Seized by Love (Russian/Kuzan Family)

Most everything I feel about this book has already been said by the other "positive" reviewers on here. I just wanted to reinforce that I love Susan Johnson and the way she writes. Yes, I usually like to read books with Alpha males that become loving and tender and faithful once they meet the woman they fall in love with but that just would not have worked in this story. That would have actually ruined the story and been very unbelievable since Nikki was a spoiled rich Prince who got what he wanted with probably very little difficulty. Then he comes across Alisa who speaks back to him. I'm sure he found that difficult to handle so it brought out even more of the bad boy in him (as well as the fact that he was fighting his feelings for her). ****SPOLIER: And when Nikki said he would take it one day at a time...well, that broke my heart & I did become upset with Nikki but the epilogue was wonderful.**** I appreciate SJ's willing to take chances on writing about these kinds of bad boys (the VERY BAD ones) as it's great to read something different from the usual. Besides, they end up just like the other rakes...it just takes a little longer and a little harder of a fall.

Dear readers , I love reading about bad boys, and there is no boy badder, than Nikki Kuzan! If you are softhearted and can't handle the drama that a bad boy is going to bring, then this book is not for you, but to all the others whose a little on the wild side, go an take a ride with Nikki Kuzan. It seems to me that Susan Johnson knows every women's fantasies. Nikki is not your average romance hero. He is the kind of hero you save for your naughty dreams. He is devastatingly sexy, hard to get, and every women wants him. Who does he want? (Alisa). He might not show it in the conventional way, but show it he does! Alisa is a wonderful and realistic heroine, because it doesn't matter what era we are living in, there will allways be women who rebels against there plight, and take a chance on something better. Put aside how wonderful Alisa and Nikky are, the story in itself was magnifecent. Susan Johnson captivates you with her writing. I was hooked from the first page. It took me one day to finish this book. Heroes like Nikki are the very reason I started reading historical romances and not contempary. The men of that era were very dominant and so different from the men of today, but men like Nikky should be left for your fantasies, and I want to live out my fantasies in every book that I read! That is why I think Susan Johnson is such a refreshing author. She was bold enough to write a romance novel like this for all the people who wanted to read something more daring, and for that I am her biggest fan!

I read most anything by Susan Johnson, although I don't like everything she writes. By far, the biggest reason that I read her is her ability to meld history and sex with wit and style. Outlaw, for instance, has some genuinely good writing and well-researched history.Reading this book, however, was kind of a shock. You talk about spousal abuse... The heroine's first husband was a physically abusive demented religious zealot many decades her senior, her lover (the hero) turns out to be a psychologically abusive man who desires her (and her submission) obsessively. My initial reaction to this book was "ick." Upon reflection, though, I have truly come to appreciate this book. It is in no way a typical romance story; if you are looking for "maltreated virginal heroine finds sappy romance with adoring lover" this book is NOT for you. But Johnson's hallmark is historical realism, and let's be honest, Tzarist Russia was not exactly a hotbed of women's rights. I have hashed this out with friends who argue that romantic fiction is exatly that - not intended to be realistic. On the other hand, the "bad boy" figure in romance tends to be a neutered caricature: rake until he meets the perfect sex partner, then he's just as tame as can be. This book presents the hero as a true bad boy, atrocious ego and all. The scene where Nikki comes from a liason with a former mistress to a pregnant Alissa's bed is a perfect example of this - revolting to modern sensibilities, but probably not out of the norm for a Russian prince 250 years ago.So, thank you Ms. Johnson for injecting a true note of reality - along with some great sex scenes - into the world of romance.

I thought this was an great romance novel. For once the heroine was not a whimpering virgin. There were several heated and sensual love scenes. This is a bodice ripper but one that is definitely worth reading.

Susan thank you for this story! I felt as if I was in Russia with Alisa and Nikki. I can see the costumes, the buildings and there love! This is my first time reading a romance novel and I love history, including the Russian period. You are the only author that captures the essence of love, lust, sex and romance. Please keep writing because I am one loyal fan!!! NDW