A Love of My Own: A Novel

E. Lynne Harris's A Love of My Own is the story of Zola Norwood, the attractive, ambitious editor-in-chief of Bling, Bling, a hot new magazine for young and hip African Americans. Having achieved success in her professional life, Zola embarks on a quest for true love. She makes clean breaks from her clandestine affairs with Davis McClinton, Bling, Bling's powerful owner, and Jabar, the seemingly simple yet undeniably sexy personal trainer at her club. Adding to the intrigue is Raymond Tyler Jr., whose relationship with his longtime partner, Trent, has just ended badly. In a search for refuge and rebirth, Raymond moves to New York and begins work as the CEO of Bling, Bling. As Zora and Raymond chart their own courses to love and personal fulfillment, Harris grapples with familiar themes like love, deception, family, and power. In a tale woven together by up-to-the-minute current events (the characters watch Denzel Washington and Halle Berry take home awards on Oscar night; Zora awakes to the news of pop star Aaliyah's tragic death), E. Lynne Harris has yet again taken his formula for success and created another winner. --Gisele Toueg