320 pagesTo Be Published October 13th 2010
by Shadow Mountain Publishing
ISBN 1606418386
Is it possible to forget who you once were?
Annalisse and Dennis seem to be living the American dream until Annalisse’s secret past threatens to destroy their family. This skillfully crafted novel from Whitney Award winner G. G. Vandagriff explores the long-term effects of personal tragedy in haunting flashbacks of Annalisse’s former life–flashbacks that are interwoven with a passionate romance to reveal a person entirely different from the woman Dennis thought he had married. But as Annalisse struggles with long-buried memories, Dennis’s investigation of a toxic waste incident ignites the wrath of a former political ally and an industrial firm that will go to any lengths to cover up a shocking crime. Can Annalisse reconcile her turbulent past with her present life before it’s too late? And can Dennis find a way to save his family and the town they’ve called home?
This is the first book I have read by G.G. Vandagriff though I’ve met her briefly a couple of times at Authorpalooza events. So first off, special thanks to her and Shadow Mountain for letting me take a sneak peek at her newest novel for women.
Told through the eyes of a married couple and from two alternate points of view, Pieces of Paris opens with Annalisse, a woman in her twenties, living on a farm in the Ozarks. She is pregnant with her second child and suddenly finds herself being haunted by the past. Her stable life with husband Dennis, a local lawyer, begins to crumble as she can’t shake memories that come in the way of flashbacks. Meanwhile, Dennis is battling with a case which stirs up controversy and puts their family in danger. His lifelong dream of an escape to Eden and a peaceful life are threatened by Annalisse’s sudden change in behavior and the hot bed of unrest in his town. The two of them pull apart for the first time as a couple and both begin to wonder if their marriage is not at all what they wanted or expected. Can Annalisse salvage the passion and talent she once felt without losing herself to the past? Can Dennis love her as she really is?
Pieces of Paris does a masterful job of weaving a captivating story with real life issues like manic depression and the true definition of love. It’s a book that is likely to evoke strong emotions for anyone with experience with mental illness or PTSD. She pushes buttons on some hot topics: racism and environmental clean up as well as small town politics. The book has some very tough and graphic moments as Annalisse learns she has to move through the pain or her past in order to overcome it. However, in the end the overall message is one of hope and finding a center that can’t be lost. It was evident from the detail in Pieces of Paris that Ms. Vandagriff is a highly intelligent, cultured person with a deep knowledge of psychology. (We’re excited to interview her soon!) 25 years in the making, Pieces of Paris is a glimpse of her talent. Visit her website at http://ggvandagriffblog.com/ to learn about her other published works and upcoming events.
Leave a comment below for a chance to win a 
Paris necklace from our shop.
Giveaway ends October 28, 2010 and is open internationally.
Cass (Words on Paper)
Wow PARIS! Hehe. The necklace looks pretty funky. 🙂
Probably not ususally my style, but I’ve added PoP to my TBR. It sounds pretty interesting. Thanks for the review!
cc932005 at hotmail dot com
Bere
Such wonderful review! This is the first time I’ve heard of Pieces of Paris. I love this title! This book sounds really good. I’ll definitely be adding it to my wish list. Thank you. =)
Wicked-Sassy
It’s a good thing I saw your review, because both the cover and the title were a total turn off at first sight. Thanks to you, I may just take a look at this book 🙂
Great necklace!
The Itzel Library
Pieces of Paris sounds great! Added on my wishlist! Thanks for the review.
The necklace it´s georgeous! Count me, please.
Cheers!
~Yelania
G.G. Vandagriff
tHANKS FOR THE INSIGHTFUL REVIEW. tHE TITLE AND COVER WERE NOT MY IDEA. MY TITLE WAS “THE ONLY BRIGHT THING” I ALSO HAD TO CHANGE ANNALISSE; NAME FROM SIGRID. I THINK THE COVER IS BEAUTIFUL BUT MISLEADING. I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT.
AND BELIEVE ME AS A VETERAN OF PTSD AND BI POLAR DISORDER, IT’S TRUE TO LIFE I JUST HOPE PEOPLE CAN HANDLE REALITY AND NOT COTTON CANDY.
KNUFFELS (DUTCH FOR HUGS)
gg
FireandIce
You are welcome. Thanks for stopping by to comment. I like your title G.G., the Paris doesn’t really fit the story as well. But I have to say Annelisse works. This is definitely not a cotton candy story; it’s pretty gritty in some spots. I think what I struggled with were the political undertones. They came across a bit strongly for my taste. I have worked with a lot of manic depression, drug addiction and PTSD so I know it can be real life true drama, tough situations, and not a bowl of cherries. But I’ll be curious to see what others think of the book. I think it’s bound to get mixed reviews.
Liz
WOw! Nice book! I really want this necklace 😀
Kiss!
Thanks ^^
Nikki
love the combination of books and photography (and music and jewelry too)
igea
You send us in a dream with this review!
Georgeus necklace:sign me in and Good Luck everyone!
igea777@gmail.com
.Ambur.
This book definitely sounds interesting, thanks for sharing your review 🙂
That necklace is also gorgeous!! So thanks for the chance to win that too! 😀
Ambur
ambiepie_6(at)hotmail(dot)com
animaliefelici
I like this book it seem interesting.necklace has pretty color.
dogmyheart@gmail.com
Taffy
I need to read the book! G.G. does a great job!
I like the necklace. A girl can never have too much bling 🙂
taffy(dot)lovell@gmail.com
Cathie
Wow that is so pretty!
lovemybabysquid@yahoo.com
Vivien
I want to read this very badly. Love the necklace!!
lulilut
It’s hard to deal daily with someone with a mental illness, this books sounds like it takes the concept and deals with it realistically.
Also, the neckalce is pretty – I love the color.
Michele P.
it sounds like a captivating read… will have to check it out. The necklace is pretty, I’ve never been to Paris but hope to get there one day!
micaela6955 at msn dot com
Emiii8
The necklace is pretty. Great review!
i-love_horse@hotmail.com
Damla (Sweepstake Lover)
Wonderful necklace! I hope I win 🙂
annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com
Fellow Rover
Love the look of this necklace. Thanks for making this international! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for this one!
khrisocubillo at yahoo dot com
Carla
The book seems very interesting and the necklace is very pretty.
cjmfnobregaATgmailDOTcom
someone in jogja city
its really MAP pendant!love this ..so no need to bring a map , thats enough wear this magic necklace =^^=
hope win this necklace..
wulanseries at gmail dot com
Twilighter
Hey thanks for the review. I had never heard of pieces of Paris but it sounds really good so will have to check it out. I love the necklace.
meganmcdade2008@yahoo.co.uk
Guta Bauer
Seems like a good book, like the type of books that i’ve been wanting to read. It’s funny how we have this times when we want to read just one genre. 😉
And the necklace is beautiful.