Strawberries in December

Alexandra Stevens, an unhappy wife, bucked traditions of the Old South where women created a beautiful home, beautiful children and were steel foundations of successful men. When a handsome stranger arrived on the scene, three lives collided head-on. Anxious to make a wealthy new acquaintance his client, Ken, abusive and domineering, compelled his exquisite wife, with her Southern charm and intelligent savvy, to entertain the man who is in fact, the handsome stranger pursuing Alexandra at every opportunity. Constantly being thrown together, Alexandra is torn between duty and honor to southern tradition, her husband, and sons or passion and true love. The delightful cast of characters merged into a passionate mix of personalities, waltzing through the story with private agendas. They collide in a fatal crescendo of lust, love, money and deceit.

oy Rocco was born in Nashville, Tennessee, to a father whose family immigrated from Sweden and mother from the Cherokee Nation. She lived in Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis during early years before moving to Florida, her father’s birthplace. Early years found Joy using her creativity in the art world painting and selling oil, acrylic and watercolor. She then progressed to interior design/decorating and space planning of commercial and residential properties. During this time, she also sold a line of hand-painted clothing and home goods, created jewelry and a ＂safe＂ garment for women to protect their money and credit cards while out shopping or dining--also allowing them ＂hands-free＂ movement. This product received television and newspaper ＂cottage industry＂ promotion in the Tampa Bay area. After her children were raised, she turned her creative pursuits to writing novels, an endeavor that had always been in progress but in the background. In 2006, Joy decided the time was at hand to pursue her writing career full-time. Her first novel, ＂Chocolate Days Margarita Nights＂ continues to be a hit with her readers.