Stevie‘s review of Racing Hearts (Hearts on Fire, Book 1) by L.M. Connolly
Contemporary Romance published by Tule Publishing 06 May 19
I’m a great fan of Lynne Connolly’s historical romances. However, I’ve read far fewer of her contemporaries, whether written under that name, or – as in this case – under the name L.M. Connolly. The situation obviously needed rectified by means of this new series, especially since it started off with a novel involving a motor racing heroine. In fact, Georgia Trent isn’t just a racing driver: she’s been involved in all aspects of her father’s team since she was old enough to wield a spanner. And she’s not afraid to take risks on the track, either – think Susie Wolff, Claire Williams, and Jamie Chadwick all rolled into one. Meanwhile, our hero, Ronan Miller, while he has driven cars competitively, is far better known as the owner of an American high-end sports car manufacturer. Less commonly known is the fact that he is the son of the Italian car mogul, who is considering sponsoring the Trents’ racing team.
As our story begins, Ronan and his half-brother, Ethan, are at a race meeting where Georgia is about to compete. Ronan’s world has just been shaken by some unexpected news regarding his and Ethan’s late mother, when he spots Georgia in the pit lane. Instantly captivated, Ronan watches Georgia race, until an unexpected move by another car sends her spinning out of the competition.
Despite her bruises, Georgia agrees to accompany her father to a gala ball, where they will meet with their prospective sponsor: an Italian with an eye for the ladies. Upon arrival, though, Georgia is swept away by Ronan and they spend the night together. Knowing that Ronan isn’t one for relationships, Georgia is disappointed but not surprised to wake and find him gone. Ronan, meanwhile, has been dragged away reluctantly due to a family emergency and spends the next few months acting as caretaker manager to his father’s firm, biding his time until he can reveal himself as the new majority shareholder.
After trying unsuccessfully to contact Ronan regarding an unexpected consequence of their night together, Georgia eventually tracks him down in Italy, where she learns his family is far more influential than she had been led to assume. Once Ronan learns that he has been prevented by others from hearing Georgia’s news earlier, he promises to do the decent thing and takes her to the family pile, where his father is recuperating from a stroke. There are also garages housing a lot of very fine classic cars – ideal for Georgia to work on – while she’s away from the racing action she craves.
While I’m not a great fan of stories that use pregnancy as a plot device to bring protagonists (back) together, I did enjoy the twists placed on the trope by this one. I also greatly enjoyed Georgia’s befriending of Ronan’s father and her determination to help him along the road to recovery where Ronan was neglectful. I was less keen on the falling-out the couple had and not entirely convinced by their reconciliation. Ronan was a little too pushy and domineering for my liking, much as I loved Georgia. On the other hand, I was very taken by Georgia’s long-time friend, Larry, and loved the plot twist at the end that sets us up for two more books in the series.
Grade: B
Summary:
Italian race car tycoon Ronan Miller is on the cusp of achieving his elaborate revenge when he meets flame-haired back-up driver Georgia Trent. Intrigued by the beautiful and risk-loving beauty, he thinks he can use her as an instrument of his revenge, but after a spontaneous night of passion, he has other plans until fate knocks them both on a different track.
Georgia Trent has doggedly pursued a goal that has nothing to do with Mr. Tall, Dark, Seductive and Handsome. But one night she indulges her sensual, passionate and impulsive nature, never dreaming the consequences will be so permanent. Wanting to do the right thing, Georgia tracks down the elusive Ronan who’s disappeared after a family emergency.
Watching Georgia game her way into his office reminds him of all he’s been missing, but Ronan’s always been business before pleasure. But business won’t help him now. He is going to have to use all his seductive skills to woo Georgia back to his side, but has he waited too long?
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
