Love in the Fast Lane

When Rolex auto racing series champion Scotty Templeton picks up a passenger in the form of a ghost during a race, he's sufficiently rattled to end up with some unexpected time off courtesy of a couple of broken bones. Even injured, the ghost, legendary race car driver Larry "Speed" Cooper, won't leave him alone until Scotty agrees to deliver a recently purchased Hemi engine to Coop's daughter. Between talking to ghosts and his casts, Scotty's lost his ride for the series so he agrees to the road trip, especially since it will get rid of the ghost once and for all. When Coop's ghostly antics strand Scotty in St. Louis at Grammy's house, Maggie Cooper reschedules her job interview in Chicago in order to stay home and keep an eye on things. She may be addicted to speed herself, but Maggie knows better than to get mixed up with a charming race car driver who's always off pursuing the next championship. She's got a shoe-in job offer and a predictable boyfriend waiting for her. Good intentions never last, of course, and in due time Maggie is caught up with Scotty in the search for a valuable 1971 Lemon Twist `Cuda belonging to her father. What she finds along the way is love, laughter, and herself. You don't have to be a race fan to enjoy Jenna McKnight's latest book Love In The Fast Lane because most of the story takes place off-track, after the TV cameras are off. If you are a racing fan (or have spent hours watching the Barrett-Jackson car auctions), you'll smile a little more at the car and racing references. Chock full of interesting characters and ghost-inspired activities, this book is a fast and fun read. Scotty and Maggie score a first-place romantic finish while reminding us to be true to ourselves.--Reviewed by Pam Trader

Scotty Templeton is in the middle of a race when the ghost of a legendary race car driver, Lawrence Cooper "Speed", pops out of nowhere. Therefore, Scotty not only spins out and brakes some bones, but people now believe that he is crazy. Speed begins insisting that Scott deliver a hemi engine to his elderly mother ("Grammy") in St. Louis. Deal was that as soon as Scott delivered it to Grammy, Speed would disappear and never bother Scotty again. Maggie Cooper is Speed's eldest daughter. She has only recently left her grandmother's house and is en route to Chicago for an important interview when Grammy calls her cell phone, worried about a man who is walking up to her front door. When Grammy learns the man is just another in a long line of people that her son has coerced into bringing her something, she calms down immediately. Unfortunately, it has the opposite effect on Maggie who turns around and heads back to Grammy's house. Grammy is excited because Speed is still with Scott. Speed has never stayed with anyone he sent to St. Louis before. Better yet, Scott can see and hear Speed. Grammy is thrilled and has so many questions she wants Scott to ask for her. Maggie thinks Mr. Hotshot is there to pull the wool over Grammy's eyes somehow. Maggie wants Scott GONE. Scott is very attracted to Maggie, but it is going to take some convincing to make her even look his way. Speed does not want Scott to even consider dating Maggie, which makes Scott even happier. Speed has been the most ornery man, ghost, Scott has ever had the displeasure of meeting. Tweaking Speed's non-existent nose is twice as fun since this gives Scott a bit of payback. After all, Speed reneged on their deal. Speed is forcing Scott to help get rid of all the junk in the barns, put the hemi into his classic Lemon Twist 'Cuda, and then sell it so Grammy would never worry about money again. But to get rid of the Speed, Scott will do just about anything. **** A delightful story about a man, his car, and his ghostly pest. I found myself chuckling at several parts. The book is well written and I could easily sympathize with Maggie and understand Scott's frustration with the moody ghost. But most of all, I could not help but love Speed and Grammy. Terrific and fast paced tale. **** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Nothing in Scott Templeton's racing career prepared him for the appearance of a ghost in his car while driving in the 24 Hours of Daytona! The shock of seeing legendary race car driver Lawrence "Speed" Cooper in his car sends Scott crashing into the wall- and temporarily halts his career as everyone thinks he's crazy when he insists a ghost is stalking him for his 1971 Hemi engine. Lawrence is persistent and soon Scott finds himself trapped at the home of Lawrence's mother, Grammy, while Lawrence's daughter, Maggie, tries desperately to get rid of him. Things are about to change, however, as Scott and Maggie find LOVE IN THE FAST LANE. What an absolutely phenomenal twist on the ghost story! Lawrence is a strong presence in LOVE IN THE FAST LANE but he doesn't in any way detract from the love story. Instead, his presence repeatedly provides the impetus that keeps Maggie and Scott together long enough for their sparking attraction to ignite into something much stronger. Lawrence also provides plenty of quirky, philosophical moments that would make even Dr. Phil proud of him. Jenna McKnight develops the relationship between Maggie and Scott in a believable manner and in the process conveys a real understanding of who her characters are to the reader. The reader knows instantly that these two people are meant for one another and their journey is all the more engaging as a result. There are plenty of sweet moments as Scott exemplifies the macho "gear head" but Ms. McKnight ensures we see his softer side as well. LOVE IN THE FAST LANE is a heartwarming tale of the power of love. This reviewer has not previously read any books by Jenna McKnight, but if this book is any indication, Ms. McKnight is sure to be a real force in the genre. LOVE IN THE FAST LANE is easily recommended! COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Love in the Fast Lane is a thrilling read. It was on the edge of the seat exciting. Maggie and Scott are memorable characters that really make this story incredible. They sizzle with chemistry the instant their eyes make contact. With fast, moving crisp, witty, dialogue that keeps the story sizzling, Jenna McKnight spins a tale that practically takes the breath away. I love the additional characters of Speed and Grammy and how Scott had to be the go-between. The well-written tale skyrockets and keeps this page-turner entertaining until the end. This reader highly recommends Love in the Fast Lane; an extraordinary story that I loved immensely, and one that I will always treasure! Cherokee Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

Professional race-car driver T.S. "Scotty" Templeton was pushing his Porsche towards 200 MPH when he realizes he has a passenger who came out of nowhere. The "hitchhiker" says he is Larry" Speed" Cooper. On the two way radio Scotty asks his boss who is Speed Cooper and learns the man next to him was a 1970s stock car champion, who is a ghost asking the distracted driver to deliver something for him. Scotty agrees so that he can concentrate on the race while his boss and the pit crew chief think he smoked something this morning. Scotty visits Speed's daughter Maggie in St. Louis, accompanied by the ghost and his heavy delivery that the spirit insists belongs in the barn. Lawrence's mother Gremmy knows her son is there though she cannot see him while his daughter thinks the hunk is a lunatic trying to hustle her Gremmy even if he makes her heart skip a beat. As they fall in love, she knows he is bad for her executive career climb besides which she just ended a relationship; Scotty knows a winner when he sees one so he goes all out for the checkered flag of love. Though the finish line seems too abrupt, fans will appreciate this charming blending of the paranormal with racing cars. The characters make the humorous whimsical story line fun as Scotty struggles with the ghost who never shuts up that only he apparently can see while he courts the spirit's daughter. The support cast from Lawrence to Gremmy to Goth sister Ruby makes for a jocular lighthearted supernatural romance. Harriet Klausner