Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson

Loved this book.
I'm a big fan of Joshilyn Jackson in general, after being wowed by her first novel, Gods in Alabama. 

I've also blogged about her at Booklist.http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/2010/06/16/authors-you-should-try-joshilyn-jackson/

Backseat Saints is the story of Ro, an abused wife who finally makes a break for it.  What's really interesting is that the character that Jackson has created  does not seem at all to be the type of woman who would put up with abuse.  She's really headstrong, witty, and you get the feeling she could bust anyone's balls at a moment's notice (at least, before she got married, she was strong).  She also happens to be in love with her hateful husband, despite the abuse.  When a psychic tells her that she's going to die at his hand unless she kills him first, she finally lets the "old" Rose Mae out.

Funny, smart, and fast paced, I enjoyed this story for the characters as well as the tight plot.