9½ Days

by Mia Zachary

Firefighters and their favors... — High-priced attorney Jordan Gregory is no stranger to the fine art of negotiating, but even she is taken aback when Danny Navarro proposes sex any time, anywhere for temporarily posing as her fiancé. For the first time in her life, Jordan's running scared...and loving every minute of it. — The last thing Danny is is scared. Being a firefighter has toughened him up to face every type of danger, even the sexual kind. For the first time in his life, Danny's surprised by who he wants, but he'll stop at nothing to catch the sexy, soul-searing Jordan....

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Blaze, Fiction

248 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Over the years, award-winning author Mia Zachary has penned really bad poetry, even worse song lyrics, adolescent short stories and overly descriptive class papers. She had written several chapters for a medieval romance, but credits her husband with suggesting that a modern timeframe might help her focus more on the story than the setting.

Her first completed contemporary manuscript placed second in Harlequin Books 2000 Summer Blaze contest. She's written four Blaze novels since then, including AFTERNOON DELIGHT (April 2006) and is under contract for two more Blazes (tba), as well as a romantic mystery (March 2007) and a paranormal novella (Oct 2007) for Harlequin Special Releases.

Reviews

[Connie N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new-to-me author, and I enjoyed the story very much. A romance with a bit of a twist. Jordan has struggled to lose weight, but she still has major insecurities. She's had a love/envy relationship with both her gorgeous sister and her slim cousin for years. When her relationship with David fizzles, she automatically thinks it's her fault. And when she tries to rekindle the flame with a fantasy, she "kidnaps" his twin brother by mistake and has her way with him, much to his delight. An agreement is reached between she and Danny--he pretends to be his brother, engaged to Jordan--and he gets a sexual relationship with her anytime, anywhere. Things gets complicated as she and Danny get to know each other better and he becomes more embroiled with the lies to her family about their "engagement." She revels in his attraction to her body and tries to learn how to accept herself. He faces his flashbacks as a first responder on 9/11, with her help. It's a sweet romance with more substance than the usual. I will definitely look for more from this author.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

High-priced attorney Jordan Gregory is no stranger to the fine art of negotiating, but even she is taken aback when Danny Navarro proposes sex any time, anywhere for temporarily posing as her fiancé. For the first time in her life, Jordan's running scared...and loving every minute of it.
The last thing Danny is is scared. Being a firefighter has toughened him up to face every type of danger, even the sexual kind. For the first time in his life, Danny's surprised by who he wants, but he'll stop at nothing to catch the sexy, soul-searing Jordan....
But can they make the heat last another nine and a half days? a sexy book with sexy people. Love how the author builds up the story. 5 stars.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. I knocked it down a star because It was said this book was supposed to be “hot” read with lots of steamy scenes and it really wasn’t. It was more about the main female character’s insecurities and the main male character on his fear of relationships. It was still a cute read.

[Jennell Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book twice and I've enjoyed it both times.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars. Okay, but not great.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank goodness Harlequin Blaze has finally opened up to more diverse characters. I too thought this interracial, until I read Mia's review below. I've been reading this line, Harlequin Temptation before it, and other romances for years. I've always hated the segregation of these characters. And yes, I've read the books where the hero or heroine is 1/8th something -- just enough to call it 'exotic.' Category romance has been the last world to be integrated. It's a good thing.

[Shanae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent love story. I really enjoyed the characters & the storyline. Jordan was interesting, likable, and realistic. Danny was okay - the typical male character for a romance novella. David's character offered a great twist that I wish was a bit more developed. Anyway, this one is an okay read and I think anyone who likes romance novellas will enjoy this one.

[Zoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had a lot of potential. The heroine's insecurities were well drawn, and her family was fascinating. But the hero had issues that he seemed to come to grips with far too quickly for the conflict reslution to be believable.

[rivka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too confused, too contrived, too neat and quick of an ending.

[AprilsCrafty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been filling in the time between books on hold with romance novels. Pretty good book, enjoyable characters, love scenes got a little redundant.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story and the main character. I have often felt like her at times. It was kept me in suspense.

[Santhoshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story.. Not too sexy but romantic sexy

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok.