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Old Desires
"What is it with you, Joshua Kent?"
Joshua Kent infuriated Holly -- he was cavalier, overbearing and convinced she was a good for nothing gold-digger! But even worse was his bombshell that her past was a complete fabrication. A new identity -- and the inheritance which went with it -- meant that Holly could embark on a fresh life for herself. But where did Joshua fit into this scheme of things -- was he just using the desire which flared between them to manipulate her? Only time would tell ...
Joshua Kent infuriated Holly -- he was cavalier, overbearing and convinced she was a good for nothing gold-digger! But even worse was his bombshell that her past was a complete fabrication. A new identity -- and the inheritance which went with it -- meant that Holly could embark on a fresh life for herself. But where did Joshua fit into this scheme of things -- was he just using the desire which flared between them to manipulate her? Only time would tell ...
Paperback
First published November 1, 1994
17 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Liz Fielding
560 books468 followersHi, I'm Liz Fielding, and I'm a best selling contemporary romance author with more than 15 million books in print and Katie Fforde wrote, when honouring me with the Romantic Novelists' Association's Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019 said - "Liz Fielding's books, with their warmth, humour and emotion, have charmed millions of readers. She is a true star of the romantic fiction genre..."
And now I've turned to a life of crime with my first cozy mystery. Murder Among the Roses, published on 18 April 2023 - of which Katie Fforde also said, "I was gripped from beginning to end..."
Reading is a big part of my life. I love witty, contemporary romances, not too much sex,, Women's fiction by the likes of Fiona Harper, Julie Cohen, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie and Barbara O'Neal. And I love crime fiction that isn't too gory, or focussed on clue hunting, but is big on character.
My best loved series at the moment are the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch and the Libby Sarjeant Mysteries by Lesley Cookman. I've just read the first in the Georgina Drake crime series from Kate Hardy and looking forward to the next.
For news and excerpts of my new releases, visit me at http://www.lizfielding.com and sign up for my newsletter
And now I've turned to a life of crime with my first cozy mystery. Murder Among the Roses, published on 18 April 2023 - of which Katie Fforde also said, "I was gripped from beginning to end..."
Reading is a big part of my life. I love witty, contemporary romances, not too much sex,, Women's fiction by the likes of Fiona Harper, Julie Cohen, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie and Barbara O'Neal. And I love crime fiction that isn't too gory, or focussed on clue hunting, but is big on character.
My best loved series at the moment are the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch and the Libby Sarjeant Mysteries by Lesley Cookman. I've just read the first in the Georgina Drake crime series from Kate Hardy and looking forward to the next.
For news and excerpts of my new releases, visit me at http://www.lizfielding.com and sign up for my newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 26, 2012
A vintage Liz Fielding novel which made me realize something interesting. Since returning to reading romance novels several years ago, I've come to understand that Liz Fielding is a romance novelist on top of her craft. Reading this one has made me understand that she's been on top of her craft for a very long time indeed. She knows how to give a reader a good time - to make you laugh, cry and make your heart leap with the very intimate and tender emotions that only new love can bring.
The two main characters, Holly and Joshua quickly become familiar - Holly, a loving, vulnerable young woman who lost her beloved mother in recent years and who has been struggling along as an art teacher and Joshua, cold, forbidding and judgmental. Prejudiced against poor Holly really. Holly's struggle to come to terms with her parentage and the gradual melting of Joshua's prejudice. As the story gradually moves towards the realization of the truth, the reader is right there with her.
Interestingly, the point of view is all Holly's. Unlike many of the romance novels of today, we don't get the male POV. And do you know what? We don't want to either. It's very much Holly's story, and the story of her engagement with the reader.
Highly recommended. A warm, lovely read.
A vintage Liz Fielding novel which made me realize something interesting. Since returning to reading romance novels several years ago, I've come to understand that Liz Fielding is a romance novelist on top of her craft. Reading this one has made me understand that she's been on top of her craft for a very long time indeed. She knows how to give a reader a good time - to make you laugh, cry and make your heart leap with the very intimate and tender emotions that only new love can bring.
The two main characters, Holly and Joshua quickly become familiar - Holly, a loving, vulnerable young woman who lost her beloved mother in recent years and who has been struggling along as an art teacher and Joshua, cold, forbidding and judgmental. Prejudiced against poor Holly really. Holly's struggle to come to terms with her parentage and the gradual melting of Joshua's prejudice. As the story gradually moves towards the realization of the truth, the reader is right there with her.
Interestingly, the point of view is all Holly's. Unlike many of the romance novels of today, we don't get the male POV. And do you know what? We don't want to either. It's very much Holly's story, and the story of her engagement with the reader.
