9 1/2 Days (Blaze)

Rating:
Summary: What? 4.5 in the editorial review?
Review: Despite the well-written -- my gosh, VERY well-written -- sex scenes, and a sexy hero, this book is definitely NOT 5 stars. It has the same old, SO tired, too-insecure heroine with a "I need a fake fiance" plot, (with a homo boyfriend thrown in for good measure, just to give the heroine some extra angst to beat herself up with -- for obvious reasons she was a "failure" with him in bed, so she thinks she's not a good sex partner at all).

Jordan, the heroine, despite such realistic and likeable touches as worrying about her stretch marks and being uncomfortable about her appearance while "on top", is really pretty one-dimensional. I simply couldn't believe this high-powered female attorney had even passed law school, given the machinations of the plot. For example, Jordan is so wimpy as to be scared of her COUSIN's reactions & bitchery if she found out Jordan didn't actually have a fiance at the big family reunion? So she hooks up with her gay boyfriend's super-sexy-fireman twin brother to give credence to her story...come on! I was throwing the book across the room by page 50.

Still, I had to give the book 2 stars for the sex -- well, I'm only human, and I appreciate a little naughtiness as much as the next person. My advice to Mia Z. is to write full-blown erotica -- she certainly has a talent for writing the " big scenes", but the Harlequin lame-o plots have got to GO.

Rating:
Summary: 9 1/2 Days is excellent
Review: I must disagree with a previous review of 9 1/2 Days by the talented Mia Zachary. I found the book to be an excellent story of a woman overcoming her inner conflict so that she can accept love when she finds it. It may not be politically correct for a woman--especially a successful attorney--to obsess over her flaws and allow them to prevent her from fully enjoying life, but that doesn't mean things like that don't happen every day. Show me a woman who professes no angst, and I'll show you a liar. Category romance has certain conventions. Some may view these stories as the same tired plot, but women relate to these stories because there is an inherent truth in them that they recognize. Women are told that they have to have a successful career AND look like a Victoria's Secret model! 9 1/2 Days has a great hero who sees the woman as she is, and a heroine who still sees the fat girl in the mirror. And, yes, there is someone in everyone's life who is a nemesis--like the heroine's bitchy cousin. We'll do anything to avoid that person or impress them if we get a chance. I found the book surprisingly honest in its characterization and emotionally moving with a simmering sensuality. I celebrate an author who brings her unique voice to an archetypal story. Well done, Mia Zachary!

Rating:
Summary: Undercover interracial romance novel
Review: Yes, it is! I swear and I quote "He didn't need to see her eyes to know they were the golden brown color of maple syrup....that her skin was the warm tone of caramel" (29). Hello! I'm so glad eHarlequin is coming out with more out of the closet interracial romance novels. This one is about a black woman who lost weight and sleeps with the wrong man, then uses him to pretend to be a fiance. Very good, short novel. Danny is lovable and so is Jordan. Her cousin KEISHA tries to get in the way of their relationship, but love overcomes all. If you love interracial novels, ever felt bad about your body, or have a thing for sexy firefighters, than this is the novel for you. Also check out Mia's Red shoes & diary novel, another undercover interracial novel.