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Sweetwater Seduction: A Novel
New York Times bestselling author Joan Johnston tells the passionate tale of a prickly woman, a small Wyoming town, and the irresistible stranger who sets out to seduce them both. Spinster schoolteacher Eden Devlin is desperate when she convinces rancher and nester wives to withhold sex from their husbands until they agree to end a devastating range war. But frustrated husbands resort to their own desperate measures—and hire gunslinger Burke Kerrigan to seduce Miss Devlin, “ ’cause if she knew what she was missin’, she’d tell our wives to let us back in the bedroom!” With battle lines drawn between husband and wife, Burke Kerrigan has his work cut out for him. Time is of the essence as he sets out to seduce Miss Devlin. But Kerrigan quickly learns that it’s not easy to hoodwink an educated woman, and the battle of sharp wits and even sharper passions that ensues results in an all-or-nothing love that takes both spinster and gunslinger by surprise.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1990
44 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Joan Johnston
126 books752 followersJoan Johnston (born Little Rock, Arkansas) is a best-selling American author of over forty contemporary and historical romance novels.
Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.
Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.
Awards
* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride
Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.
Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.
Awards
* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 26, 2014
3.5 Stars! Ok, this was my May pick-it-for-me book over in WaMRL, and I've been slacking real, real hard on my reading lately, so I didn't get to it until the end of June. But hey. I got 'er done, right.
I'd never read this author before, but this book was one I'd gotten in a huge lot of books from a house clean-out. It was one of the few that sounded interesting, so I held onto it to try. I ended up really liking the story about the prim and proper school teacher falling for the dark and dangerous gunfighter. The two characters shot sparks like a downed wire, their interactions had me laughing more than once. I liked how Eden slowly came out of her self-protective shell and how Kerrigan showed that he was a good man even if he did live by the gun. I also liked the secondary characters, Bliss and Hadley, Felton and Darcie, the various ranchers and nesters of the town. Even the four bumbling henchmen of the two lead villains were entertaining and not real bad guys. I found myself actually liking them. The funniest part of all was the plan that Eden talked all the wives of the town into to restore peace, the plan straight out of Lysistrata. The various scenes dealing with that had me cracking up. I wasn't expecting this book to really be humorous, but it was, and I enjoyed that. The Bliss and Hadley set-up had me reminded of the Hatfields and McCoys movie I watched not long ago, but thankfully it had a way happier ending for the lovebirds. Almost everyone got a HEA here, and it was nice. The epilogue even had me just a wee bit choked up for a second, and ended with a smile.
I'll most likely not hesitate to try this author again, I really enjoyed the writing, the characters and storyline. 3.5 Stars all the way.
I'd never read this author before, but this book was one I'd gotten in a huge lot of books from a house clean-out. It was one of the few that sounded interesting, so I held onto it to try. I ended up really liking the story about the prim and proper school teacher falling for the dark and dangerous gunfighter. The two characters shot sparks like a downed wire, their interactions had me laughing more than once. I liked how Eden slowly came out of her self-protective shell and how Kerrigan showed that he was a good man even if he did live by the gun. I also liked the secondary characters, Bliss and Hadley, Felton and Darcie, the various ranchers and nesters of the town. Even the four bumbling henchmen of the two lead villains were entertaining and not real bad guys. I found myself actually liking them. The funniest part of all was the plan that Eden talked all the wives of the town into to restore peace, the plan straight out of Lysistrata. The various scenes dealing with that had me cracking up. I wasn't expecting this book to really be humorous, but it was, and I enjoyed that. The Bliss and Hadley set-up had me reminded of the Hatfields and McCoys movie I watched not long ago, but thankfully it had a way happier ending for the lovebirds. Almost everyone got a HEA here, and it was nice. The epilogue even had me just a wee bit choked up for a second, and ended with a smile.
I'll most likely not hesitate to try this author again, I really enjoyed the writing, the characters and storyline. 3.5 Stars all the way.
July 27, 2020
In Sweetwater Seduction, Joan Johnston beautifully marries the classic Lysistrata plot with the "hero makes a bet to seduce heroine" trope, all in the setting of 1880s Wyoming Territory. I loved the protagonists, Miss Devlin and Kerrigan—they had the perfect blend of realism and tropey Tragic Backstories (murdered wives, the Sundance Kid as a father, etc.). There are at least three well-executed B-plots on top of it all, not to mention a bit of a mystery. Excellent.
