Customer Reviews

Silver Flame

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

From reading other reviews, I know mine isn't the majority, but I'll tell you how I felt anyway.
Erotic, yes! Worth reading, a huge NO! I am a die hard romance novel reader, and had heard Susan Johnson's name come up a time or two. So I bought one of her books (Silver Flame). I'm glad that I only bought one, because I do not see myself reading anything from her again. I agree with one of the other's review when she said that the first 3/4 of the book was great. But it went downhill from there. Trey was your typical arrogant "hero" and when he started belittling Empress every chance he got, I couldn't wait for him to get what was coming to him, but it never happened. After being treated so horribly I expected Empress, to at least hold him accountable for the way he treated her and the things said. It left me with the feeling that she was weak and spineless and had no pride whatsoever. Instead of leaving me entertained, it left me appalled. If you read this book be prepared for a huge disappointment in the end.

This book was the first I've read by Susan Johnson, and I was enraptured for the first 3/4 of the book. Then inexplicably (okay, it was explained in the book but not to my satisfaction) our heroine travels to France (from Montana!), where she remains separated from our hero for about a year. Obviously, little romance can occur when the people involved are living on separate continents! This book was headed for 5 stars, but gets only 3 due to this plot contrivance (and others that I won't mention because they'll spoil it).

I read Forbidden first and totally fell in love with the romance of Daisy and the Duc -- but then read Silver Flame and wow -- this might be better. I imagined Trey to be drop dead georgeous and what a ladies man he was - which of course was the whole problem after he meets Empress (under the most unusual circumstances) she never can quite get past his history with women. If she could have only trusted him a little more they would have saved a year of such pain between them. By the time they meet again - it is Trey that is not trusting of Empress and one keeps hoping that his pride will finally let down and he will admit the love he has been carrying with him and they will finally get back together. This is really a great love story - both characters are very real and you totally feel the love. The Braddock Black series is one of the best of all time!!!

Susan Johnson's "Blaze" is my favorite romance novel, so I was anxious to read this next installment in the Braddock-Black series. However, I was very disappointed in the lack of affection between the hero and heroine in "Silver Flame." It basically felt like a tale of two people who hated each other, but were too aroused to give each other up.

The hero and heroine fall into bed immediately upon meeting, which was simply too fast for my personal taste, but through the course of a few weeks, develop what holds the promise of being a sweet and lasting love. Then comes a long separation, and bitterness sets in. The last half of the book is them hurling hurtful words at each other while being unable to resist each others' bodies. The hero even goes as far as to call her a whore (he's one to talk with his womanizing history!!) which made him completely despicable in my eyes.

What I did appreciate was Susan Johnson's passion for research, which really shines through as it did in "Blaze." Sometimes I forgot that I was reading a romance novel because I was intrigued by the world of the story and its rich history. Although, this time around, I did tend to think that she was too wordy. A brief dialogue can drag out for pages to the point of forgetting what a character's response was in reference to.

If only the hero could have stayed the sweet and tender lover that he was in the first half of the book. His schizophrenic personality really ruined it for me.

Trey is incredible sexy. I would put myself on the auction block too if he was doing to buying. The story get unbelievably sad in the middle but hang on for the end because it is great. (Not to mention you will meet to hero for the next book in the series--and you definitely don't want to miss Etienne)Great read!!!!!!!

To put it simply, this is one very romantic book. I love the character's and how they develop. The only thing I really didn't care for was the heroine going back to Paris, and it taking the hero a year to realize he really loved her and needed to go and find her. Such as life, being too stubborn to realize what's good for. I recommend this book highly, and will continue to add to my SJ collection.

This was the first Susan Johnson book that I read more than 20 years ago. I couldn't believe how well written the book was. The story keeps you hooked with the believable characters and hot and steamy sex scenes. I've read many more of Susan's books but this is my favorite. I believe you will enjoy it too.

Susan Johnson is great romance author! Reviewing from pure enjoyment factor, reading about Daisy and Duc in Forbidden was more enjoyable. This one was good but just didn't grab hold like Forbidden. Perhaps Daisy (and Duc) were more touchable, empathic, or something. "A little too jaded" keeps coming to mind, although the characters were enthusiastic. Something about Empress was slightly out-of-sync.

My first Susan Johnson book was Blaze, I was captured and couldn't put the book down. SJ is my favorite author! She makes you laugh, cry and feel warm all over. Since then I have bought 10 more of her book, she is truely amazing. The cover of Silver Flame captured my eye and when I read the back cover and found out it was the sequel to Blaze I bought it instantly!!! I recommend this book to everyone!! A++++

This book has it all. The characters are well developed and the exercise scenes steam off the pages. Ms. Johnson gives a truly good read.