The Demon's Daughter (Tales of the Demon World, Book 1)

Holly writes the sexiest writing I have ever read. The love scenes are hot, hot, HOT! The characters are endearing. The action is packed. The setting is vivid. Most erotic fiction is bland and corney. Not so with Holly. The plot in all her novels are serious and intiguing. The story line always comes full circle and there are never any strings left hanging. She's simply an excellent writer. In Demon's Daughter (title DID need a bit of work, though) Inspector Adrian Philips is a bit of an outcast after he receives demon technology to help him in his job in policing the demon population (who are stronger than humans). Roxanne McAllister is a unique artist (she does porn-people, yet she's a virgin). She's also the daughter of a very famous and beautiful singer. Unfortunately, her mother is also known for her multiple and frequent sexual partners and Roxie's father. . . (come on people it's not hard to figure out, look at the title). After Adrian ends up in Roxie's garden, badly beaten and in need of medical care, Roxie takes him in and nurses him back to health. Regardless of their backgrounds, they can't help but feel something for each other. But, problems are on the horizon.

Writing a story that is both paranormal and believeable, yet with enough quality components to make the otherworld plausible is a neat trick. Add an interesting set of secondary characters and a dash of spicy--almost erotica--and you've got a terrific book. The whole world of "non-satanic" demons used here and in the Crimson City series is not a favorite of mine. No matter how it's sold--demons only have negative connections to me. Yet this one provides a strong father demon, a mixed blood daughter as the female lead and an "enhanced" male lead creating a weird demon blended family that you come to care about. Their story is so well written that you buy the whole package and enjoy a brief escape from the cares of our everday world. Definitey worth reading and a little "softer" than the usual harder-edged stuff from this author.

The difference between DEMON and other books that a-s-p-i-r-e to be comparable erotica-romantica-fantasy is like the difference between making love and having you-know-what. There's erotic-romantic-fantasy out there that's fun. It's provocative. And it's also depthless. I read those, but I don't hold my breath. I don't think back on the characters in those books. Both Inspector Adrian Phillips, DEMON'S lead male and Roxanne McAllister, DEMON'S heroine, have strength of character and body that they must come to recognize over time as well as an overwhelming passion and sensuality just bubbling underneath polite emotional shells of vulnerability and shyness. Adrian isn't a normal male lead. There are cracks in what would otherwise be the typical romantica/fantasy author's Ken doll, if you will. He's a sensitive detective who follows all the rules...and looks for lost children on his time off. Roxanne McAllister is a painter who wants to fit into the world she lives in and is simultaneously unwilling to sacrifice the beliefs and behaviors that make her unique. Her generosity as exhibited by her informal fostering of two street children is not the only thing that sets Roxanne apart; and when a distinguished and eerily familiar Yama `demon' shows up at her door one day to engage Roxanne's expertise as an artist, her awareness of just how different she really is deepens. I think Holly uses Roxanne to represent the reality for most women (and maybe men too) that individuals are often desired for the same qualities about which the world's most harsh judgments are made-sexuality, strength and race (species, rather), among other things. Roxanne is as in need of love as Adrian, and the love story between Roxanne and Adrian is as tender as it is seductive. Holly's crafting of the story, Adrian, Roxanne (and all the characters really) is masterful. With both lead characters, I think Holly strives to bring androgyny to gender stereotypes-that is, showing that behaviors that may seem distinguishably male or female can and do exist in BOTH genders in reality. Holly has created a world that made me think-about stereotypes, about the imperfection of love, and most importantly, about myself. Furthermore, the fantasy foundation of DEMON and the underlying story regarding the Yama `demons' and the humans is intellectually stimulating and very creative. This sci-fi background is given proper respect and attention, and it does not feel thrown together as an afterthought. Holly's finesse with the 'gray areas' in life (lacking so many extremes in behavior that the subtlety of characterization is properly achieved) allowed for the creation of characters that allow the reader to step into their shoes for awhile, feel pity for them, feel angry for them and keep his or her fingers crossed, hoping that their situations will eventually sort themselves out. Two Thumbs Way Up!

Emma Holly is one of the hottest cutting-edge writers in today's market. She's gaining a strong fan base for her sizzling Romantica tales (Strange Attractions, Personal Best and her Black Lace books) to her Paranormals (Catching Midnight, Hunting Midnight and the novella in Hot Blooded) and Victorian Era (Beyond Innocence, Beyond Seduction). Frankly, I think Emma Holly can¯and does¯write anything she wants and does it unlike any writer around. Her writing is frank, open and she loves to walk on the wild side. This time she ventures into another Paranormal tale that is both exciting and very original. It has the feel of another series, and one I will be looking forward to when they tales come! The range of Holly's writing is amazing, her deeply drawn characters and strong plot really set her above others Romantica writers. She succeeds while others often don't make the bar, because her works are well researched, and she gives such heart to her heroine and hero. Set in the Victoria era, Inspector Adrian Philip of Securite Service, is more than a typical policeman, he is the keeper of peace between demons and humans. He has accepted implants in his body that enable him to have incredible strength, and to assume the powers of a demon for short periods. By accepting this role of protector of both, he belongs to neither. Adrian is an outsider in both worlds. When Adrian seeks a missing boy, he is attacked by a local gang. Using his demonic implanted powers, he escapes. After using the powers, he is weakened and collapses in a courtyard of Roxanne McCallister. Roxanne is also an outcast, a half-breed, part demon, part human. She takes Adrian in and treats him. Adrian is very attracted to Roxanne, but knows no woman will want him. Proof of this is his former wife had walked out on him because of his not quite human state. Roxanne desires Adrian, but is unaware of his demon enhanced state. Being a half breed, she fears no man or demon would want her either. As Adrian recovers under Roxanne's tender care, he falls in love with her, yet tries to resist a relationship that could interfere with his police career, and ultimately will leave him hurt when she rejects him. In true Emma Holly fashion, the love scenes are beyond erotic, but she never loses a firm grasp on what makes Romance work. Her fantasy world works, because she strongly roots it in reality of caring people that linker in the readers mind long after you put the book down. Another keeper for my Emma Holly shelf! They are racking up very fast, and each one so special. 2004 Reviews International Organization Award of Excellence Finalist

I first ran across Emma Holly in the HOT BLOODED anthology and went on to read HUNTING MIDNIGHT. Both those books concerned shape-shifting vampires and I was intrigued by both the concept and the remarkable "steaminess" of the stories. In THE DEMON'S DAUGHTER, Holly has created an alternative reality in which the worlds of beautiful, technologically advanced demons and humans overlap. This imagined world bears a great resemblance to Victorian era London. Inspector Adrian Phillips of the Securite Service has allowed himself to be implanted with demon powers and finds himself alienated from both human and demon society alike. After suffering an attack by humans who serve the demons while searching for a missing boy, he is rescued by a half-demon woman, Roxanne McAllister. While recuperating in her home, he finds himself falling in love with her while trying to resist a relationship that would destroy the ambitious police career he has been building. Emma Holly's trademark erotic scenes are very hot indeed, and there is a sweetness and vulnerability in both Adrian and Roxie that I find very appealing. The secondary plot concerns the appearance of Roxie's powerful and enigmatic demon father in her life and his intentions toward her. The book probably should be 4 stars, because the wrapping up of the secondary plot seems a bit rushed, almost an afterthought. However, the character development is so strong and the book so entertaining, I had to go for 5! THE DEMON'S DAUGHTER is a definite "keeper". I don't know if there are the seeds of a series here, but I'd enjoy another visit to Adrian and Roxie's world.