Rating: Summary: Wow! Review: I thought this book was great. I know that Emma Holly's work gets mixed reviews, but I highly recommend it.
Rating: Summary: well written erotic romance Review: here finally is a nice blend of erotica with historical romance. The description from the back cover reads : When her beloved father passes away, Florence Fairleigh finds herself alone in the world. All she wants is a man who will treat her kindly and support her financially . . . and she's come to London to find him. Exward Burbrooke thinks marriage is the only way to save his brother Freddie - and thier family - from scandalous ruin. As head of the family, Edward has vowed to find Freddie a bride - and fast . . . Thrown together by Edward, Florence and Freddie make a perfect pair - until edward realises that he has feelings for his brother's betrothed.
Rating: Summary: Beyond insatiable erotic/historical romance! Review: I don't often read traditional romance novels, but I couldn't resist the fact that Emma Holly had penned this one. I am so glad I gave it a whirl! This is one of the most insatiable erotic/historical romance novels I've ever read.Florence Fairleigh has lost her father and financial security. She has to marry someone who could give her the financial and moral support that she now needs. So, she travels from Lancashire to London to improve her prospects of finding the same. As luck would have it, she finds the perfect candidate. Edward Burbrooke seeks a wife for his brother Freddie -- for a marriage is the only thing that could save his brother from the scandals and rumors surrounding his sexual preference. But little had Edward envisaged the aching lust and soaring feelings the sweet, albeit sensual Florence has kindled in him. Will he be able to resist temptation? I love the mounting tension between the protagonists, the delicious eroticism and the story's fluid motion. However, what I liked most about this novel is the setting -- Victorian England. I'm a sucker for historical novels and the romance and eroticism in this novel are the icing on the cake. Emma Holly has become one of my favorite erotic writers. I like the not-holds-barred erotica she writes for Black Lace, but she's proven that she has a penchant for romance as well. I recommend this beautiful novel. Again, I'm glad I gave it a whirl.
Rating: Summary: A great debut in traditional romance Review: Her Black Lace books have won legions of fans and now author Emma Holly brings her own special brand of sensual adventures to traditional romance with her first novel, BEYOND INNOCENCE. The author easily surpasses other authors of erotic romance in this book filled with multi-layered characters, a plot with meat to it and steamy love scenes that are not just page fillers but actually advance the story. When Florence Fairleigh travels to London in 1873 to meet with her recently deceased father's solicitor, little did she know that the meeting would have far-reaching implications that would affect her life forever. Originally thinking to secure a position as perhaps a governess or teacher, Florence is, instead, thrust into London's social whirl in a plot to encourage a marriage for young Freddie Burbrooke, in the hope of settling him down and sparing him society's censure. In the process, Freddie's brother, Edward, earl of Greystowe realizes he has feelings for his brother's intended-feelings that deepen and finally are reciprocated. But can a true and lasting relationship be built on a foundation of lies? As much as I like the eroticism of this author's work, in this instance I especially enjoyed the warm relationship between the two brothers, the caring and concern Edward (the older) had for his younger, homosexual brother, Freddie. It softened Edward's dark, stern outward personality and made him more real. BEYOND INNOCENCE hooked me from the first page and never let me down. I found myself reading long after I would have put another book down for the night just to discover how the situation would resolve itself. Emma Holly's Black Lace books are all on my 'keeper' shelf and now that she's taken her skill and talent into the traditional field, it looks as if I may have to add more space on the shelf.
Rating: Summary: A KEEPER Review: I found this book as I was browsing the ... book section. The cover of the book caught my attention because I love the Regency and Victorian periods. Since I had never read this author, I didn't know what to expect; but after reading the prologue, I took a chance and bought it. I LOVE THIS BOOK! The characterizations, the story line and the beautiful writing combined with the erotic love scenes make this book a keeper. I subscribe to Romantic Times magazine, and I looked back at the review of this book. The reviewer only gave this book 2 stars; she seemed to question Emma Holly's understanding of the time period and the morals of young ladies; and quoting, "...her attempt at writing an erotic romance falls a bit short." Well, that reviewer is wrong. I hope Ms. Holly keeps writing books set in the 1800's, and keeps writing great erotica.
Rating: Summary: 41/2 stars....A very good book! Review: Emma Holly is known more for her erotica than romances, so when I started this book, I knew I was in for a hot hot read...and to be sure I was not disappointed. I loved the 'sweet' erotica mixed with the believable romance, and even the issue of Freddie's homosexuality was dealt with nicely and not just skimmed over. Edward was one of the BEST heroes I have read about in a loooong while. Stuffy and dour from outside and seething with repressed sexuality inside...just my kind of a guy! I am off to read Beyond Seduction now, and hope Ms Holly writes a couple of historicals soon, instead of the Werewolf books she is experimenting with now!
Rating: Summary: Resplendently Erotic Review: I loved this book. Extremely erotic with several plot turns and situations that were unexpected. I couldn't put it down. I had to know what they were going to do next. Emma Holly captures the emotions complicated situations and gives a modern feel to a story from another century and a society that didn't value women much. Yet her female characters were strong and sometimes flawed as were her male characters. And lets not forget the erotic love scenes. Too Hot to mention on the net. You must read the book
Rating: Summary: Okay Review: Yes, it was pretty steamy, but it just wasn't a page turner. Even the [physical] scenes were stilted - no romance or love, just mechanical [physical scenes]. Edward plots to launch Florence upon society as his cousin in an effort to have her marry his brother, Freddie. The problem with this is that Freddie [prefers men], and although he loves Florence, he could never be in love with her. Edward is a different story, however. He spends the whole book lusting after our heroine, of course he getting her in the end. But the characters were so shallow. Ms. Holly tried to make Edward strong and sensitive but she only seemed to be weak and naive. And as for Florence, she isn't treated as a person for most of the book. Edward lies to her, spies on her, uses her and she just takes it. Sure, she gets 'satisfaction' from the [relationship], but her character is so two-dimensional and she doesn't get any satisfaction from the relationship. ...
Rating: Summary: Slightly beyond boring Review: Well, I am not sure what your definition of erotic romance is, but this was not mine. The character Edward was flat and the heroine so naive as to be unbelievable. Yet she allows him to take all sort of liberties including tying her up, oral sex, and having it off with himself all over the place and her (sorry, there is no other way to put it.) Most of the time she is a passive recipient to all that is done to her, and she is just an object. There is only one full-on scene when he finally really makes love to her and she gets to engage in the action, and it is so weak as to be really dull and anti-climactic. It is all the way at the end of the book-hundred of pages of nothing but gushing and will they won't they at last. Ugh. I can understand the fooling around without actual sex in terms of historical accuracy because he fears her getting pregnant, and does not want to do the dirty on his brother. What I don't understand is scene after scene of it which never really advances the story very much and does not appear to do anything to advance the 'love' part in the book. At times it is as romantic as an anatomy lesson. And the numerous rude words for his anatomy are all gratuitous-I mean, the girl would have to have lived in a nunnery to not know even the rudiments of what things are called. There is no sexual awakening for her, just his pursuit to what he wants in the end. I can't see any woman getting caught up in this book, or feeling swept away by love, just boredom. The author has an interesting facility for language, but lacks the full package of emotional intensity and a real joyous feel good factor at the end so that the reader is convinced of the happy ever after with real commitment, not just ravening lust (and not even much of that).
Rating: Summary: A fun blend of sex and Regency tradition Review: Awkward and unconvincing here and there, but not bad. As a fan of the old Heyer-style regency romances I enjoyed the blend of the old types and situations (the setting is a little more modern, but not much) with more modern-style sex scenes. Made me wonder what would happen if the more traditional writers were to juice up their old works.
|