Wanted By You by Steph Nuss @StephNuss13 #Review @BrandeesBook

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

Carter was captivated by Ellyson Evans the moment he laid eyes on her,

but she was the one girl who didn’t beg for his attention.

He wanted her.

Ellyson vowed to never fall in love, because love can destroy you,

but then she met Carter Jennings.

She wanted him.

Unwilling to risk their comfortable friendship, neither confessed their desires.

Losing touch after college, a chance meeting reconnects them.

They want each other.

But love in the city is never quite that easy.

OK I was in love with Carter and Ellyson. First their names were just perfect and then their stories. Being that they were friends for a long time and lost touch I was sort of sad. I wanted them to have some contact, but no nothing! Then the big buzzing bug named fate comes and bites both of them. Carter finally gets his professor position and ends up where they started. Ellyson now has her private practice as a psychologist. Both very respectable jobs that in my opinion was completely believable. I loved reading about them because they were not written over the top. What I mean is that Carter was no man slut and Ellyson was a nice girl. So the playing field was even, which was a special point for me.

Lucky for us Carter has two sisters, Harper a designer and Bayler who is a baker. I know they are going to have a starring role in this series. who are going to be in the series. As for them, there is such a richness to his family and family values that I know they will be around for a long time.

What I loved in this book was the friendship that Carter and Ellyson had. They never crossed the line even though there was an attraction. I wont spoil anything but I will say that the author creates a longing, but not one that is unrealistic. They saw other people, dated and had fun, it wasn’t like they were in exile pining away for one another.

So for me it was a score! I cant wait for more from this author I hope you all are pleasantly surprised! 40976-5halfstarblogbook

A few Quotes I loved:

Paige said, walking down the hall. “But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t kinda excited about coming over and seeing you mad at him; watching him grovel a little bit … and then I walk in on you two making out.” I laughed and leaned against her arm. “Oh, I can’t wait until the love bug bites you someday.” “I will squish that damn bug under my heel before I let that happen to me,” she said definitively.Read more at location 2858

Let her fall in love as many times as she has to until she finds the one who will love her unconditionally. Give her the wedding of her dreams because she’s our little girl and she deserves to have whatever she wants. Encourage her to become a parent and spoil our grandbabies twice as much. But most importantly, remind her to live each day to the fullest so she’s ready when her time comes.’“Read more at location 2208

“No.” Fletcher shook his head and looked around at everyone before firing his glare back at Elly. “I can’t believe we’ve been sitting here for the last five years listening to you talk about him, and now that he’s back you and your Little Debbie don’t even try to unwrap a smile!”Read more at location 1481

Steph Nuss was born and raised in rural Kansas, where she currently resides with her black Labrador son named Gunner. She grew up with a passion for reading and writing. When she’s not immersed into the land of fiction, she enjoys listening to music that came before her time, watching movies and reruns of her favorite shows, and hanging out with her family and friends. She also has a bachelor’s degree in psychology that she’ll never use…unless she’s profiling her characters of course.

Website: http://stephnuss.com/

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Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/StephNuss13/

16Jul2014

Grace for Drowning by Maya Cross @Maya_cross #Review

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

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I love a great MAN fighter novel. This has a really different approach to it. The character of Logan struggles with a lot, almost too much. He fights and trains for the need to be busy. This guy is in the gym 5-7 hours a day! He has had alcohol problems and thanks to Charlie, his boss, he has been successfully sober. Being he has had Charlie to guide him through overcoming his addiction, Charlie comes into play later in a big way!

Then there is Grace, down on her luck, transplant from Brooklyn, in Vegas and…she’s hitting the booze too. There is Joy, a bartender that shows Grace the ropes, is bubbly, and wants to offer nothing but friendship. I liked how Joy interacted with Grace. There was a need for information but Joy never pressured Grace for anything other than being a co-worker and friend. NO spoiler but there is a time when she tells Joy something and Joy tells Grace that she knew all along. For that I was thankful that Joy wasnt nosy and in Grace’s business.

The history of Grace and Logan is tough but rich. I liked how the alternating POV were chapter by chapter and in current time. I thought it helped the story flow.

Definitely a worthwhile read if you like emotional romances.There was a very emotional story that blended romance and a big addiction together in a great way.

