Author: | Steve Melton | ISBN: | 9781310548215 |
Publisher: | Steve Melton | Publication: | January 6, 2016 |
Imprint: | Smashwords Edition | Language: | English |
Author: | Steve Melton |
ISBN: | 9781310548215 |
Publisher: | Steve Melton |
Publication: | January 6, 2016 |
Imprint: | Smashwords Edition |
Language: | English |
How does an older woman go from killing herself waiting tables in a cheap diner to almost celebrity, street racing status on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena? When her brilliant, automotive engineer husband dies from a sudden, massive heart attack, Gracie Carson is left with nothing but a mountain of crushing debt, and her husband’s “mistress.” A red, 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger. Angelo Carson may have departed this world, but the debt and the Challenger would remain. She is now responsible for both.
Her life has become a nightmare of late hours spent on aching feet while waiting tables in a cheap diner. She is has resigned herself to a life of endless, late hours kissing up to low tipping jerks for her survival. The Challenger is her only hope for salvation.
It is a monster, surrounded by a history of death, destruction. It was “born” in the Chrysler plant in Fenton Missouri in 1970. Then, deliveted into the hands of young Harley Kessel, a ridge runner who smuggles illegal moonshine and cigarettes through the mountains of North Carolina. A 160 mph pursuit results in the death of a local patrol officer, forcing Harley to flee to his brother’s farm outside of Pasadena. When Harley is killed in a poker game, his brother takes possession of the Challenger. For decades it sits rotting in the weeds behind the barn.
Angelo Carson rescues the old relic and spares no expense restoring it to its former, immaculate condition. He plans to use the car to showcase his new Triton II tires. He dies before completing the project, leaving his wife with the staggering research and development debts.
Then, Gracie discovers the Challenger is unbeatable after being goaded into a money race by a young punk with the fasted car in town. In spite of not being a skilled driver, the race isn’t close. She collects the two grand pay off. She never realizes that the tires are the secret component making the Challenger unbeatable.
Gracie meets the Frank Brady, Chief of Police, after being arrested while racing the Challenger. The Chief falls for her and they become a couple. He clears the way for her exploits, allowing her to make huge money street racing. The Challenger makes it possible to retire all her debt.
There is only one challenger left in Pasadena. Bill Frost is twenty one year old loser trying to get through high school. He is a psychopath with a rap sheet that even puts a hardened cop like Brady on edge. Frost is the owner of a 427 cid, fuel injected, 1967 Camaro. The car is a bare bones, street scorcher designed to do one thing. Accelerate like a howitzer round between stop lights.
Every thing is leading up to a showdown at an abandoned airstrip outside of town. The payoff will set Gracie and the Chief up for life. Will the Challenger be her salvation? Or will she die racing on the streets of Pasadena . . . . . before the hit man finds her?
How does an older woman go from killing herself waiting tables in a cheap diner to almost celebrity, street racing status on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena? When her brilliant, automotive engineer husband dies from a sudden, massive heart attack, Gracie Carson is left with nothing but a mountain of crushing debt, and her husband’s “mistress.” A red, 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger. Angelo Carson may have departed this world, but the debt and the Challenger would remain. She is now responsible for both.
Her life has become a nightmare of late hours spent on aching feet while waiting tables in a cheap diner. She is has resigned herself to a life of endless, late hours kissing up to low tipping jerks for her survival. The Challenger is her only hope for salvation.
It is a monster, surrounded by a history of death, destruction. It was “born” in the Chrysler plant in Fenton Missouri in 1970. Then, deliveted into the hands of young Harley Kessel, a ridge runner who smuggles illegal moonshine and cigarettes through the mountains of North Carolina. A 160 mph pursuit results in the death of a local patrol officer, forcing Harley to flee to his brother’s farm outside of Pasadena. When Harley is killed in a poker game, his brother takes possession of the Challenger. For decades it sits rotting in the weeds behind the barn.
Angelo Carson rescues the old relic and spares no expense restoring it to its former, immaculate condition. He plans to use the car to showcase his new Triton II tires. He dies before completing the project, leaving his wife with the staggering research and development debts.
Then, Gracie discovers the Challenger is unbeatable after being goaded into a money race by a young punk with the fasted car in town. In spite of not being a skilled driver, the race isn’t close. She collects the two grand pay off. She never realizes that the tires are the secret component making the Challenger unbeatable.
Gracie meets the Frank Brady, Chief of Police, after being arrested while racing the Challenger. The Chief falls for her and they become a couple. He clears the way for her exploits, allowing her to make huge money street racing. The Challenger makes it possible to retire all her debt.
There is only one challenger left in Pasadena. Bill Frost is twenty one year old loser trying to get through high school. He is a psychopath with a rap sheet that even puts a hardened cop like Brady on edge. Frost is the owner of a 427 cid, fuel injected, 1967 Camaro. The car is a bare bones, street scorcher designed to do one thing. Accelerate like a howitzer round between stop lights.
Every thing is leading up to a showdown at an abandoned airstrip outside of town. The payoff will set Gracie and the Chief up for life. Will the Challenger be her salvation? Or will she die racing on the streets of Pasadena . . . . . before the hit man finds her?