Leah was not your typical young woman coming of age. She was a debutante or deb from an upper-class aristocratic family with a father as her only next-of-kin. Her Caribbean mother had died giving birth when she was a small child. She was raised by a nanny who'd since retired.

She learned an arranged marriage would be announced on her 18^th birthday to the ghoulish of available suitors, the son of a Duke, named Edmund Worthington. She had no choice but act, for she was secretly in love with Brandon, the son of a shipping magnate.

Her father was a burly matter-of-fact businessman who never had any time to discuss her life or impending marriage to the Duke's son. She forced the issue when time appeared to be running out. After much shouting on his part, she convinced him her summering in Antigua with her mother's only sister, Aunt Leona, would keep her out of his hair. He finally relented and booked passage to the island with a trusted captain on one of his cargo ships that transported the byproducts of sugar cane from the island.

Leah had a perilous time at sea when pirates overtook the ship killing the captain and forcing her into hiding. When silence filled the air, she crawled out of the ship's cargo hold and looked around. She saw Ivan the cook in the galley slamming pots around, and asked him to be a look-out while she changed the compass heading towards Antigua, a skill she'd learned from Brandon when she'd sneaked out for sailing lessons. Ivan agreed.

He stood watch while she did the deed. When the ship ran aground the pirate in charge said, "Abandon Ship" taking Ivan with them. The schooner remained lodged until it broke free and was being swept along by the ocean current and waves. She'd fallen asleep and the rocking motion awakens her. She'd dreamed of Brandon and knew she had no choice but sail the ship into Antigua where Brandon's father's ship was likely docked.

Leah's life didn't take the anticipated path, for she was headstrong in her desire to wed a man of her choosing. She learned the value of true love which placed her contrary to the laws of the land. Just when life looked brighter, an old nemesis intruded into Seagrove, her father's home in frontier America, and met his untimely death from an unsuspecting yielder of justice.

You'll be spellbound by the twists and turns Leah's life takes some by her doing, and others as she rubs against the society rules of the 19^th century. Finally, you'll learn the ties between people and cultures matter and may come wrapped in unexpected packages.

Cross-Ties is a historical romance featuring a beautiful young woman who seized the opportunity to be more independent for nothing else would suit.