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Points on a Curve
She's got the wingspan, he's got the nose for news. Together it's a match made on and off the court. Taylor O’Brien has a checkered past—a former darling of the European Women’s Basketball circuit, she made a few bad choices along the way, mostly falling for a con man who managed to ruin her career and sent her back home to the States with her tail between her legs. But Tay is no quitter. She vows to turn her life around by enrolling at NYU, even if that means being single and lonely in the Big Apple. What Tay never counted on was her best friend setting her up with younger brother Rob van Horn, a sports journalist who has the resources to dig into the particulars of her disgrace. It is definitely not a match made in heaven. It takes all of Tay’s skills she’s learned on the court to deflect Rob’s nose for a story and keep him from going for the slam dunk. When they finally go head-to-head in the paint, Tay shows Rob that the best offense is sometimes a good defense, even if that means going man-to-man.
194 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2013
5 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Diane Nelson
31 books37 followersI have been writing for over 30 years across a variety of genres - dark urban fantasy, paranormal romance, science fiction, young adult, humor and cross-genre erotica.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 18, 2015
A Smarty-Pants Romance That You'll Love!
Sports journalist Rob van Horn is content. He's not overly happy, and is actually just a wee bit lonely if he's being honest, but he's not complaining. His life is forever changed when his sister sets him up with her friend Taylor O'Brien. 38 year old Taylor's life has been a one way path through hell since her lying, thieving ex husband left her with nothing, including her job as a professional women's basketball player. When Rob meets this Valkyrie, he's enchanted by the dark skinned woman who makes him stutter and stumble and act like a kid with a crush. Taylor has some serious skeletons in her closet, ones that make Rob's journalistic nose itch. Will a Pulitzer be worth losing his shot with his woman?
I was really pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed POINTS ON A CURVE! A quirky, fast paced story, I was sucked in after just a few chapters and fell in love with this hysterically socially awkward Caucasian sports journalist who is tongue tied and dumbstruck by this stunningly TALL black woman with the wingspan of a condor. His attempts at behaving like a normal human being were epic failures yet totally endearing. I didn't care much for the "this is love" crap after just two meetings and a kiss, but hey, that's romantic fiction for ya.
The thing I liked best about POINTS ON A CURVE was that it was an intelligent novel. The storyline was just Ok, but Ms. Rawlyns wove together a combination of clever banter, light suspense, sensuality, humor, chemistry and high-brow prose that really was something different and unique from the typical writing style I read. The sex was barely there but that's ok, this feels like a smart person's romance, and as such, those smarty pants can use their imagination!
Bottom Line: LOL humor, sharp wit and a great underlying message of the devotion of family and friends makes POINTS ON A CURVE a great pick for lazy days spent in a hammock. Bonus points for setting a portion of the book in the 'Burgh and for the shoutouts to legit locales there!
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Sports journalist Rob van Horn is content. He's not overly happy, and is actually just a wee bit lonely if he's being honest, but he's not complaining. His life is forever changed when his sister sets him up with her friend Taylor O'Brien. 38 year old Taylor's life has been a one way path through hell since her lying, thieving ex husband left her with nothing, including her job as a professional women's basketball player. When Rob meets this Valkyrie, he's enchanted by the dark skinned woman who makes him stutter and stumble and act like a kid with a crush. Taylor has some serious skeletons in her closet, ones that make Rob's journalistic nose itch. Will a Pulitzer be worth losing his shot with his woman?
I was really pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed POINTS ON A CURVE! A quirky, fast paced story, I was sucked in after just a few chapters and fell in love with this hysterically socially awkward Caucasian sports journalist who is tongue tied and dumbstruck by this stunningly TALL black woman with the wingspan of a condor. His attempts at behaving like a normal human being were epic failures yet totally endearing. I didn't care much for the "this is love" crap after just two meetings and a kiss, but hey, that's romantic fiction for ya.
The thing I liked best about POINTS ON A CURVE was that it was an intelligent novel. The storyline was just Ok, but Ms. Rawlyns wove together a combination of clever banter, light suspense, sensuality, humor, chemistry and high-brow prose that really was something different and unique from the typical writing style I read. The sex was barely there but that's ok, this feels like a smart person's romance, and as such, those smarty pants can use their imagination!
Bottom Line: LOL humor, sharp wit and a great underlying message of the devotion of family and friends makes POINTS ON A CURVE a great pick for lazy days spent in a hammock. Bonus points for setting a portion of the book in the 'Burgh and for the shoutouts to legit locales there!
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2014
Although this book was a bit of a slow starter, I did find it quite ejoyable to read. However, I must admit i'm not much of a sport fan so the terminology was lost on me so I did find the book hard to read and understand in places.
