Date with a Diva

Single in South Beach #4

by Joanne Rock

Lainie Reynolds's long-ignored libido has picked a fine time to wake up. Just when she's got her hands full at her sexy singles resort, Nico Cesare is in her face. The sexy man definitely is to blame for her out-of-control hormones. Since he won't be ignored, she'll simply have to tackle him in the sheets and get him out of her system.

The first time he lays eyes on South Beach's infamous diva, Nico suspects there's a sensual goddess lurking beneath Lainie's do-not-touch exterior. And he has to have her. She's agreed to a sultry affair, but has made it clear that she's too independent for anything more. But Nico's already in deep, and a series of suspicious incidents at the resort gives him the perfect opportunity to be with her day and night. What better way to show her that this kind of heat lasts for a long time?

Genres: Romance, Harlequin Blaze, Harlequin

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 25, 2004

About the author

Joanne Rock is a USA Today bestselling author of over one hundred works of popular fiction, including domestic suspense and romantic suspense. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville and has taught fiction, film, and writing at the college level. When she's not writing, Joanne enjoys travel to gather new ideas.

Reviews

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lainie Reynolds is pretty bitter about men, especially after her ex-husband cheated on her with a younger woman and then cleaned out their bank account and fled the country. But she's building her life back up, running a successful singles club and she's thriving. But she's still not ready to tackle the dating scene again. Nico Cesare, Giselle's older brother, doesn't care about all that. He wants Lainie in his bed - badly. He's not looking for a relationship really, not since the ex-hockey player got his heart broken when he couldn't play anymore. He chases Lainie down. And when it looks like someone is trying to hurt her and her business, he also protects her. The question is whether self-sufficient Lainie will let him.

So this was done very differently from some of the others in the series. I liked that Lainie was as hard-as-nails as she was - I expected it given what she'd been through. I also thought Nico was pretty much a perfect foil for her and his determination was just what it took to break Lainie down. I also liked that even though Nico succeeded at getting Lainie into bed, that he began to realize his work wasn't cut out for him - that to get Lainie to break down her walls it would take more than sex. Though I admit...the whole watching love scenes being filmed for a movie as some sort of public theater was a bit strange. Do people really do that? It essentially had the same effect as porn, but with a whole bunch of crew and cameras around...it would get them all riled up and they'd have to go off and have sex. But the whole movie thing brings me to the big difference here - this particular episode of the series had a secondary love story. A good third of the book was dedicated toward a second couple, Bram, one of the actors in the film and Daisy, a woman who was fired from Club Paradise and starts out as something of a celebrity chaser. I didn't like Daisy and I didn't care for Bram much either. Why was this secondary plot added? Weren't Nico and Lainie enough? In fact, given that Lainie was the heart and soul of Club Paradise and was practically the culmination of the series she should have carried this book on her own. She shouldn't have had to share it with a second-rate, unlikeable couple.

I also didn't know what to think about Nico's revelation at the end of the story that rather contradicts his behavior at the beginning. Nico admits throughout the story that he only wants Lainie sexually and he'll do anything to get her there...even, as his behavior indicates, encourage her to get drunk so she'll be more willing (as demonstrated by his disappointment when he realizes she's sobering up and his chances of getting laid are decreasing). And yet, at the end, when Lainie questions his commitment and playboy ways, Nico insists that he'd never pursue a woman only for sexual ends - as he was raised traditionally and his mother would kill him if he did. So what was all his monologuing about getting Lainie into bed about then? This was a good story, but a bit of a let down when considering that this should have been the cornerstone of the series.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when a sexy and smart business woman meets a hot hunky hockey player who when ever he is around her his protective instincts go into high gear. But what if she doesn't want his protection, she can take care of herself. Laine Reynolds is rebuilding her life and the hotel she is in partnership with 3 other women who where swindled by the former owners. She does not need the protection of Nico Cesare, who is the brother of one of her partners. But Nico does not stand down and when someone starts threatening Laine and the hotel, he is not letting her out of his site... And this leads to some very hot and sexy and sinful times in Miami.

I loved Laine and Nico. They fought the good fight, but just could not keep their hands off each other. The more Laine pushed back at Nico's protective instincts, the more that turned on Nico. The chemistry between them would set the place on fire. The Diva and The hot hockey player was melting the ice and making it sizzle.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entertaining series is about a group of women who become partners in a South Beach resort. After major financial fraud by the prior management team, each of the women find romance while recreating the resort as a popular, sexy singles destination. Lainie is the group’s guarded, controlling CEO (and the ex-wife of the former manager, who is now in jail). Nico is the brother of one of the women, and a former pro hockey player. Lainie and Nico’s story has a few subplots and a little suspense. While sparks are flying between them, someone is making threats against Lainie. At the same time, a movie is being filmed at the resort and the lead actor might also be finding his own romance. This book is a fast read, with engaging characters, dual points of view and a satisfying HEA. It can be read as a standalone, but characters from the earlier books do make appearances. I received a copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet read. Lainie and Nico’s story will suck you as it takes you through an emotional ride with a bit of suspense. I loved the connection and the flying sparks. I enjoyed their journey as they overcome insecurities as let themselves love again. A great addition to the series.

[Michele Del Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hot and sexy but had a lot of heart. Really liked the dynamic of this book.

[Anne Marshall · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish