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Russian/Kuzan Family #4
Golden Paradise
Sweeping from the sands of Arabia to the glitter and opulence of Imperial Russia, Susan Johnson brings us a glorious tapestry of love and war, a tale of two lovers who find the fiercest battleground lies within their own hearts... A brilliant scholar, Lisaveta Lazaroff is both beautiful and outspoken, an independent woman who refuses to play by the rules that govern men and society. A bold attempt to ride through the Turkish desert alone nearly ends her life, until she is rescued by a man who stepped out of her dreams. He is Prince Stefan Bariatinsky, a warrior in a land as divided as the spoils of war, a man whose passions are as intense as the battles he wages. His only weakness lies in a woman who challenges him for the one thing he has never his proud heart.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1990
28 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
Susan Johnson
253 books573 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 16, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Golden Paradise (stand-alone) Prince Stefan Bariatinsky & Countess Lisaveta’s against all-odds love-story during the Russo-Turkish War!
“He smiled at her, his face starkly handsome, his dark eyes tender somehow despite their savage blackness. He was, she decided, wicked, sweet unreason, like a fallen angel dressed in sensuous beauty.”
The Russian/Kuzan Family series takes us to a less used setting, the Russian Empire following three generations of alpha males with amber eyes. The Kuzan family is Russian Royalty, wealthy beyond belief, entitled, worldly and sophisticated. Their stories will sweep you off your feet with the glittering ballrooms of St. Petersburg and Moscow, hunting lodges in the country, private railroad cars, European shopping excursions and much more…
It should be noted that several historic people served as inspiration for this fourth and final book in the Kuzan family/Russian series:
Prince Stefan’s parents and family background was inspired by Prince Alex Bariatinsky and Princess Elizabeth Orbeliani’s liason. The character of Stefan was inspired by General Michael Skobeleff (Mikhail Skobelev) aka the “White General” who rode in battle on his white horse dressed in white uniform and diamond studded sword so that his men would see him and know where to follow…
It’s 1877 and Russian General, Prince Stefan Bariatinsky aka Stepka (friend of book 1) is on a month-long furlough from the Russo-Turkish War. He is riding at breakneck speed through the Turkish desert, heading back home to his mountain retreat to spend time with his Gypsy mistress when instead he finds himself having to rescue a lady in distress.
Fiercely independent scholar Countess Lisaveta Lazaroff, Princess Kuzan aka Lise (cousin of book 1), is traveling through the desert covered up in traditional native clothing and Stefan assumes her to be a bluestocking/spinster. When Stefan realizes that underneath all that fabric is a stunningly beautiful lady his journey takes a detour into the bedroom.
Prince Stefan and Lisaveta are electrifying together, but they have so much to overcome; a malicious fiancé, jealous mistresses, Prince Stefan’s womanizing ways and Lisaveta’s determination not to fall in love with a rake. But more importantly, Stefan is the Tsar’s General fighting a war and ultimately their story is contingent on Stefan’s ability to lead his army in battle. The suspense will keep you on your toes to the very end.
Interesting setting! Suspenseful plot! Sizzling sex! Top-10 hero and one of my favorite love stories of all times!
“The Orbeliani family motto was, I Am God’s Spoiled Child, and Stefan had been operating too many years under that maxim to deny himself anything. He wanted Lise, so he would have her. Regardless.”
***
Hero: ★★★★★
Heroine: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★★
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★★
Story ending: ★★★★★
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Darkness: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Romance: | HIGH FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | HIGH FOCUS |
Thank you Liz for our ShhLYT(F)BR! xo
September 2, 2018
"The chase was won."
Golden Paradise is a beautiful historical romance based during the Russian Empire. Inspired by several Russian Historical Figures from the past, Golden Paradise is the story of a spunky Russian woman named Lisaveta who finds herself abducted and then lost in the rough terrain abandoned and alone. When Prince Stefan, who is heading back to his lodge to spend some much-needed relaxation time with his gypsy lover, runs into Lisaveta. Upon first glance, Lisaveta isn't much to look at but after she has been saved by Stefan and the two retire safely for the evening, he sees exactly what the young woman has to offer. They share a night of passion and although Stefan is engaged to be married (minor detail), still in the midst of war (no problem), Stefan and Lisaveta are destined to be together.
"They entertained each other with openness of spirit and joy through the multitude of days."Told in multiple POV, Golden Paradise is a beautiful romance full of rich history, a breathtaking setting, complex characters, and a riveting plot. The tempo of the read matches the action of the plot perfectly. As the suspense builds, so did the speed in which I turned the pages because I had to see what would happen next. What I enjoyed most about this read was the tender connection between Stefan and Lisaveta. Despite all of the many circumstances stacked against them, they were able to overcome. Stefan is my absolute favorite type of hero. He is ruthless and fiercely protective of Lisaveta. I found myself swooning over these two!
