Abandoned as an infant by her Vietnamese mother and African-American military father, Nicole Edwards has had a lifetime of rejection and is leery of involvement and definitely with a man in uniform. From the moment their hands touched, the twenty-five year old school teacher was drawn to the handsome Air Force Major.

A disastrous marriage has left Major Xavier Ramon a single parent and determined never to love again. So when he is introduced to the sable brown beauty, ten-years his junior, he has no intention of falling in love. Yet unable to deny the chemistry between them, he is determined to have her. And when the past threatens his future happiness, Xavier must fight to convince Nicole of his love and their future together.

May 2002
Genesis Press
ISBN: 1-585-71067-9
Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at Barnes&Noble.com

Reissued October 2007
ISBN-10: 1-585-71260-4
Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at Barnes&Noble.com

Praise for the Book

"MAGNOLIA SUNSET is a wonderful love story, as Nicole and Ramon seem to peel away layers and layers of love, hurt and betrayal to become one unified couple."

—Debbie R. Sims, Romantic Times Magazine

Excerpt

Nicole entered the Imperial Palace Casino slightly late. She walked through the lobby to the bank of elevators. Stepping on board, she selected the 32nd floor. As she exited the elevator she was oblivious to the numerous male stares of appreciation and feminine stares of envy. She was greeted warmly by the young maitre d', and upon requesting Mr. Thibodeaux's table, she was escorted back. She followed the young man in an awkward path around white linen draped tables before spotting her friends near the window overlooking the Back Bay of Biloxi. Quickly noting that there were four people sitting at the table instead of three, and that the extra body was that of a woman, Nicole felt instantly like a fifth wheel. Suddenly confused, she debated between leaving before anyone one saw her or being the mature adult that she was and walking over to the table. Just as she was about to say the heck with being an adult and leave, Gina looked up and spotted her. With a vigorous wave Gina summoned her forward.

***

Xavier Ramón turned his head in the direction Gina was waving and looked into the face of the most exquisite woman he had ever seen. He sure hoped this was his date for the evening. The woman sitting to his right was definitely not his type. Rising as the maitre d' escorted the woman to their table, he said a silent thank you.

"Good evening," Nicole addressed the table. As all heads turned in her direction, she was rendered speechless. The woman sitting beside Keith's friend was Carmen Wells. Obviously she had jumped to the wrong conclusion about this evening. Giving Gina a hug before taking her seat, Nicole discreetly scolded Gina for not giving notice that Carmen would be present.

"She invited herself when she discovered an available man would be present," Gina whispered back, annoyed with Carmen's presumption.

As Nicole stood beside him, Xavier inhaled the pleasant rose scent wafting from her sable brown skin. She stood just barely to his shoulders in heels. Using his professional skill, he placed her weight at one hundred twenty pounds or somewhere close. The fit of her dress made it possible to discern that she was definitely not skinny, but simply smaller than the women he usually dated. He was an old fashioned guy who enjoyed the feel of a full-bodied woman within his arms.

Continuing his survey, he noted her high cheekbones and delicate, square chin. On closer observation he noted a slight cleft in the chin. A delectable mouth drew his rapt attention, as did the raven darkness of her fine straight hair. The hairstyle, however, seemed too severe for such delicate features. But what startled him most about this woman was the shape and color of her soulful eyes-almond-shaped, hinting of Asian heritage, and golden brown. She appeared young, almost too young for his taste, but when she turned the full force of her gaze upon him, it didn't matter. His heart lurched at the huskiness of her voice and the knowledge that she could spell trouble for his peace of mind.

Accepting her seat as the maitre d' assisted, two things became instantly clear to Nicole. One, Carmen resented her presence at the table. And two, Xavier Ramón was male magnetism personified. He appeared to be well over six feet tall and solidly built. The olive green suit he wore did nothing to camouflage the lean muscle mass beneath. Freshly barbered, close cut hair glistened with health. The caramel brown skin of his lean face was smooth and clear. Thick silken brows and a neatly trimmed mustache drew one's attention to his perfectly sculptured mouth. And when his steel gray eyes locked onto her, Nicole immediately felt their hypnotic pull. He captivated the table with their force and his charismatic smile. The man would be difficult to ignore. Extending her hand as they were introduced, Nicole prepared to mask her response. But at the moment of contact, an electrical current sizzled up her arm like red-hot lightning forcing her to wince.

Xavier experienced it as well. He was glad to see this cool number rattled by their electrifying chemistry. He had sensed her desire to ignore him. For what reason he wasn't sure, but the golden glow in her eyes indicated it wasn't going to happen. She was keenly aware of him now.

-top-