A chance encounter with a stranger traps Tessa within the mind of a madman.
Tessa was born with a gift. Through a simple touch she picks up pieces of others. A “flash” of color devours her—the only indication that she’s gained something new from another person. Red equals pain; purple, a talent; yellow, a premonition; orange, a painful memory; and blue, a pleasant one. Each flash blurs the lines between her inherent traits and those she’s acquired from others. Whenever she gains bits of something new, she loses more pieces of herself.
While assisting in search efforts for a local missing college student, Tessa is paralyzed by a flash that rips through her like a lightning bolt, slicing apart her soul. A blinding light takes away her vision. A buzzing louder than any noise she’s ever heard overwhelms her, penetrates her mind. As the bolt works its way through her body, images and feelings from someone else take over. Women’s dead eyes stare at her as her hands encircle their throats. Their screams consume her mind. Memories of the brutal murders of five women invade her.
Will she be able to find the killer and help save the next victim? Can she do so without completely losing herself?
Bits & Pieces is a fast-paced, riveting Psychological Suspense with supernatural elements that leaves the reader guessing until the end.
*TRIGGER WARNING: CONTAINS VIOLENCE, SOME OF A SEXUAL NATURE
What Reviewers are Saying About Bits & Pieces
Beautiful and haunting, Bits and Pieces is a cleverly written psychological thriller that pulls you in on the first few pages and doesn’t let go. ~ Author Heather Harrison
The story will surprise you in spots and shock you in others, and I found myself pouring through the pages to find out how it would end and who was responsible for the murders in the small college town. It did not disappoint. I would highly recommend this book. It’s a very entertaining read, with an edge of your seat quality to it at pivotal points. I will be keeping an eye out for more works from this promising new author in the future. ~ Author Shawn Burgess
As the story unfolded I would be smug enough to ‘see it coming’, then I would be caught off guard. The development of Tessa’s gift, or curse, was so well done I could ‘feel’ it myself. I look forward to Ms. Hosmer’s next book. ~ Author Colleen Brown
There are plenty of “wow” moments in this story. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind thriller, I recommend Mrs. Hosmer debut novel. ~ Author DK Marie
Wow. What a thriller. ~ Author Jessica Froberg
The premise for this book is stellar. For any reader who likes stories who stay deep in a character’s head and minimize the details, this one’s for you. I definitely can’t wait for the next tale from this author. ~ Author K.J. Harrowick
Should you get to the end, you’ll be granted with a surprising, and heart-wrenching twist that I did NOT see coming. I love twists that I don’t see coming, so this was a good thing for me to experience. ~ Author K.T Daxon
This plot-driven story was hard to put down. ~ Author Jennifer Irwin
A roller coaster ride for your psyche ~ Author Jodi Rath
About the Author
Dawn Hosmer is a lifelong resident of Ohio. She and her husband have been married for 18 years and they have 4 children, although 3 of them are now adults. She has spent her career in social work and has a passion for helping others. She was diagnosed with Crohns disease 15 years ago which has been both a blessing and a curse. Her illness has prevented her from continuing to work (the curse) which allows her to pursue her passion for writing with many less time-restrictions and focus her energy on being a wife and mother (the blessing).
Dawn’s writing is often sparked by a true story which creates a cast of fictional characters/situations in her mind. In addition, Dawn sprinkles pieces of people’s true -life stories they’ve shared with her throughout the years into her fiction as a way to honour many of the tragedies and joys that people live through. Her first novel, Bits & Pieces, is Psychological Suspense but Dawn writes in a variety of genres.
In addition to God, her family and writing, Dawn loves coffee, travelling, reading, HGTV and naps. Dawn believes that a story lives in all of us and that it’s important to share ours with others, never knowing who will benefit from what each of us has to say. Sharing our stories not only helps others, but it also changes us as well.
Dawn is an author with Ant Colony Press. You can follow her writing journey and read her blog posts at www.dawnhosmer.com.
David's Review
The central premise is that the main character, Tessa, is capable of touching a person and gaining something from them, like a memory, a talent, or an emotion. Eventually, she touches a killer and the second half of the story is driven with her searching for their identity.
But I was intrigued more by the first half and Tessa having to deal with the consequences of this power. Each time she touches someone, they become a part of her and it blurs the lines of who "she" is.
So much of our identity is defined by our memories, our emotions, our cravings and wants. Yet, when these are drawn from someone else, how much of "us" remains?
There are moments that are definitely uncomfortable to read, but the story kept me guessing until the end, not only who the killer is, but how one can also continue with this power. And even then, Dawn had a few more surprises up her sleeve.
