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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
This book's stories are neither sexy or interesting, January 4, 2002
This review is from: Naughty, Naughty: They're Bad Boys...Rakes, Rogues, And Men From The Wrong Side Of The Tracks. They Are... (Mass Market Paperback)
In reading this anthology, I realized why I tend to stay away from short stories: even good authors may be unable to create a worthwhile story in relatively few pages. There is definitely a talent and also a honed skill needed to accomplish character development and sufficient plot in the space allotted. I initially picked up this book because the title led me to believe that the stories might be fun, funny, amusing...which they are not in any way -- rather the stories are all quite serious and not what I expected (as others have noted the blurbs on the back cover are untrue.) In one story a woman wants to have sex with a male slut she somehow learned about because she thinks she is dying -- how is that naughty? In another, a woman trying to divorce her scary husband has not-very-exciting sex with a stranger in a bar and we then follow them as they try to extricate her from her marriage. The last story about the woman who has sex for the first time with a man who yelled at her for "encouraging" a near rape while sunbathing fully clothed left me cold. Susan Johnson is the first author in the book and recognizing her name and her usually good stories led me to expect a lot more than is delivered here. I usually enjoy her work, but in this case I actively hated the story almost by the 10th page. Johnson takes what I consider her worst characteristic -- a tendency to be a little too anatomically descriptive -- and makes it into the entire story. This piece consists of a couple engaging in constant unemotional sex without any foreplay, which is not of interest, I would think, to most readers in this genre. More importantly, the sex scenes are BORING! Then she throws in some military/political hooha just to give it some kind of plot. The story would have been much more interesting had it acutally followed the plot listed on the back cover in which debutantes make the bet, rather than bored society matrons in Vienna. Save your money and buy a good Susan Johnson book, rather than this anthology.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A weaker anthology, July 27, 2001
This review is from: Naughty, Naughty: They're Bad Boys...Rakes, Rogues, And Men From The Wrong Side Of The Tracks. They Are... (Mass Market Paperback)
I enjoyed much of "Rough Around the Edges," so it was with some pleasure that I bought this seemingly-similar anthology of stories. Unfortunately, none of the stories in this volume really stands out as particularly erotic or enjoyable. In theory, Susan Johnson's style should work well in the novella form. Her mix of history and seemingly-endless imaginative sex by well-endowed characters seems well-fitted for the short form, especially considering her particular style doesn't often seem to call for real emotional development between the characters. In fact, her story in "Rough Around the Edges" was one of the stronger in the volume. But her contribution in this volume seemed lacking. There seemed even less emotional development than is even typical for Johnson, and the history didn't seem all that interesting. A disappointment. Logan's contribution seems the strongest, with decent character and romantic development mixed in with a nice little "suspense" type plot. The erotic scenes were well-done. I really liked the hero of Adrianne Lee's story, and although I found the heroine's "quest" a little unrealistic, I enjoyed the story. Winston's contribution is also very strong. It's the story with the most romantic development between the characters. All in all, there are better anthologies out there.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
These stories are pure escapist fun!, November 4, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Naughty, Naughty: They're Bad Boys...Rakes, Rogues, And Men From The Wrong Side Of The Tracks. They Are... (Mass Market Paperback)
I wanted this book for the story by one of my favorite authors,Susan Johnson, but to my delight I found "Winner Take All" by Adrianne Lee. This story really drew me into the characters. I found Mitch to be a totally believable hero. He struggles to prove an important point to his business partner (along with winning a bet!) and in doing so, matures as a "whole" man rather than a male lead by his "other parts". <g> He finds himself confronted with a special woman who truly touches his heart...but she wants to touch so much more! Talk about FUN conflict! I was so impressed by Ms. Lee's characters I've decided to add her works to my "To Be Read" pile.
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