Marie Donovan’s debut, Her Body of Work, was one of the better, and hotter, romances I read in 2005, so I was eager to read her follow-up, Her Book of Pleasure, the story of the earlier heroine’s best friend. Thankfully, unlike so many others, this is one author who doesn’t disappoint in her sophomore effort.

As a professor of East Asian art history with a busy teaching schedule, Megan Michiko O’Malley hasn’t had much time to date recently. That hasn’t stopped her very traditional mother from emailing her pictures of numerous eligible Japanese men in an attempt to entice her into marriage. Then, at her friend Rey’s wedding, Meg meets handsome stranger Rick Sokol. Impulsively introducing herself only as Michiko, she dares Rick, a private investigator who specializes in cases of corporate espionage, to try to find who she is if he’s really so good at his job. After a passionate encounter, she departs without a word, leaving Rick eager to track down the mysterious Michiko.

Finding her turns out to be easier than either of them expected. Rick came back to Chicago to help his grandmother pack up her house before selling it. While going through the attic, he finds an old book of Japanese erotic art in his grandfather’s footlocker from his army days serving in Japan. Curious why his grandfather would have such a thing hidden away, especially when his grandmother seems to know nothing about it, Rick goes looking for an expert who can tell him more about the book. Naturally, the professor he approaches turns out to be Meg. She immediately recognizes it as a hand-painted Japanese pillow book. The discovery and Meg’s eagerness to write an article on the book leads to them spending more time together, and naturally to more sensual encounters.

Like Her Body of Work, this is an imperfect, but very enjoyable read. It’s certainly several cuts above the typical Blaze thanks to its distinctive characters, convincing sexual chemistry, and lack of silly gimmicks. Once again, Donovan presents us with two characters from distinct and atypical cultural backgrounds, unlike the usual generically Caucasian folk who tend to populate most romances. Meg is biracial, the daughter of an Irish father and Japanese mother, while Rick comes from a Czech family (his birth name is Radek, the Czech version of Roderick, hence the nickname). Both are strong, smart individuals with interesting professions. Most of all, they’re two likable people who like each other and being with one another, which made spending time in their company so much fun. I particularly liked how the conflict that inevitably arises between them is believable for two professional adults rather than a lame misunderstanding or problem falsely imposed by the plot. The way everything is ultimately resolved is both romantic and satisfying.

While the wedding hook-up setup may be familiar, the rest of the plot is unique and intriguing. The pillow book is fascinating, and Donovan writes about it with authenticity, making both the storyline and Meg’s career as a professor and art expert realistic. The descriptions of the art contained in its pages nicely add to the story’s erotic flavor. Although not as scorchingly sensual as Her Body of Work, the book is still plenty hot. The lovemaking scenes are playful and sexy, thankfully lacking in angst and neuroses. These are just two mature, consenting adults who are attracted to one another, and both give and take pleasure in their intimate moments together.

On the down side, there’s a weak subplot involving Meg’s boss’s money problems, which kind of lingers in the background, popping up every once in a while. It seems like a needless distraction in this otherwise character-driven story. The pace is also somewhat slow at times. Even so, those minor concerns don’t detract too much from the overall experience. Her Book of Pleasure is an entertaining read with great characters and an interesting storyline, and I can’t wait to read more by this very promising author.