Terry McMillan's WomenTerry McMillan captures the public's attention by filling his books with romance, tension and sex: "...it is the turbulent currents between family, friends and lovers that McMillan feels most comfortable writing about" (Skow 77). His usual characters are strong, wealthy African-American women; many have jobs, families and security. While these women seemingly have all these needs, they desire more. As they experience life, they embark on an “eternal quest for connection” (Donahue n. pag.). They form bonds with friends, brothers and children, but, above all, McMillan emphasizes their relationships with men. McMillan's main characters need these close bonds with other people to survive and be happy. Women depend on other women in every book. Friends and sisters help fill a void by giving and needing support, but these relationships fulfill only part of the connection they crave. In Waiting to Exhale the bonds between four women are solid. They support each other through difficult times with men, husbands, work and all the obstacles life has to offer. In Disappearing Acts Zora can always receive advice and support from her three friends with dilemmas such as pregnancy, epilepsy and obsession. Stella gets advice and reassurance from her sisters in How Stella Got her Groove Back. Although close friends strengthen a person against difficult life events and provide a release for the protagonists' thoughts, they have their drawbacks. Friends need attention and support. In many cases all they can offer is their judgment and criticism. Portia, one of Zora's closest friends in Disappearing Acts, explains the need for independence from advice with a... middle of paper ......and between dependence on others for happiness and one's own efforts for oneself. -fulfilment.Works CitedDonahue, Deirdre. "McMillan slides into a vivid, one-note 'Groove.'" United States today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/enter/books/leb353.htm (April 28, 1999).McMillan, Terry. Disappearance acts. New York: Paperbacks, 1989._____. How Stella found her rhythm again. New York: Seal, 1996._____. "But dear." National Fund for the Arts. http://arts.endow.gov/explore.Writers/Terry.html (May 22, 1999)._____. Waiting to exhale. New York: Viking, 1992. Porter, Evette. "My novel, myself." Voice of the village. May 21, 1996 Randolph, Laura B. "Me as I Want to Be (Or How to Find Your Rhythm)." Ebony. May 1993, 20.Skow, John. "A little fun." Time. May 6, 1996, 77.Wilkerson, Isabel. "On top of the world." Essence. June 1996, 50.