Monday, February 22, 2016

ARC Review: Set the Pace (The Detroit Love Duet #1) by Kim Karr

Every city needs a hero, but Detroit’s white knight just might be a villain. 

A rough childhood branded Jasper Storm trouble. A bad boy. Not worth a damn. His love of cars was the only thing that could battle his delinquency. With the need for speed in his blood, he overcame his wayward ways. Mostly. All grown up, the broken city of Detroit hails him their shining star. And the man behind a new cutting-edge automobile is ready to turn this bankrupt town around.

Everything he does in life is fast. He talks fast, f*cks fast, and drives fast. But when one reckless turn brings him face-to-face with the childhood he has tried very hard to forget, he finds himself on the edge of wondering if he shouldn’t slow down.

Charlotte Lane was the tomboy who lived next door. She was his best friend. He was her protector. Then tragedy struck and she disappeared, forever—or so he thought.

Jasper has many reasons to hate Charlotte and keep his distance, but she’s infiltrating his every thought and he can’t stay away. Back in town with an agenda of her own, she should push him aside. Make him turn around. Walk away herself. Yet she can't.

With the past lurking between them, they proceed with caution. That is until one sex-filled night leads to murder. When Detroit’s biggest ally suddenly becomes suspect number one, will Charlotte—the girl Jasper once kept safe—be the one to save him?
 













4 stars

Set the Pace really gets the pace going as you read, this book is all about finding out the truth. But all the lies from the past and cover-ups makes it nearly impossible for these characters. 

Jasper Storm and his best friends grew up together and on their way in making their dream comes true in the auto industry. But one night of partying changes it all. 

Charlotte Lane was Jasper's childhood best friend. But when an accident happened and shooked the entire Motor City, it left Charlotte leaving behind her home and her best friend.  This incident made her and her family and outcast and a lot of blame was on her family.

Now back years later, Charlotte is looking to clear her father and their name. But facing the city who does not forget it's going to be tough battle for her. And when she ends up facing her former best friends, anger and sparks fly. Jasper can't believe Charlotte is back and unsure of her agenda. And when a murder connects them both, they end up giving into their feelings, despite what friends and the city thinks. 

Set the Pace is a real turn-pager. If you love a story about sex, lies, suspense...and murders, then this read is for you! Ms. Karr really knows how to keep the story going to keep you engage. And yes, the ending does have a cliffhanger (so this is your warning). I can't wait to find out the truth in the next book.


The hand-written sign near the valet reads, “Be back in 5 minutes.”

Even standing beside Jasper for five seconds seems to make my heart beat double time. Five minutes will send it flying off the chart.

Needing to calm down, I take a step away and move to stand in front of him. “You know I can take a cab home. I’ll be fine.”

That killer smile is just too much. “I’m a man of my word, Charlotte. I told you I’d make sure you get home safely and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Heart still racing, I look up at him. He’s not like anyone I know, yet he’s so much like the Jasper I knew at eight years old. Without a second thought, I push the toe of my sandal against his shoe. It was something I did all the time when we were kids. “I don’t remember you being so bossy.”

Both of us feeling better, the heavy mood seems to have shifted between us to something a little lighter, and he raises a brow. “I’ve changed a lot over the past twenty years.”

Boy, he’s not kidding.

Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I want to respond with a yes, you have, but I don’t.

That seems too flirty.

Instead I stare at my once best friend. At the light and dark of his chocolate-brown hair that is more than perfect. Thick and glossy, he no longer wears it so much longer in the front that its bad habit of falling over his eyes is anything he has to worry about. Still, the way it sticks up in just the right places and allows for the perfect shape of his brows to be seen, his long, long eyelashes to be noticed, and the golden flecks in his eyes to mesmerize anyone they come in contact with, are all traits beyond perfection.

Oh God, my entire body tingles just looking at him. He has to be the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.

I shouldn’t be thinking this way.

Not about him.

And especially not after everything that has transpired today. This must be some kind of coping mechanism that I need to get under control.

Yet when he leans forward and his male scent assaults me, all of my sanity goes right out the window, along with my control.

Trouble.
Trouble.
Trouble.

In that moment his eyes capture mine, and for one second I think he’s going to kiss me. I tense. My pulse pounds as I wait with both desire and uncertainty. Wait for the brush of his mouth against mine. The wet slide of his tongue. The exhilaration of my fingers threading through that hair from his forehead all the way back to his neck. His stubble razor sharp against my soft flesh. His hands rough on my hips.

“Let me hold that for you,” he says.

Blinking rapidly, I realize he is reaching to take the bag from my hand and not to kiss me.

I should feel relieved.

I don’t.





About the Author

Reader * Writer * Coffeelover * Romantic

Kim is a daydreamer. So much so that if daydreaming could be a hobby it would be her favorite. It's how her stories are born and how they take root. An imagination that runs wild is something to be thankful for, and she is very thankful. :)

She grew up in New York and now lives in Florida with her husband and four kids. She's always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, she wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. She went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise her family. Kim currently works part-time with her husband and with the rest of her time embraces one of her biggest passions--writing.

Kim wears a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of her family. However, she always finds time to read.

She likes to believe in soul mates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. She loves to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart.


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