Highly recommended. A warm, lovely read.
The two main characters, Holly and Joshua quickly become familiar - Holly, a loving, vulnerable young woman who lost her beloved mother in recent years and who has been struggling along as an art teacher and Joshua, cold, forbidding and judgmental. Prejudiced against poor Holly really. Holly's struggle to come to terms with her parentage and the gradual melting of Joshua's prejudice. As the story gradually moves towards the realization of the truth, the reader is right there with her.
Interestingly, the point of view is all Holly's. Unlike many of the romance novels of today, we don't get the male POV. And do you know what? We don't want to either. It's very much Holly's story, and the story of her engagement with the reader.
Highly recommended. A warm, lovely read.
A vintage Liz Fielding novel which made me realize something interesting. Since returning to reading romance novels several years ago, I've come to understand that Liz Fielding is a romance novelist on top of her craft. Reading this one has made me understand that she's been on top of her craft for a very long time indeed. She knows how to give a reader a good time - to make you laugh, cry and make your heart leap with the very intimate and tender emotions that only new love can bring.
The two main characters, Holly and Joshua quickly become familiar - Holly, a loving, vulnerable young woman who lost her beloved mother in recent years and who has been struggling along as an art teacher and Joshua, cold, forbidding and judgmental. Prejudiced against poor Holly really. Holly's struggle to come to terms with her parentage and the gradual melting of Joshua's prejudice. As the story gradually moves towards the realization of the truth, the reader is right there with her.
Interestingly, the point of view is all Holly's. Unlike many of the romance novels of today, we don't get the male POV. And do you know what? We don't want to either. It's very much Holly's story, and the story of her engagement with the reader.
Highly recommended. A warm, lovely read.
April 10, 2012
4 1/2 Stars! ~ When Holly opens her door to a stranger her life is quickly turned upside down. Joshua Kent brings her sad news of her mother's cousin's recent death, and that her dying request was for Holly to attend her funeral. Holly's surprised as she had only met Mary once when Holly was a child. For reasons unknown to Holly, Joshua's attitude toward her is one of great disapproval. When the will is read, she is shocked to learn that she is the heir to her cousin's very sizable estate. Joshua reveals that Mary confided that she was Holly's mother, and that though greatly disappointed, she understood why Holly had rejected her. Joshua finds Holly's shock at this revelation to be genuine and is surprised when she denies being anything other than a cousin and has a birth certificate to prove it. But Joshua is equally emphatic and produces a photograph of Mary at Holly's age, which shows they could be confused as twins. Hunting through Holly's loft produces Mary's journal where she writes of her affair and how she gave her cousin's name for Holly's birth certificate. The identity of Holly's father is given merely as "A". Holly's shaken deeply that both her "mothers" had deceived her and she instructs Joshua to sell off Mary's estate, she want's none of it.
As this is a 90's Romance, the love story is given from Holly's point of view. We see Joshua through Holly's thoughts and from his demeanor. He seems to delight in pushing Holly's buttons, and she discovers he's been manipulating her into not selling the estate. When she ask's "Why didn't you just suggest I stay put for awhile", Joshua challenges her with "This from the girl who prefers her advice upside down?" Their bickering is delightful. These two have some rocky moments just as they are about to declare their love. I'm glad Joshua doesn't give up and chases down the answers needed for their HEA. I enjoyed this one very much and it now shares a spot on the keeper shelf.
As this is a 90's Romance, the love story is given from Holly's point of view. We see Joshua through Holly's thoughts and from his demeanor. He seems to delight in pushing Holly's buttons, and she discovers he's been manipulating her into not selling the estate. When she ask's "Why didn't you just suggest I stay put for awhile", Joshua challenges her with "This from the girl who prefers her advice upside down?" Their bickering is delightful. These two have some rocky moments just as they are about to declare their love. I'm glad Joshua doesn't give up and chases down the answers needed for their HEA. I enjoyed this one very much and it now shares a spot on the keeper shelf.
September 10, 2025
Fun vintage with the poor heroine finding out she was adopted when hero shows up to take her to her bio mother's funeral.
There are lots of twists and turns, with the H/h having to endure all kinds of misunderstandings about the hero's motives for the property she inherited. About the lodger heroine has living with her. About the identity of heroine's bio father.
So it was outside forces keeping the H/h apart, but their chemistry/attaction saw them through.
There are lots of twists and turns, with the H/h having to endure all kinds of misunderstandings about the hero's motives for the property she inherited. About the lodger heroine has living with her. About the identity of heroine's bio father.
So it was outside forces keeping the H/h apart, but their chemistry/attaction saw them through.