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February 13, 2025
I love this book - Joan Johnston really shows how you can write a story and have 15+ characters and not let it confuse the reader. You knew who everyone was, remembered their role, and the main story line always remained clear and on track. The only thing I was left craving was more Bliss and Hadley!
August 6, 2020
I initially thought this novel was one that was in conjunction with Kid Calhoun; however, both Kid Calhoun and this novel are 'stand alone' novels. I totally enjoyed the story! I empathized with Miss Devlin and her drive to avoid following in her mother's footsteps and making the same mistake she made in her marriage. I was rooting through the book for her to realize there was a reason behind her mother's actions and it wasn't something to avoid! It was sad that she lost her mother at such a young age so that she didn't learn early the reason behind her mother's marriage. I was thrilled with the heroes action and laughed about the sheriff's dilemma! It took me to Chapter 16 before I think I had the bad guy figured out but until then I so thought it was the sheriff rustling the cattle! I love the way she used classic literature to add to her tale!
I very much enjoy the stories Mrs. Johnston weaves and the ins and outs. Never just one story with her and I love the way she twist and turns through the stories weaving them into one another! Going to have to take a break from her wonderful storytelling while I wait for the additional books by her to be shipped. My next foray will be into a Kari Lynn Dell tale...
I very much enjoy the stories Mrs. Johnston weaves and the ins and outs. Never just one story with her and I love the way she twist and turns through the stories weaving them into one another! Going to have to take a break from her wonderful storytelling while I wait for the additional books by her to be shipped. My next foray will be into a Kari Lynn Dell tale...
April 16, 2019
Two opposing parties (ranchers and nesters), two starcrossed lovers from each, a spinster schoolteacher, a gunslinger and a mystery, all in one extremely well-written story! Action, adventure, suspense, romance and a battle of wills create a wonderful storyline full of plot twists, excellent descriptions and plenty of suspense that had me turning the pages and reading late into the night!
Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" meets Aristophane's "Lysistrata" in this Wild West tale. Ms. Johnson has done a wonderful work combining the various elements of the two well-loved classics, to deliver a real page turner for all fans of historical western romances. Brava!!!
Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" meets Aristophane's "Lysistrata" in this Wild West tale. Ms. Johnson has done a wonderful work combining the various elements of the two well-loved classics, to deliver a real page turner for all fans of historical western romances. Brava!!!
August 26, 2019
Loved it!
I put my life on hold to finish this story. There’s humor, wit, tragedy, history, comedy, suspense, a touch of steam, western wisdom, and of course, romance. The author gives a new take on a Greek satire in this easy to read, well written story that’s guaranteed to increase your vocabulary by a word or two. A must read.
I put my life on hold to finish this story. There’s humor, wit, tragedy, history, comedy, suspense, a touch of steam, western wisdom, and of course, romance. The author gives a new take on a Greek satire in this easy to read, well written story that’s guaranteed to increase your vocabulary by a word or two. A must read.
July 4, 2024
Intrigued, Suspense and unexpected surprises
Joan did not disappoint in her telling of this story. She kept you right along the characters making you figure out who was the mastermind behind all the cattle rustling. The love story kept you wanting more for this couple to work out knowing their obstacles could be deadly. I loved this book.
Joan did not disappoint in her telling of this story. She kept you right along the characters making you figure out who was the mastermind behind all the cattle rustling. The love story kept you wanting more for this couple to work out knowing their obstacles could be deadly. I loved this book.
September 6, 2019
Sweetwater Seduction
I have had this book for a few years, I don't know why I hadn't read it before. It truly is a wonderful living and fun book. If you have any doubts at all about this wonderful book, get rid of them. The book ROCKS....
I have had this book for a few years, I don't know why I hadn't read it before. It truly is a wonderful living and fun book. If you have any doubts at all about this wonderful book, get rid of them. The book ROCKS....
June 4, 2019
A very interesting story. I really enjoyed it.
October 3, 2019
Well-written western historical. The school teacher and the hired gun come together in a good wins over evil story.
March 30, 2024
Wonderful, exciting, mysterious....finished in 2 sittings!
April 9, 2024
even though this book is kind of not great, i'll always love it because i loved it so much when i was younger and it'll always be a staple for me. eclipse book!
May 9, 2024
A western tale for the romantic
A western tale for the romantic with rustlers, danger and he unique. A look at what prevailed between ranchers, settlers and their families.
A western tale for the romantic with rustlers, danger and he unique. A look at what prevailed between ranchers, settlers and their families.
November 21, 2024
It was interesting for a while, then just got unbelievable. Dang it. I liked the story line.
June 4, 2025
Read it if you want to judge idc it ate
November 5, 2020
Oh boy. About 30% into the book I remember thinking that this felt strangely old. Not just the words but the pot devices as well. Then when I looked it up seeing it was published in 1990 it all made perfect sense. A lot of this wasn’t great for me but I don’t often read older romances. So on one hand it was fascinating to see how the genre has evolved but also kind of a tough read
May 20, 2009
I love historical romances but I normally don't favor those with a "western" theme. However, "Sweetwater Seduction" is definitely a KEEPER!!!
The heroine, spinster schoolteacher Eden Devlin, is smart and spunky and provided a number of laughs.
Burke Kerrigan is a gunslinger with a heart of gold. Ruggedly handsome yet boyishly charming, I couldn't help but picture him as Hugh Jackman.
The chemistry between these two was only slightly overshadowed by the battle of sharp wits that ensued between them throughout the book.
Laughs, likeable secondary characters, and a few tugs on the heartstrings (I cried at the end *blush) - I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone!
The heroine, spinster schoolteacher Eden Devlin, is smart and spunky and provided a number of laughs.
Burke Kerrigan is a gunslinger with a heart of gold. Ruggedly handsome yet boyishly charming, I couldn't help but picture him as Hugh Jackman.
The chemistry between these two was only slightly overshadowed by the battle of sharp wits that ensued between them throughout the book.
Laughs, likeable secondary characters, and a few tugs on the heartstrings (I cried at the end *blush) - I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone!
November 9, 2014
Joan Johnston is one of those authors that are consistent. If I see one for sale I buy it. Her books are like comfort food. I buy them, place on a shelf and keep until I need to read a good book. After reading several books that are just not that good I reach for one of hers. Ms Johnston never fails to entertain. Sweetwater Seduction is one of my favorites. I have owned my copy over 20 years and have read it several times. That's the best review you can give any book.
April 13, 2011
It was not a bad book. I liked how the solution towards peace between the nesters and the ranchers brought the town together, as well as there were other couples beside the main couple. I just didn't like this tiny detail that my imagination sorta expanded into a situation that I didn't like. Thus, it was a good book overall.
May 14, 2014
"Sweetwater Seduction" was a good historical romance. The stories were interesting and the plot kept me reading, there just wasn't the emotional punch between the two main characters that I hope for in a great romance novel. I liked the book enough to read more by this author, but I wouldn't give this book a strong recommendation. Contains graphic sex scenes.
May 8, 2012
I love stories like this one for nice easy reading on a slow weekend or when I just want to have that awwwwwww look and dream about my own cowboy.
A school teacher and a hired gun, both running away from love only to find each other in a town call Sweetwater.
A school teacher and a hired gun, both running away from love only to find each other in a town call Sweetwater.
February 15, 2016
This is one love story you will remember ! Sexy teacher meets sexy , sexy ( did I say sexy ) bad boy , and fireworks and more fireworks go off ! The fun storyline kept me turning the pages and wondering if and when that magic moment was EVER going to happen .Lots of laughs with this one !
August 13, 2007
My grandma told me I should read this. I did NOT realize it was a romance novel. I can't stand that cheesy crap. 8/21/2006
August 24, 2009
Her books are always great fun, this one is no exception. Some great light reading. Her characters are more real (not perfect) than other romance novels.
May 2, 2010
Just started a new western.......love the strong women of the frontierdays! I'll keep you posted.
July 31, 2011
Absolute best! Funny the way the women stop a range war. A must read!
August 15, 2013
3.5 stars
April 25, 2014
all i'm going to say is it is a very interesting read
July 7, 2014
4.5 stars!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews