Rating: 
Summary: Oh...my!
Review: 'Once in a Blue Moon' was fantastic! I was skeptical about how much I could enjoy it after reading two outstanding interracial stories by JJ Murray, however, my skepticism only lasted for the few minutes it took me to reach page twenty four where the reader really gets a glimpse of how much Denise (the heroine) effects Ian (the hero). I really enjoyed Ian's brother's reaction when he discovered whom Ian was in love with...he didn't care that Denise was Black-he cared that she had made Ian a better man. I liked the fact that his parents admired and respected Denise because she was an outstanding person-not out of obligation. I was sure that Ian's family would be the barrier in their relationship, but again was surprised by the direction that Ms. Cole went. I have to admit that Denise's older sister was getting on my last nerve-thank goodness that Denise's mother had good sense, and that her little sister was so cool. It was a reminder that so many people turn their back on what could have been their 'once in a blue moon' love to keep the approval of someone who is unable to give them forever. My favorite thing about this book was how much Ian loved her...not only was he impressed with her beauty he was amazed by her intellect. Many writers forget how sexy and intriguing an amazing intellect is, and frequently overlook that to concentrate on the character's physical appearances. For me, one of the most moving parts of the book was when Ian told his brother what he dreamed of/saw/desired when he looked at Denise. He saw forever...and that was beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: Love at the workplace.
Review: Denise and Ian's story is very romantic and touching. Denise is very loving and caring toward her family. She isn't looking for romance certainly not love when she gets assigned to her new job. Seeing Ian is a complete and wonderful surprise for her. Ian isn't prepared to be attracted to the young and beautiful Denise at first sight, but he is. Ian wants Denise to become the special woman in his life. Denise wants the same thing. Both go through a lot of different things to be together. This book is excellent. A must read and a wonderful addition to your romance collection.This book will have you come back again and again to read it. Once in a blue moon has something for everyone that enjoys an excellent interracial read. I think the problems the couple faces from friends, family and ex-lover are very true and believable. Once in a blue moon is worth the money. I loved it from beginning to end!
Rating:
Summary: Finally!
Review: Finally another Author(other than sandra kitt)who wrote a beautiful love story about a beautiful, educated African American woman. This story was absolutely perfect. From the first page you were wrapped up in denise, then enters Ian a man who falls hard for denise. I couldn't put the book down. Thank you Dorianne Coles!
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful book!!!!
Review: For the most part, I loved this book. In my opinion, Ian is the perfect male. Their first meeting was so realistic and, having read many mainstream romances, it was so refreshing to read a book and not have to wade through all of the superfluous garbage that most heroines think when they first meet the hero, i.e., "I can't think straight, my hands are shaking, my wits have gone begging." Most romances are filled with this type of tripe and I find it a total turnoff and it definitely takes away from the story. From the very first, Ian and Denise approached each other in a very adult manner. Ian saw a very beautiful woman and he knew he wanted her and he worked from there. Denise was refreshing. On their first meeting, she didn't jump all over the hero like an idiot (again referring to mainstream romance novels). Every encounter the heroine and hero had were handled in an intelligent, mature, adult manner. It was so refreshing. My gripe with the book was Denise's total family involvement. I belive in family closeness, but this was too much. In my opinion, it was Denise's life and no business of the rest of the family. I thought they were too involved in the story. It was not just her mother, but her sisters, nephews, brothers-in-law and even an ex-boyfriend. It was TOO MUCH! I prefer reading about a more distant involvement with extended families. I was NOT interested in them at all and they totally turned me off. After all, it WAS Denise's life and she was a responsible adult. Also, too much emphasis placed on race, especially from Denise's standpoint. After all, they lived in a big city (one of the most multicultural one in America) and it wasn't as if they were the only interracial couple there. I thought we were living in the 21st century and this kind of extensive race awareness should be done away with especially in fictional romance novels. Personally, I find a lot of material in mainstream romances hard to swallow, i.e., I just read a romance that had a 31 year-old irresistible virgin heroine who happens to live in 21st Century Dallas, Texas. Imo, that's total tripe. I had to totally suspend my sense of belief to finish the book. That was only the beginning. Before I finished it, I was looking for my boots. In conclusion, in spite of the family and racial awareness overkill, I still enjoyed the book and it is definitely a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful romance novel that happens to be interracial
Review: I am stingy with my stars and if I'm not mistaken, have only given one other book five stars, but Once in a Blue Moon more than deserves every one of them. Denise and Ian were perfectly portrayed as two intelligent people who fell in love despite the obvious obstacles an interracial relationship presents. Those of us who have been or are currently in interracial relationships know these obstacles are real - they exist. This book doesn't sugar-coat them; rather it holds them up for examination and by the time you're finished reading the book, you wouldn't care if Ian was purple and Denise were from outer space - you're rooting for them! If you enjoy a good romance novel with a plot, some pretty good love scenes and a couple who are truly in love, you don't want to miss this one. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: A Blue Moon is Rare
