Cooking Up a Storm

This novel is further proof of Emma Holly's talent. Cooking Up a Storm was one of Black Lace's all-time bestsellers and I couldn't wait to get my hand on a copy. I am so glad I came across this new trade paperback reprint. I like the fact that this erotica has a compelling story and intriguing characters. Abby Coates's Cape Cod restaurant, The Coates Inn, is about to go out of business. That is until Storm Dupre, a handsome and sensual chef, comes to the rescue. But he does far more than cook meals with recipes that seem to awaken the diners' libidos. He takes Abby into a sexual odyssey she'd never envisaged. She wants to experience as much intense passion as she can with as many people as possible. However, she has no idea that Storm's insatiable pleasures have a price -- ownership of The Coates Inn, to be exact. There are various twists throughout the novel. As said earlier, what I love about this novel is that it has a compelling plot and characters you grow to care about. Storm is my favorite character. His metamorphosis is far more palpable than Abby's. Abby's change from innocent flower to borderline nympho annoyed me at times. I hated her at the end. I couldn't help but notice that the changes the protagonists go through are quite ironic. I loved the scenes centered on Abby and Storm. Their erotic scenes are beautiful -- and I marveled at Storm's sexual confidence. I couldn't help but feel that he was too good for Abby. Even though this isn't a romance novel, I cared a lot about how this couple turned out. That's what happens when you read an erotic romance with good characterization and story development. Emma Holly never fails to surprise me. I've only read two of her Black Lace offerings and I cannot wait to pick up another one. I strongly recommend this to those with a penchant for smoldering erotica.

This was one book, where I was interested in the plot along with the very entertaining sex scenes. I hope Emma Holly will create a sequel to this book. I loved the way Storm was very at home with his own body. I also loved the way he brought out the heroines own sexual feelings but at the same time fulfilled his own fantasies. I think if my husband was this much fun, all I would want to do is stay in bed. I have read about 50 of Black Lace's books and I am a very harsh critic, but this book was so good I've read it a couple of times. If there is a sequel I will be the first to but.

I'm picky about my erotica. I expect all that I expect out of my usual fiction PLUS hot sex tailored to my kinks. This woman keeps writing erotica far beyond most authors in her field--and she's not trying to be Lit'rary or elegant or Moral-of-it-all--she's always taking interesting people, interesting situations, throwing them together, and making them hot. No innocent is betrayed, everyone in the right gets their jollies, and there's actually ordinary human interaction here. No artificial constructs, nothing yells "Staged!".I will read what this woman writes. However, this just happens to be almost as good a story as Menage. I happen to be a foodie, so this is up my alley. I am not likely to run a B & B myself--way too much work, but they're fun to read about. It was a lot of fun watching Storm conquering his own shadows, and squirming when he needed to realize he wasn't running things, but still achieve an HEA, after several steamy scenes.

I loved Emma Holly's second book as much as Menage! Some erotic novels just give you sex. Holly gives you romance. She really develops her characters and gives them personalities, not just a libido. She also knows how to steam up the page. She has a great balance of sex and romance. I am looking forward to her next novel.