What do you think?
Rate this book
Somebody Pick Up My Pieces
Six months ago her three daughters walked out and left Charlotte Rodgers to fend for herself. Charlotte is resentful and bitter towards her children, Clarice, Connie, and especially Camille, for leaving her to face the memories of her painful past. What Charlotte doesn’t know is that the past will soon catch up with her once again. Justin and Clarice Braxton are struggling to hold on to their marriage. Justin’s affair has taken its toll, and Clarice (Reesy) has to decide once and for all, if she can finally forgive him, and move forward, or if the lure of giving Justin a dose of his own medicine is too tempting to ignore. Camille Rodgers has lived her whole life under Charlotte’s critical eye, struggling to be the perfect daughter and giving in to Charlotte’s whims. When she steps out on her own for the first time, Camille quickly spirals out of control. Connie Rodgers has fallen in love with her new son and things are going strong with her son’s father, John King. Then John finds out that his father is on his death bed. Unwelcome blasts from the past resurface, putting their new family to the test.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2011
13 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Mason
39 books424 followersYaaaayyyy! I FINALLY found my login info for Goodreads and can update my site!!!!!! Oh happy joy :)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 29, 2011
Somebody Pick Up My Pieces by J. D. Mason is another installment in the lives of the descendents of Charles Brooks, whom I was introduced to in Don’t Want No Sugar; and the daughters of Charlotte Rodgers, introduced in One Day I Saw a Black King. A few pages into the story I began to think I may have missed a book, and have since learned that I had indeed. So before you grab this book, make sure you have read You Have to Sin to Get Saved. In One Day I Saw a Black King, we met John King (the grandson of Charles Brooks) and Connie Rodgers (daughter of Charlotte Rodgers). They are two kids born into really bad situations; one in Bueller, Texas and the other in Denver, Colorado. Fate brings them together and they learn to love the best way they know how.
Fast forward two years and Connie and her sister Clarice have reconnected with the mother who abandoned them, and met a younger sister name Camille. The two older sisters have rescued Camille from mother Charlotte and moved her back to Denver. There we catch-up on the lives of the sisters and learn that Clarice’s life has fallen apart and Connie and John have settled nicely into a life of cohabitation. A call from Bueller sends John to see about his ailing father, Adam. The trip answers many questions I had from Don’t Want No Sugar, and also tests the maturity and love between John and Connie. Back in Denver, Clarice fights to save her marriage and learns that two wrongs don’t make it right. Camille must come to terms with the dysfunction in her life. All the while, back in Murphy, Kansas, Charlotte is forced to face her own demons, all alone.
The beginning of the story was very hard for me to follow with the introduction of new characters and various situations, but I trudged along and it finally picked up and began to flow. Once I got into the groove I didn’t want to put the book down. Mason is such a gifted writer, and although there was a lot going on with the multiple storylines, she managed to move each situation along very well. As I mentioned above, there was an installment that I did not read; however, I was able to read Somebody Pick Up My Pieces without feeling the need to stop and go get the missed book. I love when a book that is part of a series can also be read as a stand alone.
Somebody Pick Up My Pieces was a good read, full of drama that held my attention, but in its totality was not as strong as its predecessors. My final rating is 3.5 stars.
Much Love,
Tracy L. Darity
www.TracyLDarity.com
Fast forward two years and Connie and her sister Clarice have reconnected with the mother who abandoned them, and met a younger sister name Camille. The two older sisters have rescued Camille from mother Charlotte and moved her back to Denver. There we catch-up on the lives of the sisters and learn that Clarice’s life has fallen apart and Connie and John have settled nicely into a life of cohabitation. A call from Bueller sends John to see about his ailing father, Adam. The trip answers many questions I had from Don’t Want No Sugar, and also tests the maturity and love between John and Connie. Back in Denver, Clarice fights to save her marriage and learns that two wrongs don’t make it right. Camille must come to terms with the dysfunction in her life. All the while, back in Murphy, Kansas, Charlotte is forced to face her own demons, all alone.
The beginning of the story was very hard for me to follow with the introduction of new characters and various situations, but I trudged along and it finally picked up and began to flow. Once I got into the groove I didn’t want to put the book down. Mason is such a gifted writer, and although there was a lot going on with the multiple storylines, she managed to move each situation along very well. As I mentioned above, there was an installment that I did not read; however, I was able to read Somebody Pick Up My Pieces without feeling the need to stop and go get the missed book. I love when a book that is part of a series can also be read as a stand alone.
Somebody Pick Up My Pieces was a good read, full of drama that held my attention, but in its totality was not as strong as its predecessors. My final rating is 3.5 stars.
Much Love,
Tracy L. Darity
www.TracyLDarity.com
October 28, 2013
Good enough book, not particularly deep in thought. It's as though the author purposefully chooses to write 14 characters and take them all at surface level rather than write any one of them to any real emotional depth. The story was multigenerational and fraught with adversity but as the author kept it relatively surface level...and therefor so was my reaction to reading it.
Conclusion: good enough to read if you are bored and it is there...not great enough to run out and buy.
Conclusion: good enough to read if you are bored and it is there...not great enough to run out and buy.
March 17, 2024
Pretty good series. J.D. Mason did great building the characters. Roberta and Charlotte were a trip. John King seemed dreamy but not an ideal catch. These were my first books by this author, and I wasnt disappointed at all. I'll be honest, my next read have to be a little lighter. These books were filled with trauma, scandal, and drama.
January 3, 2012
I am just in love with this series by JD Mason, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I could read about John King all day long. I would love to see to a book about John and Connie. I am really over Charlotte, she is just as crazy as they come! I was truly hoping that both Justin and Reesy and Cammie and Ty could make things work in their relationships. The ending was such that their may just be another book with more insight into these couples. I am certain that I am among the few who wouldn't mind another book in this series. I did enjoy this book, even though I did find that it was a bit repetitious at times. Overall, if you are a fan of the series, I would suggest it.
July 19, 2020
I wish I had known this book was part of a series. So many characters! I felt lost at the beginning but the book was so good! Talk about family drama! Who needs enemies with a mother like Charlotte? The sisters have been through so much but they are finding themselves and that is so wonderful. I hope Cammy finds the happiness she deserve. I also hope Justine and Reese can find themselves in their marriage again. John and Connie are soldiers! I just want to read more about them. I have to catch up on this series.
January 30, 2022
So I didn't know it was a series, but honestly I'm not compelled to try and push through the ones that came before this. I will say the prose was well-written and the characters were interesting enough that you wanted to know how it ended, but it was a lot of words to tell only a little bit of story. There were at least three subplots that I thought were completely unnecessary but now I know a couple of them were included because they tie-in to the rest of the series. There were some plot points that you could tell were clearly for dramatic effect and all of these people are connected but the book has no real point of convergence between them. She was literally telling five separate stories at one time. I found myself waiting for the moment she'd braid them all together but it didn't happen. It was fast paced, and that was for a reason--how else would you fit all this in? Three stars because I did at least feel compelled to finish it.
April 5, 2018
Awesome! J.D. Mason is a beast...Loved every word.
June 10, 2018
Family Ties
Charlotte was a beauty. Fine. Charlotte was also selfish and manipulative. She didn't give a second thought abandoning her daughters, Connie and Clarice. She needed to live and the didn't fit into her life. Uncle gave her everything she wanted, but.She was growing tired of him. She loved someone else. Charlotte learned the hard way not to cross Uncle. Thirty years later, Charlotte finds herself alone after her youngest daughter, Camille, moves to Denver to join her older sisters. Each sister is trying to overcome the effects of life with Charlotte. Can Charlotte get to Denver or can she convince Camille to move back? The plot thickens even more when Uncle, recently released from prison, shows up on her porch. What does he want?
Charlotte was a beauty. Fine. Charlotte was also selfish and manipulative. She didn't give a second thought abandoning her daughters, Connie and Clarice. She needed to live and the didn't fit into her life. Uncle gave her everything she wanted, but.She was growing tired of him. She loved someone else. Charlotte learned the hard way not to cross Uncle. Thirty years later, Charlotte finds herself alone after her youngest daughter, Camille, moves to Denver to join her older sisters. Each sister is trying to overcome the effects of life with Charlotte. Can Charlotte get to Denver or can she convince Camille to move back? The plot thickens even more when Uncle, recently released from prison, shows up on her porch. What does he want?
