Butterfly Swords. Jeannie Lin

      This is Jeannie Lin’s debut novel, but look for

      THE TAMING OF MEI LIN

      an eBook which links into BUTTERFLY SWORDS and is available now

      Also look for

      THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL

      Coming soon

       Praise for new author Jeannie Lin’s first Mills & Boon^® Historical:

      ‘Exciting debut … especially vibrant writing …’

      —Publishers Weekly starred review

      ‘If Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon merged with

      A Knight’s Tale, you’d have the power and romance

      of Lin’s dynamic debut. The action never stops, the

      love story is strong, and the historical backdrop is

      fascinating. For the adventurous reader seeking new

      places to “visit”, this is a treasure.’

      —RT Book Reviews

      ‘In BUTTERFLY SWORDS, Jeannie Lin

      tells a classic tale of courage, adventure, and

      impossible love—and she sets it in a fascinating new

      world: Tang China, where a warrior princess must fight

      for her family and her country with only a barbarian

      swordsman to help her. Jeannie Lin

      is a fresh new voice in historical romance,

      and BUTTERFLY SWORDS rocks!’

      —Mary Jo Putney,

      New York Times bestselling author

      ‘Swords, warrior princesses, and a barbarian to love!

      BUTTERFLY SWORDS was a delight!’

      —Jade Lee, USA TODAY bestselling author

       ‘Well,’ he breathed. ‘You do honour your bets.’

      Though he no longer touched her, it was as if the kiss hadn’t ended. He was still so close. Ai Li stumbled as she tried to step away and he caught her, a knowing smile playing over his mouth. Her balance was impeccable. She never lost her footing like that. His grip tightened briefly before he let her go. Even that tiny, innocent touch filled her with renewed longing.

      In a daze, she bent to pick up her fallen swords.

      ‘Now that our bargain is settled,’ she began hoarsely, ‘we should be going. You said the next town was hours from here?’

      He collected his sword while a slow grin spread over his face, and her cheeks burned hot as she forced her gaze on the road ahead.

      She had to get home and warn her father. Ai Li had thought of nothing else since her escape—until this blue-eyed barbarian had appeared. It was fortunate they were parting when they reached town.

      When he wasn’t looking she pressed her fingers over her lips, which were still swollen from that first kiss. She was outmatched. Much more outmatched than when they had crossed swords.

      About The Author

      Jeannie Lin grew up fascinated with stories of Western epic fantasy and Eastern martial arts adventures. When her best friend introduced her to romance novels in middle school the stage was set. Jeannie started writing her first romance while working as a high school science teacher in South Central Los Angeles. After four years of trying to break into publishing with an Asian-set historical, her 2009 Golden Heart^®–winning manuscript, BUTTERFLY SWORDS, was sold to Harlequin Mills & Boon.

      As a technical consultant, backpacker, and vacation junkie, she’s travelled all over the United States as well as Europe, South Korea, Japan, China, and Vietnam. She’s now happily settled in St Louis, with her wonderfully supportive husband, and continues to journey to exotic locations in her stories.

      You can visit Jeannie Lin online at: www.jeannielin.com

      Butterfly

      Swords

      Jeannie Lin

      

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      AUTHOR NOTE

      The Tang Dynasty has always held a special lure for me. This was a time when women rose to the highest ranks as warriors, courtesans, and scholars. Anyone with the will and the perseverance to excel could make it. The imperial capital of Changan emerged as a cosmopolitan centre of trade and culture. The most famous love stories, the most beautiful poetry, and the most elegant fashions came from this era.

      The Silk Road which connected East to West was at its height during the eighth century, and the empire embraced different cultures to a greater extent than ever before. I wanted to know what it was like to wear silk and travel to the edges of the empire during this golden age. And I wanted sword fights!

      When BUTTERFLY SWORDS was awarded the Golden Heart^® 2009 for Historical Romance, I was overcome. It was a dream come true to receive recognition for writing a story that encompassed everything I loved.

      In BUTTERFLY SWORDS you’ll find historical fact—and a little fantasy, of course. I hope you enjoy the drama and sensuality of the Tang Dynasty as much as I do.

      Dedication

      To my little sister Nam,

      my ‘evil’ twin, my ideal reader—

      Thank you for the tough love, for telling me which

      darlings to kill, for reading all the ugly drafts,

      for everything. I made a promise to dedicate

      my first book to you, and here it is—

      more than twenty years later.

      Heartfelt thanks to my agent Gail Fortune

      for her stubborn dedication.

      To Anna Boatman and Linda Fildew

      for making this story even bigger and better.

      And to Barbara, Elaine, Dana and Kay

      for all the love and guidance.

       Chapter One

       758 AD China—Tang Dynasty

      The palanquin dipped sharply and Ai Li had to brace her hands against the sides to stay upright. Amidst the startled cries of her attendants, the enclosure lurched again before crashing to the ground with the splintering crack of wood. She gasped as the elaborate headdress toppled from her lap and she was thrown from her seat. A tight knot formed in her stomach, and she fought to stay calm.

      What she heard next was unmistakable. The clash of metal upon metal just beyond the curtain that covered the wedding sedan. Sword-strike, a sound she woke up to every morning. With her heart pounding, she struggled to free herself from the tangle of red silk about her ankles. This skirt, the entire dress, was so heavy, laden with jewels and a hundred li of embroidery thread.

      She fumbled behind the padded cushions of her seat, searching frantically for her swords. She had put them there herself, needing some reminder of home, the way another girl might find comfort in her childhood doll.

      Her hand finally closed around the hilt. She tightened