Showing posts with label Alessandra Torre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alessandra Torre. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Review ~ End of the Innocence ~ Alessandra Torre #ShelfLove

End of the Innocence (Innocence, #3)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! ;)


Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Review ~ Masked Innocence ~ Alessandra Torre #ShelfLove

Masked Innocence (Innocence, #2)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.


Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Review ~ Blindfolded Innocence ~ Alessandra Torre #ShelfLove

Blindfolded Innocence (Innocence, #1)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.




Thursday, May 25, 2017

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #63 ~ Blindfolded Innocence by Alessandra Torre


I recently binged on Alessandra Torre's Innocence trilogy. This particular scene is from Blindfolded Innocence, the first in the trilogy. It made me laugh...because I could so relate! *wink* See, Julia doesn't like seafood...

***

The bottom rung of the silver tower was empty when they had delivered it, but was now being filled with the empty lobster and crab claw shells.
Light bulb.
Fifteen minutes later, Brad sat back with a satisfied groan. "I have been dreaming of those claws for weeks." He met my eyes with a Cheshire grin. "Well? Was I right or what?" I smiled at him over the champagne and empty plate.
"It was very good, Brad. Thank you."
"I don't know how you look so put together. I always feel like I need a bath after eating this stuff." He wiped his face with his napkin and pulled at his bib, breaking the plastic tie. "Should we get another or do you want to go ahead and order dinner?"
"Dinner, please," I said quickly. Brad's eyes looked at me for a moments, then he shrugged. "Sounds good to me."
The waiter appeared and began pulling the silver trays off of the tower, starting with the top tray. Uh-oh. I had anticipated them taking the entire tower at one time, as they had brought it to us. My mind raced with something to distract Brad with.
Shrimp platter gone.
"I was thinking Brad..."
Clams and oysters level gone.
"...maybe tonight, after the show..."
Lobster level taken.
"...we could, ahhh..." Don't look down!!
The large silver platter that had housed the tangled pile of Snow and King Crab legs was lifted, exposing the plate of empty shells. Empty shells and expensive meat of crab and lobster I had carefully hidden under the guise of placing my shells in the plate. The meat, which had been strategically hidden from the side view, was now fully-exposed, crab and lobster stretched out like bathing beauties on South Beach.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

**Reviews ~ Bend Anthology ~ These Men & Still ~ Andrea Smith & Alessandra Torre**


Eight mistresses of the erotic bring you eight original, never before published stories to excite and arouse, including USA Today Bestsellers Alessandra Torre and CD Reiss, and NY Times Bestseller K. Bromberg.

**FYI** Bend was pulled from all retailers. Until it is made available again as an anthology, you can purchase most of the novellas separately.





******

These Men by Andrea Smith
from the Bend Anthology
Release Date: May 5, 2014
Genre: Erotic Romance
Source: Purchased from Amazon for Kindle
Rating: 4 Bookworms

Synopsis
Paige Matthews has a lot to learn, and more than just about being an intern with the F.B.I. 

Inexperience with all types of relationships leaves her looking for a new place to live. Eli Chambers and his partner, Cain Maddox, are looking for a roommate. It's the perfect arrangement, but one that will change all their lives forever.



These Men are was a pleasure to read!

I'm gonna admit I didn't connect with Paige right off the bat. She seemed rather bratty and immature. But as the story unfolded, she began to grow, mature and I found myself liking her more and more. Besides, that is one things I most enjoy in a character - watching them grow and change, reaching their potential.

Paige makes some less than stellar decisions when it comes to men. She justifies it but it's becoming increasingly difficult for even her to believe. When she finds herself in need of new living conditions, Eli and Cain seem perfect. As they all get acquainted and become closer and closer, things change. These men change her life, really. They demand that she expect more of herself and from herself.

Both Cain and Eli are compassionate and yummy! ;) I felt as thought I got to know Cain a bit better than Eli, but I delighted in watching them, and Paige, figure out what they wanted and how they all fit together.