April 6, 2011
More Than A Notion,
Present day - To Charlotte Rodgers' dismay, it's been six months since her daughters, Connie, Clarice and Camille, left her behind in Murphy, Kansas, alone. Selfishly, she blamed them all and vowed to make them pay for how they'd mistreated her, even Reesy, her favorite. What Charlotte doesn't know is that for the last twenty-seven years, her past has been waiting for the chance to reconnect. Has enough time passed or is Charlotte still unprepared for this day?
Connie and John are new parents, learning as they go. John is now his own boss and determined to finally stay put. When he learns that Adam, his dad, has terminal cancer, he's headed home to Texas. What he didn't plan on was seeing Racine, his ex, again. Connie's supportive visit is met by Racine 's determination. Can their relationship survive another blow?
Clarice was the definition of perfection. A loving husband, three children and a fairy tale life, Princess Reesy has it all together. Or at least it appeared that way to others. Justin`s extramarital affair leads her to do the same. After all, he started it. Reesy is certain that if it hadn't been for his cheating first, that she never would've entertained the thought. But when she agrees to let Justin come home, she continues her affair with little thoughts of reconciliation. Will Reesy finally see things as they are?
Camille has been told what to do, how to do it and when to do it for as long as she can remember. All she's ever wanted was her mother's love. Now living in Denver , separated from her mother and her husband, she's drowning in misery. On automatic, Camille is working, living and trying to be a good sister. Is this what happiness is all about?
SOMEBODY PICK UP MY PIECES by J.D. Mason cohesively ties in every lost nook and cranny from ONE DAY I SAW A BLACK KING, DON'T WANT NO SUGAR, and YOU GOTTA SIN TO GET SAVED. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling through the pages, following along as the story holds readers captivate from the past through present day. Mason has impressively woven interesting characters, strong plots, and a time machine that is center stage connecting emotional family ties. I can definitely call Mason one of my favorite authors. A few editing issues, but nothing worthy of a distraction.
Highly recommended reading!
OOSA Online Book Club BOTM
Present day - To Charlotte Rodgers' dismay, it's been six months since her daughters, Connie, Clarice and Camille, left her behind in Murphy, Kansas, alone. Selfishly, she blamed them all and vowed to make them pay for how they'd mistreated her, even Reesy, her favorite. What Charlotte doesn't know is that for the last twenty-seven years, her past has been waiting for the chance to reconnect. Has enough time passed or is Charlotte still unprepared for this day?
Connie and John are new parents, learning as they go. John is now his own boss and determined to finally stay put. When he learns that Adam, his dad, has terminal cancer, he's headed home to Texas. What he didn't plan on was seeing Racine, his ex, again. Connie's supportive visit is met by Racine 's determination. Can their relationship survive another blow?
Clarice was the definition of perfection. A loving husband, three children and a fairy tale life, Princess Reesy has it all together. Or at least it appeared that way to others. Justin`s extramarital affair leads her to do the same. After all, he started it. Reesy is certain that if it hadn't been for his cheating first, that she never would've entertained the thought. But when she agrees to let Justin come home, she continues her affair with little thoughts of reconciliation. Will Reesy finally see things as they are?
Camille has been told what to do, how to do it and when to do it for as long as she can remember. All she's ever wanted was her mother's love. Now living in Denver , separated from her mother and her husband, she's drowning in misery. On automatic, Camille is working, living and trying to be a good sister. Is this what happiness is all about?
SOMEBODY PICK UP MY PIECES by J.D. Mason cohesively ties in every lost nook and cranny from ONE DAY I SAW A BLACK KING, DON'T WANT NO SUGAR, and YOU GOTTA SIN TO GET SAVED. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling through the pages, following along as the story holds readers captivate from the past through present day. Mason has impressively woven interesting characters, strong plots, and a time machine that is center stage connecting emotional family ties. I can definitely call Mason one of my favorite authors. A few editing issues, but nothing worthy of a distraction.
