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Seduction In Mind: A Novel
He could offer her only one thing — a week of intimate pleasure....Samuel Lennox and Miss Alexandra Ionides cordially invite you to a most provocative game of seductionIt shall last for seven days, during which Lennox, Viscount Ranelagh, will wield his celebrated prowess with the London ladies in an attempt to add Miss Alex’s name to his list of conquests. The infamous list is long, though the duration of each liaison has been brief — and as the viscount will assure anyone, that is precisely how he likes it.The lady, for her part, an accomplished artist and benefactress of various charities, has no wish to be a mere plaything. Although a week of intimate pleasure with a man of Ranelagh’s legendary skills would be memorable...As for the other players — irate parents, designing debutantes, a scheming ex-mistress, even a love-struck young man with ideals — all seem intent on meddling. But the viscount is single-minded when it comes to seduction, and Miss Alex is in his sights.Come see who wins in this amorous game!
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
23 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Susan Johnson
256 books574 followersAnd it all began rather serendipitously. Long ago, as they say, in another time, when fast food hadn't reached our area and the only shopping was what the feed mill offered, I was reading a book that annoyed me .
My husband was lying beside me in bed, watching TV. Turning to him, I sort of petulantly said, "How the hell did this book get published?"
"If you think you're so smart," he replied, with one eye still on the TV, "why don't you write a book?"
So I did. And very badly.
I've since learned how to do, he said, she said, and a great variety of other adverb heavy, sometimes lengthy explanations of why my characters are saying what they're saying, along with finally coming to an understanding of what things like POV means. Point of View for you non-writers}.
Although, I still don't fully comprehend why it matters if you switch POV and I cavalierly disregard it as much as possible. So while my technical skills have hopefully improved, what hasn't changed is my great joy in writing. There's as much pleasure today in listening to my characters talk while I type as fast as I can, as there was the first time I put dialogue to paper--in long-hand, then, in my leather bound sketch-book.
My husband was lying beside me in bed, watching TV. Turning to him, I sort of petulantly said, "How the hell did this book get published?"
"If you think you're so smart," he replied, with one eye still on the TV, "why don't you write a book?"
So I did. And very badly.
I've since learned how to do, he said, she said, and a great variety of other adverb heavy, sometimes lengthy explanations of why my characters are saying what they're saying, along with finally coming to an understanding of what things like POV means. Point of View for you non-writers}.
Although, I still don't fully comprehend why it matters if you switch POV and I cavalierly disregard it as much as possible. So while my technical skills have hopefully improved, what hasn't changed is my great joy in writing. There's as much pleasure today in listening to my characters talk while I type as fast as I can, as there was the first time I put dialogue to paper--in long-hand, then, in my leather bound sketch-book.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 17, 2025
I'm afraid I enjoyed the historical notes more than the characters. A+ notes, though!
September 25, 2020
Hmm this reminded me of Brazen so much. The similarity was so obvious there wasn't any suspense at all whilst reading it.
April 21, 2011
It all started with a sexy painting. . .
Jaw droppingly handsome Samuel Lennox, Viscount Ranelagh is heir to a fortune and stinking rich in his own right. He's also a widower. But don't cry for him because she was a major time hussy. Disenchanted with marriage, he has become a womanizer of the first order (or what I'd call a pig). He feasts on different feminine flesh nearly every night and his reputation and prowess is legendary. When the story begins he is drooling over a nude painting and is determined to find the luscious model so he can indulge in yet another night of debauchery. Surely a nude model would be open to a night of passion, hmm?
This is a real fun romp of a book.
Still updating my old reads. Ugh, what a tedious task. I read this many years ago for All About Romance. The review is archived HERE .
Jaw droppingly handsome Samuel Lennox, Viscount Ranelagh is heir to a fortune and stinking rich in his own right. He's also a widower. But don't cry for him because she was a major time hussy. Disenchanted with marriage, he has become a womanizer of the first order (or what I'd call a pig). He feasts on different feminine flesh nearly every night and his reputation and prowess is legendary. When the story begins he is drooling over a nude painting and is determined to find the luscious model so he can indulge in yet another night of debauchery. Surely a nude model would be open to a night of passion, hmm?
This is a real fun romp of a book.
Still updating my old reads. Ugh, what a tedious task. I read this many years ago for All About Romance. The review is archived HERE .
