Within Striking Distance

Becky Peters is searching for her birth parents and thinks that maybe she is the missing daughter of one of NASCARs most famous families, the Grossos. Their daughter was kidnapped as an infant and there are rumours that she might still be alive. So Becky asks PI Jack McMasters, who represents the Grossos, to help her find out who she really is. Becky and Jack are attracted to each other right from the first moment and soon sparks fly between them but Jack wants to stay professional. Not only because of his own family connections to the Grossos but also because he is years older than Becky. But when somebody starts to hinder his investigation and even endangers Becky he can't hold back anymore. Jack is there to keep her safe, solve the mystery regarding her birth and give her what she wants most - a place to belong. "Within striking distance" is a great book. Becky and Jake are an unusual but awesome pair, I rooted for them right from the start and loved seeing them together. The mystery surrounding Becky's parents is solved on the last few pages (a good plus suprising end) and it's a very sweet scene when Becky finally meets her birthfather who couldn't be happier about it. "Within striking distance" is a great new add to the Harlequin NASCAR series and I can't wait to read more of it.

As the saga of what happen to the Dean and Patsy Grosso's infant daughter from 30 years ago continues as private investigator Jake McMaster continues his search. Several women have claimed to be the missing Grosso and it is up to Jake to figure out the mystery. When he is approached by Becky Peters Jake first thinks she is just another of the long list before her, but things aren't adding up. Becky knows that she is adopted, but her parents didn't give her much information on her birth. Too many secrets lead her on her own investigation. When she sees some similarities between herself and the Grosso family she turns to Jake for help. As clues begin to match up Jake and Becky find themselves in danger as someone tries to cover up who Becky really is. The best part of this story is the mystery of who Becky's birth parents are. I like Jake and Becky's characters and can see them becoming friends, but am not sure they have enough chemistry as a couple. Maybe if their relationship side had been a little more developed they would have worked. That doesn't mean this isn't a good read. The story itself doesn't go as much into NASCAR as some of the others and could easily take place in any other venue. The mystery side of the story is great and left me guessing until the end. Description: Ever since she learned she was adopted, Becky Peters has dreamed of finding her birth parents. When a prominent NASCAR family reveals their daughter was kidnapped at birth, Becky dares to hope...to believe. Could she be "the lost Grosso"? Private Investigator Jake McMaster knows he's in trouble the moment Becky walks into his office. With Becky stirring a lot more than his protective instincts, Jake's determined to keep his professional distance...until she becomes the target of someone just as determined to keep certain secrets buried. With Becky's life on the line, it's up to Jake to keep her safe and give her what she's been searching for--a family and a place to belong. And a love that's within striking distance.