Queen’s Autumn Gambit by Kristen Kindoll #spotlight

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

Carolyn Ainsworth is drawn into a twisted game of English chess, which places her in a delicate situation. Does finding out the truth about her family merit destroying all that she has known? The Queen’s Gambit is a precise chess maneuver that calculates key positions upon the board. In order to play, Carolyn must accept the terms of the inheritance. The other beneficiary, Luca Caldwell is maneuvered to participate in this archaic game of alliances. Their forced partnership begins on opposite sides. As they progress, they discover mounting secrets about both of their families. What starts out in conflict, they unite with one common purpose to discover who has been manipulating them.

As the autumn leaves fall from the trees, Carolyn and Luca find themselves embroiled in the mounting lies. They begin to question, if they are the players or merely pieces in a greater scheme. Will the white side control the board, or will black rule the game?

Kristen Kindoll was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. She lives in Brentwood, Tennessee with her husband and three children. The love of education and learning has provided many topics for her work. She writes a weekly column for the Tennessean about home-schooling and local family events. As an avid Anglophile and frequent watcher of all things BBC, England provides the perfect setting for her first novel. While she has never met the Queen and likes French Roast coffee, she does enjoy a good scone and biscuit during teatime. You can learn more about Kristen and find a reading group guide at http://www.kristenkindoll.com.

The Broken by Ker Dukey @dirtyhoesbook @KerDukeyauthor #review

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

What a book! I should say more but I have been a little speechless since I finished it. For starters it is not for the faint at heart, love and flowers sort of people who may read my blog. I like taboo subjects, dark and dangerous themes, so of course this was a great pick. I wanted to help my fellow bloggers and I did a few posting because this is a debut. I decided after reading the blurb, I would read it.

Obviously the main characters are very disturbingly real. River (who is a girl) has been broken for some time. Her brother Blaydon (not sure if I like that name) and her boyfriend Danny all live in what was once her family home. The story tells of their growing up and how the abusive Danny moved on in. The neighbor and equally dysfunctional Sammy returns from college with his best friend Jasper. As for describing them and their past, the author did an awesome job. Very slowly the clues come out. I was totally invested in all of the characters and couldn’t wait to get to some reveals. When they came, YIKES, gosh darn it they were almost as wild and unbelievable as I thought they would be.

Questions are answered for Blaydon and River. The past is brought front and center with their fears. They cover up a lot as you would expect. What I thought was the best part was the strength of River. Aside from River I felt so bad for Blaydon. When his discoveries come to light I totally fell in love with his big heart. He suffered from depression and seriously how could he not? So….. there is a lot of lying, drugs, sex, and finally truths. Here is the best part = it ended and there was NO cliffhanger. YES it is going to be a series and we will get to know more complex characters, which is great, but I was not left with the infamous read more from book two.

It is a great twisted tale. Please check this out ONLY if you like what I do. It is not flowers, romance and little kids singing the Barney theme song. There was so much to love about the book and the richness of the characters. I am going to sing praises for Ker and say bravo !!

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When not lost in her mind of characters Ker can be found reading or spending time with family.

She has a passion for music, attending concerts with her sister and enjoying the occasional nights out with girlfriends.

She can also be found having in-depth chats about book boyfriends on face book in some amazing groups and blogs.

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29Oct2013

The Broken by Ker Dukey @dirtyhoesbook @KerDukeyauthor #spotlight #interview

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

When River’s already broken life shattered further on her sixteenth birthday, she was forced to be with the wrong best friend of her brothers. She was meant for Sammy but circumstance and black mail forced her into a relationship with Danny, a troubled, abusive partner. Leaving the only boy she ever loved to flee. Now four years later he has returned. When her feelings and missing parts of herself that left with him return also, loyalty, restraint and love will be tested. Can she find a way to leave the threatening clutches of Danny, to finally be saved by her childhood love? Or will Danny’s hold on her tighten when more life shattering events consume their already troubled lives?

When Sammy returns home, after four years of being away from the girl that broke his heart, he’s not prepared for all his old feelings to force their way straight back into his heart. Questions that were left unasked when he left begin to plague him, when the sudden relationship between River and Danny all those years ago seems all the more confusing now. Secrets, mistrust and Danny’s possessive behavior sends up red flags and Sammy begins doubting himself for leaving in the first place. When the spark between Sammy and river finally ignites it will leave explosive consequences for everyone.

Buy AMAZON

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18619029-the-broken?from_search=true

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/KerDukeyauthor?fref=ts

When not lost in her mind of characters Ker can be found reading or spending time with family.
She has a passion for music, attending concerts with her sister and enjoying the occasional nights out with girlfriends.
She can also be found having in-depth chats about book boyfriends on face book in some amazing groups and blogs.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview:

Q. What inspired you to write this book?

A. I have many stories and characters that plague me and demand to be written. Life is not always a fairy tale, some people’s stories, lives are darker and inspire just as much as the lighter romantic ones.

