In the Flesh

I loved this book. Many people have already wrote what this book is about so I won't get into that. All I have to say is this book was excellent also it was a pretty good thriller. I fell in love with David...he was such a sweetheart and romantic that my husband needs to take pointers! At times I hated Chloe for how she treated him although I understood her lack of trust and love issues, and she was the perfect witch but with a capital B! Near the end I just wanted everything to be perfect and they live happily ever after because they both deserved it. Sato's character had me crying. I felt so sorry for him, he loved David soooo much and David was oblivious to any affection he showed. The only thing I would have changed was I would have added a threesome between David, Sato, and Chloe, although that might have complicated things alittle but Sato deserved happiness and in the end I think he found it. IT was a perfect erotic romance, one I think men would also enjoy. Keep up the good job Emma!

In the Flesh Emma Holly Cheek, 2004, $12.95, 281 pp. ISBN: 0352339039 After a successful announcement of acquiring a financially troubled Korean hardware firm, Japanese American David Imakita, CEO of the number one entertainment and gaming software in the world, heads to his car with his best friend and bodyguard Sato. However, they intercede in an incident between a couple; Sato restrains the male but the woman kicks her opponent in his treasured parts. When David tries to keep her from damaging her antagonist further, she goes wild after him; although receiving bruises he subdues her. Thus David meets cheeky Chloe Dubois, the model for his Laura Fleet software program. Out of loyalty Sato worries for his boss because of how he seems smitten with Chloe. He has her investigated and learns that she has some nasty skeletons in her family closet. Still, Sato is unable to stop David from falling in love; to her shock the siren reciprocates her employer's feelings. No one does erotic romance integrated into a solid contemporary love story better than Emma Holly as the sex scenes enhance the lead couple's relationship as opposed to being tossed in to shock readers. The glimpse into the software gaming world adds intrigue while the support cast especially Sato and her family to include her missing sister Mary Alice add depth to the enticing plot. Though some readers may feel disturbed by a homosexual encounter and the use of profanity (it is the most descriptive concise verb, noun, and adjective of the sexual act), sub-genre fans will appreciate submissive reading IN THE FLESH. Harriet Klausner

Like most people, Emma Holly is easily my favourite Black Lace author. Her ability to mix good characters with strong plotting and sexual variety is unparalleled.And the two lead characters in this story make an intriguing match. David Imakita owns a successful computer games company, maker of the popular Laura Fleet game. Chloe Dubois is a stripper - the model for the aforementioned game. But Chloe is not all she appears to be. She has a sound business mind (which David is unable to see) and a privileged background. Whilst David, as an Asian-American, struggles to fit into an Asian lifestyle that he was not born into, Chloe (without compromising) endears herself to the very people that he is trying to impress (its classic Pygmalion / Pretty Woman stuff).So a great couple of characters and an intriguing plot, concerning Chloe's background and the for the two main characters to rescue each other.So why is it that you either love this book or hate it, and I have only given it 4 stars (brilliant for most books, but shocking for an Emma Holly!)?Where the book seems to fall down is in the sex. Emma Holly's other great talent is hot varied sex, but with only three characters 'doing it', the variety isn't there. Also I am afraid to say that the traditional Asian reserve does leave me somewhat cold.But, a good plot and top-notch characters. By any body else's standards an excellent read. Hopefully the restricted sex thing was just an experiment that didn't quite work.

I have to admit, Emma Holly is my favorite Black Lace author. She always combines high sexuality with a satisfying love story and "In the Flesh" is the latest in a string of winners for her. I liked the two lead charcters, David and Chloe, what they went through to end up in a committed relationship with one another, the story line and the motivations for their actions. Their dark moments drew them closer together and made them realize that they were destined for each other. The bondage in the story is quite light and fits perfectly into this story which is never rough or raw. Ms. Holly continues to show why she's a top-notch author of women's erotica.

In The Flesh is excellent! Holly has paired together two of her best and strongest characters to go head to head in a tale that is a romance as well as erotica. Like all EH books the storyline is seamless and well written, but I may have to call In The Flesh my favorite. After Velvet Glove I was not looking for a story that mixed in elements of light bondage, In The Flesh does that perfectly. Actually it is barely there, and it is intrinsic to the romantic theme in the story. I keep underestimating Ms. Holly's ability to top herself and every time she proves me wrong.