Chasing Dragons

From the safety of his bookstore, Sebastian observes the world around him through his books and his counseling clients, whose problems range from infidelity to the challenges of dealing with an overbearing mother. Living within the frenzied metropolis that is Hong Kong, Sebastian tries his best to live a quiet, predictable life.

Unbeknownst to him, there is a parallel story unfolding about Chi Wen and Zhao Chen, two dragons from Chinese mythology. While initially distinct from Sebastian’s modern life, this alternative reality begins to filter through and he finds himself increasingly subjected to visions and memories of a life he does not remember.

Reality and mythology blur and Sebastian is forced to question his own life and his relationship with Chloe. As the modern and mythical worlds start to intersect, Sebastian is drawn back into an ancient battle of wills. Solving the mystery of his frightening visions leads him to a choice that will throw his life into turmoil and potentially destroy his humanity.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Douglas Jaffe combines Chinese mythology with present day reality in his novel, Chasing Dragons. The main character is Sebastian King, a bookstore owner who offers counseling to random friends and strangers. He loves life and pursues knowledge with great passion. 

Readers will connect with Sebastian through his enjoyment and love for those around him. They will respect his devotion to constantly discover new ideas and his ability to counsel others, aiding them in forging their own life path. 

The plot is intriguing to readers as it aligns the mythological past of China and the subtle role it still plays in present day. Sebastian's role in the mythological world is both mysterious and inventive. The objective look that 'mortality adds importance' is given a new twist in the later chapters of Chasing Dragons. The fantasy aspect of the novel interrupting Sebastian's reality is a very nice analogy overall of how myths work their way into present culture. 

Jaffe's writing style is definitely the best aspect of the book. It's poetry in the motion of story telling. The dialogue is lovely and the descriptions are chilling yet full of warmth. The entire novel is penned in language at its best. If the story line doesn't grip you, the words will surely move you along as the stream becomes a river, falling over the climactic cliff. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Chasing Dragons

Golden Lies

Riley McAllister, Paige Hathaway, and Alyssa Chen come from very different worlds. Now this unlikely trio of strangers must come together to follow an elusive trail through the streets of San Francisco from glittering Pacific Heights to colorful Chinatown to trendy South of Market. 

Each will have to make the impossible choice between romantic love and family loyalty, between sheltering lies and revealing truth. Once the door to the past is opened, there is no turning back. . .

*May Contain Spoilers*

When Nan Delaney finds a dragon statue in her attic in Golden Lies by Barbara Freethy, she takes it to the Antique Road Show, neither she nor her grandson, Riley, have any idea that chaos is soon to follow. 

When Paige's father tells her he wants to purchase the dragon statue, she sets up the appointment for an appraisal with no idea that she's about to meet the love of her life. 

Riley and Paige are the two main characters in this novel, though Alyssa Chen does play a significant role. Freethy balances the novel between these characters, giving the reader various viewpoints of the story. 

Riley is a man who has never believed in love. After his mother deserted him, he gave up on the idea of falling in love and living happily ever after. He runs a security business and bicycles the hills of San Francisco. Readers will connect with him through his resistance to relationships and bitterness about the past. Being hurt by someone you love is never easy, though a universal occurrence, and readers will understand Riley better because of this commonality. Paige, the "princess," is the imperfect daughter to a perfect family. Readers will love her honesty, especially when it comes to her feelings for Riley, and her loyalty to her father. She's a very down to earth character, who is stuck in a role she doesn't know how to handle. 

The plot of Golden Lies is artfully crafted. Freethy leaves nothing out as she describes the mystery surrounding the statue and wraps the curse around each character. The curse that three grandfathers brought upon their families. While weaving between the romantic plot line and cracking the mystery of the dragon, Freethy brings readers deep into a story they won't be able to stop reading. The captivation is the best part of this novel. Freethy is an exceptional writer and her words have definite pull. 

The only issue I had with this novel was the turnout of Riley and Paige's relationship. Through the story's progression, Riley was very resistant to Paige's obvious desire for commitment and I wanted more of an evolution from Riley. 

A great end-of-summer or one-more-quick-vacation read, Barbara Freethy once again writes a delectable novel that e-reader owners are now able to purchase. 

Rating: 4/5

Golden Lies

on Amazon