Wendi Darlin's Review of Renee Knowles' Going Topless

I’m a huge fan of women’s fiction, and Renee Knowles’ Going Topless was a wonderful read. She did a fantastic job of weaving the storylines of three vivacious women together in an intriguing foreign locale. Amsterdam was painted so beautifully, I felt like I was there. She portrayed the scents, the history, and even the people of that country so well, I’ve moved it up on my list of places to visit before I’m too old to walk cobblestone streets.

Going Topless’ three primary characters, Susannah, Chelsie, and Mattie, were well-drawn and easy to relate to. Susannah’s journey was touching and heartwarming. Still recovering from the death of her husband, she is stung by the revelation of his betrayal. An intervention by her sister, Chelsie sends her to Amsterdam where she begins to pick up the pieces of her life, and meets a sexy younger man who is all too happy to help her get her groove back.

Chelsie has her own agenda in Amsterdam, but the reunion with her former lover isn’t what she’d hoped it would be. Worse, she doesn’t think she can share her pain with Susannah for fear of alienating her sister.

Chelsie’s best friend, Mattie finally steps out of Chelsie’s shadow. After a false start with a man who will tell her anything she wants to hear …as long as her wallet’s open… she finds someone who helps her see how desirable she really is.

This is a really nice feel-good read. A perfect beach book. I read it on an airplane, and it made the cross-country trip “fly” by.

Win a signed print book!

WIN a signed PRINT copy of Going Topless!!

I am being spotlighted on writer/reader/reviewer Tiffany James' blogs today and tomorrow. Stop by and leave a comment on EITHER blog and be entered to win one of two PRINT copies of Going Topless!!

It's that simple. Tiffany has two fab blogs--so check them out!

To comment, please visit:

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What they are saying about Going Topless:

5 Flags! “FANTABULOUS! Absolutely entertaining, charming, witty and real! Renee Knowles is definitely in touch with her feminine side as she breathes life into the various female characters of this book, allowing them to grow and develop as the story progresses. The European setting and additional references to pop culture were well written (a bonus was her knowledge of Tracy Chevalier and love for Colin Firth). A must read!”—Aya29, Euro-Reviews.

5 Kisses! “Renee Knowles is a brilliant author. She really understands the different journeys all women go through in their lives... You will really not regret Going Topless.” –Tina, Two Lips Reviews.

5 Roses: "Going Topless is an erotic trip not for the faint of heart. The passion and spark will have you wanting more. Renee Knowles is hot, hot, hot!!! Renee has captured the true meaning of friendship between these three amazing women and filled their characters with so much spunk, sass and outward sensuality, that I could not pick one I liked best. Cheers, Renee, for a huge hit!" —Deb, Sensual Reads


Looking forward to seeing you at the blogs!

Renee Knowles
Sensual, Sassy and Slightly Sinful
Going Topless--"A must read."--Euro-Reviews Out Now! Siren
Guilty Pleasures--Summer 08 Siren
Courting Trouble--Regency Historical--July 23rd! Wild Rose Press
www.reneeknowles.com

Relishing Your Life

Sunday was my niece’s 16th birthday party. It was an outdoor celebration and the weather was perfect. We couldn’t ask for a better day, better company or better food. But it started me thinking about being 16. About how life is so different now than when I turned 16, many years ago (okay, not so many…but long enough ;)

I began to wonder if the problems facing the young men and women today are different or even harder than when I was a teenager. Life is faster. Cell phones and texting are the order of the day, causing more than one teenager to be distracted while driving. And there is a different expectation of the kids today.

But looking at my beautiful niece and her friends, I also saw the same excitement about life that I had. The same knowledge that you could do anything, be anything you wanted to be. And as I pondered this, I realized that feeling never totally goes away. I was in my thirties before I decided I wanted to write a novel. I wanted to finally realize my dream of writing.

I knew that I could do anything, be anything I wanted to be. Sure, it was different. I had a lot more responsibilities. I wasn’t able to work on my writing craft full time. But the passion was still there. The knowledge that you can go far if you put your mind, and most of all your heart, into it.

