"one of the most fun books all year!"

In Kate Angell's second book, (Calder's Rose was 2003's delight), the writer gives us another unusual storyline with a touch of paranormal, and two very vivid and delightful characters. Angell shows such strong craft in writing, such a playful imagination and vivid imagery.

TZ Blake inherited two things from her aunt - an auto repair business and a 1967 Mustang with a distinctive "shimmy" and a personality a lot like auntie dearest. Varoooooom! TZ is in a bad bind. The business she inherited came with a lot of debts, and in order to save it, she has to go to lengths that raise eyebrows - such as entering Chugger Charlie's hard buns contest. After all, the fee is $5000. TZ is determined to win, even though she was already off to a rocky start with one of the judges. Just before the contest TZ ran into Cade Nyland, the famous racecar driver -- literally - his Stingray and her Mustang get stuffed up. Later, she's embarrassed to find out he's one of the judges for the contest. She could tell he was NOT impressed when she shook her buns, cute as they wear in her thongs. Drastic times call for drastic measures, so she jumped into his lap and kisses him, trying to draw attention from all the other contestants. Evidently, it was not impressive enough for she ties with her best friend Kimmie.

Not nearly enough money, she really needs more cash quick. Nyland shows up in her dressing room after the contest, he makes her an offer - and not one she expected. He is driving in a cross-country road rally, needs a mechanic and TZ is the best around. After a little hissing, they finally settle on a price - with TZ "forgetting" to mention she cannot read a rally map! (I have been in a couple of these rallies and Angell captures them to a T!)

On the morning of the rally, things get off to a rocky start. Another contestant cuts the brakes on Cade's Stingray, so he begs to use the Mustang. They make it in line just in time. Cade and TZ are off to flying start, along with Kimmie in another car determined to convince the driver to marry her, and a three-time "black widow" just itching to hook Cade and land him in her bed. The whole race is stocked with oddball cars and their drivers. It's just great fun from start to finish.

But the real chase is the one TZ is giving Cade! It's another tale with rapid-fire repartee, between two characters that leap off the pages and steal your heart! Not to mention a Mustang that has a mind of its own!

Angell's very original books keep you smiling long after you put them down. Eagerly awaiting her next book.

Reviewed by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Posted August 14, 2004

Summary

Cade Nyland doesn't think that anything good can come of the new dent in his classic black Sting Ray, even if it does happen at the hands of a sexy young woman. He is determined to win his twelfth road rally race of the year.

TZ Blake only enters Chugger Charlie's tight butt competition to win enough money to keep her auto repair shop open. What she ends up with is a position as navigator in a rally race. All she has to do is pretend she knows where she is going. All factors indicate that the unlikely duo is in for a bumpy ride...and each eagerly anticipates the jostling that will bring them closer together.