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Asian Pretty Boys #1
In Deep Kimchi
Erotic romance author Shaundra Morrison thought there was nothing in the world her handsome white boss Harper Kehoe could offer her to get her on a plane bound for Tokyo, including free use of his body for the duration of the trip. Becoming a member of the mile high club intrigued her but not enough to conquer her fear of flying.
Harper Kehoe had money, power, and everything his heart desired except for the affections of his best selling author Shaundra Morrison. He jumped at the idea of forming a partnership with Japanese mogul Goro Niigata because to Harper business came before pleasure. And what a perfect way to have both than by inviting Shaundra and three of his other successful authors to accompany him to Tokyo to promote the opening of NIKII Publishing. So what if it meant having one of his doctor friends prescribe Shaundra a sedative to knock her sexy ass out for twenty-five hours.
Shaundra wasn’t too keen on the idea of being drugged just to fly halfway around the world to help Harper promote his new business, until her senior editor showed Shaundra a picture of Aomori, a group of four J-Pop singers who Mr. Niigata managed and planned to use to help promote his new business. All it took was one look at those beautiful faces, sexy young bodies, and all that long black hair to get her to reconsider. The worst thing that could happen to her would be she’d be turned into a junkie before she returned to New York. The dampening of the panties between her legs assured her that it would be well worth it.
Harper Kehoe had money, power, and everything his heart desired except for the affections of his best selling author Shaundra Morrison. He jumped at the idea of forming a partnership with Japanese mogul Goro Niigata because to Harper business came before pleasure. And what a perfect way to have both than by inviting Shaundra and three of his other successful authors to accompany him to Tokyo to promote the opening of NIKII Publishing. So what if it meant having one of his doctor friends prescribe Shaundra a sedative to knock her sexy ass out for twenty-five hours.
Shaundra wasn’t too keen on the idea of being drugged just to fly halfway around the world to help Harper promote his new business, until her senior editor showed Shaundra a picture of Aomori, a group of four J-Pop singers who Mr. Niigata managed and planned to use to help promote his new business. All it took was one look at those beautiful faces, sexy young bodies, and all that long black hair to get her to reconsider. The worst thing that could happen to her would be she’d be turned into a junkie before she returned to New York. The dampening of the panties between her legs assured her that it would be well worth it.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2011
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89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 20, 2017
I really wanted to love this book. I went in just KNOWING I was going to love it. I mean how could I not? I am a HUGE Japanophile--from the music (from the sounds of the traditional shamisen to J-Rock/Visual Kei), to the culture, the food, the history, and of course the extremely hot men! So when a very cool Goodreads friend recommended In Deep Kimchi to me, I was so there! The book had everything that pushed all my happy buttons--hot Japanese pop stars, a successful yet older black woman, Japanese culture and SEX! Whoo Hoo!
Unfortunately as I continued reading, I just couldn't help comparing it to very similar novel which featured a black woman of "a certain age" who was also a bestselling author, a younger Japanese love interest who was also a J-Pop musician, a trip to the land of the Rising Sun, and the Japanese music industry. But with In Deep Kimchi there was something very important missing: the nuances and deeper understanding of Japanese culture and social mores. No, I'm not saying the author needed to pepper the narrative with Japanese phrases (which she did), but her Japanese characters just didn't feel very Japanese. I get they were pretty fluent in English--most Japanese in real life, especially businessmen and the younger generation are--but they would not be aware of much of the slang and colloquialisms used in the States. Seriously, it felt as if I was reading about an American boy band who just so happened to be Asian. Yes Virginia, I get that this is just a romance and moreover fantasy, but when reading about another culture, I like when authors know and respect the culture enough to do it justice--both the good aspects and the not-so-good ones. I like to be immersed, as if I were actually in Japan, browsing Lolita fashion in La Foret or seeing one of my favorite Vis-Kei bands at Shibuya West.
Shaundra Morrison is a fifty-something mother of four and a bestselling erotic romance writer. She's at the top of her game professionally, though her personal life leaves a lot to be desired in the form of Donald, a long-time boyfriend whom she just isn't interested in any longer. When her boss, Harper Kehoe formed a new venture with Japanese mogul Goro Niigata, he decides to fly to Tokyo with her and three of his other successful authors in order to launch NIKII Publishing. There's just one problem: Shaundra HATES to fly. But when she gets a good look at Mr. Niigata's other business, which is the promotion of Japanese pop artists, especially the four extremely hot young men of Aomori, she grudgingly decides to spend a twenty-plus hour flight in drugged slumber.
Once in the bustling metropolis that is Tokyo, Shaundra comes face to face with the members of Aomori--Yori Morioka, Satoshi Hayashi, Takumijo Yamazaki and Ichiro Yoshida--all of whom are drop-dead delicious, (surprisingsly) six-feet or over, and all of whom are young enough to be her kids. Wouldn't you just know it, Yori, Satoshi and Ichiro are also more than just a little interested in her as well, setting off a very strange rivalry that just may tear the band apart. In Yori's case, he's already engaged, and Ichiro as the band's lyricist, tends to be very shy. The only member who's totally oblivious to Shaundra's charms is Takumijo, who is far more in love with himself.
There were a lot of things that struck the wrong chord with me as I read this book. Firstly, ethernet cables in posh Tokyo hotels? NOT! Japan is between five to seven years ahead of the West when it comes to technology, not to mention the gateway to doing business in Asia. Cosmopolitan cities in Japan would be more than wi/fi compatible because smartphoness are pretty much their entire lives, LOL and they used them for more than just talking. Second, Ichiro the youngest member of Aomori, had blue eyes. Now, the only way that happens in a country as racially homogeneous as Japan is through the use of color/special effects contact lenses, which is a very popular fashion accessory with trendy young adults and with musicians (check out photos of the gorgeous Gackt Camui for an example of this). Interestingly, I was reminded of Sakuya from the shoujo manga Sensual Phrase who happens to be a dark-haired Japanese singer in a J-Rock band whose blue eyes are explained by his mother having been raped by a Western businessman. In the case of Ichiro, there is no explanation. Third, for a Japanese boy band, Aomori seemed to have a lot of freedom. The Japanese music industy, much like the Korean pop industry keeps a very tight rein on its acts, to the point of dictating whom they can date and/or if they are allowed to have a personal life at all. Mr. Niigata as their boss, had a rather open mind concerning the growing relationship that was developing between his three of his artists and this African-American westerner.
Is it bad of me to have enjoyed the other authors who accompanied Shaundra to Japan, Dorothy Brown, Riley Hymel and Jackson Lopez? They all had far more interesting personalities and just seemed to throw themselves headfirst into the adventure. Dorothy, as the oldest of the group, kept urging Shaunda to live a little and have fun with all the attention she was receiving from Aomori. Shaundra was too annoying, everything was fake angst: OMG I have kids their age, OMG what do they see in me, OMG my panties are wet because they're all so hot and three of them want to jump my bones, OMG what are my kids going to think? There were times I just wanted to slap Shaundra silly and say "get a freakin' clue! And frankly, it was just way too weird that Shaundra's boss Harper, had a thing about purchasing her clothes (including lingerie) that tended to be short, tight and clingy. Before anyone snipes at me, I'm not saying that once a woman hits 50, she's got to start dressing like a nun, but really, a classy little black dress would have attracted just as much attention as the stuff that Harper seemed to like putting her in. After all, she was black and well, there aren't a whole lot off black people living in Japan.
I was also hoping for a LOT more sex since the cover and the blurb implied there would be a menage (didn't even come close) and the ending just threw me for a loop (and not in a good way). Yes, there was an HEA, but it was rather rushed. So, while I didn't dislike In Deep Kimchi, I just wasn't blown away by it.
Unfortunately as I continued reading, I just couldn't help comparing it to very similar novel which featured a black woman of "a certain age" who was also a bestselling author, a younger Japanese love interest who was also a J-Pop musician, a trip to the land of the Rising Sun, and the Japanese music industry. But with In Deep Kimchi there was something very important missing: the nuances and deeper understanding of Japanese culture and social mores. No, I'm not saying the author needed to pepper the narrative with Japanese phrases (which she did), but her Japanese characters just didn't feel very Japanese. I get they were pretty fluent in English--most Japanese in real life, especially businessmen and the younger generation are--but they would not be aware of much of the slang and colloquialisms used in the States. Seriously, it felt as if I was reading about an American boy band who just so happened to be Asian. Yes Virginia, I get that this is just a romance and moreover fantasy, but when reading about another culture, I like when authors know and respect the culture enough to do it justice--both the good aspects and the not-so-good ones. I like to be immersed, as if I were actually in Japan, browsing Lolita fashion in La Foret or seeing one of my favorite Vis-Kei bands at Shibuya West.
Shaundra Morrison is a fifty-something mother of four and a bestselling erotic romance writer. She's at the top of her game professionally, though her personal life leaves a lot to be desired in the form of Donald, a long-time boyfriend whom she just isn't interested in any longer. When her boss, Harper Kehoe formed a new venture with Japanese mogul Goro Niigata, he decides to fly to Tokyo with her and three of his other successful authors in order to launch NIKII Publishing. There's just one problem: Shaundra HATES to fly. But when she gets a good look at Mr. Niigata's other business, which is the promotion of Japanese pop artists, especially the four extremely hot young men of Aomori, she grudgingly decides to spend a twenty-plus hour flight in drugged slumber.
