When we go back to the States, our home base is in Florida. We arrived at the beginning of September, the height of hurricane season! And we quickly found ourselves in the path of three hurricanes: Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Jose, and Hurricane Maria. Irma was the biggest and baddest one headed our way. Irma was Read More
Author: Amanda R
Hostel Review – Mountain Escape Yangshuo
My family was recently invited to stay the night at Mountain Escape Yangshuo. The property was amazing and we would highly recommend staying here. Mountain Escape is a refurbished countryside house about 20 minutes by car outside of Yangshuo town. The family who owns it (Gary and Fiona) spared no expense in the renovations, but Read More
Behind the Story – Empress Cixi
If you have read any of my books, it’s pretty easy to see that China’s last empress, the Dowager Empress Cixi, is a recurring character. Who was Empress Cixi and why do I write about her? Empress Cixi was born in 1835 to a poor and unimportant Manchu family, but she didn’t remain in obscurity for Read More
Threads of Silk Now Available As An Audiobook!
I’m excited to announce that Threads of Silk is now available as an audiobook! The book was narrated by Leanne Yau. You can download the book from Amazon here. You can open a free 30-day trial account and get a copy of my book for FREE by going to http://www.audible.com/offers/30free?asin=B074F3SDW1 This feels like a big step Read More
3 Defectors – Memoirs from North Korea
Even though my main focus is China, I’m also very interested in what is going on in North Korea. I know that for most Americans, North Korea isn’t really on their radar, but here in China, the “hermit kingdom” can’t be ignored. Even though I mostly review books on this site that specifically deal with Read More
There and Back Again – Going Full Circle
I mentioned in a previous post that big changes were coming (as if bringing our daughter home only six months ago wasn’t a big enough change!). So today I can finally announce that… We are moving to Yangshuo! Our China journey began nearly seven years ago in Yangshuo in Guangxi province. We came to China Read More
A Chat with Cherith Vaughan, Cover Designer for Murder in the Forbidden City
Today I am so excited to share the cover for my new novel Murder in the Forbidden City! Aren’t they just gorgeous! I am so excited for this novel. Check out the blurb: Peking, 1867 When one of the Empress’s ladies-in-waiting is killed in the Forbidden City, she orders Inspector Gong to find the killer. Read More
Home Six Months!
It’s hard to believe that six months ago, we were still just a couple. But Monday will be the sixth month anniversary of bringing our kiddo home! This is typically a time when parents post before and after photos of their kids to show how much children can improve in such a short period of Read More
Hiring a Housekeeper in China
Long time readers of this blog might remember one of my more popular posts from a couple of years ago about my Housekeeper from Hell, Annie. Long story short, Annie came across some very personal photos of mine while cleaning and shared them on WeChat, China’s most popular social network, and called me a prostitute. Read More
Happy Mother's Day!
Today I get to celebrate my first official Mother’s Day! Even though my sweet Zoe always wishes me a Happy Mother’s Day, it certainly has more meaning this year. I’m celebrating by spending the afternoon away from the baby hahaha! Zoe is taking me to fancy high tea and then to get a massage while Read More