Customer Reviews

Mr. Fix-It (Indigo Love Spectrum)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

After twelve best sellers, Romance author Khela Halliday, still does not believe in the kind of love that takes you beyond yourself. Romance, to her, is perception, marketing and the skill to foster dreams, and her strategy has accelerated her career. The most recent is her attendance at a literary convention, which requires an escort suitable to the characters in her books.

Although he is only a super for the Boston brownstone she lives in, Carter Radcliffe is just the eye candy Khela needs; so she asks him to escort her. What Khela does not know is, one, Carter is more than a super; he actually owns several buildings, including the one she's in. And, two, he has been infatuated with her since the day she walked into the lobby, some three years ago. This is his opportunity to get away from their normal setting so she'll have to deal with him as a man, and hopefully think of him on a more personal level.

In a very short time Carter realizes Khela is not as immune to him as she pretends, but he thinks their ethnic difference is a roadblock. What Carter doesn't know is, one, Khela's issues are not racial; she does not believe in the kind of love she writes about and, two, she is scared to take the leap, because if her heart is broken again, she doesn't know if she can fix it.

MR. FIX-IT is an alluring tale that puts blinders on readers to the point that race and social status have little significance. This is a maturely written story, with no unnecessary drama and no contrived battles. The characters are more similar than either believes and are destined to find the real side of fantasy. Now, this is about life so each of the characters has issues they must confront, but even that is done with aplomb. I thoroughly enjoyed where this story took me. Where are her other books?

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

I really loved the cover of this book, and even though I have read 3 other interracial romance novels with book covers that didn't match the characters in the story at all, I was still intrigued.

The story started off in an unappealing manner to me--her having hives, and stuffing her face with Ho Hos, this guy that she's had a crush on for 3 years suddenly being "ordered" to come to her apartment (and being "ordered" to bring a tux), him complying not in the least bit questioning her request, him agreeing to come to her convention and being okay with being her eye candy escort...I was already annoyed by the time she was ready to write a resignation into her speech at said convention.

Khela just seemed very ungrateful for a life that obviously has been VERY good to her--good enough for her to buy expensive groceries from some ritzy market seemingly everyday, good enough for her to afford a penthouse in a seemingly expensive part of town, good enough for her to live MORE than comfortably...and it's not that she hates what she does--she LOVES it, but she constantly whines about not being able to relate to her characters because she hasn't found love herself. I just found it irritating, and taking away from what the book could have been.

Carter, on the other hand, was the least likeable character. If I ever had the displeasure of meeting such a childish pretty boy, I'd curse the gods. Another reviewer said it here--all he did was pick fights everytime he broke up with Khela, try to justify himself at inappropriate moments, agree to hold her purse while she did book signings and then bitch about how no one took him seriously because he was tagging along. There's also WAY too many mentions of how good-looking he is; women acting damn fools and practically dry humping the guy in public, I mean come on, give me a break. Okay, I get it, he's good-looking, but don't go out of your way to prove it to us, it's a complete and utter turn off.

He just seemed like a spoiled brat, incredibly insensitive and immature. I'm sorry, but I'd never want to be with a man like that. I'm not prejudiced against southerners in any way, but he really did come off as the negative stereotype of the "dumbass redneck southern", and I hated that. Why be the NEGATIVE stereotype??

Daphne and Llewelyn were completely over-the-top characters for me. Their existence was just laughable, their marriage gave ME hives...she met this guy on a whim, and was ready to just abandon her country...Jesus...I kept waiting for him to be a scam artist, because it was just that hard to believe.

The book wasn't horrible, but it definitely wasn't that great. If I had to count the many times bags of expensive groceries were dropped on streets by Khela or Carter, I'd have to use fingers and toes.

The best scene: After the dinner with Khela, Carter, Llewelyn and Daphne when Carter made love to her in the kitchen, taking her from behind. That was beyond hot.

The worst scene: The end, where Carter completely screws up what could have been an incredibly romantic scene by making mention of being attracted to her "dark skin" and her "slammin' ass". Ugh.

Yeah...I don't see me reading this one again in the future...

Mrs. Hubbard takes us on a CAPTIVATING tour of the life of a talented romance author in her third interracial romance, "Mr. Fix-It". She crafts a tale that entertains and educates us about aspects of HER very unpredictable world. I was totally CAUGHT UP in the workings of the romance convention, the camaraderie and verbal sparring between the authors, the passionate and know-it-all fans that often want to re-write the authors story (LOL). Khela Halliday is a popular romance writer, however her own love life is NON-EXISTENT. Khela believes she has an image to uphold by presenting a love life to her peers and fans that's just like the one she portrays in her novels. Unfortunately she doesn't believe in what she writes, ANYMORE. Due to past hurts, Khela is afraid to LET GO and capture the romance and the love that she so passionately writes about in her books. However, Khela will do WHATEVER she has to, in order to keep up the illusion of her life. So, she convinces Carter, her all too SEXY "handyman" to be her date at a romance convention. Carter is definitely the perfect companion for her. Khela and her peers think that Carter could have walked right off the pages of their novels. And there in lies the root of Carter's problems, his deepest desire is to find a woman that sees him as more than just the ULTIMATE "pretty boy", and he desperately WANTS that woman to be Khela. As they struggle through their issues, the budding relationship of Khela and Carter is an INTENSE, heartwarming, sensual and HUMOROUS ride. Will Khela and Carter ALLOW themselves to hold on to the love they discover with each other or will they destroy their HAPPILY-EVER-AFTER with their fears, insecurities and childish antics?!! The cast of characters, main and secondary, are quite ANIMATED and memorable, and the the detailed descriptions of Boston only aid in making this a fascinating journey. As much as I enjoyed this tale, I must say, I think Mrs. Hubbard attempts to wrap the story up a little too quickly, it felt like Khela and Carter still had some unresolved issues that should have been addressed in order to make the conclusion more SATISFYING. But, having said that, I still found this romance to be a worthwhile read and I definitely enjoy the detailed glimpse into the world of a romance writer. Good Job, Crystal, keep the wonderful stories coming!

I read many pages on the review of this book and many of the negative reviews stood out. For some reason, something said buy the book anyway. Well I did and I'm glad! The story was beautiful! Since I've purchased it, I read it twice.
The only down fall for me was that since I read majority of the reviews I already knew what to expect but still I'm glad I read it and I encourage others to read this book too!
I believe that the author is correct with the portrayals of the characters and she understands what goes through the heads of many professional women who date men who seem as though they are not working to their full potential. Based on past relationships many tend to be jaded and unfortunately it does come out at inopportune times.
I would read another book from this author anyday!

I was so bummed out about not enjoying this story more than I did; especially after reading the other reviews. The male charater Carter was charming, funny, sexy, and patient but also insecure when it came to his love interest. He went through a lot just to be with the female lead (I forgot her name too; that says a lot don't it?). Anyways, she was annoyingly snobish, and cold but knew how to write some of the steamist love novels in her field of work. Maybe, I'll try to read it again or maybe I'll just sell it or barter it for a differnt book.

I realize that romance novels are a form of escapism, but this one left me disinterested. The characters are not well developed at all. Not only did I not care about them, I found them far fetched and the dialogue down right silly. Though I did like the interracial love aspect. Try Francis Raye or Brenda Jackson for much better African American romance novels.

I was very disappointed in this book. I couldn't even finish reading it, because it was so boring. I loved Crystal Hubbard's, The Crush, so I was expecting this book to be really good, but it wasn't. This book was just weird for me. I didn't like the female character at all and the only good thing about the book,(the part that I did get through) was the male lead,Carter.

It's Ok, not great, just Ok. I really didn't care for the hero or the heroine but the author does know ow to write so that what saved it. If only she could have written them more likable and believable I might have loved this book.

I truly enjoyed Ms. Hubbard's book. She educates and entertains. Her characters are complex yet understandable and real.
I won't bother with providing a synopsis of her book because this site does well in explaining the plot.
But, if you have never been in love or don't believe in love, this book will make you (even for just a short time) believe that true love is possible for everybody and is found in the most unlikely places.
It was like experiencing a Lifetime movie in book form for an African American woman.
Those that gave Ms. Hubbard 1 or 2 or even 3 stars should ask themselves if they can write a better book? If so, then do it. If not, then hush.
I read books like this for entertainment and escape not to solve the mysteries of the universe.

This was my first time reading one of Crystal Hubbard's books so I didn't have any idea of the writing style. But since it was a romance novel (my new addiction) I was completely open and dived right in. Mr. Fix-It started out fine but slowed down tremendously toward the middle of the book. I liked the characters well enough and thought they were developed rather nicely. However, at some point during the middle of this book I found my self asking "where is this book going... where is the author going with this story.... hell.... I wanted to know after a while......why the story was still going ON????? I read some of the reviews and can't say I share in the overwhelming thumbs up they gave. I'm glad I borrowed the book from the library and didn't purchase it, otherwise I would have been pissed off at spending the money that I could have very well put towards a Melanie Schuester or Brenda Jackson romance. I love African-American (& now interracial) romance novels so I feel compelled to give this author another read. I will take the advice of some of the other Reviewers and try CRUSH (but given the sometimes boredom I experienced with Mr. Fix-It, CRUSH will also be a borrowed library book instead of a purchase.)