Be swept away to a land of silk and swords, passion and surrender
From USA TODAY bestselling author Jeannie Lin comes a tantalizing new five-story volume. Take a journey to Tang Dynasty China and join five unique heroines as they fight, seduce and steal their way into their heroes’ hearts.
Rediscover four reader-favorite stories and immerse yourself in “The Touch of Moonlight,” the brand-new sexy novella from this highly-acclaimed author!
Praise for award-winning author of Silk, Swords and Surrender Jeannie Lin
‘This is one bit of fancy and fearless footwork that you won’t want to miss.’
—Heroes and Heartbreakers on A Dance with Danger
‘Lin has a gift for bringing the wondrous and colorful world of ancient China to readers.’
—RT Book Reviews on My Fair Concubine
‘Lin’s politically and culturally rich story is atypical, sensual, and filled with honour and wit.’
—Publishers Weekly on The Sword Dancer
‘The action never stops, the love story is strong and the historical backdrop is fascinating. For the adventurous reader...this is a treasure.’
—RT Book Reviews on Butterfly Swords
Award-winning author JEANNIE LIN started writing her first book while working as a high school science teacher in South Central Los Angeles. Her stories are inspired by a mix of historical research and wuxia adventure tales. Jeannie’s groundbreaking historical romances set in Tang Dynasty China have received multiple awards, including the Golden Heart for her debut novel Butterfly Swords.
Silk, Swords and Surrender
Jeannie Lin
Table of Contents
THE TOUCH OF MOONLIGHT
I started writing the earliest novella in this collection six years ago. I remember the joy of writing it—I had just sold my first novel, Butterfly Swords, and The Taming of Mei Lin was originally a story-within-a-story of that larger narrative.
When it was released, I remember posting instructions on how to download it, since so many readers had never read an e-Book before. How times have changed! Six years in a writer’s life isn’t a great expanse of time, yet it feels as if publishing has lived a thousand lives.
During that time, I’ve alternated between full-length novels and shorter works, expanding my Tang Dynasty world. With the shorter stories I was able to experiment with condensed timelines and building conflict quickly. I was able to explore ways of creating a vibrant world in fewer words while playing with multiple side stories and characters.
In this collection there are linked stories to Butterfly Swords, The Dragon and the Pearl and My Fair Concubine. Capturing the Silken Thief was written as a lead-in to the Lotus Palace series. And the new addition, The Touch of Moonlight presents a girl-next-door tale, Tang Dynasty style, to counterbalance the sword fights and high drama.
I loved writing these stories and I’ve always been proud of them. I’ve always hoped they would be gathered into a single collection for readers to enjoy and here they are! Dreams do come true.
You can find out more about these stories or contact me online at my website jeannielin.com. Let me know which story is your favorite.
Contents
Tang Dynasty China, 841 AD
A flock of young ladies hovered near the garden wall. The neighborhood girls were on their afternoon stroll, and a pleasant cloud of chatter and gossip surrounded them. Baozhen appreciated the familiar sight after nearly a year away from the city. He appreciated it enough to stop at the end of the lane to watch and listen.
He knew all these lovely sparrows, of course. Everyone knew everyone in this ward. The courtyard houses were packed closely together, with only their surrounding walls to provide privacy. Families lived in the residences from one generation to the next, sharing news big and small across the narrow alleyways between them.
Lian was among them, a face perhaps a little more familiar than the rest. She was merchant Chen’s daughter, and the Chen family were his closest neighbors. Lian had her eye to an opening in the garden wall while the other girls giggled around her. The odd thing was that Lian—sensible, serious Lian—was giggling along with the rest of them.
“Now, this is a sight these eyes have missed,” he announced.
The ladies scattered like peach blossoms in the wind as he approached, only to regroup with a fresh round of giggling.
“Baozhen!”
“You’re back.”
“Did