December 4, 2012
Imagine opening your door to a sexy stranger coming to deliver news of a death in the family. Or worse you attend the will reading of the deceased and major shock follows ...she was not your aunt by your mother!
This is the start to the fabulous book by one of the best authors of all time. The chemistry and rough moments of some very delightful dialogue between Joshua and Holly was splendid and so much fun to read.
I loved how the author used little tricks here and there to bring these two characters to a fiery duel of romance.
What I especially loved was the mystery behind the identity of Holly's father. It added to the allure of the book and in the end brought it all together for me as reader.
This is one of Liz's earlier books re-released with a new cover. But the book was certainly not old fashioned in any manner, the author still delivered a stunning romance. I was left with a everlasting impression of love found in unexpected places under rather suspenseful and unnerving circumstances bringing forth a revelation of another kind.
The author achieved her goal of awakening desires with a explosive flame !
Nicely done Liz!
4/5 star review
November 29, 2012
This is a lovely vintage romance released under a new cover. I really enjoyed this sweet romance between gorgeous Joshua Kent and Holly Carpenter. His eruption into her life changes everything, challenging her in every way and shaking up everything she believed about her life and her family.
As her executor Joshua had to stick close, to make sure Holly's birth mother's wishes were followed. Although they started badly with Joshua pre-judging her and Holly resenting him, it didn't take long for other feelings to emerge.
The is a feel good read with plenty of emotion and chemistry between the hero and heroine.
As her executor Joshua had to stick close, to make sure Holly's birth mother's wishes were followed. Although they started badly with Joshua pre-judging her and Holly resenting him, it didn't take long for other feelings to emerge.
The is a feel good read with plenty of emotion and chemistry between the hero and heroine.
January 2, 2013
Joshua Kent is a jerk - and not in the alpha male, too hot to blame for his nonsense sense but in an arrogant, entitled sense. He is cold and rude in the beginning, without checking his facts he makes assumptions about Holly, and then he magnanimously decides to manipulate her into acknowledging her birth mother and changing her life to suit his beliefs. Holly was a weak character, who despite claiming to stand up for herself and make her own decisions seem to run or cave in the face of adversity. There wasn't nearly enough chemistry between them to make up for the short comings in plot and character development.
October 31, 2013
I acutally like Liz Fielding... but this book, not so much.
This book is on my "books-i-didn-t-finish" shelf. Before I put a book there I tried at least twice to finish it. After that, I gave up one it.
This book is on my "books-i-didn-t-finish" shelf. Before I put a book there I tried at least twice to finish it. After that, I gave up one it.
December 13, 2012
A early book of Liz Fieldings. Enjoyable read but the heroines car changed from a porsche to a Lotus at one point
September 25, 2024
A well crafted 90s Romance from Liz Fielding. I really enjoyed the MCs and liked it a lot it with the exception of two things - the awful lodger (Holly should have stamped on him much sooner) and the "who's the daddy" trope which really does annoy me.
So, 4/5.
So, 4/5.
Read
April 8, 2020I found it difficult to connect with the MCs. This felt like an 80s soap opera, so it didn't really work for me overall. I DNF'd this one.
November 16, 2019
Thought I was on the up and up with the last book (Dangerous Flirtation), but alas, it was not to be.
I'm actually quite disappointed that I have not been emotionally invested in any of Fielding's protagonists. Holly was so stubbornly prickly and Joshua was... he was a bit of a knob at first, but was better after he realised he was being one.
Shame that it took Holly the rest of the novel to retract the claws. Her refusal to hear him out properly honestly did not endear her to me at all.
I'm actually quite disappointed that I have not been emotionally invested in any of Fielding's protagonists. Holly was so stubbornly prickly and Joshua was... he was a bit of a knob at first, but was better after he realised he was being one.
Shame that it took Holly the rest of the novel to retract the claws. Her refusal to hear him out properly honestly did not endear her to me at all.
February 9, 2013
Cute story. I really felt for Holly and all she was going through. Joshua was abrasive at first, but warms up fairly quickly. The interaction between the two, along with the turmoil as Holly leans the truth about her mother and father, kept my interest and I finished the story quickly.
December 14, 2012
This was released as an " e read" from Amazon. com. A very enjoyable read with some unanticipated twists and turns. I recommend.
December 26, 2012
It somehow broke my heart at the end but I was happy about the end.. A little out of time obviously but it was ok..
January 3, 2013
I didn't think the characters were as developed as they could have been. The story was good and I had to finish it to see how everything played out.
October 25, 2015
Just OK. For some reason, everything seemed so convoluted, too many twists and misunderstandings going on that just detracted from the story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews