Susan Johnson
Reviewed by: Megan Kopp
Publisher: Bantam Books
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0-553-58254-2
Samuel Lennox, the Viscount Ranelagh, is a notorious rake with a reputation for being London’s consummate lover. His interest is piqued by the lovely widow, Alexandra Ionides, not only because she poses nude for prominent artists, but because she refuses his advances.
Undeterred, Sam continues his relentless pursuit, confident in his appeal. Alex is disdainful of Sam’s attitude towards love, yet she can’t help but acknowledge the power of his sexual charisma. The heat explodes into fire as the pair come together, exploring each other’s bodies even as they begin to tentatively establish a relationship outside of sex.
Alex’s mother is none-too-pleased about her daughter’s dalliance with Sam, sure that Alex will soon end up no more than another name on the endless list of the Viscount’s conquests. Sam’s mother, the Countess of Milburn, continues to push her desire for a union between the Lennoxes wealth and the pure bloodlines of the insipid Clarissa Thornton. Family pressures take to the back-burner as tension heats up in the unbidden jealously created by ex-lovers and special friendships.
Susan Johnson has created a sensual masterpiece of historical fiction. The sexual tension between the protagonists goes beyond steamy and yet pulls back enough to allow the relationship to grow beyond the bedroom. Sam is strong, forceful, confident and yet becomes strangely vulnerable as he struggles to learn the rules of being truly in love. Alex is also confident, in addition to being fiercely independent, both emotionally and financially. Does she need Sam enough to give up the freedom she loves?
Seduction in Mind is a physical and verbal jousting match that progresses from casual entertainment to a serious game of personal survival. The contest of wills, emotional give-and-take and sizzling sensuality makes it a page-turning read not to be missed.
Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars
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