Currently, I am anticipating the early 2027 release of my historical novel, OF WIND AND DUST, that I sold at auction to Whitney Frick at the Dial Press, in what Publishers Weekly named its Deal of the Week.
A sweeping, multigenerational novel about three women married to the same man at the same time, it stretches from rural China to an emerging, mid-nineteenth century Seattle.
Three women—one born married, one born enslaved, one born free—brought together by one man.
Betrothed at birth, Yook Lan enters the Chun House as a teenager to become the household’s Great Wife—only to be left behind by a husband who must journey across the world to ensure the survival of his family.
Forced to sleep on the floor of a storeroom, gambled away, and ransomed into the Chun household, Guai Fong finds herself cared for but isolated, as neither servant nor daughter.
Mary has only ever known the silver waters and green trees of Puget Sound. But her life is forever changed when she falls in love with a stranger who has come to America to make his fortune, but who must return to China to secure his legacy.
The abandoned first wife, the ransomed slave, and the displaced young woman become inextricably linked, their happiness and purpose connected to one man, one household. Through decades, across oceans, and painting a vivid portrait of three women as they struggle against history’s constraints, OF WIND AND DUST is an unforgettable, intricately crafted story of striving, sacrifice, love, and loyalty inspired by my own family history.
Almost twelve years went into the research and writing of the novel. You can find out more about the story behind the story by clicking to download this fact sheet:
This video, put together at the request of my publisher’s international reps, will tell you more about what this book and story personally mean to me.
And if you’d like to be notified when the novel is published, you can register here. I’m scheming up a thank you gift or offer for all early supporters! Thank you for considering being one of them.
Meanwhile, say hello to my 21st children’s book, EAT YOUR PEAS, JULIUS! It’s time for little Julius, who will grow up to become the most powerful person in ancient Rome, to put on his toga, attend the dinner banquet, and eat his oysters, boiled camel’s feet, baked dormouse, and peas! It’s tough finishing everything on your plate—for kids and future caesars alike.
To find out more about why and how I came to write this book, check out this Q&A with Deborah Kalb! To discover some other children’s history books that influenced me—or that I just love—check out this article on Shepherd.
Here are some other favorite titles among my 21 published books!
