Balancing Act: A Novel (Hardcover)

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Key Phrases: New York, Tasha Reynolds, Justin Blakeman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Jonathan Plummer made headlines when New York Times bestselling author Terry McMillan -- whose novel How Stella Got Her Groove Back is based on their romance -- filed for divorce, claiming that Plummer hid his homosexuality in order to marry her for her money and gain U.S. citizenship. Now Plummer delivers a sexy and satisfying novel as deliciously racy as the life he lived.

Justin Blakeman is living an ordinary life in Jamaica when vacationing Tasha Reynolds spots him selling sugar cane on the street. He, of course, has no idea that her modeling agency is fast becoming the hottest in the business. He plans to live the island life set out for him, stepping up to head the family sugar cane enterprise in time.

In the ruthless modeling world, Tasha is a great white shark with an uncanny knack for finding blazing new talent in unusual places. She always gets what she wants and she wants Justin -- whose hazel-green eyes, offset by dark chocolate skin, make her palms sweat, a sign that she is on to something. His perfect body and defiant attitude will make him a megastar.

But soon, a relationship that began as strictly business crosses the line into a complex game of sexual desire and control. Their crazy, volatile bond -- littered with dark influences from their pasts, complicated by ambition, and fueled by insatiable passion -- is as combustible as relationships can get. And when Justin discovers a hidden hunger for a male model, the stakes are higher than ever.

About the Author

Jonathan Plummer is Terry McMillan's ex-husband. Balancing Act is his first novel.

Karen Hunter is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, a celebrated radio talk-show host, and co-author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including Confessions of a Video Vixen, On the Down Low, and Wendy's Got the Heat. She is also an assistant professor in the Film & Media Department at Hunter College --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (September 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416537406
• ISBN-13: 978-1416537403
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,059,103 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Interesting, September 4, 2007

By	Cydney Rax "rmn1994" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Balancing Act is the story of Justin, a young man from Jamaica, and his control freak girlfriend, Tasha who goes ballistic when he decides to leave her when he discovers his true sexuality. The book is fairly short and easy to read. There's lots of telling and not much showing -- so the book definitely could have been enhanced by more action and dialogue. Nevertheless, it is an interesting read about the perils of success, love, sex, and the modeling industry, and seeing how Justin handles his desire to break away from Tasha. Admittedly, while reading the book you will probably wonder which parts are from JP's real life. And if you let your mind use its imagination, it enhances the novel and makes it seem juicy -- and somewhat fun. I didn't give it 5 stars only because we are told a lot about what's happening instead of seeing for ourselves how the characters are. Other than that, it's a good read.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Crazy, guilty pleasure reading with a crazy ending!! Not bad Jonathan, October 7, 2007

By	A. Stallings "ebonydiva" (Glen Burnie, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I heard about him writing a book from a radio show interview he was doing to promote it (unfortunately I missed the interview). I got into the hype of a book via that radio hype of "Confessions of a Video Vixen" which sucked and I was a bit leery on getting into another book based on radio hype on it. Well I just finished reading this book and I have to say not bad Jonathan. It kinda of starts out like "How Stella Got her Grove Back" within the first few chapters and then from there takes on the writing style of Jackie Collins with all of the flash, trash and sex to match.

I like how he flipped the story on the male character, Justin (loosely based on Plummer in my opinion) into becoming a male model after being uprooted from Jamaica. The female lead Tasha in my view gave you some highlights into the crazy personality of his ex Terry McMillian. Whether Tery was really as insane in the membrane as Tasha is or Plummer opted to make her that way for "creative writing purposes" who really knows. I do like how Justin became upfront with himself inspite of having to lose all he had worked for thru his relations with Tasha (and boy does she make his #$@ pay). Amazingly he ended up back on top again only to have a crazy twisted cliffhanger involving this crazy broad that makes you wonder hmm- did he or didn't he.

If looking for silly and escapist reading and also to get a bit of insight (even from a fictional tip) on Jonathan and Terry's relationship this is a trip of a book to read!!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A hot mess, November 30, 2007

By	Book-a-holic - See all my reviews

This book was a glorified mess! It was said to be Jonathan's side of the
Story about what happened between Terry and Himself. I cannot believe
This fabricated mess! And to act as if Terry was involved in a gay relationship I don't buy that for a sec. I don't know what book others were reading but this Was poorly written and the storyline was boring it took me 1 month to finish this book
Buy at your own risk!