Beyond Desire

By: Gwynne Forster

Narrated by: Kim Staunton

Amanda has been appointed principal of the junior high school in her small community. But this promotion will surely be withdrawn if the school board discovers that she is pregnant and unmarried. When an old friend introduces Amanda to a handsome young man, she makes a very unusual business arrangement with him: in exchange for a generous fee, he will be her "husband" until the baby is born. The arrangement seems perfect--until an attraction grows between them that begins to radically change their desires.

Gwynne Forster's best-selling African-American romances have touched the hearts of millions of readers, and Kim Staunton's narration adds pure bliss to this story of longing, loving, and learning to care.

©1998 Gwendolyn Johnson-Acsadi (P)2002 Recorded Books,LLC

Excellent! Entertaining and a Must Read/Listen

What made the experience of listening to Beyond Desire the most enjoyable?

The story line was great! The flow of the story was really good. Should be a movie

What about Kim Staunton’s performance did you like?

Great listening

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Sometimes God put people in your life for a reason. I like how the two main characters came together to help each other and fell in love.

Any additional comments?

Another GREAT book by Foster. I love reading/listening to her books.

Simply, lovely

I stumbled upon this audio book jewel while seeking for a break from a season of reading non-fiction. What a find! ...and a delight! Narrator Kim Staunton brings to life the vivid setting and richly drawn characters of Gywnne Forster's novel. Excellently writing and superbly narrated. Simply, lovely!

The best story I’ve heard from Gwynn’s Forster

The story line was great. But the narrator brought everything together. I recently came across Kim Staunton narration’s and I’m trying to listen to all of the books she narrates.

I really enjoyed this book!

Where does Beyond Desire rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Beyond Desire ranking is a 6

What did you like best about this story?

I like how the couples grew to love one another.

What does Kim Staunton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brought the story to life in my imagination.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Old tried & true love.

Any additional comments?

none

Thoroughly Enjoyed This Book

I didn’t know what to expect. I’d never read Gwynne Forster before. So I just went with it. I must say that I cannot remember enjoying a heroine as much as I enjoyed Amanda. She was kind beyond words. She was smart, loving and brave. My heart filled for her, broke for her, and soared with her. This is a book that I will revisit again and again. I didn’t like Marcus as much as I’d wanted to, but Amanda’s unshakable love for him, and his brother Luke’s love of him, made me hang in there with him. And Amy was the sweetest little girl. I think her friendship with Robert could be a great children’s book. The narrator, Kim Staunton, was as brilliant as always.

Great book!

Kim Staunton is an excellent narrator. She has an amazing range of voices. Also, the story was so interesting.

Great Listen and Story of Unconventional Romance

What made the experience of listening to Beyond Desire the most enjoyable?

I was attracted to this book because of Kim Staunton, but I have never read or listened to anything from Gwynne Forster. I think if you are a first time listener to either one of them, this is a good book to start with. The story keeps moving, and I can't remember a slow moment in it. I was interested from beginning to end.
I enjoyed Amanda's attempts to make the best of the situation and to create the family she always desired even if it is only for a predetermined time. Marcus was resistant to all Amanda offered, but he could not deny that she treated his daughter with the love and kindness that she deserved.

What did you like best about this story?

I thought the idea of a 39 year old woman becoming a baby mama for the first time an interesting one. That is what originally got my attention. The fact that she has an important role in her community as a newly appointed jr. high principal just added to the worries you can face becoming a first time baby mama.

The way Amanda decided to solve her problems was unconventional but exciting. Watching the relationship bloom between Marcus and Amanda was exciting as well. They both had some things in common, but it seems that they fit the opposites attract statement. I loved that Amanda was so caring and giving of herself to not only Marcus but his daughter Amy as well. Her constant patience helped to mend parts of Marcus that had been broken by his first wife.

What about Kim Staunton’s performance did you like?

I am a fan of Kim Staunton. I enjoy the way she delivers her performance of any book she is reading. She is a talented voice artist.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I was disappointed when I was interrupted from listening to take care of other things. This title held my attention from beginning to end. I have listened to it multiple times already.

Any additional comments?

It was a beautiful and unconventional love story.

Well written , did not want it to end!

I really liked this book. I just wished the end was a bit more detailed, but I guess it was left up to your imagination. The story was warm and inviting and the book was easy to listen to. I really liked the narrator too. I just love Gwynne Forster. Excellent author.

Splendid

Absolutely loved this old fashion yet current love story! Believable story line and excellent narration.

Great Book

I loved this book. The reader was great. I cried and laughed the whole time.