Only the world’s most beautiful models make the roster of Picture Perfect Modeling agency and they only do shoots for the most elite photographers and magazines. They are fashionista royalty—and the owners, Bentley L. Dean and his beautiful partner Alexandra, know it. But even Picture Perfect isn’t immune from hard times, so when Sterling Sneed, a rich, celebrity party planner promises to pay a ludicrously high fee for some models, Bentley finds he can’t refuse. Even though the job is not exactly a photo shoot, Bentley agrees to supply fifteen gorgeous models as eye candy for an “A” list party—to look good, be charming and, well, entertain the guests. They don’t have to do anything they don’t want to, but...His models are pros and he figures they can handle the pressure, until one drops out and Bentley asks his protégé Jah, a beautiful kid who Bentley treats as if he were his own son, to substitute. Suddenly, the stakes are much higher, particularly when Jah falls in love with the hottest African American movie star in America. Seth Sinclair is very handsome, very famous, and very married—and his closeted gay life makes him very dangerous as well. Can Bentley’s fatherly guidance save Jah from making a fatal mistake? E. Lynn Harris’ last book is fairly typical of Harris’ last few novels and as enjoyably page-turning as well. There is plenty of melodrama, hot black and multi-racial men, and one very particularly hot sex scene in a reverse “casting-couch” sequence. Bentley Dean is co-owner of hot Miami modeling agency, Picture Perfect Modeling, which specializes in casting of African-American models, both male and female. Bentley Dean oversees male casting while his female partner, Alexandria, oversees the female side. The setting for the book is just before the election and inauguration of Barak Obama to President of the U.S., so the economy is down and business is slow for the agency. Bentley Dean is offered a contract for his agency to provide a bevy of hot men for a “private party.” The men are not required to have sex with any of the party guests but it is understood that they should be mature and tolerant and accepting of any behavior that may occur at the party. At first Bentley Dean is very wary of this offered contract, but agrees to do “casting” for the party as a means to earn a lucrative contract for the business. Bentley Dean also attends the party himself accompanying a young mentee/protégé Jah who is filling in for a last-minute cancelation. Bentley soon discovers that the host of the party is a very high-powered actor/director/producer, Seth Sinclair, in Hollywood. The party goes fairly well, though not without some repercussions. Jah becomes involved in a very controlled relationship with Sinclair. Bentley also has complicated relationships with his family and when a health crisis occurs with his father, he must return to his hometown after years of being cast away by his father. There is a lot to enjoy here with strong characterizations, boldly candid sexuality and the usual Harris flair for drama. This is the first of what was to be trilogy, but not sure what exists or will be published in the future. There is also apparently another book coming late this fall that E. Lynn Harris co-authored with R.M. Johnson about a pair of twin brothers which sounds intriguing.
What do You think about In My Father's House (2010)?
e. lynn harris has never never disappointed me...again a "GREAT" writer gone too soon.
—kj29
Enjoyable read, little hard to get into but then I got quite involved in it.
—CarmenAmaliaF
