A giant smile spread across my face. “Just the person I was looking for. You want to get out of here?”
The Yarey Gilroy bear took my pirate hand, and we sauntered out of the party into the warm night.
I needed to go somewhere. As we drove, the moon-drenched hills seemed to writhe. At the gate, the guard examined us. Yarey knew him.
“Going up to the house, Fritz. How are the kids?”
He said they were fine and buzzed us through. We circled to the end of the private road. We settled down at the foot of the driveway leading to the Bacon house.
The moon made the white walls glow, but I saw none of that sophistication. I didn’t see the manicured hedges, the immaculate driveway, or the straight lines of architecture. I saw what she saw: the ravages of drought and the scars of war.
Acknowledgements
Dozens of people helped me complete this novel and bring it to publication. My wife, Ms. Marvelous, you are the light in my days, the stars in my night. Your belief and inspiration are the only things that kept me going when dark waves of self-doubt crushed me. Thank you for standing next to me when I handed pages to my writing hero and for always telling me what you thought, good or bad. You are my muse. Speaking of writing heroes, Michael Connelly, a writer I discovered solely on a book title, has inspired me with his story-telling. Ian Fleming’s Moonraker inspired the dedication. To Sally Shore, who convinced me Boise Montague was interesting enough to carry a novel (now two). Ronnie Ashmore, a cop / writer, who kindly read my story and confirmed it wasn’t ridiculous from a law enforcement perspective. My publisher, Acorn, and the amazing women who run it with a passion I am in awe of, Holly & Jessica. My diligent and encouraging editors, Michael Mohr and Laura Taylor, who tirelessly poured over the pages until they were perfect. Elena Felix, a great friend who discussed writing with me 4-5 days per week. She gave great advice about persistence, the only thing in this world that ever accomplished anything. To my kids, Ben and Miriam. You both inspire me with your gifts, caring and encouragement every day. To all my early-version readers who took the time to help me craft what I hope is a compelling story, you suffered through the crappy self-indulgent research and development stages, especially Shane Valentine & R.D. Kardon. Any faults with the story and research are entirely my own.
about the author
Photo © 2018 Miriam Sachs
GENE DESROCHERS LIVES and works in Los Angeles with his wife, kids, and cats. He is originally from St. Thomas. Sweet Paradise is his second novel. He has a Juris Doctorate from Tulane Law School. If you ask he will regale you with his Caribbean accent and tennis prowess.
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