Once in the bustling metropolis that is Tokyo, Shaundra comes face to face with the members of Aomori--Yori Morioka, Satoshi Hayashi, Takumijo Yamazaki and Ichiro Yoshida--all of whom are drop-dead delicious, (surprisingsly) six-feet or over, and all of whom are young enough to be her kids. Wouldn't you just know it, Yori, Satoshi and Ichiro are also more than just a little interested in her as well, setting off a very strange rivalry that just may tear the band apart. In Yori's case, he's already engaged, and Ichiro as the band's lyricist, tends to be very shy. The only member who's totally oblivious to Shaundra's charms is Takumijo, who is far more in love with himself.
There were a lot of things that struck the wrong chord with me as I read this book. Firstly, ethernet cables in posh Tokyo hotels? NOT! Japan is between five to seven years ahead of the West when it comes to technology, not to mention the gateway to doing business in Asia. Cosmopolitan cities in Japan would be more than wi/fi compatible because smartphoness are pretty much their entire lives, LOL and they used them for more than just talking. Second, Ichiro the youngest member of Aomori, had blue eyes. Now, the only way that happens in a country as racially homogeneous as Japan is through the use of color/special effects contact lenses, which is a very popular fashion accessory with trendy young adults and with musicians (check out photos of the gorgeous Gackt Camui for an example of this). Interestingly, I was reminded of Sakuya from the shoujo manga Sensual Phrase who happens to be a dark-haired Japanese singer in a J-Rock band whose blue eyes are explained by his mother having been raped by a Western businessman. In the case of Ichiro, there is no explanation. Third, for a Japanese boy band, Aomori seemed to have a lot of freedom. The Japanese music industy, much like the Korean pop industry keeps a very tight rein on its acts, to the point of dictating whom they can date and/or if they are allowed to have a personal life at all. Mr. Niigata as their boss, had a rather open mind concerning the growing relationship that was developing between his three of his artists and this African-American westerner.
Is it bad of me to have enjoyed the other authors who accompanied Shaundra to Japan, Dorothy Brown, Riley Hymel and Jackson Lopez? They all had far more interesting personalities and just seemed to throw themselves headfirst into the adventure. Dorothy, as the oldest of the group, kept urging Shaunda to live a little and have fun with all the attention she was receiving from Aomori. Shaundra was too annoying, everything was fake angst: OMG I have kids their age, OMG what do they see in me, OMG my panties are wet because they're all so hot and three of them want to jump my bones, OMG what are my kids going to think? There were times I just wanted to slap Shaundra silly and say "get a freakin' clue! And frankly, it was just way too weird that Shaundra's boss Harper, had a thing about purchasing her clothes (including lingerie) that tended to be short, tight and clingy. Before anyone snipes at me, I'm not saying that once a woman hits 50, she's got to start dressing like a nun, but really, a classy little black dress would have attracted just as much attention as the stuff that Harper seemed to like putting her in. After all, she was black and well, there aren't a whole lot off black people living in Japan.
I was also hoping for a LOT more sex since the cover and the blurb implied there would be a menage (didn't even come close) and the ending just threw me for a loop (and not in a good way). Yes, there was an HEA, but it was rather rushed. So, while I didn't dislike In Deep Kimchi, I just wasn't blown away by it.
May 8, 2018
I did like the plot and loved that an older Black woman in her 50s with 4 kids is the object of desire to just about every male in this book but, there were no steamy hot sex scenes! Like Zero! I was waiting and reading and reading for it and zilch! *sigh* Anyway, I lived in Japan for three years as a kid (Army Brat) and the band in this story sort of reminded me of a group I was all gaga over when I lived in Japan in the 1980s called Shibugakitai! lol I even went to see their movie, even though I spoke very little Japanese and their music was trash (they couldn't sing either hahaha) but, I thought they were so hot! I enjoyed them thoroughly. My fave was Masahiro Motoki (he's the one in the middle in the picture below), who ended up becoming an actor and even more fine. *sigh* So I get it about how Shaundra and just about everyone else was drooling over the guys of Aomori!
Shibugakitai 1980s
Anyway, this book sort of brought back memories of that. I'll continue to read this series though because I did like the writing, just disappointed there was no booty action that really should have been there. Also, the ending wrapped up way too quickly like the pace was out of wack. Yes, this is a total fantasy romance novel, but damn, it was a bit much. Hoping there will be some explicit sex scenes in the next installment.
Shibugakitai 1980sAnyway, this book sort of brought back memories of that. I'll continue to read this series though because I did like the writing, just disappointed there was no booty action that really should have been there. Also, the ending wrapped up way too quickly like the pace was out of wack. Yes, this is a total fantasy romance novel, but damn, it was a bit much. Hoping there will be some explicit sex scenes in the next installment.
