Gwen’s review of Hot Property by Susan Johnson
Contemporary erotic romantic suspense released by Berkley Sensation 5 Aug 08

I had not read Susan Johnson before.  I understand she writes both historicals and contemps and that her sensuality is always very steamy.  I enjoyed this book but had a couple of small things I was not a fan of – read on to find out what… 

This book’s premise is interesting: a writer of non-fiction investigative books gets herself in a pickle (not such a big pickle, it turns out) and asks her hunky neighbor for help out of it.  Said hunky neighbor is also in a pickle (a rather huge one, it turns out) and agrees to help his sexy neighbor.

I have one problem with this premise: why would a guy, who in such incredible danger he has to have assault weaponry in his pantry and booby traps around his cabin, agree to help a seemingly innocent neighbor right when the aforementioned danger reaches a crisis level?  I mean, if she’s a spy or plant from her enemy, saying “no” would be logical.  If she’s innocent, saying “no” would be humane.  Seems awfully selfish on his part and his actions truly stretch my ability to suspend my disbelief.

The relationship between the hero and heroine is interesting and I like that the resolution is realistic.  I totally did NOT buy into the hero’s sexual stamina.  I realize I’m reading an erotic romance where all men are hung like horses and have supernatural stamina, but this guy stretches even THAT trope.  I also found myself noticing the “lavender,” if not fully purple, language – just a little over the top but not awfully so.

Then there’s the firefight in the Canadian wilderness.  Seemed to be a bit anticlimactic, to be honest.  Two (good) guys just happen to have the right artillery to take down two (or is it three) bad guy helicopters, and nobody notices.  That’s some serious wilderness.

I also didn’t fully buy into the resolution of the CIA Director-candidate storyline.  I felt it was a bit over the top and that it was a little too “sledge-hammer when a ball-peen would do”.  If it had resolved more like the billionaire storyline, or something where the guy is totally discredited, I would have liked it and believed it more.

This wasn’t a bad read for what it was – contemporary erotic romance.  What didn’t work were the romantic suspense elements.  They were heavy-handed and just didn’t fully work for me.

I can recommend this book to anyone looking for marathon sex scenes or fans of the author.

Grade: C-

Summary:

To finish writing her exposé on art collectors, Zoe Chandler has fled to a secluded lake house where a muscle-bound neighbor in cargo shorts catches her attention. The problem: he likes seclusion too. Haunted by his past in the CIA, he isn’t looking for company. But when Zoe’s controversial book brings a threat to her door, she begs Nick to protect her from danger…and keep her close. With his own trouble brewing, he’s not sure he can trust her–but she’ll do everything in her power to persuade him.

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