Title: Fast Track Series
Author: Erin McCarthy
I must say that this series surprised me. It really exceeded my expectations.
Since reading the series Chicago Stars by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, I have been hooked with sports-inspired books. I have read Rachel Gibson’s Chinooks Hockey, and also Kate Angell’s Richmond Rogues which involves the sport baseball. As I was on the hunt for similar books, I stumbled on this series. All the covers were pretty eye catching. Who could resist a man with a six-pack abs? LOL!
The series contain the lives of car racers and what happens behind the scene of the exhilarating sports, car racing. Because of this series, I was able to see the sport in a different point of view. I learned that as a car racer, you should be careful of your image because if it becomes tainted with controversies, you may lose your sponsorship, which is very important because without it you’ll also lose your career. Just like football where there is a team owner, car racing also have team owners. Drivers prefer to work for a team because it is costly. From the car alone, with its parts and maintenance and the crew, they’ll definitely spend an awful sum of money. Racers have a boss who owns the cars they drive. They are the ones who find sponsorships for the drivers.
FAST TRACK SERIES BOOK #1: FLAT-OUT SEXY
Synopsis
Independent single mother Tamara Briggs wanted to find a new, sexy, no-strings-attached man?just not one as young as NASCAR driver Elec Monroe. But he sure does get her heart racing. And after she?s tricked into a blind date with him, Tamara gives in to her passion. Things screech to a halt, though, when he asks to meet her children. Whatever happened to wham-bam-thank-youma?am? Suddenly Tamara has to decide how much risk she?s willing to take to experience the power of true love.
Thoughts
TAMARA BRIGGS & ELEC MONROE. Tamara is a sociology professor and a widow. She was married to Pete Briggs. Pete Briggs is a race car driver who met an unfortunate date in the race track during an accident. Elec is also a car racer who instantly felt an attraction towards Tamara. I love Elec!!! He’s such a man. I found it cute when he asked his mom what to do when Tammy was stuck with her sick kids in her house. He’s so adorable especially when he’s clueless. I also like the cast that he really loves Tammy. He assures her that he’ll love her no matter what she looks like. I like how he treats her kids. Hunter also made this story such fun with her one-liners. She’s a funny kid. Suzanne is such a bad influence. I hope Erin writes a story about Hunter too.
Rating: 5/5
*****
FAST TRACK SERIES BOOK #2: HARD AND FAST
Synopsis:
Grad student Imogen Wilson realizes she's hit on the perfect thesis for her sociology degree. If she follows the so-called "rules" on how to get a man, can she steer her way into the world and hearts of stock race car drivers, and establish their dating- and mating-patterns?
Although sexy and reckless racer Ty McCordle is the ideal test subject, Imogen knows that for the sake of science, she can't give in to her growing attraction for him. Yet he's the one who's chasing after her, and Imogen realizes that she actually wants to be caught. A southern gentleman like Ty will satisfy all her curiosity-and make all the risks worthwhile...
Thoughts
IMOGEN WILSON & TY MCCORDLE.I believe they are my favourite couples along with Tamara and Elec. They’re story proves that opposites attract. Ty is impulsive and reckless while Imogen is logical and always analyzing her actions. Imogen is really funny even without trying. I like her tactfulness. She’s very logical so she always says what she thinks. She doesn't act like a know-it-all rich kid. She’s game to try new adventures like camping, fishing, and hiking. Although, she has a good education, she doesn't judge Ty. Behind Ty’s cool demeanour is a secret which became a problem between them. He admitted that he’s dyslexic but through the end, they survived.
Rating: 5/5
*****
FAST TRACK SERIES BOOK #3: HOT FINISH
Synopsis
Desire is about to reach its peak.
Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she's given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client-and best of all, he's paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: the bride is a bonafide bridezilla, and Suzanne's stock racer ex- husband is the best man. At least she though he was her ex-husband...
Thoughts
SUZANNE & RYDER JEFFERSON. These two are always clashing [well, except in bed] and part of the problem is that they don’t communicate well. They both have a problem opening up. When they appeared in Book 1, I already sensed that there is a deeper problem that led to their divorce. This book reveals it all. It appears that the divorce was never settled between them. They are still legally married. There is still an attraction between the two and they can’t deny it. So when Suzanne ended up with Ryder, they didn't fight the attraction but ignited it instead. Which led to reproduction. J I like Ryder, He seems a kind and a loving husband. He just doesn't know how to express his real feelings in words. If you’re looking for hot, steamy and passionate romance, this book is for you.
Rating: 5/5
*****
FAST TRACK SERIES BOOK #4: THE CHASE
Synopsis
Kendall Holbrook is determined to make it to the top, even with the challenge of being a woman on the male-dominated racing circuit. She doesn't have time for romance-especially not with racing rival Evan Monroe, the man who nearly crushed her dream years ago. Tricked into meeting him, Kendall is experiencing all those old feelings again-and she can't deny that they still have enough chemistry to set fire to the track.
Thoughts
KENDALL HOLBROOK & EVAN MONROE. They’re both car racers who have a past. I just find the reason for their breakup 10 years ago kind of immature. Well, I guess they’re still immature when their 18 and 19. Evan was really in love with Kendall then and was even planning to ask her to marry him only to find out that she wasn’t answering his calls anymore. When Tuesday, a friend of Kendall, learned about their history, she set them up to meet and clear the air between them. This led to a night of carnal affair and soon they were back together again. Evan’s past behaviour was justified in this story. I might say that Evan is still in love with Kendall and was not able to move on that’s why he didn’t settle down. He didn’t involve himself in long term relationships. He is so cynical about love but his perception changed when he got back with Kendall again.