Highly recommended reading!
OOSA Online Book Club BOTM
February 19, 2013
(FROM JACKET)Six months ago her three daughters walked out and left Charlotte Rodgers to fend for herself in her small home in Murphy, Kansas. Charlotte is left resentful and bitter toward her children, Clarice, Connie, and especially Camille, for leaving her to face the memories of a painful past. What Charlotte doesn't know is that the past is hot on her heels and will soon catch up with her once again.
Justin and Clarice Braxton are struggling to hold on to what's left of their marriage. Justin's affair has taken its toll on their union, and Clarice, known as Reesy, has to decide once and for all if she can finally forgive him and move forward, or if the lure of giving Justin a dose of his own medicine is too tempting to ignore. But is Reesy being honest, telling herself that she's cheating on her husband to teach him a lesson, or are her feelings for her new lover more real than any she's ever had for her husband?
Camille Rodgers has lived her whole life under Charlotte's watchful and critical eye, struggling to be the perfect daughter and giving in to Charlotte's whims. But when she steps out on her own for the first time, Camille quickly spirals out of control.
Connie Rodgers has fallen in love with her new son and things are going strong with her son's father, John King. For two people who have lived very difficult lives, the dreams of love and family have finally come true. Then John is called back home when he finds out that his father is on his deathbed. Some unwelcome blasts from the past resurface, putting their new family to the test.
Justin and Clarice Braxton are struggling to hold on to what's left of their marriage. Justin's affair has taken its toll on their union, and Clarice, known as Reesy, has to decide once and for all if she can finally forgive him and move forward, or if the lure of giving Justin a dose of his own medicine is too tempting to ignore. But is Reesy being honest, telling herself that she's cheating on her husband to teach him a lesson, or are her feelings for her new lover more real than any she's ever had for her husband?
Camille Rodgers has lived her whole life under Charlotte's watchful and critical eye, struggling to be the perfect daughter and giving in to Charlotte's whims. But when she steps out on her own for the first time, Camille quickly spirals out of control.
Connie Rodgers has fallen in love with her new son and things are going strong with her son's father, John King. For two people who have lived very difficult lives, the dreams of love and family have finally come true. Then John is called back home when he finds out that his father is on his deathbed. Some unwelcome blasts from the past resurface, putting their new family to the test.
March 27, 2011
Pieces Picked Up,
"Somebody Pick Up My Pieces" picks up the pieces (pun intended) six months later where "You Gotta Sin to Get Saved" leaves off. Bitter in Murphy, Kansas , best describes Charlotte Rodgers. The tables are reversed as it's her daughters that leave her behind this time. To Charlotte's dismay, she won't be alone long. In Denver , Colorado, Clarice is still reeling from the breach in her marriage. But her husband Justin isn't the only one in default. Now the mother of a three-month-old, Connie is adjusting seemingly well to motherhood and things are good in her relationship with John King. But an early morning phone call may change all that. Cammy has lived her life for her mother Charlotte. Now, many miles away and finally in control of her own life, Cammy is having trouble living without her mom.
"Somebody Pick Up My Pieces" is a light read that will probably please most J.D. Mason fans, although the content is not as strong as her previous releases. It's quite readable, easily showing Mason's skill as a storyteller. Initially, I was surprised to learn this book was a continuation as I thought "You Gotta Sin to Get Saved" was the concluding chapter. Though it was nice to revisit these characters again, I do hope that this is the final installment.
Reviewed by: Toni
3.5 stars
"Somebody Pick Up My Pieces" picks up the pieces (pun intended) six months later where "You Gotta Sin to Get Saved" leaves off. Bitter in Murphy, Kansas , best describes Charlotte Rodgers. The tables are reversed as it's her daughters that leave her behind this time. To Charlotte's dismay, she won't be alone long. In Denver , Colorado, Clarice is still reeling from the breach in her marriage. But her husband Justin isn't the only one in default. Now the mother of a three-month-old, Connie is adjusting seemingly well to motherhood and things are good in her relationship with John King. But an early morning phone call may change all that. Cammy has lived her life for her mother Charlotte. Now, many miles away and finally in control of her own life, Cammy is having trouble living without her mom.
