On the eve when the Empire of the Rising Sun arrives to scorch all in its path, how much must one sacrifice to keep alive the glimmer of hope? Follow this saga and watch the brightest city in the East take its last stand at the dawn of WWII.In the face of horror, his country stood alone. Japan’s hunger for power shows no signs of retreat. Pushed to the edge, the Kuomintang turns to the Kremlin as … Kuomintang turns to the Kremlin as its last hope for help.
To help his country succeed, Clark Yuan has to make a choice. Follow his heart and pursue the woman he loves, or give cover to a Russian princess as her paramour in a plot to sway the Soviets behind their cause?
What should a man do when protecting his country demands the loss of his dreams?
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Shunned by the community for defending an innocent Nazi, Eden Levine begins the new year friendless and alone. Determined to go on, she immerses herself in work. Her singular goal to expose the Japanese navy’s sordid secret and save the comfort women trapped in a living hell.
All that changes when she catches the eye of Neil Sassoon, nephew of Shanghai’s most powerful tycoon.
A chance of a lifetime unfolds before her.
As the threat of war in China comes near, should she grasp the prize and promise of safety, or should she stay true to the voice within?
“When I look at all the devastation that has shattered my dreams, the one dream I will always lament losing is a chance to fall in love with you.”
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From the author of the Rose of Anzio series, don’t miss this sweeping WWII tale of love, loss, and hope during one of the world’s darkest hours.
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I was honored when Ms. Kang asked me to write the forward for Shanghai Story, which is the first book in this series. It was a wonderful story that chronicles the history WW11 in China as well as the experience of the Jewish refugees in Shanghai at the time. It’s often difficult for an author to write a second book that is as compelling as the first in a series. However, Ms. Kang did just that in book two of this marvelous trilogy. I highly recommend this book.
Though unprepared for the Japanese Occupation, the patriots pool their resources to move forward. Having learned about the Pacific Theater and the European Theater, the writer provides knowledge of the turmoil in China. These battles have less print than the others. Much better than the first book of the trilogy.
While the first book of the series closes with a promising future for Clark and Eden, the second book opens with an obstacle. Clark faces the dilemma of obeying KMT’s wish and taking on a fake girlfriend, or pursuing a relationship with Eden. Clark makes a heartbreaking choice, but there seems to be endless opportunities for Eden in Shanghai, and soon she finds herself another suitor. Neil is the heir of the wealthy Jewish business man Victor Sassoon, he is handsome and generous, and he is smitten with Eden. In the meantime, Eden, with the help of Clark, is also back to China Press and busies herself with uncovering secrets of wartime Shanghai. Her controversial articles would once again threaten her own future, including her relationship with Neil. The book is full of twists and turns until the very end, and the characters have to make difficult choices constantly.
Besides the gripping plot, the writing is beautiful and confident. The author maintains a perfect balance between serious, historical events and tender moments. The characterization is also well done. It’s impossible not to like Clark and Eden, who are noble and righteous and always put the greater good of humanity first. But I also like the minor characters such as Isaac, who refuses to yield to material temptations, and the beautiful and mysterious Russian Princess. What I admire the most is the author’s exploration on the complexity of human relations. Should you turn against a loved one in order to do the right thing? Should you defend a friend whose country is at war with yours? The author can be merciless with her powerful writing, and there are times I feel sorry for the characters who find themselves in these quandaries.
The author’s courage to touch upon so many sensitive issues in the story is commendable. There are grisly details of the war I can’t bring myself to read. But then, I enjoy the overall positive tone, conveyed by the characters’ optimism for the future and their undying love for each other. I can’t wait to see them finally get through the horrific war and be together.
I loved this story of two people caught in Shanghai at the beginning of the war. I always love Alexa Kang’s characters and the stories she creates.
The Shanghai story continues in Shanghai Dreams. Clark and Eden split ways just as they start to fall in love with each other. They each believe the other is in love with someone else. As the conflict between the Chinese and the Japanese intensifies and breaks into war Eden almost marries Neil but a letter to her from Clark changes her mind hours from her wedding, I loved the book and the realistic content to the time period. I also appreciated the descriptions and notes written by the author at the ending of the book describing why she wrote certain parts as she did. I would recommend this book and this series.