Gilded Fan

From the author of four successful award-winning novels, this is a gorgeous historical romance and the sequel to Christina's second novel, The Scarlet Kimono that won The Big Red Reads Best Historical Fiction award in 2011 How do you start a new life, leaving behind all you love? It's 1641, and when Midori Kumashiro, the orphaned daughter of a warlord, is told she has to leave Japan or die, she has no choice but to flee to England. Midori is trained in the arts of war, but is that enough to help her survive a journey, with a lecherous crew and an attractive captain she doesn't trust? Having come to Nagasaki to trade, the last thing Captain Nico Noordholt wants is a female passenger, especially a beautiful one. How can he protect her from his crew when he can't keep his own eyes off her? During their journey, Nico and Midori form a tentative bond, but they both have secrets that can change everything. When they arrive in England, a civil war is brewing, and only by standing together can they hope to survive. AUTHOR: Christina Courtenay is married with two children. Although born in England she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden. In her teens, the family moved to Japan where she had the opportunity to travel extensively in the Far East. Christina is vice chairman of the Romantic Novelists' Association. In 2011, Christina's first novel Trade Winds (September 2010) was short listed for The Romantic Novelists' Association's Award for Best Historical Fiction. Her second novel, The Scarlet Kimono, won the Big Red Reads Best Historical Fiction Award. In 2012, Highland Storms (November 2011) won the Best Historical Romantic Novel of the year award (RoNA). And The Silent Touch of Shadows (July 2012), Christina's fourth novel, won the award for Best Historical Read at the Festival of Romance. For more information visit: www.christinacourtenay.com REVIEWS for Previous Novels: Choc Lit is a fairly recent imprint, aimed at those of us who like nothing betting than curling up in an armchair with a good book and a chocolate fix.... Cliched? Yes. I nevertheless found myself caring about the characters, and there's no doubt that Highland Storms does exactly what it says on the chocolate biscuit tin. Kathy Daily Mail Although following on from the excellent Trade Winds which was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association's Pure Passion Award for Best Historical Fiction 2011 this is a romantic and historical novel that can equally be read as a stand alone story and it's as good if not better than Trade Winds. A fabulous setting - Scotland - coupled with some vivid characters that provide romance and heartache in equal measure. As with many of the books published by Choc Lit this one is a real treat. Lovereading.co.uk