Goodbye Susan
Reviewed by Kevin R. Tipple
As frequent readers of this column know, I have a definite bias in what
I prefer in novels, whether they contain erotica or not. I prefer books
with actual plot, storylines, character development and the like. With
the added component of erotica, the work should not become just a string
of sexual scenes one after another. Knowing what I like might just explain
why I rate this exceptional novel so highly. Simply put, this is very
good stuff and you owe it to yourself to read this one.
There are several storylines running through this novel so I am simplifying
greatly in the course of the review. The main storyline revolves around
Susan who is a VP and Regional Sales Manager for JoJo Cosmetics. Based
in Los Angeles, she has responsibility for the western half of the country
and business isn't going so well. The company is having its first ever
loss and the Board of Directors is forcing out the company founder Joanne
Johnston. Company President Lois Maxwell is looking to save herself and
shift the blame onto Susan's shoulders. Susan is aware of her deceit and
has a plan of her own.
Susan decides her best course of action would be to seduce the son of
the Boss on one of her accounts and use him to help her drive the profits
back up. The boss and his wife will be out of town the next six months
and she would not be able to get to him anyway. But the son is high up
in the company and single and Susan figures to easily manipulate him.
Not only would she be able to work on raising the profitability of the
account but also she might find out other bits of info via pillow talk
to use in her fight against Lois Maxwell. But, Mark, the intended target
does not fall into her clutches so easily.
Susan soon learns that office politics can be far messier that she ever
dreamed. While some of it is exceedingly enjoyable for her (and the reader)
she learns that it can have unintended consequences that touch other lives
as well. Those lessons fundamentally change her life perceptions and what
she is as a human being.
This is a very complicated novel to review as it has a number of simultaneous
storylines. The writing is superb with complicated evolving characters
that quickly become very real for the reader. The erotic elements are
graphic and fit nicely into the characters as they evolve. The true test
is the fact that this novel works, even if the erotic elements were stripped
away. This novel is extremely well written and enjoyable and I hope this
is not the last we hear from Saxis.
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