Review ~ End of the Innocence ~ Alessandra Torre #ShelfLove

End of the Innocence by Alessandra Torre
Innocence #3
Release Date: March 23, 2014
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
He thought I owned him. He thought he loved me, that I was enough. But this animal, this sex god who could drive me crazy and steal my heart in the same breath, he would never full be mine. It was impossible. No one ever owned a God...

One year. I have one year to find out more about this man I am marrying. More about his family. More about our sex, and all of the dirty, delicious places it will take me.

I thought I'd spend this year making a decision. I never thought the decision would be taken from me, snatched right from my naive little hands.

This final installment was more fluid and had far fewer editing issues. The tone changed once again, with comic relief via Julia's dialog. There is much going on, the suspense amp'd up...it was an exciting ending!

End of the Innocence saw Julia and Brad counting down - towards Julia's graduation, towards the future, and towards possible repercussions at the path they've chosen for their future. There is further exploration of Julia's sexuality, the doors open for she and Brad. And Brad shows incredible emotional growth and maturity when he closes a door on his past.

The suspense element had me tied in knots. It was well done. However, the outcome felt downplayed and the dropped. Again, I felt more could have been done here, creating a more profound impact. There were other plot threads that I felt were left dangling. It didn't impact the story to leave them hanging, I'd just have liked to have them tied up. Perhaps that's my OCD.

In the end, I found this trilogy entertaining and it renewed my interest in Torre's writing. It says something that I could binge on this trilogy, not tiring of being in this world with these characters. I'm eager to read more from Torre - and luckily, I already own several! ;)

Review ~ Masked Innocence ~ Alessandra Torre #ShelfLove

Masked Innocence by Alessandra Torre
Innocence #2
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
The man was sinful. It wasn't just the looks that made him dangerous, it was the cocky confidence that dominated every move, every touch. And the frustrating yet ecstatic fact about the whole package was that he could back it all up...
Julia Campbell never knows what to expect with win-at-all-costs Brad De Luca. And she's starting to like it that way. She gave up safe, conventional relationships when she let the elite divorce attorney seduce her into his world. Now that he's determined to strip her naked of every inhibition, she's in danger of falling too deep and too fast.
But their attraction begins to feel even more dangerous when a murder leaves a trail of suspicion that points straight to the mob...and Brad. Trusting a man with a bad reputation and a past full of secrets seems like a mistake. But when she's forced to make a choice, the consequences will take her further than she could ever have imagined.

With Masked Innocence, I could tell Torre was beginning to hit her stride writing-wise. Her prose began to flow more smoothly. However, there were still editing issues such as the use of wrong words.

The story revolving around Julia and Brad continued with Julia's sexual awakening, Brad's willingness to change because of Julia, and their relationship growing stronger. The tone of this installment changed though with the added element of suspense.

Julia and Brad face a few obstacles in their relationship - dealing with an event within the firm, talk behind and to their faces regarding their relationship, and the reveal of a major secret. Seeing them deal with these obstacles, the emotional growth they experience - was fascinating.

Besides the editing issues, I also felt a few incidents were treated a little lightly when they could have made more of an impact. Of course, that might have really changed the tone. ;) Oh well. I'm continuing to enjoy Brad and Julia and am jumping into the final book NOW.

Review ~ Blindfolded Innocence ~ Alessandra Torre #ShelfLove

Blindfolded Innocence by Alessandra Torre
Innocence #1
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance
Source: Kindle Freebie
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
"I'm not sure what you have been told about me, but I'm not nearly as bad as they make me out to be." His deliciously deep voice carried a little bit of ego.

I'm sure you are exactly as bad as they make you out to be...

Brad De Luca is used to getting whatever and whomever he wants. The premier divorce attorney in town, he's a playboy who's bedded half the city--including his own clients. And when the newest intern at his firm poses a challenge, his seductive prowess goes into overdrive.

Pre-law student Julia Campbell is fresh off a failed engagement and happy with her new independence. Even if she weren't warned away from Brad at every turn, she'd know he was bad news. The last thing she needs is a man who could destroy her job prospects, not to mention her innocence. But before she knows it, the incorrigible charmer has her under his spell. His deviant tastes plunge her deep into a forbidden world of sexual exploration...but her heart may not survive the fall.

Okay, I admit to knowing almost nothing going into this book except that I'd heard good things about it. I'd only read a novella by Torre prior to this one - which I loved - but she's an author I seem to collect. :) Anyway, I enjoyed Blindfolded Innocence. Here's what worked for me and what could have worked better:

What Worked:

• Premise - Blindfolded Innocence has a very interesting premise. Young pre-law student/intern, despite warnings and her better judgement, gets involved with an attorney in the firm.
• Character development - Julie and Brad are well-defined and we witness their emotional growth - how they change, or begin to - once they become involved.
• Sexual exploration - we're along for the ride as Julia explores her sexuality with Brad - her safety net. The journey is interesting, provocative, and we get to see it changing Brad as well.

What Could Have Worked Better:

• First novel hiccups - Torre's writing wasn't quite as fluid as it becomes later. (I can say this with certainty having read the entire Innocence trilogy as well as another novella from Torre) There were editing issues - mostly the use of wrong words - that stuck out for me.

Overall, meeting Brad De Luca was as exciting as promised and I like the changes I'm seeing in him affected by his interest in Julia.