's only because they really don't know what's causing her to act the way she acts.
There's nothing wrong with her, when you get inside her head you know that she thinks like a regular person. She's just shy around people, could be kind of blunt, but overall she is very kind.
Brandon is physically scarred on his face. Due to an event that happened in the past, half of his face looks like it was burned off. He has a lot of trouble looking past it sometimes. But Emma didn't care, she looked past his physical appearance and looked for the person inside.
This was a fairly short read, I did enjoy Brandon and Emma's experience together. And I do look forward to reading the future books.
January 17, 2014
Genre: Romantic-drama.
Cover: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Heroine: 8/10
Hero: 8/10
Amount of humour: 2/10
Amount of jealousy: 1/10
Hotness: 5/10
Romance: 8/10
Ending: 8/10
Extra book Details: HEA. Other books in the series will feature spin-off characters as leads.
BLURB: Petite girly-girl, long time loner, PSTD sufferer and traveller; Emma, meets physically scarred, sensitive, quite Beta male with a dominant side; Brandon.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now, I was really confused towards the way Emma acted, she's almost child-like in a way, I didn't realise that she was autistic (it's pointed out in the Goodreads blurb) before I read this and I didn't know until the almost end when it was pointed out in the book. Emma loves pink, she loves to dress and design, she's very intelligent and very sensitive around people.
Brandon was a very caring person, he'd never really had any worthy lovers, they all saw the scars which they pitied, or they saw his money and wormed their way into his bed. He's very sensitive when it comes to women looking at him and taking advantage of him, he's insecure and doesn't sleep with many people because of this. Brandon screamed Beta male, until he got in the bedroom, then he liked to Dom, he was kind of a sweet Dom.
I really liked the characters, they were incredibly sweet, they needed one another. But a lot of the story felt like it was missing.
We don't find out about Emma's past until the 85% mark, which left no time for me to get over it's horridness and felt like there was no time for the characters to heal and deal. I also never found out enough of Emma's past relationship, which would have allowed me to understand her more.
The Stables (a BDSM sex club) was introduced half way through. It wasn't there for too long, but there was a big deal made about it. As other reviewers have said, I didn't see the point to it.
There could have been many understandable reasons for it being included;
Making this book an erotica.
Helping Emma heal.
Or the fact that this felt like a Daddy Dom/Little One relationship in some aspects, as he was caring and sweet and she was girly and child-like, it probably should have turned into one.
So, overall, the book kept me interested, I really liked the characters and the issues were heavy without going too OTT, there wasn't much sex but when there was it was hot and sweet. But I needed more background story for Emma and justification for the BDSM parts.
Cover: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Heroine: 8/10
Hero: 8/10
Amount of humour: 2/10
Amount of jealousy: 1/10
Hotness: 5/10
Romance: 8/10
Ending: 8/10
Extra book Details: HEA. Other books in the series will feature spin-off characters as leads.
BLURB: Petite girly-girl, long time loner, PSTD sufferer and traveller; Emma, meets physically scarred, sensitive, quite Beta male with a dominant side; Brandon.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now, I was really confused towards the way Emma acted, she's almost child-like in a way, I didn't realise that she was autistic (it's pointed out in the Goodreads blurb) before I read this and I didn't know until the almost end when it was pointed out in the book. Emma loves pink, she loves to dress and design, she's very intelligent and very sensitive around people.
Brandon was a very caring person, he'd never really had any worthy lovers, they all saw the scars which they pitied, or they saw his money and wormed their way into his bed. He's very sensitive when it comes to women looking at him and taking advantage of him, he's insecure and doesn't sleep with many people because of this. Brandon screamed Beta male, until he got in the bedroom, then he liked to Dom, he was kind of a sweet Dom.
I really liked the characters, they were incredibly sweet, they needed one another. But a lot of the story felt like it was missing.
We don't find out about Emma's past until the 85% mark, which left no time for me to get over it's horridness and felt like there was no time for the characters to heal and deal. I also never found out enough of Emma's past relationship, which would have allowed me to understand her more.
The Stables (a BDSM sex club) was introduced half way through. It wasn't there for too long, but there was a big deal made about it. As other reviewers have said, I didn't see the point to it.
There could have been many understandable reasons for it being included;
Making this book an erotica.
Helping Emma heal.
