Fast track

Cordelia Kane can't believe her mother is alive. When she was two years old, Cordelia's father, Andrew, told her that her mother, Sophie, died in a car accident. Now on his deathbed, Andrew informs Cordelia that her mother walked out on her marriage and her child. At first Cordelia has no intention of trying to locate the woman who obviously didn't want her, but Cordelia's curiosity soon gets the better of her. She discovers that her mother is now living in Australia, and, since family friend Aiden Madison is already flying to Sydney on company business, Cordelia is more than happy to accept his offer of a ride. However, once Cordelia arrives in Sydney, she realizes that not only is her mother less than thrilled to see her, she just may be willing to do anything to keep her past a secret. Readers who enjoy their romantic suspense served up with plenty of glitz and glamour will find the fairy-tale-esque Fast Track to be perfect fare.--Charles, John Copyright 2014 Booklist

Garwood goes off the rails with this unintentionally creepy sequel to Hotshot, starring a saccharine rich girl and the controlling, possessive man she's inexplicably loved since she was a child. Cordelia Kane always believed that her mother died in a car accident, but Mrs. Kane actually walked out on her child and mechanic husband. Fortunately, there are men nearby who know how to run a web search and solve the trivial mystery of her whereabouts. Aidan Madison-the "ultimate alpha" high-powered businessman Cordelia loves-demands that she accompany him on his private jet to Australia in pursuit of her mother; then he buys her ball gowns and looms possessively. The pieces are all there for a corporate thriller or a story about a woman discovering herself, but readers might well miss them as Aidan takes control of Cordelia's life, restricts her movement and actions, and demands sex from her. This unsettling exploration of flat characters and gender stereotypes lacks both romance and chemistry. Agent: Jane Rotrosen, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Cordelia Kane can't believe her mother is alive. When she was two years old, Cordelia's father, Andrew, told her that her mother, Sophie, died in a car accident. Now on his deathbed, Andrew informs Cordelia that her mother walked out on her marriage and her child. At first Cordelia has no intention of trying to locate the woman who obviously didn't want her, but Cordelia's curiosity soon gets the better of her. She discovers that her mother is now living in Australia, and, since family friend Aiden Madison is already flying to Sydney on company business, Cordelia is more than happy to accept his offer of a ride. However, once Cordelia arrives in Sydney, she realizes that not only is her mother less than thrilled to see her, she just may be willing to do anything to keep her past a secret. Readers who enjoy their romantic suspense served up with plenty of glitz and glamour will find the fairy-tale–esque Fast Track to be perfect fare. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.

Cordelia has convinced hotel magnate Aiden Madison, her best friend's older brother, to take her to Sydney, Australia—not because she's always had a crush on him but so that she can meet the mother she never knew she had. Unfortunately, Aiden has angered a corrupt politician, which puts them both in (romance-inducing) danger. A fast-track novel.

Garwood goes off the rails with this unintentionally creepy sequel to Hotshot, starring a saccharine rich girl and the controlling, possessive man she's inexplicably loved since she was a child. Cordelia Kane always believed that her mother died in a car accident, but Mrs. Kane actually walked out on her child and mechanic husband. Fortunately, there are men nearby who know how to run a web search and solve the trivial mystery of her whereabouts. Aidan Madison—the "ultimate alpha" high-powered businessman Cordelia loves—demands that she accompany him on his private jet to Australia in pursuit of her mother; then he buys her ball gowns and looms possessively. The pieces are all there for a corporate thriller or a story about a woman discovering herself, but readers might well miss them as Aidan takes control of Cordelia's life, restricts her movement and actions, and demands sex from her. This unsettling exploration of flat characters and gender stereotypes lacks both romance and chemistry. Agent: Jane Rotrosen, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Aug.)