What do you think?
Rate this book
Renaissance
Cali Ross gave up a successful career on the West Coast to move closer to her aging father. Although satisfied with her single life she has no objections to spending one hot unforgettable night with the man she could never have in high school. Or two nights — or maybe three. But she has no intentions of falling in love — certainly not with a man as closed-off and jaded as Kent, no matter how irresistible he is.
When he propositioned Cali for a one-night stand, Kent Landon never imagined he would still want her months later. But their fling quickly spirals into a full-blown affair. The more heat and passion he finds in her, the more determined Kent is to make her his alone. He just has to work through his own defenses so he can convince Cali that what started as hot sex has transformed into something deeper. Their renaissance.
Note: While the general information provided on the artist Giotto is accurate, the Giotto painting referenced in the novel is fictional.
When he propositioned Cali for a one-night stand, Kent Landon never imagined he would still want her months later. But their fling quickly spirals into a full-blown affair. The more heat and passion he finds in her, the more determined Kent is to make her his alone. He just has to work through his own defenses so he can convince Cali that what started as hot sex has transformed into something deeper. Their renaissance.
Note: While the general information provided on the artist Giotto is accurate, the Giotto painting referenced in the novel is fictional.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
91 people want to read
About the author
Zannie Adams
6 books98 followersZannie Adams writes, reads, caters to her chocolate-brown cocker spaniel, and watches cooking shows on television. She has lived in eight different states, had far too much graduate-level education, and generally done her best not to settle down. She has been writing novels all her life, but only recently did she begin to write erotic romances--a genre that has allowed her to explore her love of both passion and commitment.
Zannie prefers to spend most of her time writing, but she has to stop occasionally to teach writing and literature at a liberal arts college and to walk her dog. She lives on the East Coast
Zannie prefers to spend most of her time writing, but she has to stop occasionally to teach writing and literature at a liberal arts college and to walk her dog. She lives on the East Coast
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 28, 2010
4 star contemporary erotic romance
Having read the book Complicated by the same author, my interest in her writing style was piqued enough for me to try out the rest of her books released in e-book format. This story is longer and more intense than Complicated, but I loved pretty much every minute of Kent and Cali’s story.
I have discovered that this author tends to write romances concerning heroes and heroines who are a bit older than the normal twosomes that you encounter in your romance novels. Likewise in this novel Cali is in her late 30′s and Kent in his early or mid 40′s.
Cali and Kent first meet during Cali’s teen years. Back then Cali had been as ambitious as anyone whose dream was to become a reporter. Living alone with her father since her mother deserted them, Cali had long since learnt to be independent and not to rely on anyone but herself to get things done. Her tendencies to write newspaper articles exposing local businesses and other such events lands her with a job at the local newspaper right after she finishes her high school. Kent, the son of Philip Landon, CEO of Landon Industries who starts hanging out with her best buddy Jason seems to evoke feelings of animosity from Cali at first. Judging Kent to be as slick as his father, about whom Cali was currently working on writing an expose on, Cali encounters Kent on her break-in into the Landon Enterprises to gather facts to back her article.
Rather than what Cali expected, Kent helps Cali on writing the article to expose the way his father handles business. Although Cali thinks that they both shared a lot more than just tidbits of information for the article, Kent blatantly ignores Cali after the article hits the press. Cali although hurt and bitter about being used so callously, goes away to earn her degree and stays away for 20 odd years, only coming back to meet her father twice a year or so.
However, things change when Cali realizes that she should be there for her father when he has to undergo surgery on both knees. Giving up her life in Chicago, Cali moves back home and takes up a job at a local newspaper. On her first night back, Cali encounters Kent again at a fund raising event and on the very first night both succumb to the attraction that had always been there between them. Where Kent has been aloof and laid back 20 years earlier, he was a completely closed book hiding behind an impeccable shield that doesn’t seem to crack even under the most unimaginable circumstances.
Cali tries to avoid getting into a purely sexual relationship with Kent, although her father seems to think that Kent is the one for her. And her best friend Alice who proves to be refreshing character in this novel, convinces Cali to at least give Kent a chance to prove that he could give Cali what she really wants out of a relationship.
The journey Kent and Cali take towards happiness is a slow and moving one that is sure to touch the reader’s heart. Its refreshing to read about two characters who just do not suddenly find themselves in love, but rather have to actually work and compromise to make their relationship work. Highly recommended for those who love a gritty love story with a high dose of sensuality thrown into the mix.
December 1, 2015
It took me a while to finally pick this one up because the cover looked silly and the reviews weren't very high, but now I'm only sorry I waited so long. I totally loved it and could not put it down all weekend.
