After spending most of her life buried in books and academia despite her NASCAR roots, scientist Kim Murphy is a complete success. But when she stumbles across an old list--”Things To Do Before I Die”--Kim realizes that she hasn't really lived. Now it's time for her to tackle the frivolous things in life: “Play hooky.” “Buy a push-up bra.” Next up...find a “jock” to date!

Kim's unusual mix of beauty, braininess and humor seems tailor-made to get under NASCAR car chief Ward Abraham's skin--so when she asks him out, Ward can't refuse. But when he offers to help her out with her “list” (and then some!) Kim is delighted... and terrified that Ward will discover the real reason for her list!

Abby Gaines wrote her first romance novel while still in her teens. Encouraged by her incredibly supportive parents, she wrote her novel longhand in school notebooks, supplying new pages daily to her biggest fan, her younger sister. When she'd finished, she typed up the manuscript and sent it to Mills & Boon in London--and was shocked when they rejected it. To this day, no trace remains of that original work.

Abby shelved her writing dreams while she studied languages in college, then worked in marketing in the computer industry. It wasn't until she'd married and had children, and was working as a freelance business journalist, that her ambition to write romance resurfaced.

Over the next few years, she submitted several manuscripts to Harlequin. She also took on the role of editor of a speedway magazine--about as far removed from business journalism and romance writing as can be. But the speedway job turned out to be a lot of fun, and Abby became just as passionate about the sport as any longtime fan.

After five years of submitting to Harlequin lines, Abby sold her first Superromance book--and soon after, she sold to Harlequin's NASCAR series.

Abby loves reading, traveling and cooking for friends. She knows how to use a credit card as a lethal weapon, and proves it regularly by putting major dents in the household budget. A few years ago Abby and her family moved out of the city to live on an olive grove. It's beautiful, peaceful--and a long way from the mall. Contact Abby on abby@abbygaines.com.