Customer Reviews

Naughty, Naughty: They're Bad Boys...Rakes, Rogues, And Men From The Wrong Side Of The Tracks. They Are...

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Although short stories aren't always the truest introduction to an author, I've read enough Susan Johnson to realize that I'm not going to read her anymore. She is the best-known author in this anthology, but her story is the worst. As another reviewer has already pointed out, the book blurb regarding her story is totally deceptive. Her characters are shallow, their relationship unfathomable, and the language used in the sex scenes is jarring, considering the time setting of this story.

The story by Leandra Logan, seemed as though there was too much story trying to be crammed into too few pages, so the story felt choppy to me. The initial sex scene set up as a one-night-stand didn't seem true to the female lead. There were some interesting secondary characters, but the story form is just too short to allow adequate development of that many characters.

I felt that the stories by Adrianne Lee and Anne Marie Winston were the best of the bunch. The characters were better developed, the sexual tension better maintained, and storyline flowed better. I would recommend the book for the sake of these authors. I don't know if they have written anything else, but I'm certainly going to find out.

As an avid romance reader, I was delighted by Adrianne Lee's"Winner Take All" in the NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY anthology. Both heroand heroine are truly likable, and the heroine has a zest for life that leaps from the pages. The other stories in the anthology were definitely worth reading as well.

If Amazon.com has 0 for rating this is the one for it. I'm not recommended this book for anyone because it's not worth the money. I'm still regret it. All four stories are not quite acceptable to be published and not suit for the name "Naughty Naughty'. Even one of my favorite, Susan Johnson. I think she has lost a lot of her touch in writing.

I can't say enough good about this book. Starting with the cover and moving through the stories. Loved it all! Thanks for a great read.

I love Susan Johnson novels! But this was okay, not a favourite of mine. So, so. Just okay on the erotic. Hope this helps.

The cover was the only thing interesting about this book. Each of these stories were so unbelievable. Susan Johnson's A tempting wager was the worst. The others were a little better. However the The Maine Attraction was best of all four stories. If you are in the mood to read some very silly stories. Then this book is for you.

If you want an anthology to curl your toes and tease your fantasies, NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY is it! Don't miss this absolutely wonderful read!