Bits of You & Pieces of Me is a collection of short stories and poems written with passion and power by a writer who is a true natural at the art. Kimberly does not shy away from the particularities of her life, both good and bad, but fully engages them in order to gain a better understanding of herself, her writing and her world. This book is neither depressing, nor superficially optimistic; instead, it shares with us the encouraging determination and keen insights of a fellow writer. Some of the short stories are fast, action-packed and just a blast to read, while others explore with great sensitivity major turning points in life. My favorite short is a horror/speculative fiction story entitled “Meal for Monsters” which is a thrilling piece of zombie fiction. My favorite poem is “The Nothing” in which the reader’s preconceptions about cyberspace and social networking are challenged. Bits of You & Pieces of Me is a great collection and a delightful read. I hope Kimberly has more poems and prose to share with us soon.

book review by Jason Sullivan