Title: Black Lies
Author: Alessandra Torre
Genre: Erotic Romance
Releasing: August 25th
Cover Photo: Lauren Watson-Perry, Perrywinkle Photography
Add to Goodreads
Purchase Live at:
Amazon US (Paperback only so far!
Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
Amazon Australia
Will post links as they are available!
Purchase Live at:
Amazon US (Paperback only so far!
Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
Amazon Australia
Will post links as they are available!
~Our Review~
I finished Black Lies hours and hours ago and I've been trying to find a way to write about it so that I don't spoil anything and yet somehow make sense of everything you'd need to know about reading it. Hmmmm, I guess a list is the best way to go. I told her it is like we have to join a Torre Club, like Fight Club. Because the first rule is: Keep the Secret.
1. I love that Alessandra never writes the same thing twice; she's always taking on new things and I love that she keeps it fresh. (I know what you're thinking..you're thinking about Sex, Love, Repeat..but trust me, it is NOT that.) I thought so too. Which led to some seriously ridiculously off the wall predictions. I DID NOT figure out anything, at any time. And my jaw literally dropped as the story unfolded. I have been in awe all day of this story, and how much I loved it. I think I am driving Shel crazaaaaayyyyy, and probably Alessandra too at this point by how much I have been gushing.
2. The writing in this one was ...for lack of better way to describe it..spare. It was stripped of anything superfluous and never tried to be pretty. It was a perfect fit for the subject; the story wasn't supposed to be pretty and angsty and fantasy-like..it was not a sweet little romance. It was at times cold, other times mysterious, and yet there was always a current of passion or desire or want that seemed to keep you engaged and hoping that things would work out the way they were supposed to. As any time there is a love triangle, and infidelity, I go into it with one hand over my face, peeking through my eyes. I cannot look away, but experience trepidation. As always, Alessandra said...wait and see. Well..let me tell you, I now see! Like Shelley said, the writing blew us away. I was thinking throughout that the pace of the story, the deception, all of the moving parts...kept me so freaking engaged that I hoped that all 3 boys (spouse, and pups) would stay asleep a little longer this morning so I could keep reading. Aaah!
3. The steam. Alessandra writes things that are hotter than hot. I'm fairly certain that most of her readers use her words as fuel for their fantasies (see the FB Torreville fan page, if you're not convinced..hello ladies..keep up the good work!). What is interesting to me about this particular steamy novel is that the more involved I was in the story, the less I cared about the sex (shocking, I know). It was hot, don't get me wrong, but I was so invested in finding out the answers to all of my questions that the characters' sex lives was just a small piece to my overall enjoyment. Right? The way the story timeline went. We fell for one. Then the other. And were right there with Lana along the way. Each tiny morsel of information was more important than the last. Where was this going? How could it last? Somewhere, someway you just knew that a crash was coming. Where, from whom, or when are all serious questions...and yes, girl can still write the sex.
4. The story was definitely unlike anything we've reviewed..which doesn't surprise me because it's Alessandra (see #1). There was a lot to explore and uncover and a lesser writer might've not been able to weave all of the pieces and parts into a story that felt finished. Though, in a perfect world, with a limitless word count and infinite time to write, I'd love for this novel to have more about all of the characters and their pasts. It's not that that isn't shared, but I guess I wanted to know more because they were all so fascinating. I've been thinking about these characters a lot...like they're real (haha) and I want to know everything...
I agree. I added this one to my life-changer shelf list. I have not done that since January! And oh my goodness, I have deemed this the best book I have read this year and quite possibly ever. That is a huge feat for anyone, and Alessandra proved to me that she puts so much heart and soul into every project she releases. There is so much to this story. The writing has me in awe. I believed in every single character's plight, and motivation, simply because Alessandra made it so. I have tried so hard in this review to not release a spoiler, and hopefully we've done that. I had a lay-on-the-bed-and-stare-at-the-ceiling-type-pondering-book-finishing moments today, with many delayed holy shit going through my mind. Alessandra Torre and this book hold a special place in this book lover's heart.
I agree. I added this one to my life-changer shelf list. I have not done that since January! And oh my goodness, I have deemed this the best book I have read this year and quite possibly ever. That is a huge feat for anyone, and Alessandra proved to me that she puts so much heart and soul into every project she releases. There is so much to this story. The writing has me in awe. I believed in every single character's plight, and motivation, simply because Alessandra made it so. I have tried so hard in this review to not release a spoiler, and hopefully we've done that. I had a lay-on-the-bed-and-stare-at-the-ceiling-type-pondering-book-finishing moments today, with many delayed holy shit going through my mind. Alessandra Torre and this book hold a special place in this book lover's heart.
5. The ending. So you get to "THE END" and you think okay... Flip the page and read the epilogue. OH MY SHIT. I feel like we need a second book. NOW. Please? Hahahaha. I loved it!!!
Shelley: 5 stars
Courtney: 5 Stars
Q. You always surprise us with your subject matter..and we love it...where in the world do these ideas come from? Cammers? DeLuca? Lana? Brothers??? Stripper turned imposter turned into wife? WE LOVE THEM ALL...Do you remember your first images/thoughts for Black Lies?
