Royal Street — Francis Swann

Melissa Jane Robinson was seventeen -- a demure, quiet little girl -- when her father died and left her with only one relative in the world. It was fortunate for her that behind her deceptive serene countenance lurked a spirit of adventure.

That brave spirit was to stand her in good stead as she faced the greedy, almost lawless world of the New Orleans of the early 1800's. For when she was plunged abruptly into active ownership of a plus gambling palace, she needed every resource a lonely girl could gather.

Of course, there were men…Dominique Chauvet, the slick, unscrupulous manager of Fran's Place. Armand La Freniere , enigmatic son of a wealthy planter. Johnny Wish, who brazenly described himself as a pirate.