Historical romance. Editing. 84,300 words.
In 1930s Portuguese Macau, China, a young Chinese-Latina widow and tutor is drawn to a younger Eurasian who is all wrong for her.
Haunted by a past tragedy and a recent mistake, Patricia wants nothing to do with grand loves. All she needs is a sensible man. She becomes engaged to the perfect candidate. But another man—Ivan, whose wealthy family employs her in their home—occupies her thoughts. As a handsome, charming rogue who makes her head spin and her heart patter, he is dangerous. Instantly attracted to Patricia, Ivan soon falls for her. He knows she feels the same way about him, even if she’s too afraid to admit it. He plans to stop her wedding, but never gets the chance.
After her fiancé jilts her, Patricia slowly gives in to her feelings for Ivan. They become a couple. Eventually he proposes. She quells her fears and accepts. When Ivan’s family and friends interfere, her doubts about the match resurface.
Patricia asks Ivan for time apart, staying in Macau when he takes a job in Hong Kong. Determined to face the demons that have hounded her since her parents died when she was a girl, she decides to travel to Panama. Ivan learns of her plans and rushes to the quay, but arrives as her ship departs.
An adult historical romance novel with shades of Cinderella, A SENSIBLE MAN features mixed-race characters who cross class lines and fight against trauma. Exploring themes of belonging and cultural and religious fusion in Macau and Hong Kong, it is the first in a series. The next books follow Ivan’s sisters as they embark on adventures in Lisbon, London, Singapore, the US, and Panama.
Excerpt: “A Sensible Man,” The Coachella Review Blog, May 2019.