The story is simple, it focuses completely on the hero and heroine and their developing relationship. It's essentially the opposite of an insta-love romance, because the whole book is about how hard they work to grow as a couple. It was amazing! So few books have their characters communicate as much as these ones do, and that's super impressive from my point of view.
It's definitely a light story and it's not going to strain your brain cells, but I thought it was worth it. Definitely recommended :)
The story is simple, it focuses completely on the hero and heroine and their developing relationship. It's essentially the opposite of an insta-love romance, because the whole book is about how hard they work to grow as a couple. It was amazing! So few books have their characters communicate as much as these ones do, and that's super impressive from my point of view.
It's definitely a light story and it's not going to strain your brain cells, but I thought it was worth it. Definitely recommended :)
February 25, 2024
Didn’t like the MMC
October 30, 2012
4 1/2 stars. Really liked this.
August 24, 2021
Gratamente sorprendida. Quiero más
August 3, 2012
A Hearts on Fire Review
THREE AND A HALF STARS--Renaissance by Zannie Adams is a steamy tale with an acquaintances to lovers theme. Cali and Kent first met when she was an eighteen year old aspiring reporter and he was a jaded, rich twenty something. The story starts with an odd albeit steamy prologue. Then jumps twenty years to present day.
I'm still questioning the need to jump a full twenty years in the future instead of lesser years in between but after reading the book, I'm more clear on the author's decision. Readers looking for a mature heroine and hero finding love can rejoice with this story.
The story however is not without faults, such as the aforementioned rough beginning, minor editing issues and first two sex scenes between the main characters. It felt stilted and dry. And just uncomfortable all around especially for Cali. And Ms. Adams peppered a lot of their sex scenes with some unsexy dialogue, here's a sampling, "Ah, Ah, Ah!" & "Uh, Uh, Uh!" And the ultra sexy "Eh, Eh, Eh!"
This is not my first time reading Zannie Adams. And I'm so glad I've read her other book "Hold" before reading this one because "Hold" is by far her better work. But...
This story, "Renaissance" has good points as well. After the rough beginning, it got more solid the closer I got towards the end. Yes I might have been hit with a stray "Ah" or "Uh" or "Eh". The ending left me wanting more by the way, shame on you Ms. Adams. I appreciated both characters, insecurities and flaws included. I believed their love because they earned each other. They did grow into each other.
Would I recommend for erotic romance readers? Oh sure, just don't read this book first, if your a first time reader of Zannie Adams. Try her book, "Hold" as a first-time read to appreciate her writing. The rough beginning might throw some readers off.
But I liked the story.
THREE AND A HALF STARS--Renaissance by Zannie Adams is a steamy tale with an acquaintances to lovers theme. Cali and Kent first met when she was an eighteen year old aspiring reporter and he was a jaded, rich twenty something. The story starts with an odd albeit steamy prologue. Then jumps twenty years to present day.
I'm still questioning the need to jump a full twenty years in the future instead of lesser years in between but after reading the book, I'm more clear on the author's decision. Readers looking for a mature heroine and hero finding love can rejoice with this story.
The story however is not without faults, such as the aforementioned rough beginning, minor editing issues and first two sex scenes between the main characters. It felt stilted and dry. And just uncomfortable all around especially for Cali. And Ms. Adams peppered a lot of their sex scenes with some unsexy dialogue, here's a sampling, "Ah, Ah, Ah!" & "Uh, Uh, Uh!" And the ultra sexy "Eh, Eh, Eh!"
This is not my first time reading Zannie Adams. And I'm so glad I've read her other book "Hold" before reading this one because "Hold" is by far her better work. But...
This story, "Renaissance" has good points as well. After the rough beginning, it got more solid the closer I got towards the end. Yes I might have been hit with a stray "Ah" or "Uh" or "Eh". The ending left me wanting more by the way, shame on you Ms. Adams. I appreciated both characters, insecurities and flaws included. I believed their love because they earned each other. They did grow into each other.
Would I recommend for erotic romance readers? Oh sure, just don't read this book first, if your a first time reader of Zannie Adams. Try her book, "Hold" as a first-time read to appreciate her writing. The rough beginning might throw some readers off.
But I liked the story.
November 20, 2014
it took a long time but I finished it. this story took longer to read because it seemed to drag on in side details. it liked it & gave it a 4 only because it was steamy, if it wasn't for the heat there wouldn't of been a story.
August 26, 2012
A great read! Kent was a conflicted sexy man, and Cali was a nosy, big hearted but guarded woman. Their relationship was hot, tender, and cant put down good.
Want to read
February 27, 2016p38
April 1, 2017
The ending was a little bit abrupt for me.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews