Balancing Act: A Novel

by Jonathan Plummer, Karen Hunter

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.

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 2007

Reviews

[Kitani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an alright read. While on a trip to Jamaica, Tasha met Justin and instantly wanted to make him a star. Never being to New York City before and the promise of making it big, Justin decided to take a chance with modeling. I had to give Tasha credit for providing Justin with the opportunity but her selfishness caused things to get out of hand. Justin's interaction with Dorian sparked things up. I was a little surprise with Anne and how she viewed Tasha. One would've never guessed things would go downhill after certain lines were crossed and rejection became evident. Tasha was being beyond petty once Justin came to the realization that he'd had enough. Tasha tried everything to break Justin down, only for Anne, with the help of Darryl to build him back up. Tasha had to come to grips with the fact she'd messed things up. Her last attempt at balancing the act was crazy but she was only concerned because she'd finally failed and karma paid her big time.

[Bruh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Supposedly a thinly veiled story based on
his relationship/marriage to author Terry
McMillan, its about Justin, from Jamaica,
and how he met Tasha, a powerful woman in
the modeling business. They fall in love,
but after coming back to the States, Justin
begans to question himself, and his
sexuality. A rather fun read, and I was
suprised that it was so. If you take it for
what it is, an entertaining read, and not go
looking for "the dirt" from the real lives of
Jonathan and Terry, you should enjoy this novel.

[Nakiaa6a { mrz.choic3}6a...lif3 iz crazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

i learned that love is trouble.

[Lisa Auvigne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good. It was laid out kind of weird. It was total a new kind of romance book. The end was very strange. It leaves you hanging. I even thought might be missing pages. But the book was all there.

[Tonie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book because I got it from my book club after not responding to my main selections. It's hard for me not to read a book if I have it. This was not very good...at all. The time line was very disjointed. We go from just arriving in New York to several years later without any segue. We go from a completely heterosexual male with no interest in men to a homosexual male that has no interest in women in a matter of a kiss (and so other stuff). I believe that Mr. Plummer was simply trying to justify his deception to his ex-wife, Terry Macmillan, through this very poorly written piece.

[Linda Boyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing to get excited about. I don't think Jonathan Plummer has a future as an author. He was smart to capitalize on getting this book out early after the break up with Terri McMillan, there goes his 15 minutes of fame.........

[LaJuan · Rating 2 out of 5]

total guilty pleasure...no artistic merit whatsoever. Written in tabloid style with subtle references to his own similar true life story. An easy read!

[Rhonda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kind of all over the place...timelines made no sense at all.