Review: 4 stars! Pieces of Truth, book 2 of 3. 1 captivating women, 3 men in desperate pursuit of her love. Secrets, suspense & intrigue
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 24, 2013
"I once learned, a long time ago, to get what you want, to have all the power, to be the hero and the good guy, you have to make everyone else look like the bad guy."~Hero, Pieces of TruthPieces of Truth is the sequel to Pieces of Lies, the whirlwind saga of one captivating woman and three amazing men vying for her heart, featuring the dazzling life of the ultra-rich, secret societies, mysteries, lies, deceit, suspense, intrigue and even blackmail.Please note these books must be read in order:Pieces of Lies (book 1)Pieces of Truth (book 2)Untitled (book 3) - The conclusion. Estimated to be released late 2013.In Pieces of Lies (book 1), we meet Norah, with a murky past embarking on new beginning by transferring to Maclaren University to finish her last semester of College and be closer to her best friend Josh. On the night they were both thinking of taking their friendship to another level they end up having a fall-out and Norah instead meets the jaded, entitled school playboy Clint.  Norah soon finds herself in a tug-a-war between these two men only to have her first love/ex-boyfriend Samuel, re-appear as her third suitor.Book 1 was nothing short of a roller-coaster as lies and deceit were spun and secrets unveiled all under the watchful eye of the all-seeing secret society, Lappell and powerful people in Norah's past. I will not reveal which of her suitors is ahead in the race. But I can tell you that Book 1 ended with two of her suitors coming to a blow with Norah picking one. However, in the epilogue her third suitor stirs up new drama.This story, Pieces of Truth (book 2), opens up with everyone having graduated and moved to New York. Norah is in a committed relationship with one of her three suitors while the other two are frantically trying to win her back. Much like in book 1, book 2 is every bit the roller-coaster of lies, deceits, secrets, suspense and intrigue. The drama keeps building and comes to several blows throughout.  Norah will end up not knowing who to trust or what to believe.  For most of the story darkness still has the upper hand overshadowing her efforts.  And it's quite possible that one or more of her suitors are lying as well.  As much as she cares for these three men, she is desperately trying to get to bottom of everything - to sort through the Pieces of Truth.Heroine: Lenorah Rossi aka Norah Ross/23 year/artist-recent College graduate/black hair/brown eyesHero 1: Josh Hollows/23 years/Financial advisor for Investment brokerage firm-recent College graduate/brown hair/green eyesHero 2: Samuel Voltaggio/20's/family business/black hair/black eyesHero 3: Clint Weston/23 years/Investment banker-recent College graduate/$$$$/blond hair/blue eyesNorah Ross is beautiful inside and out. After losing her mother she was raised by her father. She has secrets from her past that will be reveled in book 1 and 2. She is an artist with one successful exhibition under her belt. There is no doubt that all three men have a sincere desire and love for Norah and it is clear that she loves parts of each of these men. It's difficult for her to choose because not only are the men very competitive, they also have life-time memberships or ties to Lappell and other powerful special interest groups and Norah finds herself a commodity, a price in a high-stake game, on more than one occasion.Her biggest obstacles are finding herself, her footing and trying to decipher the truth, while finding a way to exist amongst these powerful groups.  The Pieces of Lies series is Norah's journey of self-discovery, personal growth and choosing her life-long love.I loved her from the start of book 1.  In book 2 I felt her to be distracted and all over the place. I wish for her to slow down and find peace.Four words to describe Norah: Captivating, strong, unique and sincere."I wanted him to be ruthless, I wanted him to be fearless, I wanted him to take the biggest risk possible for me and be a hero."Josh Hollows is Norah's best friend since childhood and we get to know him starting in book 1. In book 2 he has graduated and accepted a position with a firm closely tied to the Lappell. He is trying to find his footing and balance with Lapell and hopefully make a good life for himself and Norah. What works in his favor is his deep friendship with Norah serving as a very solid foundation for a relationship plus their undeniable attraction to each other.Six words to describe Josh: Loyal, calm, smart, sexy, intense and ruthless!Samuel Voltaggio is Norah's first love and ex-boyfriend.  Book 1 introduced him, but he kept many of his secrets and stayed mostly in the background both stirring and vying for Norah. In book 2 he is coming back with a vengeance. He is not the only one with secrets and he will try to expose them. What works in his favor is the love they shared and that the break-up was not of his nor Norah's choosing.Six words to describe Samuel: Relentless, secretive, handsome, persistent, intense and ruthless!Clint Weston the ultra-rich, jaded playboy from one of the most affluent families in the US has never cared for a woman nor had a girlfriend until he met Norah. She turned his life upside down and he has not been the same since.  He is oftentimes desperate, possessive and relentless in his pursuit of Norah. But he also has very strong bonds to the Lappell and finds himself caught in the middle on several occasions. What works in his favor is his ability to be both vulnerable and expressive in his love for Norah.Six words to describe Clint; Possessive, relentless, attentive, vulnerable, intense and ruthless!Please note that though book 2 left Norah in a good place, her story will not come to a full conclusion until book 3, due at the end of this year. Until then we leave her happy and content not realizing that yet again new drama is lurking in the shadows.  Book 3 is bound to be another epic read as everything comes crashing down and to a halt and the truth is finally revealed.  May all the pieces of lies and truth finally fit!So far I have enjoyed every moment of Norah's journey.  She is truly a wonderful heroine and all three heroes are very strong candidates.  I'd be happy with whoever Norah picks.  Therein, of course, lies great sadness for the two left behind.  Thanks Ms. Richardson for an epic series!"Sometimes, the smallest moments in your life have the greatest impact. They soar straight into a place deep inside you, and resonate with the very core of your heart, sinking deep into your memory, to remind you later, that life and love can bring you magic you didn't know existed."***Clint's rating: 5 starsJosh's rating: 5 starsSamuel's rating: 5 starsNorah's rating: 4 stars (5 stars in book 1)Sex scenes rating: 3.5 starsSex scenes frequency: 3.5 starsStoryline concept rating: 4.5 starsStorytelling skills rating: 4 starsStory ending rating: N/ABook editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): 4 stars************************************************Overall rating: 4 starsWould I recommend this series: Yes.Would I re-read this series: Yes.Would I read future books by this author: Yes.A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.