December 29, 2007
Seduction in Mind - Good
Johnson, Susan (aka Jull Barkin)
Intrigued by a beautiful nude in a painting, Samuel Lennox, the Viscount Ranelagh, traces the canvas to Victorian artist Frederic Leighton's studio, where he discovers the object of his desire is Alexandra Ionides, an occasional model, wealthy widow, and painter herself. Samuel invites Alexandra to join him in a no-strings, sex-only affair, but to his surprise, Alexandra turns him down. Now the renowned libertine and experienced lover must draw upon all of his powers of seduction to convince the lovely Alexandra to let him pleasure her.
Not much by way of plot, but if you're looking for a book with hot, sex, Johnson is your author.
Johnson, Susan (aka Jull Barkin)
Intrigued by a beautiful nude in a painting, Samuel Lennox, the Viscount Ranelagh, traces the canvas to Victorian artist Frederic Leighton's studio, where he discovers the object of his desire is Alexandra Ionides, an occasional model, wealthy widow, and painter herself. Samuel invites Alexandra to join him in a no-strings, sex-only affair, but to his surprise, Alexandra turns him down. Now the renowned libertine and experienced lover must draw upon all of his powers of seduction to convince the lovely Alexandra to let him pleasure her.
Not much by way of plot, but if you're looking for a book with hot, sex, Johnson is your author.
April 12, 2025
I cannot believe this is the first Susan Johnson book I have read after all of these years of reading (umm…45 years). Wow, let me just say that if you like a lot of sexy times, then this is the book for you. I think a lot of her books are this way and I have another one in my tbr pile. It’s not that it is just sexy, but that it has a nice story of falling in love (over a short time) for two people who honestly just enjoy sex. I absolutely loved Sam’s trying to convince himself that it was to be short-lived (also Alex trying to do the same) and failing miserably. The ending is so very sweet.
June 25, 2010
Johnson's Victorian-era erotic romance thrills with each turn of the page as two reckless individuals tumble headlong into an explosive relationship.
Alexandra Ionides, who occasionally poses as a nude model and also paints, supports her scandalous pastimes with her inheritances from her two deceased husbands. Her lush beauty and unusual lifestyle captivate Samuel Lennox, Viscount Ranelagh, a renowned rogue, lover and high-stakes gambler. Determined to own one of Alex's risque portraits as well as the lady herself, Sam interrupts a sitting with the famous painter Frederic Leighton in order to make his intentions perfectly clear. As a rule, Alex dislikes men of Sam's ilk, and she rejects his advances even though she finds herself fiercely attracted to his self-assured, sexy demeanor.
Sam is persistent, however, and, within a matter of days, Alex is lodged in his bed and deep in his heart. Neither are used to passionately wanting something so bad it becomes an obsession and an addiction. Their addiction is each other, never wanting to leave the others side and never wanting to leave the bed together. Pages sizzle as the two discover that even in the face of scheming ex-lovers, disapproving parents and deeply imbedded fears of commitment, love can triumph.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Seduction In Mind
Author Susan Johnson
Reviewed By Purplycookie
Alexandra Ionides, who occasionally poses as a nude model and also paints, supports her scandalous pastimes with her inheritances from her two deceased husbands. Her lush beauty and unusual lifestyle captivate Samuel Lennox, Viscount Ranelagh, a renowned rogue, lover and high-stakes gambler. Determined to own one of Alex's risque portraits as well as the lady herself, Sam interrupts a sitting with the famous painter Frederic Leighton in order to make his intentions perfectly clear. As a rule, Alex dislikes men of Sam's ilk, and she rejects his advances even though she finds herself fiercely attracted to his self-assured, sexy demeanor.
Sam is persistent, however, and, within a matter of days, Alex is lodged in his bed and deep in his heart. Neither are used to passionately wanting something so bad it becomes an obsession and an addiction. Their addiction is each other, never wanting to leave the others side and never wanting to leave the bed together. Pages sizzle as the two discover that even in the face of scheming ex-lovers, disapproving parents and deeply imbedded fears of commitment, love can triumph.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Seduction In Mind
Author Susan Johnson
Reviewed By Purplycookie
December 17, 2013
I've been a fan of Johnson's writing ever since stumbling on her books while working at a book store. Her earlier work can be a bit...old fashioned, with brutish men throwing their weight around and 18 year old virgin heroines (sheesh!), but her later works are much more to my taste-- sassy, educated and mature women who've known other lovers and are a true foil and match to the smoldering hereos.
This one is a favorite as the leading lady is an artist and although many don't read romances for plot, the conflict here is real: Should you risk having fun with a handsome, dashing, sexy man when he's known to be a heartbreaker--should you play on his terms or stick to your guns---even though you really desire him?
Johnson's set-up's vary from almost dry historical events (military coups and wars that seperate lovers) to silly (bets that would make an 80's movie script writer laugh) but this story is fun, breezy, and interesting.
This one is a favorite as the leading lady is an artist and although many don't read romances for plot, the conflict here is real: Should you risk having fun with a handsome, dashing, sexy man when he's known to be a heartbreaker--should you play on his terms or stick to your guns---even though you really desire him?
Johnson's set-up's vary from almost dry historical events (military coups and wars that seperate lovers) to silly (bets that would make an 80's movie script writer laugh) but this story is fun, breezy, and interesting.
June 10, 2011
The author's attempt to make the characters blunt spoken came across as crass and boringly repetitive. I enjoyed the base line of the story but Alex and Sam both came across as childishly sensitive in their arguments.
April 26, 2013
I wanted to love this book, after all i love everything she writes, but i could not. I just could never "like" either the hero or heroine.... but it was a good book as always, i will keep it for my library of her books but i doubt i shall read again.
December 12, 2014
Read this book years ago when I was much younger. Remember that I loved it back then. Now after reading it I'm a little appaled at my taste back then. This was pure smut with no plot at all. It was good for what it was but other than that it was hard to get through with all the sex.
January 19, 2010
An extremely sexually provocative book about 2 independent people in England who find that they need each other regardless of their pasts.
July 28, 2016
Really cute.
December 15, 2011
not much of a plot --- but had some very sweet moments.
May 31, 2013
DNF.
I just could not emotionally connect with either of the main characters. Sorry.
I just could not emotionally connect with either of the main characters. Sorry.
July 12, 2015
I may be in the minority on this one but I didn’t like it at all. I didn't like the main characters and I found the plot to be too bland. I forced myself to finish it.
May 4, 2008
Gooood.
September 7, 2010
Loved it.
April 25, 2011
I REALLY enjoyed this book! It was one of those books that I just didn't want to end... :)
January 6, 2018
As a lover of bodice rippers, I never thought I would say this, but this book had too much sex in it. Literally almost every page was the hero and heroine shacking up. The romance actually took a back seat to their never ending gratification. They were hooking up so much, I don't know when the heroine had time to be an artist, do charity work or even eat. In fact, during one of their meetings she had 10 orgasms.. so obviously the hero knew his way around the female form.
The heroine has been married twice (to old men, her choice , and widowed) we never find out why she married old men by choice, but in fact that's really how the whole story goes.. we never find out much about anything of the hero and heroines lives.
The heroine poses naked for several paintings . The hero sees one of the paintings and is determined to meet her. They inadvertently meet and it is instant lust. The rest of the story is about a jealous ex mistress that is trying to blackmail the hero, (which really wasn't developed well. .it was almost an after thought) the hero trying to get down the heroines pants every moment of the day.
Though this book had a rake like a bodice ripper and the sex, it lacked the depth of story that most bodice rippers have. If you took out the sex, there really wasn't a story, romance nor developed characters. It's too bad because the writing was good and the plot could have worked, if the author just removed some of the sex scenes and used the added pages to develop the characters beyond their naked bodies.
Heat level- literally it is all sex
violence
The heroine has been married twice (to old men, her choice , and widowed) we never find out why she married old men by choice, but in fact that's really how the whole story goes.. we never find out much about anything of the hero and heroines lives.
The heroine poses naked for several paintings . The hero sees one of the paintings and is determined to meet her. They inadvertently meet and it is instant lust. The rest of the story is about a jealous ex mistress that is trying to blackmail the hero, (which really wasn't developed well. .it was almost an after thought) the hero trying to get down the heroines pants every moment of the day.
Though this book had a rake like a bodice ripper and the sex, it lacked the depth of story that most bodice rippers have. If you took out the sex, there really wasn't a story, romance nor developed characters. It's too bad because the writing was good and the plot could have worked, if the author just removed some of the sex scenes and used the added pages to develop the characters beyond their naked bodies.
Heat level- literally it is all sex
violence
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews