Tuesday, September 10, 2013




Welcome to my stop for A Missing Piece blog tour!
I have a review and excerpt for you! Also there's a giveaway! 

Crossing
Author: Beth Fred
Release date: September 1st 2013
Publisher: Escape Publishing
Series: N/A
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Tour organized by: Itching For Books
Purchase: Amazon
Add to your library: Goodreads

A turbulent, emotionally charged YA novel that breaks down barriers and challenges the status quo...

Angry, seventeen-year-old Iraqi war refugee Mirriam Yohanna hates her new life in Killeen, Texas, where the main attraction is a military base, populated with spoiled army brats like Caleb Miller. 

Caleb has much to be angry about too, including Mirriam who turns him down flat in front of everyone. Eager for retribution, Caleb agrees to a dare that will see him take Mirriam to the prom and regain his pride. 

But their relationship soon moves beyond high school antics. Mirriam and Caleb are bound together by more than location, and as they are forced to work closely together on a school assignment, they start to uncover an explosive story that has the potential to ruin lives — and both of their futures. One single truth changes everything and strengthens their bond. 
When Mirriam's family discovers their relationship, they decide it's time to arrange her marriage to a proper Iraqi man. Caleb must convince Mirriam that he is in it for forever — or risk losing her for good. (via Goodreads)

Review
I was so intrigued by this one the moment I read the blurb. Wars, soldiers and survivors have a soft spot in my heart. Not that I'm a victim or anything. Maybe because an uncle of mine is a soldier? So I heard lots of stories. But then I just admire how these people were able to cope with it. Despite all the struggles.

It wasn't hard to see how Mirriam was so different from the others. So it wasn't much of a surprise that most of the people in her school find her quite amusing especially Caleb. Really amusing to the point that she became an object of a dare. A dare that should just be a dare but you know how dares can be really tricky sometimes! I'd be honest that it's too much of a cliche. As in. Really. Cliche. How many times have I watched a movie or read a book wherein the guy was dared to woo a girl then he unwillingly fell for her? Lots already. But what set this apart was the history of Mirriam which was (obviously for me) connected with Caleb! It wasn't really hard to put two and two together. But their history was really something that set this apart from the others.

I have to warn you that this was short. So maybe that was the reason why I didn't get to feel Mirriam that much. I was sort of expecting she'd be really hard. Yes, she was hard but not that much. I wished she was more scrutinized as a hard character. I get her anger and all. But I just don't feel it. 

Another different thing in here was the moment Mirriam knew about the dare. Most of the female characters would be so angry and stuff. But Mirriam was so different. She knew how to value that love. Maybe she learned in the hard way. She forgives easily. That was one thing I love and hate about her. It was too easy for her to forgive the people she loves. But I wish she was more careful about it.

I'm just sort of bothered by what Mirriam and Caleb did together at the end. It was so impulsive in a way. But maybe they were that much seriously in love! Though it really bothered me because they just knew each other in less than a year.

It was just a little sketchy for me as to what happened to her brother. Or even to her family. I wish it was included in the epilogue. And yeah, the epilogue was a killer. It was totally dreamy but whatever. At least, I was confident that they were happy. I just really hope it was longer. Maybe then I would have connected with the characters more.

A Missing Piece is a nice story about war, love and acceptance. You'd probably guess the thing that connects Caleb and Mirriam in no time but you'll enjoy it because it is enjoyable! It's light, a little edgy and absolutely fun to read about. Despite the little things that bothered me, I liked this novel as a whole.




Excerpt
   Mirriam sped up, to get rid of me no doubt. I'd never been so hated by a girl, but I had more than a thousand bucks riding on this, so I increased my pace to match hers. "So you've been here for two years?"
   "Unfortunately."
   "Where were you before Killeen?"
   "The East Coast. Texas really is as behind as everyone says."
   "The East Coast is a big place. Care to elaborate?"
   "Will you quit asking me questions if I do?"
   "You could ask some questions."
   "For what? I'd have to care."
   Bitch. But she kept talking to me, so while she claimed she was not completely interested, she was not interested. This girl was such a guessing game. It was maddening.
  "Glad I'm so insignificant."
  We walked for a while, and then she said, "Baltimore. We went to a refugee camp in Maryland, then a church from there, then the spare room of an American family's home, and finally the projects."
   "That's a lot of moving in two years."
   "Tell me about it."
   "Mirriam, I don't understand. I'm really not trying to start a fight, but if it was so much better there, why didn't you stay?"
   "I can't really talk about it, but it wasn't safe for me to stay anymore."
   "So at least in that way, it's better here, right?"
   "Except if they hadn't done what they did, it would be safe for me at home."
   "You mean the war?"
    She shook her head violently. "No, Caleb. Not exactly, but I can't talk about it. Leave me alone, okay?"
    "What's your favorite color? That I know you can talk about."
    "Black." Of course. But then she surprised me. "Why does everyone think you're so cool?"
    I laughed. "I didn't know they did."
    "Right."
    "If I had to guess, I'd say it's the football thing. It is Texas." But I've become much less cool, since you started publicly rejecting me every chance you get. Something struck me. I could make a got for it now, and if she rejected me, no one would know. Should I do it now? Or should I wait? I'll be walking home for a while. "What are you doing Friday night?"
    "I'm not allowed to date. And just so you know, if I were, I still wouldn't date you."
     Slam. But at least, no one was around to see it.


  About the Author 


Meet Beth Fred! A full time ELF keeper and part time writer/blogger/writing instructor. Beth likes her tea hot, her romance sweet, and her guys chivalrous. Real men hold open doors, refer to you as ma'am, make promises they keep, and aren't afraid to profess their undying love. It's not breakfast if there aren't carbs (at least, not in the South). Fajitas, carnitas, and churros are just a few of Beth's favorite things. Bet you can't guess where she's from.


1 comments:

Good review & excerpt. Thanks for participating :)

REPLY

Hey, there! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you! I'll reply as soon as I can! ;)

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