Johnson, Susan 1939–

(Jill Barkin)

PERSONAL: Born June 7, 1939, in Hibbing, MN; married Pat MacKay, 1957 (marriage ended); married Craig Johnson, 1966; children: (first marriage) two; (second marriage) one. Education: University of Minnesota, B.A., 1960, M.A., 1969.

ADDRESSES: Home—North Branch, MN. Agent—Author Mail, Penguin Group, c/o Berkley Publicity, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. E-mail—info@susanjohnsonauthor.com.

CAREER: Writer. Formerly worked as an art historian.

WRITINGS:

ROMANCE NOVELS

The Play, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1987.

To Please a Lady, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1999.

Tempting, Kensington (New York, NY), 2001.

Seduction in Mind, Bantam (New York, NY), 2001.

Again and Again, Brava (New York, NY), 2002.

Force of Nature, Brava (New York, NY), 2003.

Pure Silk, Brava (New York, NY), 2004.

Also author of series book Outlaw, 1993. Contributor to anthologies Fascinated, Kensington (New York, NY), 2000; Taken by Surprise, Brava (New York, NY), 2003; Twin Peaks, Berkley Sensation (New York, NY), 2005; Captivated; Naughty, Naughty; Rough around the Edges; Strangers in the Night; Not Just for Tonight, and American Beauty.

"RUSSIAN" ROMANCE SERIES

Seized by Love, Playboy Press (New York, NY), 1979.

Love Storm, Playboy Press (New York, NY), 1981.

Sweet Love Survive, Berkeley (New York, NY), 1985.

Golden Paradise, Harlequin (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), 1990.

"BRADDOCK BLACK" ROMANCE SERIES

Blaze, Berkeley (New York, NY), 1986.

Silver Flame, Berkeley (New York, NY), 1988.

Also author of series books titled Forbidden, Pure Sin, and Brazen.

"ST. JOHN/DURAS" ROMANCE SERIES

Sinful, Doubleday (New York, NY), 1992.

Wicked, Bantam (New York, NY), 1996.

Taboo, Bantam (New York, NY), 1997.

A Touch of Sin, Bantam (New York, NY), 1999.

Legendary Lover, Bantam (New York, NY), 2000.

Temporary Mistress, Bantam (New York, NY), 2000.

"HOT CONTEMPORARIES" ROMANCE SERIES

Blonde Heat, Bantam (New York, NY), 2002.

Hot Pink, Berkeley Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Hot Streak (previously published under pseudonym Jill Barkin), Bantam (New York, NY), 2004.

Hot Legs, Berkeley Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Hot Spot, Berkley Sensation (New York, NY), 2005.

WORK IN PROGRESS: An historical novel set in England in 1788.

SIDELIGHTS: Susan Johnson is an historical romance writer known for the accuracy of her period pieces and her wit. "Her fictional style, which has steadily developed since her first novel, Seized by Love, is an interesting combination of Regency romance, erotica, and 'glitz and glamour,'" noted a contributor to Twentieth-Century Romance & Historical Writers. "The fantasy she constructs is reinforced by her use of multiple points of view—the hero, heroine, or even a minor character, an onlooker—which draw the reader into the story."

One of Johnson's series romances is the nineteenth-century historical "St. John/Duras" series. In Sinful, the first book in the series, Chelsea, the daughter of the English earl of Dumfries, defies her arranged marriage by bedding Sinjin St. John, the duke of Seth. Chelsea becomes pregnant and Sinjin is imprisoned, only to escape with the help of an American Indian. New adventures lead to Sinjin's captivity in Tunis with Chelsea coming to the rescue. A Publishers Weekly contributor noted, "Johnson … uses her fertile imagination to blend a strong heroine, unbridled sex, and a modicum of history into unadulterated fun." In Wicked, Johnson introduces the reader to Serena Blythe, a governess who is on her way to Italy to study painting when she loses all her possessions in a ship hijacking. She eventually stows away on the ship of Beau St. Jules, whose father is Sinjin St. John, and the two soon fall in love. Noting the novel's strong sexual content, a Publishers Weekly contributor commented that "it's not for the prudish but Johnson fans will love it."

The story in Taboo takes place following the French Revolution and features a torrid love affair between Russian Countess Teo Korsakova and French General André Duras, the latter who is based on the historical figure of General André Massena. A Publishers Weekly contributor noted that "there's plenty of solid history to cool down the pages—complete with lengthy footnotes." The son of this love affair is the protagonist in Johnson's A Touch of Sin. Although a confirmed bachelor and rake, Pasha Duras falls for Lady Trixi Grosvenor, whose young son is the object of murderous intents by relatives who want his inheritance. But Pasha comes to the rescue. The historical framework for this novel includes the Greek War of Independence in the early nineteenth century. A Booklist contributor called the novel "a fast tale of lust, love, and greed that exemplifies the tried-and-true spirit of romance fiction." Legendary Lover features a Victorian romance between an English marquis and a progressive and independent French woman. "Here, as usual, readers get their money's worth from Johnson's erotic-escapade novels," wrote a Publishers Weekly contributor.

To Please a Lady, a non-series offering by Johnson, tells the story of a love affair between the teenage rascal named Robbie Carrie—who first appeared in Johnson's earlier novel, aptly named Outlaw—and a widow named Roxanne, who is in her thirties. When Roxanne is forced to succumb to the lecherous intentions of a duke, Robbie comes to the rescue. A Publishers Weekly contributor noted that the author "rewards readers with a slew of footnotes detailing the historic setting."

Johnson tells the story of Princess Christina in her novel Tempting. Unhappily married to a cheating husband, Christina nevertheless tries to remain true to her marriage and is successful until she encounters Maxwell Falconer, an American who has become the marquis of Vale. Kristin Ramsdell, writing in Library Journal, commented that "Johnson is an acclaimed author of highly sensual romances … and her fans will be waiting for this one." Seduction in Mind focuses on the love affair between the Viscount Ranelagh and Alexandra Ionides, a model he first saw in a painting. Writing in Booklist, a reviewer noted that "Johnson knows exactly what her devoted readers desire, and she delivers it with her usual flair."

In Again and Again, the author recounts the story of Caroline Morrow, a former noblewoman through marriage who has fallen on hard times and is now forced to work as a governess. Her fortunes seem about to turn when she meets her former lover, Lord Simon Blair. Booklist contributor Mary K. Chelton wrote that the author "has written an extremely arousing erotic romance." Hot Pink takes place in present day and features the love affair between graphic designer Chloe Chisholm and handsome Rocco Vinelli. Once again writing in Booklist, Chelton commented that the author "overcomes a silly premise … to present an entertainingly conveyed tale rich in lovingly described sex scenes."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

Twentieth-Century Romance & Historical Writers, 3rd edition, St. James Press (Detroit, MI), 1994.

PERIODICALS

Booklist, February 15, 1999, Grace Lee and David Pitt, review of A Touch of Sin, p. 1047; July, 2001, John Charles, review of Seduction in Mind, p. 1990; May 1, 2002, Mary K. Chelton, review of Again and Again, p. 1512; July, 2003, Mary K. Chelton, review of Hot Pink, p. 1874.

Library Journal, February 15, 2001, Kristin Ramsdell, review of Tempting, p. 153.

Publishers Weekly, June 29, 1993, review of Sinful, p. 52; October 4, 1993, review of Outlaw, p. 70; November 25, 1996, review of Wicked, p. 70; September 29, 1997, review of Taboo, p. 86; February 1, 1999, review of A Touch of Sin, p. 82; August 20, 1999, review of To Please a Lady, p. 81; April 10, 2000, review of Legendary Lover, p. 79; October 2, 2000, review of Fascinated, p. 59; February 19, 2001, review of Tempting, p. 71; June 4, 2001, review of Seduction in Mind, p. 63; April 29, 2002, review of Again and Again, p. 45.

ONLINE

Bookbug on the Web, http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/8078/author-johnson.html/ (July 1, 2005), Mary T. Knibbe, Sr., "An Interview with Susan Johnson."

Susan Johnson Home Page, http://www.susanjohnsonauthor.com (July 1, 2005).