Or the fact that this felt like a Daddy Dom/Little One relationship in some aspects, as he was caring and sweet and she was girly and child-like, it probably should have turned into one.
So, overall, the book kept me interested, I really liked the characters and the issues were heavy without going too OTT, there wasn't much sex but when there was it was hot and sweet. But I needed more background story for Emma and justification for the BDSM parts.
November 19, 2013
This one is very hard for me to rate. I loved most of it and would give it a 4 1/2 or 5 had there not been certain elements to this story. I loved Brandon and Emma, I loved that they were broken and found love and acceptance in each other. The story was written very well and I connected with the main characters and side characters very much.
While walking down the street one day Brandon see's a beautiful girl drop a stuffed bear. Without thought Brandon chases after her to return it. Emma can't believe her eye's when she see's Brandon, yes she see's his scares but she see's so much more and finds herself trusting him enough to accept his help finding her new home. The connection is instant and Emma and Brandon agree to go out. Neither can believe the other can see past their issues and quickly find themselves falling in love.
But Emma and Brandon both have secrets. Emma is keeping her past hidden but knows to continue a relationship with Brandon she will have to tell him, but fear that he will reject her makes her hold off. Brandon is so used to woman rejecting him first for his facial scars then for his lifestyle, but the closer he gets to Emma the more he knows he must tell her. As they embark on a life together and Brandon's lifestyle they find happiness neither has ever known till a well meaning person forces Emma away, and her secret are brought to light. Now everyone will have to show Emma the meaning of true love so that she can finally let go of her hurtful past.
This for the most part was a great book. But I felt like the BDSM aspect of the book hurt the story and didn't fit in. The whole "stable" scene felt like another book completely and I thought what happened their was very out of character for the hero Brandon. I know some don't mind BDSM and I don't in most cases but I did not like this part of the book at all. I wish it had been written differently especially with Brandon always saying she was his then when they get to the "stables" his attitude completely changes. Be warned I would not at all say this part of the book is "light bdsm". If this scene wasn't in the book I would have absolutely loved the book.
While walking down the street one day Brandon see's a beautiful girl drop a stuffed bear. Without thought Brandon chases after her to return it. Emma can't believe her eye's when she see's Brandon, yes she see's his scares but she see's so much more and finds herself trusting him enough to accept his help finding her new home. The connection is instant and Emma and Brandon agree to go out. Neither can believe the other can see past their issues and quickly find themselves falling in love.
But Emma and Brandon both have secrets. Emma is keeping her past hidden but knows to continue a relationship with Brandon she will have to tell him, but fear that he will reject her makes her hold off. Brandon is so used to woman rejecting him first for his facial scars then for his lifestyle, but the closer he gets to Emma the more he knows he must tell her. As they embark on a life together and Brandon's lifestyle they find happiness neither has ever known till a well meaning person forces Emma away, and her secret are brought to light. Now everyone will have to show Emma the meaning of true love so that she can finally let go of her hurtful past.
This for the most part was a great book. But I felt like the BDSM aspect of the book hurt the story and didn't fit in. The whole "stable" scene felt like another book completely and I thought what happened their was very out of character for the hero Brandon. I know some don't mind BDSM and I don't in most cases but I did not like this part of the book at all. I wish it had been written differently especially with Brandon always saying she was his then when they get to the "stables" his attitude completely changes. Be warned I would not at all say this part of the book is "light bdsm". If this scene wasn't in the book I would have absolutely loved the book.
April 4, 2022
Please note this review comes from my point of view as an autistic.
The only time the main character is explicitly said to be autistic, this is what is said:
I really hope I don't have to explain to anyone how factually incorrect and offensive that is. Not only is autism underdiagnosed and often misdiagnosed, it's often even more so in anyone who is not a straight cis white able bodied male.
On top of the factually incorrect and harmful autistic rep, I just wasn't a fan of the writing style or the dynamic between the characters - he seemed to really infantilise her and it was creepy. Also, I personally don't have a facial difference but the way the male main character's facial difference was written did not sit well with me based on everything I know as a member of the disabled community (I couldn't find any reviews of this book by any individuals with facial differences).
The only time the main character is explicitly said to be autistic, this is what is said:
“The Fed’s brain-doctor thought she might be autistic, but they don’t really know for sure. Then again, they label everyone autistic, these days.”
