The Concubine

I have only read a smattering of romance. Most of the writers I have read are long since dead. I discovered Jade Lee's Tigress works through the White Tigress site in September. Since then, I have read nearly every book in her library. THE CONCUBINE is the first I bought upon release. Her style is sharp and irreverent in the face of a tradition which was hard on women. She generally explores the Chinese tradition, but has brought China to England in my favorite work, DRAGON EARL. THE CONCUBINE is joyfully all China. She explores the dangers and excitement of being chosen as concubine for the Emperor of China. Women were the lowest of the low in that society, uneducated and marketable. However Jade Lee presents an independent intellegent woman as her heroine, Ji Yue. Given to the Emperor as concubine, she falls in love with his best friend, Sun Bo Tao. At first Sun Bo Tao appears flippant and causual about life, but, as with all her characters, there is more to him than meets the eye. He is a proud man who wants to serve his Emperor and his country but is more useful to the Emperor by remaining in the shadows as his loyal friend and confident. When it is time for the forming of the Emperor's harum, Sun Bo Tao is put in charge, along with the dowager Empress and head eunuch, of the testing and celebration for marriage. Although an infamous ladies man, the Emperor knows his friend. Unfortunately, Ji Yue was unexpected and hard to resist. What happens along the way is sometimes hysterically funny and sometimes nervewracking. It is a thrilling erotic tale. This is a quick read, as the Blaze Collection generally is, but the work is well researched and highly entertaining. As with all Jade Lee's works, it's hard to put it down until it's finished... and even then you wish there was more. I recommend this work highly.

Jade Lee throws you into a world where you feel like you are witnessing the relationships of a man and woman unfold before your eyes in an awesome and sometimes humorous way. She really knows the feelings and frustrations of her characters wants and needs. Just when you think that the story will turn out one way, Ms.Lee makes it a pleasant and refreshing surprise. A good read for the summer!

Ms. Lee does it again!! I love her historical stories - the color, the detail the sensuality is all there and thsi book delivers! SHORT STORY - I could have kept reading!!! This story and the Tao of Love sould all be put togther for a long - good book!