A. My initial plan was to have a female lead, and the story to have a girl version of Brant. I wrote a few chapters in that vein, then thought -- how much cooler if it was a man with this secret? I came to that idea while in the middle of the supermarket. I ran, like a crazy woman, through the aisles until I found a pad of paper and there, in the middle of Aisle 7, scribbled down a few scenes.
Q. I'm sure people are going to ask...any chance you'll continue Black Lies into a second book? I feel like there could be more there?
A. No. Black Lies is done. I can't imagine revisiting that world without - in some way - screwing it up. I think there needs to be some loose ends, some freedom for the readers to envision where their lives go from there.
Q. Once you wrap up the sequel to 6e, do you have ideas for anything new or will you take a break? (You've been so busy...)
A.Sequel to 6E is now back at the publisher, so I am working on STILL -- the novella that was originally pubbed in the Bend anthology. I'm expanding that novella into a full-length standalone novel. My 'break' is scheduled for December/Jan, after Still releases. :)
Q. Speaking of busy..between book signing events, writing, moving, family, and social media..you managed to get an article in Elle. How did that come to happen? (Congratulations...we're so excited for you!)
A. I met the editor of Elle, Maggie Bullock, for lunch about a year ago -- a purely social lunch. That meeting lead to her attending a NYC signing event and that introduction to our world. I think, once someone peeks into erotica, it's hard to step away without wanting to know more. :)
Q. How different is your life now versus when you sat down to write your first novel? Is it what you hoped it would be?
A. When I first started to write Blindfolded Innocence, it was a pet project. Just something to pass the time. I did no marketing, knew no bloggers, didn't even have a facebook page.
Courtney: 5 Stars
Q+A with Alessandra!
Q. You always surprise us with your subject matter..and we love it...where in the world do these ideas come from? Cammers? DeLuca? Lana? Brothers??? Stripper turned imposter turned into wife? WE LOVE THEM ALL...Do you remember your first images/thoughts for Black Lies?
A. My initial plan was to have a female lead, and the story to have a girl version of Brant. I wrote a few chapters in that vein, then thought -- how much cooler if it was a man with this secret? I came to that idea while in the middle of the supermarket. I ran, like a crazy woman, through the aisles until I found a pad of paper and there, in the middle of Aisle 7, scribbled down a few scenes.
Q. I'm sure people are going to ask...any chance you'll continue Black Lies into a second book? I feel like there could be more there?
A. No. Black Lies is done. I can't imagine revisiting that world without - in some way - screwing it up. I think there needs to be some loose ends, some freedom for the readers to envision where their lives go from there.
Q. Once you wrap up the sequel to 6e, do you have ideas for anything new or will you take a break? (You've been so busy...)
A.Sequel to 6E is now back at the publisher, so I am working on STILL -- the novella that was originally pubbed in the Bend anthology. I'm expanding that novella into a full-length standalone novel. My 'break' is scheduled for December/Jan, after Still releases. :)
Q. Speaking of busy..between book signing events, writing, moving, family, and social media..you managed to get an article in Elle. How did that come to happen? (Congratulations...we're so excited for you!)
A. I met the editor of Elle, Maggie Bullock, for lunch about a year ago -- a purely social lunch. That meeting lead to her attending a NYC signing event and that introduction to our world. I think, once someone peeks into erotica, it's hard to step away without wanting to know more. :)
Q. How different is your life now versus when you sat down to write your first novel? Is it what you hoped it would be?
A. When I first started to write Blindfolded Innocence, it was a pet project. Just something to pass the time. I did no marketing, knew no bloggers, didn't even have a facebook page.
Now, 'book stuff' takes up 8-10 hours a day. I have a full team that helps me. I write every day, and am much more structured about prioritizing time for writing. I have professionals who help with my editing, covers, etc. It is a business, and - in every aspect except reader interaction and writing flow - is treated as such. It is nothing like what I would have imagined but it is what is crucial to be successful in this market. I am overjoyed to be able to have 'found my calling' and do what I love.
About the Author
Alessandra Torre is an exciting new author who astonished the publishing world with the success of her first novel, Blindfolded Innocence. Initially self-published, the intriguing romance and erotica title quickly rose to the top of the charts on Kindle and Amazon and attracted the interest of major publishing houses. Currently available on Kindle, iBookstore and Nook, Blindfolded Innocence will be available in print in 30 different countries through Harlequin Publishing in June 2013.
Torre’s captivating story about a young intern’s sexual awakening has won praise and rave reviews from numerous critics, bloggers and book reviewers, including the acclaimed Dr. Laura Berman. In her recent article “35 to Read After 50″ in Everyday Health, Dr. Berman recommended Blindfolded as a must-read for book enthusiasts searching for a new fix after Fifty Shades of Grey. The book has also received high marks from readers on Goodreads and other literary web sites where fans frequently remark they can’t wait for a Blindfolded sequel!
Email her at alessandratorre4@gmail.com
* Like her on facebook
* Follow her on twitter
* Fan her at www.goodreads.com/AlessandraTorre
* Follow her on pinterest
Post a Comment
Comments are bloggy food.
Feed our blog...