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Eye of the Beholder, A Steamy Historical Romance
Grayson Adams is living a double life in Victorian England. By day, he paints erotic pictures, by evening he attends the balls where eager mamas throw their virginal daughters at him, though he is merely the youngest son of a baron. Lately, however, he’s lost his muse, and wonders what it would be like to paint one of those virginal society misses.
Sarah Dusenberry is enduring her fifth season, and is tired of her mother pushing her toward a husband, when it’s clear no man wants her. Why can’t she just travel with a companion, lead the life of a well-off spinster? But her mother wants her to have the protection of a man and will not part with the funds Sarah needs for her dream of travel. In search of her own funds, she answers an ad for an artist’s model, never thinking of how she’ll be modeling—or how much she’ll enjoy it.
Grayson becomes entranced with his new model and pursues her in society as he struggles to keep his distance in the studio. What will Sarah do when she learns the truth?
THIS BOOK CONTAINS EROTIC CONTENT.
Sarah Dusenberry is enduring her fifth season, and is tired of her mother pushing her toward a husband, when it’s clear no man wants her. Why can’t she just travel with a companion, lead the life of a well-off spinster? But her mother wants her to have the protection of a man and will not part with the funds Sarah needs for her dream of travel. In search of her own funds, she answers an ad for an artist’s model, never thinking of how she’ll be modeling—or how much she’ll enjoy it.
Grayson becomes entranced with his new model and pursues her in society as he struggles to keep his distance in the studio. What will Sarah do when she learns the truth?
THIS BOOK CONTAINS EROTIC CONTENT.
71 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2011
69 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 23, 2016
Eye of the Beholder is an erotic romance written in a historical setting. Sarah Dusenberry is 21, and her mother is desperate that she find someone suitable to be married off to. Sarah’s average looks and her strong willed nature makes her a less an ideal candidate for the gents of the ton when it comes to choosing a bride, which is the reason why Sarah spends her time at the balls glued to the wall, as if on the outside, looking in.
Grayson Adams, the youngest son of the Baron of Cricksham, is a man who leads a double life. A man who has made a fortune in painting and selling erotic art, Grayson has been feeling out of sorts of late, as if in need of a new muse that would get his creative juices flowing. A well placed advertisement gets Sarah on his doorstep, a woman who has intrigued him even before she turns up willing to be the model that he is looking for.
Fact that Sarah is a virgin makes it difficult for Grayson to act on his desires where she is concerned. But Sarah has no such qualms when it comes to the man whose touch sets of such wanton and wicked desires in her. As these two become entangled with want for each other which is strengthened by other feelings which none of them wants to put a name to, Grayson’s deception could end up being the obstacle that could break the two apart even before they can get started.
Eye of the Beholder has an interesting premise, which could have been really good if it had been a full length novel. I wish that Emma Jay would write full length novels like Two-Step Temptation which I loved so. I have always said in my reviews of her books that Emma Jay has the ability to draw a lot of emotions from the reader apart from the excellent portrayal of eroticism she strives for in her stories.
While the overall story worked for me, Eye of the Beholder had certain elements that didn’t, because it seemed a tad unrealistic for Sarah, a virgin brought up in a society that shuns wicked behavior of the sort to give up all her inhibitions, just like that, even though she had been seeking adventure for a long time. It was hard for me to understand where she was coming from because for someone who has never been exposed to pleasures of the flesh, she certainly was ready to give up all that societal indoctrination for the man who sends her senses humming. In a contemporary setting, yes, it might have worked, but with a virgin heroine in a historical setting, I just remained a bit unnerved by that.
All that aside, Eye of the Beholder provided me with the kind of read that I wanted when I picked it up. Something short that would wet my appetite for more!
Recommended for those that love erotic romances in a historical setting.
Rating = 3.5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit, www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Grayson Adams, the youngest son of the Baron of Cricksham, is a man who leads a double life. A man who has made a fortune in painting and selling erotic art, Grayson has been feeling out of sorts of late, as if in need of a new muse that would get his creative juices flowing. A well placed advertisement gets Sarah on his doorstep, a woman who has intrigued him even before she turns up willing to be the model that he is looking for.
Fact that Sarah is a virgin makes it difficult for Grayson to act on his desires where she is concerned. But Sarah has no such qualms when it comes to the man whose touch sets of such wanton and wicked desires in her. As these two become entangled with want for each other which is strengthened by other feelings which none of them wants to put a name to, Grayson’s deception could end up being the obstacle that could break the two apart even before they can get started.
Eye of the Beholder has an interesting premise, which could have been really good if it had been a full length novel. I wish that Emma Jay would write full length novels like Two-Step Temptation which I loved so. I have always said in my reviews of her books that Emma Jay has the ability to draw a lot of emotions from the reader apart from the excellent portrayal of eroticism she strives for in her stories.
While the overall story worked for me, Eye of the Beholder had certain elements that didn’t, because it seemed a tad unrealistic for Sarah, a virgin brought up in a society that shuns wicked behavior of the sort to give up all her inhibitions, just like that, even though she had been seeking adventure for a long time. It was hard for me to understand where she was coming from because for someone who has never been exposed to pleasures of the flesh, she certainly was ready to give up all that societal indoctrination for the man who sends her senses humming. In a contemporary setting, yes, it might have worked, but with a virgin heroine in a historical setting, I just remained a bit unnerved by that.
All that aside, Eye of the Beholder provided me with the kind of read that I wanted when I picked it up. Something short that would wet my appetite for more!
Recommended for those that love erotic romances in a historical setting.
Rating = 3.5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit, www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
June 4, 2011
Deliciously steamy with a refreshingly liberating ending.
January 19, 2012
A fast read that's sure to heat up your morning, afternoon, or evening (or maybe even all three). I greatly enjoyed the characters including an experienced lead male and an innocent leading lady. The story line is one familiar to readers of romance and erotic works, but it's condensed into a very short time span and relatively few pages rather than a full length novel. I was very satisfied with the character introductions, progression of the story, and conclusion. It works nicely as a short story; however, I can see how it could also benefit from being expanded into a longer read. Overall I enjoyed it and look forward to other reads by author Emma Jay.
Tip: This book uses the word "cock" freely and regularly. I'm not a fan of the word and found it a bit distracting in its overly-redundant use. This, along with a few missing/incorrect words, brought my rating from a four to a three.
Tip: This book uses the word "cock" freely and regularly. I'm not a fan of the word and found it a bit distracting in its overly-redundant use. This, along with a few missing/incorrect words, brought my rating from a four to a three.
September 22, 2011
I was really surprised by this book. It sounded good, but I didn’t have much hope that it would live up to my expectations for it. The reality was the book exceeded my expectations.
My only complaint was that it was a short story. I would have loved to see this as a full length book. I don’t normally read short stories or novellas because I’m always disappointed with them. However, I would be willing to buy this book and reread it in the future. I would also read other books by this author.
My only complaint was that it was a short story. I would have loved to see this as a full length book. I don’t normally read short stories or novellas because I’m always disappointed with them. However, I would be willing to buy this book and reread it in the future. I would also read other books by this author.
July 2, 2011
Meh. This short read was a pretty decent historical romance at best. There wasn't much to the story since it was so short... but you kind of get the gist of the storyline and the characters in it. Grayson Adams happens to have two lives where he's an erotic painter by day and an "esteemed" gentleman/younger son of a baron by night. The heroine Sarah Dusenberry is your 'typical' lady, who is almost towards the age of spinsterhood, and is not exactly drop dead gorgeous. Well, the hero sure thinks so though. I had some trouble with her because some of the moves that Sarah made were so... stupid. There were a couple of moments in the book where I wanted to hit my head against the wall because of her stupidity. I don't really have much to say about the hero either because he was so... flat? Grayson's character development didn't call out to me at all. He pretty much just wanted to get into Sarah's pants-- to put it bluntly, lol.