Maybe in some ways we don’t change. Maybe the core of us stays the same. If I close my eyes, I can still imagine I am a teenager with my whole life ahead. I can still see myself I my mind’s eye as a young, vibrant girl. Yet, I am happy where I am now. Nearly forty, about to be a mom and with the greatest job in the world—writing.

No, I don’t long for youth. Let my niece relish this time in her life, and I will relish mine.

Hugs,

Renee

---
http://www.reneeknowles.com/

New Review for Going Topless by Renee Knowles

4.5 Enchantments from Enchanting Reviews!! "This is a heartwarming story of love, betrayal and self-discovery, as three women adventure through uncharted emotional territory and realize who they truly are... Renee Knowles did a terrific job taking three completely different personalities, leading them through turmoil as well as self-discovery, and bringing them through to a happy ending. Very good read..."--Desiree-- Enchanting Reviews

Going Topless
by Renee Knowles
Siren Publishing
www.reneeknowles.com

Buy now in e-book and print at Siren Publishing!

What Others Reviewers Are Saying About Going Topless:

5 Flags! “FANTABULOUS! Absolutely entertaining, charming, witty and real! Renee Knowles is definitely in touch with her feminine side as she breathes life into the various female characters of this book, allowing them to grow and develop as the story progresses. A must read!”—Aya29, Euro-Reviews.

5 Kisses! “Renee Knowles is a brilliant author. She really understands the different journeys all women go through in their lives.... You will really not regret Going Topless.” –Tina, Two Lips Reviews.

5 Roses: "Going Topless is an erotic trip not for the faint of heart. The passion and spark will have you wanting more. Renee Knowles is hot, hot, hot!!! Cheers, Renee, for a huge hit!" —Deb, Sensual Reads

BLURB:

Where sexy men and hot European nights can tempt even the most resistant soul...

Susannah never thought she’d end up 39, widowed and alone. But what does she do when confronted with her late husband's infidelity? What any self-respecting widow might. She allows her sister, Chelsie, to drag her on vacation to Amsterdam, where a hot younger man reawakens her sexuality. But can she learn to love again and escape the pain of the past?

Chelsie Joyner can’t forget her one true love—a man she had an affair with while doing graduate work in Amsterdam. She’s determined to find closure on this trip. But when her prince turns out to be a creep, can she forget him and accept the real man of her dreams?

Read an excerpt here.

Thanks for letting me share!

Renee

Renee Knowles
Sensual, Sassy and Slightly Sinful
www.reneeknowles.com

Renee Knowles Intro

I'm a little late to the party, but I made it! I am a women's fiction and romance author, who writes books that sizzle. I love to tell stories about emotional journeys, characters who have strength and courage, and of course, steamy, hot sex.

I'm happy to be with such a great publishing house such as Siren, and with all the talented authors at both Siren and Bookstrand.

A little about me: Once upon a time there was a little girl who wanted to be a writer. Of course, I wanted to be a professional ice dancer, an Olympic gymnast, and a fashion model too. But once I learned I had no athletic aptitude and wasn't going to be six-foot tall and stick thin, my love for writing and books grew. I wrote anywhere and everywhere I could. But, for some reason in my twenties, I just stopped. Cold. Oh, I dreamed about it, of course, but my life seemed too busy.

Then I moved from Upstate New York to Dallas, Texas and met the man of my dreams. A true Southern gentleman, accent and all. He asked me out. I said no. Why? I was crazy, of course! Eventually, I gave him a chance (thank God!) and a year and a half later we eloped while on vacation in Colorado. He's truly my forever hero.

My desire for writing returned, especially stories of love and personal journeys, and now I can't imagine doing anything else.

My debut book at Siren, Going Topless, received several five-star reviews. It's the story of three women at a crossroads in their lives, looking for love, sexy men, and ultimately, themselves. For more info, click here.

I also have a hot new series coming this fall. Pleasures, Inc. revolves around a male escort service, where the hottest men fulfill your steamiest fantasies, and they are there for your pleasure only...

Look for the first book in the series, Guilty Pleasures, to be out in September. To read a blurb, click here.

Glad to have been invited to this party! Looking forward to chatting with you all.

Renee

Renee Knowles
Sensual, Sassy and Slightly Sinful
Going Topless--"A must read."--5 Flags--Euro-Reviews
Guilty Pleasures--Sept 08
www.reneeknowles.com