I really hope I don't have to explain to anyone how factually incorrect and offensive that is. Not only is autism underdiagnosed and often misdiagnosed, it's often even more so in anyone who is not a straight cis white able bodied male.
On top of the factually incorrect and harmful autistic rep, I just wasn't a fan of the writing style or the dynamic between the characters - he seemed to really infantilise her and it was creepy. Also, I personally don't have a facial difference but the way the male main character's facial difference was written did not sit well with me based on everything I know as a member of the disabled community (I couldn't find any reviews of this book by any individuals with facial differences).
May 3, 2015
I want to give this book a 2, but will allow a 2.5. The reason is that the writing is fine (though it needs a bit more editing) and it's probably even a fine book, conforming to genre standards etc. However, it pretty much pissed me off at every single turn!
I'm struggling to explain why without writing a 2,000 word ranty review. I'll start with the autism aspect. No, first I'll state for the record that I think Kilgore had a wonderful idea in writing a series involving non-normalized individuals. Incorporating mental health issues and physical abnormalities into main characters is a laudable goal. I only wish she had actually accomplished it.
Now I'll address Emma's autism. Not once in the entire book (other than the first sentence of the blurb) is the word autism used. Autistic is used twice. In this sentence: "The Fed's brain-doctor thought she might be autistic, but they don't really know for sure. Then again they label everyone autistic, thesedays." That's it for the entire book for autism. I don't know about you, but I find it less than compelling.
Perhaps you're thinking a diagnosis doesn't need to be named to exist in a character. I might agree with that, except that Emma doesn't seem to self-identify as autistic and she doesn't display any behaviours that are particularly autistic. In fact, none of her thoughts, actions, or behaviours fall outside of the realm of standard, fragile, broken heroine in need of a man to set her world to rights.
More to the point, what Emma's every description screams is the standard child-like heroine of 4 bazillion other contemporary romances. Even when being introduced into BDSM she's clad as such:
Plus, no one, not even the author, addressed the fact that this particular style is an adult version of what her mother used to dress her in to pimp her to older men as a child. (Or at least to attract older men into her embezzlement schemes.) Yes, lets accidentally sexualise her history abuse. Sounds like a great idea.
Instead of providing an empowered, sexual agent who happens to be on the autism spectrum we're given a broken, abused, mentally unstable woman. It plays into the same tired record of female mental fragility that I hate with a vitriolic passion I'm not sure I can adequately express.
What the book feels like instead, is that the author did her market research to find what was trending at the moment and came across BDSM and autism. She then went through and painted autism onto the surface of a preexisting M/F erotic romance. (Kind of like what a lot of M/M romance authors do to sell M/F romances to M/M readers.) Because honestly, what the BDSM themes have to do with the autism theme is a complete mystery. I think the book would have been vastly improved by choosing one or the other and not both.
An author can call a character anything she likes and have it be true. They're the author. But beyond Kilgore's assertion that Emma is autistic, I don't see it. What Emma is an archetype of a child-sexpot and personally, I want to read about adult, fully integrated women in sexual roles.
The book also has insta-love, which I hate. Insta-trust, which baffles me (and kind of pisses me off, too). A group of five childhood friends who all grew up to have essentially the same sexual kinks (six if you count Crow), which mystifies me. The required lecture and training in BDSM, which bores me. The endless repetitive drivel about being awed and blown away, which irritates me. The cliché scene where the rich man takes the woman shopping for clothing, which makes me roll my eyes, and an ending so sappy I damn near choked on it, which frankly disgusts me.
So, that all makes this book a complete failure for me. However, to be fair, I did actually like the characters (including the side characters) and really appreciated the fact that BDSM wasn't presented as abusive and humiliating. (I know that's some people's kink, but it's not mine and I appreciated not finding it here.) That's what saved the book from a 1 star, if I'm honest.
I'm struggling to explain why without writing a 2,000 word ranty review. I'll start with the autism aspect. No, first I'll state for the record that I think Kilgore had a wonderful idea in writing a series involving non-normalized individuals. Incorporating mental health issues and physical abnormalities into main characters is a laudable goal. I only wish she had actually accomplished it.
