New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky entralls in this powerful novel first published in 1983, of a man, a woman, ans the exciting game of love. Magazine writer Nia Phillips latest assisgnment is a feature on east Coast's five most eligible bachelors. But her research hits a snag when she meets number five, Daniel Strahan, the head coach for Boston professional basketball team. Daniel wants no part of the story , And though he refuses her interview request, he's instantly drawn to Nia's quick intelligence and dark beauty. As for Nia, she finds Daniel intriguing, but she knows that a man constantly on road, who lives and breathes basketball, isn't right for her. There's only one thing she's forgotten -- love doesn't play by the rules.
Being a fan of the author, I picked up this book for some good summer beach reading. I was not disappointed. Nia, a journalist, and Dan, a pro basketball coach, are very likeable and meet under interesting circumstances. While some of the references are dated, their romance is not. I like how they do not get along at first, they get to know each other, he helps her through a tragedy and chooses love before his career when a pushy boss gets in the way. There are few other characters and that is nice too, some books have way too many small characters introduced for no reason. All in all a great story
Evocative, sensually charged fiction
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Professional ethics are what keep a good writer honest. Nia Phillips is feeling the pinch of her personal life intruding upon her professional life, however, with the magazine article her editor at the Eastern Edge wants her to write. Nia is to interview the five most eligible bachelors of the East Coast, as selected by the top echelon of said magazine. Amongst them is basketball coach, Daniel Strahan, the sports celebrity all of Boston seems to adore (especially with the winning streak his team is currently on). Once upon a time, Nia was married to sports journalist, David Phillips. His obsession with basketball -- and his philandering ways -- killed their marriage with a bloodless efficiency. Her dislike of the sport and athletes in general is therefore understandable.Rather than embracing the limelight as Nia expects, Daniel refuses to grant her an interview. His refusal is coldly stated, but the frost in his eyes is warmed by Nia's effortless allure and her frank honesty. Her violet eyes flash with indignation when he accuses her of trying to write a flashy expose, of trying to dig up dirt on his personal life. Their first meeting is anything but cordial, and yet Daniel and Nia fell the pulling of an inexplicable attraction. When their tempers cool, they realize they have a great deal in common; but will those commonalities smooth the way for a relationship or the inevitability of heartache? Love is a game you play for keeps, after all. Daniel is on the road, traveling from state to state, with troubling regularity. How can a relationship survive the stress of such conflicting schedules?When love goes into overtime, the outcome is anyone's guess.Is it any wonder Ms. Delinsky's backlist has been reissued? FAST COURTING is a sweetly simplistic and nostalgic read fans of the genre will eagerly embrace. Everything old is new again: the heady rush of true love, the terrifying indecisiveness and the potent appeal of an old-fashioned courtship. (Videocassette recorders were still a novelty in the early eighties. That's the only anachronism I noticed, however. Otherwise, this novel has surprisingly modern sensibilities, considering it was first published in 1983). Dan and Nia's dance of courtship is marred only by a persistent belief that any relationship they pursue is purely transitory. Their divergent professions are difficult to mesh with a stable home life, or so they believe.Dan's rather extreme aversion to the press and members of the media is never explained. His personal life is apparently spartan and scandal-free, so why all the fuss? A reader is urged to look beyond that mystery to the character himself. Dan is far from the average jock and spoiled celebrity Nia is confident she will encounter. An air of mystery surrounds Dan, however; a reader is seldom invited inside of his head, so to speak. As a result, a reader is left in the dark about Dan's motivations and his feelings. Of course, actions speak louder than
Barbara Delinsky has done it again!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This was a wonderful book. I could not put it down. I was sad when the book was over, because I wanted to read more about Nia and Daniel. I highly reccomend this book, as I do with any of Barbara Delinsky's books. She is by far my favorite author.
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