Review: I did enjoy this book; it explored the relationship about two people who both came from privileged backgrounds and by chance came into each other's lives. I did think Denise came from a somewhat dysfunctional family. Her oldest sister became her surrogate mother, something that their own mother should have never allowed to happen. The eldest sister even had the mother whupped! I also felt that Ian shouldn't have chased her, especially toward the end of the story. Denise needed to stand up for herself, the character was a bit too meek. She should have sucked it in, be a risk taker for once and go after the man she loves. She got off way too easy. I am still waiting for i/r novels that involve bw/wm where the black woman is assertive and unashamed of her attraction for her white mate. How about a book where the black woman chases after the man? The author Marilyn Lee is not afraid to do this. I also feel that some black women writers try too hard to justify their black women characters being involved with an interracial relationship-the relationship must be based on till death do us part type of love, as if sexual excitement is shameful thing alone. Many relationships start from physical attraction, whether it is two people from the same race or not. I do recommend this book; it is a sweet story, although Denise at times was pathetic.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not great
Review: I didn't hate this book but it wasn't one of my faves. This is the story of Ian and Denise. They are computer nerds who work together on some kind of firewall program. They of course fall for each other. Denise however is unsure. She thinks her family won't be able to handle it. Ian goes after her till she agrees to go out with him. I had trouble with how long she kept Ian secret. She was a grown woman and should have had the guts to stand up to her family. If a white man did that to a sista she wouldn't be having any of it. Also she cried way to much. And never really seemed comfortable with Ian to the very end. I know she said she wanted to "go slow". But any slower she and Ian be ready to cash in their 401k's. Still I couldn't help but like her family. They reminded me so much of mines. Over all this is a nice light read. It's no Color of love or At last but it'll do if your looking to kill sometime.
Rating:
Summary: Love's Colors
Review: I don't subscribe to interracial romances but I like a good love story and Once In A Blue Moon definitely proved to be that for me. Black or White Ian Phillips loved his "little" Denise Adams unconditionally. There are mitigating factors to most conflicts and race along with family views of "crossing over" can be a major factor. Denise was sheltered, quite, and docile where as Ian was adventurous, opinionated, and aggressive but both were highly intelligent. Ian is working as a private contractor upgrading computers for the government agency that employs Denise who is assigned to assist him when the project runs into trouble. Ian is smitten right away and sets out on making Denise a part of his world regardless of her resistence (I like a man who can weather the storm). Denise was bound by her loyalty and love of a strong African American family with deep civil rights ties, but her life took on a new found freedom and excitement with Ian that her ex Kenny could never bring out of her. Lynn the sister who practically raised Denise, and her inabilty to accept a white man loving her "baby girl" is the main reason she is reluctant to share the new happiness she's found with Ian. There are several special moments that I found in Blue Moon; their mother's confession after asking Denise about her new love, Andy's "pale, anorexic glue-sniffing" reference to Ian's dating habits, I was touched by Ian's overall emotion when Denise told him they could not be together, as well as the extent he went to show his grief. I have this book on my shelf of re-reads. I hope Ms. Cole continued success and hope she lets us share in Ian and Denise's "Love's Colors" once again.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!!!!
Review: I have just finished reading this book(and I mean JUST finished) and I LOVED it! What a great story. I was hooked from the beginning. I loved Denise and what can you about Ian(except where can I get one like him,I don't care what color he is!) I have been reading interracial romance books for a few years now. I've read some really great ones: The Color of Love,Close Encounters, No Committment Required ,to name a few, and some not so great ones: Against the Wind,For Love's Sake and this book is unquestionably one of the great ones. Ian's and Denise's love for each other was astounding and I could feel their joy and pain. This will definitely be on my re-read shelf. This is one of the books I will be measuring other romance books against. Interracial or not.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read!!
Review: I have read a lot of interracial romance novels and this is one of the best. Dorianne Cole is on the level with Sandra Kitt who is the best interracial novelist I know. I enjoyed this book so much. I've had it for about 2 months and have read it twice already. Ms.Cole really delves deep into each character's make-up. You really get to know them very well. I especially liked the fact that the families of Denise and Ian were developed thoroughly. Make room Ms.Kitt, Ms.Cole has arrived! Can't wait for her next book!
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