In Fast Lane to Sunset, the author, Anne Basto, puts the pedal to the metal and never eases up. Living in a small town in the Midwest, the six major characters come together in an unlikely alliance as they turn their backs on traditional retirement, and commit to an unconventional and more adventurous lifestyle. They leave behind the familiar cold and wintry climate, for the steamy, seductive tropical setting of Miami's South Beach. It's 1986 and the area is booming. A large sum of money is passed off to the unsuspecting Edgar Bennett, for safe keeping. The famous poet, enjoying his recent improvement in health, celebrates his rejuvenation with the help of a young muse who encourages him in a new style of writing. Ian Conner, finding friends and fun on the beach, is soon gripped by a most remarkable, passionate love. Within his first week in the new location, Tom finds a good job and a stunning Cuban girlfriend. Ken Falk comes home to his Jewish heritage and a Miami Vice wardrobe. Fran's lifelong interest in languages paves the way for her quick assimilation into the multi-cultural community. Her friend, Rose, is reluctant and uneasy, at first, but as they work together to look at everything from a different perspective, she blooms. Rose's singing, her infectious laugh and her boundless energy become a mainstay in their new community. A dark undercurrent emerges, as a psychotic villain plays ugly games within the thriving area. Ken joins Ian and Tom to collect and exchange information. Each of them, with skills long forgotten or suppressed in their memories of war, find that they can see it more clearly, viewed as a campaign against an enemy. From a carefully executed retaliation against some minor players, who are generally lowering the quality of life in South Beach, these three ultimately take on the bad guys and the Miami Beach Police Department. Murder precedes a cliff-hanging car chase across the South and back into the Midwest during a severe blizzard. Ian, Tom and Ken try to outwit, out-plan, and ultimately out-drive a pair of Miami hoods who are after them and the money. Fran and Rose remain in the dark, protected by the men, from the reality of the dangerous situation. The time soon comes when they insist on full disclosure, and they step up with quick thinking and organizational skills that prove valuable as the action never stops. The sweetness of the developing romance that ends in a wedding, and the memorial voyage, are events that mark the beginning of their involvement with the next generation. The ultimate surfer, known as Baby Dude, with his gentle demeanor and helping hands, is like a breath of fresh air. Tom's girls, who are young adults with character, help them to see the way forward. The last, and perhaps most fascinating, story within the story may be "Japanese Money". A black leather bag, full of cash and documents, is found in a Honolulu hotel room where the officers of Five, Inc. have come to plan their next move. This adventure novel is about aging gracefully and not giving up. It's about refusing to be marginalized. It's about learning to live together and being productive. It's about crime and the underbelly of a fabulous city. It's about an unexpected villain whose charming, educated, and attractive fa ade hides a heart of darkness. It's about revenge and paybacks and retaliations, and hopes and dreams, and ideas. It's about oceans, sun, rain, music and poetry. It's about older people and younger people and memories of wars. It's about money, and greed and generosity, and deception and truthfulness. It's about love and tenderness and loyalty. Rich in detail, locales and humor, Fast Lane to Sunset is about living life, full-tilt until the end. It's fun, it's fast-paced, it's violent, it's beautiful, it's sexy and it's hopeful.