"Somebody Pick Up My Pieces" is a light read that will probably please most J.D. Mason fans, although the content is not as strong as her previous releases. It's quite readable, easily showing Mason's skill as a storyteller. Initially, I was surprised to learn this book was a continuation as I thought "You Gotta Sin to Get Saved" was the concluding chapter. Though it was nice to revisit these characters again, I do hope that this is the final installment.
Reviewed by: Toni
3.5 stars
November 22, 2012
I thought the title of this book was very apropos, as it took me a while to piece everything together. After a while the different characters' story started to finally meld together, and I really got into it. I especially found the character of Uncle intriguing; although he had done some very bad things, there was just something about him. And the relationship between Charlotte and her daughters was something I wasn't really expecting. I could never imagine treating my son like she treated her daughters, especially Cammy and Connie. But it was interesting how each daughter had their own separate feelings about and relationship with Charlotte, and how different they all were.
One thing I really didn't get, though, was Liz's character. She just didn't seem to really fit in, even after her relevance was revealed. But I think the character that I enjoyed most was John. I loved how strong he was even through his torment, and how he was so honest with Connie about what he had done and unwilling to let her push him away because of it. And despite Justin's wrongdoing, I dug his character, too. I always love it when a man is strong and doesn't cow to the woman.
Overall, I can say I dug this book and will be looking forward to reading more readings from Ms. Mason.
One thing I really didn't get, though, was Liz's character. She just didn't seem to really fit in, even after her relevance was revealed. But I think the character that I enjoyed most was John. I loved how strong he was even through his torment, and how he was so honest with Connie about what he had done and unwilling to let her push him away because of it. And despite Justin's wrongdoing, I dug his character, too. I always love it when a man is strong and doesn't cow to the woman.
Overall, I can say I dug this book and will be looking forward to reading more readings from Ms. Mason.
January 19, 2014
This was hard for me to follow in the beginning. Somehow I always seem to pick up a book in the middle of a series and it takes me awhile to sort things out. These three sisters each had me following a different story line, but they all tie-in with their mother, Charlotte, and her controlling ways. One sister has a revenge affair and is dealing with guilt as her husband tries to reconcile the marriage. Another sister just became a new mother and is emotional support for her husband, whose father is battling cancer. The youngest sister has moved home with depression after losing her baby in an accident. The depression has spiraled into self-abuse and living with her mother is not the ideal situation. Everyone seems to be falling apart as the story builds suspense when a released convict comes in search of Charlotte.
When the action picked up it kept me interested, but references to the past put the story in a cloud for me. I may stumble on another of Mason's books one day, but I don't feel the need to search out titles in the series that I've missed.
When the action picked up it kept me interested, but references to the past put the story in a cloud for me. I may stumble on another of Mason's books one day, but I don't feel the need to search out titles in the series that I've missed.
January 8, 2016
Listened to this book on CD for a book club meeting. This is the fourth book in the series. I have to go back and read the first, second and third books in this series, "One Day I Saw A Black King, Don't Want No Sugar, You Gotta Sin To Get Saved".
Slow start, to many characters to only find out the main characters were Connie, Clarice and Camille. Charlotte the mom of Connie, Clarice and Camille really does a job on the baby girl Camille, Clarice is her favorite not exactly sure were Connie fits in. Dysfunction family beginning with the mom. When things go wrong in the family with the children the mother is always the blame. Nothing was ever mentioned about the girls dad apparently he was not in the picture and the girls never mentioned a dad. As I continued to listen to the book on CD found out some insight about some of the problems that the girls were experiencing.
This is the first book that I read or listened to from this author even though I have a some of her books in my collection.
Slow start, to many characters to only find out the main characters were Connie, Clarice and Camille. Charlotte the mom of Connie, Clarice and Camille really does a job on the baby girl Camille, Clarice is her favorite not exactly sure were Connie fits in. Dysfunction family beginning with the mom. When things go wrong in the family with the children the mother is always the blame. Nothing was ever mentioned about the girls dad apparently he was not in the picture and the girls never mentioned a dad. As I continued to listen to the book on CD found out some insight about some of the problems that the girls were experiencing.
