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Filed in: Announcements | blog Tags: harlequin historical | new release | the dragon and the pearl | the lady's scandalous night
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Are only partially exaggerated.
Given my zealous launch celebration last year about this time for BUTTERFLY SWORDS, I may seem relatively quiet for my upcoming release of the short story THE LADY’S SCANDALOUS NIGHT on September 1st followed by the release of THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL on September 20th.
I’m definitely still planning a little celebration with prizes and of course some signings and appearances, but nothing to rival the bacchanalia (new favorite word) of the BUTTERFLY SWORDS launch. The main reason why is—yes this is unscrupulous of me–I’m playing the CARD.
The “I’m going to be a mommy card”. Here’s my proof:
*blink* *blink* Yes, those are TWO little zygotes in there. No, neither hubby nor I have twins in either of our families. Yes, we were shocked, but quite excited. They’re cute, no? Actually this was the first ultrasound so they were just little blobs. They now look like little peanuts with tiny stick arms and legs. I told hubby they look just like him. 
No worries. This is not going to turn into a baby blog, but there were a few people who suspected after my less than chipper appearance at RWA and so yes, the rumors are true. And if you happen to want to have mercy on me and help me spread the word about THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL since I’m going to be lying low and incubating…I did confess to being unscrupulous right?
I’m still waiting on pins and needles for the cover of THE LADY’S SCANDALOUS NIGHT (pre-order: Amazon(Kindle) | Barnes & Noble (Nook) ) The story is a parallel tale to THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL. They both can be read independently though chronologically they happen at the same time. I’m hoping “Scandalous Night” will seduce readers into the sexy battle of wills in “Dragon and Pearl.” MWHAHAHA!!
To be announced:
- The cover for THE LADY’S SCANDALOUS NIGHT (fingers crossed that my cover karma holds out)
- THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL galley will be made available on NetGalley for reviewers
- My first southern California booksignings: San Diego and hopefully Los Angeles
- Some nice launch prizes for those of you who would like to join in like last time
- A little Dragon and Pearl blog tour
Stay tuned. Same bat time. Same bat channel…
12 Comments
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Filed in: blog | conferences | promotion | rwa | signings Tags: chinese clothing online | dragoncon 2011 | romance trading cards | rwa 2011 | the dragon and the pearl
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I’ve been so busy, I haven’t even had time to wax sentimental this time around. Oh time, he waits for no one.
I’m coming off of a workshop and impromptu book signing this week and running headlong into last minute preparations for RWA. This year will be my first signing at the annual RWA literacy autographing and I’m definitely excited about it. There are 500 authors signing so I’m sure it will be fabulous. Hopefully a few people will come by to see me and say hello.
I’ve also designed a new series of RTCs for THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL for RWA and Dragon*Con:
I am SO in love with the new cover as well as the cards. *googly eyes* The images on the back sides are used with permission from www.chineseclothingonline.com in return for the free advertising so if you’re dying to get your own suit of ancient Chinese armor or a beautiful flowing hanfu, check them out. I’ve ordered two outfits from them and they’re absolutely gorgeous.
I’ll be giving details on how to get these cards in my newsletter coming out this Wednesday in case you’re not going to either conference. If you are going to RWA, keep an eye out in the goody room or you can also look for me Tuesday night at the signing.
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Filed in: Announcements | blog | covers Tags: romance covers | the dragon and the pearl
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I have been waiting on pins and needles for the cover to THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL and it’s here! It’s finally here!
Pretty cool, huh? On first glance, it doesn’t look as shiny as the BUTTERFLY SWORDS cover, but I kind of like the more classic painted look. It definitely looks more like a romance cover.
Now let the cover kibitz begin:
Tang Dynasty clothing – Suyin’s robe is stunning and I approve of her styling with the string of pearls and the off the shoulder look. The hanfu is also a lot prettier than the one from Butterfly Swords, so thumbs up there!
Li Tao’s jacket — Okay, minor point: I know it’s not Tang. The jacket is more Qing in style. Does anyone care? Actually…given that the cover of Butterfly Swords made it on to random Han clothing manufacturers’ blogs in China, people might care. But he’s not the star of the cover anyway.
Background – Does that background look familiar to you? I think it’s the same one used for the previous book, but it’s still very nice.
The headless warlord – Well, he does have a head. I’m actually glad they didn’t show Li Tao’s full face. It’s better to leave a little to the imagination. And Li Tao has grown so big in my head, it’s so hard to measure up. Plus then there’s the question of hair which can be tricky. I would have to object if they depicted him with a Qing-era queue…though I don’t think I actually get to object.
So half-face is a good compromise.
My favorite part – This is so silly, but I love the building on the back of the cover nestled among the cliffs. It looks just like pictures I’ve seen of parts of the Bamboo Sea in Sichuan. And now there are two books labeled Tang Dynasty. Tee hee. Tee hee hee…
Hero Hotness – The model is handsome enough, but if I had to judge from the bottom part of his face which of the Five Tigers he most resembles, I’d have to go for Kent rather than an Andy or a Michael. (Okay, I just lost about 80% of my audience there, didn’t I? Quick explanation: As a child of the 80s, these five actors were huge in the Hong Kong market so I pretty much cast them (young versions) as characters in my head. One of the tigers is my oft mentioned Tony Leung. Another is Andy Lau.) Kent is not my favorite tiger, but I really shouldn’t complain.
Okay, enough from the picky author. What do you think, really?
21 Comments
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Filed in: Asian fantasy | blog | giveaway | guest blogs Tags: jianghu | paperback dolls | the dragon and the pearl | wuxia
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The Paperback Dolls blog asked me to do a guest post for their Passport China feature. I love the look of their blog, especially the manga-esque avatars they have for each of their members.
Click on over to hear more the special version of Old China where my stories take place: Once Upon a Time in China
Also giving away a copy of BUTTERFLY SWORDS and talking a little bit about the sequel, THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL, which is out September 20, 2011.
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Filed in: blog Tags: 2011 releases | butterfly swords sequel | Tang dynasty | the dragon and the pearl
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So, I noticed several people following links for “The Midnight Chamber” to my page. I was testing out my a new book listing and apparently somehow posted something to all the RSS feeds. So sorry for the bait and switch!
For the few that were wondering, I’m trying to work on my webpage in the background. I also have some book news that I was hoping to post officially when titles get firmed up. But here’s the skinny for now:
September 2011 – Dream of the Midnight Chamber (Title TBD) from Harlequin Historical Undone
October 2011 – The Dragon and the Pearl from Harlequin Historical
The Midnight Chamber (title TBD) is a short story which is linked to The Dragon and the Pearl. Just as with The Taming of Mei Lin and Butterfly Swords, you can read them both independently. But I hope reading both enhances the experience.
There is also one more Tang Dynasty short scheduled tentatively for release this summer in case you can’t wait to revisit 8th century China. More info as the details firm up and please excuse my tinkering around with the page.
You’ll notice the dates also parallel the release of Butterfly and Mei Lin. In the words of Yogi Berra, “It’s deja vu all over again.”
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Filed in: Asian fantasy | blog | cool finds | publishing Tags: chinese clothing online | cover art | feimo | inspiration | the dragon and the pearl
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I’ve learned that while you’re promoting a new book, you pretty much become your cover. It’s your calling card. The funny thing is people very often ask me if I posed for the cover of Butterfly Swords. (No, I didn’t) I’m tickled pink by even the thought that I could be a cover model.
As authors, we don’t get much control over our cover art, yet the cover can make or break the book. I do, however, get to send reference pictures to give the art department perhaps a little inspiration as they design the cover. None of the pictures I use for inspiration look exactly like my characters or setting. I use them for a certain feel. Somewhere in between, an image emerges.
I suppose the art department does much the same thing. This morning I sent along pics for The Dragon and the Pearl and I’m totally jittery nervous about what they’ll come up with.
I always felt this picture by DeviantArtist feimo captured the attitude of Li Tao, though he’s much younger and prettier than the cold-blooded warlord. I wish the print were for sale.
