Beyond Desire

by Gwynne Forster

Amanda Ross is thrilled when she is appointed junior high school principal in Caution Point, N.C. But her promotion will only be a pipe dream if the board of education discovers that she's pregnant-and single. She never expected her baby's father to desert her, but explanations won't satisfy a small town's rumor mill. A husband is what she needs, and handsome music engineer Marcus Hickson looks like the answer to her problem.

Embittered by his ex-wife's selfish and cruel behavior, Marcus told himself he'd never marry again. That is, until doctors inform him that his injured daughter needs immediate surgery, and Amanda-financially independent because of her inheritance-offers to pay the medical bills if he'll be her husband. Desperate, Marcus agrees, as long as their "arrangement" is strictly business. But days and nights under the same roof soon ignite mutual desire. Now Marcus and Amanda's marriage of convenience has become an affair of the heart…and a deception that endangers everything they hold dear.

Genres: African American Romance, Romance, African American, Marriage Of Convenience

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Gwynne Forster (1922-2015) was the pseudonym of American novelist, short fiction writer, demographer, and sociologist Gwendolyn Johnson-Acsadi. Forster was best known as an early innovator of the African American Romance fiction tradition. Forster was a prolific writer who authored more than 50 books, as well as multiple studies in the field of demography. Forster won a wide readership with her novels and garnered awards, including the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Black Writers Alliance Gold Pen Award.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Smut-A-Thon: Fake Dating & New to you Author

Well, Beyond Desire wasn't very smutty. This book was more of a slow burn but it was still hot.

Amanda Ross is a newly appointed Junior High School principal in a very small and conservative town in North Carolina. But she has a problem she's pregnant and she needs a husband.

Enter Marcus Hickson who is a devoted single father to a little girl who months ago suffered severe injures in car accident. Marcus has spent every last penny on her care and is about to lose his business. He needs money and he needs it bad.

Amanda Ross has money and offers it to Marcus in exchange for him marrying her and claiming her child.

Theirs is a marriage in name only. They were never suppose to fall in love but its a romance novel so obviously they do just that.

The fake relationship trope is one of my favorites. But this book just didn't do it for me. Amanda fell in love too fast and she put up with way too much bull shit. Marcus is a stupid, stubborn asshole. He treated Amanda like garbage and the sweeter she was to him and hid daughter the worse he treated her. I was not rooting for this romance at all. Amanda deserved so much better.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay I gave it three stars, and I will explain why, lol. First the good. This is the first time I've read a Gwynne Forster book. The story line I thought was original, the whole contracted marriage to keep Amanda's clean rep as principal and Marcus needing the money for Amy's surgery (which I love this little girl's character). However, I felt like the story was dragged out a little bit, and I had a little trouble with the back and forth character perspective. I also felt like Amanda fell in love with Marcus too quickly, but it still worked out. The whole Marc being Lamont's grandson scene was too short for it to have been a major concern through out the whole story. Overall it was a good read.

[D.lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Ross wasn't what would be considered beautiful at first glance, but once you get to know her you really understand that beauty is as beauty does. Marcus was guarded and heavy burdened, facing some major obstacles and Amy his little girl was adorable. They were three wounded souls that simply needed to be love unconditionally. They found that and so much more they became a family. Just goes to show that sometimes family is not about a bloodline and more about relationships. This was a heart warming story of overcoming the hard knocks of life in order to find love. I truly enjoyed Marcus and Amanda's story and can't wait to see what happens with Luke

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost

Not as enjoyable as I wanted it to be. I pretty much hated Marcus throughout the story and wanted Amanda to get with Luke. She did everything right from the beginning; she became and acted like a wife. He did everything and took every opportunity to be mean and uncaring to her. I didn't like Marcus, but I felt bad for his situation, but that stupid male pride would not let Amanda in, no matter what. It took the love of his little girl and infant son to warm and open his heart for the woman that loved him unconditionally. He was almost too late.

[Kierra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not finish this book. I had to get my credit back. The concept of the story was fine but it couldn’t hold my attention for several reasons. There isn’t a lot of dialogue in the book. Everything flowed too fast and it was no details. I felt like one minute we were in present day and then two sentences later .....two weeks had passed and I’m like what in the world. Idk this book was different than the books I’m used to listening to.

[Jacquis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Love This Book

I have this book in paperback and on my electronic device... I have read this book at least 4 times already and not once did I skip a page... Amanda and Marcus are just a beautiful couple..There were times I wish I could smack Marcus upside the head but I understood his dilemma .... Luke was the perfect brother-in-law and if I had a stepdaughter, I would want her to be like Amy, even Marc was a joy.... I would have loved to read a story about Luke...

[La · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to throttle them! Mostly because I would have been like Marcus. Lmbo
Thanks for a realistic story. Sometimes we get in our own way and someone has to love us through it.

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Waaaay too sweet for me. I guess I've developed heathenish literary tastes.

[Kambre L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oldie but a bestie

One of my favorite books. I own an original copy in paperback and I’m happy I have my kindle copy.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 rating. This is the reluctant marriage trope and even though I liked the black culture focus, the story didn't have any interesting twists.

[Nobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG! This Was such a Good Book

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ultimate tear jerker

I haven't been this emotional about a book in a long time. My heart ached for Marcus and Amanda. Whomever denied the strength of a woman has never met Amanda. She embodies everything one could hope to be. The inner struggles of Marcus and what his demons allowed to consume him, made you want to dislike him. However because you know that the traits of a strong man are to protect and provide for his family, you come to accept Marcus's character flaws. You root for him and Amanda so much more. I can go on and on, but I challenge everyone to read this story and not become overwhelmed with emotions. It is so deep and real, that you understand the power of love.

[Racquel · Rating 2 out of 5]

In short, this book lacked finesse. It had the main ingredients but it had no seasoning. There was missing or overlooked details and the plot was quick and short. I liked the basics of the story, but I just wish it had a little more work put into it. I probably wouldn't recommend this book and it's not a book I would reread.

[Christiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book! I really enjoyed this story about Amanda and Marcus...Everything that happened was so believable...Amanda at times was a little pushy and going in on him too fast..but for the most part...I respected the fact that he was willing to do whatever he had to do for his daughter...I love the way it all came together...

[Metris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm actually giving this book 3.5, it was a good story. I always enjoy little people, so little Amy stole my heart. Amanda was a sweet and giving women that just wanted to be loved. Marcus was that man who had loved and gotten hurt in the process and refused to give his heart to another. This book did start off a little slow to me and I almost quit, but it was actually alright.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really terrific read. The story was so well developed and it was up and down the whole way through, but I just loved how Amanda came through for her man. What a strong and powerful marriage these two have built.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never before has a book made me go thru so many emotions! I loved this book and Amanda and Marcus's love for each other was beyond words! This is a must read

[lisa a. williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books I have read it 20 times at least.

I love this book very believable a must read. You'll enjoy it I love every character and I'm a sucker for a happy family.

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked the story but the writing style was awkward and brought me out of the plot more than once.

[Genney Blass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story, Marcus, what a sweetheart and what he do. How love can make everything go around in circles. The story in the beginning was, one word, huh, but then it works. Great book.

[--karen Green-berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed Marcus and Amanda's story. It was well written and the characters are very engaging. I love that they got their HEA.

[Shonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd time reading and I enjoyed it just as much today as I did several years ago.

[Tini Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't quite finish this one because the story was so slow.

[Nicole Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was crazy! But it was good. I enjoy Ms Forster