Lawson’s review of Making Over Mr. Right by Judi McCoy
Contemporary paranormal romance released 26 Feb 08 by Avon

McCoy tries for a niche in a wide market of romance by giving readers her series of three sisters, Muses from Mt. Olympus. I didn’t read the first novel, but I did read the second, One Night with a Goddess. The setup of misbehaving Muses sent down to Earth to use their gifts is an interesting one. Probably rather hard to do since Greek mythology has enough sex, drugs and… uh… incest for any good Soap Opera, not to mention doomed (and some not so doomed) romances. Can Zoe, the Muse of Beauty, do her job on Earth, spread her gift to mortals and not fall in love?

[Ed.: This author’s site is distressingly out of date.  Bad author!  No chocolate for you!] 

Zoe doesn’t really seem to be a Muse of Beauty, but more the Muse of Good Taste. She takes pride in the fact that she influenced Martha Stewart, who is then helping all those in America get that “good thing”. Though beauty can be derived from good fashion sense and the right decor in the home, it doesn’t necessarily equate beauty. But that’s just a minor quibbling point in the whole story.

Zoe is fun, smart and unlike her sister Chloe (in One Night), seemed less selfish with her motives on Earth as well as her willingness to spread her gift to anyone and everyone in a more subtle way. Not only that, but she also equated her Beauty with comfort, which is more practical and more important to people in their everyday lives. When a final big job is offered to her, Zoe snatches it up to prove that she’s been using her gifts well.

What she doesn’t expect is Theodore Maragos, computer nerd extraordinaire and budding Manhattan magnate. Theo needs Zoe to help him decorate his apartment and redo his sense of style for a layout in an important magazine to boost the sale of his company as it moves into becoming publicly traded. Theo finds Zoe to be everything he’s ever wanted in a woman and brings out his inner quiet, but determined warrior in his quest to win her heart.

There are a couple of things that ended up being rather predictable about Theo and Zoe, but they never act out of character or do anything stupid. Their romance is sweet, and rather steamy. It’s gotta be when part of it takes place in a penthouse in Trump Towers. . . 😉 There was some time spent on the romance of Theo’s COO and best friend Chad and Zoe’s friend Elise, but that didn’t take away from the story.

True this is light and almost a fluff read, but the characters were good people and not thrown into ridiculous situations, even though the end was rather predictable.

Grade: B-

Blurb:

     What is it about a computer geek trapped inside the body of a tall, dark, and handsome man that makes a woman’s knees go weak?

     Theo Maragos is actually an incredibly successful businessman who is to be featured in a major magazine. And it’s Zoë’s job as the Muse of Beauty to transform him from nerd to hunk. First to go are those wire-framed glasses . . . revealing a devilish twinkle in his blue eyes. Next is a close shave . . . showing off that sexy grin, not to mention dimples that can charm the clothes off this muse. It would be so easy to fall for Theo, but the number-one rule during Zoë’s exile from Mount Olympus is don’t fall in love, especially with a mortal. Will Zoë succeed in keeping her heart safe, or will she risk all for a lifetime with her very own Mr. Right?

     [Ed.: Can’t find an excerpt to save me.]