Circle of Life and Circle of Books

Planting to harvesting to more planting

On this beautiful day, 2025-08-08, I couldn’t help but reflect on the circle of life from a gardener’s point of view, and the circle of books as an author. My garden hasn’t been doing very well, despite my efforts and intentions. I got some crops, but am disappointed by others due to the strange weather: late start, extreme heat waves, few rainy days, you name it. The author’s life, however, has been doing well, because I seem to have more control over it.

If one is passionate, one just has to continue planting, which leads to harvest, which leads to more planting. There is no randomness, but there are always intentions and efforts.

Reader’s House Magazine: Cover Feature and Star Interview

Reader’s House Magazine in London (https://readershouse.co.uk/) approached me for an interview after seeing the eight awards I have received for Mother of Red Mountains. During the process of the interview, they offered me to be on the cover of the next issue. The print version will be available in days. The online version will be available after that. I will share more in future newsletters or on my website.

I am deeply humbled by the EIC’s introduction, the staff editorial, and the reviews of my four published books. My talented nephew, Tony Li, took the photos used in the magazine.

Cover Reveal!

You may recall that I mentioned the possible title of my next historical novel in my previous newsletter. I still like that title: Daughter of Blue City.

The book is built on Mother of Red Mountains and picks up where that book left. The family’s life during 1966 and 1980 is depicted from Lianlian’s point of view. The book is about 62,000 words, the same length as Mother of Red Mountains. It is a standalone book and does not depend on your reading Mother of Red Mountains.

Here is the brief description of the book:

In the turmoil of China's Cultural Revolution, young Lianlian's life is shattered by family violence, public shame, and crushing poverty.

Raised by a resilient but scarred mother (Jun), shadowed by an abusive father (Bin-Kai), and anchored by a sister (Shanshan), Lianlian learns to survive in a world of hardship. When the political climate shifts, she discovers that her mind is her only true weapon.

Fueled by fierce determination and the quiet support of her mother, Lianlian battles for a spot at a top university, seeing it as her one true path to freedom, leading her to fight for a future she can finally call her own.

Now, you are the first one to see the book cover! I welcome comments and suggestions. There is still time to do the final revision.

Call for ARC Readers/Reviewers

I am trying something new this time: I want to recruit ARC readers/reviewers before the publication of Daughter of Blue City.

ARC = Advanced Reader Copy. This is not the final copy to be published. My editor is still working on that. But the ARC tells pretty much the same story in the same ways.

As an ARC reader, you get a copy via email or a link, read it, and post your review at Amazon.com after the book is published.

I cannot promise anything if you are my ARC reader/reviewer, except that (1) you and I are experiencing this new journey together (and we may share a good laugh afterwards), (2) you get the book before it is published, and (3) you are helping me and other readers by posting your honest review of the book.

If you are interested, take a look at the timetable below and click the button to fill in a Google Form to express your intention. I ask a few questions to better guide my selection decision.

Timetable:

2025.08.11: expression of intention due

2025.08.25: ACR readers are being notified and will receive the book.

2025.08.30: book to be published on Amazon.com and Ingram Spark.

2025.09.30: the latest to post your review on Amazon.com. If this does not work with you, please discuss with me a workable schedule.