ACCELERATE (Hotwired #) by Tracy Wolff-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 24, 2015

Once the brains behind a car-boosting ring, Nic Medina has spent the last three years playing it straight. Now drag racers flock to his L.A. auto shop, Hotwired, for a shot at going head-to-head with the man himself. But when a crooked cop gives Nic a treacherous ultimatum—steal ten high-end cars or watch his nephew disappear into the system—he makes the only choice he can, one that puts the life he’s worked so hard for at risk. No sooner does Nic agree than he spots some nasty competition—and a gorgeous bystander in harm’s way.

A small-town girl with Hollywood dreams, Jordan Bass never expected to be swept up in a real-life drama. But that’s exactly what happens when she witnesses a violent crime. And when a smoldering stranger takes the wheel and practically kidnaps her in a desperate bid to keep her safe, she’s not sure whether to scream . . . or kiss him. Nic’s bad news—but the real bad guys aren’t above silencing a witness. On a collision course with danger, Jordan finds herself falling for the man whose street smarts are keeping her alive . . . and whose touch puts her in high gear.

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REVIEW: ACCELERATE is the first installment in Tracy Wolff’s contemporary, adult Hotwired erotic, romance series focusing on the men and women of Hotwired Auto Shop. This is shop owner/drag racer Nic Medina, and college student Jordan Bass’s storyline.

Told from dual first person points of view (Jordan and Nic) ACCELERATE finds our heroine having the week from hell. Her car was demolished, so she purchased a new automobile at the police auctions a few days earlier, only to walk in on someone trying to hotwire her new car. Enter Nic Medina, the sexy drag car racer as he attempts to steal her newest possession. But when Nic realizes that Jordan recognizes who he is, our hero ‘kidnaps’ Jordan setting off a string bad memories, PTSD, and horrific emotions in a woman he barely knows. Nic will soon recognize Jordan’s emotions as something from her past but it is too late when both Nic and Jordan find themselves caught between a dirty cop and doing what is right.

Twenty eight year old Nic Medina is a troubled soul who had to grow up too fast following the death of his mother ten years earlier. Past decisions had resulted in time in prison, and his younger siblings destroyed by the foster care system, leaving Nic to wallow in grief and continuing guilt. When his past comes back to haunt him in the form of blackmail by a crooked cop, Nic’s only choice is to do what is asked otherwise lose his family to the foster care system-once again. Nic has to steal Jordan’s car and with it will come more threats and danger to the lives of everyone he loves.

The relationship between Nic and Jordan is one of immediate attraction but Nic has a job to do in order to save his sister and her son. Jordan will be caught in the fall out of Nic’s past, and with it will come threats against her life, and the possibility of losing the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative; a profession of love is expressed within a couple of day. Jordan’s horrific past is something that both Jordan and Nic must work through to bring their relationship to a more personal level.

We are introduced to Nic’s fellow employees at Hotwired-Payton, Gabe, Sean, Ryan and Jace, as well as his drug-addicted brother Joe, their sister Lena, and his nephew Benji. Jordan’s support team represent by her best friend Vi, and her boss Doreen. The requisite evil comes in several forms including a crooked cop who is gunning to destroy Nic Medina’s life.

The world building focuses on the Hotwired Auto shop-the people, the cars and the cops who want something from Nic and his friends. We learn about Nic, and Jordan’s pasts-both mired in betrayal, heartbreak, police negligence and abuse. In Nic’s case several bad decision found our hero imprisoned for close to seven years, while Jordan’s life was destroyed by the actions of college boys and the power of too much money. The storyline ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so be forewarned.

I did have one concern and for those ‘cover lovers’ who like their storyline covers to match the hero/heroine inside, Nic has dreads-long, beautiful dreads-and yet, the cover shows a man with short, cropped hair-just saying !!! Someone should have ‘connected the dots’ from the cover to the character outline.

ACCELERATE is a fast paced storyline with mystery, suspense, action and romance. The premise is entertaining; the characters are intelligent and colorful; the happily ever after is not unexpected but there is more trouble on the horizon for the family and friends at Hotwired Auto.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy