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?
Follow these women on an exciting journey of love, passion, and self-discovery.
Reviews for 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
"Going Topless is beautifully written, erotic, and, best of all--fun! I loved following these characters on their European journey learning about love and, most importantly, themselves. This is a great read." - Theresa Alan, bestselling author of Who You Know
"A sexy, fun read! Renee Knowles crafts a fabulous story with fun characters and an enjoyable plot. Going Topless is thoroughly entertaining and steamy!" - M.A. duBarry, award winning author
Visit Renee Knowles' web site
Read an excerpt from Going Topless
About Renee Knowles
Once upon a time there was a little girl who wanted to be a writer. Of course, Renee wanted to be a professional ice dancer, an Olympic gymnast, and a fashion model too. But once she learned she had no athletic aptitude and wasn't going to be six-foot tall and stick thin, her love for writing and books grew. She read anywhere and everywhere she could-including during class (especially math and science). Uh, not so good for school, but it encouraged her passion for books, opening her up to some of her favorite authors, including her all-time fave Jane Austen.
But as her love for reading grew, so did her love for writing. She wrote short stories and poems, which were read out loud in class and even occasionally published. But, for some reason in her twenties she just stopped. Cold. Oh, she dreamed about it, of course, but her life seemed too busy. Then she moved from Upstate New York to Dallas, Texas, and met the man of her dreams. A true Southern gentleman, accent and all. He asked her out. She said no. Why? She was crazy, of course! Eventually, she gave him a chance (thank God!) and a year and a half later they eloped while on vacation in Colorado. She's been with him for ten years, and he's truly her hero.
Her desire for writing returned, especially stories of love and personal journeys, and now she can't imagine doing anything else.
Renee lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and a view of the Rocky Mountains out of her window. (How cool is that?) Renee has traveled all over the world, living in both Europe and Asia. She has also visited Amsterdam twice, the setting for her debut book, Going Topless. Her favorite place to travel to is Italy, and her dream is to own a vacation home there.
An Interview with Renee Knowles
By Holly Hewson, Marketing Director for The Romance StudioHH: Renee, welcome to TRS! Please tell us all about your featured work, Going Topless. RK: Going Topless is a sexy chick lit set in Europe. It's a fun tale about two women at a crossroads in their lives, who take an impulsive trip that changes them both forever. If you like sexy younger men, hot European stories and your heroines strong and sensual, then this is a book for you.
HH: This is a sizzling tale of two women at a moment of awakening in their lives. Where did you get the idea for this book? RK: I came up with the plot idea for Going Topless while sitting on a canal in Amsterdam looking out at all the history and romance of the city. I figured it would be the perfect setting for a story about two sisters looking for love, and ultimately, themselves.
HH: What did you enjoy about writing an older woman/younger man story? RK: Hmm, everything! It was hot. And so much fun to see the heroine regain her mojo with a sexy, younger man. I think that women in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond, are reveling in the fact that they are sexual, vibrant beings. And they are turning more and more to younger men to experience the fullness of that sensuality.
HH: What challenges did you face? RK: I wanted to be sure that Hagen, the younger man in the story, was a good match intellectually and emotionally for the heroine. And I think they ended up complementing each other perfectly.
HH: What did you enjoy about each sister? RK: What a great question! I would say that what I love about Susannah, the older sister, is her vulnerability and her sass. She has the ability to be both strong and open for new experiences.
Her younger sister, Chelsie, has so much spunk she nearly wrote her part of the story herself. Yet in the end, she realizes how much she needs love. It really adds to her "realness".
HH: This is released by Siren Publishing. What can you tell us about this wonderful company? RK: Siren is a growing and flourishing e-and-print publisher. I have been very happy working with them. They are professional and put out quality work with sexy and amazing covers! And they are also starting a new venture called, Bookstrand. Bookstrand will be a book distributor as well as a commercial and mainstream romance e-publisher. You can find out more about them at www.sirenpublishing.com.
HH: What are you working on now? RK: I am currently working on a few projects. (I'm not happy unless I have a lot of irons in the fire :) I am working on a new chick lit set in Florence, Italy, and a Regency historical romance that is a sequel to a newly-contracted novella. I also have an idea for a young adult book, but I don't have any time for it at the moment!
HH: What else can readers look forward to from you? RK: I have some great new releases coming this year. I have an erotic contemporary series coming from Siren called Pleasures, Inc. It revolves around a male escort service -- where the hottest men fulfill your steamiest fantasies, and they are there for your pleasure only... The first book, Guilty Pleasures, will be out in the summer.
And I'm excited to say that I recently sold a Regency romance novella called Courting Trouble to The Wild Rose Press. It's a sensual story about a hero and heroine who've known each other for years and decide to play a dangerous game of desire and become lovers. It's very romantic, and I truly fell in love with these characters.
HH: What do you think readers would be surprised to know about you? RK: That I have a passion for the art of Johannes Vermeer (Girl with a Pearl Earring), and I hope to see all of his works in my lifetime. I have already viewed his works in Paris, Amsterdam, and The Hague, and I am planning a trip to The Met in NYC this year to see the Vermeer works on display there.
HH: Any vacation plans this year? RK: Actually, yes, but not your typical vacation. We are traveling to South Korea to adopt a little baby boy. We are so excited! I can't think of a better reason for a trip :)
HH: Now can I. Good luck. <g>Thank you!
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