This is the first book that I read or listened to from this author even though I have a some of her books in my collection.
September 1, 2011
They're back! Their issues go from one extreme to another.
Reesy and Justin are the typical couple dealing with infidelity. Justin's affair drove Reesy to revenge. In the end, the revenge made her feel worse.
Connie and John finally did something right. It took the death of John's father, Adam for them to admit their love for each other.
After losing her baby in a car accident, Cammy moved to be closer to her sisters. After a relationship gone bad, she admits to not being happy. She will do anything to be in her mother's good graces despite how mentally abusive Charlotte was to her.
Charlotte hasn't changed. She's still a self centered mother. She comes face to face with her past. One thing leads to another and now she's in a bad place.
Somebody Pick Up My Pieces was a good read with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on edge.
Reesy and Justin are the typical couple dealing with infidelity. Justin's affair drove Reesy to revenge. In the end, the revenge made her feel worse.
Connie and John finally did something right. It took the death of John's father, Adam for them to admit their love for each other.
After losing her baby in a car accident, Cammy moved to be closer to her sisters. After a relationship gone bad, she admits to not being happy. She will do anything to be in her mother's good graces despite how mentally abusive Charlotte was to her.
Charlotte hasn't changed. She's still a self centered mother. She comes face to face with her past. One thing leads to another and now she's in a bad place.
Somebody Pick Up My Pieces was a good read with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on edge.
June 5, 2013
I am giving this 3 stars when I really want to give it 2.5, but because this is my first time reading a novel by J.D. Mason I going to stay with the 3 stars. The storyline would have been great had there not been so many characters. It was so confusing I had to keep going back to make sure I knew what was going on and who they were talking about. All and all it was a very sad story about a Mother that just couldn't get her life together and no matter what the situation, she just couldn't get it together and her family and friends as well as herself suffered for it. A lot of bad relationships and evil doings. Just not what I expected.
October 26, 2012
I listened to this on audio. I'm not sure if it's because I have not read the prequels but it was very confusing in the beginning with so many different characters and was slow pulling all the pieces together. I agree with another reader who mentioned this is a hard story line as we never picture our mothers being this way.
May 16, 2011
I loved this book. As with the prequels I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed knowing what was happening next with my favorite (and not so favorite) characters. I wouldn't mind another sequel to this book. J.D. Mason keeps me reading.
March 26, 2013
I love JD Mason. All her books flow from each other. I hope there's a sequel to this book. I'm dying to know what happens to Charlotte. This book ties up some loose ends. Make sure you read her previous books prior go reading this book. Excellent writing.
May 10, 2015
The introduction of the Liz character was awkward and somewhat out of place. Maybe it's a setup for a future installment. Loved the development of Clarice, Connie, and Cammy. I would like to see a book where they find out the details of Charlotte's past!
May 27, 2011
Fabulous! JD Mason never fails. I will truly miss the characters but the ending allowed me to have peace about it.
July 25, 2012
Typical J.D. Mason. Awesome as usual.
April 15, 2011
Love Mason's characters in this novel. The story moves at a fast pace.
April 19, 2011
At first, I was reading so many characters but midway of the novel, I was gradually able to see all the pieces woven together.
August 22, 2011
stumbled upon this author. this was a good read
September 21, 2011
Love this book and the way JD Mason joined the characters together from past books.
October 12, 2011
JD Mason, has done it again. I truly enjoyed reading this one, although I cannot stand Charlotte. I'm glad she got what was coming to her!
January 1, 2012
This author knows how to write a story! She is amazing. I only wish that she would use different titles...but since I know her work, I just buy it anyway. Once again John and Connie steal this show.
January 27, 2013
Love J.D. Mason!
The pieces slowly fall in place... :)
The pieces slowly fall in place... :)
May 19, 2014
Awesome book. I still think she needs to bring the characters back into another book. J.D. Mason sure knows how to write a book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews