Hong Kong Treasure
Blurb:
Deshi Han, a
martial arts actor and director, thinks a serious relationship would hamper his
career. On a charity trip to the Philippines he agrees to take a young American
woman back to Hong Kong to rest and regain her memory.
Once back in Hong Kong, Deshi
reluctantly allows the young woman, whom he names Annie, to accompany him on
the movie sets and on his trips across China. Despite his attempts to remain
aloof with Annie, a romance develops between them.
Meanwhile, Annie is troubled by
nightmares which allude to a danger lurking from her past and someone on
Deshi’s crew is trying to sabotage their budding romance. As Deshi is forced
repeatedly to disrupt his work schedule to protect Annie, it serves to confirm
his belief that careers and relationships don’t mix.
But when it looks like Deshi will
lose Annie, and he risks everything to save her, will it be too late?
Buy link: Amazon.com
Excerpt:
Leyte Province in the Philippines. Her running steps echoed from the
walls. Would he catch her? It meant white slavery if he did. Slamming open the
kitchen door, she burst out of the hotel despite the typhoon ravaging the
eastern coast. The destructive winds and rains were buffered in the alleyway
behind the hotel, but she still had to fight for each step away from the man
she knew was just behind her.
Without warning, massive walls of water rushed into the alley from both
ends. The sixteen-foot wave scooped her up and battered her against the
buildings. When the storm surge receded, she lay bruised and unconscious
beneath a mass of water-logged debris.
*
“I’m told there are eleven
buildings, besides this church, serving as shelters,” Father Donovan said. “I
haven’t left here since the typhoon hit four days ago. Is the damage
extensive?”
“Yes. Very. Many people with no homes, no
food,” Deshi Han replied.
Father Donovan put his hand on Deshi’s
shoulder. “You brought much-needed food and supplies. Your movies are loved but
your charity work is well-known here in the Philippines. I thank you. You are
truly doing God’s work, my son.”
Deshi watched as a volunteer passed out the
blankets he had brought, which would help to cushion the pews they were using
for beds. He shook his head. “I wish I do more.”
“Perhaps there is something …” Father Donovan
began.
“What, Father?” He followed the priest to a
courtyard. A young woman sat beside a storm-crushed rose bed. Deshi guessed her
to be American, in her early twenties. “Who she, Father?”
“No one knows, not even her.” Father Donovan
tilted his head to the side and sighed. “She has no memory of anything before
the typhoon. One of the doctors informed me that she just needs rest to regain
her memory.”
Deshi watched the girl slowly gather the
broken branches from around the few unharmed plants. A child about five years
old ran up and tapped her on the shoulder. The young woman’s solemn face broke
into a smile as the child led her away toward another section of the church.
Father Donovan turned to Deshi. “But she
won’t get that rest here. She has nightmares and cries for the orphaned and
injured children. I’ve prayed for someone to claim her and take her away from
here.”
“We delivered the supplies to the kitchen.”
Jun Chew, Deshi’s assistant, spoke in Cantonese as she approached them.
Deshi turned away from the doorway, nodded at
Jun then called to his business manager, “Where the next shelter, Paul?”
Paul Wu shook his head then responded in
English. “We have distributed all the supplies we brought, Deshi. That is all
we can do today.”
“Besides,” Jun continued in Cantonese, “we
have to get back or you will be late for the senior citizen center opening.”
The supplies had gone so fast. They had only
been to six of the eleven shelters and there were so many people still in need.
“Maybe one more thing I can do today,” Deshi said with a sigh. “Father?”
The priest’s right hand clutched the large
cross at his neck and he smiled. “Yes, my son?”
“I will take her.”
Author Bio
D. Dominik Wickles is the pseudonym
for Romance author, Diane T. Wickles. Diane has always been overly curious and
loves to try new things. Some of her interests have included studying martial
arts, getting her degree in Criminal Justice, ice skating, traveling and of
course, writing stories. Her career path has taken her from bank teller to
probation officer to computer instructor to library clerk to author.
She has explored many genres
including horror, humor and mystery publishing several short pieces on various
online magazines. Diane’s books always have a happy ending but the road to that
point is rife with mystery and danger. She is a member of Pennwriters and is
active in two local writing groups.
At her home in northwestern
Pennsylvania, she talks to her cat, reads 2-3 books at a time, constantly
searches for new vegan recipes and creates her characters. In her spare time,
she loves camping and building dollhouses.
Contact her at:
ddominikwicklesATgmailDotcom
A most interesting premises and I enjoyed the excerpt. Deshi sounds like a really intriguing character.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the excerpt.
DeleteThank you for dropping by, Mae!
I love stories from far flung places. I enjoyed this excerpt and I'd love to read more.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting, Daisy!
DeleteI have added this to my TBR list. I love the adventurous, multicultural premise, and the excerpt is intriguing. Diane, I have followed you on twitter. Carmen, you always bring us the most enticing books!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear it. Thank you, Flossie!
DeleteThank you Carmen for including me on your blog! And to everyone who commented with such nice words :) I thank you, too!
ReplyDeleteDiane T. Wickles
You are most welcome, Diane!
Delete