Rating: 
Summary: Susan Johnson writes a good erotic historical every time
Review: In 1799, on the Eastern front, the French army, led by their great tactician and leader General André Duras, makes ready for a battle with the Russian army led by the renowned but abusive General Korsakova. Three days before the battle, Korsakova,s spouse, Teo, who was at the front at the insistence of her husband, is caught by the French army. André informs Teo that she will remain a French prisoner of war until the present fighting ends. To Andre's shock, Teo is more than happy to remain his prisoner because she loathes the vituperative Korsakova. She explains that she married him so her Siberian people would be safe from his wrath. He, in turn, explains that he is married to Tallyrand's niece, a materialist who could not care whether André survives the war or not as long as she gets her desires fulfilled. On the eve of the battle, André and Teo share the most beautiful love making of their lives and soon realize that they have both found love for the first time. However, there is a war going on with the lovers having different allegiences, making it appear that either they will have no future together, or one or both of them will have to become traitors. Sizzling Susan Johnson writes what may her best novel yet in what is already one of the great writing careers of the nineties. TABOO is an incredible historical romantic fiction that is a battlefield equivalent to Romeo and Juliet. The book is clearly a Johnson tale because all her trademark elements are included: The lead protagonists are as romantic and as hot as they get in fiction, and the poignant story line moves faster than General Duras' rapidly advancing French army. In addition to the solar heat, Ms. Johnson adds touches of authenticity that turn the book into one of the three best historical romances of the year. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: BORING!
Review: A romance novel with FOOTNOTES!?! Need I say more? This book trudges through the sheet-soiling exploits of two cardboard characters as they romp their way through one of the bloodiest wars of all time. I never cared about these characters and I already knew how the war turned out. Incest, rape, bigamy and adultery are NOT romantic. This book was a very dissapointing waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm pleased to have all your books, Ms. Johnson
Review: Anyone that rates this book any lower doesn't appreciate good writing or good research or a good story line. You are always superb with the Historical Romance. Not many authors walk through the land and speak to the people for their research. The only reason I subtracted two points with this particular book is because I thought this time it was weighted too heavily with the history of battles and war. For awhile there it was like picking up a history book with only one side of the story presented. Sorry, Susan. I will still buy your next book, never fear. Please keep sending me your newsletters or post cards. Thanks.
Rating:
Summary: An Intelligent Romance Novel
Review: Bravo! Taboo is one of Mrs. Johnson's best. Andre is believable and the perfect hero for the time setting (the facts are right on). I love the way Andre is re-created from the pages of history. I enjoyed the historical battles, I could feel as though I were there, smell the gun powder, much more so than the usual history book. Teo is one of my favorite leading ladies. She is strong, independent and can make a decision. The love scenes are seductive, passionate, steamy, and creative. The love that they share is intense and powerful. The entire story was like a roller-coaster ride, I held my breath at times. I have shared my Susan Johnson collection with my neighbors. We are wives and mothers who usually lack adventure in our day to day lives. We talk and giggle (like teenagers sometimes) after reading and our husbands are walking around with silly grins on their faces. We all look forward to each story. Keep em coming, Susan!
Rating:
Summary: I guess one has to listen to Napoleon?
Review: But I so wish that Andre would have listen to his heart that seemed to be beating in such a different manner for the first 3/4 of this book, then wham at the end what happened to this sensitive loving man that left his troops twice before to save his love Teo? The second time he was saving the life of his unborn child too! Those scenes in the middle of the book where he is so torn up over thinking she might die or the child might die - then when he is just tearing himself up over the desire to make love to her and so fearful that he could hurt them - these were some of the most romantic in any book - they were absolutely incredible - Andre was incredible - the love between this couple was so intense. The last scene when he rushes to see her for 2 hours before he safely sends her off to her homeland - was just beautiful. So what happened to this man - I just am with some of the other reviewers the last part of this book just did not add up to the first part. I still loved the story and do feel this was a great romantic read but I could have done without the battles in the end and would have liked a better more honorable manner based on Duras's intense love for Teo - and it was just too hurried when they finally were reunited. Did it really take his friend Henri to convince him to go back to Teo? No one earlier could have convinced him not to have rescued her before and no one could have kept him from going after her husband. So for this part of the book I will reluctantly give only 4 stars when up till that point it was a 5 star plus book. It is good to know that this wonderful couple has 5 wonderful children and the stories to follow especially about Pasha are some excellent reads!!
Rating:
Summary: Terrible
Review: I couldn't finish this book. It was just terrible. From the beginning the entire focus on was sex. I read to about page 75 and finally put the book down. Was there a plot to the story besides sex?
Rating:
Summary: A Really Bad Book
Review: I did not have issue with the use of the F world or C word in the story, it was just that there was no story. Ms. Johnson, this was a romance book? There was no romance, just a silly heroine, Countess Teo, who falls in love and lust within 5 minutes of meeting our always aroused hero, Andre Dumas. He was a sexy man but she was a bimbo. Lots of sex does not make for romance. This book was just plain bad...really bad.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as spicy as the rest
Review: I enjoyed the erotic writing(what there was of it), but the battle scenes were too much. There were a couple pages that I turned because it was boring. I couldn't wait for Teo and Andre to get back to each other to spice it up a bit. I guess if you want to buy a book to read about the war and all the details this is a good one. Personally I bought it because of the previous books in the series (Sinful and Wicked) Now these were scrumptious. I thought this would be just as spicy.
Rating:
Summary: Flat and forgettable
Review: I expect SJ to come up with exciting and erotic sex scenes in her books. Frankly, that's the key reason to read her books in the first place. But really, those scenes in this book are too plain and forgettable. And the story? Quite a yawn. All in all, a flat and forgettable book.
Rating:
Summary: Flat and forgettable
Review: I expect SJ to come up with exciting and erotic sex scenes in her books. Frankly, that's the key reason to read her books in the first place. But really, those scenes in this book are too plain and forgettable. And the story? Quite a yawn. All in all, a flat and forgettable book.
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