These Men is a spinoff of Ms. Smith's G-Man series and I will certainly be going back to read those. I liked Ms. Smith's storytelling and I'm interested in getting the whole story.





He interrupted, pulling me closer to him on the bed. "Baby," he said softly. "It's because I see that chemistry going back and forth between you and Maddox…and, I guess I'm just not sure if there's enough of that same chemistry—in you—left over for me. Because I know that there's plenty in me left for you—if you want it, I mean."

And I think he might've just blushed right then, like a guy that was wearing his heart on his sleeve—just putting it right out there and so worried that it might not be enough.

But it was enough. 

It was more than enough.

"Oh Eli," I sighed, "I can't believe you've told me all of this, but I am so fucking glad that you have."

Our eyes met and locked. In that moment, everything that Cain Maddox had assured me of since we'd given in to our feelings was coming true.

I leaned over and brushed my lips softly against his, waiting for him to snake his arms around me and pull me against to him.

I didn't wait long until that was exactly what he did.

We kissed and it was unfamiliar, but it was sweet. And every second, it became sweeter. I felt myself warm to his touch; my belly tingled with anticipation of where he might touch me next and I wanted him to touch me in different places.

He turned and pulled me into his lap, his fingers tilted my chin back so that his eyes could study mine and I saw the warmth fill them.

"God, baby. We're going to do this."

He lifted me up into his strong arms, carried me to their room, and gently deposited me on their bed. The same bed that I had shared with Cain, I was now going to share with Eli and I wanted it. I wanted it more than I thought I ever could.

"Get undressed," he ordered, "We'll do the sensual shit another time, but for right this second, I need to be inside of you and claim you as mine, too."

God, his words made me wet and yeah, that surprised the hell out of me as well. I scrambled to do as he ordered, shedding my clothes quickly; leaving my thong on so that he would be the one to relieve me of it when it was time…

He was standing there naked and he was every bit as beautiful as Cain. His body was well-muscled and his belly flat. He had a lighter complexion than Cain, but God he was beautiful in a "golden-boy" sort of way. I felt myself getting wet just in anticipation of what would happen next.

He opened the bedside table drawer, and pulled out a handful of condoms.

Holy shit.

He pushed me back against the pillows on the bed, his eyes taking in all of my nakedness with a hunger. He straddled me with his strong, muscular thighs, leaning forward to capture my lips with his.

I laced my arms around his strong neck, pulling him in closer. I felt his fingertips lightly caressing my breasts, slowly and methodically tugging at my nipples until they grew hard for him. He moved his mouth to one, his tongue circling the soft peaks, and his fingers gently kneading my breast so that he could begin suckling.

I drew in a sharp breath as he took the nipple into his mouth and sucked hard on it, my pussy now fairly soaked in anticipation. I needed him inside of me every bit as much as he wanted to be there.



***THESE MEN PLAYLIST***

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Cyndi Lauper

Sexual Thing
Poison

My Prerogative
Bobby Brown

I Want Your Sex
George Michaels

Losing My Religion
R.E.M.

Waiting On The World to Change
John Mayer

Something to Talk About
Bonnie Raitt

Who Says You Can't Go Home
Bon Jovi

All Through The Night
Cyndi Lauper

Dreams
The Cranberries

We Belong
Pat Benatar

I'll Stand By You
Pretenders

******


STILL by Alessandra Torre
from the Bend Anthology
Release Date: May 5, 2014
Genre: Erotic Romance
Source: Purchased from Amazon for Kindle
Rating: 5 Bookworms

I was raised right. To mind my manners, keep my knees together, to put my napkin in my lap. But somehow, with one look at the dark sexuality that is Brett Jacobs, I forgot my Southern graces. They may have gotten lost in the pushmeupagainstthewall and takemehere action that occurred. In the clothes-ripping ohmygod action that followed. They may have, along with my sanity and common sense, deserted me, leaving me with bruised lips, ripped panties, and multiple orgasms.


Holy hell! I'm a full-fledged Alessandra Torre fan now! I fell for Still hook, line, and sinker. It's a compelling story and Ms. Torre masterfully conveys it. The chemistry between Riley and Brett reaches spontaneous combustion levels. It's just...whoa!

Riley is in the Bahamas for a friend's bachelorette party. After an evening spent in crippling shoes, she's hobbling her way towards her room when a knight with fluffy slippers comes to her rescue. The spark between these two is unmistakable. And despite knowing one another for such a short period of time, they can't deny the pull. Riley is 31, in a stagnant job, and living in her hometown. She's tired of living her boring existence - or maybe it's Brett that makes her realize this. Brett is more of a mystery. But we do know he doesn't make it a habit of picking up women. He's looking for something - something he thinks might be Riley. They come from different places but they each seem determined to see where these new-found feelings take them. And you can rest assured I'll be along for the ride.




Midnight. Thirteen hours left in paradise, then our hungover selves will be strapped in and flying back to ATL. I hang an arm around twin necks, inhaling the scent of hairspray and feminine energy, leaning my head back, weight on their shoulders, and bellow the chorus of Sweet HomeAlabama, the club singing along, my mouth breaking into a grin too big too contain, the familiar tune never failing to raise my spirits. Never mind that,between the six of us, we’ve set foot on Alabama soil less than ten times. It is the anthem of the South, and seeing as it took Jena flashing the Bahamian DJ her breasts to get it played, we own every syllable of the damn thing.

The last chorus rings out, and I release the girls, spinning on the floor, my arms up, getting bumped by sweaty bodies, the dance floor getting tighter by the moment. A heavy bass begins, drowning out the country chorus and starting back into the hip-hop that had been dominating the speakers all night.

I slow my hips, glance at our table, seeing Beth and Tammy there,the rest of us sprinkled between the dance floor and the ladies room. I am pushed forward, hands settling on my waist as a stranger tries to pull me into his crotch-thrusting imitation of a dance. I yank at his wrists, shooting an annoyed look over my shoulder, and move to our table, snagging my purse off its surface and moving toward the neon lit exit sign. Air. I need air. Air and a moment to regroup,
focus. Come to terms with the fact that none of the men in this club will be taking care of my needs tonight. None of them seem worthy of a drink. Too young. Too immature. Too available. 

Too … not who I am looking for.

I bang through the exit door, the rush of cool night kissing my skin. I take two steps to the right and lean against the brick exterior wall, legs out, head flat against red brick. God yes. 

I almost wish I still smoke. I remember the escapes from life that it provided, the moment to take a pause from the world and do nothing but relax. Now, I don’t need the nicotine—just the combination of air and quiet are enough to ease my tension and take me one step closer to I-Can’t-Even-Remember-His-Name-Ville.

I sense the presence before I see it. In the shadows to my right. I stiffen, lowering my chin and staring, confronting whoever it is with my gaze. Then he speaks, and I relax, need and heat and want flooding my body with just the scrape of my name. In that one word, that one growl, every lie I’ve told myself is exposed. I need him. My body needs him. Wants more. I had behaved in the hallway of the 8th floor. I had made a mistake. I don’t intend to make another.

“Come here.”

He stalks forward, in a suit, his hands leaving his pockets as he walks, his head level, stare direct, and eats me with his eyes as he moves without hesitation, not pausing until he is suddenly against me, his hand firm, gripping the side of my face, his mouth taking mine in a possessive kiss that has me back against the wall, his palm against my skin almost hurting me in its need. I gasp for breath when I can grab it, his kiss desperate, dipping,pulling me tighter. I love it.

“I need you,” he grunts, his free hand sliding up my thigh,pushing my dress inappropriately high, his fingers gripping, squeezing, the heat of his palm sliding over my skin like he owns it, his large hand ending on my ass, and he feels every inch of it as if he is memorizing, worshiping,taking it in his mind as his own.

“Yes,” I gasp, lifting my leg and hooking it around him, the shift in my body opening the place between my legs, his fingers finding and running reverently over the line of silk that keeps me tied to the edge of sanity.

The door next to me opens, shielding us for a moment, and I freeze behind it, my body tensing. His hand drops from my face, wrapping around my body, the other hand returning to my ass, both of them working in concert and lifting, carrying me into the dark shadows where he had just stood, a new wall replacing the brick, this one rough stucco, and I feel lines of it dig into my sunburned skin as sets me down, his mouth taking a break from the kiss and moving to my neck, the rough journey letting me know the level of his need. 

Further proof is against me, his pelvis pressed tighter than possible against my own, the hard ridge of it against my sex making my breath hitch with every twitch of him along me. God, I want this man. Am made weak from his touch yet have never felt this aggressive.

Feather soft brushes against silk. Teasing. Torturing. His hand keeping my leg in place, though there is no way I’m moving it. Not when it opens me up to him. Not when it keeps that iron against the place where I want it most. My panties are so wet it is embarrassing. I pant against the night air, struggling for silence, the murmurs of the couple who have stepped outside breaking the silence of the night, the orange embers of their smokes reminding me of their presence, their attention on each other, a giggle escaping from their conversation and sending a moment of intelligent thought to my head. Am I really being humped in the shadows against the side of a building? Is this beautiful man really running the pad of his fingers back and forth, lower and higher, finding the—oh my god. My head drops back, and I can’t stop the moan that escapes me when my silk-covered clit is brushed by his fingers.

Jesus. It’s not a curse. It is a thankful message sent upward. I have been lost and now, in that light brush against my most sensitive place, I am found.

He chuckles against my neck, his fingers moving back an inch or two, until they are back at my soaked opening, pushing on the indent there,the silk moving far enough inside for me to feel the brush of skin on skin, andI just about lift off the ground in my need for more.

“Don’t stop,” I gasp.

“Honey, I’m not going stop until you fall apart in my hands.I need that. I’m not releasing you until it happens.”


**TOP 10 TV SHOWS THAT DOMINATE ALESSANDRA'S TV**

1. Vikings (I'll take a threesome with the two brothers ANYTIME)

2. Black Sails (almost makes me want to be a wench)

3. The Good Wife

4. Scandal

5. NCIS: Los Angeles (LOVE me some LL)

6. Family Guy (Stewie just said that!)

7. Spongebob (I'd blame it on the 11 year old but... we love SB)

8. Seinfeld

9. Tosh.O

10. Nashville



Collective biography

The Erotica Consortium was the brain child of CD Reiss. In December 2013 she asked JA Huss to help her pull together the hottest erotica writers to start a private Facebook group that would 
encourage support in all areas of bookish things. Members of The Erotica Consortium were personally invited by JA and CD and the group is complete with six additional authors: Shay Savage, Andrea Smith, KI Lynn, K Bromberg, Ella James, and Alessandra Torre. BEND is their first anthology together.

Andrea Smith's Links
Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Alessandra Torre's Links

Monday, March 24, 2014

**Pre-Release Spotlight ~ Bend Anthology**

I'm super thrilled to share with y'all about Bend, an incredible anthology from 8 New Adult/Erotic authors!! I've already pre-ordered my copy! Here's all the information you need about Bend.

***

BEND

“Your pleasure is our goal”


BEND brought to you by the mistresses of The Erotica Consortium

Synopsis
Eight mistresses of the erotic bring you eight original, never before published stories to excite and arouse, including USA Today Bestseller CD Reiss, and NY Times Bestseller K. Bromberg. 

---------------

Bend…

Your body.

Your will.

Your mind.

We will take you, and make you ours.

With each word, you sink deeper into lust.

Once you bend, life will never be the same.

Bend will leave you aching for more.

****

This set will only be available for a limited time, so get it before it disappears.

Price - 99 cents

Launch Date 5/5/2014


Pre-order Bend here

Add to Goodreads here
 

**AUTHOR LINKS**

The Erotica Consortium 

C.D. Reiss

JA Huss 

K.I. Lynn

Alessandra Torre

Ella James

K Bromberg
  
Andrea Smith

Shay Savage