June 18, 2011
Coffee Time Romance Reviewer Recommended Read Award
In Deep Kimchi is exactly where the characters are. I was amazed by Imari Jade’s ability to keep the reader completely in the dark until the very last moment. Just when I thought I figured it out, the author threw in another loop. The writings of Imari Jade have always been amazing, but In Deep Kimchi is one step above anything I have read. I must warn you I was captured from the first page and read the whole story in one sitting. If you think you can handle an amazing cougar story then pick up In Deep Kimchi and fall into a sizzling romance or two.
Delane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Book...
In Deep Kimchi is exactly where the characters are. I was amazed by Imari Jade’s ability to keep the reader completely in the dark until the very last moment. Just when I thought I figured it out, the author threw in another loop. The writings of Imari Jade have always been amazing, but In Deep Kimchi is one step above anything I have read. I must warn you I was captured from the first page and read the whole story in one sitting. If you think you can handle an amazing cougar story then pick up In Deep Kimchi and fall into a sizzling romance or two.
Delane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Book...
October 18, 2017
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, my first grievance was that the title referenced Kimchi (a traditional Korean dish) and the males in the novel (Aomori) are Japanese. Once I got past that, I was interested in where it would go, I don't think we got that much of an idea about what the heroine looked like other than snippets here or there, at least not enough to warrant the whole band to be enraptured in her. I would've liked the opportunity to fall in love with her more. It would've made her "sauce" more believable. I liked the ending, at least who she ends up with... I did not like the abrupt end, I would've preferred a bit more finessing in umm the ending, either way, I enjoyed the read.
May 4, 2017
I was not sure what to expect after reading some of the reviews for this book BUT... OMG I am so happy I found this series (even though I'm not sure why it does not come up when you search for AMBW). I read everything AMBW - and I love love love this book.
I love this book so much it had me up until 1am, when I knew I had to go to work the next day! I couldn't pull myself away from the story. The older woman-younger man concept is grrrrrreat! I am on to book #2....
I love this book so much it had me up until 1am, when I knew I had to go to work the next day! I couldn't pull myself away from the story. The older woman-younger man concept is grrrrrreat! I am on to book #2....
October 28, 2013
This book had it all! Valium, hot hunky Japanese men, a cougarish erotic romance writer! What more can a girl ask for oh yea that rights, bombs, stalkers, secret massage meetings! Oh yea this book was fantastic!!!!!
December 26, 2013
I love it. Had very interesting twist to an interracial, older women younger man romance. Look forward to the rest of the series.
July 21, 2016
Wow
I spent forever trying to find this series. The covers are different so took me a minute. I love reading this it's just like watching the K-Dramas!!!! On To The Next One!
I spent forever trying to find this series. The covers are different so took me a minute. I love reading this it's just like watching the K-Dramas!!!! On To The Next One!
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September 18, 2018me and my beasties love kimchi
May 7, 2017
Loved it!
My best friend is on a KPop kick and she's been trying to drag me along with her. I have resisted until this book OMG! I could not put this book down. Even the Cinco de Mayo hangover did not syop me from reading ths book. Can't wait to start book 2.
My best friend is on a KPop kick and she's been trying to drag me along with her. I have resisted until this book OMG! I could not put this book down. Even the Cinco de Mayo hangover did not syop me from reading ths book. Can't wait to start book 2.
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April 22, 2022What the hell is that description?! Does anyone actually think when they write these or...nope. Nobody's thinking. Everything in this description is a jumbled, effed up mess.
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April 9, 2012So loved the story, hated the ending. I loved the interaction with Shaundra and Amouri. I like that each of the guys had there own personality and there own play at her. i also love the way her boss went after her with zest, and humor. I just wished the ending to the story could have been as sensuous, and written as all the other sensuous scenes had been done. So disappointed, just wanted more than just The End for an ending between Shaundra and Ich.
February 23, 2011
great novel but could have been little extra far as the sexual between Ichiro and Shaundra and Yori.
May 30, 2011
I loved it. I wish there were more like. The author did a fantastic job. I just wished I was able to experience Shaundra and Ichiro's first time. I felt kind of cheated out of the experience.
May 5, 2013
I thought the book was smokin hot. middle aged smokin hot woman who has three gorgeous and virile japanese pop stars in love with her, what's not to like.
February 22, 2015
Good story enjoyed it
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November 4, 2018Unintentional May December romance
Erotic romance writer, Shaundra Morrison meets young J-Pop group, Aomori, a group of hot young talented men. Two of them have set their sights on the beautiful older woman.
Erotic romance writer, Shaundra Morrison meets young J-Pop group, Aomori, a group of hot young talented men. Two of them have set their sights on the beautiful older woman.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews