Joyce has a real winner in this one!
Can you imagine what it would be like to have a disability such that you thought you'd never find love? And, wouldn't it be worse if your mother confirmed this fear by keeping you at home and sheltered? In this second in the 2-book Delanza series, we meet Sophie O'Neill, who is lame from having fallen down a flight of stairs as a child, but who is also a sensitive, gifted artist.
Set in 1901 in New York and Paris (with a few scenes in Africa), the story begins in Newport Beach (think Atlantic Ocean) as houseguests of Susanne Ralston are gathering for a weekend party. Her daughter (by her first marriage), Sophie, a budding artist, is sketching on the beach when she sees a man she wants to paint. Unbeknownst to her, it is Edward Delanza, the wealthy diamond smuggler and rake who has just returned from Africa. As Sophie watches, the man makes love to a woman, right there on the sand. Sophie is unaware Edward has seen her. Fascinated by the girl he believes to be 18 (she is 20), Edward thinks to redeem himself by being kind to the young woman who has never come out of her shell. But he is more than fascinated as she returns to New York City for her art classes and he follows her.
Suzanne, Sophie's mother, is an interesting and dominating secondary character. She fears Edward is just like her first husband, that handsome rake Jake O'Neill whom she fell for at age 15, and so she tries very hard to keep them apart. It's a story within a story that you will find fascinating.
I reviewed SECRETS, the first book in this 2-book series and only gave it 3 stars because it had story issues (see my review). I do think if you want to see more of Edward, you should read it first. But this book really outshines it. AFTER INNOCENCE is an intriguing, well-told love story set in the world of art at the turn of the century. Joyce describes the life of the artists in Paris, the Impressionists who are changing the face of art. It's also the coming of age of a young woman who has great depth of character. Joyce does unrequited love well and you will feel for Sophie as she makes the tough decision to deny the man she wants insisting on love. She confronts the trials of life and rises magnificently above all that she faces. In real life, Edward would never persist in his pursuit of her. Ah, but this is romance! We love it.
I highly recommend this story. Joyce has delivered a clear 5 star this time.
This is related to Joyce's Bragg Saga (see list below):
Innocent Fire, June 1988 (Derek Bragg and Miranda)
Firestorm, November (1988 Storm Bragg and Brett)
Violet Fire, May 1989 (Rathe Bragg and Grace
Dark Fires, June 1991 (Nicholas Bragg and Jane)
The Fires of Paradise, April 1992 (Lucy Bragg and Shoz)
Scandalous Love, November 1992 (Nicole Bragg Shelton and Hadrian)
Secrets, April 1993, 7th in the Bragg saga and 1st in the 2-book Delanza Series, (Regina Bragg Shelton and Slade Delanza)
After Innocence follows Secrets (Edward Delanza and Sophie)
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The listing for this book did not state that it was used. The book is obviously used and the back cover is almost completely falling off.
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Top reviews from other countries
Connie B
exhilarating, amazing, what a read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2014