"It was a tremulous balance of happiness-like a shadow of a dream, ungrounded and bound to dissolve when reality intervened."Overall, I highly recommend Golden Paradise to any and all historical romance readers. Susan Johnson never fails to disappoint with her beautiful text and unforgettable characters. Stefan and Lisaveta's romance is epic and one that I will never forget.
*This is an (F)BR with my bestie SUEBEE!
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September 15, 2020
I started to enjoy this book a bit in the middle, but the beginning and end are absolute pants.
The heroine meets the hero when she's running away from some Turkish dude who wants to add her to his harem. He thinks she's fat and ugly, so he saves her unwillingly out of 'chivalry', then that night he accidentally sees her naked and all bets are off. They fall into bed with each other at 9% into the book. Yes, NINE PER CENT. I had to check the progress bar repeatedly to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me.
There is no basis to their connection except raw lust. I strongly disliked both the manwhore hero and the brainless heroine. Also it later turns out the hero had a fiancee while he was with the heroine, which to her credit bothers her for a few seconds. I felt very sorry for the fiancee not because she was likeable (she was deliberately written not to be) but because I was so bored of the hero.
Also I know this book is from the last century, but EVERY SINGLE Muslim man was characterised as greedy, lustful, misogynistic arseholes. I know there are certainly terrible Muslim men, as there are terrible men (and women) in all walks of life, but the whole plot is structured to emphasise how awful they are especially in comparison to the nice Russian hero. Very offputting.
Two stars because this book has one of my favourite tropes, a heroine running away from the hero who then chases after her, but writing and execution both poor.
[Blog] -
The heroine meets the hero when she's running away from some Turkish dude who wants to add her to his harem. He thinks she's fat and ugly, so he saves her unwillingly out of 'chivalry', then that night he accidentally sees her naked and all bets are off. They fall into bed with each other at 9% into the book. Yes, NINE PER CENT. I had to check the progress bar repeatedly to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me.
There is no basis to their connection except raw lust. I strongly disliked both the manwhore hero and the brainless heroine. Also it later turns out the hero had a fiancee while he was with the heroine, which to her credit bothers her for a few seconds. I felt very sorry for the fiancee not because she was likeable (she was deliberately written not to be) but because I was so bored of the hero.
Also I know this book is from the last century, but EVERY SINGLE Muslim man was characterised as greedy, lustful, misogynistic arseholes. I know there are certainly terrible Muslim men, as there are terrible men (and women) in all walks of life, but the whole plot is structured to emphasise how awful they are especially in comparison to the nice Russian hero. Very offputting.
Two stars because this book has one of my favourite tropes, a heroine running away from the hero who then chases after her, but writing and execution both poor.
[Blog] -
April 27, 2021
Omg, I feel like this one took me forever to read & I'll be reading less/finishing books slower from now on just because I'm really busy with school since finals are next week!
This was my least favorite edition in the Russian/Kuzan Family series. I thought I would like it more than I actually did... After a while, especially after the beginning, it just seemed repetitious to the other books in the series--a handsome, wealthy man who is beloved by all the ladies & gets bored w a woman after a month meets the heroine, a wealthy but beautiful and inexperienced lady, the sex-fest ensues, the heroine gets pregnant since no birth control was ever used, separation, marriage, conflict, then finally the HEA. Even the hero's arrogance and lack of introspection are described similarly. Stefan was a little less arrogant than Nikki and his son, fortunately.
Because of the similarities in writing and plot and heroes, I found myself also reading slower because I was less engaged to continue reading.
I found it interesting how the 22-year-old heroine was a scholar, though I'm not really sure how that works--does that mean she just studies Hafiz's works on her own time? I doubt she got paid for it. And I was wondering if Lisaveta was planning on continuing her scholarship after she married Stefan. It was also interesting how when Stefan first met her, he didn't even find her attractive! He thought she was fat too. I think because of all the layers she was wearing and for the former, it was because her face was covered in dirt. And so of course, when he sees her naked beauty clean for the first time, he has to have her. Luckily for him, she also wanted him and willingly gave him her virginity. I appreciate in SJ's novels how the heroine always has sex quickly with the hero...no slow burn here. I do feel as though the GR blurb misled me... (for instance, not many were aware that Lisaveta "willingly surrendered her innocence to him").
There are two main other women in the story--Stefan's unlikable fiancee who he got engaged to for practical reasons, not love, and his mistress, who was easily bought off...
One thing that bugged me once or twice (however it probably won't bother anyone else!) was how Lisaveta never went back to her own residence...surely, you would need to go back to pick up your things, say goodbye to the servants. Also, does anyone else live there? I think her father had died but I could be wrong. So shouldn't she close down her residence since she's now living with Stefan? I know this is being really nitpicky but I felt like it was a loose plot point.
Despite this book feeling similar to the others, the fact that Stefan actually had a job (!!) and some purpose in life was different than all the other heroes and I really liked the ending too, which was totally different than all the other books.
Well, I'm glad to be able to say I finished another series & thanks to Nenia Campbell for bringing my attention to this one with "Seized by Love"!
This was my least favorite edition in the Russian/Kuzan Family series. I thought I would like it more than I actually did... After a while, especially after the beginning, it just seemed repetitious to the other books in the series--a handsome, wealthy man who is beloved by all the ladies & gets bored w a woman after a month meets the heroine, a wealthy but beautiful and inexperienced lady, the sex-fest ensues, the heroine gets pregnant since no birth control was ever used, separation, marriage, conflict, then finally the HEA. Even the hero's arrogance and lack of introspection are described similarly. Stefan was a little less arrogant than Nikki and his son, fortunately.
Because of the similarities in writing and plot and heroes, I found myself also reading slower because I was less engaged to continue reading.
I found it interesting how the 22-year-old heroine was a scholar, though I'm not really sure how that works--does that mean she just studies Hafiz's works on her own time? I doubt she got paid for it. And I was wondering if Lisaveta was planning on continuing her scholarship after she married Stefan. It was also interesting how when Stefan first met her, he didn't even find her attractive! He thought she was fat too. I think because of all the layers she was wearing and for the former, it was because her face was covered in dirt. And so of course, when he sees her naked beauty clean for the first time, he has to have her. Luckily for him, she also wanted him and willingly gave him her virginity. I appreciate in SJ's novels how the heroine always has sex quickly with the hero...no slow burn here. I do feel as though the GR blurb misled me... (for instance, not many were aware that Lisaveta "willingly surrendered her innocence to him").
There are two main other women in the story--Stefan's unlikable fiancee who he got engaged to for practical reasons, not love, and his mistress, who was easily bought off...
One thing that bugged me once or twice (however it probably won't bother anyone else!) was how Lisaveta never went back to her own residence...surely, you would need to go back to pick up your things, say goodbye to the servants. Also, does anyone else live there? I think her father had died but I could be wrong. So shouldn't she close down her residence since she's now living with Stefan? I know this is being really nitpicky but I felt like it was a loose plot point.
Despite this book feeling similar to the others, the fact that Stefan actually had a job (!!) and some purpose in life was different than all the other heroes and I really liked the ending too, which was totally different than all the other books.
Well, I'm glad to be able to say I finished another series & thanks to Nenia Campbell for bringing my attention to this one with "Seized by Love"!
August 9, 2018
Golden Paradise
I had some issues with this book especially at the beginning because of the information dump. It bogged down the story which caused a bit of frustration on my part. It was also a bit repetitious and predictable yet enjoyable. It was a completely immersive and epic story. I loved going on this journey with Stefan and Lise and recommend it to historical romance lovers.
I had some issues with this book especially at the beginning because of the information dump. It bogged down the story which caused a bit of frustration on my part. It was also a bit repetitious and predictable yet enjoyable. It was a completely immersive and epic story. I loved going on this journey with Stefan and Lise and recommend it to historical romance lovers.
April 29, 2016
FOR ONCE I FELT THE LOVE WASNT FORCED!
I have completed the Kuzan series and found it immeasurably pleasurable to read. It had all the heart-wrenching and bittersweet emotions of lust, passion, jealousy and a dash of romance. However the only thing that left me unsatisfied in the few Kuzan books were the repetitive of :
Hero meets heroine - they fall in lust, have a long weekend of passionate sex - they end their liaison by circumstances - the heroine realises she is pregnant - hero is hunted down to marry her by force - hero calls her a manipulative bitch - hero is doubtful he is the father of the child - after married, he may or may not cheat - they fight and argue - HEA
The forced marriage could have been done WITHOUT because it only made the hero so resentful that we couldn't be certain he loved the heroine or not. THIS BOOK was different in how THE HERO ACTUALLY PROPOSES TO THE HEROINE without being forced to marry her! HALLELUJAH! Something more substantial at last!