Maya Cross is a writer who enjoys making people blush. Growing up with a mother who worked in a book store, she read a lot from a very young age, and soon enough picked up a pen of her own. She’s tried her hands at a whole variety of genres including horror, science fiction, and fantasy, but funnily enough, it was the sexy stuff that stuck. She has now started this pen name as an outlet for her spicier thoughts (they were starting to overflow). She likes her heroes strong but mysterious, her encounters sizzling, and her characters true to life.

She believes in writing familiar narratives told with a twist, so most of her stories will feel comfortable, but hopefully a little unique. Whatever genre she’s writing, finding a fascinating concept is the first, and most important step.

The Alpha Group is her first attempt at erotic romance.

When she’s not writing, she’s playing tennis, trawling her home town of Sydney for new inspiration, and drinking too much coffee.

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8Jul2014

How We Deal with Gravity by Ginger Scott @TheGingerScott #review

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

So touching. This is a story that must be read! So many people are affected with the challenges of autism. I’m a HUGE Ginger Scott fan and you should be too. The story of Max is amazingly told. If you think about ten people you know I can guarantee that more than half know or are related to someone with autism. The main character is Avery. Her brightness is shown in many ways throughout the novel. She totally gets that Max is a genius with certain things he likes, like astronomy. He will not show emotion, being love, sadness or happiness. One of the spectrum’s in autism has to do with certain personality aspects. So where Max loves to look at the stars, visit a planetarium or read about Mars, he wont joyfully jump at an ice cream.

I hoped that when Mason, who comes back from being on tour with his band, has an effect on Avery and while maybe he did the big effect was on Max. The thinking and feeling aspect of Max’s issue causes distress for Mason. Mason doesnt get what autism is, but one miraculous day Max responds to Mason’s guitar.

The BEST part of the book is when Mason goes above and outside his comfort zone to find a way to interact with Max. It is so special. When they do connect i cry, you will cry boo hoo. Then when you find out why Avery is divorced you will get MAD! I wanted a to torture someone with a pair of tweezers. Ive thought about that part saying maybe, just maybe writing Avery’s divorce was the hardest part. YES I think it must have been. While Max is in his routine, regimented on a time clock, his Dad is living the life.It goes beyond anger for me.

Mason, rock guy, hottie ya know him? hhmmm yummo, anyways he goes to Max’s school. He gets into the office and weasels his way into a guest spot of music starring himself. SWOON He goes to play at the kindegarten class. Now Max is in love with Mason, I am in love with Mason, the faculty at the school is in love with Mason…ha swoon

PLEASE fall in love with Max like I did. It is a very socially relevant issue. I know when people see kids with a temper tantrum the first thing they do is look at them. The issues here with Max are more than a tantrum. Avery has a best friend in Claire and she knows that Claire is better at some things than she is. It is painful but Avery depends on Claire, wants Claire to find a love life, but doesnt want to lose the support she gets with Max.

Then there is Avery’s dad, yet another character he own Dust’s a bar where Mason got his start. He cares a lot for Mason and gladly takes him in when he returns. The dynamic between all of them living together starts the romance aspect.

It is a modern day family story that I know everyone will enjoy. There is just so much to love.

http://www.littlemisswrite.com.

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Ginger Scott is a writer and journalist from Peoria, Arizona. Her book, “Waiting on the Sidelines,” is a coming-of-age love story that explores the real heartbreak we all feel as we become adults throughout our high school years. The story follows two characters, Nolan (a Tomboy with a baseball player’s name) and Reed (the quarterback she wishes would notice her) as they struggle with peer-pressure, underage drinking, bullying and finding a balance between what your heart wants and what society says you should want — even if you aren’t ready. You can read her book now in Amazon’s kindle store.

Scott has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for more than 15 years. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://www.littlemisswrite.com.

6Jul2014

How We Deal with Gravity by Ginger Scott @TheGingerScott #spotlight

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

When her son Max was diagnosed with autism, Avery Abbot’s life changed forever. Her husband left, and her own dreams became a distant fantasy—always second to fighting never-ending battles to make sure Max was given opportunity, love and respect. Finding someone to fight along her side wasn’t even on her list, and she’d come to terms with the fact that she could never be her own priority again.

But a familiar face walking into her life in the form of 25-year-old Mason Street had Avery’s heart waging a war within. Mason was a failure. When he left his hometown five years ago, he was never coming back—it was only a matter of time before his records hit the billboard charts. Women, booze and rock-n-roll—that was it for him. But it seemed fate had a different plan in mind, and with a dropped record contract, little money and nowhere to go, Mason turned to the only family that ever made him feel home.

