Apple Brown Betty — Phillip Thomas Duck

Freelance magazine writer Cydney Williams is excited to review a new restaurant that's helping to revitalize her hardscrabble New Jersey hometown, especially when she meets the owner. Restaurateur Desmond Rucker is as delicious and seductive as the rich desserts created in his kitchen, and the instant connection between them feels right and real. Too bad not everyone is happy about it.


Cydney has worked hard to get ahead at college and at her job, but she's worked hardest of all to keep her family from shattering what she's so carefully built. Cydney loves her Momma, no question, but watching the once beautiful and vibrant Nan Williams sink deeper and deeper into addiction is more than she can bear.


Cydney's brother, Shammond Slay, is another story. Handsome, charismatic Shammond was once a promising athlete. Now he's living a lavish lifestyle with no visible means of support...and whatever is behind it can't be legal. To Cydney, her brother is two different people: protective, generous Shammond, and destructive street-thug Slay. Like Cydney, he's a damaged soul, but unlike his sister, he's not willing to let go of his bitterness, or his family. And now, with everything Cydney cares about on the line, she'll have to face secrets, betrayals and the consequences of her own choices before she can claim the new life and sweet love she's always wanted....