Hearts Under Caution by Gina Wilkins

Lisa Woodrow needs a safe place to hide while the police capture an escaped criminal she put behind bars. What better place for the prosecutor to stay than the her parents mansion deep in the heart of NASCAR country. The only problem is her father still employees Wade McClellan, crew chief for her father’s best racing team and also her ex-fiancé. Wade is unnerved by Lisa’s return. There was room in his life for only one thing and if he wants to win the championship, the race team must come first. However the more time they spend together, the more Lisa begins to work her way into Wade’s heart. Now can Wade find it in himself to make room for two things in his life, or will he be destined to be alone when his teams captures the championship.

This is a cute story filled with details about someone who lives a life surrounded by NASCAR. I liked the danger element from the escaped criminal, but that not really what this book is all about. Instead, this story focused on two people who’s lives pulled them in one direction, while their love pulled in another. So from this standpoint the story worked well and offers readers a nice story painted on a NASCAR canvas.

Details: Harlequin NASCAR, February 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: Romantic

Danger Zone by Debra Webb

When single mom Jenna Williams arrives to pick up her daughter after soccer practice, she finds someone else has picked her daughter up. Soon she receives a call demanding a million dollars for her safe return. When she protested that an ER nurse doesn’t have that kind of money, the mysterious caller hints that someone from her past does. Buck Buchanan, former NASCAR driver and now team owner can easily arrange to get that kind of money, but at first he thought that Jenna was pulling a scam. However when he sees a picture of Jenna’s daughter, he realizes that she wasn’t just Jenna’s daughter, she was his daughter too. Frustrated that he missed watching his daughter grows up, Buck wonders why he ever let his only true love get away. Assuming that they manage to find their daughter, will Jenna allow Buck into their lives or will she continue to shut him out as she has for the last 12 years.

While I enjoyed this story, it wasn’t as much of a NASCAR story as I would have hoped. Not much effort was put into integrating the characters into the racing lifestyle. Still, it was a great suspense story – one what was difficult to put down. If you love watching old flames reunited to solve a mystery, I’m certain you’ll love this story.

Details: Harlequin NASCAR, February 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: Romantic

Thunderstruck by Roxanne St. Claire

Shelby Jackson is finding it hard to for her teams to stay competitive in NASCAR, but, Shelby finds herself confused when Mick Churchill tries to buy the other half of her team. On the one hand Mick could attract the new sponsors her team so desperately needs, on the other, sponsors aren’t the only thing he attracts. Despite her growing attraction to him, Shelby worries that selling out will mean the end of her family owned team. But while it’s critical that Mick owns a race team, it’s equally critical that his reasons behind the purchase stay hidden. But just how far is Mick willing to go to convince Shelby to sell?

This cute story pits a former European soccer star against a southern stockcar lady. But while I loved the story, and the characters, I felt that Mick acted more American than British. Still that doesn’t really detract from the story. I think this is a story that all NASCAR fans would enjoy.

Details: Harlequin NASCAR, February 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: Romantic

Speed Dating by Nancy Warren

Giving an acceptance speech to her fellow actuaries made Kendall Clarke extremely nervous, so she was counting on her fiancé to give her the moral support she needed. But with just a few hours left before the meeting, the jerk dumped her for one of her coworkers. Then to make matters worse, she found herself locked out of her room wearing nothing but a Victoria Secret slip. Fortunately she bumped into NASCAR star, Dylan Hargreave, who was expecting an actress to pose as his girlfriend so he could attend his ex-wife’s wedding. Choosing the wedding over the awards ceremony wasn’t the easiest decision for a person who normally avoided risks, but how could Kendall turn down one of People magazine’s 50 Sexiest Men of the Year. Soon Kendall finds herself traveling the NASCAR circuit with Dylan as an extended vacation. But since all vacations must come to an end, Kendall must decide whether to return to the safety of her previous life or stick by the one man she truly loves.

As the middle of February draws near, women look forward to one special day, while men look forward to another. One that’s not celebrated with roses, but gasoline and smoking rubber - the Daytona 500. This year Harlequin is celebrating this holiday with four NASCAR themed novels and if Speed Dating is typical of the books, you’re in for a special treat. Nancy’s novel managed to catch my attention and hold it. It’s one of the few books I’ve read recently I could have finished in a single session (and would have, had not the telephone interrupted my, uh, reading time ). I loved her characters, especially the way she managed to incorporate a real NASCAR hero, Carl Edwards, into her story. The story itself was powerful and funny in all the right places. Kudos to Nancy and I can’t wait ‘till her next NASCAR book in November. If you’re a NASCAR fan (and 40% of NASCAR fans are women), or know a NASCAR fan, this book’s a must.

Details: Temptation, February 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Romantic