"A terrific read" -Internet Book List

Beyond All Desiring, published as a trade paperback in 2005 and reissued in 2012 in a lower retail-priced edition, received top honors in the Ulysses Awards, and finalist awards in the USA Book News' Best Books Awards and in Media Darlings Word/Works Awards, all in 2006. In January 2011 it also became available as a Kindle Ebook, and in October 2011 became available as a Nook Book, Sony Ebook, Apple Ibook, and in most other ebook formats, viewable on Smashwords. In 2013 it became available as an audiobook read by Christy Lynn from audible.com, amazon.com, and itunes.com
 

As the book opens, Sara's niece, Janice, is notified that her sharp-witted aunt, now in her 80s, hasn't been seen for several days. Janice's panicky drive to find out what's happened begins our journey of discovering that Sara has led a life very different from what her relatives and friends assume. Historical events form a backdrop to Sara's often tumultuous personal life, which we follow from Trenton, NJ, to Washington, DC, (with jaunts to Philadephia, Baltimore, and West Virginia). As Sara visits an art museum exhibit about Buddhism, we learn of her two marriages--the first to an abusive man and the second to a kind man who was involved in top secret projects and who develops a bizarre illness. We discover her long but secret love relationship with a woman. And we learn of hidden booklets which hold the key to yet another secret.
 
Beyond All Desiring is down-to-earth yet has touches of  magical realism and erotic passages. It has been praised for its characterization and writing style . It gives us a rare look into the heart of a woman who was "different" in a time of conformity, and who explored many ways of living and loving.

"Beyond All Desiring is a beautiful story written by a talented Judith Laura. The plot has several twists and turns that kept this reader involved. Ms Laura has a flair for giving each character a distinct voice. Well done! I highly recommend Beyond All Desiring to fans of fiction."--Debra Gaynor, Readersfavorite.com

"...A fantastic book that looks into the life of a woman who didn't conform to the rules of society in her time....A wonderfully realistic story"-Rosie Bindra, Fresh Fiction

For more reviews, excerpts, and a Reading Group Discussion Guide, please visit website: http://www.judithlaura.com/beyond.html