Now I'll address Emma's autism. Not once in the entire book (other than the first sentence of the blurb) is the word autism used. Autistic is used twice. In this sentence: "The Fed's brain-doctor thought she might be autistic, but they don't really know for sure. Then again they label everyone autistic, thesedays." That's it for the entire book for autism. I don't know about you, but I find it less than compelling.
Perhaps you're thinking a diagnosis doesn't need to be named to exist in a character. I might agree with that, except that Emma doesn't seem to self-identify as autistic and she doesn't display any behaviours that are particularly autistic. In fact, none of her thoughts, actions, or behaviours fall outside of the realm of standard, fragile, broken heroine in need of a man to set her world to rights.
More to the point, what Emma's every description screams is the standard child-like heroine of 4 bazillion other contemporary romances. Even when being introduced into BDSM she's clad as such:
Her curly hair has been pinned up into bouncing caramel ringlet pigtails and she’s dressed all in white. White leather. White. Fucking. Leather! A front-laced corset leads down into a pair of frilly bloomers, which then leads down into matching garter belts and white lace stockings. There are tiny, pink bows everywhere, including on the bands of her white Mary-Jane shoes. White leather bracers with lace frills and a matching collar complete the look, and in her hand is a thin, white riding crop.It's all angelic innocence and virginal naiveté, even in a BDSM club. As if the more child-like the heroine, the more appealing she is. Gah! Basically, everything I hate about contemporary romances in one place.
Plus, no one, not even the author, addressed the fact that this particular style is an adult version of what her mother used to dress her in to pimp her to older men as a child. (Or at least to attract older men into her embezzlement schemes.) Yes, lets accidentally sexualise her history abuse. Sounds like a great idea.
Instead of providing an empowered, sexual agent who happens to be on the autism spectrum we're given a broken, abused, mentally unstable woman. It plays into the same tired record of female mental fragility that I hate with a vitriolic passion I'm not sure I can adequately express.
What the book feels like instead, is that the author did her market research to find what was trending at the moment and came across BDSM and autism. She then went through and painted autism onto the surface of a preexisting M/F erotic romance. (Kind of like what a lot of M/M romance authors do to sell M/F romances to M/M readers.) Because honestly, what the BDSM themes have to do with the autism theme is a complete mystery. I think the book would have been vastly improved by choosing one or the other and not both.
An author can call a character anything she likes and have it be true. They're the author. But beyond Kilgore's assertion that Emma is autistic, I don't see it. What Emma is an archetype of a child-sexpot and personally, I want to read about adult, fully integrated women in sexual roles.
The book also has insta-love, which I hate. Insta-trust, which baffles me (and kind of pisses me off, too). A group of five childhood friends who all grew up to have essentially the same sexual kinks (six if you count Crow), which mystifies me. The required lecture and training in BDSM, which bores me. The endless repetitive drivel about being awed and blown away, which irritates me. The cliché scene where the rich man takes the woman shopping for clothing, which makes me roll my eyes, and an ending so sappy I damn near choked on it, which frankly disgusts me.
So, that all makes this book a complete failure for me. However, to be fair, I did actually like the characters (including the side characters) and really appreciated the fact that BDSM wasn't presented as abusive and humiliating. (I know that's some people's kink, but it's not mine and I appreciated not finding it here.) That's what saved the book from a 1 star, if I'm honest.
March 15, 2019
3 1/2 to 4 stars
I really liked Emma and Brandon and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop.
Both of these characters were wounded by difficult things in their pasts and had definite issues that impacted them in the present. I'm often fascinated by scarred and damaged characters or ones who deal with particular gifts and challenges (Emma is portrayed as having autistic tendencies) because I want to see them move beyond the tragedies that have shaped them as best they can, overcome their difficulties both as individuals and together as a couple, and find their happily-ever-after.
I will admit that I haven't read a lot of books that have aspects of BDSM and the lifestyle. When it did come up in this story, it felt like the story went a bit off track for me in terms of where I personally wanted the focus (with these two characters) but I rolled with it and realized some of that was setting things up for future books.
I found the secondary characters interesting and was intrigued by the relationship dynamics throughout, but I was most invested in the love connection between Brandon and Emma. I liked the tenderness and emotion of it, the way they communicated with and without words, and there were a few powerful and/or moving scenes in this story that I won't forget.
I'm looking forward to reading book #2 in "The Stables" series about Ian (who has OCD) and Charlie (Emma's best friend) as I enjoyed the author's voice and want to see where she'll take things next.
I really liked Emma and Brandon and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop.
Both of these characters were wounded by difficult things in their pasts and had definite issues that impacted them in the present. I'm often fascinated by scarred and damaged characters or ones who deal with particular gifts and challenges (Emma is portrayed as having autistic tendencies) because I want to see them move beyond the tragedies that have shaped them as best they can, overcome their difficulties both as individuals and together as a couple, and find their happily-ever-after.
I will admit that I haven't read a lot of books that have aspects of BDSM and the lifestyle. When it did come up in this story, it felt like the story went a bit off track for me in terms of where I personally wanted the focus (with these two characters) but I rolled with it and realized some of that was setting things up for future books.
I found the secondary characters interesting and was intrigued by the relationship dynamics throughout, but I was most invested in the love connection between Brandon and Emma. I liked the tenderness and emotion of it, the way they communicated with and without words, and there were a few powerful and/or moving scenes in this story that I won't forget.
I'm looking forward to reading book #2 in "The Stables" series about Ian (who has OCD) and Charlie (Emma's best friend) as I enjoyed the author's voice and want to see where she'll take things next.
April 26, 2015
Wow...I loved this story. I'm a first time reader of C.E. Kilgore and she's got me hooked already. Definitely going to continue this series.
Emma seems a little bewildered, in every way. The book summary says she's autistic but this is not really explored in the story. She seems to have a few autistic traits (like loosing her words when stressed) but having an autistic son, I can tell you that her symptoms are very, very mild.
When Brandon runs into her, she's just lost her teddy bear Jacob. They both instantly feel a connection and Brandon takes a risk and asks her out. He usually shies away from women because of his facial burn scars.
Let me tell you that their first date was a 10+ on the hotness scale (fans myself).
This book just pulled me in. The more I read the more I loved it. There are some really heart-breaking moments but some really beautiful moments too. The BDSM components are mild but an intrinsic par of the plot. Can't wait for more.
Emma seems a little bewildered, in every way. The book summary says she's autistic but this is not really explored in the story. She seems to have a few autistic traits (like loosing her words when stressed) but having an autistic son, I can tell you that her symptoms are very, very mild.
When Brandon runs into her, she's just lost her teddy bear Jacob. They both instantly feel a connection and Brandon takes a risk and asks her out. He usually shies away from women because of his facial burn scars.
Let me tell you that their first date was a 10+ on the hotness scale (fans myself).
This book just pulled me in. The more I read the more I loved it. There are some really heart-breaking moments but some really beautiful moments too. The BDSM components are mild but an intrinsic par of the plot. Can't wait for more.
Want to read
March 4, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/30/2019)! 🎁
April 21, 2022
I had 4 of the books from this series in my Kindle but didn’t realize it until recently. I’ve had these books a while and decided to read the first one the other day. I LOVED it. All These Pieces of Me is the story of Brandon and Emma. After meeting on the streets of Dallas, there is an immediate connection between our H and h. Brandon is badly disfigured and has been unable to find a woman who can truly look beyond his scarred face and body to see the man beneath until he meets Emma. He is immediately captivated by her whimsical personality and her ability to see him, not his scars. Emma is cute, vivacious, intelligent, awkward and quirky. She’s open and honest like a child which can be to her detriment. She has scars that you can’t see on the outside. The story is slightly erotic and what I call BDSM light. It’s not as hardcore as some of the stories I’ve read in that genre. The ending of the story felt rushed like there was an imaginary word count that couldn’t be surpassed or something. What happened to the baddies that caused the heavy drama in the story in the first place? I found out that drama was left for the second book. I thought I had found a new favorite author. But I was wrong. I thought that the stories would get better but I'm nearly done with the third book and it's not better, in fact it has many typos.
March 13, 2014
Holy Hell this book knocked my socks off. I was nervous because a review said she almost loved but not quite. This is one of the top amazing books I've ever read. While I was nervous about the hole Stable thing it wasn't to much I could handle. Emma is autistic but in this book it just means she struggles with getting her words out sometimes.She is brilliant and beautiful.
Brandon is buff but has scars from a burns on half his face making him disfigured. Together they find the broken pieces of each other and make something beautiful. I put this book up on a top favorite listing.