The characters had great chemistry when they interacted but unfortunately this was few and far between in the first half of the book, they barely spoke to each other (out loud anyway) so I found the inner monologue and the few "almost" moments a little frustrating. They seemed to show more passion and interest in seducing the food than each other.
When the story finally kicks up a gear, the book was exciting and gripping and the chemistry between the characters really kicked it up a notch. I think this book would of suited a thriller/criminal Investigation novel better than a romance as the book seemed to be split between the two and I found the the Investigation side a lot more exciting than the romance, I found it a shame that this part of the story wasnt really implemented until the second half of the book.
So my totally honest opinion on this book would be that is an excellant thriller which I would recommend to anybody but as a love story...not so much.
I do think that Diane Nelson is an excellant writer and I am looking forward to reading more of her work in the future :)
The characters had great chemistry when they interacted but unfortunately this was few and far between in the first half of the book, they barely spoke to each other (out loud anyway) so I found the inner monologue and the few "almost" moments a little frustrating. They seemed to show more passion and interest in seducing the food than each other.
When the story finally kicks up a gear, the book was exciting and gripping and the chemistry between the characters really kicked it up a notch. I think this book would of suited a thriller/criminal Investigation novel better than a romance as the book seemed to be split between the two and I found the the Investigation side a lot more exciting than the romance, I found it a shame that this part of the story wasnt really implemented until the second half of the book.
So my totally honest opinion on this book would be that is an excellant thriller which I would recommend to anybody but as a love story...not so much.
I do think that Diane Nelson is an excellant writer and I am looking forward to reading more of her work in the future :)
June 20, 2015
Entertaining and Intelligent
My preconceived notion about most romance novels was that they are entertaining but they tend to be fluff, the junk food of literature. Points on a Curve has proven to me that I need to put aside preconceived notions or I might miss out on something special.
Nya Rawlyns has quite a way with words, her vivid descriptions brought me right into the story. A couple of times the culinary scenes caused my mouth to water and I found myself with the need to grab a quick snack. I also admit that I am not a fan of basketball but I still found myself absorbed with the story which shows the author's talent to spin a tale.
Rob was fleshed out as a believable leading man, dreamy but not too perfect. I also found myself identifying with Taylor and her insecurities. I thought that both characters were very relatable and realistic.
The only thing I found a bit unbelievable is that with the quality of her storytelling, how is Nya Rawlyns not more well known? I do hope this changes, as people do not know what they are missing.
I would definitely recommend Points on a Curve and I plan to purchase Roman (Saints and Sinners) in the future to see how her writing style translates to the paranormal genre.
Review copy given by author in exchange for an honest review.
My preconceived notion about most romance novels was that they are entertaining but they tend to be fluff, the junk food of literature. Points on a Curve has proven to me that I need to put aside preconceived notions or I might miss out on something special.
Nya Rawlyns has quite a way with words, her vivid descriptions brought me right into the story. A couple of times the culinary scenes caused my mouth to water and I found myself with the need to grab a quick snack. I also admit that I am not a fan of basketball but I still found myself absorbed with the story which shows the author's talent to spin a tale.
Rob was fleshed out as a believable leading man, dreamy but not too perfect. I also found myself identifying with Taylor and her insecurities. I thought that both characters were very relatable and realistic.
The only thing I found a bit unbelievable is that with the quality of her storytelling, how is Nya Rawlyns not more well known? I do hope this changes, as people do not know what they are missing.
I would definitely recommend Points on a Curve and I plan to purchase Roman (Saints and Sinners) in the future to see how her writing style translates to the paranormal genre.
Review copy given by author in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2013
Basketball lovers this is a book for you!! While this book was heavy on the basketball terminology, you don’t have to be a sports junkie to read it. I am definitely NOT a sports fanatic and I found it fascinating to see the fast-paced world of pro basketball. I especially enjoyed seeing it from a journalist’s point of view! Most of us that read have a least a little fascination with the written word in any format, so to see what an investigative journalist goes through is really something. This book was fun, sexy, fast-paced, and even had a little danger included!
This book was one you don’t want to miss! The heat that Tay and Rob generate is off the charts before anything even happens!! I love that is sort of comes out of no where for both of them. They are “set-up” by Rob’s sister, and Tay’s best friend, and at first can’t even make small talk. She is appalled by his table manners and he figures she is just so not his type that it’s not worth it. How wrong they are! An accidental brush while reaching for a napkin changes the game for both of them. You will love this one!! Definitely worth it!!!