OUR HERO:
A typical Susan Johnson moulded hero, who is big on the ladies, arrogant and powerful. What makes him different is how he is more sensitive compared to other Johnson heroes. If not mistaken, he was the product of a love match....but I kind of skimmed that part so I am not 100% sure. Anyways he doesn't want to marry for love so he is engaged to a bitchy and naive Princess for the connection. However fate intervenes in the form of Lise. Stepka struck me as shallow at first when he found Lise and thought she was ugly and didn't "stir his loins". Bear in mind she was covered in dirt. He falls in love with her quick enough and goes through the typical war situations in Johnson stories and later pursues her and marries her. Johnson heroes are ALWAYS IN DENIAL & QUICK TO JUDGE. Sometimes their high-handedness is really OFF PUTTING.
OUR HEROINE:
Also a typical Johnson heroine. What makes Lise different is that she is of equal status to Stepka because she is a Kuzan Princess. Finally a heroine who can fight toe to toe. But she still gets step around a lot by the Prince and so I have nothing much to recommend about her. I am just glad she stubbornly fights Stepka all the time, since he deserved them.
OVERALL:
I didn't give this a full 5 STARS maybe because having gone through so many Johnson books they have the same story line and it gets predictable. More often I feel the hero as mean and I can't tell if they are truly in love with the heroine because they can be so detached. It's like they are in lust and suddenly after terrible fights and whoring, he becomes in love. WTF? Johnson books are good to read when you are in the mood.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR TERRIBLY ROMANTIC. THIS IS NOT YOUR CUP OF TEA.
JEALOUSY AND PASSION IS WHAT JOHNSON BOOKS ARE ABOUT.
I have completed the Kuzan series and found it immeasurably pleasurable to read. It had all the heart-wrenching and bittersweet emotions of lust, passion, jealousy and a dash of romance. However the only thing that left me unsatisfied in the few Kuzan books were the repetitive of :
Hero meets heroine - they fall in lust, have a long weekend of passionate sex - they end their liaison by circumstances - the heroine realises she is pregnant - hero is hunted down to marry her by force - hero calls her a manipulative bitch - hero is doubtful he is the father of the child - after married, he may or may not cheat - they fight and argue - HEA
The forced marriage could have been done WITHOUT because it only made the hero so resentful that we couldn't be certain he loved the heroine or not. THIS BOOK was different in how THE HERO ACTUALLY PROPOSES TO THE HEROINE without being forced to marry her! HALLELUJAH! Something more substantial at last!
OUR HERO:
A typical Susan Johnson moulded hero, who is big on the ladies, arrogant and powerful. What makes him different is how he is more sensitive compared to other Johnson heroes. If not mistaken, he was the product of a love match....but I kind of skimmed that part so I am not 100% sure. Anyways he doesn't want to marry for love so he is engaged to a bitchy and naive Princess for the connection. However fate intervenes in the form of Lise. Stepka struck me as shallow at first when he found Lise and thought she was ugly and didn't "stir his loins". Bear in mind she was covered in dirt. He falls in love with her quick enough and goes through the typical war situations in Johnson stories and later pursues her and marries her. Johnson heroes are ALWAYS IN DENIAL & QUICK TO JUDGE. Sometimes their high-handedness is really OFF PUTTING.
OUR HEROINE:
Also a typical Johnson heroine. What makes Lise different is that she is of equal status to Stepka because she is a Kuzan Princess. Finally a heroine who can fight toe to toe. But she still gets step around a lot by the Prince and so I have nothing much to recommend about her. I am just glad she stubbornly fights Stepka all the time, since he deserved them.
OVERALL:
I didn't give this a full 5 STARS maybe because having gone through so many Johnson books they have the same story line and it gets predictable. More often I feel the hero as mean and I can't tell if they are truly in love with the heroine because they can be so detached. It's like they are in lust and suddenly after terrible fights and whoring, he becomes in love. WTF? Johnson books are good to read when you are in the mood.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR TERRIBLY ROMANTIC. THIS IS NOT YOUR CUP OF TEA.
JEALOUSY AND PASSION IS WHAT JOHNSON BOOKS ARE ABOUT.
January 2, 2010
The Countess Lisaveta Lazaroff was not afraid of the whispers of polite society. She had willingly surrendered her innocence to the sensual assault of the czar's most notorious general, the darkly handsome Prince Stefan Bariatinsky. Yet the lovely Lisaveta vowed she would never surrender to Stefan's demands to be her lord and master. For although the prince was as undefeated in the game of love as he was on the battlefield, Lisaveta was a woman determined to beat him at his own game and capture the heart of Russia's most unobtainable man--forever.
This was a good read I really liked Lisaveta's character. I really enjoyed the part where Stefan goes into battle and goes missing the entire battle sequence was really good it became a real page turner!
This was a good read I really liked Lisaveta's character. I really enjoyed the part where Stefan goes into battle and goes missing the entire battle sequence was really good it became a real page turner!
May 4, 2008
Good book.
December 25, 2024
Susan Johnson is the author of another one of my all time favourite HR's, Forbidden , so after I finished that I went in search of other novels from her oeuvre to try out.
I'm gonna be real with y'all - the Russian/Kuzan family series is a ridiculously mixed bag. The first book in the series is one of my least favourite romances that I've ever read (and maybe ought to be studied in psychology classes as an upsettingly accurate portrayal of Stockholm syndrome????) and the next two were just okay - they had all the drama and great descriptions that I loved from Forbidden , but I just didn't feel connected at all to the couples, or even really believe in their romances.
But. BUT. Then we have Golden Paradise, the last of the series, and let me tell you - WE'RE BACK IN BUSINESS, BABY!
If you thought Forbidden was epic, it's only because you haven't read Golden Paradise, which is a romance that seems to span the literal breadth of the Russian empire. I love romances that have 'something else going on' - a mystery! a war! a murder! something! - to up the stakes, and 'war' is what we've got here. The Russo-Turkish war to be precise, fought between the Russian and Ottoman empires. The conflict plays a large role in the story, and you can tell that Susan Johnson has a deep interest in it because she paints it vividly and doesn't skimp at all on the details. It makes for an arresting and dramatic backdrop to our story.
Our heroine is The beautiful and independent Countess Lisaveta Lazaroff , a scholar of the poet Hafiz who is returning from Turkey where she's been studying a large private collection of the poet's work. As hostilities are high this isn't the best time to be travelling, but she has to leave to avoid being added to the harem of the Turkish lord who is now billeting his troops at her hosts' home. This level of pulpy drama is what we're here for, so just get used to it. On her way back to Russia she's taken hostage by a band of Turkish marauders, but is luckily rescued by our hero, the maddeningly handsome Prince Stefan Bariatinsky, one of the Tsar's best generals. Stefan has been fighting at the front line for ages and is about to head off to his first well earned break in a hot minute when he encounters the marauders, and despite his exhaustion decides he can't leave the poor peasant woman that they've abducted to her fate, and rescues her. That's right - Lisavetta is filthy and completely swathed in the peasant clothes she wore on her journey to try and avoid attention, and therefore the Prince has absolutely no sense of who she really is.
When they get to safety and he realizes what she actually looks like, things happen *very* quickly between them. It's honestly a bit too insta love for my taste, but these two have a connection that is impossible for either of them to deny, and it is war, for gods sake - people are dying left right and centre, so the heightened atmosphere makes it more realistic for me. For the rest of the novel it's not their attraction to each other that's the problem - it's everything else keeping them apart! The war, for one thing; the fact that Lisavetta has grown up indulged by her father to be extremely independent and therefore not even sure she wants to be married; the fact that Stefan has a mistress (who he forgets about?? lol what) AND an aggravating and simpering fiancée who he has no interest in but who is very much NOT interested in letting him go; and a whole host of other things. It's basically just complication after complication, steeped in incredible descriptions of Russian noble life and military campaigns, with the drama ratcheted to 10000 and these two crazy kids at the centre of it who truly do desperately love each other.
Lisa is beautiful, spirited, proud, intelligent, and independent - one of the best Johnson heroines. And Stefan is more than just the typical alpha-male nobleman that Johnson writes about (even though he is alpha male domineering to the extreme, even basically kidnapping our heroine at one point??) in most of her novels. He's actually based on an amalgamation of two real Russian men and you can tell that Johnson really put her heart and soul into writing him. His military prowess and care for his troops, for the Tsar, for the old Russian way of life that he grew up in, and a real sense of vulnerability and tenderness all undercut that alpha domineering attitude to make him feel fully realized and multi dimensional.
This book is crazy dramatic, but I've read it half a dozen times and always come back for more. It's my favourite historical romance set in Russia, and it is epic, pulpy perfection.
I'm gonna be real with y'all - the Russian/Kuzan family series is a ridiculously mixed bag. The first book in the series is one of my least favourite romances that I've ever read (and maybe ought to be studied in psychology classes as an upsettingly accurate portrayal of Stockholm syndrome????) and the next two were just okay - they had all the drama and great descriptions that I loved from Forbidden , but I just didn't feel connected at all to the couples, or even really believe in their romances.
But. BUT. Then we have Golden Paradise, the last of the series, and let me tell you - WE'RE BACK IN BUSINESS, BABY!
If you thought Forbidden was epic, it's only because you haven't read Golden Paradise, which is a romance that seems to span the literal breadth of the Russian empire. I love romances that have 'something else going on' - a mystery! a war! a murder! something! - to up the stakes, and 'war' is what we've got here. The Russo-Turkish war to be precise, fought between the Russian and Ottoman empires. The conflict plays a large role in the story, and you can tell that Susan Johnson has a deep interest in it because she paints it vividly and doesn't skimp at all on the details. It makes for an arresting and dramatic backdrop to our story.
Our heroine is The beautiful and independent Countess Lisaveta Lazaroff , a scholar of the poet Hafiz who is returning from Turkey where she's been studying a large private collection of the poet's work. As hostilities are high this isn't the best time to be travelling, but she has to leave to avoid being added to the harem of the Turkish lord who is now billeting his troops at her hosts' home. This level of pulpy drama is what we're here for, so just get used to it. On her way back to Russia she's taken hostage by a band of Turkish marauders, but is luckily rescued by our hero, the maddeningly handsome Prince Stefan Bariatinsky, one of the Tsar's best generals. Stefan has been fighting at the front line for ages and is about to head off to his first well earned break in a hot minute when he encounters the marauders, and despite his exhaustion decides he can't leave the poor peasant woman that they've abducted to her fate, and rescues her. That's right - Lisavetta is filthy and completely swathed in the peasant clothes she wore on her journey to try and avoid attention, and therefore the Prince has absolutely no sense of who she really is.
When they get to safety and he realizes what she actually looks like, things happen *very* quickly between them. It's honestly a bit too insta love for my taste, but these two have a connection that is impossible for either of them to deny, and it is war, for gods sake - people are dying left right and centre, so the heightened atmosphere makes it more realistic for me. For the rest of the novel it's not their attraction to each other that's the problem - it's everything else keeping them apart! The war, for one thing; the fact that Lisavetta has grown up indulged by her father to be extremely independent and therefore not even sure she wants to be married; the fact that Stefan has a mistress (who he forgets about?? lol what) AND an aggravating and simpering fiancée who he has no interest in but who is very much NOT interested in letting him go; and a whole host of other things. It's basically just complication after complication, steeped in incredible descriptions of Russian noble life and military campaigns, with the drama ratcheted to 10000 and these two crazy kids at the centre of it who truly do desperately love each other.
Lisa is beautiful, spirited, proud, intelligent, and independent - one of the best Johnson heroines. And Stefan is more than just the typical alpha-male nobleman that Johnson writes about (even though he is alpha male domineering to the extreme, even basically kidnapping our heroine at one point??) in most of her novels. He's actually based on an amalgamation of two real Russian men and you can tell that Johnson really put her heart and soul into writing him. His military prowess and care for his troops, for the Tsar, for the old Russian way of life that he grew up in, and a real sense of vulnerability and tenderness all undercut that alpha domineering attitude to make him feel fully realized and multi dimensional.
This book is crazy dramatic, but I've read it half a dozen times and always come back for more. It's my favourite historical romance set in Russia, and it is epic, pulpy perfection.
August 13, 2018
Did not finish this book. Some parts did not sit well with me.
Lisaveta's character is bold, intelligent and strong. I liked her very much. However, she disappointed me.
Stefan, oh Stefan. I tried so hard to like you. 15% into the book. I just could not.
1. Stefan saved Lisaveta in the desert. Both of them were mutually attracted, they spend approximately 2 weeks there exploring this attraction. After this stint, Stefan decided to bring her home. To Lisaveta's (and my horror), Stefan was engaged. His fiancee was waiting in that said home. Lisaveta was furious when she found out. Being the strong independent woman that she is, she would not be the mistress in this triangle. Stefan was unrepentant, still wanted to fuck her. Poor Lisaveta sat through a whole dinner course with the fiancee throwing barbs at her. Promising one last night, she decided to leave.
2. Stefan was enraged when he found out that she left. He chased after her as though hellhounds where after him. In summary, he kidnapped/persuaded her to spend another 20 days in a mountain lodge. GUESS WHO WAS WAITING AT THE LODGE?? Stefan's gypsy mistress! I had a huge WTF moment. Stefan again was undeterred and not sorry at all! He spent a fortune paying off the mistress. ok, this where I got seriously disappointed with Lisaveta. Stefan used the excuse that he used a fortune to pay off his mistress for her. WHICH Lisaveta accepted. Girl, I thought you had more pride than that. I for one, would not be flattered.
3. In the ballroom scene, Stefan "forced" himself upon her. She clearly said no and uncomfortable. She stood her ground. He was all "I know you want me. You were waiting for me..". TBH I am not sure what i feel about this because she eventually gave in. Is this rape?
Anyways, Miss Johnson did a brilliant job though. Her writing style, I cannot. It's like honey, it flowed really well.
After all, Stefan might have some character development. That i am not sure. Maybe i would give this book another chance.
Lisaveta's character is bold, intelligent and strong. I liked her very much. However, she disappointed me.
Stefan, oh Stefan. I tried so hard to like you. 15% into the book. I just could not.
1. Stefan saved Lisaveta in the desert. Both of them were mutually attracted, they spend approximately 2 weeks there exploring this attraction. After this stint, Stefan decided to bring her home. To Lisaveta's (and my horror), Stefan was engaged. His fiancee was waiting in that said home. Lisaveta was furious when she found out. Being the strong independent woman that she is, she would not be the mistress in this triangle. Stefan was unrepentant, still wanted to fuck her. Poor Lisaveta sat through a whole dinner course with the fiancee throwing barbs at her. Promising one last night, she decided to leave.
2. Stefan was enraged when he found out that she left. He chased after her as though hellhounds where after him. In summary, he kidnapped/persuaded her to spend another 20 days in a mountain lodge. GUESS WHO WAS WAITING AT THE LODGE?? Stefan's gypsy mistress! I had a huge WTF moment. Stefan again was undeterred and not sorry at all! He spent a fortune paying off the mistress. ok, this where I got seriously disappointed with Lisaveta. Stefan used the excuse that he used a fortune to pay off his mistress for her. WHICH Lisaveta accepted. Girl, I thought you had more pride than that. I for one, would not be flattered.
3. In the ballroom scene, Stefan "forced" himself upon her. She clearly said no and uncomfortable. She stood her ground. He was all "I know you want me. You were waiting for me..". TBH I am not sure what i feel about this because she eventually gave in. Is this rape?
Anyways, Miss Johnson did a brilliant job though. Her writing style, I cannot. It's like honey, it flowed really well.
After all, Stefan might have some character development. That i am not sure. Maybe i would give this book another chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2022
2+ -- Ongoing let's just get some books read because I'm behind & clear some backlog: the harlequin historical pile
I've had this one a long time and stop-started several attempts to read it. No precise reason; the beginning is dense with info, I've since realized it is part of a series and so while it's possible to read on its own, lacking context of the others doesn't help; there's something in the leads' early dynamic I never quite liked.
Add in Stefan being so over the top lusty and boorish -- bedding Lise then dragging her to his home to sweep away his socially convenient fiancee and then again to his mountain retreat to sweep away his mistress. This is a given trope; a man who has no love for women, merely needs for them in different ways, and maintains that until he's upended by THE woman. And he has to go and upend everything else to keep her. Sometimes I'm good with it, sometimes less. This was less.
I admit I skimmed. Not the book or prose's fault, more mine and what I said just above. But I got the highlights, and the ending is lovely. I like who Stefan and Lise are together, changed by each other, in the end too. Which makes it satisfying enough even though I was pretty cursory with it. Also, I'm super glad after years of juuuust not being able to pass this one along without reading it first, I at last have and now it's done.
I've had this one a long time and stop-started several attempts to read it. No precise reason; the beginning is dense with info, I've since realized it is part of a series and so while it's possible to read on its own, lacking context of the others doesn't help; there's something in the leads' early dynamic I never quite liked.
Add in Stefan being so over the top lusty and boorish -- bedding Lise then dragging her to his home to sweep away his socially convenient fiancee and then again to his mountain retreat to sweep away his mistress. This is a given trope; a man who has no love for women, merely needs for them in different ways, and maintains that until he's upended by THE woman. And he has to go and upend everything else to keep her. Sometimes I'm good with it, sometimes less. This was less.
I admit I skimmed. Not the book or prose's fault, more mine and what I said just above. But I got the highlights, and the ending is lovely. I like who Stefan and Lise are together, changed by each other, in the end too. Which makes it satisfying enough even though I was pretty cursory with it. Also, I'm super glad after years of juuuust not being able to pass this one along without reading it first, I at last have and now it's done.
January 10, 2025
Wonderful writing, but entirely unlikable MCs. MMC was an alphahole, borderline r*apey, and his transformation from libertine to legshackled husband was dubious at best, especially without any real connection or context behind it. Just BAM! Suddenly they were completed tragically in love with each other, despite the MMC being engaged to another woman for 75% of the book. The FMC vacillated between being this independent “scholar” who journeys across a desert alone to completely bending to MMCs will, so again …. Nothing about either MC made much sense or was consistent or endearing. The amount of times she said “no” and their sexual encounters continued anyhow was, frankly, icky. I thought the premise of the story was interesting, but the characters and their (lack of) development made this story mid, at best.
January 18, 2021
FABULOUS!
Susan Johnson has always been one of my favorite authors, so adding her novels to a format other than print seemed practical, and ultimately a way to maximize my ability to read her novels as often as possible. One of my first choices was Golden Paradise, featuring Russians Prince Stefan and the Countess Lisaveta. Very old school romance, with battle scenes, palaces, gypsies, encampments, etc.. Inspiring her readers, is Ms. Johnson's dedication to making sure her historical references are as exact as possible, even citing quotes to those references in her books. They are quite unique.
Susan Johnson has always been one of my favorite authors, so adding her novels to a format other than print seemed practical, and ultimately a way to maximize my ability to read her novels as often as possible. One of my first choices was Golden Paradise, featuring Russians Prince Stefan and the Countess Lisaveta. Very old school romance, with battle scenes, palaces, gypsies, encampments, etc.. Inspiring her readers, is Ms. Johnson's dedication to making sure her historical references are as exact as possible, even citing quotes to those references in her books. They are quite unique.
November 5, 2019
Boring. Blaze is the only one that didn't bore me lately.
March 20, 2012
Countess Lisaveta Lazaroff was a naive young lady when she accidentally meets Prince Stefan in the middle of a war. Stefan is on a month long furlough expecting to go back to his mountain retreat and spend days with his Gypsy lover. He is almost irritated when he comes upon and rescues Lisaveta, thinking she is annoying, educated and does not appear to be a looker. Well, is he wrong, back at his palace he finds she cleans up into a diamond of the first water and he immediately seduces her, well she was very willing so not sure who seduces who. Yes, these two start off in lust, but through the next month and fiances and gypsy lovers they spend much romantic quality time together at Stefan's mountain retreat.
Lise is fighting her feelings of love since she knows Stefan is a rake and never ever falls in love--in fact since love destroyed his own personal family he fights against any feelings of love. They separate and he goes to the battle of Kars which is to be the battle to end the war. Lise goes off to St. Petersburg and is presented to court and is a total success.
I very much enjoyed this novel, it was very heartfelt if one enjoys deep felt love and romance without the interruptions of the hero pursuing "other sexual affairs". I highly recommend this book it is rich in Russian and Turkish history (without being heavy) with the witty and beautiful love story of Stefan and Lisaveta.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Golden Paradise (Russian series/Kuzan Family series, #4)
Author Susan Johnson
Reviewed By Purplycookie
Lise is fighting her feelings of love since she knows Stefan is a rake and never ever falls in love--in fact since love destroyed his own personal family he fights against any feelings of love. They separate and he goes to the battle of Kars which is to be the battle to end the war. Lise goes off to St. Petersburg and is presented to court and is a total success.
I very much enjoyed this novel, it was very heartfelt if one enjoys deep felt love and romance without the interruptions of the hero pursuing "other sexual affairs". I highly recommend this book it is rich in Russian and Turkish history (without being heavy) with the witty and beautiful love story of Stefan and Lisaveta.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Golden Paradise (Russian series/Kuzan Family series, #4)
Author Susan Johnson
Reviewed By Purplycookie
May 4, 2009
I've always been a big fan of Susan Johnson, especially her historicals. This one fell a little short for me. While I appreciated that amount of history that she installs in her books, this one seemed to have just a bit to much. It is a 'Russian' book, and while the history of that country is fascinating, the amount in this book was a little hindering of the plot.
The hero and heroine were both interesting characters. But there were times that I felt they both were a little to shallow for their own good.
A decent book overall.
The hero and heroine were both interesting characters. But there were times that I felt they both were a little to shallow for their own good.
A decent book overall.
September 2, 2014
YASSSSSS. FINALLY. CHARACTERS I CAN ENJOY. Albeit naive, Lisaveta is so like able! She's intelligent, optimistic, realistic in her expectations for herself, and staunchly independent. I absolutely adore her (although her naïveté does grind a bit, it is easily ignored). While Stefan is spoiled rotten and overindulged, I was able to reconcile that due to the relationship dynamic he had with Lise. This book is A MUCH better read than the ones before it!
November 3, 2011
Loved it. A little unbelievable at time. But good.
December 7, 2012
My first romance novel. :)
January 22, 2014
good but not great. very complicated plot with the fighting between the russians and turks.
Want to read
May 3, 2009This is the cover for the edition I have. The only difference is its in english.
October 2, 2016
Heck of a series....
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