Deeper Than Desire
by Cheryl Holt
Lady Olivia Hopkins is forced to seek a marriage proposal to the wealthy middle-aged Earl of Salisbury in order to save her family from becoming destitute. While at the earl's estate she discovers a book of erotica in his library late one evening that sets her innocence on fire with the sensual drawings. Before she knows it a devilishly handsome man catches her looking at the book. And looking at him stirs her imagination and captures her heart.
Philip Paxton, the earl's illegitimate son, thinks to humiliate his father by compromising his bride-to-be by offering her some sexual escapades into the world of passion. What starts out as nightly lessons that electrify the senses turns into a love affair of the heart. How can this be? How can they possibly marry? Olivia has a duty to her family even though she has no interest in marrying the earl. Philip never expects anything more than an affair to upset his father. Oh, what a coil. This is similar to Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream where all sorts of lovers are sneaking out and meeting to satisfy their passions.
Believe me, there are all sorts of troubles ahead for the Hopkins women, which include Olivia's stepmother Margaret, the witch from hell, her daughter Penny who can think of more devious ways to cause trouble than a poisonous snake, and dear Winnie, a destitute relative of Margaret's who was taken in years ago when she was in trouble. They all hold secrets that if revealed would upset the marriage applecart so to speak. There are three love affairs to deal with, keeping you flipping the pages wondering how it will all come out. Phillip and Olivia's sensual affair will set you aflame, and the earl does a darn good job of losing his inhibitions as the older man. Oh yeah! This is a great story that keeps you thinking, panting, and fantasying.
The thing that I like best about Cheryl Holt's writing is that she makes her characters come alive as their stories unfold. You get mad, glad, sad, and sexy as the devil while reading her glorious books that not only are well written erotic stories but they have substance and a good storyline concerning the characters' lives that make them human and realistic. This is a writer to watch because she is going places. Ms. Holt delivers stories that you love reading. They are hot and spicy, filled with compelling characters that set your heart to racing with her imaginative and titillating storytelling. If this is your cup of tea then you can sip on love on the steamy side
“A thought-provoking, sizzling story that keeps you thinking and panting!”
March 2004, 384 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 0312992823
With her family in dire straits, Olivia Hopkins reluctantly agrees to seek a marriage proposal from the aging Earl of Salisbury. But the plan goes awry when she finds an erotic volume in the earl's library. The book sets Olivia's body on fire. She simply cannot put it down--until she is caught red-handed by the Earl's devilishly handsome son--a man who quickens her pulse and stirs her imagination with thoughts she's never dared entertain…
Phillip Paxton can't believe his good luck. Catching Olivia with the scandalous volume offers a superb chance to humiliate the father he despises. Using the books as bait, Phillip lures Olivia into an electrifying affair that explodes into unbridled lessons of passion. Phillip never expects to become enamored with his ravishing pupil. But what begins as a rakish scheme soon becomes a genuine affair of the heart--one that Phillip will protect at any cost…
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Other Books by Cheryl Holt
Too Hot to Handle
“Emily Barnett finds out that applying for a governess position is not all that it seems.”
– Valarie Pelissero
Further Than Passion
“Can a love potion work on a notorious rogue and an innocent woman?”
– Yvonne Choi