Q. If you were a character in your book, who would you be?

A. Although she has been through a lot it would have to be River. She’s strong, a survivor, a fighter…..and she gets Sammy 😉

Q. When did you start writing?

A. I have always loved writing stories since I was a little girl. In My teens I loved to write lyrics, it grew from there.

Q. Favourite book boyfriend?

A. Has to be the delicious Kellan Kyle ….drool!

29Oct2013

The Broken by Ker Dukey @dirtyhoesbook @KerDukeyauthor #spotlight #excerpt

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

“Sammy!” I call out.
Once we’re alone, he turns and rushes towards me, his hand swiping across my mouth to wipe Danny’s kiss away. “I know why you’re with him.”
My heart begins in drumming against my ribcage flashes of my past echoing in my mind.
“Blaydon told me the kind of love your dad had for you, River. That’s not love, and neither is guilting you into being with someone just because he knows your secrets. I love you. I love everything that
you are.”
I stumble backwards, shaking. My mouth opens and the scared girl’s voice tumbles out. “Do you love
all of me, Sammy? Because this,” I point down at myself, “this is a lie. This is the lie I show to you and Blaydon; the lie I wear every day for you and for everyone so you won’t have to see the damaged, broken girl underneath. This smile, these clothes, they’re not me. I’m tainted, Sammy. I’m shattered. My
mother took some of me with her when she died, my dad took some when he made me sit on his lap while he violated me, and more when he beat Blaydon for stopping him from raping me, and then you left, taking the rest of me, leaving my soul bare and exposed for Danny to capture and hold hostage. Can you fix me, Sammy? Can you want something so ruined and destroyed? Can you put me back together and make me whole again? Because whatever is left of me, the real me, you have her. You own all of her, all that’s left. My thoughts, my body, and my heart. Can you save me? Sammy, please save me. Please save me.”
I collapse to the ground and sob. Sammy bundles me into his lap and strokes my back. “Shh, don’t cry. I love you, and I’ll try every God damn day to save you, River, I promise. I’ll save you, baby.”

DREAMCAST

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BUY on Smashwords

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18619029-the-broken?from_search=true

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/KerDukeyauthor?fref=ts

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28Oct2013

Masked Encounters by Felicia Tatum @SassyBrunette55 @mybookopolis

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

Korah Daniels has been through a lot in her nineteen years. Broken hearts, abusive relationships, and horrid dates have caused her to doubt love. When her friend talks her into attending the local frat house’s Halloween party, will she find the one person who can change her outlook on life? Dane Davidson is the worst kind of playboy. The ultimate frat boy, drinking and ending up with a different girl every night. When his frat house throws a masked Halloween party, a certain angel catches his attention and may just turn his life upside down. Masked Encounters is the first in a five part novelette series. The second installment will release in January 2014.

Add Masked Encounters to your Goodreads shelf.

You can purchase Masked Encounters at

Smashwords or Amazon

Felicia Tatum was born and raised in Tennessee. She always loved reading, and at the age of twelve began writing. Her passion for creating stories grew and in May 2012, she finally wrote her first novel, The White Aura. She still lives in Tennessee with her daughter and her kitty. She loves cooking, books, and animals are some of her best friends. She watches a lot of Disney channel and often dreams up new book ideas. She’s currently working on various projects, including the rest of the White Aura Series, the Scarred Hearts Series, and a novella series. Her dream is to write as many books as possible while entertaining as many people as possible.

Felicia’s Social Links:

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Amazon

27Oct2013

It’s A Crime (Blood and Tears) by C.E. Hansen #sale #Author @CynthiaEHansen

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

Wealthy New York socialite Grace Preston uses men for amusement, holding her heart inside an ice fortress for protection. Spurned by a sociopathic male model, Grace picks up a new man with all the right moves; smooth as bourbon, Cole slides under her wall and touches her in places she thought were well-guarded. But after a weekend of fiery passion, he leaves, devastating her.

Cole Grayson has spent ten years building his commercial real estate firm and chasing the arsonist who killed his family when he was a boy. Women are a dalliance, and have no place in his personal quest. Then Grace rocks his world—not only sexually, but in her arms, his nightmares cease. To protect her, he pushes her away; he’s close to finding the culprit and Grace must not get tangled in the cross-fire.

When women matching Grace’s description start turning up dead in Central Park, Cole is forced to divide his influence between personal revenge and protection for the woman he has come to love. But throwing money at the problem only goes so far. Grace is in danger—can he get to her in time?