Oh and the romance. It felt like their relationship was built upon lust? Usually I would have no problem for that, but I tend to judge pretty high when it comes to historical romances. If Sarah was truly an innocent, why the heck would she pose nude for some stranger? What the! That is just waaaay off. I guess, just because she believes that no one will marry her, it's "okay" to do that. *Sigh* I don't know, but this one just didn't work out for me. I mean, it was okay for a nice quick read but I was also pretty disappointed as well. Overall, 3/5 stars.
Oh and the romance. It felt like their relationship was built upon lust? Usually I would have no problem for that, but I tend to judge pretty high when it comes to historical romances. If Sarah was truly an innocent, why the heck would she pose nude for some stranger? What the! That is just waaaay off. I guess, just because she believes that no one will marry her, it's "okay" to do that. *Sigh* I don't know, but this one just didn't work out for me. I mean, it was okay for a nice quick read but I was also pretty disappointed as well. Overall, 3/5 stars.
December 28, 2011
What it is about: “Grayson Adams is living a double life in Victorian England. By day, he paints erotic pictures, by evening he attends the balls where eager mamas throw their virginal daughters at him, though he is merely the youngest son of a baron. Lately, however, he’s lost his muse, and wonders what it would be like to paint one of those virginal society misses.”
My thoughts: I love sweet romance novels without much graphic information. I guess I am a little on the prude side, but I sometimes enjoy a change in the past. In this erotic romance, the author is able to interlock the eroticism and the historic story in one coherent short. Everything the characters experience is related to the story and not for the pure desire of writing an erotic story. I do think the ending was a little stretched and would like the story to end before it did.
*Synopsis taken from Amazon
My thoughts: I love sweet romance novels without much graphic information. I guess I am a little on the prude side, but I sometimes enjoy a change in the past. In this erotic romance, the author is able to interlock the eroticism and the historic story in one coherent short. Everything the characters experience is related to the story and not for the pure desire of writing an erotic story. I do think the ending was a little stretched and would like the story to end before it did.
*Synopsis taken from Amazon
March 9, 2012
This is a pretty good little story, even though it was free. Sarah is nearly a spinster, attending every ball in town because her mother doesn't want to accept that her plain little girl isn't exactly prime marriage material. She longs for adventure and feels trapped in her mother's proper English home, so on impulse she answers an ad for a model and meets Monsieur Cresson, the Italian artist who keeps his face hidden for fear of discovery. That evening, her society crush, Grayson Adams, approaches her at a ball, intrigued by the brave girl who'd bared nearly everything for his alter ego.
I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the sex. I liked that Sarah was introduced to sex gradually, rather than all at once; it drew out the sex scenes and felt more natural. You won't regret reading this one.
I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the sex. I liked that Sarah was introduced to sex gradually, rather than all at once; it drew out the sex scenes and felt more natural. You won't regret reading this one.
March 11, 2012
Grayson's a man who lives life as an erotic painter and as a gentleman who attends balls.
At twenty-one, Sarah is practically a spinster. She's given up on the idea of marriage and wants to travel Europe. When she sees an ad for an artist model, she applies...in person.
Grayson recognizes her from the balls he's attended, and he doesn't want his identity revealed to high society, so he concocts a plan to remain hidden from Sarah so he can paint her. Now, Sarah feels like she's living a double life, as the aloof Grayson has suddenly shown interest in her, but what she wants is the man behind the brush. Little does she know they are one and the same.
Overall, it was a nice piece of historical erotica/romance that had a fresh storyline and didn't take long to read.
At twenty-one, Sarah is practically a spinster. She's given up on the idea of marriage and wants to travel Europe. When she sees an ad for an artist model, she applies...in person.
Grayson recognizes her from the balls he's attended, and he doesn't want his identity revealed to high society, so he concocts a plan to remain hidden from Sarah so he can paint her. Now, Sarah feels like she's living a double life, as the aloof Grayson has suddenly shown interest in her, but what she wants is the man behind the brush. Little does she know they are one and the same.
Overall, it was a nice piece of historical erotica/romance that had a fresh storyline and didn't take long to read.
