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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Two steps forward, one step back, August 2, 2001
This review is from: Seduction In Mind (Mass Market Paperback)
This is a difficult book for Susan Johnson devotees. I have read virtually everything by Susan Johnson, and have found that her books typically are either about interesting characters with some good sex thrown in (Temporary Mistress) or about some interesting sex with good characters thrown in (Wicked, Silver Flame). Seduction in Mind seems to push the boundaries of character development in a romance: while the hero is a typical SJ tall, dark, handsome rake, the heroine is notably different. A twice-widowed artist who occasionally models nude, Alexandra has lovers, suggests the possiblity of bi-sexuality (in one brief statement only, and although the impression is of a comment made in a fit of anger, it is never explained fully nor revisited), and has enough money to do as she pleases. A side plot also depicts sibling incest - great big ICK, but effective as a startling plot development. The whole book has the feel of SJ reaching towards new boundaries, but still halfway confined to the "typical" romance plot. For instance, while the heroine is a modern woman with lovers, she still blushes furiously at insinuations and has issues with Sam's (the hero) past reputation. Also, her constant agonizing over his reputation borders on hypocritical and naive at times. The sex scenes - Johnson's specialty - are more quantity than quality, particularly if you have read a few of her previous books. For all the negatives, though, this has some true bright spots. The flashes of humor, the attempt to give romance readers something other than a 17 year old blond virgin as a heroine, the hero who takes the initiative in bringing up babies and marriage... Bottom line: Johnson has written better, but she's also written much worse, and this seems like a book that's leading the way to a more mature, disciplined writer.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
From Lust to Love? ...in one week? Hmmm...., October 17, 2001
This review is from: Seduction In Mind (Mass Market Paperback)
READ AMAZON SYNOPSIS and in addition to that: This is my third book of Ms. Johnson and once again, compared to SINFUL, this one pales and is somewhat a disappointment. I find this book a little on the light-weight in terms of the plot, the romance and the character development. It is only heavy in one thing and that is sex. Sam and Alex are likable in most part but not impressive nor do they leave intriguing marks. Villains are effortless and twisters were too easy to feel any excitement or relief. There's inconsistencies here and there, in terms of character portrayals, dialogue and dates of scenes. What bothered me most are the sex scenes, which in most part I find rather unnecessary. It's too explicit and could be bordered to soft porn materials. The dialogue and some of the vocabulary used are also too obscene for my liking. Mind you, I've read and enjoyed light and even heavy sex scenes in my romance reading, provided it's mixed with passion or affection. I expect a more lovable and heart warming love-making scenes in my romance books. This is not under erotica genre, afterall. The main essence of SEDUCTION IN MIND is simply lust and sex. Since Sam and Alex couldn't keep their hands off each other, they decided they are in love and will get married to save the trouble! Ugh....not my kind of romantic reading material. The reason why I didn't rate this book lower than 3 stars despite my above complaint is primarily because I read the book all the way to the end without having to drag myself. Base on the three books I've read of Susan Johnson, she is never dull. Her style of risque will challenge readers to read on. There's also moments of treats such as the tasty banters between the Sam and Alex - that have brought smile to my face. So, In fact, if you already have this book on hand, I'd say go for it and read it. Who knows you might enjoy it more than I have. However, I would not recommend this book as one of those MUST READ or the one you have to go out of your way to get.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
All Sex and No Substance, August 23, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Seduction In Mind (Mass Market Paperback)
There is a difference between a romance story and a sex story, and this is definitely not the former. He is hardly my idea of a sexy man -- he has slept with everyone in town, still sleeps with prostitutes, and can't go one night without. He shows no interest in any of the women in his life outside of there function as a disposabe ... toy. How is it he has anything to share with a woman besides . . . well . . . I guess he has one of those! There is no development of character, only what they were at the start. Her paintings don't reflect any growth or change, when her personality has gone from being so-so about sex to a wanton, insatiable, multiple-orgasmic woman virtually overnight. There is no basis for love to have grown between them that I could discern, even by the end, what -- a whole week later? So how DO they suddenly learn to love -- both are without passion for any other person in the story, and are both estranged from their families. And I am not keen on how the f* word is used here, describing the activity that brings them both to a spiritual and monogamous awakening. That is NOT my idea of romantic or sexy dialogue. ....
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