Innocence

by Suzanne Forster

Innocent in the ways of the world when she leaves the convent, Mary Frances Murphy falls under the spell of mysterious and seductive millionaire Web Caldarone and is unable to resist the feelings he stirs in her. Original.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Mystery

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

About the author

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Suzanne Forster is living proof of William Shakespeare’s maxim that the uses of adversity are sweet. Suzanne’s writing career began by accident. Literally. A car accident ended her dreams for a career in clinical psychology. During her recovery, she began writing to fill the hours, and before she was well enough to return to graduate school, she’d sold her first book and launched a new career.
Since then Suzanne has written more than thirty novels and been the recipient of countless awards, including The National Readers’ Choice Award for Shameless, her mainstream debut. She’s received recognition for outstanding sales from Waldenbooks and Bookrak, and her recent novel, Unfinished Business, was made into a movie for the Oxygen Network.
Suzanne has a Master’s Degree in Writing Popular Fiction, and she teaches and lectures frequently. Her seminars on Women's Contemporary Fiction at UCLA and UC Riverside were rated outstanding, and her most requested workshop, "The High-Concept Synopsis," is based on personal experience. Her breakout novel, Shameless, sold on a synopsis that triggered a bidding war and garnered her a six-figure contract.
Suzanne has received considerable media attention, including a feature segment on Extra, NBC's news and entertainment magazine, and an Emmy Award–winning "Special Report" on CBS Channel 23 News. Her many print appearances include the L.A. Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Redbook and Orange Coast Magazine

Reviews

[Jul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think there's a way to explain this story that won't sound weird. Mary Frances Murray left the convent because she couldn't face a life without experiencing sex. Not that she's done much about that desire since, taking a job in the church office of a Catholic church in the barrio. Then a childhood friend shows up with bad news and an opportunity to get rid of some of her innocence. Mary Frances's sister was an escort who was very likely killed by one of her johns Webb Caldarone and her friend wants Mary Frances to become an escort for the same man to seek proof that he's responsible. Mary Frances agrees, but everything becomes complicated very quickly, especially when Webb catches her snooping in his office and decides to drug her with a truth serum for answers. But is Webb really as villainous as he seems, or is there something bigger and more dangerous happening.

Again, Forster's strength is atmosphere. In this book, that means creepy and dangerous with a fine edge of titillating. Webb is so good at appearing a villain that I was unsure until nearly the end on which side of the good vs. evil spectrum he would fall. As a Catholic, I found the secondary story with the priest to be more distressing than provocative, as I found The Thorn Birds to be also when I read it. Furthermore, the first sex scene for Mary Frances is actually more disturbing than sensual, too, but this novel seems to place more importance on the story arc than on establishing a romance between hero and heroine. On the story arc level, it works since it's an intriguing story overall that I wouldn't mind re-reading in the future. Grade: B+

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guilty pleasure author with kink.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting and was very hot. It just didn't give me what I wanted. It was well written but just not my cup of tea.

[Susan (the other Susan) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple of memorably steamy scenes, early on. After that, I didn't find this very rewarding.