Home (Glenview #1) by Rachel Smith #review

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

DONE and totally want to listen to country music. I think I maybe in love Lilly Rae and maybe acting out about that. I will go for some Carrie Underwood and then make up for it my listening to a lot of Drake and Lil Wayne.

About the book- ratings for 1

Characters- 5

Plot-5

The reveals that shocked me 5+

So the story of Lily reminds us that in Hollywood things are as crazy as they seem, right? OK well apparently in country music things are nutso too! When Lily takes off she is determined to get to Nashville from Iowa and never look back. She repeats her mantra over and over basically whatever it takes is what this feisty recent graduate is going to do. I am ready for the ride.

The story of Lillian’s time in Nashville was unbelievable. She meets an RCA executive, Colton, and he seems like an angel. Under it all he is so evil, manipulative and powerful. He is just pure evil through and through. I loved the way the author wrote Lily having her flashbacks. It was a slow build that was making it hard to put the darn kindle down.

Through everything Sarah, who is a wanna be country music singer, and Lily grow close. Lily starts on the staircase leading to fame with Sarah by her side. Sarah is her confidant, personal assistant and therapist!

When Lily has an epiphany she gives up singing and goes home. All of this causes a big problem for Colton. No spoilers but I will say he was addicted to having a puppet to control and money in the bank.

When Justin sees Lily the first time you know what will happen. Their story was great! It is one to be enjoyed! I understand they wanted and needed one another so the way it was portrayed was nice. The didnt go overboard with the longing to be together. I hope that makes sense.

I really loved this book! The author has written a romance with a lot of dark circumstances. I like dark so when evil comes knocking I was rooting for the entire Raftzen family. A true tight knit group that make you want to go to Glenview!

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Rachel Smith was born and raised in a small town in Iowa. After spending a few years in the ‘big city’ she now lives with her husband and two children in Clear Lake. Working part time from home, she spends the rest of her time exercising, reading, and taking care of her family.

22Jul2014

Home (Glenview #1) by Rachel Smith #debut #spotlight

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

After twelve years on top of the charts, country music superstar Lily Rae has decided to hang up the microphone and move home. Becoming Lillian Raftzen again is harder than she anticipated and soon, it seems running home is not enough to escape from her manipulative ex-agent, who not only threatens to end her happiness, but her life.

When the girl of his dreams walks back into his life twelve years later, Justin DeLuca realizes as much as he loves her, she is no longer the girl he remembers. With everything they must overcome, can the two of them make their dreams come true?

Lily’s dream to sing and Justin’s dream for a family are so very far from the same path. But by veering off course they find a new dream on a new path ending up right where it all began…..home.

Grace for Drowning by Maya Cross @Maya_cross #Review

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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

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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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19Aug2013

Moody Not Broody by Kathryn Player @funnyiswrite #review

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

To start I will say I have read and enjoyed every Nicola May book. I also read a few Ellie Campbell books so I like my “across the pond ladies”. This was not an exception. I need to remind others that the punctuation is different as well as the quotations. Just a pet peeve that people need to point out so I can say I can’t stand when people make negative comments like that or complain that they didn’t get the phrases.

So moving on this was a cute book with a sort of deep subject. Being the book is at the start of a marriage and all that is trying at the beginning it seems strange to say I got it! I liked the added fluff, so it was not as serious. I liked the main character Emma. Her dilemma was regarding children. I know when you get married a lot of times people start right off asking when you are planning a family. Her husband Mike was also well received. I understood her point of working with challenging kids. I mean if you sit there all day and see first hand the detriment, why have a child. She obviously saw the parent and kids and all the struggles.

The author give a balance and fills the void in Emma’s voice. She did it pretty good too. The author created a love/hate for me with Emma. Sometimes I wanted to hug her and sometimes I wanted to

I really enjoyed this story and I would say my chick lit fans will too! I can’t wait for her second book.

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I’m an English teacher who is currently on a career break, having decided to be a full-time Mum to my twin daughters.

I finished ‘Moody not Broody’ two years ago and it’s been sitting in my computer file gathering word doc dust. However, with an urgent need to earn some money, I decided to self publish ‘Moody not Broody’ and get it ‘out there’ for people to read.

Currently, I’m working on my second novel, ‘The Bridal Prophet’.

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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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15Aug2013

Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr @MeredithSchorr #review

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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!

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9Aug2013

Chasing Stars by L. Duarte @LDuarte77 #review #debut #newrelease

Posted in Book Titles by ReadingRenee

OK here it is my next BIG thing.

Hope sprouts from the recognition that the person with real flaws and qualities dormant

inside me is capable of love.

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I KNOW when I read something within a few pages if I like or love. This BLOWS me away. I have almost 30 quotes. What I loved was the deep story and the ultimate foundation for the entire story was FAITH, God, love, family and hope.

“Though we had all the money most people can only think of, we were the rejects of the plastic city of LA, where artificial is the norm and the normal is outdated”

As very wealthy family begins a life, here is Portia. She is perfect and soon to be a star herself. Her Mom and Dad divorced and she immersed herself with her best friends Tarry and Nillie. All three come from wealthy family backgrounds. Portia McGee and her friends created a list “Things to do before we die” yeah I know I wanted to kick Nillie myself for naming it that. Anyways they make the list and start checking things off. The base of their childhood is friends. They have Estela who is Portia’s nanny. There is a story about how she learns Spanish from going to Guadalajara and saying she is a relative so that the kids will play with her. The only real Motherly love Portia gets is from Estela her Nanny. As the three go on to their lives, they get together and make it fun whenever they can.

Portia has to get a temporary tattoo for a big role. Enter Will, the artist. He is not a traditional tattoo artist, but a recent grad of the Columbia school. WOW a smart, talented artist who can tattoo.

What I LOVED was the meeting of Will and then his family. His life was so tough and I won’t elaborate and spoil that part, it is to be read and savored. When he introduces Portia to Dan, his Pastor Dad and Maritza, his Mom along with the overly outspoken and protective sister Melody (Mel). I loved Mel for the way she protected Wil. She was one of those I hate her characters, but that is the author’s beauty of storytelling. When you think you can’t stand someone, but you do totally get the dialogue and where they are coming from. Mel is also very forgiving, very pregnant and very loving. The fact that she is on leave from being a police officer is exceptional character placement to me. Her partner Lucas is a sub-plot character, that only adds more depth, showing why she is a fierce protector. Her Husband Tim is in Afghanistan and again the message is family, Dan and Maritza really support her during this trying time. Then there was Rick, the co-owner of the tattoo shop. Now he adds certain messaging to the story, which relates well to Will’s growing up.

It doesn’t take long for Portia to understand what Dan’s valued have done to Will. He has taken this kid, made him into a better person and shown him the Lord. Will has accepted it and leads a life based on faith and giving back.

So as you know, when I believe in something I sell it big. THIS is big. I hope and pray that the message is received and just maybe touches a few people. I want everyone to read this and take a new and different meaning from the many lessons that are here. Don’t just know something, but feel it, live it, grow from it, and experience it.

“The point being, no matter how much we try, sometimes it is impossible to like certain things or people”

It is both well written and a wealth of story telling genius. I always say if you read something and it leaves an impression, share it, pass it on, shout the title and get others to read it. I will make sure others read this. I am so thankful the author found me and let me experience her writing. Bravo!!

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Chasing Stars is intended for mature readers, containing sexual content and strong language.

2Aug2013

Stupid by Choice by Leighton Summers #debut #spotlight

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High Society, High Style, & High Drama!

BIG, RICH, TEXAS: WHAT REALLY LIES BEHIND THE GLITTERING FAÇADE OF DEBUTANTE LIFE?

Beautiful, bold, and born with a silver spoon firmly planted in hand, Melanie St. John is, by all outside accounts, the picture-perfect Texan Oil Princess. An independently wealthy daddy’s girl through and through, Melanie has spent her adult years flitting from one exotic, exclusive locale to another, being wooed by handsome, successful men, and in the dizzying center of dazzling, diamond-encrusted society life.

But behind the glittering façade of her debutante life lays a very different story.

In Stupid By Choice, this summer’s must-have beach read from author Leighton Summers, we follow the fictional and fabulous Melanie as she attempts to find true, lasting love amongst the wealthy, jet-set, spoiled, sought-after playboys in the elite social circles of Texas, Monte Carol, Manhattan, Newport, and Palm Beach.

Facing one destructive love affair after another, as well as financial troubles, family drama, unplanned pregnancy, and more, Melanie and her friends traipse through the high high’s and low low’s of elite society, all while negotiating the blows they’re dealt with vulnerability, extravagance, and a resilience that every woman, regardless of social strata, will recognize as her own.

“Stupid By Choice is pure fiction, but it’s entirely inspired by the affluent, privileged world that I grew up—and still live—in,” says Summers. “All that glitters is not gold. It’s easy to get caught up in the glamour of it all, but no matter what your age or station in life, we all have to learn—as Melanie does—to not be ‘stupid by choice’ and stay stuck or settle if we’re not happy.”

A celebratory romp through the lives of ladies who have, lose, and ultimately triumph over it all, Stupid By Choice is as juicy a summer read as they come—equal parts entertaining, thought-provoking, and emotionally gripping. Among the topics and themes explored in it are:

Don’t mess with Texas! An insider’s look—good and bad—at what socialite American society life is really like from a Texans’ P.O.V.
The ‘problem-free’ lifestyles of the rich and well groomed: does money solve as many issues as one might think? Or does it just create more?
Handling divorce, infidelity, family problems, motherhood, and career goals with grace and fearlessness
Finding courage in the face of the unknown, taking risks, and following your heart!

About the Author:

Leighton Summers is a sixth generation Texan who has traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe throughout 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, those notes turned into both funny and sad adventures of a woman’s quest to find friendship, love, self, and family and became Stupid By Choice, Summers’ debut novel.