Avery loved Mason silently for years—until he broke her heart…completely. But time and life have a funny way of changing people, and sometimes second chances are there for a reason. Could this one save them both?

http://www.littlemisswrite.com.

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1Jul2014

Stupid by Choice by Leighton Summers‏ #review

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

I have to say this was my cup of tea! Back in the day I would walk into the book store and go to my genre of choice and actually choose the longest book. Nothing was worse than being on the good old F train going into Manhattan with nothing to read. Sadly you have to look at the people on the train with you, not good! Anyways This book had a lot of great elements. Melanie St. John was a Texas Oil Attorney’s daughter. Most of the story she struggles with wealth and whether she wants it or hates it. Her and her parents and sister have a lot of emotional turmoil in their lives. The books shows a side of Texas that isn’t usually shown. The oil business is as big as their hats! Oldie is the typical wealthy attorney who loves with his heart and his wallet.

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Melanie thinks she is getting away with a secret and her boyfriend David. I know this is a mini spoiler but….Oldie confronts her and wahooo does he have the goods on his little virgin daughter. It broke my heart and this is where I loved to hate Oldie. He was genuine in his care and concern for Melanie but it tore my heart out. She loved David. Yes there wouldn’t be a book if she chose David. I know that, but the characters were really real to me and spoke to me. I grieve the loss of David!

As Melanie decided to go to UT and with her sister and her friend Eva they start college life. Eva was the daughter of Helmut. OH my did that man scare me! I really liked the dark side of her. Her life, chances, and the experiences she was famous for were priceless, scary and tragic. When the family goes to Europe and discovers what a colossal mess Eva and Whitney have gotten into.

Melanie watches Whitney have fun and never let college consume her. She seemed to consume, champagne and men. I liked all of her. She was not superficial, she knew what she wanted and was a semi alpha girl. I guess I appreciated her vision. I enjoyed all the fearsome foursome and their antics. All the college and angst of growing up were were played out well. I liked how descriptive she was with the areas. Whether in Texas, New York, Paris or Italy the author was descriptive with the areas letting you visualize it.

Melanie was a wonderful and rich character and so was the book. This is a great weekend at the beach book.

This was my Barc

James Spader from Pretty in Pink, oldie (HA HA) but a goodie

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Buy it at Amazon

About the Author:

Leighton Summers is a sixth generation Texan who has traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe her whole life. During her travels she was always surrounded by interesting, successful (and often eccentric) people who encouraged her to find her passion and live life to the fullest. Writing novels always intrigued her, and so one day while in New York City she took out her laptop in a café and decided to jot down some notes about how a female character created from her own world could “love smarter.” Over the next four years the notes turned into both funny and sad adventures of a women’s quest for finding friendship, love, self, and family and she weaved them all together into this, her debut novel.

19Jun2014

Chasing Desire by Jen Domenico @jendomenico #review @GCReading

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

This was a very crazy ride. Gosh the train carrying Mackenzie`s baggage was almost as big as the list of girls Brayden had. So Brayden, well one word YUMMO. He is one in a million. I loved this character! He was a sexual harassment law suit just waiting to be assigned to a judge and prosecutor. I loved how completely driven he was career wise. Dont go there on other subjects! Was there an intern he didnt have sex with? I dont think so.

When Mackenzie comes into his life it is interesting. The author created a situation where she scouted him and Capella, his agency, out and wanted to be hired. He noticed her and wanted her. What I hated about her was the fact that she was so bold. I struggled liking her because she was alpha and so was he. He was the one who wanted a relationship. She had rules and they applied everywhere but with him.

My Mackenzie is my Khloe is my all time fave Kardashian ever! She is bold, smart and quick witted!

What a fantastic book. Totally loved it for the right reasons. The authors creates two characters that I love to hate. There are a few minor characters that I loved too. Brayden’s sister was a hoot ass well as Dan his best friend. Special mentions and best friend buddy, secretary, confidant and brilliant pal Macy. She was the root of my love for the people in Capella. It is so worth the read. Great for the beach or a long weekend and I think it is available tomorrow.

It was over 400 pages and for that I was loving the author. Im also not gonna ruin anything but I will say there isnt any cliffhanger. There characters can be brought I am sure into another book but this is wrapped up. Brilliant!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

AMAZON

Jennifer Domenico started writing as a five-year old child in the back of her mother’s bible in church. It was a way to keep the fidgety child quiet but even then she took simple stories and twisted them into even more imaginative tales. As she grew, the stories grew with her and she filled notebook after notebook with her musings.

As an adult, she knew she wanted to be a writer but she lacked the attention span and inspiration required to produce a full length story. Eventually she put away her notebooks and turned her attention to the business world where she toiled away for many years.

She stopped reading fiction, stopped entertaining her outlandish imagination, and stopped dreaming of being a writer. Until one day, many months ago she went to sleep and a beautiful love story played out in her dreams.

When she awoke she felt compelled to write it down. And she wrote and she wrote, for days and days she wrote. The result is part one of Enzo and Ava’s story. Turn Towards the Sun is her first, but certainly not her last, novel.

Ms. Domenico lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her very Italian husband, a dog that adores her, two cats that tolerate her, and wicked sweet tooth. She is currently working on part two in the series.

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3Nov2013

Searching for Tomorrow by Kathryn M. Crane #review @KCrane_katiemac #debut

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

Some people are blessed to find that one certain person who completes them.

This is a very emotional book. It has alternating time frames between past and present. Out main character is blessed with a caring, loving and supportive family. Wrynn’s growing up with her best friend and her brother is where the story starts. Wrynn and Tripp were the best of friends and when they fall in love and her brother sees them holding hands he remarks t was about time. I guess everyone saw it before they realized it.

Wrynn has a long journey of loss with Tripp. It is hard to imagine being alone with three kids and struggling.Although many people who read the book will argue, I like his Mother. She brought a different dynamic to the story. The reason why I liked her was because I hated her. The author did a great job with her background and reveal. That being said, she was evil for a reason and although I wanted Wrynn to smack her, I completely understood she was not made to be like that even for an evil woman. There sure is a lot that created Mother to be the way she was. It is a big reveal, so hold on for that.

Wrynn has a job as a hostess, which is exhausting and she does not need the money. I think it helps her to keep the nervous breakdown at arms length. It is a very compelling tale of life, love and the serious effects of military life. I would have liked to have it read all together and not alternating. It was hard going from happy, curious, young and in love teens to the reality check he was gone. So there is a lot of emotions here.

I will add it is totally a PG rated book. So share it with your teens and maybe it will let the reading bug bite them!

If you are reading this, I think you should know that “About me” sounds so very pretentious to me. I guess that is what I am supposed to write about, so here it goes!

Kathryn is a simple country girl who likes to spend time with her hubba, hunka hubby, her three kids and her friends. She loves to cook and really loves to eat! During the spring and summer, you will more than likely find her outside puttering around in her garden. When the veggies start coming in, she will probably be sweating over a hot canner in the kitchen, canning all the goodies she is blessed with. Kathryn likes to hike and go camping, and as a Girl Scout leader, she gets to do this pretty often! On cold winter nights, you will probably find her wrapped in a warm blanket, lost in a good book, while sitting in her rocking chair on the front porch!

Kathryn was born and raised in North Carolina, and while she loves to travel, she can’t imagine ever leaving the mountains that she has come to call home. Not a day goes by that Kathryn doesn’t thank God for abundantly blessing her. He has been so good to her, and she is very grateful. She holds Jeremiah 29:11 very close to her heart and believes it with every fiber of her being. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Kathryn loves flip flops, chocolate, sweet tea and dirt between her toes. As far back as she can remember, she’s had a book in her hand. Reading has carried her to places she will never go. It has introduced her to people that she will never meet. When life is great and when it is rough, she’s always been able to find a book to carry her through. She finally decided to write down some of the stories in her head (yes, be scared) and heart after dawdling around and wasting years dreaming. She hopes you enjoy reading those stories as much as she loves writing them!

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27Sep2013

Full Throttle (Book 2.5 of the Daddy’s Girls Series) by Chelsea Camaron @chelseacamaron #reveal

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

Full Throttle

Book 2.5 of the Daddy’s Girls Series

High school sweethearts manage to make it through college into the working world still together and going strong. From the start of their relationship Jake has made very clear his apprehension to marriage. Kenna understood going into this nine years ago that with Jake there would never be a ring or white dress.

