Shanghai Love is a gripping novel about the unlikely love story that develops between a Chinese herbalist and Jewish refugee in Shanghai during World War II. Peilin, trained in traditional healing by her Grandpa Du, struggles with duty to her ghost husband’s family. Henri, a medical doctor flees Hitler’s Germany to one of the few places that would welcome him without a visa: China. This is a classic story of love’s triumph over adversity.
Peilin is betrothed to Kwan Yao, the only son of a wealthy pearl farmer. However months before their wedding, Yao is killed by the Japanese in the Nanjing Massacre. The Kwans insist on proceeding with the wedding and the beautiful Peilin is married to a ghost husband. When an uncle passes away, Peilin is sent to Shanghai to manage the Kwan family herbal shop. Meanwhile in Berlin, Henri graduates from medical school just as Hitler rises to power and unleashes prejudice and violence against the Jewish population. He flees to Shanghai where he’s befriended by Ping, a young disfigured rickshaw driver. Ping introduces Henri to his sister Peilin. Through her kindness, Henri becomes fascinated with Chinese herbs as well as the exotic culture surrounding him.
Layne,
Congratulations on becoming a published novelist. Is Shanghai Love your first novel?
Larry
Thanks Larry! It is my first… second one in the works!
Congratulations! I’m excited to read it. I should be able to make it to the book signing in Berkeley.
Thanks Dana ~ Looking forward to seeing you!
Layne and Jay,
It was certainly our pleasure to meet you and have you in our home when you visited in Augusta, Georgia.
What an exciting time it must be for you to have your first novel published!
We won’t be where you will be signing your book, but I look forward to getting it.
Good look to you on future publications and what will be a very promising career as a novelist.
Our best regards,
Yick and Ellen Dong
Dear Yick and Ellen,
Thank you! We so enjoyed our visit with you and learning of our shared connections! I’m very excited to share this first novel and I appreciate your support and look forward your thoughts. Please keep in touch!
Always,
Layne
Just finished Shanghai Love, the Kindle edition..loved it..would love to see a sequel to this story with Henri and Peilin!
Hi Linda, Thank you so much for letting me know how much you enjoyed it! I’ve been toying with a sequel, but wasn’t sure. Knowing that you’d like to see one helps me a lot! If there are areas of particular interest — herbs, pearls, food, culture, etc — I’d love to hear your thoughts!