Though Miranda Graham is a savvy, successful fashion designer, she's never set foot outside the U.S. As a widow and a mom, she has cleaved to the familiarity of her Boulder, Colorado, home. So when business sends her to China, Miranda reels from profound culture shock. Luckily, kind Yuan Li takes the frightened visitor under his wing and offers to be her tour guide.

As Miranda adapts to chopsticks and crowded streets, she finds Li has appealing qualities beyond his perfect English and natural hospitality. A Renaissance man as well as a businessman, Li opens Miranda's heart to the countless treasures of China. With newfound courage, Miranda finds herself falling into deep, passionate love with this man whom she hardly knows. The looming deadline for her return and the threatening disapproval of a fading communist state force these lovers to make the most of their glorious time together.

Bestselling author Judith Michael has situated this familiar midlife coming of age tale in a truly unique location. Colorful descriptions of Chinese culture and atmosphere will certainly infect some readers with the travel bug. But while Miranda's character is well-developed and likable, Li's borders on stereotypical, and at times the threats to their relationship seem artificial. However, in the context of a "perfect love, imperfect world" story, these faults are entirely forgivable, and the overall story line is very entertaining.--Nancy R.E. O'Brien


From Publishers Weekly
An exotic locale, a hint of danger, a dollop of fashion, a soup?on of Confucian philosophy and a big dose of clashing cultures add up to tasty if unoriginal chop suey in the latest novel from the bestselling husband and wife writing team. Miranda Grant, a 40-year-old widow with two adolescent children, travels from her home in Boulder, Colo., to Beijing. Petite (size four) Miranda is, on the one hand, shy, fearful and mousy, and, on the other, artistic, creative and hungry for change. Her visit to China is a business trip, arranging knitting contracts for the cashmere sweaters she designs for a New York firm, but it becomes a two-week sojourn that will change her life. Although scenes detailing the textile negotiations add interest, the story focuses on Miranda's relationship with Yuan Li, a successful builder/construction engineer. The son of a Chinese mother and an American soldier, he becomes her soulful guide to China, romance and personal growth. Danger intrudes after Miranda innocently acts as courier for a letter from a former dissident, now in America; the authorities put Miranda and Yuan Li under round-the-clock surveillance. The supporting charactersALi's aloof daughter, scheming son, old friend's wifeAcontribute to the feel of an earnest and colorful travelogue and history lesson. The sense of being an American in a foreign culture is nicely conveyed as Miranda views such phenomena as the thick crowds of bicycle riders in Beijing, the dense army of terra cotta soldiers in Xi'an and the stunning architecture of the Forbidden City. This 10th offering from the practiced Michael (Deceptions; Acts of Love) will undoubtedly join its nine predecessors on the bestseller lists. Major ad/promo; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club selection. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Michael is the pseudonym of a husband-and-wife team with a string of best sellers to their credit (e.g., Acts of Love, LJ 1/97). They have set their latest romantic effort in the turbulent and fascinating world of contemporary China. Miranda has moved there to work with a clothing firm manufacturing some of her fashion designs. At the airport, she meets a quiet and gracious man named Li and shares a taxi to her hotel. Over the course of a few deliciously detailed dinners and sightseeing afternoons, they form a tentative friendship that grows into a caring love affair between two mature adults who have suffered their share of disappointment and pain. As in every traditional love story, their relationship hits a few obstacles, including the vehement objections of Lis son, a man with business and political problems of his own. Although there is certainly nothing new here, this slow-paced, melancholy love poem is an appealing tale of two very different people who find soulmates in each other. Recommended for all public libraries.-Margaret Ann Hanes, Sterling Heights P.L., MICopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Kirkus Reviews
A Summertime-like romance between older lovers, set in modern-day China, from perennial bestseller Michael (Acts of Love, 1997, etc.). Novice designer Miranda Graham, 40, has come to Beijing from Boulder, Colorado, to discuss the production of her cashmere clothing with Chinese manufacturers. As she waits for a cab in the shoving airport crowd, shes rescued by Yuan Li, 55, the head of an important construction company who has come to see off a friend. Overcoming Miranda's reserve (and honoring the venerable tradition of overseas romances doubling as travelogues), half-American Li spends a week showing her around Beijing, introducing Miranda (and the reader) to contemporary Chinese life and a mouthwatering feast of its cuisine. The two draw closer, cook a meal together at Lis courtyard house in Beijing, and finally consummate their love at a hotel in Xi'an, where they have gone to see the 6,000 terra-cotta warriors built for the tomb of the first Emperor. But the villainous Chinese state security bureau complicates their wonderful relationship. It views Miranda as a courier of subversive literature because she agreed to deliver a letter to the parents of a Boulder acquaintance, and her lover is under suspicion as a result of their affair. Used to such scrutiny, Li carries on as if it were not there. But Miranda decides she cant live in such a society, and Li decides he cant go to America. Instead of continuing an enriching international relationship, which would not be too difficult since Miranda begins a partnership with an older Chinese designer, the pair decide to part forever, keeping their memories and that ``certain smile'' of perfect love. Besides the excellent food, the authors create believable conversations between intelligent people, a rarity in romance fiction. But after a humdinger of a first half, the ending seems forced. (Doubleday Book Club main selection; Literary Guild selection; ad/promo) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
"[A] LOVE POEM . . . An appealing tale of two very different people who find soulmates in each other. Recommended."
--Library Journal

"A SENSUOUS AND ENRAPTURING TALE."
--Booklist


Review
"[A] LOVE POEM . . . An appealing tale of two very different people who find soulmates in each other. Recommended."
--Library Journal

"A SENSUOUS AND ENRAPTURING TALE."
--Booklist

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Bestselling author Judith Michael brings together the magic of East and West in a tale of heartwrenching love as vivid and breathless as the pounding energy of exotic Beijing. In a story replete with passion and enduring desire, A CERTAIN SMILE affirms that love has no borders. . . .

An American clothing designer and widowed mother of two teenagers, Miranda Graham arrives in China and is immediately overwhelmed by life in this faraway place. Then she meets Yuan Li, son of an American soldier and Chinese mother—and suddenly two worlds, two cultures, and two hearts collide. As Miranda bravely explores vistas beyond the safe, ordered limits of her own life, she is inexorably drawn to Yuan, a man who embodies all the hardship, dignity, and mystery of China. Their love is an unexpected awakening of body, mind, and spirit—even as the intrusive government and Yuan's ambitious son threaten their newfound joy, propelling them toward the most shattering choice two lovers can make.

SYNOPSIS

China is the setting for this tale of love and longing by superstar Judith Michael (the pseudonym of a famous husband-and-wife writing team). When Miranda Graham arrives in Beijing, she has no idea that she's there to handle more than the manufacture of her clothing line. The hero entering her life is named Yuan Li, and neither knows that love will spark between them. A Certain Smile is a winning one!

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal - Margaret Ann Hanes, Sterling Heights Public Library, MI

Michael is the pseudonym of a husband-and-wife team with a string of best sellers to their credit (Acts of Love). They have set their latest romantic effort in the turbulent and fascinating world of contemporary China. Miranda has moved there to work with a clothing firm manufacturing some of her fashion designs. At the airport, she meets a quiet and gracious man named Li and shares a taxi to her hotel. Over the course of a few deliciously detailed dinners and sightseeing afternoons, they form a tentative friendship that grows into a caring love affair between two mature adults who have suffered their share of disappointment and pain. As in every traditional love story, their relationship hits a few obstacles, including the vehement objections of Lis son, a man with business and political problems of his own. Although there is certainly nothing new here, this slow-paced, melancholy love poem is an appealing tale of two very different people who find soulmates in each other.

Kirkus Reviews

A Summertime-like romance between older lovers, set in modern-day China, from perennial bestseller Michael (Acts of Love, 1997, etc.). Novice designer Miranda Graham, 40, has come to Beijing from Boulder, Colorado, to discuss the production of her cashmere clothing with Chinese manufacturers. As she waits for a cab in the shoving airport crowd, she's rescued by Yuan Li, 55, the head of an important construction company who has come to see off a friend. Overcoming Miranda's reserve (and honoring the venerable tradition of overseas romances doubling as travelogues), half-American Li spends a week showing her around Beijing, introducing Miranda (and the reader) to contemporary Chinese life and a mouthwatering feast of its cuisine. The two draw closer, cook a meal together at Li's courtyard house in Beijing, and finally consummate their love at a hotel in Xi'an, where they have gone to see the 6,000 terra-cotta warriors built for the tomb of the first Emperor. But the villainous Chinese state security bureau complicates their wonderful relationship. It views Miranda as a courier of "subversive" literature because she agreed to deliver a letter to the parents of a Boulder acquaintance, and her lover is under suspicion as a result of their affair. Used to such scrutiny, Li carries on as if it were not there. But Miranda decides she can't live in such a society, and Li decides he can't go to America. Instead of continuing an enriching international relationship, which would not be too difficult since Miranda begins a partnership with an older Chinese designer, the pair decide to part forever, keeping their memories and that "certain smile" of perfect love. Besides the excellent food, theauthors create believable conversations between intelligent people, a rarity in romance fiction. But after a humdinger of a first half, the ending seems forced. (Doubleday Book Club main selection; Literary Guild selection; ad/promo)