The Jade Lioness

Can an impossible love become possible?
Nagasaki, 1648 Temperance Marston longs to escape war-torn England and explore the exotic empire of Japan. When offered the chance to accompany her cousin and Captain Noordholt on a trading expedition to Nagasaki, she jumps at the opportunity. However, she soon finds the country’s strict laws for foreigners curtail her freedom.

On a dangerous and foolhardy venture she meets Kazuo, a ronin. Kazuo is fascinated by her blonde hair and blue eyes, but he has a mission to complete and he cannot be distracted. Long ago, his father was accused of a crime he didn’t commit - stealing a valuable jade lioness ornament from the Shogun - and Kazuo must restore his family’s honor. But when Temperance is kidnapped and sold as a concubine, he has to make a decision - can he save her and keep the promise he made to his father?

REVIEWS

＂Along with some brilliantly crafted secondary characters, and the storyline of the mystery of the Jade Lioness, Christina Courtenay has delivered a fantastic addition to the ’Kumashiro Saga’ which is definitely not to be missed. GORGEOUS! 5 Stars!＂
-Sorcha O’Dowd, Waterstones Bookseller

＂17th Century Japan is not a place and time I am very familiar with but after reading The Jade Lioness, I feel I know more about the culture and lifestyles of that era. Christina Courtenay brings to life the sights, sounds and smells of Japan. ＂
-Joanne, Portobello Book Blog

＂In an edge-of-the-seat romantic adventure, the fugitives try and evade both a ruthless Japanese nobleman and a vengeful Dutch trader whom Temi has spurned – all the while searching for the evidence to clear Kazuo’s father’s name... all in all, we have a vivid read with an exotic setting and a risk-taking heroine who is not afraid to fight for what she wants. The author’s love of Japanese culture clearly shines through.＂
Historical Novels Review

＂The Jade Lioness is a story that completely took me away from my everyday life. Perhaps it was the unique setting. Or the excellent world building. Maybe it was the strong relationship between Kazuo and Temperance, almost completely unheard of for the time of this novel. For a rare moment for me, I cannot truly tell you exactly what made this story touch me so much. Yet it drew me in, changed how I saw things and touched my heart in ways I didn’t expect when I started to read this novel.＂
Keeper Bookshelf