Now seeing their friends so eager to make such a serious commitment in their own relationships a crack begins to form in Jake and Kenna’s once solid foundation.

Will Kenna ever open up and share her dreams with Jake? Can Jake overcome his childhood issues?

Is Kenna willing to accept things just as they are forever?

Will her desire for a more serious commitment make her change her feelings for her one love?

Is Jake enough alone or does Kenna demand more than he can give?

Can they move forward full throttle into their future together?

About the Author

Chelsea Camaron was born and raised in Coastal North Carolina. She currently resides in Southern Louisiana with her husband and two children but her heart is always Carolina day dreaming. Chelsea always wanted to be a writer, but like most of us, let fear of the unknown grab a hold of her dream; she realized that if she was going to tell her daughter to go for her dreams, that it was time to follow her own advice. Chelsea grew up turning wrenches alongside her father, and from that grew her love for old muscle cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles, which just so happened to inspired her ‘Daddy’s Girls’ series. Her love for reading has sparked a new love for writing and she currently has a few more projects in the works. When she is not spending her days writing you can find her playing with her kids, attending car shows, going on motorcycle rides on the back of her husband’s Harley, snuggling down with her new favorite book or watching any movie that Vin Diesel might happen to be in. She hates being serious and is still a big kid at heart. She is a small town country girl enjoying life and, Chelsea hopes that her readers remember not to take life too seriously and to embrace your inner five year old, because five year olds know how to enjoy the simple things in life and how to always have fun.

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Going Long by Ginger Scott @TheGingerScott #cover #reveal

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

Synopsis

Can first loves really be forever?

Nolan Lennox was strong, a survivor. She’d stood up to those who tore her down and found her purpose in life when she was at her lowest, her heart broken. And she was rewarded with the fairytale ending she’d always dreamed of. She spent four years loving Reed Johnson, the popular quarterback at her small town high school, earning his friendship first and, eventually, his heart. But fairytales are fiction, and life…well, real life is messy. Can Reed and Nolan’s love survive the growing pains that come along with truly growing up?

Reed and Nolan’s story continues in Going Long, the sequel to Waiting on the Sidelines. It will will be available for download on Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Sony and Barnes & Noble in October 2013.

Meet Ginger Scott

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Buy Waiting on the Sidelines Amazon

15Aug2013

Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr @MeredithSchorr #review

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

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A favorite chick lit author has done it again! This is the most fitting cover. I love the graphics and the colors. Nicholas has his trademark stubbles in the picture too!

Having read Meredith’s other book and being a huge chick lit fan I knew I would love this. So if it is your genre and you adore chick lit then this is a sure thing, 5 star, gushing sort of read. What I loved the most was being a blogger I totally related to Kim. She was in a lack luster job and the bright spot was her books. She read everywhere even on the toilet in a restaurant. How can you not fall for a girl like that?

He is what you need to know: no matter what just HATE Hannah Marshak! Then, after, and only after hating Hannah, please want to smack Erin who is Kim’s sister. Every phone call asking if she heard of or read Hannahs book made me want to force 12 dunkin donut munchkins in her big mouth.

Being a book blogger, Kimberly Long describes all of the ups and downs of blogging. I found it a delight. I am having a fan girl moments. I also thought in my little mind that Meredith was writing about me. Kim has a great friend and boss in Rob. She dishes it to him and I loved it. She is a legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm. When she is not busy she blogs and updates twitter and facebook. I laugh because, like I mentioned she is me and I am her!

When her high school reunion is coming up she gets a friend request from the “nemesis”. So many things happen to make her question what seems like life altering moments “Do I accept her friend request on Facebook?” Poor Kim ponders it over and over. When she has the conversation with Nicholas (oh my big swoon) he advises her.

Let us discuss Nicholas. He is a handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall. She has crushed on him for a while. Their story is so sweet, then it hits rock bottom. A little tear!

She questions her life and being a “blogger girl”. She has aspirations but just doesn’t realize them. I say go read it NOW and enjoy it. Whether you love book review blog or are a blogger yourself you will find so much humor. Meredith is one talented girl. I will confess I got it and told her that I read it so fast and felt bad about the confession. I think it is a great compliment when it takes almost a year (oh my) to write a book and someone does nothing but devour it in a day at the beach. That is me, Renee, aka Kim…hehehehe This is Renee reporting for Pastel is the new Black!