After Innocence by Brenda Joyce

Recently, I discovered Brenda Joyce and her many wonderful romance novels. I have enjoyed all of the books I have read to date and I must say that she is not a writer that writes similar themes in her books. Reading my first four Joyce books, I realize that they each differ greatly - more than any other author I have read. Each has an entirely dissimilar premise. She does not need to borrow from one success formula in one of her books and... use it to write another. I chose After Innocence as my fourth Joyce book because it was so highly recommended when I asked about her books on AAR's website.Edward Delanza is a man known for his diamonds. In the late 1800s of New York City, Edward is a man who loves women and women love him. He is a little flashy and selfish but it's okay because he is a man of principal and honor beneath it all. At a country home weekend party, Edward first spots Sofie as she watches him - uhh - how should I say this - as he is spending some time with a female acquaintance. This certainly makes for an explosive beginning and causes Edward to be very curious about the beautiful face he saw watching him and his female friend through the forest greenery.Sofie O'Niel is an extremely talented artist who is attending a weekend party given by her socialite mother. She has no interest in the party but her mother is determined that Sofie will be seen more in society. Her mother realizes Sofie is lame and will never attract the right type of man for marriage and she believes this so deeply that Sofie believes it herself. Sofie is resigned to a life alone but she loves her art and happens to be talented enough to actually make a living selling it. She also has a large trust fund left to her by her deceased father and realizes money will never be a problem for her although she deeply wishes to be independent of her mother. Sofie does not see herself as the beautiful woman she is both inside and out. It takes little to make her happy and she wants mostly solitude. When she first spots an extremely handsome and obviously virile man in the forest with his apparent paramour, she is fascinated with him. She knows she can never attract the attention of such a gentleman but the experience has certainly given her fuel for many dreams in the future.Edward does seek Sofie out. He doesn't realize that she is lame and Sofie is sure that as soon as he discovers her uneven walking that all of this interest will vanish. However, it does not. Edward perceives the twisted hold Sofie's mother has over her and decides he will become her friend and make her see herself as the truly beautiful person she is with only a very minor disability. He likes the sense of purpose it gives him and wants to throw himself into an unselfish project. He has tired of his self-centered life and relishes the thought of helping another. However, to do so, he must disregard his strong attraction for Sofie.Edward and Sofie establish a friendship of sorts and he arranges her first sale of her art to a well-known gallery. Edward is very impressed with Sofie's art and finds that he is a subject she paints again and again. As their friendship deepens, Edward realizes that Sofie has more than friendship in mind. He sees her as beautiful and she blossoms under his kind regard. Although she is falling in love with him, Sofie recognizes that Edward is not the type to settle down - especially with someone like her. Their relationship soon develops beyond that which Edward had so carefully deliberated in his philanthropic plans for Sofie. It brings them to a crossroads that the two see in a totally opposite manner and Sofie runs and Edward is left confused and lonely and more than a little angry.The interaction between Edward and Sofie is priceless. Although a few minor misunderstandings come and go, primarily their relationship is one of truth and respect. Sofie reacts in a flighty immature manner more than once. In the process she loses some of the respect Edward had for her. She, in a misguided loving manner, actually hurts Edward tremendously again and again. But when they are together, the pages sizzle and the pace never slows. The sensual scenes rate about a 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines).After Innocence is the sequel to Secrets. It is very loosely tied to the Bragg series (his brother married a Bragg in Secrets). But this is a stand-alone book and Secrets does not have to be read first. I highly recommend After Innocence for it's unusual and tender romance line and totally captivating story. Now - to find my next Brenda Joyce book! She certainly has a great backlist to choose from more

WOW is all I can say about this book. Sophie and Edward were the type of characters you cannot help but fall in love with. The story of the rougue Edward falling for the not so perfect Sophie warms your heart. I have read several other Brenda Joyce novels and this is indeed my FAVORITE....I can only hope that Ms. Joyce writes a sequel to this book....There are so many loose ends to tie up, but they do not detract from the story, only leave ... the writer wanting more!.....An excellent read...you will not be disappointed more

This is a truly wonderful book. Whenever I need something to pick me up, I always read this book. I have had it for maybe 2 years now, and I have read it more than 20 times. Each time that I read it, I am caught up in the powerful story that Ms. Joyce creates. What suprised me the most about this book is the way that the characters grow and change. Sophie starts out as an artist who obeys her mother's every command. When she meets Edward,... her life changes, as well as her attitudes. By the end of the book, Sophie is defiant (and rightfully so) toward her mother. I think that the character of Edward is the epitome of what a romance novel hero should be. He is different than the other heroes that appear througout any romance novel. What differs him from the other male characters in is that he thinks with his heart, rather than with something about a foot lower. He isn't seemingly devoid of emotions, but rather, driven by them. When Sophie runs away from him, he goes after her because he loves her, traveling months to find her. He is sometimes stubborn, argumentative, and at other times (most of the time, really), he is warm, caring, loving, and above all, supportive. He is the only one that supports and encourages Sophie to express herself through her art. Her own mother tries to discourage her by calling her a "crazy cripple". Ms. Joyce wrote the character of Suzanne (Sophie's mother) so well that I sometimes had to stop reading and wonder how a mother could treat her child like that. If you haven't read this book yet, I'm not going to spoil for you what Suzanne does to make her seem like a monster. I'll let you find out for yourself. If you have never read a romance novel before, this is a wonderful place to start. This was one of the first ones that I picked up, and after reading over 100 of them, this is the one that I always come back to. This book is definitely one to buy. I hope you enjoy it. more

My two star rating isn't because of Sofie and Edward's relationship, but of Sofie's parents--Jake and Suzanne. At first, the drama surrounding Jake and Suzanne seemed interesting enough. (I enjoy reading stories about rekindled romances). And the way Joyce was writing it, readers were given the impression that an inevitable reunion would happen between the two. Midway through the novel, I started hoping for just that, and suddenly became more... interested in their relationship than that of the protagonists. I know Suzanne was a horrid character and didn't deserve an ounce of Jake's love, (although she did show some redeeming qualities later on). And though she went little crazy at the end, I couldn't help feeling sorry for her. And for Jake as well. At least he was able to find some peace in his life, which was comforting. But the way their relationship ended--it just left me wanting! I felt so sad, angry, hurt--and so deeply disappointed--after finishing the book. (Something that shouldn't happen after reading a romance novel!). If Joyce had refrained from writing a potential reunion subplot, (and had written a better epilogue--reviewers are correct that it's too abrupt), I would have enjoyed it much more. more

I give this book an A+ because of its great story and content. It amazed me to see how one girl can learn to believe in herself, Sofie, and can learn that the impossible becomes possible. Edward, who is not known to commit or settle, suddenly falls in love with a girl they called "crazy crippled and eccentric." He couldn't possibly? Well, if you read it . . . why is it he follows her everywhere? And can't get her off his mind? MMMMMMMhhhh?... You wonder? Read it! You'll be glad you did more