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93rd out of 352 books
—
657 voters
Beyond Seduction (Beyond Duet #2)
by
Emma Holly (Goodreads Author),
Judy York
To avoid marriage, Merry Vance has concocted a sinfully scandalous scheme: to pose for Nicolas Craven, London's most sought-after artist. No man in his right mind would marry a woman who posed nude for this notorious rogue.
But Nicolas has his own plans for the fiesty young woman. And Merry has no idea how hot it can get in an artist's studio.
But Nicolas has his own plans for the fiesty young woman. And Merry has no idea how hot it can get in an artist's studio.
Paperback, 297 pages
Published
June 28th 2002
by Jove
(first published May 28th 2002)
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1,352)
Nov 27, 2011
Eastofoz
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Readers who enjoy Robin Schone or borderline romance/erotica
Shelves:
historical-regency,
e-book
A beautifully written fire engine red hot story that will leave you with an overwhelming feeling of happiness at the end.
Merry Vance thinks she’s a plain Jane and everyone has pretty much treated her that way. She doesn’t want to marry the person her mother has set up for her so she plans a brilliant scheme to dishonor herself so as never having to marry anyone and then she can do whatever she wants with her life. Enter the highly successful sexy painter Nicolas Craven who shows Merry how beauti...more
Merry Vance thinks she’s a plain Jane and everyone has pretty much treated her that way. She doesn’t want to marry the person her mother has set up for her so she plans a brilliant scheme to dishonor herself so as never having to marry anyone and then she can do whatever she wants with her life. Enter the highly successful sexy painter Nicolas Craven who shows Merry how beauti...more
13 likes · like · see review
view all 13 comments
Nov 07, 2008
Julie (Mom2lnb)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of Steamy Historical Romance
"4 1/2 stars" After being less than impressed with Beyond Innocence it took me a while to talk myself into reading Beyond Seduction, but in my opinion, Emma Holly definitely redeemed herself with this one. It had the depth of emotion that I tend to prefer in my romance novels, but don't always find. It was amazing how the author could convey so much emotion with a mere touch or glance, or some other simple but meaningful gesture. This just left me with very warm feelings throughout the entire st...more
8 likes · like · see review
5+ stars!
AMAZING story, even better than the first in this duet.
I loved that Nic was instantly attracted to Merry, and saw her unique beauty, despite her not being what was "normally" considered pretty. He loved things she hated about herself, such as her hair. His constant building her up and getting on to her when she would tear down her looks endeared him to me and I really respected him for that.
The sexual tension was off the charts...these two have an immediate connection that only inten...more
AMAZING story, even better than the first in this duet.
I loved that Nic was instantly attracted to Merry, and saw her unique beauty, despite her not being what was "normally" considered pretty. He loved things she hated about herself, such as her hair. His constant building her up and getting on to her when she would tear down her looks endeared him to me and I really respected him for that.
The sexual tension was off the charts...these two have an immediate connection that only inten...more
9 likes · like · see review
As I told her, Julie (Mom2lnb) wrote such a good review of this book that I certainly don't need to do one. Just know that I agree with her, even down to the extra half star! Though not as blatantly sexual (menage alluded to, not described, for example) as the contemporary and paranormals I've read of Holly's, this is somewhat on the way to erotica, so, if that offends you, you'd best stay away.
2 likes · like · see review
A lot of people have said Emma Holly is a good writer of sensual erotic stories, I was very skeptical after the first book I read by her – Catching Midnight. I did not like it at all and have been avoiding this author for a while, however she totally grabbed me with this book. It is historical erotic romance vanilla style and highly enjoyable. I have one minus to this book - the hero didn’t figure out our gal was virgin, didn’t even consider that a possibility.
2 likes · like · see review
Aug 27, 2011
Cristina Contilli
added it
Merry Vance ha un sogno insolito per una ragazza nobile dell'epoca vittoriana: arrivare a trent'anni senza sposarsi e a quel punto, con i soldi che gli ha lasciato in eredità una zia, mettere su un allevamento di cavalli, ma i suoi genitori e in particolare la madre hanno in mente per lei il classico matrimonio con un giovane della sua condizione sociale... pur di sfuggire a questo obbligo Merry finge di partire per il Galles con un'amica, ma in realtà si sistema a casa di Nick Craven, un apprez...more
I love Nic. He is honest about what he wants and he is not afraid to give in to his baser desires. Merry however I did not like at all. She is so totally naive about the consequences of her actions and then she refuses to face up to them when the time comes. I thought her to be a selfish character and even in the end could not come to like her much.
I understand the need to be independent so I get her motivations but I disagree with her actions. Nic on the other hand I found easy to forgive for...more
I understand the need to be independent so I get her motivations but I disagree with her actions. Nic on the other hand I found easy to forgive for...more
1 like · like · see review
Oh my, if you want to read a good erotic romance which is not short of romance and has a story line, lovable characters and real sparks flying (it's hawwt), then I can recommend this little treasure!
Merry, our heroin, is supposed to marry the son of an aquantace of her parents. She refuses so her mother (due to her own very selfish reasons) starts to manipulate her and her aquaintances in a way, that there are no other suitors for Merry. When even this does not help she tries to blackmail her in...more
Merry, our heroin, is supposed to marry the son of an aquantace of her parents. She refuses so her mother (due to her own very selfish reasons) starts to manipulate her and her aquaintances in a way, that there are no other suitors for Merry. When even this does not help she tries to blackmail her in...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I spent a summer almost a decade ago reading nothing but historical romance. I had all kinds of love-hate responses to the genre's traditions, character types, conflicts and resolutions, language, and gender norms.
This novel offered me much more love than hate. Holly uses the genre but pushes its boundaries, including a quirky heroine, mentions of bisexuality, and deliciously creative sex scenes. And she knows how to write, resisting repetition, cliche, and purple prose. I marked several scenes...more
This novel offered me much more love than hate. Holly uses the genre but pushes its boundaries, including a quirky heroine, mentions of bisexuality, and deliciously creative sex scenes. And she knows how to write, resisting repetition, cliche, and purple prose. I marked several scenes...more
#2 "Beyond" Duet (two book series) Historical Romance
Very entertaining, steamy story ... I loved Merry, the headstrong, smart heroine who fights tooth and nail to avoid marriage to a man she does not love. Merry wants her freedom in an age where women must follow their family wishes and marry a "suitable" man.
Merry, in desperation, trapped despite her best efforts to remain single, resorts to a plan to make herself unmarriageable by tarnishing her repution.
Nicholas Craven, the artist, is a swoon...more
Very entertaining, steamy story ... I loved Merry, the headstrong, smart heroine who fights tooth and nail to avoid marriage to a man she does not love. Merry wants her freedom in an age where women must follow their family wishes and marry a "suitable" man.
Merry, in desperation, trapped despite her best efforts to remain single, resorts to a plan to make herself unmarriageable by tarnishing her repution.
Nicholas Craven, the artist, is a swoon...more
Oct 20, 2009
Jacqueline
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Really, anyone and no one. It might work for others, but didn't do squat for me
Recommended to Jacqueline by:
Me, Myself and I
Shelves:
genre-romance-historical
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
In this book we have an adventurous, somewhat selfish, hoyden heroine who meets and takes advantage of an eccentric artist to despoil herself for marriage. I enjoyed these characters, especially Nic the artist. It was nice to read a regency without an uptight alpha-male. Nic is a rake, however - the compassionate rake, and our heroine Merry struggles not to lose her heart (and her freedom, she fears) by falling in love with him...or any man for that matter. She plans to live as a spinster rather...more
love it, it's wild, racy, exactly the type of book to read in a bubble bath or in bed at night. It may not have the most complex plot or the most lovable characters, but the background of London and Venice is interesting. I also prefer historical romances over the current day ones, there's something so romantic about all the clothing that women wore back then. If you enjoyed this novel, you may also like Intense Blue by Lyn Wood. It's also about encounters between artists and models.
I always found Emma Holly to be an extremely sensible author who manages to stand out by pulling off great steamy romances without being overly formulaic but this time I was a tad disappointed because the story was rather heavy on the drama and too cheesy at times. Still a very entertaining read.. just not what I expected.
The reason for the three stars is mostly because I ended up skimming some pages as it got pretty boring. I liked the hero and heroine separately - I thought they were endearing and well-developed as characters. Nic's friends, I didn't like them that much - same goes for Merry's brothers. Still, it was a fun read.
This book opened a new world to me. It will always be one of my favorites, especially for showing me that there can be smutty stories out there, that still have some story in them. Not much, but enough. :)
I would have LOVED this if it wasn't written by Emma Holly. I was expecting more erotic romance, not a sweetly sexy historical romance. The characters were great & the storyline was wonderful. Excellent!
I had to skim through it. I got it of PBS from the reviews and thought it would be good. It was OK it just could not hold my attention. Maybe I need to read another book from Emma Holly to get into her.
Loved it! A great, erotic, historical romance! The characters were endearing and I found myself smiling at them and with them throughout the book. Highly recommended!!
I loved this book, hated it to have to end. The hero was smoking hot, incredibly well written his occupation as a painter... HOT....his heroine was adorable....her mother what a b*tch, never liked the woman...not even at the end. Very different storylines in it... really enjoyed it!
LOVED THIS BOOK I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN IT WAS AMAZING. I LOVE ALL OF EMMA HOLLY'S BOOKS.
I just got this book from Amazon. I ordered it based on a review by my friend Laura. I just started reading it so I'm only into it about 30 or 40 pages, but so far I like it. The main character is well developed. I already feel as if I know her. I understand the pressures placed on her and her fears of losing herself. I look forward to her reactions to her solution to her problem.
This is well written so far.
-Joe-
This book started strong, then slowed down. It became predictable, even the sex. It...more
This is well written so far.
-Joe-
This book started strong, then slowed down. It became predictable, even the sex. It...more
OK the other one was SO good, I had to buy another. However, I will say, these are the only two books that I loved of Emma Holly. Her others are more sci-fi and mystical erotica.
To avoid marriage, Merry Vance has concocted a sinfully scandalous scheme: to pose for Nicolas Craven, London's most sought-after artist. No man in his right mind would marry a woman who posed nude for this notorious rogue.
But Nicolas has his own plans for the fiesty young woman. And Merry has no idea how hot it can ge...more
To avoid marriage, Merry Vance has concocted a sinfully scandalous scheme: to pose for Nicolas Craven, London's most sought-after artist. No man in his right mind would marry a woman who posed nude for this notorious rogue.
But Nicolas has his own plans for the fiesty young woman. And Merry has no idea how hot it can ge...more
For the full review -- including other romance novels Alaina owns and why, and also, the actual review of the book -- follow the link to That's What She Read.
Historical erotic romance
Aug 09, 2010
Patti
added it
This is my favorite book of all time. I think I've read it about 12 times. This book sets the standard by which I judge all others. It's a gem.
Well I must say I had tried once one of Ms Holly erotica books and I really disliked it. I decided to try and read her historicals to see if my opinion would be the same.
It was a pleasant surprise because although filled with long sex scenes this book also had a story. It made sense and it worked for me. Much better IMHO than the previous book - Beyond Innocence. It's not a keeper but it was an ok read!
It was a pleasant surprise because although filled with long sex scenes this book also had a story. It made sense and it worked for me. Much better IMHO than the previous book - Beyond Innocence. It's not a keeper but it was an ok read!
Nicholas impagabile!! Merry scialba ma deliziosa!!!
Consigliatissimo per per lunghe serate invernali, comode in poltrona. Da leccarsi i baffi!
Consigliatissimo per per lunghe serate invernali, comode in poltrona. Da leccarsi i baffi!
I never thought I'd say this but there was too much sex and too little growth together as characters.
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I'm a USA Today bestselling author who LOVES the hot stuff, both to read and to write. My favorite obsessions are all things coffee, almost everything on HGTV, and dreaming up new stories.
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