Brandon is buff but has scars from a burns on half his face making him disfigured. Together they find the broken pieces of each other and make something beautiful. I put this book up on a top favorite listing.
January 24, 2014
This book, to me, was fan-freakin-tastic. It was so sweet, meaningful and had a delicious dirty edge to it. It was off the charts sexy and hot. Emma has to be one of my all time favorite heroines. She was so endearing and, oddly enough...normal!
I loved everything about this book. Totally recommend!!
I loved everything about this book. Totally recommend!!
January 17, 2014
The story had potential and I don't think the author gave everything to make this book a great one.
Emma's autism is not enough exploited and while reading her past has more consequences than her mental shape.
And Brandon acted more like a woman than a Dominant. He was quite funny actually and it was not the purpose.
All the BDSM books are basically all the same, but C. E. Kilgore decided to add a special something in her characters (autism - OCD...) and it would have rocked to learn more about that (we learn nothing about Emma's autism except the things Charlie knows and it's not a lot - I don't even think Emma is aware of her autism)
Emma's autism is not enough exploited and while reading her past has more consequences than her mental shape.
And Brandon acted more like a woman than a Dominant. He was quite funny actually and it was not the purpose.
All the BDSM books are basically all the same, but C. E. Kilgore decided to add a special something in her characters (autism - OCD...) and it would have rocked to learn more about that (we learn nothing about Emma's autism except the things Charlie knows and it's not a lot - I don't even think Emma is aware of her autism)
March 19, 2014
Wow totally sucked me in and consumed me. I devoured this book and loved it from beginning to end. Two broken souls coming together. The layout of the book is different it spends most of the time in the characters heads as they talk themselves through each change and development of the relationship. Once we began to move into the broken stories I just knew I was in for it and when it came I was broken along with Em. My only complaint is the end seemed a bit rushed. We spent so much sweet time throughout the book with details and the final wrap was all handled in the chapter that fell flat from the rest of the book, so for that 4.5 for me.
September 30, 2014
I thought this was a very interesting and touching story. Brandon is a scarred character both inside and out. A radom encounter and a teddy bear gives Brandon what he so desperately needs unconditional love. Emma has a trouble past and issues of self worth. This book is there journey together to mend themselves and each other. The love story does move rather quickly between these two however it doesnt seem unbelievable and sort of essentional to the story. I also liked the other characters in this book and will look forward to reading more from this series. What I also enjoyed about this book even though it appears to part of a series it is a stand alone.
October 2, 2016
2.5 star
The best part of this book were the hero and heroine. There some really great emotional moments between the two. Unfortunately they and those few scenes weren’t enough to make this a satisfying read. The secondary characters were given too much presence, and the whole BDSM club scene didn’t fit. It was pointless. The last chapter was over-the-top sappiness that had me rolling my eyes.
I have book 2 on my want to read list, but whether or not I'll read it is debatable.
The best part of this book were the hero and heroine. There some really great emotional moments between the two. Unfortunately they and those few scenes weren’t enough to make this a satisfying read. The secondary characters were given too much presence, and the whole BDSM club scene didn’t fit. It was pointless. The last chapter was over-the-top sappiness that had me rolling my eyes.
I have book 2 on my want to read list, but whether or not I'll read it is debatable.
Read
July 15, 2019I liked the beginning, but the story lost its power by the middle. Somehow after Brandon introduced Emma to his BDSM world I just lost all interest. I skipped all of the sex scenes and just read what was happening with the other characters, somehow I got hooked on Ian and I just went and bought his book and started to read it.
July 28, 2017
I really enjoyed the development of this story and how they got together. The scars and her autism weren't the main focus of the story, which was great and it was just hinted at their other issues.
Great read.
Great read.
July 15, 2019
Not what I expected
I was expecting an erotic club story but found a heart squeezing, tear drowning love story.
Every once in a while a reader finds a story that will always stay with them.
I was expecting an erotic club story but found a heart squeezing, tear drowning love story.
Every once in a while a reader finds a story that will always stay with them.
February 1, 2014
Emma & Brandon each had horrible, painful pasts. Fate brings them together and they fall hard for each other. Emma is hiding something but plans to tell Brandon, she just hasn't found her words yet. Brandon has horrible scars and considers himself ugly. He is rich and has been taken advantage of in the past so his best friend Kyle thinks Emma is using him too. He plants the seed of doubt in Brandon's head and causes problems in their budding relationship. But he decides to just open himself up to her.
Brandon has unusual sexual needs but shares them with her even though he might lose her over it but she agrees to try it and find she likes it. Then he shares his heartbreaking story of how he got his scars. She shares one painful secret with him before they go too far because she's afraid it may make him want to reconsider getting serious with her. He tells her it's not a deal breaker and they can work around it.
She's not used to loving people in her life, especially men. But she doesn't get the chance to share her deepest secret with him because his best friend digs into her past and thinks he's found proof that she's using Brandon and forces her to leave Brandon. He has no idea what really happens and he scares her so badly that she has a meltdown. Her friend that has been out of the country comes back to town after receiving concerning emails from Emma and goes to Brandon's office to give him hell.
Once they figure out what Kyle has done (Brandon is so worried about her and doesn't understand why she left and can't believe Kyle did what he did and wants to kill him!)and how he completely misread the situation, they realize what must have happened to Emma and find her right before something tragic almost happens. They get her help and Brandon is her rock through it all.
Kyle attempts to make up for what he did and Brandon's other friends have a huge surprise for Emma and Brandon at the end of the book. I really liked this book. My heart broke for both of them and I loved how they loved each other.
Brandon has unusual sexual needs but shares them with her even though he might lose her over it but she agrees to try it and find she likes it. Then he shares his heartbreaking story of how he got his scars. She shares one painful secret with him before they go too far because she's afraid it may make him want to reconsider getting serious with her. He tells her it's not a deal breaker and they can work around it.
She's not used to loving people in her life, especially men. But she doesn't get the chance to share her deepest secret with him because his best friend digs into her past and thinks he's found proof that she's using Brandon and forces her to leave Brandon. He has no idea what really happens and he scares her so badly that she has a meltdown. Her friend that has been out of the country comes back to town after receiving concerning emails from Emma and goes to Brandon's office to give him hell.
Once they figure out what Kyle has done (Brandon is so worried about her and doesn't understand why she left and can't believe Kyle did what he did and wants to kill him!)and how he completely misread the situation, they realize what must have happened to Emma and find her right before something tragic almost happens. They get her help and Brandon is her rock through it all.
Kyle attempts to make up for what he did and Brandon's other friends have a huge surprise for Emma and Brandon at the end of the book. I really liked this book. My heart broke for both of them and I loved how they loved each other.
January 15, 2016
I have to mark "All These Pieces of Me" as one of the Top 10 stories I have read in 2015! I am so glad I read the story of Brandon and Emma.
I am ALWAYS hesitate about reading stories based in BDSM lifestyle as many do not tell the true "story" and cover the fantasy side of the lifestyle instead. I thought this was going to be one of those stories when I read the Prologue. Sure C.E. Kilgore gave a very sincere "be careful BDSM is not a game type statement" at the beginning of the book. Even made a stab at the importance of communication and consent by stating how important trust is when embarking on any such lifestyle. However, those exact words were not used so I was very hesitant as usual as I approached the story.
Brandon and Emma meet on the streets of Dallas in the most humours of manners and there is an immediate connection. I loved witnessing their meeting, the way they conversed, the fact that Ms. Kilgore wrote "All These Pieces of Me" in an alternate person manner, so I could "hear" what both Brandon and Emma were thinking during this journey.
When reading Ms. Kilgore's "All These Pieces of Me" I knew from the very beginning this isn't going to be the typical romance which lead me to flip through the pages wanting to know what is going to happen next.
As I continue to read, I became extremely enthralled with both Brandon and Emma, but not only with the way their relationship was unfolding. But, with how their past was influencing their relationship.
I wasn't expecting Ms. Kilgore's book to become one that touched my own life so closely and leave me gasping for air as I read it, but it did just that.
In the end I was very pleased with "All The Pieces of Me" not only the story line but in how Ms. Kilgory covered the BDSM lifestyle.
I def be looking to read more of her books.
I am ALWAYS hesitate about reading stories based in BDSM lifestyle as many do not tell the true "story" and cover the fantasy side of the lifestyle instead. I thought this was going to be one of those stories when I read the Prologue. Sure C.E. Kilgore gave a very sincere "be careful BDSM is not a game type statement" at the beginning of the book. Even made a stab at the importance of communication and consent by stating how important trust is when embarking on any such lifestyle. However, those exact words were not used so I was very hesitant as usual as I approached the story.
Brandon and Emma meet on the streets of Dallas in the most humours of manners and there is an immediate connection. I loved witnessing their meeting, the way they conversed, the fact that Ms. Kilgore wrote "All These Pieces of Me" in an alternate person manner, so I could "hear" what both Brandon and Emma were thinking during this journey.
When reading Ms. Kilgore's "All These Pieces of Me" I knew from the very beginning this isn't going to be the typical romance which lead me to flip through the pages wanting to know what is going to happen next.
As I continue to read, I became extremely enthralled with both Brandon and Emma, but not only with the way their relationship was unfolding. But, with how their past was influencing their relationship.
I wasn't expecting Ms. Kilgore's book to become one that touched my own life so closely and leave me gasping for air as I read it, but it did just that.
In the end I was very pleased with "All The Pieces of Me" not only the story line but in how Ms. Kilgory covered the BDSM lifestyle.
I def be looking to read more of her books.
August 10, 2014
Brandon, sometimes it takes the boy awhile to get the meaning of some things, "does she mean the dirty talk? The commands? The...Oh. Oh, eff. "You've never come before?" Sometimes the best things come in surprises, "my eyes snap open wide, glancing down to fine Emma's lips around my c***. Holy s***. When the eff did that happen?" He's also not a patient man where his woman is concerned, "oh, come on! Are you seeing this?!" I tap the riding crop against Emma's frilly butt. Em lets out another giggle that makes my knees weak. "I just need twenty minutes." I'm really going to enjoy this series, and I can't wait to get into the next book in the series.
November 19, 2013
This book had the potential to pack a heck of a punch, all the elements are there - good story, interesting main characters, steamy moments, nice intro to the BDSM scene, well written and easy to read with a great bunch of support characters (all to get their own books).
However it decided to be polite, nice - the drama is just a little too downplayed. There is so much more there that simply wasn't told.
Still, I did enjoy this book and have great hope for the next books in the series.
Definitely worth a read.
However it decided to be polite, nice - the drama is just a little too downplayed. There is so much more there that simply wasn't told.
Still, I did enjoy this book and have great hope for the next books in the series.
Definitely worth a read.
January 11, 2015
I received this book as a gift from the author for winning a game in one of the groups I am a member of.
I was a little put off by this book at first because the characters talk to themselves a lot. You're reading what is going through their mind at that moment. I eventually got used to it and it was sometimes really cute and funny to read. I loved Brandon and Emma. I thought they were super adorable! It was a very touching story and I cried at some parts because it was so sad. But I did love it, and I can't thank the author enough for writing it!
I was a little put off by this book at first because the characters talk to themselves a lot. You're reading what is going through their mind at that moment. I eventually got used to it and it was sometimes really cute and funny to read. I loved Brandon and Emma. I thought they were super adorable! It was a very touching story and I cried at some parts because it was so sad. But I did love it, and I can't thank the author enough for writing it!
March 17, 2015
Is anyone ever so truly broken they can't be mended by the right person? Emma believes she is. Brandon knows he is. Together, broken can be fixed and love doesn't wait. A great book. You'll definitely need tissues at the end. And what an end it is.
August 13, 2015
Beautiful story
I loved every broken piece of every character in this book! I am going to follow this author on Amazon and throw the rest of the series in my TBR list! I like the way the BDSM lifestyle was portrayed in this book. If I could give more stars I would.
I loved every broken piece of every character in this book! I am going to follow this author on Amazon and throw the rest of the series in my TBR list! I like the way the BDSM lifestyle was portrayed in this book. If I could give more stars I would.
Read
December 19, 2014I stopped reading the book at 40% due to that fact I can't and won't write a review. Maybe it was just my mood.
March 17, 2014
These characters just got to me. I loved them! I loved their flaws, their insecurities, and the hope they held throughout. This is one of those books which left me feeling happy with life and love.
September 20, 2014
I am in agreement with some of the reviewers abt how this book started out great but then failed to deliver . I also felt that the BDSM theme was all wrong for the premise of this story.
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