"An Italian policeman falls hard for an American beauty"

American Hope Winston has dropped everything to help out her friend Kay. Kay owns and runs an English language center in Italy. After Kay was hospitalized after an accident caused by a hit-and-run driver, she needs someone to keep her business running until she's recovered. Hope is that person.

Strange things have been happening at Kay's house since Hope moved in a few months ago. Hope is reluctant to consult the police after her traumatic past involving police officers. Though she is understandably afraid, she needs police help to deal with her situation. Is someone stalking Hope?

Captain Franco Rivera of the local police is not what Hope expects. He takes her concerns seriously and accompanies her home to check out what may be going on. They interrupt an intruder and Hope is nearly gunned down. Franco has desired Hope since he first laid eyes on her a few weeks ago, so his protective male instincts kick into high gear. Franco cannot believe that the most beautiful woman he's ever met almost died in front of him. He feels the need to make her his -- now.

OMG! Franco and Hope burn up the sheets in this romantic suspense! From their first encounter to the end, Franco loses his much vaunted control when he's with Hope. And her underlying aura of sadness only makes him want to protect her forever. At times a typical Italian overprotective male, Franco is kept on his toes by Hope. She won't allow him to bully her into obeying his every demand. Her past has made her too self-sufficient to tolerate that attitude. Franco learns what love is and is tamed by Hope. I just love it when an alpha male falls head-over-heels in love.

Lisa Marie Rice has proven once again that she knows exactly what romantic suspense readers need. PORT OF PARADISE is an exciting, sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat ride. Franco is such a wonderful alpha male whose heart melts for the woman he loves. A secondary romance is just icing on the cake. If you like Linda Howard's books, you have to give Ms. Rice a try!

Sensuality: Rated NC-17 by the publisher. Explicit sex; sexually explicit scenes: 8.

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted June 30, 2003

Summary

Hope Winston is in Italy running a school for her best friend, Kay Summers. But helping Kay has put her life in danger. Hope doesn't want protection and she doesn't want help. She doesn't want anyone, particularly not devastatingly sexy Capitano Franco Rivers, head of the elite anti-mafia squad. Hope hates cops. So how did she end up sleeping with one?

Hope Winston is the most delectable woman Franco Rivera has ever seen. There's only one problem. Hope keeps sticking her pretty little nose in trouble. She needs a keeper. And Franco Rivera is just the man to keep her...
In his bed.

Sexual Content: NC-17. Genre: contemporary.