Rating: 4/5
*****
FAST TRACK SERIES BOOK #5: SLOW RIDE
Synopsis
As a tribute to her late journalist father, Tuesday Jones is planning a career benefit, auctioning off racing memorabilia and meet-and-greets with drivers. Ex-racing star Diesel Lange has had his own brush with death, and is determined not to waste another minute of his life- especially when he meets Tuesday. He wants nothing more than to shift their romance into high gear, but he knows she's still grieving. Can Diesel do the one thing he could never do on the track and take it slow?
Thoughts
TUESDAY JONES & DIESEL “DANIEL” LANGE. These couple are both having a rough time when they met: Tuesday because she’s grieving over her dad’s death and Diesel because his near-death accident left him with an injured kneecap and an impossible return to the race track. I like that Tuesday accepted the fact that she may have some serious drinking problem. One of the problems with these two is the way they handle their problems. Instead of talking about it, they run away. Tuesday turned to alcohol while Diesel turned to restoring cars. It was good that they realized their problem in the end and acted on it before it’s too late.
Rating: 4/5
*****
FAST TRACK SERIES BOOK #6: JACKED-UP
Synopsis
She's holding tight. He's hanging loose.
Eve Monroe is a stock-car PR pro who puts her career first--until an on-track wardrobe malfunction reveals more than the sexy smile of jackman Nolan Ford. The video's become an internet sensation, and it's Eve's job to calm the sponsors and put a spin on the unexpected exposure.
And they both have the same drive.
It may be a public relations job, but now that Eve's seen what's under Nolan's crew suit, it's gotten personal. After a few dates she has Nolan pretty revved up. If only she'd learn to relax and enjoy it. Nolan's sure that the spontaneous birthday bash he's throwing for Eve in Las Vegas should loosen her up. Somewhere between cocktails and a smoking-hot motel-room derby, it does more than that. Now Eve's wrestling with feelings she never expected, as everything about her personal jackman gets harder than she ever imagined.
Thoughts
EVE MONROE & NOLAN FORD. This is my least favourite. Probably because Nolan is not a race car driver. I feel sorry for Eve. I guess if her family showed her their full support on her dream then she may have not quitted driving. Nolan is really a good match for her because she doesn’t scare him. The conflict in their story has something to do with their status in society. Eve being the rich one and Nolan being the poor one. I like it that Eve doesn’t mind his status. I love how Nolan tries to make Eve happy. With him, she can laugh and do what she wants to do. He makes her feel loved. Their story also tells that it’s not too late to change and to follow what your heart really says. If you’re not happy with what you’re doing, then quit and do what you really want no matter how old you are.
Rating: 4/5
*****
The series is really good. I loved it. I’m looking forward to reading Erin McCarthy’s other books. If you’re looking for something fun, hot and steamy series, gorgeous hunks, and a sports-inspired book, then read this series. I’m you’ll have fun!
Imogen: It’s been my experience that if a woman isn’t looking around with an open eye for eligible men, it’s because she is taken, whether in actuality or just emotionally.
Suzanne: What do you mean?
Imogen: I mean, you already have someone in mind you want to be with, so you are no longer looking for a potential mate.
***
“Beatrice is telling her uncle she will get married only when God makes men out of something other than dirt.” A little harsh perhaps, but having briefly tried online dating, Imogen could see where she was coming from.
“Ah. A man hater.”
That took Imogen aback. “Man hater? I don’t think that’s entirely true.”
“Of course it is. She is lumping all men together, calling them all dirt, not giving any guy a chance. And probably walking around with a sour look on her face all the time and a big old chip on her shoulder, so she gets negative attention from men, which in turn pisses her off more and convinces her that her theory is right.” Ty nodded. “Man hater.”
***
“Good shoes are really hard to find.”
“When you’re shoe shopping, there are all these choices but it’s so hard to find the perfect pair. They don’t match your outfit right, or they’re too casual or too dressy, or they’re out of your price range. The store is out of your size, or they pinch your toes or rub your heels or give you blisters or make your feet sweat. The heel is too high or too low, or they make your ankles look fat.”
“It’s important because shoes affect the way a woman feels when she steps out of her house. No single pair of shoes covers the gamut of outfits in your closet. Not even close. So you need at least a half-dozen pairs to cover most of what you wear on a daily basis. Which makes me wonder if women should do the same with men. Have a different one for each of her moods.”
***
“But the truth is, I want to be some woman’s work boots, not her high heels.”
“Work boots?” What was sexy about that? And did women have work boots?
“Yeah. You know, the boots she pulls out when she wants to get down and dirty, hiking or gardening or boating or painting the kitchen. The ones she relies on and trusts and lives her life hard and good and on her terms in. Her favourites.”
***
“What’s so wrong with falling in love anyway? I always imagined it was kind of a good feeling. There wouldn't be damn near as many songs, books, and movies about it if it wasn't.”
***
“Guys devote so much time and energy to the pursuit of sex it’s a wonder they accomplish anything.”
***
“You going to answer me? I asked you once if you were the marrying kind and you told me that you hadn't met any man you wanted to marry yet. I’m hoping I am that man. I know this is soon, but Emma Jean, I've waited my whole life to meet a woman like you, and I love you. Will you marry me?”
***
“My mother didn't believe in naming a kid something twelve letters long only to call him by a nickname.”
Labels: Book Review, Erin McCarthy