Feel free to check out more on http://joecoolreview.com
This book was one you don’t want to miss! The heat that Tay and Rob generate is off the charts before anything even happens!! I love that is sort of comes out of no where for both of them. They are “set-up” by Rob’s sister, and Tay’s best friend, and at first can’t even make small talk. She is appalled by his table manners and he figures she is just so not his type that it’s not worth it. How wrong they are! An accidental brush while reaching for a napkin changes the game for both of them. You will love this one!! Definitely worth it!!!
Feel free to check out more on http://joecoolreview.com
September 27, 2015
Great story!
This story employs a very close first person of view, which brings us right into the heart and thoughts of each character. It's both good and bad--good because we are immersed fully in each character, and that makes us emotionally invested in the character and by extension, the story. Bad because sometimes the narration gets too rambling for me and sometimes I can't follow certain jumps in thought. The prose used was a bit different from typical romances, and while it was refreshing, it does take some getting used to.
I especially like Taylor's friendship with Cordie, who is absolutely the best friend anybody could have, not that Sam and Marie were slouches in that department. One thing I can say for Taylor, while she may be dirt-poor, but she's rich in friends and family. She just needs to set aside pride and learn to accept help when she needs it. There was some suspense, with surprising revelations toward the end, but the villain was kind of one-dimensional. Overall, it's a great story, with lots of sexual tension and angst.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
This story employs a very close first person of view, which brings us right into the heart and thoughts of each character. It's both good and bad--good because we are immersed fully in each character, and that makes us emotionally invested in the character and by extension, the story. Bad because sometimes the narration gets too rambling for me and sometimes I can't follow certain jumps in thought. The prose used was a bit different from typical romances, and while it was refreshing, it does take some getting used to.
I especially like Taylor's friendship with Cordie, who is absolutely the best friend anybody could have, not that Sam and Marie were slouches in that department. One thing I can say for Taylor, while she may be dirt-poor, but she's rich in friends and family. She just needs to set aside pride and learn to accept help when she needs it. There was some suspense, with surprising revelations toward the end, but the villain was kind of one-dimensional. Overall, it's a great story, with lots of sexual tension and angst.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2014
One question: where has Diane Nelson been all my life? "Points on a Curve" is one of the most spellbinding novels I've read in quite a while. The main characters are very sympathetic, and brilliantly portrayed - their vulnerability, and terrified attraction for one another, exposed by wonderful narration that kept pulling me in, deeper and deeper, every now and then easing the pressure with a little chuckle over a well placed "Yowza!" to a sudden, full belly laugh when they're one-on-one on the basketball court (my snoozing cats still haven't forgiven me for that one). The dialogue is gifted and flawless. In fact, regardless that the narration switches from one character to the other on alternate chapters, the whole story flows seamlessly throughout, from a poetic phrase that makes you catch your breath, to the more intimate moments that will have you chewing at your knuckles, urging you to tear off your clothes and jump in with a loud and lusty "Me too! Me too!" I really can't say enough about it, but don't take my word. Do yourself a favour, and find out for yourself.
June 12, 2013
Rob van Horn is a hotshot sports journalist with an instinct for a headline. Taylor O’Brien is a basketball player with a checkered past and regrets. She’s not his type. He’s her best friend’s younger brother. When they clash over a bloody beef tenderloin, there’s more at stake than splitting the appetizer. When they go one-on-one on the basketball court Rob makes it clear to everyone that his tastes have changed—at least in women. There’s one little problem, an ex-husband who’s not what he seems, and a story that turns Rob into a bloodhound, with all clues circling back to Taylor. The more he digs, the more Rob finds that sometimes fate takes dinner and romance to a whole nother level…
This is a good quick read. I really enjoyed it. It was a little slow for me to get into, but if you hang in there you're sure to enjoy the story too. This is the first book I've read by this author but I'd love to try more.
I rate this book 3 1/2 stars
This is a good quick read. I really enjoyed it. It was a little slow for me to get into, but if you hang in there you're sure to enjoy the story too. This is the first book I've read by this author but I'd love to try more.
I rate this book 3 1/2 stars
July 12, 2016
A wonderful book that keeps you reading to get to the end. The characters are wonderful and witty. I found myself cheering for both main characters and rooting for a happy conclusion. Highly recommended.
June 10, 2015
A Slam Dunk!
Witty, irreverent, and a lot of fun! I highly recommend "Points on a Curve" as the perfect summer, lounging by the pool (or anywhere else!) reading material
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Witty, irreverent, and a lot of fun! I highly recommend "Points on a Curve" as the perfect summer, lounging by the pool (or anywhere else!) reading material
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2015
they're playing basketball!
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
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Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews