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Beyond Innocence
When a life is on the line, love has to wait. Doesn’t it?
After a devastating professional embarrassment, Cory Lance has been banished from the courtroom. As part of her penance, she volunteers with an organization that works to free the wrongly convicted, and soon she’s saddled with a case certain to set her up for another big defeat. To top it off, she’s battling a strong attraction to her client’s sister, a woman with unreasonable expectations.
Serena Washington has learned to compartmentalize the negative pieces of her past, except for one—her brother, Eric, who is on death row for a murder he insists he didn’t commit. Loyalty drives her to enlist help from an organization with a reputation for unparalleled success, but Serena’s optimism is shaken when she learns the attorney assigned to the case has a reputation for cutting corners. Her whole world is shaken when she begins to fall in love with her.
After a devastating professional embarrassment, Cory Lance has been banished from the courtroom. As part of her penance, she volunteers with an organization that works to free the wrongly convicted, and soon she’s saddled with a case certain to set her up for another big defeat. To top it off, she’s battling a strong attraction to her client’s sister, a woman with unreasonable expectations.
Serena Washington has learned to compartmentalize the negative pieces of her past, except for one—her brother, Eric, who is on death row for a murder he insists he didn’t commit. Loyalty drives her to enlist help from an organization with a reputation for unparalleled success, but Serena’s optimism is shaken when she learns the attorney assigned to the case has a reputation for cutting corners. Her whole world is shaken when she begins to fall in love with her.
264 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
15 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Carsen Taite
51 books293 followersCarsen Taite's goal as an author is to spin plot lines as interesting as the cases she encountered in her career as a criminal defense lawyer. She is the award-winning author of a dozen novels and numerous short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 25, 2016
3 1/2 Stars. I realize I always enjoy Carsen Taite's books, and while this was not one of my favorites, it was still a good read. The story revolves around two mains, one a lawyer, the other a bank teller, who finds out her brother is on death row. With the execution date looming, can Serena find help for her brother before it's too late.
The main story-arch was quite good. Also exciting, is the brother innocent and if he is can they stay the execution or even free him? Taite is a fantastic crime writer and how the story unfolds is well done. Where I had a bit of trouble was the characters. Serena, I liked. Even though she had walls up, they cracked enough that I could connect with her. It was also nice to have some diversity, which I don't think we always see enough in books in general. My problem was with the lawyer, Cory. If Serena had walls up, Cory had a mountain up. I couldn't get a real read on her. And at times she was a bit horrible to Serena. Her feeling were so back and forth it almost seemed like two different characters at times. Because of this I felt the romance suffered a bit too. Why did Serena even like Cory, let alone fall in "love".
However, as I stated before, Taite is a great crime writer, so the rest of the story helped make up for the short-comings. I also liked that Skye from The Best Defense had a small roll in this book.
If you are a fan of LesFic crime books, Carsen Taite is a must to read.
The main story-arch was quite good. Also exciting, is the brother innocent and if he is can they stay the execution or even free him? Taite is a fantastic crime writer and how the story unfolds is well done. Where I had a bit of trouble was the characters. Serena, I liked. Even though she had walls up, they cracked enough that I could connect with her. It was also nice to have some diversity, which I don't think we always see enough in books in general. My problem was with the lawyer, Cory. If Serena had walls up, Cory had a mountain up. I couldn't get a real read on her. And at times she was a bit horrible to Serena. Her feeling were so back and forth it almost seemed like two different characters at times. Because of this I felt the romance suffered a bit too. Why did Serena even like Cory, let alone fall in "love".
However, as I stated before, Taite is a great crime writer, so the rest of the story helped make up for the short-comings. I also liked that Skye from The Best Defense had a small roll in this book.
If you are a fan of LesFic crime books, Carsen Taite is a must to read.
May 29, 2019
Enjoyable - two stories colliding which at times felt seperate- the love story and the lawyer fighting for her career, well, actually, perhaps not fighting as I'd expect. A good story though which kept me entertained. Thank you.
June 30, 2022
good story
Carsen Taite is an excellent writer and this story reflects it in leaps and bounds.
The two main characters Corie and Serena were well developed and had a lot of character. The Justice Clinic represented what the Innocent Program is all about in real life.
The love between Corie and Serena was developing but the real story was the efforts to save Eric (Serena’s brother) from death row. All told, this was a very good story!!
Carsen Taite is an excellent writer and this story reflects it in leaps and bounds.
The two main characters Corie and Serena were well developed and had a lot of character. The Justice Clinic represented what the Innocent Program is all about in real life.
The love between Corie and Serena was developing but the real story was the efforts to save Eric (Serena’s brother) from death row. All told, this was a very good story!!
October 7, 2020
Life & love aren't so black & white
Its unique & captivating storyline, spectacular in its complexity, fluidity & intensity creates a very compelling & entertaining book. With a nice flowing effortless progression, engaging narrative incorporating such formidably vulnerable & passionately flawed characters made it an easy read.
Continuing with a good, entertaining story with interesting characters & hot sex scenes extremely well written… your only thought is—What's gonna come next?
Its unique & captivating storyline, spectacular in its complexity, fluidity & intensity creates a very compelling & entertaining book. With a nice flowing effortless progression, engaging narrative incorporating such formidably vulnerable & passionately flawed characters made it an easy read.
Continuing with a good, entertaining story with interesting characters & hot sex scenes extremely well written… your only thought is—What's gonna come next?
September 17, 2017
What a read! This writer certainly knows the ins and out of the court room and the language was so easy to follow I felt I was practically watching the scenes rather than reading them. The writer has a wonderful way of absorbing readers with background conversations without boring or deviating from the premise...I loved this skill most especially. I would have appreciated more erotic references but hey...the book is brilliant.
September 29, 2017
I enjoyed how the characters developed. Also that there was an important side story. Not only the story of the two girls.
June 19, 2025
Serena Washington has been jerked out of her normal life by news her estranged brother is on death row in Texas. Believing his innocence, she contacts the Innocence Project for help.
Cory Lance was facing suspension or disbarment, so agrees to volunteer at Innocence Project where, of course, Serena drops her brother's case in her lap.
Demerit for the cover. I'm just... huh? at it. I mean, there's a bit of sex in the book, but really nor much...
Cory Lance was facing suspension or disbarment, so agrees to volunteer at Innocence Project where, of course, Serena drops her brother's case in her lap.
Demerit for the cover. I'm just... huh? at it. I mean, there's a bit of sex in the book, but really nor much...
December 14, 2020
I enjoyed the underlying story here, but did feel the events leading up to the final result (with both the women & the case) were just a bit too coincidental to be really believable. Otherwise a good read as with all of this author's books...
December 22, 2024
I loved the telling of the investigation and gathering of additional evidence and interviews for possible re-trial. The interaction of the characters held my attention. The premise of this story should be impatience runs rampant.
July 6, 2017
A nice legal drama with a fast-paced push/pull romance on the side.
February 26, 2017
It is a simple and sweet romance story. A public prosecutor, Cory had to work for a non-profit defence clinic, for a short term, as part of her probation on alleged prosecutorial misconduct case. While working on one of the pro-bono cases at the clinic, she meets defendant's sister, Sarena. The chemistry between them instantaneous that evolves over the course of time. There were also few pleasant visits from Skye Keaton.
It is a happy ending story, revolves around main characters, and easy read. The writing could have been better with some punchy dialogues as well as exploration of personality traits of the main or supporting characters. Nonetheless, captivating story telling and definitely worth reading if you are into romances.
It is a happy ending story, revolves around main characters, and easy read. The writing could have been better with some punchy dialogues as well as exploration of personality traits of the main or supporting characters. Nonetheless, captivating story telling and definitely worth reading if you are into romances.
December 26, 2014
Ok mindless read. I'm always frustrated with stories that have potentially a lot more to tell are pressed into the romance formula.
May 16, 2016
Good story
I enjoyed all the aspects of the story. It is interesting to read about the law side of things as well as the relationships.
I enjoyed all the aspects of the story. It is interesting to read about the law side of things as well as the relationships.
March 13, 2013
count as a must read!!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews