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His Own Romantic Adventures
In His Daddy’s Car, a man finds himself entangled in a mystery involving the disappearance of his high school love when he moves to Texas. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
While organizing my own high school class reunion, I considered the numerous former classmates that we had been unable to track down. I had the off-hand thought that, “Maybe they have all gone into the federal witness protection program”. That thought was the initial inspiration for the story. Memories of the 1965 Corvair that I drove in high school, was the next inspirational element.
Can you share with us a little about your writing process? Do you have any rituals that work especially well for you?
I tend to include a conduct a lot of research. Locales are typically places that I have lived or traveled to frequently, which makes them easy to describe. I “story board”, starting with the characters, and from there I will usually begin developing a timeline for the main characters’ lives and major scenes that I will be incorporating into the story. I like to end each story with a teasing segue into the next planned story. While not “cliff hangers”, the endings hopefully entice readers to explore my next story. An example is that at the end of “His Daddy’s Car”, the Corvair is handed from the father to his son. “Fortunes Change”, the next story in the Brandt Family universe centers around the son now owning the Corvair and how that plays into his own romantic adventures.
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing, or did it develop organically?
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Patty was well-defined in my mind before I started the story. So, I had the “good reason” for her disappearance identified. How Bobby would make that reason disappear developed organically as the story was written.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book in the Brandt Family universe, “Fortunes Change” was published in 2020, followed by “Searching for the Shoreline Angel” and “Elements” in 2021. My latest book, “A Murky Water Marriage” was published in January of this year. All eleven of my published novels can be explored by visiting my website.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
James Robert “Bobby” Brandt is a haunted man who has never gotten over the loss of his high school sweetheart, Patty. Her unexplained disappearance during their senior year of high school left him unable to close the most meaningful chapter in his life.
Upon relocating to San Antonio for his work, Bobby embarks on a short drive to visit one of his sisters and to meet his ten-year old nephew for the first time. Driving in his restored classic car, memories of the girl who had shared so many experiences with him before she had mysteriously disappeared put him in a melancholy mood. His mood isn’t improved when his nephew’s young friend sees the classic car and mentions that it looks just like pictures that he has seen of his father’s car.
Kathryn “Katie” Freeman has secrets. She doesn’t want them, but accepts them as her fate if she has any hope of keeping her family safe. When circumstances reveal to her that her best friend’s brother is also the father of her son, her fear of secrets being revealed overshadow her love and desire for the only man that she has ever wanted in her life.
When he discovers that Katie really is his former girlfriend, Patty Harper, and learns the circumstances behind the secrets that she must keep, Bobby reluctantly accepts having to continue much of the charade to keep his lover and his son in his life. Unfortunately, now that he has finally been reunited with his lost love, the reason for her disappearance may still keep them apart.
The difference now is that Bobby is no longer a teenager. He has knowledge, skills, and a new motivation to keep his family together. When those hunting Katie and her family get too close, Bobby brings to bear the skills that have gained him support and accolades from some of the most influential people in the country. His expertise in bringing shock and awe to America’s enemies is now turned against those who would seek to harm his family.
Against the backdrop of a covert operation within America’s Department of Homeland Security, reigning terror upon those that would seek to harm them, Bobby and Patty rekindle their romance with a fierce passion and lust for one another that had been smoldering unsatisfied for ten years. Can their romance sustain the heat under the necessary shadow of secrecy?
Combining the heroic grit reminiscent of a novel by Lee Child with the warm romantic sentiments of a Nicholas Sparks tale make this Readers’ Choice award winning story a teasingly erotic adventure that you will be recommending to all your friends.
His Daddy’s Car
Bobby Brandt’s journey in His Daddy’s Car is a deeply emotional, nostalgic, and unexpectedly suspenseful ride. The story follows Bobby, a man with a complicated past, as he moves to Texas, reconnects with his family, and unwittingly steps into a mystery involving his high school love, Patty, now known as Katie. Their teenage romance, built around the restoration of his beloved 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza, resurfaces in a way neither of them expects. As Bobby pieces together Katie’s disappearance years ago, he finds himself entangled in secrets that put both their lives in jeopardy. What starts as a sentimental look back at first love slowly transforms into a gripping narrative filled with intrigue, hidden identities, and government cover-ups.
From the beginning, the novel’s strength lies in its richly detailed nostalgia. The car itself becomes more than a vehicle; instead, it’s a symbol of Bobby’s youth, his love for Patty, and, ultimately, a connection to the past he never let go of. The writing shines in these reflective moments, painting a vivid picture of teenage love and dreams wrapped up in the scent of motor oil and the feel of a fresh coat of paint. One particularly touching scene is when Bobby’s father surprises him with the Corvair, setting the foundation for the sweat and labor Bobby pours into its restoration. The novel captures the essence of a coming-of-age story while subtly building tension underneath.
Where the book takes an unexpected turn is in its gradual shift into suspense. Bobby’s move to Texas seems straightforward until he meets JR, the son of his old love, and notices too many familiar details. The slow realization that JR is actually his son is handled with an aching subtlety that feels authentic. The moment when JR innocently mentions the car’s personalized plate, “PattyKat,” hits like a gut punch. This scene is crafted beautifully, with Bobby’s past and present colliding in a way that leaves the reader just as stunned as he is. The layers of secrecy around Katie’s life and the U.S. Marshal’s involvement add depth to the plot, making it more than just a romance, it becomes a compelling mystery.
The story has a rich level of detail, especially in the beginning, where Bobby’s move and initial interactions are given ample attention. While the pacing picks up strongly in the latter half, some areas could be streamlined to maintain momentum. The vivid descriptions effectively set the scene, though a bit of tightening in certain spots might enhance the flow. Katie’s fainting at the sight of Bobby adds dramatic impact, highlighting the depth of her shock and buried emotions. The book’s open-ended elements add intrigue, and a bit more closure on certain aspects of the government involvement could make for an even more satisfying resolution.
His Daddy’s Car is a deeply personal story wrapped in layers of mystery and sentimentality. It’s perfect for readers who love a blend of romance, nostalgia, and slow-burning suspense. Car enthusiasts will appreciate the attention to detail in the Corvair’s restoration, while fans of emotional storytelling will find themselves invested in Bobby and Katie’s fate. If you enjoy stories that intertwine past and present with a touch of hidden danger, this book is absolutely worth the ride.
Pages: 242 | ASIN : B0B5KV774Z
LITERARY TITAN 