In October 2000 Kensington is following up the phenomenally successful CAPTIVATED
(it is the #1 1999 Bestselling Romance Anthology at Amazon.com)
with
FASCINATED (ISBN 1-57566-606-5).
Contributing authors are: Bertrice Small,
Susan Johnson,
Thea Devine and Robin Schone. In order of occurrence, the
novellas are:
"Mastering Lady Lucinda"by Bertrice Small: The members of the underground
club,
The Devil's Disciples, are prepared to give Lady Lucinda Harrington an
unforgettable lesson in seduction—but it is the gentlemen,
and not Lucinda,
who are left begging for more. (Text from back copy of FASCINATED)
"Risking It All" by Susan Johnson: When the destitute Felicia Greenwood wins
the gamble of her life with the aid of the Duke of Grafton, she never expects
to receive an introduction to the delectable delights of desire.
(Text from
back copy of FASCINATED.)
"The Pleasure Game" by Thea Devine: When Regina Olney learns that longtime
friend, Jeremy Gavage, is devising a scheme to thwart her plans of pursuing
a
notorious rake, she seeks revenge by playing a wickedly sensuous
game of
searing passion. (Text from back copy of FASCINATED.)
"A Man And A Woman" by Robin Schone:
Hoping to experience once again the intimacies shared with a man, widowed Megan Branwell engages in a charade with Connor Treffrey that will take them both on a breathless journey of indescribable pleasure.
(Text from back copy of FASCINATED.)
In the May 2000 issue of Romantic Times
magazine, Susan Johnson talks about her contribution
to FASCINATED. 'Susan also recently completed a short
story for the forthcoming anthology sequel to last
year's CAPTIVATED erotica anthology from Kensington.
That story [RISKING IT ALL] takes place in the glamorous, exclusive
world of Monte Carlo's gambling casinos and was
inspired after Susan and her husband stayed in a
suite at a lavish casino there built in 1865.'
REVIEWS
It is a short story, mainly dialogue, set in an exotic location ~ Monte Carlo.
The repartee was great, Susan Johnson characters always have sharp witty conversations. However, I would've preferred less talk and more action between the h/h. I was glad that there were less swear words than some of her other stories (I know this is erotica, but it is romantic erotica not pornography).
The master/dairy maid game was my favourite scene! The other sex scenes were bordering on boring, seeming to only concentrate on the genitals. And yet Susan Johnson has written splendid sensual love scenes in other books.
Whilst it is an erotic romantic story the mention of the h/h needing to go to the toilet didn't destroy the romantic illusion. I like a certain earthiness and realisism even in romantic stories.
I liked this novella much better than the short story in “Captivated”.
Elizabeth
Oh what a night, as the song goes and what an apt way to describe Susan Johnson’s latest
short story effort. As an avid fan of Mrs. Johnson’s work, I have read the grand, the good
and the okay when it comes to her brand of erotic romance….RISKING IT ALL is by
far one of her best stories.
The hero/heroine, Felicia and Flynn, are intriguing and sweet. From the moment he rescues
her at the gaming tables at a Monte Carlo casino to the moment he rescues her again from
her odious cousin Dickie, the passion and pleasure they give each other is the stuff that
dreams and good erotic romance are made of.
Mrs. Johnson’s previous short story,BOUND AND DETERMINED, was a disappointment of sorts. BOUND AND DETERMINED appeared in the
anthology CAPTIVATED which was published in 1999. In that story, the type of
generous love and sexual fulfillment you expect from her works and enjoy
was placed on the back burner for a discourse in rough sex and the use of the word fuck. It was not an easy read nor a joy to read.
RISKING IT ALL is an all together better story and I am very happy to say that.
Over all FASCINATED is a well written and enjoyable novel. The only weak spot
comes in the form of Ms. Devine’s THE PLEASURE GAME. It sadly enough was not
a pleasure to read and must admit that I did not make it through the entire story. Good Luck--in succeeding
where I failed.
In the end, I enjoyed FASCINATED and especially found a bright spot in Mrs. Johnson’s
RISKING IT ALL.
Michele
