Captivation of A Thug

After being snatched from her Manhattan comfort zone and thrusted into the unfamiliarity of Baltimore City; endearing, elegant and enterprising, Mackenzie Daye excited about life and the anticipations of the future. With her radiant smile and uber confidence, she walks in any space and commands attention, respect, and admiration. Aside from the constant battle to live outside of her parent's shadow, she never had to fight for anything. She'd been given every and anything that she had asked for. Life was always an unwavering 'yes.' She was a stranger to ridicule and knew nothing about prejudice.

Intelligent, ambitious and passionate Borne Baraka, is devoted to his agenda to not become a product of his environment. Brought up in a rough neighborhood for most of his 21 years, Borne is no stranger to the struggle. After his father's death and his mother's untimely departure; he is raised by his overbearing, devout Muslim grandparents. Due to graduate college in a few short months, he desperately tries to disassociate himself with the ways of the streets, but because of his authoritative and over-bearing big brother, it is inevitable.

By several chance encounters, Borne and Mackenzie find themselves acquainted by common friends; proving the six degrees of separation rule to be viable. Their uncanny attraction to one another is deemed decadent by their families and peers. The union of the two comes at a tumultuous time in Baltimore where rioting and unrest have set in; mirroring the Baltimore Riots of 1968. It is 2 centuries post-slavery; 5 decades post- I Have A Dream and 8 years since Obama was voted into office, yet interracial relationships-to be more specific, black man; white woman relationships-are still very much taboo. Because of his family's views on whites, Borne is hesitant to admit that he is enamored by Mackenzie, but Mackenzie isn't ashamed to admit her Captivation of A Thug!