Customer Reviews

Force of Nature

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

 

 

I think I was especially appalled by this book because I used to be a fan of Ms. Johnson's work. I have enjoyed the Braddock / Black series in the past and although the love scenes have been intense, I still feel her books could be called a romance. Not so with this book. Flynn Ito, the 'hero' is a misogynist bastard. When the heroine, Jo is brutally raped, he can't quite bring himself to touch her. When she asks him to hold her in comfort, he turns her down. He needs time, you see, to assimilate all this, and can't bring himself not to blame her 'just a bit' for the rape. To add further insult to our intelligence, when he comes to his senses and tracks her down, Jo takes him back and forgives him. I personally was infuriated by this storyline. I found it sick, and I think Ms. Johnson has forgotten why women read romances. They are an escape. If I want to read about women being raped and further abused by the system, I will pick up a newspaper. To be fair, I have loved some of her other books. "The Outlaw" is on my keeper shelf. Ms. Johnson, a former art historian, is in many ways a brilliant writer. She should write a courtroom thriller, and leave the romance genre to those who understand it. If you want an intense sexy romance, read Lori Foster or Lisa Kleypas. The negative message toward women in "Forces of Nature" was so disturbing, I myself have bought my last Susan Johnson book.

I have read twenty four (I know, I love to read) of Ms. Johnson's book and yet again, I wasn't disappointed. Jo and Flynn, once they meet, have this incredible chemistry and leave a dinner party to "quench their lust." The scenes offered are just what I'm looking for when I read Susan Johnson, although, i wish that there would have been more. There still is history, there still is war, there still is sex and, ubdoubtedly, love. I finished this book in a matter of hours, wanting to see how the book was going to develop and waiting for Jo and Flynn to realize their love for each other. The scene where Jo is being molested and abused is sad, and makes me feel the need for Flynn to hurry his ass up and rescue her, but, luckily, the English men did not get far, and I especially loved it when Flynn got revenge on them.

I liked the fact that the Braddock-Black characters were introduced again (since their books were some of my favorite in her series and the most memorable once, seeing that I still remember them) but, I read that series from Ms.Johnson, and I don't recollect Jo being mentioned, I did read those books about three years ago, so I might have overlooked it or just can't seem to remember, either way, I liked seeing them again, even with the controversy of Jo being the daughter of a previous lover Hazard had, before he met Blaze, whom I have learned to love.

I really liked this book and I definitely recommend it, maybe if it would have been longer in length (it is only 275 pgs), then there would have been more sizzle in it, but, regardless, it was a good, hot read.

What happened to the wonderful stories intertwined with history that Susan Johnson is known for writing? I am extremely disappointed in this book. I purchased it because several people had stated in their reviews that this was a return to her former writing. Alas, it is not. The story is disappointing and should not be connected to her former stories of Hazard, Trey and Daisy. There is a distinct lack of plot, I was not able to connect with the characters. Hazard and Blaze were not the same strong personalities as in the former books. I think that this will be the last book by Susan Johnson that I purchase. It is sad to see an author of her talent publish this book.

Sensual mistress Susan Johnson's third solo release with Brava sees her reverting to an unadorned romance casted with sharp characters. She subjugates her vulgar style to render poignancy in this sentimental ode to the power of love. Force of Nature summons back Hazard and Blaze from her popular Braddock-Black series along with Trey and Daisy as memorable side characters in this simple romance between Jo Attenburgh and Flynn Ito.

Jo is conceived between Hazard and former mistress Lucy. After squandering her coffers on a lover-boy, Lucy brings her reluctant daughter to exploit on Hazard's wealth. Jo is surprised by her honorable father and his magnanimous wife Blaze who treats her like their own despite her money-grubbing mom. It is Montana she meets the enigmatic rancher Flynn Ito of Japanese-Irish blood and the meeting converges into a lusty amorous interlude. The halcyon days are threatened by repeated sabotages from rival Empire Ranch run by profligate sons of London peerage, who resorts despicably to kidnapping Jo and outraging her modesty.

Readers will flinch at the graphic rape scene and Flynn's lack of tact and possessive rage. Yet all is forgiven under Johnson's careful sculpting of Jo as a graceful survivor and the confused Flynn humbled by the magnitude of his love towards Jo. She achingly lets readers into the bloodshed and solitude endured by the orphaned Flynn who embraces his love for Jo as a salvation.

Flynn's samurai heritage is scrupulously researched by Johnson as she delves into the exotic Orient, ronins and the legendary Musashi. It is at once an irresistible gravitation to Force Of Nature for Johnson's masterful narration, sensuous dialogues and the sweeping emotional core of a turbulent passion.