C.E. Hansen

Goodreads

website http://www.c-e-hansen.me

twitter CynthiaEHansen

Buy it on AMAZON

25Oct2013

Her Love Ran Crimson by Zoey Foster #Author #Spotlight @AuthorZoeyF @Brandeesbook

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

Author Spotlight

Zoey Foster ~ Her Love Ran Crimson

Teaser & Book Trailer

Maddie has been through more tragedy than most people would ever see in their life. She has given up on living, and only living to breathe. With nobody on her side, she has been marked as the cause of her mother’s death and lives with this guilt every day. She is close to giving up until she sets her eyes on the one person who doesn’t look at her with disgust.

Jase is the new guy in school, he was transferred to a new school after moving out of his father’s house into his mothers. But Jase knows about Maddie and knows about her past. He thinks he can keep this a secret. When the truth comes out will they be able to survive their worlds being turned upside down? Will their connection be strong enough to make it through?

________________________________________________________________________________

BOOK TRAILER

________________________________________________________________________________

Author Bio

Zoey Foster lives in Southern California with her Husband and 3 Sons. When she is not writing, you can find her on Swoon Worthy Books posting updates on books and Authors, and let’s not forget about the Man-candy and just having a bunch of fun. She is taking her passion for books and making it her reality in writing her debut novel Her Love Ran Crimson. She loves interacting with others talking about great Books and Book Boyfriends. You can find her at the links below always encouraging people to have a fun time and live in the moment. She has a weakness for Sour Patch Kids and has inappropriate fun when she is having her wine at night tweeting her thoughts. She also likes to make up words. The best word to describe her is Winetastic!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorzoeyfoster?ref=hl

Twitter: @AuthorZoeyF

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7102575.Zoey_Foster

Goodreads Book Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17970981-her-love-ran-crimson

Blog: http://zoeyfoster.blogspot.com/

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25Oct2013

United Authors of Chicklit @perfectpen @traciebanister @LibbyMercer1 @MeredithSchorr

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

Fasten your seatbelts and put your tray tables in the upright and locked position. Over the next few days, some of your favorite Chick Lit characters will be jetting across the Atlantic to visit with fictional friends on the other side of the pond.

The event kicks off on Monday, Oct. 21.

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, read about Stella from Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes and Chloe from Lying to Meet You as they travel across the Atlantic to visit each other.

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, it’s time to discover what happens when Emma from The Pollyanna Plan and Kim from Blogger Girl meet.

On Thursday, Oct. 24, Izzy from Izzy’s Cold Feet and Jamie from Finding Lucas will be taking you on a trip alongside their characters.

And on Friday, Oct. 25, Kate from Sealed with a Kiss and Pilar from In Need of Therapy will be chatting about their overseas experiences.

Here’s a little sneak peek at the fun, frothy books and sassy gals featured in our international promo, all of which are priced at $3.99 or less:

Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey – Daytime talk show producer Jamie Ross is beyond fed up with her toxic bad boy turned metrosexual boyfriend. Spurred on by her gang of quirky friends, she goes on a hilarious, at-times disastrous, and totally life-changing hunt to track down the ”one who got away.” But are some loves best left behind? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Lucas-ebook/dp/B007VIIU6A/ Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Lucas-Samantha-Stroh-Bailey-ebook/dp/B007VIIU6A and Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/books/Finding-Lucas/-wfpLcDV6keHZR-T80qCUg

In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister – Handling the problems of hysterical hypochondriacs, lovelorn neurotics, and compulsive man whores is all in a day’s work for super-shrink Pilar Alvarez. But can she deal with her crazy Cuban family, a trio of unsuitable suitors, and a threat to her practice without ending up on the couch herself? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/In-Need-of-Therapy-ebook/dp/B008N6Z36Y Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/In-Need-of-Therapy-ebook/dp/B008N6Z36Y and B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-need-of-therapy-tracie-banister/1112265620?ean=2940015006889

Lying to Meet You by Anna Garner – Overworked New York fashion girl Chloe Lane has no time for a real relationship, but when her childhood pal asks her to play the part of his girlfriend in order to test a theory, she decides to go for it. The lies start piling up and things start getting crazy. Will Chloe be able to keep it together? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Lying-to-Meet-You-ebook/dp/B00EZR5M9I Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lying-to-Meet-You-ebook/dp/B00EZR5M9I and B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lying-to-meet-you-anna-garner/1116838753?ean=2940148616924

Sealed with a Kiss by Rachael Lucas – Kate breathes a sigh of relief when she’s dumped at her best friend’s wedding. When she takes a job on the island of Auchenmor, she’s determined to have a year off men, but that’s before she rescues Flora the seal pup with the help of Roddy, her mysterious new boss… Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Sealed-with-a-Kiss-ebook/dp/B00BE9EUW0/ and Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealed-with-a-Kiss-ebook/dp/B00BE9EUW0/

The Pollyanna Plan by Talli Roland – Emma Beckett has always looked down on ‘the glass is half full’ optimists. But when she loses her high-powered job and fiancé, Emma makes a radical decision: from here on in, she’ll attempt to see the upside, no matter how dire the situation. Can adopting a positive attitude give Emma the courage to build a new life, or is finding the good in everything a very bad idea? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/The-Pollyanna-Plan-Talli-Roland-ebook/dp/B00AFAW2GK and Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Pollyanna-Plan-Talli-Roland-ebook/dp/B00AFAW2GK

Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr – Kimberly Long has two passions: her successful chick lit blog and Nicholas, her handsome colleague down the hall. But when her high school nemesis pops onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book and eyes for Nicholas, Kim has to make some quick revisions to her own life story. Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Blogger-Girl-ebook/dp/B00EDTLDSW Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blogger-Girl-ebook/dp/B00EDTLDSW B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blogger-girl-meredith-schorr/1116358028?ean=2940148503125 and Apple iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/blogger-girl/id686654939?mt=11

Izzy’s Cold Feet by Sarah Louise Smith – Izzy is engaged to Greg, who is everything a girl could want. The trouble is – all she can think about is the men she loved before she met him. In the week leading up to her wedding day, Izzy is forced to ask herself who she loves the most. And, given the choice, who would she want to spend her life with? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Izzys-Cold-Sarah-Louise-Smith/dp/1909841005/

Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Izzys-Cold-Sarah-Louise-Smith/dp/1909841005/ B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/izzys-cold-feet-sarah-louise-smith/1116263752 and UK Nook http://uk.nook.com/ebooks/izzys-cold-feet-by-sarah-louise-smith/2940045154499

Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes by Sue Watson – TV Producer Stella is over worked, over weight and under fire battling to balance family, career and those weighing scales. In the past she’s always found comfort at the bottom of her mixing bowl but now the most delicious lemon sponge with zesty frosting has no effect. However, life is about to get even tougher… and Stella has to face some truths about herself, her life and her future. Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Girls-Fairy-Cakes-ebook/dp/B005L92JB8 and Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Girls-Fairy-Cakes-Watson-ebook/dp/B005L92JB8

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Tuesday, Oct. 22

Stella will be on Anna Garner’s blog http://libby-mercer.blogspot.com/ and Chloe will be on Sue Watson’s blog http://fatgirlsandfairycakes.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, Oct. 23

Emma will be on Meredith Schorr’s blog http://meredithschorr.com/blog/ and Kim will be on Talli Roland’s blog http://talliroland.blogspot.com/

Thursday, Oct. 24Izzy will be on Samantha Stroh Bailey’s blog http://samanthastrohbailey.blogspot.ca/ and Jamie will be on Sarah Louise Smith’s blog http://sarahlouisesmith.com/

Friday, Oct. 25

Kate will be on Tracie Banister’s blog http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/ and Pilar will be on Rachael Lucas’s blog http://rachaellucas.com/blog/

25Oct2013

Take My Hand (Take My Hand #1) by Nicola Haken @NicolaHaken #spotlight

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

Twenty-four year old Dexter Michaels has arrived in the UK for a fresh start – leaving everything and everyone he knows behind in the states. Determined to put right some of the wrongs he’ll never be able to forgive himself for making and make his Aunt Sarah – the only person left who still believes in him – proud, he lands in London with the intention of working hard, getting his degree and keeping himself to himself. He can’t destroy anybody else that way…

His heart and his body have other ideas however when he finds himself sitting next to nineteen year old Emily Barton in his Psychology class. Moving down south to find her own New Life, Emily is shy, smart and beautiful – everything Dexter knows he should stay away from… everything he knows would be too easy for him to break.

But she makes him feel things he’d forgotten even existed. She makes him laugh, smile, care… forget. Without her trying, and without him realizing, Emily has wound her way into the one place he swore to keep locked away forever – his heart. But can she stay there when she discovers the dark past he’s so determined to keep hidden from her? Or will he destroy her too, just like he always expected?

Twitter @NicolaHaken Amazon AUTHOR Facebook Goodreads

Nicola Haken

Nicola lives in Rochdale, England with her husband and four children and she is the author of New Adult/Contemporary romance novels Inevitable, Saving Amy and the Take My Hand series. When she is not busy playing with her imaginary book friends (or talking about them with real life friends!) she can usually be found studying or carrying out her ordinary mum/housewife/all round slave duties!

Nicola is always looking for new stalkers – oops I meant friends! So why not follow her on Twitter, add her on Goodreads or like her Facebook page!