4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A Waste of Time, March 22, 2009
This review is from: A Woman's Innocence (Mass Market Paperback)
The last of the spymaster trilogy, this book zeroes in upon the outcome of Julia's arrest that took place on the previous book for betraying her country. From the start of the book, Sam, got implicated into a murder related to her case, and he masterfully helped her escape from prison. And they proceeded to attempt to discover who the true traitor was by going to Julia and her brother's family home masquerading as two constables. Sam's family were employed for generations under Julia's estate, and one by one, they discover their true identity. By searching the house and interviewing the staff, they soon discover who the real traitor was, and in the end exonerated both Julia and Sam, and other pieces of their "shattered" lives were resolved and they lived happily ever after.
First of all, Julia kept acting upon her own wisdom without the writer giving us a heads-up, and makes her appear impulsive. For example, when Sam had a rival tied up in one of the rooms with every intention to question him further, Julia on her way up to her room by herself, suddenly waltzes into that room, and frees him! He was to be their only living witness, and she lets him go? What idiot would do that. When Sam finds out, you'd think he'd be furious, but instead, he feels touched that she would save him the agony of potential guilt when he would have possibly tortured him in order to gather info. I would have wringed her neck.
The character development of both characters were sorely lacking. Julia was supposed to be educated, widely traveled, and sexually experienced, yet she came off as being too naive, her problem solving skills were not expressed nearly enough to demonstrate an intelligent, independent woman. As their situation got precarious, she keeps thinking about having sex w/ Sam instead of the case at hand. She didn't express nervousness as much as wanting to be close to someone. But then a fleeting thought would flitter across her brain about the possibility of going back to prison, and maybe executed?! I would have rings under my eyes from the worry, but not Julia.
Lastly, Sam was an interesting character, but was not developed enough. He was likeable, but his "disturbing past" working overseas was totally no big deal. Oftentimes people are forced to become a different person during times of war or during life and death situations. Somehow, this stain from his past implied that he had become some sort of monster, but he never acted like a monster, even when he put on his malicious face, I felt that should be expected, so I don't know why Julia was so concerned.
I'm still determined to read all of Callen's books, but I have to say, this was not one of her best. It wasn't even good.
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
FInal Installment of Spies and Lovers trilogy, June 3, 2005
This review is from: A Woman's Innocence (Mass Market Paperback)
A WOMAN'S INNOCENCE is the third and final novel in the Spies and Lovers trilogy, written by talented author Gayle Callen. This historical romance is an exciting romp through history, peppered with adventure and steeped in forbidden love. The characters shine through with pure Callen style and the plot is fast-paced and stimulating. Readers who love a bit of suspense and intrigue with their romance will adore Gayle Callen's latest novel.
Though the book can be read as a stand-alone romance, I'd highly recommend reading all three in the trilogy just to get a feel for the richness of the Spies and Lovers history. Callen truly has a gift - weaving an intricate and fascinating tale and filling it with characters that come to life upon the page. I actually find myself sorry to see the last of the sexy, sensitive spies and their witty, outrageous lovers! If only there were one more book in the series...
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great conclusion to this series!, April 22, 2005
This review is from: A Woman's Innocence (Mass Market Paperback)
I think it helps to read this series in order! I loved the books that came before and Julia had seemed possibly innocent of the crimes against her. It was great to see the hero of her whole life come back and save her. You had to really like Sam, it is always fun to read about a spy at work and their disguises and how they fool people. It was also very touching how he could not fool his brother - that showed a deep family love there. Both Sam and Julia were the product of her being so far above his station in life when they were younger and both loving each other from afar for so many years that it caused them bad choices in their lives. The mystery of who really did the treason was not much of a mystery but more how they were going to prove that Julia did not. It was a good plot and the chemistry between Sam and Julia is evident from beginning to end. I especially loved the epilogue and all the couples coming together - all having their happy endings! A truly great book - Gayle Callen never disappoints!
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