"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!"--Aya, Euro-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
"5 Kisses: Going Topless by Renee Knowles is about three women and their journey of self-discovery. Susannah must learn that age is really just a number, especially when she meets a sexy German lover 15 years her junior. What she learns about herself helps her blossom into the woman she will become. Chelsie has to learn that being the life of the party and never being emotionally attached has a price. The things you do, you eventually pay for. She grows up a lot in this book and puts her friendship with her sister to the ultimate test. As for Mattie, you're going to love her. She's a shy wallflower who blossoms into the beautiful butterfly. I want to borrow the guy she ends up with. Dang he is hot! I would even get a tattoo just for him! 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, national bestselling author
"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
Hagen stared at Susannah, his brown eyes twinkling. "Why are you so curious? Would you like to take your top off?"
"No! No. Are you insane?" Her 34Bs would stay right where they belonged, under wrap. She glanced down at her navy halter. "The girls are fine and dandy as they are, thank you very much."
His fingers slowly made their way down her bikini neckline to the top of her décolleté. "They are very beautiful. You have nothing to hide." His knuckles stroked her intimately, and his voice came out low and husky.
A bead of sweat darted down her back, and it was as much from the heat of Hagen's words, as from the heat of the sun.
She cleared her throat. "I think I'll stick with hiding all the same."
"Yes. You must be good."
That was who she was. Good, proper, sweet, Susannah.
Hagen shrugged and reclined back. "It matters little to me. I only thought you might want to be less uptight."
Her spine stiffened. "I am not uptight. I merely choose not to show my breasts to all of the Netherlands."
"Okay."
"You don't believe me?" she asked.
"Fine. You are right. Be yourself."
"Be myself?" Susannah said, puzzled. "Do you mean suit myself?"
"Ja, yes. Just do what you want."
"I will." She lay back down and closed her eyes, letting the sun beat down on her. She wasn't going to be talked into something so ... wild. After all, she was nearly forty. And she was no exhibitionist.
She cracked her eyes open. "How come you've never asked me my age?"
"Because it doesn't matter to me."
He said it so matter of fact. Maybe it didn't matter. Maybe she was making way too much of this.
Susannah pushed herself back up and watched Chelsie and Mattie splash around in the water. Chelsie wore a hot Rio-style bikini, but Mattie had on a pair of shorts and a tank top. Mattie certainly didn't take any chances.
Is that how Susannah wanted to live? Respectable, modest, and boring?
She checked to be sure Courtney and her crew weren't paying any attention to them. This would probably be the stupidest, most ridiculous thing she'd ever done. But in one quick motion, she unhooked her halter-top and flung the scrap of silky material to the towel.
"Fantastisch," Hagen breathed as he stared wide-eyed at her. He let out a low whistle.
She moved toward him, her breast skimming his arm. The sensation made her nipple tingle and tighten. "Uptight, my ass," she whispered.
He laughed. "You are one amazing woman, Susannah."
Susannah rested back down with a smile on her face. The warmth of the sun hitting her boobs felt unfamiliar and more than a little naughty. She had to resist the urge to cover herself up with her hands. Hagen seemed completely comfortable to blatantly watch her.
"It's rude to stare," she teased.
Yet he didn't laugh. Hot desire burned in his eyes, and his eyes weren't the only thing responding.
"For a man who said he didn't care what I did, it certainly looks like you care."
He turned onto his stomach, and then smiled. "I lied."
Delight skittered its way down to the tip of her big toe. God, she remembered this sense of feminine power. And she reclaimed it with gusto.
Hagen leaned in to her, his breath smelling faintly of mint and the cola he'd been sipping. "I want you."
Heat pooled in her pussy. She was warm and wet in places she hadn't been warm and wet in ages. Oh, God. He was going to kiss her. She closed her eyes, longing to taste him.
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