The power play between the jiedushi, the military governors, are central to the book. I sent a couple of pictures to highlight the look and feel of the warlords.
An artist’s rendition of Cao Cao from The Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Ah, Tony…from the movie poster of Red Cliff. I still need to see the uncut version…
We talk about setting as character in writing, but more needs to be said about clothing as character. Suyin’s wardrobe is practically a secondary character in The Dragon and the Pearl. The Tang Dynasty is all about the fashion: gorgeous clothing, creative hair styles, accessories, accessories, accessories. In the context of those times, Ling Suyin would have been considered a super-model.
I’m now a junkie of the Chinese Clothing online store. I’m actually thinking of buying this blue dress to celebrate the manuscript being accepted and, you know, just wearing it around the house.
And speaking of setting as character, the famous Bamboo Sea is where it all takes place. I dream of going there one day. It’s too bad hubby doesn’t like to travel or eat exotic foods. He does like pandas, I believe.
So can you see a killer cover out of all that?
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Filed in: Announcements | blog | signings | workshop Tags: book signings | the dragon and the pearl
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Big news: The Dragon and the Pearl has been accepted for publication. Now the cycle begins all over again.
I’m headed to the New Jersey Romance Writer’s conference. Hoping to attend some great workshops and meet up with several long distance writer buddies. I’ll also be signing on Saturday at the Woodbridge Renaissance Hotel.
Should be a good time. And then my crazy road show will slow down. Nothing more until the end of November for the Music City chapter where I’ll be opening for the lovely Barbara Poelle and Holly Root. Waiting to exhale…
Take care and have a good weekend. I know I will.
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Filed in: blog | history Tags: du mu | guy gavriel kay | poetry | the dragon and the pearl | under heaven
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Something I really appreciated while reading Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay was how he conveyed the importance of poetry in politics and discourse. All students preparing to take the civics exams studied poetry. Educated men were expected to be able to come up with verses on command and use them to communicate their agendas in subtle ways.
I’m revising The Dragon and the Pearl (please, oh please don’t change the name…oh Harlequin marketing gods!). The first pass is concentrating on the hero. My Little Sis sent me a Tang Dynasty poem she came across after critiquing the rough draft. She said it struck her as being “Li Tao-ish” — her words.
I pulled it up to get some inspiration. It’s quite lovely, don’t you think?
Poem of Farewell
A great passion
resembles indifference:
In front of the mute cup
no smile comes to one’s lips.
It’s the candle that burns
with the pangs of farewell:
Right up to dawn, on our behalf,
it sheds tears.
-Du Mu, Tang Dynasty poet 803-852
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Filed in: Announcements | blog | publishing Tags: contract | harlequin historical | harlequin undone | the dragon and the pearl
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 Harlequin offered a two book contract for more Harlequin Historicals and two short stories for Harlequin Historical Undone.
Of the books, The Dragon and The Pearl is next in line for release after Butterfly Swords. The title may be changed though I’ve become so attached to it! The story is near and dear to my heart….well, they all are after so much work goes into them….but this one in particular because I had such a strong bond with both of these characters before I even started writing.
Not to mention the good omens that came with it! The title was suggested by author Elizabeth Grayson during a living room pitch session before Nationals and it shaped the rest of the story. This manuscript was also the very first time I received a request from an editor off of pages. A much needed ray of light.
But I digress. For now, I’m dancing around and singing: More books! More books! More books!
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Filed in: books Tags: the dragon and the pearl
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The Most Beautiful Courtesan of Them All…
Former Emperor’s consort Ling Suyin is renowned for her beauty; the ultimate seductress. Now she lives quietly alone–until the most ruthless warlord in the region comes and steals her away…
Li Tao lives life by the sword, and is trapped in the treacherous, lethal world of politics. The alluring Ling Suyin is at the center of the web. He must uncover her mystery without falling under her spell–yet her innocence calls out to him. How cruel if she, of all women, can entrance the man behind the legend…
Skip to Excerpt
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