Her graduation from college (the first of her family to do so) is marred by a scornful, cheating boyfriend who dismisses her as unadventurous. There is a kernel of truth to this, she realizes, but it has more to do with the family finances than any lack of interest. Her parents, hearing of this, scraped together the money to provide Gerri with a low-budget adventure: a bus trip across the country to spend a few weeks with her brother, a soldier stationed near Seattle. In this year of 1969, such a trip is not without danger for an unaccompanied young black woman, but she makes it to her brother's Army base unscathed. Her adventure is cut tragically short, however, by his sudden deployment overseas. Stubbornly determined to extend her adventure somehow, Gerri fixes on the idea of seeing a glacier. To this end, and unknown to her parents, she takes a side trip to Juneau, Alaska. There, her inexperience catches up with her and she runs out of money. Her search for a temporary job leads her to a fisherman, Sven Halvorsen. Depending upon whom you talk to, he is either a nice man with a tragic life—or a monster. This job leads her to further adventures—and dangers—beyond anything that she had dreamed. Sven lives a quiet life in a town where many still blame him for his wife's death. Against his better judgment, he hires a persistent, but inexperienced, Black youth as a deckhand. What he got was an attraction which was utterly unexpected. Pursuing this attraction took him to places that he never imagined. He yearns to make a life with her. Can he convince Gerri of this? And can he convince her to uproot her life in the face of hostility from her family and friends?

     But my plane was grounded, and this guy...he looked like he could take me places. He had gorgeous grey eyes, a tongue that cracked like a whip and a body stacked with purpose. One sleepless night should have been enough. But he won't leave my mind. After everything I've been through, that's the surest sign I need to walk away. Problem is, he's not just some businessman. He's rich. The sort of rich that makes the Kennedys look middle-class. And he's not done with me. A sexy, wealthy playboy trying to make you his? It's every girl's dream. And it's the last thing I want. Now someone tell my body that. DEACON: My family's been trying to cram a silver spoon in my mouth since the day I was born. I just keep spitting it out and do things my way. When business goes really well, I allow myself a treat. And this girl, she was a feast: curvy hips, tender lips, sultry brown hair. Plus, a brain backing it all up. She's the most perfect creature I've ever met. She thinks I'm gonna let her slip away after one taste? Not a chance in hell, sweetheart. Nothing's going to keep her from me. Not work, not family. Not even her. Deacon is a sexy-sweet standalone novel with a well-earned HEA. It features sizzling banter, steamy sexual situations and intense drama. Mature audiences only! Please note, this title was previously published under a different name.