Paradise Rush

About the Book

Paradise Rush
by LEO T. BARBEL

In PARADISE RUSH, author Leo T. Barbel, a lifelong resident of the West Indies, takes you on a journey through the generations to a chain of tropical islands awash with sun-drenched days, exotic evenings, and late-night enchantments. Here you will meet captivating characters living in a paradise filled with adventure and intrigue.

The heart of this multi-level tale revolves around Sasha ‘Sassy’ Mattavious. As an island girl coming of age during World War II, Sassy finds herself swept up in a series of dramatic events ranging from the murder trial of a young man she adores to a high stakes poker game that escalates to incalculable odds.

At that gambling table sits an assortment of colorful players including internationally celebrated photographer Zane Wagoner, devoted churchgoer Armand Cologne, a well-heeled Frenchman from St. Barths, two savvy Puerto Rican businessmen, and a hard-edged Philadelphia street thug — as well as the honorable Judge Harland Jacobs.

Their passion for poker aside, these men have one other thing in common: a singular fascination for the stunningly beautiful Anika Vandenberg. Despite her status as a married woman, the femme fatale enjoys flirting shamelessly with the hearts she holds in the palm of her hand. Inexplicably, one of the players disappears suddenly and is never heard from again.

Decades later, Sassy’s grandson Matt, an investigative reporter from Manhattan, finds his way back home to the land of his ancestors. In his travels, he stumbles upon a 70-year-old cold case that pulls him into the past.

In the process of unraveling the history and mystery of his own roots, Matt discovers more than he ever bargained for about life, love, and family.

About the Author

LEO T. BARBEL A lifelong resident of the West Indies, poker aficionado and renowned Caribbean businessman, Leo T. Barbel, is best-known for his success in the private sector and his commercial holdings—including the shopping plaza that bears his family name. Seen regularly challenging friends on the tennis court, he began playing the game early on and played collegiately in Minnesota—followed by a two-year stint in the military—before returning home to St. Thomas. In 1972, Barbel and Vic Ebbensen, two of the territory’s leading tennis players, became the first to represent the Virgin Islands at the U.S. Open in Forest Hills, New York. The duo maintained their top ranking in the region for several years. Barbel served as Chairman of the board of trustees at our local Hospital, Board Member of several local Banks, and is a founding member of numerous civic organizations. Paradise Rush is his first novel.