The Dragon and the Pearl by Jeannie Lin
Ling Suyin was the late Emperor's consort, known for her stunning beauty and reputation as the supreme seductress across the Empire. After years of navigating the treacherous Imperial Court, Suyin simply desires a peaceful place away from the palace's intrigue. Upon her former master's passing, she was granted a lovely home near the river, far from the Imperial Court.
Li Tao is a ruthless warlord who was raised on the streets of Luoyang. He rules a province and has the foresight and skill to understand the changing winds within the Empire. The Empire has fractured, war has breached the horizon, and Tao knows he will be forced to stand against Imperial forces.
Before Suyin could be granted her wish, an anonymous note sent to Li Tao led him to kidnap her and entangle her in palace politics. Aware that rival Governors want to eliminate the late Emperor's courtesan, Tao must determine if the secrets she holds justify her execution. As Imperial forces approach his province, Tao offers Suyin her freedom in exchange for a night in his bed. However, they soon realize that one night is not enough for either of them. What starts as a single night evolves into a love that has the potential to bring down an Empire.
"The Dragon and The Pearl" is Jeannie Lin's remarkable sequel to "Butterfly Swords". The story had me hooked from the beginning. It's a captivating and refreshing read. In this novel, Ms. Lin turns the villain from "Butterfly Swords" into a hero with a unique twist, and she delivers an engaging tale set during the Tang Dynasty. It's a must-read novel of the year.
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