I was very disappointed in this book. I have read 10 of Susan Johnson's books and have always found the love scenes extremely stimulating and the characters sexy and intriguing.
I could not find the main characters in this book interesting at all!! The hero and heroine get together in a totally unbelievable and extremely rushed matter. Okay, I'm used to that as an avid romance reader, but let me tell you this introduction to the romance scene was so quick that speed dating would take longer. The hero,(supposedly,)of this book, makes some rather marked sexual suggestions in the beginning bedroom banter, but never makes good on them. I was hoping, but nope. By the way, the love scenes in the beginning of the book are the only ones you're going to get, so don't bother skimming through the rest of the book, trying to get to the juicy parts, cause there aren't any more.
Later in the book the leading lady is sexually assaulted by the bad guys and our main man just can't seem to get passed it. He is unable to comfort this woman he was just days ago deeply attached to and in fact, the jerk let's his bruised and abused lover leave that very night for home.
At the end of the book, yes the two lovers do get together. Was that romance? No, that's when this book turned into a fairytale.

Sensual mistress Susan Johnson's third solo release with Brava sees her reverting to an unadorned romance casted with sharp characters. She subjugates her vulgar style to render poignancy in this sentimental ode to the power of love. Force of Nature summons back Hazard and Blaze from her popular Braddock-Black series along with Trey and Daisy as memorable side characters in this simple romance between Jo Attenburgh and Flynn Ito.

Jo is conceived between Hazard and former mistress Lucy. After squandering her coffers on a lover-boy, Lucy brings her reluctant daughter to exploit on Hazard's wealth. Jo is surprised by her honorable father and his magnanimous wife Blaze who treats her like their own despite her money-grubbing mom. It is Montana she meets the enigmatic rancher Flynn Ito of Japanese-Irish blood and the meeting converges into a lusty amorous interlude. The halcyon days are threatened by repeated sabotages from rival Empire Ranch run by profligate sons of London peerage, who resorts despicably to kidnapping Jo and outraging her modesty.

Readers will flinch at the graphic rape scene and Flynn's lack of tact and possessive rage. Yet all is forgiven under Johnson's careful sculpting of Jo as a graceful survivor and the confused Flynn humbled by the magnitude of his love towards Jo. She achingly lets readers into the bloodshed and solitude endured by the orphaned Flynn who embraces his love for Jo as a salvation.

Flynn's samurai heritage is scrupulously researched by Johnson as she delves into the exotic Orient, ronins and the legendary Musashi. It is at once an irresistible gravitation to Force Of Nature for Johnson's masterful narration, sensuous dialogues and the sweeping emotional core of a turbulent passion.

What those hooligans did to the leading lady on that pool table was too hot to describe! Of course it's politically incorrect to find any rape scene erotic. But it's a book and no one is being forced to read it. I read it because it turns me on. Thank you Susan Johnson for being brave enough to write it.

In 1888, Lucy Attenborough, accompanied by her daughter engineer Guiseppina better known as Jo, returns to Helena, Montana for the firs time in twenty-three years. For Jo this is her first trip to Big Sky Country having been raised in Florence. Her father, Native American Jon Hazard Black never knew he sired a daughter until he and his wife Blaze see Jo, who is clearly his child. Jon knows that Lucy is here for one thing only, money and tries to buy her off with a too generous yearly stipend. Lucy accepts, but her avaricious mind sees more cash flowing because Jon wants to know his daughter better.

At the Stuart Warner dinner party that Jo attends, cattle ranch owner Flynn Ito arrives. Flynn and Jo are immediately attracted to one another and go off together for a night of boiling lovemaking. As they become better acquainted in and out of bed, their original lure turns into love, but his enemies, including an English aristocrat, use her as a pawn to try to kill him.

Known for her pair of asbestos gloves requirement, Susan Johnson heats up the sheets with her latest historical romance. The story line engages the audience when Lucy arrives in town, but picks up action and momentum the moment that Jo and Flynn meet. Blisteringly passionate as the lead characters only come up for air when his enemies assault them, FORCE OF NATURE wraps the sex scenes inside a delightful western romance.

Harriet Klausner

Susan Johnson never disappoints. Even thoufh storylines are similar, I like the research that goes into countries of settings for stories. Makes for very educational and interesting reading.

You cant help but fall in love with these main characters! Jo is headstrong and confident, and has the wits to challenge any man. Flynn Ito is a half-blood man, used to being on the fringe of society...at least, the society of out-of-the-way ranchers. Being half Japanese has made him hard and distant from letting women get too close. He has had to prove his worth and defend his name and honor too many times to be fooled with. He is not a man to cross or get on his bad side. But in the brothels, Flynn is truly wanted. Jo has the misfortune of being in his way one evening. When their paths cross, it is instant fire! This is not your typical steamy romance. Jo goes after Flynn and tells him like it is. She becomes a captive, and when Flynn rescues her, it is such a realistic scenario, again not typical. Not your typical weepy-eyed, helpless female. She proves she is strong on so many levels.Those two were just meant for each other!