SWEET DADDY RED is an intimate May-December romance. She was a naïve, young divorce’ on her own with four children, starting over.
He was a feared underworld gangster, who had worked his way up from Sheriff’s Deputy to a Criminal Detective Investigator. Despite his lifestyle, Thaddeus Maurice Baxter, has a soul deep love for Grace Stuberg. She becomes the first woman he has ever placed on a pedestal. He places a ‘fence’ around her. Though that fence was formed of prostitutes, small time hoods, and other of his Sheriff Department officers; they all knew that if harm came to her, somebody would have to answer to him. So they protected her with devotion unrivaled by any.
SWEET DADDY RED introduces the reader to big time gangsters from all the major cities around the country. In his introduction, he tells them: "Gentlemen,' he spoke, smiling, "this is my Angel. In my eyes, she is perfect in every aspect." Then the tone of his voice changed, "I don't ‘llow nobody messing with her, and I would kill the devil, himself, if he tried. I cover her like a blanket on a cold winter's night."
That sent a chill through Grace, and she shivered in the presence of it. She didn't know if it was the tone of his voice or the look in his eyes, but she felt a chill surge through her.
Then he smiled and formally introduced her to them. “This is Grace Stuberg. The first Black female Crime Reporter in this city. And, I might add, a damn good one.
The book has sex, drugs, murder and corruption. There are corrupt public officials, highly paid prostitutes, street walking whores, and drug dealers. It takes you inside a murder trial which will leave you shocked and breathless.
In a conversation with his friend of many years, Baxter confided: " Baxter looked up, made another deep sigh, then, “Max, it is not easy wearing two hats. I have to balance my duties as Criminal Investigator against the ‘oath of the streets’. Yes, I could trump up charges and arrest them. Probably make them stick. But, even on the streets, we have a code of ethics. If I did that, then I’d lose my credibility as a respected mobster. There, I’ve said it out loud. I’m a mobster; a notorious ( blankety blank), low-down mobster.”
By the time the reader reaches the end of this story of Thaddeus Maurice Baxter and Grace Stubergs’ love affair, they will be surprised by the sea of emotions it has evoked. Their declarations of love for one another will bring tears of sweetness and wistfulness to the reader.
They will love SWEET DADDY RED, despite his lifestyle and respect the fact that he is a mobster with integrity. The will admire the fact that he protects his street ladies’ honor.
This book is language strong and Etha Emm Publishing posted a warning on its cover. It features real street language for authenticity. It is not for the squeamish. We know that you will enjoy and relish this release. It is the stuff that good movies are made of. We hope to be that lucky.