January 19, 2012
Pretty terrible, but hilariously so.
Favorite lines:
"Do you think I could let you walk away? Have I not told you that you're the most incredible woman I've ever known"
She took a step back, breaking his hold on her.
"You-I didn't think-"
"You didn't believe me."
"No"
He stroked his knuckles down her cheek. "I don't lie, Sarah. I hide things, but I don't lie."
Good luck with that one, Sarah! Also:
"When we resume, I want the strap lower," he said, doing his best to sound professional in his fake Italian accent when he was so hard he couldn't think of anything bedsides tasting her sweet flesh...
Man, it is SO DIFFICULT to maintain a professional demeanor, a fake Italian accent, AND a boner!
Favorite lines:
"Do you think I could let you walk away? Have I not told you that you're the most incredible woman I've ever known"
She took a step back, breaking his hold on her.
"You-I didn't think-"
"You didn't believe me."
"No"
He stroked his knuckles down her cheek. "I don't lie, Sarah. I hide things, but I don't lie."
Good luck with that one, Sarah! Also:
"When we resume, I want the strap lower," he said, doing his best to sound professional in his fake Italian accent when he was so hard he couldn't think of anything bedsides tasting her sweet flesh...
Man, it is SO DIFFICULT to maintain a professional demeanor, a fake Italian accent, AND a boner!
March 23, 2012
The book has a great storyline and is easy to follow. There are two main characters and they are Sarah Dusenberry and Grayson Adams. Sarah is trapt in society's views that a young woman should be married off to nobility. She longs for adventure and sets out to free herself from the wills of society. She follows an advertisment for modeling but soon discovers that its not as innocent as she first thought. Meet Grayson. He merely the youngest son of a baron and has no wish to play that role. He is an artist and paints nude paintings of women by day under a false name. These two meet and there beings the ups and downs of a untimely relationship. I recommend this book. Warning there is detailed sex scenes.
April 24, 2012
If you have this book, please delete it right now. It's TERRIBLE.
I download very few freebies but the nice cover made me think this could have some potential (if somebody spent the money on the cover, then maybe there was something to the story.) Not so much. It's clear the author doesn't have a clue about the mores of the time, the sex wasn't even that hot, the characters were caricaturish and there were tons of plot points that went nowhere. For instance, the morning after, the heroine decided to leave London with no explanation whatsover. We didn't see them quarrel or anything. They had sex and the next scene, she's talking to her mother about leaving.
I know it's short but just save yourself the trouble and delete it now. There's nothing to recommend this.
I download very few freebies but the nice cover made me think this could have some potential (if somebody spent the money on the cover, then maybe there was something to the story.) Not so much. It's clear the author doesn't have a clue about the mores of the time, the sex wasn't even that hot, the characters were caricaturish and there were tons of plot points that went nowhere. For instance, the morning after, the heroine decided to leave London with no explanation whatsover. We didn't see them quarrel or anything. They had sex and the next scene, she's talking to her mother about leaving.
I know it's short but just save yourself the trouble and delete it now. There's nothing to recommend this.
January 31, 2013
Historical English society doesn't work for everyone in it. Anyone that might be considered outside of the norm is quickly made into a spinster, or worse, is outcast. I really liked Sarah Dusenberry and although her mother is suffocating, she does get a lot of love and consideration. Mrs. Dusenberry could have just forced her into a marriage or isolated her in a country house for the rest of her life. So when hidden artist Grayson Adams finds a new and completely unacceptable virgin well born woman to be his new model for his very naughty paintings, he surprises himself by falling in love with the sassy spirited lady.
Cute very sexy scenes in the art studio! Fun concept and well written.
78 pages and kindle freebie
2 and half stars
Cute very sexy scenes in the art studio! Fun concept and well written.
78 pages and kindle freebie
2 and half stars
February 7, 2012
I've been feeling a little bad about all the one-star ratings I've been dishing out to the Kindle freebies I've been snapping up with abandon, but I finally found a good one!
Eye of the Beholder was actually a very worthwhile read, and had the elements that I've found missing in most of the other erotic stories I've been reading recently. Finally, there's romance! Finally, there's character development! Finally, it's hot! A wonderful HEA is the icing on the cake.
It's fairly rare to find historical erotic romance, much less good historical erotic romance, so I'm very happy to have stumbled across this one.
Eye of the Beholder was actually a very worthwhile read, and had the elements that I've found missing in most of the other erotic stories I've been reading recently. Finally, there's romance! Finally, there's character development! Finally, it's hot! A wonderful HEA is the icing on the cake.
It's fairly rare to find historical erotic romance, much less good historical erotic romance, so I'm very happy to have stumbled across this one.
June 8, 2013
So much for sleeping, this short story kept me cornered until I finished it, even though I stopped reading it to go to bed I could stop until I finished.
This was a great short story, showing the ridicule people get when they go against what society finds acceptable. Set in England during the Victorian era Sarah longs for travel and adventure while Grayson is in need of a new muse.
The ending was a little rushed but it is a short story and it wasn't as rushed as some I have read. I highly recommend reading this especially if you are a historical romance fan as this story leans more toward historical romance than erotica.
This was a great short story, showing the ridicule people get when they go against what society finds acceptable. Set in England during the Victorian era Sarah longs for travel and adventure while Grayson is in need of a new muse.
The ending was a little rushed but it is a short story and it wasn't as rushed as some I have read. I highly recommend reading this especially if you are a historical romance fan as this story leans more toward historical romance than erotica.
January 21, 2012
Short and sweet! Excellent story! Highly recommend it. I see what the other reviewers mean about her taking off her clothes in front of the painter without hesitation (in that time period) and very quickly, are not believable but it is a short story, not a novel and Sarah is determined to have an adventure. So I overlooked that fact. It's a fun read not a serious comment on the society of the time!
March 29, 2012
Grayson Adams is living a double life. A painter of erotic by day and the son of a baron attending society balls at night. Content with his double life until he meets Sarah Dusenberry. Who is also living a double life.
I really loved this book. Wouldn't it be exciting to be able to wear a mask and become who ever you wished at that moment.
I really loved this book. Wouldn't it be exciting to be able to wear a mask and become who ever you wished at that moment.
July 7, 2011
Quick read, very graphic though...some very hot scenes. Would have liked a little more hesitancy on the part of the h to become the artist's model. In that time and place, she would have had to overcome a lifetime of modesty. Nice ending.
August 14, 2014
Really not very good. The writing shows some flashes of cleverness, but this was a really weak book. It was close to being pornography (seriously). What the heroine did was totally unbelievable to me. The romance didn't even seem to really add up. At least it was short.
December 24, 2011
A historical erotic romance -- I liked it, even it if was not quite believable (do we want everything to be 100% yes this could happen?? yeah, I thought not)
I would actually like to read more about Sarah and Grayson...
I would actually like to read more about Sarah and Grayson...
July 7, 2011
3.5 stars
Very short, steamy and liberating!
Very short, steamy and liberating!
July 7, 2011
Not bad for $.99 cents. Pretty short but a nice story.
July 25, 2011
short and sweet with a few tasteful sex scenes
August 9, 2011
Enjoyable novella set in Victorian times about a painter of erotic pictures and the proper society miss who longs to break out of her straight-laced existence and explore her wild side!
September 8, 2011
A sweet and enjoyable short story. I love short stories and this just how I like them, sweet HEA.
January 14, 2012
I liked it :)
August 10, 2016
packed a lot in one story, artist in love with his model. She doing the modeling for an adventure. Really fun strong story.
January 26, 2012
this is an enjoyable, short read. i would say the best parrts were the sexual scenes. the plot was a bit weak but it was a nice way to kill a few hours and get lost in a pacy story.
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March 13, 2012Well done period romance. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it:)
January 27, 2012
Cute, fun and super steamy! Only took a couple hours to read.
February 1, 2012
Read this in 2 hours...nuff said.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews