Silent Wager — Anita Richmond Bunkley

From the banks of Texas's Buffalo Bayou to the blue waters of Hawaii, this powerful novel from acclaimed author Anita Bunkley tells the story of one resilient woman's fight to save a family legacy--and create a future for herself and her daughter...
When tropical storm Allison hits Houston's historic black community, it nearly wipes out Camille and Max Granville's hard-earned home and restaurant, Vendora. But it is just a foreshadowing of the disasters to come. Without flood insurance, the Granvilles' bills pile up, while their savings dwindle. Desperate to save Vendora and pay their daughter Jaiden's college tuition, Max takes a risk that involves turning over control of Vendora to a slick Los Angeles businessman with a shady past. Miraculously, the move pays off. Once again, the Granvilles' future looks bright--until a celebratory cruise turns tragic.

When a fire on board separates the couple and takes Max's life, it rests with a grieving Camille to regain Vendora--and deal with a rebellious daughter who blames her for her father's death. Yet just when all seems lost, astonishing information about Max's last act surfaces from the depths of the catastrophe. The details of what happened in Max's final moments could change everything for Camille, for Jaiden, and for Vendora--if Camille can find out exactly what happened and how. But Camille's good fortune may mean someone else's ruin. Someone desperate enough to do anything to stop her from getting to the truth...