Customer Reviews

Focus of Desire

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've always liked Kim Baldwin's books, but this one is certainly one of her best. Here, she introduces the characters of Isabel Sterling and Kash. These women are more than just polar opposites; they have nothing in common and aren't even attracted to each other initially. Of course that all changes when they leave together for a three-week trip to four continents

Isabel is a romantic. She believes in dating, falling in love, and then having sex. Her last few relationships have been disasters, but she still believes `the one' is out there waiting for her. Isabel decorates cakes for a living and teachers swimming in her spare time. Her schedule is dependable and she loves to plan and make lists. Humble about her volunteer activities and not one to seek attention, Isabel is surprised to learn she has won a magazine contest in which she will receive an all-expense paid trip to four continents, a new wardrobe, and a makeover. The only catch is she has to agree to be photographed for the magazine by Kash, a famous photographer with a womanizing reputation. Not to mention that Isabel's best friend, the playgirl Gillian, will be joining her on the trip... and Gillian has her sights set on a night with Kash. That is until Gillian realizes Isabel can't resist her growing attraction to Kash and lets herself have a taste of getting physical with a stranger.

Kash is as talented with women as she is with her camera. She has her pick of women no matter where she goes. Her last few relationships were disastrous - her lovers not wanting her, but wanting something FROM her instead. As a result, she is the master in the bedroom and doesn't allow anyone to touch her. Kash doesn't trust anyone, but she finds the natural, genuine Isabel to be irresistible. This inner contradiction scares the dickens out of her. The only question is, will either woman be able to overcome their long-held personal isolation to allow more to develop between them.

Certainly not for the faint-hearted, `Focus' is a well-told story about two women who desperately want to be loved. After finding each other, they struggle within and without to find the answers. Highly recommended by this reader.

I have read all of Kim Baldwin's novels and enjoyed the four other books very much. I found this one to be lacking in character and plot development and constant sex. Not that I am against sex mind you but these two just keep circling each other throughout the book, having erotic dreams, acting on some of them and finally making some dramatic changes at the very end. Her other novels had so much more depth--along with good sex. If you have not read any of her books be sure to read the others and buy this one second hand. Not sure I'll even keep it in my collection. I was disappointed in this book but I will purchase her next one in hopes that she will return to real "story telling" kind of writing.

Definitely Kim Baldwin's hottest book to date. Focus of Desire cannot and should not be compared to her previous works. Even though this book does not include action, (although the there is hot "action"), natural disasters or wildlife adventures, it does however include exotic locations, sexy characters, hot scenes and a romantic conclusion for two very different women who have to learn to look beyond their insecurities to see what really matters the most. I highly recommand it for an enjoyable evening.

I have read all of Kim Baldwin's novels. And I have enjoyed each one for its own genre and individual uniqueness. Though Focus of Desire my not pack a punch with the kind of action that you will find in Baldwin's other books, it does offer a steamy romance between two women, their individual struggles and their desire to nourish a craving. Not only will you discover the title of the book to be fitting, you will also experience a broader array of Baldwin's talents as a writer. Personally, I found this book to be very flattering for its humor, frustration and excitement that each character experiences. When an author writes a book where you can actually visualize the setting and experience the mood, then it's a must read. If you are interested in a hot romance, Focus of Desire is it.

If you can read this book without pulling your honey to the floor and making her evening utterly memorable, there is no hope for you! There. Got that out of my system.

Kim Baldwin has created a hot, sexy romp that manages at the same time to be warmly touching. Baldwin is a skillful writer who has the knack of creating and maintaining tension. In this book it is sexual tension. Kash is every woman's idea of the ultimate bad girl, but Baldwin uses inner voice to make Kash vulnerable and believable. Isabel is our idea of the warm, loveable girl-next-door who deserves to get the girl she wants. Baldwin brings these two opposites together in a steamy encounter that feels completely believable. She handles Kash's growth from distant, cynical user to out-of-control, vulnerable lover with genuine compassion. Isabel's acknowledgement of her own sexual adventurousness is equally well done.

By the end of this fiercely sexy book, you will watch the lovers come together and you will be delighted to say, "Awwww."

I've read several Kim Baldwin books, and, for me, they are hit and miss. This one, however, I enjoyed. The settings and characters were original, and the premise of the book was unique. I would recommend this to any lesbian romance lover.

I rarely quit reading a book before the end, but I quit this one halfway through. I found myself not looking forward to picking it up because I found the main character an unlikeable person. Also I found her an unbelievable and unsympathetic character: a fashion photographer who is SO charismatic that women line up to get into her bed and club owners give her their best seat and send her their best champagne, etc., etc. I can SO identify with that! The hook is supposed to be that she falls for an unpretentious unsophisticated salt of the earth Midwesterner. Yeah, THAT happens every day. Maybe I'm not a Kim Baldwin fan. I find her writing a little wooden: this happened, then that happened, then next this happens. No mood created.

This romance just hit the spot: it is a very hot and engaging book where rather innocent Izzy from Madison is thrown into the world of Kash and both begin a hot dance which ends into a romance with lots of hot spots. It's quite different e.g. from Kim's Alaska-novels, but the writing, dialogue and international setting is well done and makes for a good read.

The book was absolutely fabulous. Thank You Kim Baldwin. The book arrived as promised. Very good service. will certainly use again.

To start off, the beginning promises a possible sexy read. But it soon becomes unbelievable when Isabel said "Golly" and "Gosh." Maybe it's just me, but how many 29 year olds say "Golly" and then thinks what a "tight ass" about someone's butt? Isabel goes on to describe how Kash is her "type physically." Hmm sweet girl-next-door has a physical type.

When Isabel and her friend mentions about Isabel's past girlfriends and how one was a "scum" to Isabel, she just shrugs it off. No sadness, regret, anger or any other emotions.

Three-weeks all expense paid traveling to Paris, Rome and Cairo, staying at high-end hotels, with a flexible meal budget thrown in. All this from a magazine contest. Really? And what friend would make a high in demand celeb photographer go MIA for three weeks to work exclusively on one photo shoot? I don't remember but I don't think she was getting paid.

Kash is a famous photographer and playgirl, who is "handsome." From the description of her, she should be able to attract women on her own merits without the fame and fortune. But it sounds like she couldn't before she was famous. Not even for her lovemaking skills? Hmm. Hard to be sold that she's such a womanizer once she became famous.

Kash could be likable, but I find it hard to empathize with a main character that constantly drinks, falls asleep drunk and wakes up with nasty hangovers. But funny enough, that part was believable.

There are not many books I don't finish, but the inconsistencies of the two main characters lost my interest quickly and I simply didn't care what happens to them next.